Cross-Coupling of Phenol Derivatives with Umpolung Aldehydes Catalyzed by Nickel

A nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling to construct the C(sp(2))-C(sp(3)) bond was developed from two sustainable biomass-based feedstocks: phenol derivatives with umpolung aldehydes. This strategy features the in situ generation of moisture/air-stable hydrazones from naturally abundant aldehydes, which act as alkyl nucleophiles under catalysis to couple with readily available phenol derivatives. The avoidance of using both halides as the electrophiles and organometallic or organoboron reagents (also derived from halides) as the nucleophiles makes this method more sustainable. Water tolerance, great functional group (ketone, ester, free amine, amide, etc.) compatibility, and late-stage elaboration of complex biological molecules exemplified its practicability and unique chemoselectivity over organometallic reagents.