Facile synthesis of NHC-stabilized Ni nanoparticles and their catalytic application in the Z-selective hydrogenation of alkynesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c7cc01779k

Well defined Ni nanoparticles (NiNPs) stabilized with N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have been synthesized through a new methodology involving the decarboxylation of a zwitterionic CO 2 adduct. Their catalytic performance was tested in the partial hydrogenation of alkynes into ( Z )-alkenes under very mild reaction conditions (50 °C and 5 bar H 2 pressure), providing excellent activities and selectivities. Well defined Ni nanoparticles stabilized with N-heterocyclic carbenes have been synthesized through decarboxylation of a zwitterionic CO 2 adduct and they selectively hydrogenate internal alkynes into ( Z )-alkenes under mild reaction conditions.