C-C Bond-Formation Catalyzed by Nickel on Graphite

Significance

This is an elegant pioneering approach to the preparation of a novel type of het­erogeneous catalysts: transition metals in a graphite matrix. Graphite has several advantages over commonly used charcoal as a catalyst carrier. Besides, the well-ordered graphite structure leads to interesting chemoselectivities in catalysis. Several types of cross-coupling reactions, including less-active tosylates as electrophiles, were successfully performed using this new kind of catalyst.