NHC-Ni(II)-catalyzed cyclopropene-isocyanide [5 + 1] benzannulation

Abstract

The direct addition of isocyanides to cyclopropenes is challenging. Here, the authors report a catalytic cyclopropene-isocyanide [5 + 1] benzannulation catalyzed by an (N-heterocyclic carbene)Ni(II) complex; this method enables the preparation of fused and multi-substituted anilines and unsymmetrically functionalized spiro-ring structures.