Recent advances in ligand-accelerated nickel-catalyzed carbonylation under CO gas

Abstract

Carbonyl groups are fundamental structural motifs in organic chemistry, prominently featured in drug molecules, functional materials, and as versatile synthetic intermediates. Transition metal-catalyzed carbonylation coupling reactions have become one of the most direct and efficient ways to construct carbonyl compounds. While historically dependent on precious noble metals, recent demands for greener and more sustainable chemical processes have driven the exploration of earth-abundant alternatives. Nickel catalysts have garnered significant attention in this context, owing to their distinctive catalytic properties and low cost. A significant hurdle in nickel-catalyzed carbonylation is the deactivation of the catalyst via the formation of stable Ni(CO)₄. This review comprehensively surveys advancements over the last ten years in carbonylative coupling reactions catalyzed by nickel using gaseous CO, systematically analyzing successful strategies to mitigate catalyst poisoning. Finally, we discuss the remaining challenges and outline critical future research avenues.