Air-stable nickel(0) catalysts for organic synthesis

Abstract: Nickel catalysis offers a sustainable alternative to widely used precious metal–based catalytic transformations, but its adoption has been limited by the air- and moisture-sensitivity of common Ni(0) precursors such as Ni(COD)2, which require energy-intensive inert-atmosphere handling. We report a family of air-stable Ni(0) precatalysts based on modular electron-deficient diene ligands that enable glovebox-free nickel catalysis across a broad range of C–C and C–heteroatom bond-forming reactions. These precatalysts exhibit reactivity comparable to or exceeding that of Ni(COD)2 and palladium catalysts in cross-coupling, borylation, and C–H activation. A scalable electrochemical synthesis replaces pyrophoric reductants with electrons, improving safety and reducing waste. Commercialization and rapid uptake in academic and pharmaceutical settings demonstrate the potential of this technology to reduce energy consumption, displace precious metals, and advance greener synthetic pathways.