C−C Coupling of Ketones with Ethanol and Methanol Enabled by Nickel Catalysis

Abstract Herein, we have reported the application of C1 and C2 alcohols for the C−C coupling with ketones enabled by nickel. De‐hydrogenation of ethanol took place under relatively milder conditions (100 °C) and resulted the functionalized 1,5‐diketones with acetophenone derivatives in one pot operation. Further, multi‐component strategy using ketones, and methanol in combination with various nitrogen‐based nucleophiles resulted the α ‐aminomethylation under nickel‐catalysis. For a synthetic application, a series of tetra‐substituted pyridines have been demonstrated. Preliminary mechanistic investigations, control experiments and deuterium labelling studies were established the interrupted borrowing hydrogen (I‐BH) strategy. The catalytic transformations are highly sustainable and released water and dihydrogen as by products.