title: Surprising role of aryl halides in nickel-catalyzed reductive aldol reactions.
abstract: [reaction: see text] A new nickel-catalyzed method for the reductive aldol addition of acrylates and aldehydes has been developed. An unexpected requirement for an aryl iodide additive was found in the process, and the effect was shown to be linked to an initiation step.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, 930 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1055, USA.
authors.forename: Christa C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chrovian
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Montgomery