Nickel-Catalyzed Direct Carboxylation of Olefins with CO2: One-Pot Synthesis of α,β-Unsaturated Carboxylic Acid Salts

The nickel-catalyzed direct carboxylation of alkenes with the cheap and abundantly available C₁ building block carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the presence of a base has been achieved. The one-pot reaction allows for the direct and selective synthesis of a wide range of α,β-unsaturated carboxylates (TON>100, TOF up to 6 h⁻¹, TON=turnover number, TOF=turnover frequency). Thus, it is possible, in one step, to synthesize sodium acrylate from ethylene, CO₂, and a sodium salt. Acrylates are industrially important products, the synthesis of which has hitherto required multiple steps.

Authors: Huguet, N., Jevtovikj, I., Gordillo, A., Lejkowski, M. L., Lindner, R., Bru, M., Khalimon, A. Y., Rominger, F., Schunk, S. A., Hofmann, P. and Limbach, M.