Nickel-catalyzed cross-electrophile coupling: applications in natural product synthesis

Abstract

Cross-electrophile coupling (XEC), the reductive cross-coupling of two distinct electrophiles, has emerged as a versatile and powerful strategy for C–C bond formation. The key feature of XEC is its exclusive use of electrophiles, which are generally far more accessible than carbon nucleophiles. Recent advances in nickel-catalyzed cross-electrophile coupling (XEC) using metal reductants or electrosynthesis have significantly advanced the total synthesis of natural products, with this transformation serving as a key step. This review focuses specifically on representative advances in nickel-catalyzed XEC for the efficient construction of complex natural products and bioactive scaffolds in recent years.