MnCl2-Catalyzed C–H Alkylation on Azine Heterocycles

Low-valent manganese-catalyzed C–H alkylation of pyridine derivatives with both primary and challenging secondary alkyl halides was established by amide assistance. The strategy provided expedient access to alkylated pyridines with wide functional group tolerance and ample scope through weak chelation. Mechanistic studies provided strong support for a rate-determining C–H activation and a SET-type C–X scission.