Dr. Yoshiaki Nakao
(Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University)

C-C Bond Forming Addition Reactions by Cooperative Metal Catalysis

Dr. Nakao has developed new C-C bond forming addition reactions through activation of stable C-H and C-C bonds by cooperative metal catalysis. The achievements involve carbocyanation reactions of unsaturated compounds through activation of C-CN bonds of nitriles by nickel/Lewis acid cooperative catalysis. Hydroarylation and hydrocarbamoylation reactions are also effected by the binary catalysis through C-H activation of pyridines, pyridones, and formamides.