Chromium-catalyzed stereodivergent E- and Z-selective alkyne hydrogenation controlled by cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene ligands

Abstract

The stereoselective synthesis of olefins from alkynes is a long-standing challenge in organic synthesis. Here, the authors report the chromium-catalyzed alkyne hydrogenation; E- or Z-olefins are obtained depending on the carbene ligand used.