Nickel-Catalyzed Synthesis of 1,3,5-Trisubstituted Hydantoins from Acrylates and Isocyanates

One molecule of acrylate reacts with two molecules of isocyanate in the presence of a nickel(0)/SIPr catalyst to give a 1,3,5-trisubstituted hydantoin. Two processes operate in sequence, the first, regioselective formation of N-substituted fumaramate from acrylate and isocyanate and, the second, ring closure of the fumaramate with incorporation of another molecule of isocyanate.