Nickel Catalyzed Carbonylation/Carboxylation Sequence via Double CO2 Incorporation

A carbonylation/carboxylation synthetic sequence, via double CO2 fixation, is described. The productive merger of a Ni-catalyzed cross-electrophile coupling manifold with the use of AlCl3, triggered a cascade reaction with the formation of three consecutive C-C bonds, in a one single operation. This strategy traces an unprecedented synthetic route to ketones under Lewis acid assisted carbon dioxide valorization. Computational insights revealed a unique double function of AlCl3 and labeling (13CO2) experiments validate the genuine incorporation of CO2 in both functional groups.