A hydrate salt-promoted reductive coupling reaction of nitrodienes with unactivated alkenes

Abstract

Transition metal-catalyzed reductive coupling has emerged as a powerful method for the construction of C–C bonds. Herein, a crystalline hydrate, Na₂HPO₄·7H₂O, has been disclosed as an effective promoter for the reductive coupling of nitrodienes with unactivated alkenes to afford diverse dienes with various functionalities in an open-flask manner. The mechanism study has revealed that Na₂HPO₄·7H₂O accelerates the in situ generation of active silane PhSi(OEt)H₂ and prevents the deactivation of catalyst. The approach can increase the efficiency of previous reductive coupling reactions as well.