Nickel-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of conjugated olefins

Abstract

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of electron-deficient olefins is realized with nickel catalysts supported by strongly σ-donating bisphosphines. Deuterium labeling experiments point to a reaction sequence of formate decarboxylation, asymmetric hydride insertion and non-stereoselective protonation of resulting nickel enolates.