Reductive Cyclopropanations Catalyzed by Dinuclear Nickel Complexes

Abstract

AbstractDinuclear Ni complexes supported by naphthyridine‐diimine (NDI) ligands catalyze the reductive cyclopropanation of alkenes with CH2Cl2 as the methylene source. The use of mild terminal reductants (Zn or Et2Zn) confers significant functional‐group tolerance, and the catalyst accommodates structurally and electronically diverse alkenes. Mononickel catalysts bearing related N chelates afford comparatively low cyclopropane yields (≤20 %). These results constitute an entry into catalytic carbene transformations from oxidized methylene precursors.