The article Nickel-Catalyzed Reduction of Inert C-O Bonds: A New Strategy for Using Aryl Ethers as Easily Removable Directing Groups , authored by Drs. Rubén Martín and Paula álvarez-Bercedo and published in J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010, 132, 17352-17353, has been selected by the Editorial Board of SYNFACTS for its important insights. This article has been also highlighted in Synform.

In this work, the authors have developed an efficient Ni-catalyzed protocol for the reductive cleavage of inert C−O bonds. The method is characterized by its simplicity and wide scope, thereby allowing the use of aryl ethers as easily removable directing groups in organic synthesis.