Table 3. Hydroalkylation of diene 1a with various hydrazones 2 ^a .

^aReaction conditions: 1a (0.4 mmol), 2 (0.2 mmol), Ni(COD)₂ (0.02 mmol), P(4-CF₃C₆H₄)₃ (0.024 mmol), ^tBuOLi (0.02 mmol), EtOH (1.5 mL) at 80 °C for 8 h. Isolated yields. Regioselectivity was the ratio of 4 to 4′, which was determined by ¹H NMR analysis of the product.

^b 1a (0.2 mmol), 2r (0.3 mmol), Ni(COD)₂ (0.02 mol), PBn₃ (0.024 mmol), ^tBuOLi (0.02 mmol), EtOH (1.0 mL) at 80 °C for 8 h.