Ligand-dependent scope and divergent mechanistic behavior in nickel-catalyzed reductive couplings of aldehydes and alkynes

A new procedure for catalytic reductive coupling of aldehydes and alkynes has been developed. The procedure uses Ni(COD)2 with an imidazolium carbene ligand as the catalyst and triethylsilane as the reducing agent. A crossover deuterium-labeling experiment illustrated that variants involving trialkyl phosphines and imidazolium carbene ligands with a nickel catalyst proceed by different mechanisms.     

Access to macrocyclic endocyclic and exocyclic allylic alcohols by nickel-catalyzed reductive cyclization of ynals

Ni-catalyzed reductive macrocyclizations of ynals are reported. Disubstituted alkynes afford either endocyclic or exocyclic allylic alcohols depending on the ligand. Phosphine ligands favor the formation of endocyclic olefins, whereas N-heterocyclic carbene ligands favor the formation of exocyclic olefins. Terminal alkynes provide 1,2-disubstituted olefins with N-heterocyclic carbene ligands.     

Association of Molybdenum Ionic Species with Alumina Surface

The adsorption isotherms at 25, 45, and 65 degrees C of molybdenum solutions of concentration ranges between 10(-3) and 3x10(-2) M(Mo) (pH 4-5) on different alumina samples are investigated. The analysis is conducted using a modified Frumkin isotherm which takes a more realistic account of the lateral interaction between adsorbed species and considers that the adsorption takes place on the most basic OH groups on the surface of alumina. The results are discussed in view of the difference in solutions speciation, and the changes in the pH of the remaining supernatant solutions. The solution temperature, PZC of the used aluminas, the configuration of the basic OH groups on their surface, and the pore structure have been shown to intervene effectively. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

Cascade cyclizations and couplings involving nickel enolates

A new strategy for effecting cascade cyclization processes using nickel enolates has been developed. Nickel enolates may be cleanly generated by the oxidative cyclization of an enal and alkyne with Ni(0), and the resulting enolate may be functionalized by a variety of alkylation processes. Partially and fully intramolecular versions of the process allow the rapid synthesis of complex polycyclics from simple achiral, acyclic precursors.