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Updated: Sep 6, 2026

A Microwave-Assisted Direct Heteroarylation of Ketones Using Transition Metal Catalysis
Published on: February 16, 2020
Nickel-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Aryl-Substituted Maleic Acid Diesters
Jiawei Han1,2, Zhiling Wang2, Yunshun Deng2
1State Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drugs, Pingyuan Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Media and Reactions, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang453007, China.
Abstract:
Chiral aryl-substituted succinic acid diesters are valuable intermediates for the synthesis of wide range of chiral bioactive molecules, yet their enantioselective synthesis remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report the first example of a nickel-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of aryl-substituted maleic acid diesters. This catalytic system exhibits a broad substrate scope and good functional-group tolerance, delivering the target products in up to 99% isolated yield and 97% ee (enantiomeric excess). The resulting succinic acid diesters can be readily converted into a variety of structurally diverse chiral derivatives. Mechanistic studies, including deuterium-labeling experiments and kinetic analysis, were conducted to elucidate the catalytic cycle, and a plausible reaction pathway is proposed.
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