Nickel-catalyzed carboannulation reaction of o-bromobenzyl zinc bromide with unsaturated compounds.

A number of indenes have been prepared in good yields by treating o-bromobenzyl zinc bromide 1 with various terminal and internal alkynes in the presence of a nickel catalyst. The nickel-catalyzed carboannulation reaction was successfully extended to the synthesis of indane derivatives by reaction of 1 with acrylates and styrene.