Ni(acac) 2 /N-heterocyclic carbene-derived catalysts were shown to be highly efficient in the nickel-catalyzed Heck reaction. Various aryl halides were reacted with acrylate to give the coupled products in good to high yield.

Carbene Catalyst. -A combination of Ni(acac)2 and a precursor of a N-heterocyclic carbene generates an effective catalyst for the Heck reaction. -(INAMOTO*, K.; KURODA, J.-I.; DANJO, T.; SAKAMOTO, T.; Synlett 2005, 10, 1624-1626; Grad. Sch. Pharm. Sci., Tohoku Univ., Aoba, Sendai 980, Japan; Eng.) -Mais 48-092