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Abstract Catalytic enantioselective 1,2-dicarbofunctionalization (1,2-DCF) of alkenes is a powerful transformation of growing importance in organic synthesis for constructing chiral building blocks, bioactive molecules, and agrochemicals. Both in a two- and three-component context, this family of reactions generates densely functionalized, structurally complex products in a single step. Across several distinct mechanistic pathways at play in these transformations with nickel or palladium catalysts, stereocontrol can be obtained through tailored chiral ligands. In this Review we discuss the various strategies, mechanisms, and catalysts that have been applied to achieve enantioinduction in alkene 1,2-DCF. 1 Introduction 2 Two-Component Enantioselective 1,2-DCF via Migratory Insertion 3 Two-Component Enantioselective 1,2-DCF via Radical Capture 4 Three-Component Enantioselective 1,2-DCF via Radical Capture 5 Three-Component Enantioselective 1,2-DCF via Migratory Insertion 6 Miscellaneous Mechanisms 7 Conclusion 

Nickel-catalyzed three-component alkene difunctionalization has rapidly emerged as a powerful tool for forging two C–C bonds in a single reaction. Building upon the powerful modes of bond construction in traditional two-component cross-coupling, various research groups have demonstrated the versatility of nickel in enabling catalytic 1,2-dicarbofunctionalization using a wide range of carbon-based electrophiles and nucleophiles and in a fully intermolecular fashion. Though this area has emerged only recently, the last few years have witnessed a proliferation of publications on this topic, underscoring the potential of this strategy to develop into a general platform that offers high regio- and stereoselectivity. This minireview highlights the recent progress in the area of intermolecular 1,2-dicarbofunctionalization of alkenes via nickel catalysis and discusses lingering challenges within this reactivity paradigm. 

Abstract A flurry of recent research has centered on harnessing the power of nickel catalysis in organic synthesis. These efforts have been bolstered by contemporaneous development of well‐defined nickel (pre)catalysts with diverse structure and reactivity. In this report, we present ten different bench‐stable, 18‐electron, formally zero‐valent nickel–olefin complexes that are competent pre‐catalysts in various reactions. Our investigation includes preparations of novel, bench‐stable Ni(COD)(L) complexes (COD=1,5‐cyclooctadiene), in which L=quinone, cyclopentadienone, thiophene‐S‐oxide, and fulvene. Characterization by NMR, IR, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and natural bond orbital analysis sheds light on the structure, bonding, and properties of these complexes. Applications in an assortment of nickel‐catalyzed reactions underscore the complementary nature of the different pre‐catalysts within this toolkit. 

Abstract Regioselective hydrofunctionalization of alkynes represents a straightforward route to access alkenyl boronate and silane building blocks. In previously reported catalytic systems, high selectivity is achieved with a limited scope of substrates and/or reagents, with general solutions lacking. Herein, we describe a selective copper‐catalyzed Markovnikov hydrofunctionalization of terminal alkynes that is facilitated by strongly donating cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) ligands. Using this method, both alkyl‐ and aryl‐substituted alkynes are coupled with a variety of boryl and silyl reagents with high α‐selectivity. The reaction is scalable, and the products are versatile intermediates that can participate in various downstream transformations. Preliminary mechanistic experiments shed light on the role of CAAC ligands in this process.