New Hydroxyphosphine Ligands for Highly Efficient Kumada Coupling

Significance

The hydroxyphosphine ligands were shown to greatly accelerate the nickel-­catalyzed cross-coupling reaction between aryl electrophiles and Grignard reagents, acting via complexation of both magnesium and nickel ­atoms in the transition state. This work also gives a rationale for the design of bimetallic catalysts for cooperative, selective activation of electrophilic substrates.