Nickel-catalyzed hydroacylation of acrylates with carboxylic acids

The nickel-catalyzed hydroacylation of acrylates with carboxylic acids is described herein. The reaction exhibits a broad substrate scope of acyl donors. Aromatic and aliphatic carboxylic acids are amenable to this reaction. Functional groups such as halogens, heteroaromatic rings, and cyano groups are well tolerated. Apart from carboxylic acid, it was demonstrated that carboxylic anhydrides, acyl chlorides, carboxylic esters, and benzothioate esters are useful acyl precursors. Mechanistic studies were carried out to elucidate the possible reaction mechanism, and it is likely that zinc benzoate is a key intermediate.