Novel cyclization and reductive coupling of bicyclic olefins with alkyl propiolates catalyzed by nickel complexes

In this article, new metal-mediated cyclization and reductive coupling reactions of bicyclic olefins with alkynes are described. Oxabicyclic alkenes undergo cyclization with alkyl propiolates at 80 C catalyzed by nickel complexes to give benzocoumarin derivatives in high yields. The reaction of bicyclic alkenes (oxa- and azacyclic alkenes) with alkyl propiolates at room temperature in the presence of the same nickel complex gave 1,2-dihydro-napthelene derivatives in good-to-excellent yields. This reductive coupling reaction proceeds under very mild conditions in complete regio- and stereoselective fashion. A mechanism to account for the coumarin formation and the reductive coupling is proposed.