Abstract Nickelalactones with five-and six-membered chelate ring structures can be synthesized in a simple one-pot reaction, starting from Ni (acac) 2, bipy, Et 3 Al and cyclic anhydrides. In the presence of MnI 2 and by activation with ultrasound they react selectively with alkyl iodides in cross coupling reactions. The reason for the activating effect of MnI 2 is the formation of bimetallic complexes. Many reactive functional groups (eg COOR, CHO, ...
