Reductive coupling reactions overview

A broad array of mechanistic pathways may be considered in the different variants of nickel-catalyzed reductive couplings of aldehydes and alkynes, and a generalized overview of possible mechanisms has been previously described [10]. Whereas a comprehensive mechanistic study has not been presented, a number of key observations have been illustrated that provide insight into how the nickel-catalyzed reductive couplings of aldehydes and alkynes proceed. It should be stressed at the outset that the different reaction variants may proceed by different mechanisms. 

In this review, after a brief overview of the structural and electronic properties of metal adlayers, there are six sections describing catalytic effects on redox couples, oxidation of organic molecules, carbon monoxide, organic electrosynthesis reactions, hydrogen evolution, oxygen reduction, and metal electrodeposition. Outside the scope of this review are other UPD processes that play a role in determining the catalytic properties of electrode surfaces such as the UPD of H and OH. 

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