Mechanistic investigation and new reaction development are intertwined. This interdependence presents challenges and opportunities in development of all transformations, particularly for those that employ base metal catalysts. In comparison to precious metal counterparts, these catalysts yield less easily to mechanistic analysis. However, base metal catalysts can provide new modes of reactivity and opportunities for discovery. In this Commentary, we highlight a developing field: nickel-catalyzed stereoselective alkyl cross-coupling reactions. While key features of the relevant catalytic cycles remain ambiguous, chemical intuition and key mechanistic experiments have provided the stepping stones for discovery of stereoselective transformations.

中文翻译：

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跟踪电子

机理研究和新的反应发展是交织在一起的。这种相互依存给所有转化的发展带来了挑战和机遇，特别是对于那些使用贱金属催化剂的转化而言。与贵金属同类产品相比，这些催化剂的收率不高，难以进行机械分析。但是，贱金属催化剂可以提供新的反应方式和发现机会。在这篇评论中，我们重点介绍了一个发展中的领域：镍催化的立体选择性烷基交叉偶联反应。虽然相关催化循环的关键特征仍然不明确，但化学直觉和关键机理实验为立体选择性转化的发现提供了垫脚石。