Asymmetric Umpolung Hydrogenation and Deuteration of Alkenes Catalyzed by Nickel.

Nickel-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of several types of alkenes proceeds in high enantioselectivity, using acetic acid or water as the hydrogen source and indium powder as electron donor. The scope of alkenes herein include α,β-unsaturated esters, nitriles, and ketones as well as allylic alcohols. Asymmetric deuteration of α,β-unsaturated esters is also achieved with deuterated water, the cheapest deuterium source.