Nickamine: A General Catalyst for Cross Coupling of Alkyl Halides and Direct Alkylation

A nickel pincer complex, Nickamine, is shown to be an active catalyst for a large number of reactions including cross coupling of non-activated alkyl halides and direct C–H alkylation of alkynes and aromatic heterocycles. This work was rewarded by the 2011 Werner Prize from the Swiss Chemical Society.