Carbon–Carbon Cross‐Coupling Reactions Catalyzed by a Two‐Coordinate Nickel(II)–Bis(amido) Complex via Observable NiI,NiII, and NiIII Intermediates

Recently, the development of more sustainable catalytic systems based on abundant first‐row metals, especially nickel, for cross‐coupling reactions has attracted significant interest. One of the key intermediates invoked in these reactions is a Ni^III–alkyl species, but no such species that is part of a competent catalytic cycle has yet been isolated. Herein, we report a carbon–carbon cross‐coupling system based on a two‐coordinate Ni^II–bis(amido) complex in which a Ni^III–alkyl species can be isolated and fully characterized. This study details compelling experimental evidence of the role played by this Ni^III–alkyl species as well as those of other key Ni^I and Ni^II intermediates. The catalytic cycle described herein is also one of the first examples of a two‐coordinate complex that competently catalyzes an organic transformation, potentially leading to a new class of catalysts based on the unique ability of first‐row transition metals to accommodate two‐coordinate complexes.     

Gold‐Catalyzed Cadiot–Chodkiewicz‐type Cross‐Coupling of Terminal Alkynes with Alkynyl Hypervalent Iodine Reagents: Highly Selective Synthesis of Unsymmetrical 1,3‐Diynes

A new and efficient method for the synthesis of unsymmetrical 1,3‐butadiynes by gold‐catalyzed C(sp)–C(sp) cross‐coupling of terminal alkynes with alkynyl hypervalent iodine(III) reagents has been developed. The reaction features high selectivity and efficiency, mild reaction conditions, wide substrate scope, and functional‐group compatibility, and is a highly attractive complement to existing methods. Mechanistic studies reveal that formation of a phenanthrolinyl‐ligated gold(I) complex is crucial for the efficiency and selectivity of the target transformation.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Reductive Arylation: Convenient Access to 3,3‐Disubstituted Oxindoles

A rhodium‐Josiphos(L*) catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular hydroarylation reaction is described. The reductive cyclization of o ‐bromoaniline‐derived acrylamides provides convenient access to 3,3‐disubstituted oxindoles in good yields and with excellent enantioselectivity across a range of substrates. We propose that the key cyclization proceeds via a rhodium(III) intermediate. Overall, this method represents an unusual mode of reactivity for rhodium catalysis and is complementary to palladium(0)‐catalyzed α‐arylation methods.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Domino Heck‐Type Reactions Using Methyl Esters as Cross‐Coupling Electrophiles

While esters are frequently used as traditional electrophiles in substitution chemistry, their application in cross‐coupling chemistry is still in its infancy. This work demonstrates that methyl esters can be used as coupling electrophiles in Ni‐catalyzed Heck‐type reactions through the challenging cleavage of the C(acyl)?O bond under relatively mild reaction conditions at either 80 or 100 °C. With the σ‐Ni^II intermediate generated from the insertion of acyl Ni^II species into the tethered C=C bond, carbonyl‐retentive products were formed by domino Heck/Suzuki–Miyaura coupling and Heck/reduction pathways when organoboron and mild hydride nucleophiles are used.