Copper-catalyzed oxidative alkenylation of C(sp3)-H bonds via benzyl or alkyl radical addition to β-nitrostyrenesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4nj02416h

A new method for the preparation of ( E )-β-alkylstyrene derivatives has been developed via the addition of a benzyl or alkyl radical to β-nitrostyrenes using di- tert -butyl peroxide (DTBP) as the oxidant in the presence of Cu powder catalyst. The C-H bonds in various toluene derivatives, ethers, alkanes and alcohols were successfully converted into C-C bonds to yield the corresponding ( E )-β-alkylstyrene derivatives in moderate to good yields. A new method for the preparation of ( E )-β-alkylstyrene derivatives has been developed via the addition of benzyl or alkyl radicals to β-nitrostyrenes using di- tert -butyl peroxide (DTBP) as the oxidant in the presence of Cu powder catalyst.