Photoredox/Nickel-Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Alkenes Using Water as the Hydrogen Source

The hydrogenation of olefins, as a vital transformation in synthetic chemistry, has consistently garnered intensive attention in both industry and academia. Herein, a dual photoredox/nickel-catalyzed hydrogenation of alkenes bearing an amide moiety with H₂O has been successfully established, affording the desired products in moderate to excellent yields. Unlike the traditional metal hydride hydrogen atom transfer strategies that rely on the use of stoichiometric silanes or boranes, this newly designed synthetic protocol utilizes water as the hydride source. Moreover, the synthetic practicality of this transformation was well-demonstrated by its mild reactions, high reaction efficiency, and operational ease.