The Enantioselective Step in the Nickel-Catalyzed Hydrocyanation of 1,3-Cyclohexadiene

Abstract

On the basis of deuterium labeling experiments and an equal 1,2-/1,4-product distribution, the reductive elimination of the product has been established to be the enantioselective step in the nickel-catalyzed hydrocyanation of 1,3-cyclohexadiene. This could be achieved by successfully exploiting the rather unique features of this reaction: identical product formation for 1,2- and 1,4-addition, cis addition over the diene, and high enantiomeric excess.