Nickel-catalyzed reductive defunctionalization of esters in the absence of an external reductant: Activation of C-O bonds

Article abstract of DOI:10.1039/c9cc07710c

The nickel-catalyzed reductive cleavage of esters in the absence of an external reductant, which involves the cleavage of an inert acyl C-O bond in O-Alkyl esters is reported. Various groups, such as N-containing heterocycles, esters, amides, and even arene rings can function as a directing group.