Preface

The studies described in this thesis have been carried out under the direction of Professor Masahiro Murakami from April 2002 to March 2008. These studies concern with novel carbon–carbon forming reactions catalyzed by palladium and nickel. This thesis is completed with the aid of so many people such as a supervisor, collaborators and colleagues. The author would like to show his appreciation them. First of all, the author would like to express his sincerest gratitude to Supervisor Professor Masahiro Murakami for providing an opportunity to study state-of-the-art organic chemistry. All the works in this thesis could be achieved with his constant supervisions. The author also would like to acknowledge to: Associate professor Ryoichi Kuwano and Assistant professor Tomoya Miura for their directions covered from guidance of the project to experimental procedures