Visible-Light-Mediated Ni-Catalyzed Gas-Free Carboxylation: Stereodivergent Synthesis of E - and Z -Acrylic Acids.

Stereodivergent syntheses of different scaffolds from identical starting materials by switching the fewest parameters are among the most appealing synthetic technologies. Herein, a visible-light mediated Ni-catalyzed carboxylation of vinyl halides with formates has been developed, affording acrylic acids in both Z - and E -configurations from identical vinyl halides. The reaction features Ni-catalyzed gas-free carboxylation of vinyl halides by utilizing formates as a surrogate of carbon dioxide.