Transition metal mediated methods for the conversion of CO2 has the potential to provide more sustainable and economically attractive syntheses for acrylate and other commodities. Among the leading avenues of exploration has been the conversion of the nickelalactone complexes, formed by coupling of CO2 and ethylene, to the corresponding nickel ?2-acrylic acid species via �-hydride elimination. This key step in acrylate formation at nickel has remained elusive with few known examples. Lewis acids, such as tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane, tetrakis[(3,5-trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate, were found to induce �-hydride elimination from these nickelalactone complexs. Following treatment with select Bronsted bases, nickel ?2-acrylate complexes were produced, completing a net conversion of nickelalactone to acrylate. Our on-going investigations of the technique and its development toward catalytic methods of CO2 functionalization will be discussed.

Lewis acid promoted formation of acrylate from nickelalactone complexes

247th National Meeting (2014)

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