Formation of Methyl Acrylate from CO2 and Ethylene via Methylation of Nickelalactones

The nickel-induced coupling of ethylene and CO2 represents a promising pathway toward acrylates. To overcome the high bond dissociation energies of the M-O moieties, we worked out an in situ methylation of nickelalactones to realize the beta-hydirde elimination and the liberation of the acrylate species.