Nickel-catalyzed reductive couplings of aldehydes and alkynes

Abstract

The nickel-catalyzed coupling of aldehydes and alkynes has evolved into a broadly useful procedure for the preparation of allylic alcohols. An overview of the many variants of the process, illustrations of complex synthetic applications, and a discussion of mechanism is provided. Additionally, a brief summary of mechanistically related nickel-catalyzed processes as well as a description of alternate strategies for the reductive coupling of aldehydes and alkynes using other metals is provided. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.