Fundamental organometallic chemistry under bimetallic influence: driving β-hydride elimination and diverting migratory insertion at Cu and Ni

Bimetallic effects on stoichiometric β-hydride elimination and migratory insertion reactions were examined. Bimetallic reaction conditions drove β-hydride elimination at Cu, while bimetallic C-B elimination occurred in the absence of β-hydrogens. The inherent migratory insertion chemistry of alkynes at Ni was diverted under bimetallic reaction conditions to favor C-H deprotonation.