Iron-Catalyzed Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling of para-Quinone Methides with Formamides: In Situ Activation of C(sp2)-H Bonds.

A novel and straightforward method for the iron-catalyzed regioselective cross-dehydrogenative coupling of para-quinone methides (p-QMs) with formamides has been developed, facilitated by the in situ activation of the C(sp2)-H bonds of the formyl and alkenyl substituents via a radical strategy. This method does not require the preactivation of the substrates, and it can accommodate a wide range of p-QMs and formamides under the optimized reaction conditions, resulting in the formation of the expected C-7 acetamides-functionalized para-quinone methides with moderate to good yields. The control experiments revealed that the reaction follows the fundamental equation of second-order kinetics. Additionally, an exploration of the Hammett effect was undertaken to elucidate the impact of the substituents for the reaction. In combination with the DFT calculation, a plausible reaction mechanism was proposed through meticulously controlled experiments.

Recent Advances in the Application of P(III)-Nucleophiles to Create New P-C Bonds through Michaelis-Arbuzov-Type Rearrangement.

Organophosphorus compounds have long been considered valuable in both organic synthesis and life science. P(III)-nucleophiles, such as phosphites, phosphonites, and diaryl/alkyl phosphines, are particularly noteworthy as phosphorylation reagents for their ability to form new P-C bonds, producing more stable, ecofriendly, and cost-effective organophosphorus compounds. These nucleophiles follow similar phosphorylation routes as in the functionalization of P-H bonds and P-OH bonds. Activation can occur through photocatalytic, electrocatalytic, or thermo-driven reactions, often in coordination with a Michaelis-Arbuzov-trpe rearrangement process, to produce the desired products. As such, this review offers a thorough overview of the phosphorylated transformation and potential mechanisms of P(III)-nucleophiles, specifically focusing on developments since 2010. Notably, this review may provide researchers with valuable insights into designing and synthesizing functionalized organophosphorus compounds from P(III)-nucleophiles, guiding future advancements in both research and practical applications.

Zn-Catalyzed Dehydroxylative Phosphorylation of Allylic Alcohols with P(III)-Nucleophiles.

A novel and efficient protocol for the synthesis of diarylallyl-functionalized phosphonates, phosphinates, and phosphine oxides through the zinc-catalyzed dehydroxylative phosphorylation of allylic alcohols with P(III)-nucleophiles via a Michaelis-Arbuzov-type rearrangement is reported. A broad range of allylic alcohols and P(III)-nucleophiles (P(OR)3, ArP(OR)2, and Ar2P(OR)) are well tolerated in this reaction, and the expected dehydroxylative phosphorylation products could be synthesized with good to excellent yields under the optimal reaction conditions. The reaction can be easily scaled up at a gram-synthesis level. Furthermore, through the step-by-step control experiments, kinetic study experiments, and 31P NMR tracking experiments, we acquired insights into the reaction and proposed the possible mechanism for this transformation.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed 1,6-Hydroalkylation of para-Quinone Methides with Ketones via the in Situ Activation of C(sp3)-H Bonds.

A simple and efficient method for the ruthenium-catalyzed 1,6-hydroalkylation of para-quinone methides (p-QMs) with ketones via the in situ activation of C(sp3)-H bonds has been disclosed. Without the need for preactivation of the substrates and oxidant, a broad range of p-QMs and ketones are well tolerated, producing the expected 1,6-hydroalkylation products with moderate to good yields. Step-by-step control experiments and DFT calculation were conducted systematically to gain insights for the plausible reaction mechanism. This finding may have potential application in the selective diarylmethylation of ketones at the α-C position in organic synthesis.

Catalyst- and Additive-free, Regioselective 1,6-Hydroarylation of para-Quinone Methides with Anilines in HFIP.

A simple and efficient method for the synthesis of diarylmethyl-functionalized anilines through the hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP)-mediated regioselective 1,6-hydroarylation reaction of para-quinone methides (p-QMs) with anilines under catalyst- and additive-free conditions is reported. Various kinds of p-QMs and amines (e. g. primary, secondary and tertiary amines) are well tolerated in this transformation without the pre-protection of amino group, and the corresponding products could be generated with good to excellent yields and satisfactory regioselectivity under the optimized reaction conditions. In addition to adaptable amine compounds, indoles and their derivatives are also compatible with this reaction system. This transformation can be easily extended to a gram scale-synthesis level to synthesize the target product. Furthermore, it is worth noting that some complex small aniline molecules with biological activity can be selectively modified using this method. The possible reaction mechanism is proposed through the step-by-step control experiments and DFT calculations, showing that the key process for achieving the regioselective 1,6-hydroarylation of p-QMs is the hydrogen bonding effect of HFIP to substrates.

Copper-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative/Decarboxylative Phosphorylation of Aryl Acrylic Acids with P(III)-Nucleophiles.

A copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative/decarboxylative phosphorylation of aryl acrylic acids with P(III)-nucleophiles via the Michaelis-Arbuzov rearrangement for the synthesis of ß-ketophosphine oxides, ß-ketophosphinates, and ß-ketophosphonates is reported. The present reaction could be conducted effectively without the use of a ligand and a base. Various kinds of aryl acrylic acids and P(III)-nucleophiles are tolerated in the transformation, generating the desired ß-keto-organophosphorus compounds as a valuable class of phosphorus-containing intermediates with good to excellent yields. In addition, the possible mechanism and kinetic studies for the reaction have been explored by step-by-step control experiments and competitive experiments, and the results proved that this transformation may follow second-order chemical kinetics as well as involve a radical process.

Room-Temperature ZnBr2 -Catalyzed Regioselective 1,6-Hydroarylation of Electron-Rich Arenes to para-Quinone Methides: Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Triarylmethanes.

A mild and efficient Zn(II)-catalyzed regioselective 1,6-hydroarylation of para-quinone methides (p-QMs) with electron-rich arenes protocol is reported. A variety of electron-rich arenes and para-quinone methides are well tolerated under mild conditions, delivering a broad range of triarylmethanes in good to excellent yields. The present method also works well for the hydroarylation of p-QMs with other nucleophiles, such as aniline, indole and phenol derivatives, offering the corresponding triarylmethanes with good yields under the standard conditions. The possible mechanism for the formation of C(sp3 )-C(sp2 ) bonds in hydroarylation reactions has been explored by step-by-step control experiments, and the reaction may follow a second-order manner in a chemical kinetic study.

FeO(OH)@C-Catalyzed Selective Hydrazine Substitution of p-Nitro-Aryl Fluorides and their Application for the Synthesis of Phthalazinones.

An efficient hydrazine substitution of p-nitro-aryl fluorides with hydrazine hydrates catalyzed by FeO(OH)@C nanoparticles is described. This hydrazine substitutions of p-nitro-aryl fluorides bearing electron-withdrawing groups proceeded efficiently with high yield and selectivity. Similarly, hydrogenations of p-nitro-aryl fluorides containing electron-donating groups also smoothly proceeded under mild conditions. Furthermore, with these prepared aryl hydrazines, some phthalazinones, interesting as potential structures for pharmaceuticals, have successfully been synthesized in high yields.

Pd-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Organostibines with Styrenes to Give Unsymmetric (E)-Stilbenes and (1E,3E)-1,4-Diarylbuta-1,3-dienes and Fluorescence Properties of the Products.

A general and effective palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of organostibines with styrenes to give (E)-olefins was disclosed. By the use of an organostibine reagent, this method can produce unsymmetric (E)-1,2-diarylethylenes and (1E,3E)-1,4-diarylbuta-1,3-dienes in good yields with high E/Z selectivity and good functional group tolerance. Resveratrol and DMU-212 were synthesized in high yield. The protocol can be extended to the synthesis of (1E,3E,5E)-1,6-diphenylhexa-1,3,5-triene in 40% yield. Products 5e, 5f, and 7a showed good photoluminescence quantum yields ranging from 72 to 99%.

Nickel-Catalyzed N,N-Diarylation of 8-Aminoquinoline with Large Steric Aryl Bromides and Fluorescence of Products.

A simple and efficient methodology for the synthesis of large sterically hindered triarylamines in a single step was developed. A direct N,N-diarylation of 8-aminoquinoline with sterically hindered bromides, making use of inexpensive nickel as a catalyst and simple sodium salt as a base, gives the products in good to excellent yields. Various bromides and substituted 8-aminoquinolines are tolerated. Preliminary fluorescence results indicate that these sterically hindered and conjugated triarylamines may have some potential in material chemistry.

Nickel-Catalyzed Remote C4-H Arylation of 8-Aminoquinolines.

A useful and convenient method for C-H bond arylation of 8-aminoquinoline motifs on the remote C4 position was developed. This method shows good functional group tolerance toward various Grignard reagents and aminoquinoline via a nickel catalysis, giving the desired arylated products in good yields. The present method affords an efficient access to construct multisubstituted aminoquinolines.

Carbon-Carbon Bond Formation of Trifluoroacetyl Amides with Grignard Reagents via C(O)-CF3 Bond Cleavage.

The reaction of trifluoroacetyl amides with Grignard reagent for the substitution of CF3 group with various alkyl or aryl groups is described. A variety of aryl, quinolin-8-yl, and (hetero)alkyl functional groups as well as F, Cl, and Br atoms are well tolerated. These moisture-stable and easily available trifluoroacetyl amides can be conveniently obtained and used as new versatile precursors for isocyanates. The control experiments show that the reaction proceeds via an isocyanate intermediate and/or alkoxide/amide dual anionic intermediate.

Alkyl Sulfides as Promising Sulfur Sources: Metal-Free Synthesis of Aryl Alkyl Sulfides and Dialkyl Sulfides by Transalkylation of Simple Sulfides with Alkyl Halides.

A site-selective metal-free dealkylative approach to synthesize aryl alkyl and symmetrical dialkyl sulfides has been developed. This procedure is convenient and has wide functional group tolerance giving rise to sulfides carrying various alkyl chains from simple alkyl sulfides and alkyl halides in good to excellent yields. This transalkylation proceeds by an ionic mechanism via sulfonium intermediates and it was proposed that dimethylacetamide (DMAC) may participate in part to promote the reaction.

Ni-Catalyzed Dimerization and Hydroperfluoroarylation of 1,3-Dienes.

A nickel-catalyzed three-component coupling reaction between perfluoroarenes and two molecules of a 1,3-diene in the presence of an alkyl Grignard reagent, which acted as a hydride source, provided 3-perfluoroarylated-1,7-octadienes via 1,3-diene dimerization and subsequent perfluoroarylation upon C-F bond cleavage. The reaction proceeded smoothly in a regioselective manner by simply combining NiCl2 and PPh3 as a catalyst and tolerated various functional groups on the perfluoroarenes. When substituted perfluoroarenes were employed, the reaction selectively occurred at the para-position. Mechanistic studies revealed that an anionic Ni complex, generated upon the reaction of Ni(0) with two molecules of a 1,3-diene and an alkyl Grignard reagent, played an important role in the C-C bond forming step with perfluoroarenes. The C-F bond cleavage was found to be a relatively fast step in the catalytic cycle.

Nickel-catalysed direct alkylation of thiophenes via double C(sp3)-H/C(sp2)-H bond cleavage: the importance of KH2PO4.

A Ni-catalyzed oxidative C-H/C-H cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction was developed for constructing various highly functionalized alkyl (aryl)-substituted thiophenes. This method employs thiophenes and aliphatic (aromatic) amides that contain an 8-aminoquinoline as a removable directing group in the presence of a silver oxidant. The approach enables the facile one-step synthesis of substituted thiophenes with high functional group compatibility via double C-H bond cleavage without affecting C-Br and C-I bonds. DFT calculations verify the importance of KH2PO4 as an additive for promoting C-H bond cleavage and support the involvement of a Ni(iii) species in the reaction.

Intramolecular, Site-Selective, Iodine-Mediated, Amination of Unactivated (sp3)C-H Bonds for the Synthesis of Indoline Derivatives.

The Iodine-mediated oxidative intramolecular amination of anilines via cleavage of unactivated (sp3)C-H and N-H bonds for the production of indolines is described. This transition-metal-free approach provides a straightforward strategy for producing (sp3)C-N bonds for use in the preferential functionalization of unactivated (sp3)C-H bonds over (sp2)C-H bonds. The reaction could be performed on a gram scale for the synthesis of functionalized indolines.

Copper-Mediated Remote C-H Bond Chalcogenation of Quinolines on the C5 Position.

An efficient and convenient method is developed for the remote C-H bond chalcogenation of 8-aminoquinoline scaffolds on the C5 position that is geometrically inaccessible. The protocol makes use of inexpensive CuBr2 as mediator and shows good tolerance toward numerous disulfides/diselenides and aliphatic amides, giving the corresponding products in good to excellent yield.

Nickel-Catalyzed Direct C (sp(3))-H Arylation of Aliphatic Amides with Thiophenes.

Nickel-catalyzed heteroarylation of the inactive methyl C(sp(3))-H bond of aliphatic amide with heteroarenes is described. The method takes advantage of chelation assistance by an 8-aminoquinolinyl moiety. The synthetic reaction has good tolerance toward functional groups, and it can be used in the construction of various kinds of alkyl-substituted heteroarenes.

Nickel-catalyzed direct thiolation of C(sp(3))-H bonds in aliphatic amides.

Nickel-catalyzed thiolation of the inactivated methyl C(sp(3))-H bonds of aliphatic amides with disulfide is described. It is a novel strategy for the synthesis of thioethers with the ultimate goal of generating thioether carboxylic acids with various functional groups.