Search

A carbonylation–carboxylation synthetic sequence, via double CO2fixation, is described. The productive merger of a Ni-catalyzed cross-electrophile coupling manifold, with the use of AlCl3, triggered a cascade reaction with the formation of three consecutive C–C bonds in a single operation. This strategy traces an unprecedented synthetic route to ketones under Lewis acid assisted carbon dioxide valorization. Computational insights revealed a unique double function of AlCl3, and labeling (13CO2) experiments validate the genuine incorporation of CO2in both functional groups.

The preparation of symmetrical (hetero)biaryls via arylazo sulfones has been successfully carried out upon visible light irradiation in the presence of PPh3AuCl as the catalyst. The present protocol led to the efficient synthesis of a wide range of target compounds in an organic-aqueous solvent under photocatalyst-free conditions.