Active nickel-based reduction of organic compounds

The reducing system NiCl₂·2H₂O—Li—arene_cat (cat is catalyst) was proposed for use to reduce a wide range of organic compounds, including alkenes, alkynes, carbonyl compounds, imines, halogenated derivatives, sulfonates, aromatic compounds, hydrazines, azo and azoxy compounds, N-oxides, and nitrones. The degree of reduction can be controlled for some substrates. Deuterium can be incorporated in the reaction products using nickel chloride deuteriohydrate. Nitrones, N-alkoxyamides, and acyl azides are also reduced with the Li—arene_cat system containing no nickel salt.