Ni-catalyzed hydroaminoalkylation of alkynes with amines

Allylic amines are versatile building blocks in organic synthesis and exist in bioactive compounds, but their synthesis via hydroaminoalkylation of alkynes with amines has been a formidable challenge. Here, we report a late transition metal Ni-catalyzed hydroaminoalkylation of alkynes with N-sulfonyl amines, providing a series of allylic amines in up to 94% yield. Double ligands of N-heterocyclic carbene (IPr) and tricyclohexylphosphine (PCy₃) effectively promote the reaction.

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)₃ L]. 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.

Catalytic transfer hydrogenation of azobenzene by low-valent nickel complexes: a route to 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles and 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazolines

The one-pot synthesis of 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles by the transfer hydrogenation of azobenzene, using benzylamine as a hydrogen donor is reported, catalyzed by 2 mol% of [Ni(COD)₂] : dippe.

Enantioselective Synthesis of N-PMP-1,2-dihydropyridines via Formal [4 + 2] Cycloaddition between Aqueous Glutaraldehyde and Imines

A simple and highly practical one-pot formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition approach for the enantioselective synthesis of N-PMP-1,2-dihydropyridines (DHPs) is described. This chemistry involves an amino-catalytic direct Mannich reaction/cyclization followed by IBX-mediated chemo- and regioselective oxidation sequence between readily available aqueous glutaraldehyde and imines under very mild conditions. A series of N-PMP-1,2-DHPs have been prepared in high yields and excellent enantioselectivity. This method also gives access to both enantiomers of 1,2-DHPs in surplus amount by shifting the catalyst configuration.

Aza-nickelacycle key intermediate in nickel(0)-catalyzed transformation reactions

Oxidative cyclization of alkynes and imines with nickel(0) is a key step in multicomponent coupling and cycloaddition reactions to give nitrogen-containing organic compounds.

Synthesis of tetra-substituted imidazoles and 2-imidazolines by Ni(0)-catalyzed dehydrogenation of benzylic-type imines

A one pot methodology using simple imines allowed the formation of N-substituted imidazoles and imidazolines.