Gas-phase functionalized carbon-carbon coupling reactions catalyzed by Ni (II) complexes

Abstract

Gas-phase C―C coupling reactions mediated by Ni (II) complexes were studied using a linear quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. Ternary nickel cationic carboxylate complexes, [(phen)Ni (OOCR1)]+ (where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), were formed by electrospray ionization. Upon collision-induced dissociation (CID), they extrude CO2 forming the organometallic cation [(phen)Ni(R1)]+, which undergoes gas-phase ion-molecule reactions (IMR) with acetate esters CH3COOR2 to yield the acetate complex [(phen)Ni (OOCCH3)]+ and a C―C coupling product R1-R2. These Ni(II)/phenanthroline-mediated coupling reactions can be performed with a variety of carbon substituents R1 and R2 (sp3, sp2, or aromatic), so..