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Updated: Jan 19, 2026

Retropinacol/Cross-pinacol Coupling Reactions - A Catalytic Access to 1,2-Unsymmetrical Diols
Published on: April 4, 2014
Photochemical Asymmetric Nickel-Catalyzed Acyl Cross-Coupling
Eugenio Gandolfo1, Xinjun Tang1, Sudipta Raha Roy1
1ICIQ - Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia, the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Avenida Països Catalans, 16-43007, Tarragona, Spain.
Abstract:
Photochemical enantioselective nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions are difficult to implement. We report a visible-light-mediated strategy that successfully couples symmetrical anhydrides and 4-alkyl dihydropyridines (DHPs) to afford enantioenriched α-substituted ketones under mild conditions. The chemistry does not require exogenous photocatalysts. It is triggered by the direct excitation of DHPs, which act as a radical source and as a reductant, facilitating the turnover of the chiral catalytic nickel complex.
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