Metal and Activating Group Free C-4 Alkylation of Isoquinolines via a Temporary Dearomatization Strategy.

A simple method for the C-4 alkylation of isoquinolines is described using benzoic acid as a nucleophilic reagent and vinyl ketones as an electrophile. The reaction shows tolerance for substitution at C-3, and C-5-C-8 positions as well as allowing some variation of the vinyl ketone electrophiles. The products contain a carbonyl that can act as a synthetic handle for further manipulations giving esters, amines, or simple alkyl products.

Evolution of the Dearomative Functionalization of Activated Quinolines and Isoquinolines: Expansion of the Electrophile Scope.

Herein we disclose a mild protocol for the reductive functionalisation of quinolinium and isoquinolinium salts. The reaction proceeds under transition-metal-free conditions as well as under rhodium catalysis with very low catalyst loadings (0.01 mol %) and uses inexpensive formic acid as the terminal reductant. A wide range of electrophiles, including enones, imides, unsaturated esters and sulfones, ß-nitro styrenes and aldehydes are intercepted by the in situ formed enamine species forming a large variety of substituted tetrahydro(iso)quinolines. Electrophiles are incorporated at the C-3 and C-4 position for quinolines and isoquinolines respectively, providing access to substitution patterns which are not favoured in electrophilic or nucleophilic aromatic substitution. Finally, this reactivity was exploited to facilitate three types of annulation reactions, giving rise to complex polycyclic products of a formal [3+3] or [4+2] cycloaddition.

Evolution of the Dearomative Functionalization of Activated Quinolines and Isoquinolines: Expansion of the Electrophile Scope.

Herein we disclose a mild protocol for the reductive functionalisation of quinolinium and isoquinolinium salts. The reaction proceeds under transition-metal-free conditions as well as under rhodium catalysis with very low catalyst loadings (0.01 mol %) and uses inexpensive formic acid as the terminal reductant. A wide range of electrophiles, including enones, imides, unsaturated esters and sulfones, ß-nitro styrenes and aldehydes are intercepted by the in situ formed enamine species forming a large variety of substituted tetrahydro(iso)quinolines. Electrophiles are incorporated at the C-3 and C-4 position for quinolines and isoquinolines respectively, providing access to substitution patterns which are not favoured in electrophilic or nucleophilic aromatic substitution. Finally, this reactivity was exploited to facilitate three types of annulation reactions, giving rise to complex polycyclic products of a formal [3+3] or [4+2] cycloaddition.

Radical-Induced 1,2-Migrations of Boron Ate Complexes.

1,2-Boron ate rearrangements represent a fundamental class of transformations to establish new C-C bonds while retaining the valuable boron moiety in the product. In established ionic processes, the boron ate complex is activated by an external electrophile to induce a 1,2-migration from boron to an adjacent sp 3 or sp 2 carbon atom. Recently, two complementary radical polar crossover approaches have been explored for both classes, 1,2-migrations to sp 2 and sp 3 carbon centers. This review describes the general concepts in this emerging research field and summarizes recent developments of radical-induced 1,2-migrations from boron to carbon.

Catalytic protodeboronation of pinacol boronic esters: formal anti-Markovnikov hydromethylation of alkenes.

Pinacol boronic esters are highly valuable building blocks in organic synthesis. In contrast to the many protocols available on the functionalizing deboronation of alkyl boronic esters, protodeboronation is not well developed. Herein we report catalytic protodeboronation of 1°, 2° and 3° alkyl boronic esters utilizing a radical approach. Paired with a Matteson-CH2-homologation, our protocol allows for formal anti-Markovnikov alkene hydromethylation, a valuable but unknown transformation. The hydromethylation sequence was applied to methoxy protected (-)-Δ8-THC and cholesterol. The protodeboronation was further used in the formal total synthesis of δ-(R)-coniceine and indolizidine 209B.

Intermolecular Acetoxyaminoalkylation of α-Diazo Amides with (Diacetoxyiodo)benzene and Amines.

Multicomponent reactions of diazo compounds have attracted much attention in recent years. Such transformations are generally conducted by applying transition metal catalysis and involve the corresponding metal carbenes as key intermediates. In this letter, a metal-free three-component intermolecular acetoxyaminoalkylation of α-diazo amides with tertiary aryl amines and (diacetoxyiodo)benzene is presented.

Radical-Polar Crossover Reactions of Dienylboronate Complexes: Synthesis of Functionalized Allylboronic Esters.

Radical-polar crossover reactions of dienylboronate complexes are applied to the synthesis of functionalized secondary and tertiary allylboronic esters. The transition-metal-free three-component coupling uses readily accessible dienylboronate esters as substrates in combination with various sp3/sp2 carbon nucleophiles and commercial alkyl iodides as radical precursors. In the visible light-initiated radical chain process, two new C-C bonds are formed, and the E-double bond geometry in the product allylboronic esters is controlled with good to excellent selectivity.

Synthesis of α-Chiral Ketones and Chiral Alkanes Using Radical Polar Crossover Reactions of Vinyl Boron Ate Complexes.

Vinyl boron ate complexes of enantioenriched secondary alkyl pinacolboronic esters undergo stereospecific radical-induced 1,2-migration in radical polar crossover reactions. In this three-component process various commercially available alkyl iodides act as radical precursors and light is used for chain initiation. Subsequent oxidation and protodeborylation leads to valuable α-chiral ketones and chiral alkanes, respectively, with excellent enantiopurity.

Radical-polar crossover reactions of vinylboron ate complexes.

Vinyl boronic esters are valuable substrates for Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions. However, boron-substituted alkenes have drawn little attention as radical acceptors, and the radical chemistry of vinylboron ate complexes is underexplored. We show here that carbon radicals add efficiently to vinylboron ate complexes and that their adduct radical anions undergo radical-polar crossover: A 1,2-alkyl/aryl shift from boron to the α-carbon sp2 center provides secondary or tertiary alkyl boronic esters. In contrast to the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling, a transition metal is not required, and two carbon-carbon bonds are formed. The valuable boronic ester moiety remains in the product and can be used in follow-up chemistry, enlarging the chemical space of the method. The cascade uses commercial starting materials and provides access to perfluoroalkylated alcohols, γ-lactones, γ-hydroxy alkylnitriles, and compounds bearing quaternary carbon centers.

3-Alkylperoxy-3-cyano-oxindoles from 2-Cyano-2-diazo-N-phenyl-acetamides via Cyclizing Carbene Insertion and Subsequent Radical Oxidation.

A transition-metal-free one-pot sequence for the synthesis of 3-peroxy-substituted oxindoles from readily prepared 2-cyano-2-diazo-acetamides is reported. The two-step tandem process includes a highly efficient thermal intramolecular C-H-carbene insertion followed by a tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI) catalyzed radical C3-peroxy-functionalization. The protocol provides easy access to a new class of 3-cyano-3-peroxy-disubstituted oxindoles. Useful transformations to amides and alcohols are demonstrated.