Development of a Nickel-Catalyzed N–N Coupling for the Synthesis of Hydrazides

Abstract

A nickel-catalyzed N-N cross-coupling for the synthesis of hydrazides is reported. <i>O</i>-Benzoylated hydroxamates were efficiently coupled with a broad range of aryl and aliphatic amines via nickel catalysis to form hydrazides in an up to 81% yield. Experimental evidence implicates the intermediacy of electrophilic Ni-stabilized acyl nitrenoids and the formation of a Ni(I) catalyst via silane-mediated reduction. This report constitutes the first example of an intermolecular N-N coupling compatible with secondary aliphatic amines.