Nickel(II)-Catalyzed Oxygen Transfer Reaction of N-Vinyl Nitrones to Prepare 2-(Pyridin-2-yl)ethanols.

A nickel(II)-catalyzed oxygen transfer reaction of dibenzylideneacetone-derived N-vinyl-α,β-unsaturated nitrones has been identified for the preparation of polysubstituted 2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanols in good yields with high atom economy. The scope of the method is described, and mechanistic experiments are discussed. The reaction was easily performed at gram scales, and pyrido[2,3-c]carbazole was obtained in moderate yield over three steps.