Redox-Neutral Nickel(II) Catalysis: Hydroarylation of Unactivated Alkenes with Arylboronic Acids
Dao-Ming Wang1, Wang Feng1, Yichen Wu1
1State key laboratory of organometallic chemistry, Center for excellence in molecular synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, CAS, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai, 200032, P. R. China.
Abstract:
Reported here is the discovery of a redox-neutral NiII /NiII catalytic cycle which is capable of the linear-selective hydroarylation of unactivated alkenes with arylboronic acids for the first time. This novel catalytic cycle, enabled by the use of an electron-rich diimine ligand, features broad substrate scope, and excellent functional-group and heterocycle compatibility under mild reaction conditions in the absence of additional oxidants and reductants. Mechanistic investigations using kinetic analysis and deuterium-labelling experiments revealed the protonation to be the rate-determining step in this redox-neutral catalysis, and the reversible chain-walking nature of the newly developed diimine-Ni catalyst.
Related Concept Videos
Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
Alkynes to Aldehydes and Ketones: Hydroboration-Oxidation
One of the convenient methods for the preparation of aldehydes and ketones is via hydration of alkynes. Hydroboration-oxidation of alkynes is an indirect hydration reaction in which an alkyne is treated with borane followed by oxidation with alkaline peroxide to form an enol that rapidly converts into an aldehyde or a ketone. Terminal alkynes form aldehydes, whereas internal alkynes give ketones as the final product.
Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Hydroboration
Hydroboration proceeds in a concerted fashion with the attack of borane on the π bond, giving a cyclic four-centered transition state. The –BH2 group is bonded to the less substituted carbon and –H to the more substituted carbon. The concerted nature requires the simultaneous addition of –H and –BH2 across the same face of the alkene giving syn stereochemistry.
Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the...
Hydroboration-Oxidation of Alkenes


