{Reference Type}: Journal Article {Title}: Mechanism of the Catalytic Carboxylation of Alkylboronates with CO2 Using Ni-NHC Complexes: A DFT Study. {Author}: Delarmelina M;Marelli E;de M Carneiro JW;Nolan SP;Bühl M; {Journal}: Chemistry {Volume}: 23 {Issue}: 59 {Year}: Oct 2017 20 {Factor}: 5.02 {DOI}: 10.1002/chem.201703567 {Abstract}: A new mechanism is proposed for the Ni-catalyzed carboxylation of organoboronates with CO2 . DFT investigations at the PBE0-D3 level have shown that direct CO2 addition to the catalysts [Ni(NHC)(Allyl)Cl] (1NHC , NHC=IMe, IPr, SIPr and IPr*) is kinetically disfavored and formation of the Aresta-type intermediate is unlikely to occur. According to the mechanism proposed here, the carboxylation process starts with addition of the borate species to 1NHC , followed by transmetalation, CO2 cycloaddition and carboxylation. The rate-determining step was identified as being the transmetalation process, with computed relative free energy barriers of 34.8, 36.8, and 33.5 kcal mol-1 for 1IPr , 1SIPr and 1IPr* , respectively.