Nickel-Catalyzed NO Group Transfer Coupled with NOx Conversion

J Am Chem Soc. 2022 Mar 16;144(10):4585-4593. doi: 10.1021/jacs.1c13560. Epub 2022 Feb 14.

Abstract

Nitrogen oxide (NOx) conversion is an important process for balancing the global nitrogen cycle. Distinct from the biological NOx transformation, we have devised a synthetic approach to this issue by utilizing a bifunctional metal catalyst for producing value-added products from NOx. Here, we present a novel catalysis based on a Ni pincer system, effectively converting Ni-NOx to Ni-NO via deoxygenation with CO(g). This is followed by transfer of the in situ generated nitroso group to organic substrates, which favorably occurs at the flattened Ni(I)-NO site via its nucleophilic reaction. Successful catalytic production of oximes from benzyl halides using NaNO2 is presented with a turnover number of >200 under mild conditions. In a key step of the catalysis, a nickel(I)-NO species effectively activates alkyl halides, which is carefully evaluated by both experimental and theoretical methods. Our nickel catalyst effectively fulfills a dual purpose, namely, deoxygenating NOx anions and catalyzing C-N coupling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Nickel*

Substances

  • Nickel