Nickel‐Catalyzed α‐Allylation of Aldehydes and Tandem Aldol Condensation/Allylation Reaction with Allylic Alcohols

An additive‐free nickel‐catalyzed α‐allylation of aldehydes with allyl alcohol is reported. The reaction is promoted by 1 mol % of in situ formed nickel complex in methanol, and water is the sole by‐product of the reaction. The experimental conditions allow the conversion of various α‐branched aldehydes and α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes as nucleophiles. The same catalyst and reaction conditions enabled a tandem aldol condensation of aldehyde/α‐allylation reaction.     

Atomically Dispersed Nickel(I) on an Alloy‐Encapsulated Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanotube Array for High‐Performance Electrochemical CO2 Reduction Reaction

Single‐atom catalysts (SACs) show great promise for electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CRR), but the low density of active sites and the poor electrical conduction and mass transport of the single‐atom electrode greatly limit their performance. Herein, we prepared a nickel single‐atom electrode consisting of isolated, high‐density and low‐valent nickel(I) sites anchored on a self‐standing N‐doped carbon nanotube array with nickel–copper alloy encapsulation on a carbon‐fiber paper. The combination of single‐atom nickel(I) sites and self‐standing array structure gives rise to an excellent electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction performance. The introduction of copper tunes the d‐band electron configuration and enhances the adsorption of hydrogen, which impedes the hydrogen evolution reaction. The single‐nickel‐atom electrode exhibits a specific current density of ?32.87 mA cm^?2 and turnover frequency of 1962 h^?1 at a mild overpotential of 620 mV for CO formation with 97 % Faradic efficiency.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Chain‐Walking Cross‐Electrophile Coupling of Alkyl and Aryl Halides and Olefin Hydroarylation Enabled by Electrochemical Reduction

The first electrochemical approach for nickel‐catalyzed cross‐electrophile coupling was developed. This method provides a novel route to 1,1‐diarylalkane derivatives from simple and readily available alkyl and aryl halides in good yields and excellent regioselectivity under mild conditions. The procedure shows good tolerance for a broad variety of functional groups and both primary and secondary alkyl halides can be used. Furthermore, the reaction was successfully scaled up to the multigram scale, thus indicating potential for industrial application. Mechanistic investigation suggested the formation of a nickel hydride in the electroreductive chain‐walking arylation, which led to the development of a new nickel‐catalyzed hydroarylation of styrenes to provide a series of 1,1‐diaryl alkanes in good yields under mild reaction conditions.     

Polymerization of 1,3‐cyclohexadiene with nickel/MAO catalytic systems

The polymerization of 1,3‐cyclohexadiene with nickel bis(acetylacetonate) activated by methylaluminoxane affords poly(1,3‐cyclohexadiene) in high yields; the same catalyst is unable to polymerize larger conjugated cyclic diolefins or copolymerize 1,3‐cyclohexadiene with styrene. In the latter case, the homopolymer of the diolefin is obtained. The catalyst activity increases with increasing reaction temperature, nickel concentration, and aluminum/nickel ratio or with the addition of triisobutylaluminum to the reaction medium. The obtained poly(1,3‐cyclohexadiene) samples are high‐melting crystalline polymers (melting temperature ∼ 320 °C) that are insoluble in all common organic solvents. With bis(cyclopentadienyl)nickel in place of nickel bis(acetylacetonate), the activity is much lower, but the polymer is more stereoregular, as indicated by the slightly higher value of the melting temperature. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 3004–3009, 2000     

Facile Access to Fluoromethylated Arenes by Nickel‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling between Arylboronic Acids and Fluoromethyl Bromide

The nickel‐catalyzed fluoromethylation of arylboronic acids was achieved with the industrial raw material fluoromethyl bromide (CH₂FBr) as the coupling partner. The reaction proceeded under mild reaction conditions with high efficiency; it features the use of a low‐cost nickel catalyst, synthetic simplicity, and excellent functional‐group compatibility, and provides facile access to fluoromethylated biologically relevant molecules. Preliminary mechanistic studies showed that a single‐electron‐transfer (SET) pathway is involved in the catalytic cycle.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Synthesis of N‐Aryl‐1,2‐dihydropyridines by [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of Imines with Alkynes through T‐Shaped 14‐Electron Aza‐Nickelacycle Key Intermediates

Despite there being a straightforward approach for the synthesis of 1,2‐dihydropyridines, the transition‐metal‐catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction of imines with alkynes has been achieved only with imines containing an N‐sulfonyl or ‐pyridyl group. Considering the importance of 1,2‐dihydropyridines as useful intermediates in the preparation of a wide range of valuable organic molecules, it would be very worthwhile to provide novel strategies to expand the scope of imines. Herein we report a successful expansion of the scope of imines in nickel‐catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions with alkynes. In the presence of a nickel(0)/PCy₃ catalyst, a reaction with N‐benzylidene‐P,P‐diphenylphosphinic amide was developed. Moreover, an application of N‐aryl imines to the reaction was also achieved by adopting N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands. The isolation of an (η²‐N‐aryl imine)nickel(0) complex containing a 14‐electron nickel(0) center and a T‐shaped 14‐electron five‐membered aza‐nickelacycle is shown. These would be considered as key intermediates of the reaction. The structure of these complexes was unambiguously determined by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray analyses.     

Visible‐Light‐Promoted Nickel‐ and Organic‐Dye‐Cocatalyzed Formylation Reaction of Aryl Halides and Triflates and Vinyl Bromides with Diethoxyacetic Acid as a Formyl Equivalent

A simple formylation reaction of aryl halides, aryl triflates, and vinyl bromides under synergistic nickel‐ and organic‐dye‐mediated photoredox catalysis is reported. Distinct from widely used palladium‐catalyzed formylation processes, this reaction proceeds by a two‐step mechanistic sequence involving initial in situ generation of the diethoxymethyl radical from diethoxyacetic acid by a 4CzIPN‐mediated photoredox reaction. The formyl‐radical equivalent then undergoes nickel‐catalyzed substitution reactions with aryl halides and triflates and vinyl bromides to form the corresponding aldehyde products. Significantly, besides aryl bromides, less reactive aryl chlorides and triflates and vinyl halides serve as effective substrates for this process. Since the mild conditions involved in this reaction tolerate a plethora of functional groups, the process can be applied to the efficient preparation of diverse aromatic aldehydes.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Reductive Diarylation of Vinylarenes

A nickel‐catalyzed asymmetric diarylation reaction of vinylarenes enables the preparation of chiral α,α,β‐triarylated ethane scaffolds, which exist in a number of biologically active molecules. The use of reducing conditions with aryl bromides as coupling partners obviates the need for stoichiometric organometallic reagents and tolerates a broad range of functional groups. The application of an N‐oxyl radical as a ligand to a nickel catalyst represents a novel approach to facilitate nickel‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed 1,1‐Alkylboration of Electronically Unbiased Terminal Alkenes

An unprecedented nickel‐catalyzed 1,1‐alkylboration of electronically unbiased alkenes has been developed, providing straightforward access to secondary aliphatic boronic esters from readily available materials under very mild reaction conditions. The regioselectivity of this reaction is governed by a unique pyridyl carboxamide ligated catalyst, rather than the substrates. Moreover, this transformation shows excellent chemo‐ and regio‐selectivity and remarkably good functional‐group tolerance. We also demonstrate that under balloon pressure, ethylene can also be utilized as a substrate. Additionally, competence experiments indicate that selective bond formation is favored at the α‐position of boron and preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that the key step in this three‐component reaction involves a 1,2‐nickel migration.     

Nickel peroxide: A more probable intermediate in the Ni(II)‐catalyzed decomposition of peroxomonosulfate

The Ni(II) ion catalyzed thermal decomposition of peroxomonosulfate (PMS) was studied in the pH range 3.42–5.89. The rate is first order in [PMS] and Ni(II) ion concentrations. At pH greater than or equal to 5.23, the reaction becomes zero order in [PMS] and this changeover in the order of the reaction occurs at a higher concentration of nickel ions. The first‐order kinetics in PMS can be explained as a rate‐limiting step and is the transformation of nickel peroxomonosulfate into nickel peroxide. This peroxide intermediate reacts rapidly with another PMS to give oxygen and Ni(II). The formation of nickel peroxide is associated with a small negative or nearly zero entropy of activation. The zero‐order kinetics in [PMS] can be explained by the fact that the hydrolysis of aquated nickel(II) ions into hydroxocompounds is the rate‐limiting step. The turnover number is 2 at pH 3.42 and increases with pH. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 39: 320–237, 2007     

Complexation Kinetics of N‐Alkyl‐Substituted Diamino Diamides with Nickel (II) in Aqueous Solution

Equilibrium constants are deter mined for the protonation and metal complexation of the nickel(II) complexes with 4‐methyl‐4,7‐diazadecanediamide (4‐Me‐L‐2,2,2), 4,7‐dimethyl‐4,7‐diazadecanediamide (4,7‐N,N′‐Me₂‐L‐2,2,2), 4‐ethyl‐4,7‐diazadecanediamide (4‐Et‐L‐2,2,2), and 4‐methyl‐4,8‐ diazaundecane diamide (4‐Me‐L‐2,3,2), in 0.10 M KCl at 25.0°C. The formation kinetics of these nickel (II) complexes have been studied under the same conditions with use of the stopped‐flow technique. The possible path ways for the complexation reaction of nickel (II) with these ligands are discussed. The first metal‐nitrogen bond formation is proposed as the rate‐determining step for the reactions of nickel (II) with the unprotonated ligands; proton loss is the rate‐limiting step in the reactions of nickel (II) with the monoprotonated ligands. Similarly, in dissociation reactions of these nickel (II) complexes, the rate‐determining step for the water dissociation pathway is the break age of the second nickel‐nitrogen bond; the rate‐determining step for the proton‐assisted path way is the protonation of the released amino group. The important factors determining the reactivity of these complexes are considered. The kinetic results of the formation and dissociation reactions of these complexes are consistent with dissociative mechanism.     

Room Temperature CP Bond Formation Enabled by Merging Nickel Catalysis and Visible‐Light‐Induced Photoredox Catalysis

A novel and efficient C?P bond formation reaction of diarylphosphine oxides with aryl iodides was achieved by combining nickel catalysis and visible‐light‐induced photoredox catalysis. This dual‐catalytic reaction showed a broad substrate scope, excellent functional group tolerance, and afforded the corresponding products in good to excellent yields. Compared with the previously reported use of photoredox/nickel dual catalysis in the construction of C?C bonds, the methodology described herein was observed to be the first to allow for C‐heteroatom bond formation.     

Decarbonylative CC Bond‐Forming Reactions of Saccharins by Nickel Catalysis: Homocoupling and Cycloaddition

Decarbonylation of saccharins by nickel catalysis enables two kinds of C?C bond‐forming reactions; homocoupling of saccharins to form biaryls and cycloaddition with alkynes to form benzosultams. The former represents the first reported nickel‐catalyzed decarbonylative C?C homocoupling reaction, whereas the latter constitutes a powerful method to pharmaceutically relevant benzosultams. The reactions proceed with good functional‐group tolerance and excellent regioselectivity.     

One‐Electron Reduction of Acenaphthene‐1,2‐Diimine Nickel(II) Complexes

New nickel‐based complexes of 1,2‐bis[(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene (dpp‐bian) with BF₄^? counterion or halide co‐ligands were synthesized in THF and MeCN. The nickel(I) complexes were obtained by using two approaches: 1) electrochemical reduction of the corresponding nickel(II) precursors; and 2) a chemical comproportionation reaction. The structural features and redox properties of these complexes were investigated by using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (XRD), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The influence of temperature and solvent on the structure of the nickel(I) complexes was studied in detail, and an uncommon reversible solvent‐induced monomer/dimer transformation was observed. In the case of the fluoride complex, the unpaired electron was found to be localized on the dpp‐bian ligand, whereas all of the other nickel complexes contained neutral dpp‐bian moieties.     

Concise Synthesis of Well‐Defined Linear and Branched Oligothiophenes with Nickel‐Catalyzed Regiocontrolled Cross‐Coupling of 3‐Substituted Thiophenes by Catalytically Generated Magnesium Amide

The synthesis of linear and branched oligothiophenes of well‐defined structures is performed with regioselective deprotonation of 3‐substituted thiophenes and nickel‐catalyzed cross‐coupling of the thus formed metalated species with a bromothiophene. The reaction of 3‐hexylthiophene with EtMgCl and 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine (TMP‐H, 10 mol %) induces the metalation selectively at the 5‐position by use of the catalytically generated hindered magnesium amide (TMPMgCl) and the subsequent reaction of a 2‐halo‐3‐hexylthiophene (bromide or chloride) in the presence of a nickel catalyst affords a head‐to‐tail (HT)‐type dimer. By repeating the same sequence, the linear oligothiophene up to a 4‐mer is synthesized in good yield. The reaction of 3‐hexylthiophene with 2,3‐dibromothiophene also takes place to afford a branched oligothiophene 3‐mer in quantitative yield. The obtained 3‐mer is also metalated at the sterically less‐hindered position in a regioselective manner furnishing a 7‐mer in >99 % yield after a further coupling reaction with 2,3‐dibromothiophene. These dendrimers react with several multifunctionalized organic electrophiles, leading to a variety of branched oligothiophenes.     

Nickel‐ and palladium‐catalyzed olefin polymerization under high pressures

The polymerization of 1‐hexene under high pressures (100–750 MPa) was investigated with nickel–α‐diimine complex/methylaluminoxane and palladium–α‐diimine complex/methylaluminoxane as catalyst systems. The catalytic activity of both the nickel and palladium complexes monotonously increased as pressure rose and became two to four times higher than that observed at atmospheric pressure. Palladium catalysts gave poly(1‐hexene)s with higher molecular weights under high pressure, whereas nickel‐catalyzed high‐pressure polymerizations gave polymers with higher molecular weights only at rather low monomer concentrations. The living‐like character in the palladium‐catalyzed polymerizations was somewhat enhanced under higher pressures, whereas the nickel‐catalyzed polymerizations under high pressures were not living. More branches were found in the polymers produced by nickel catalysts at higher pressures. The chain‐transfer reaction seemed to be accelerated by the high pressure in the nickel‐catalyzed reactions, although this was not apparent in the palladium‐catalyzed reactions. Dimers formed and were accompanied by high molecular weight polymers when nickel catalysts were used under high pressures and at high monomer concentrations. The possibility that very congested five‐coordinated species act as key intermediates for the dimerization is discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 293–302, 2003     

Practical Stannylation of Allyl Acetates Catalyzed by Nickel with Bu3SnOMe

A practical and scalable nickel‐catalyzed allylic stannylation of allyl acetates with Bu₃SnOMe is described. A variety of acyclic and cyclic allyl acetates, even with base‐sensitive moieties, undergoes the stannylation by using NiBr₂/4,4′‐di‐tert‐butylbipyridine (dtbpy)/Mn catalyst system to afford highly functionalized allyl stannanes with excellent regioselectivity and yields. Furthermore, the scope of protocol is also extended by the reaction of propargyl acetates, giving rise to propargyl or allenyl stannanes. Additionally, a unique diastereoselectivity using the nickel catalyst different from the palladium was demonstrated for the stannylation of cyclic allyl acetates. In the reaction, inexpensive and stable nickel complexes, abundant reductant (Mn), and atom‐economical stannyl source were used.     

Efficient Synthesis of Polycyclic γ‐Lactams by Catalytic Carbonylation of Ene‐Imines via Nickelacycle Intermediates

The nickel(0)‐catalyzed carbonylative cycloaddition of 1,5‐ and 1,6‐ene‐imines with carbon monoxide (CO) is reported. Key to this reaction is the efficient regeneration of the catalytically active nickel(0) species from nickel carbonyl complexes such as [Ni(CO)₃L]. A variety of tri‐ and tetracyclic γ‐lactams were thus prepared in excellent yields with 100 % atom efficiency. Preliminary results on asymmetric derivatives promise potential in the synthesis of enantioenriched polycyclic γ‐lactams.     

Highly Selective Dimerization and Trimerization of Isobutene to Linearly Linked Products by Using Nickel Catalysts

The unique linear linkage of isobutene to generate highly valuable C₈ precursors for plasticizers is feasible by using special nickel catalysts. (4‐Cyclooctene‐1‐yl)(1,1,1,5,5,5‐hexafluoro‐2,4‐acetylacetonato)nickel and aluminum‐alkyl‐activated nickel acetylacetonates produce isobutene dimers with high selectivities of up to 95 %. Moreover, selectivity for the head‐to‐head products (2,5‐dimethylhexenes) is remarkably high at up to 99 %. Additionally, novel C₁₂ isobutene trimers are also formed with a very high selectivity of up to 99 % for the linear linkage. The trimer structure (2,5,8‐trimethylnonenes) reflects the stepwise characteristic of the reaction mechanism. Pathways of insertion and activation and the deactivation processes of the catalyst are discussed in detail.     

焦脱镁叶绿酸甲酯的Vilsmeier反应合成δ-meso-甲酰乙烯基卟吩和苯并异细菌卟吩

From methyl pyropheophorbide-a (MPPa, 1), the vinyl group of methyl pyropheophorbide-a was converted into alkylcarbonyl group by Grignard reaction and oxidization to give chlorins 2, 3 and 5. The Vilsmeier reaction of nickel 3-substituent-3-devinylpyropheophorbide-a (6), which was prepared by the metallation with nickel acetate, with 3-dimethylamino-acrolein/phosphoryl chloride (3-DMA/POCl3) was carried out to give δ-meso-formylvinylpyropheophorbide-a (7) in good yield. The benzoisobacterichlorin (8) was obtained by the treatment of 7b with concentrated sulfuric acid.