MICHAEL ADDITIONS CATALYZED BY METAL(II) COMPLEXES

Michael-addition reactions have been found to proceed in the presence of the Ni(OAc)2 or Co(OAc)2-2,2′-bipyridine complex in DMF under neutral conditions at room temperature without any by-product. The reactions of chalcone and its derivatives with nitromethane generally gave good results. The effects of metal(II) ions, ligands, counter ions, and solvents on the catalysis were examined, and the features of the metal-complex-catalyzed Michael reactions were studied, with some considerations also being given to the catalysis mechanism.