Photocatalytic Generation of Divalent Lanthanide Reducing Agents.

Divalent lanthanide (Ln) compounds are excellent reducing agents with unique reactivity profiles. These reagents are typically used in superstoichiometric amounts, often in combination with harmful additives. Reactions catalytic in Ln(II) reagents that retain the reactivity and selectivity of the stoichiometric transformations are currently lacking due to the absence of effective and selective methods to form reactive Ln(II) species from stable precursors. Here, active Ln(II) is generated from a Ln(III) precursor through reduction by a photoexcited coumarin or carbostyril chromophore, which, in turn, is regenerated by a sacrificial reductant. The reductant can be metallic (Zn) or organic (amines) and can be used in strictly stoichiometric amounts. A broad range of reactions, including C-halogen, C═C, C═X (X = O, N), P═O, and N═N reductions, as well as C-C, C-X (X = N, S, P), and N-N couplings were readily carried out in yields and selectivities comparable to or better than those afforded by the analogous stoichiometric transformations. The reaction outcomes could be altered by changing the ligand or the lanthanide or through the addition of environmentally benign additives (e.g., water). EPR spectroscopy supported the formation of both Ln(II) and oxidized chromophore intermediates. Taken together, these results establish photochemical Ln(II) generation as a powerful strategy for rendering Ln(II)-mediated reactions catalytic.

Tailoring a robust and recyclable nanobiocatalyst by immobilization of Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase on carbon nanofiber and its application in synthesis of enantiopure carboetomidate analogue.

Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase (PFL) was covalently immobilized on carbon nanofiber (CNF) using 1­ethyl­3­[3­dimethylaminopropyl] carbodiimide (EDC)/N­hydroxysuccinimide (NHS). Surface functionalization of carbon nanofiber augments dispersibility as well as efficiency of covalent immobilization. Crucial parameters for immobilization such as pH, enzyme-support ratio, reaction time and mixing rate were optimized using one factor at a time (OFAT) approach. The nanobiocatalyst prepared under optimized conditions demonstrated a ten-fold increase in enzyme activity and the advantage of high thermal stability (up to 85 °C) along with 10 cycles of reusability. Subsequently practical application of the nanobiocatalyst was explored in the kinetic resolution of racemic 1­phenylethanol into (S)­1­phenylethanol [C = 49.1%, eep = 99.5%, ees = 98.5% and E value = 151.4] followed by Mitsunobu reaction with a substituted pyrrole, giving an enantiopure (R)-carboetomidate analogue (yield = 83%).

Geometry Driven Intramolecular Oxidative Cyclization of Enamides: An Umpolung Annulation of Primary Benzamides with Acrylates for the Synthesis of 3-Methyleneisoindolin-1-ones.

A palladium-catalyzed tandem oxidative annulation of primary benzamides with acrylates via intermolecular N-alkenylation followed by intramolecular C-alkenylation yielded a stereoselective synthesis of (E)-3-methyleneisoindolin-1-ones. The study unveils, for the first time, that only E-enamides could undergo intramolecular oxidative cyclization under the optimized conditions to give isoindolinones. The current strategy represents an umpolung strategy when compared to the literature approaches that use benzamides.

Intramolecular Oxidative Arylations in 7-Azaindoles and Pyrroles: Revamping the Synthesis of Fused N-Heterocycle Tethered Fluorenes.

We revealed intramolecular oxidative arylations in 7-azaindoles and pyrroles that, for the first time, provided direct access to 7-azaindole- or pyrrole-fused isoindolines and tetrahydroisoquinolines. In addition, N-benzylation of 7-azaindoles or pyrroles with sterically hindered sec-benzyl alcohols by Mitsunobu reaction followed by intramolecular oxidative arylation allowed access to chiral congeners of fused isoindolines that have little precedence. A new opportunity in the design and synthesis of fluorene-based organic emitters is demonstrated in the preparation of novel fused N-heterocycle tethered fluorenes, including a chiral fluorene architecture.

Palladium-catalyzed regioselective C-2 arylation of 7-azaindoles, indoles, and pyrroles with arenes.

A palladium-catalyzed regioselective C-2 arylation of 7-azaindoles, indoles, and pyrroles with arenes has been developed. This study unveils that a critical substrate dependent acid concentration is essential for achieving exclusive C-2 selectivity as well as mono-arylation in pyrroles. Incongruent to the literature, the protocol uses a reduced volume (at least 5 times) of arenes for workable access to C-2 arylated heterocycles.