Ni-Catalyzed Oxygen Transfer from N 2 O onto sp 3 -Hybridized Carbons.

Herein we disclose a catalytic synthesis of cycloalkanols that harnesses the potential of N 2 O as an oxygen transfer agent onto sp 3 -hybridized carbons. The protocol is distinguished by its mild conditions and wide substrate scope, thus offering an opportunity to access carbocyclic compounds from simple precursors even in an enantioselective manner. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that the oxygen insertion event occurs at an alkylnickel species and that N 2 O is the O transfer reagent.