Parameterization of phosphine ligands demonstrates enhancement of nickel catalysis via remote steric effects

Kevin Wu, Abigail G. Doyle

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

195 Scopus citations

Abstract

The field of Ni-catalysed cross-coupling has seen rapid recent growth because of the low cost of Ni, its earth abundance, and its ability to promote unique cross-coupling reactions. Whereas advances in the related field of Pd-catalysed cross-coupling have been driven by ligand design, the development of ligands specifically for Ni has received minimal attention. Here, we disclose a class of phosphines that enable the Ni-catalysed Csp^3 Suzuki coupling of acetals with boronic acids to generate benzylic ethers, a reaction that failed with known ligands for Ni and designer phosphines for Pd. Using parameters to quantify phosphine steric and electronic properties together with regression statistical analysis, we identify a model for ligand success. The study suggests that effective phosphines feature remote steric hindrance, a concept that could guide future ligand design tailored to Ni. Our analysis also reveals that two classic descriptors for ligand steric environment - cone angle and % buried volume - are not equivalent, despite their treatment in the literature.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)779-784
Number of pages6
JournalNature chemistry
Volume9
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2017

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Parameterization of phosphine ligands demonstrates enhancement of nickel catalysis via remote steric effects'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this