Air-stable heterobimetallic catalysts to effect Ni/Cr-mediated couplings with a ca. 1:1 molar ratio of coupling partners at low catalyst loadings

Two air-stable Ni,Cr-heterobimetallic catalysts have been prepared from ligands 7 and 11, obtained from scyllo-inositol in four and three steps, respectively. Both catalysts smoothly promote Ni/Cr-mediated coupling reactions with a ca. 1:1 molar ratio of coupling partners. The catalyst derived from 11 exhibits a better catalytic profile, thereby allowing Ni/Cr-mediated coupling reactions to be achieved with a wide range of substrates at a low catalyst loading in an operationally simple manner.