In this work, we report the study of the catalytic activity of newly prepared coordination compounds of nickel(II) (complexes were prepared by prof. Kyritsis, University of Athens). The activities in model reactions of Kumada and Suzuki coupling and polymerization of 2,5- dibromo-3-hexylthiophene were tested. For Kumada coupling, the activity is comparable with known complex [Ni(dppp)Cl2]. On the other hand, selected complexes exhibit only limited activity for Suzuki coupling. GRIM polymerization of 2,5-dibromo-3-hexylthiophene was successful. Properties of prepared polymers are comparable with polymers prepared via known route with [Ni(dppp)Cl2].

This thesis deals with the synthesis of polycyclic compounds using tandem cyclisation/Suzuki cross-coupling, by modification of the method developed by our research group. This thesis mainly investigates the scope of the tandem reaction with aliphatic boronic acids or their esters. The products of the palladium catalyzed reaction then underwent electrocyclization to form an aromatic ring. The polycyclic skeleton, containing the aromatic core, is found in a considerable amount of natural substances with biological activity. The structure of the compounds prepared herein is similar to miltiorin D or commiphorane A.