The first group 4 metal catalysts are developed to catalyse C(sp3)–H addition of alkyl pyridines to olefins. Ligand-controlled regioselectivity was observed and verified.
The use of the Et3SiH/B(C6F5)3 system for the activation of group 4 metal catalysts allows the efficient and selective catalytic hydrodefluorination of trifluorotoluenes.