A novel Ni-catalyzed reductive amidation of C(sp2)-O and C(sp3)-O electrophiles with isocyanates is described. This umpolung reaction allows for an unconventional preparation of benzamides using simple starting materials and easy-to-handle Ni catalysts.
Ni-Catalyzed Direct Reductive Amidation via C-O bond Cleavage
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 7253-7256.
*Most read article in JACS in May 2014