Exploring Catalytic Intermediates in Pd-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Amination of 1,3-Dienes: Multiple Metal Interactions of the Palladium Nanoclusters.

Metal nanoclusters (NCs) have unique properties because of their small size, which makes them useful as catalysts in reactions like cross-coupling. Pd-catalyzed oxidative amination, which involves dehydrogenative C-N bond formation, uses Pd complexes as the active species. It is known that the catalytic conditions involve the formation of Pd(0) species from Pd NCs, but the precise role of Pd NCs in the transformations has not been established. In this study, we investigated the characteristic properties of Pd NCs in oxidative amination of 1,3-dienes. The reaction achieved direct amination of commercially accessible 1,3-dienes with secondary aromatic amines, providing a variety of nitrogen containing 1,3-dienes. The compound was applicable to radical polymerization to provide the nitrogen-fabricated 1,3-diene-based polymer, which exhibited a different thermal stability compared to aliphatic nitrogen-fabricated diene polymers. In addition to the synthetic utility, by combining X-ray absorption fine structure and small-angle X-ray scattering analysis, we revealed amines and 1,3-dienes affected metal leaching from the Pd nanoparticles and stabilization of Pd NCs in the catalytic reaction. Additionally, DFT calculation suggested that the catalytic intermediate contained multiple adjacent Pd atoms and was responsible for formation of an σ-allylic intermediate that is difficult to form with the use of Pd complexes. These results could be used to understand the underlying phenomenon in the oxidative coupling reaction and develop Pd NCs-based dehydrogenation.

Dimethylacetamide-stabilized ruthenium nanoparticles for catalysing α-alkylations of amides with alcohols.

α-Alkylation reactions between amides and alcohols, with dimethylacetamide-stabilized Ru nanoparticles (NPs) as the catalyst, were investigated. The reactions proceeded with low catalyst loadings compared to metal complexes. Characterizations of the Ru NPs were performed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, and various techniques. Control experiments revealed the reaction mechanisms, which proceeded via hydrogen autotransfer with alcohols.

N,N-Dimethylformamide-stabilized ruthenium nanoparticle catalyst for ß-alkylated dimer alcohol formation via Guerbet reaction of primary alcohols.

N,N-Dimethylformamide-stabilized Ru nanoparticles (NPs) provide a highly efficient catalyst for the Guerbet reaction of primary alcohols. DMF-modified Ru NPs were synthesized, and characterized by transition electron microscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectronspectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The Ru NP catalyst was highly durable during catalytic reactions under external additive/solvent-free conditions.

Palladium-Catalyzed Three-Component Silylalkoxylation of 1,3-Diene with Alcohol and Disilane via Oxidative Coupling.

A regioselective and Z-selective three-component silylalkoxylation of 1,3-diene using various alcohols, disilane, and a catalytic Pd/Cu/1,4-benzoquinone/O2 system is established in this Letter. The reaction generates tetra-substituted allyl silanes containing allyl ether moieties in up to 80% isolated yield and on a 1-10 mmol scale via oxidative coupling. A wide variety of substrates, including benzyl alcohol derivates, aliphatic alcohols, and bioactive compounds such as cholesterol, are suitable for use in the developed reaction system.

Cross ß-arylmethylation of alcohols catalysed by recyclable Ti-Pd alloys not requiring pre-activation.

Ti-Pd alloy catalysts were developed for the cross ß-arylmethylation between arylmethylalcohols and different primary alcohols via a hydrogen autotransfer mechanism. The alloy catalysts could be reused multiple times without the need for pre-activation. Analysis of the reaction solution by inductively coupled plasma atomic absorption spectroscopy indicated that only a minimal amount of Ti and no Pd was leached from the catalyst.

N,N-Dimethylformamide-stabilised palladium nanoparticles combined with bathophenanthroline as catalyst for transfer vinylation of alcohols from vinyl ether.

We report N,N-dimethylformamide-stabilised Pd nanoparticle (Pd NP)-catalysed transfer vinylation of alcohols from vinyl ether. Pd NPs combined with bathophenanthroline exhibited high catalytic activity. This reaction proceeded with low catalyst loading and the catalyst remained effective even after many rounds of recycling. The observation of the catalyst using transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering implied no deleterious aggregation of Pd NPs.

Cross ß-alkylation of primary alcohols catalysed by DMF-stabilized iridium nanoparticles.

A simple method for the cross ß-alkylation of linear alcohols with benzyl alcohols in the presence of DMF-stabilized iridium nanoparticles was developed. The nanoparticles were prepared in one-step and thoroughly characterized. Furthermore, the optimum reaction conditions have a wide substrate scope and excellent product selectivity.

Palladium-Catalyzed Difunctionalization of 1,3-Diene with Amine and Disilane under a Mild Re-oxidation System.

A highly regioselective and stereoselective difunctionalization reaction of 1,3-diene with amine and disilane to form C-N and C-Si bonds via a one-step Pd/Cu/O2 system is disclosed. The difunctionalization reaction affords allylic silanes, including the allylic amine moiety, in up to 92 % yield in the absence of any acid, base, or external ligand. The developed synthetic methodology can be scaled to 100 g in high yield with high Z-selectivity, which demonstrates the feasibility of the reaction for industrial applications.

Catalytic enantioselective intramolecular Tishchenko reaction of meso-dialdehyde: synthesis of (S)-cedarmycins.

The first successful example of a catalytic enantioselective intramolecular Tishchenko reaction of a meso-dialdehyde in the presence of a chiral iridium complex is described. Chiral lactones were obtained in good yields with up to 91% ee. The obtained enantioenriched lactones were utilized for the first synthesis of (S)-cedarmycins A and B.

Iridium Complex-Catalyzed C2-Extension of Primary Alcohols with Ethanol via a Hydrogen Autotransfer Reaction.

The development of a C2-extension of primary alcohols with ethanol as the C2 source and catalysis by [Cp*IrCl2]2 (where Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadiene) is described. This new extension system was used for a range of benzylic alcohol substrates and for aliphatic alcohols with ethanol as an alkyl reagent to generate the corresponding C2-extended linear alcohols. Mechanistic studies of the reaction by means of intermediates and deuterium labeling experiments suggest the reaction is based on hydrogen autotransfer.

Synthesis and Characterization of N,N-Dimethylformamide-Protected Palladium Nanoparticles and Their Use in the Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling Reaction.

Herein, the synthesis of new N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)-protected palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs-OAc) employing Pd (OAc)2 (= Pd(OCOCH3)2) as the NP precursor is reported. Pd NPs-OAc were comprehensively characterized by transmission electron microscopy, FT-IR, NMR, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to determine the Pd NP size distribution and the coordination state of DMF. Pd NPs-OAc were compared with Pd NPs-Cl, using PdCl2 as the NP precursor. The Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction proceeded efficiently in the presence of Pd NPs-OAc and a high catalytic activity was observed with a turnover number of up to 1.5 × 105. Furthermore, the Pd NP-OAc catalysts could be recycled at least five times.

N,N-Dimethylformamide-Protected Single-Sized Metal Nanoparticles and Their Use as Catalysts for Organic Transformations.

In this mini-review, we summarize the solution syntheses of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)-protected metal nanoparticles (NPs) and nanoclusters (NCs) and their use in catalytic reactions. Representative examples are given of external-stabilizer/protectant-free metal NP and NC syntheses by reduction with DMF. In this method, DMF has three roles, i.e., a solvent, reductant, and protectant. Recent applications of DMF-stabilized metal NPs are summarized. These applications have enabled a versatile organic transformation such as cross-coupling reactions, hydrosilylation, and methylation to be achieved. These reactions proceed under low catalyst loadings and ligandless conditions.

Iridium-Catalyzed α-Methylation of α-Aryl Esters Using Methanol as the C1 Source.

IrCl(cod)2]/dppe-catalyzed α-methylation of aryl esters using methanol as the C1 source was developed. This methylation process is useful in several fields including organic chemistry, biochemistry, and medicinal chemistry. Readily available methanol as methylation reagent was successfully adapted. The reaction processed high atom economy and efficient. By applying the reaction system, the synthesis method of naproxen was provided.

Dimethylformamide-stabilised palladium nanoclusters catalysed coupling reactions of aryl halides with hydrosilanes/disilanes.

N,N-Dimethylformamide-stabilised Pd nanocluster (NC) catalysed cross-coupling reactions of hydrosilane/disilane have been investigated. In this reaction, the coupling reaction proceeds without ligands with low catalyst loading. N,N-Dimethylacetamide is a crucial solvent in these reactions. The solvent effect was considered by various techniques, such as transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The Pd NCs can be recycled five times under both hydrosilane and disilane reaction conditions.

In Situ-Generated Niobium-Catalyzed Synthesis of 3-Pyrroline Derivatives via Ring-Closing Metathesis Reactions.

An active in situ-generated Nb complex was used as a catalyst in the ring-closing metathesis reaction of N,N-diallyl-p-toluenesulfonamide to afford the corresponding 3-pyrroline derivative. The Nb complex was formed from NbCl5, trimethylsilyl chloride, Zn, and PhCHCl2 in tetrahydrofuran. The Nb complex displayed high catalytic activity toward ring-closing metathesis reactions.

N,N-Dimethylformamide-stabilized palladium nanoclusters as a catalyst for Larock indole synthesis.

We show that N,N-dimethylformamide-stabilized Pd nanoclusters (NCs) have high catalytic activity in the reaction of substituted 2-iodoanilines with alkynes to give 2,3-disubstituted indoles. This indole synthesis does not require phosphine ligands and proceeds with low Pd catalyst loadings. The Pd NCs were separated from the mixture after the reaction, and recycled at least three times. Transmission electron microscopy images showed that the Pd particle size before the reaction was 1.5-2.5 nm. The particle size after the reaction was 2-3 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that the binding energy of the Pd NCs before the reaction was 335.0 eV.

FeCl3-Assisted Niobium-Catalyzed Cycloaddition of Nitriles and Alkynes: Synthesis of Alkyl- and Arylpyrimidines Based on Independent Functions of NbCl5 and FeCl3 Lewis Acids.

NbCl5-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of nitriles with alkynes was used to synthesize pyrimidine derivatives. In this reaction, the use of individual Lewis acids, namely NbCl5 and FeCl3, is a key strategy for achieving the reaction using a catalytic amount of NbCl5. The roles of the two Lewis acids were investigated using FT-IR spectroscopy. The results showed that NbCl5 served as an efficient Lewis acid catalyst for nitrile activation, whereas FeCl3 showed stronger Lewis acidity toward pyrimidines, releasing NbCl5 into the catalytic cycle.

NbCl5/Zn/PCy3-System-Catalyzed Intramolecular [2 + 2 + 2] Cycloadditions of Diynes and Alkenes To Form Bicyclic Cyclohexadienes.

A NbCl5, Zn, and PCy3 catalytic system that generated low-valent Nb species is used for the synthesis of bicyclic cyclohexadienes from diynes and simple alkenes. A phosphine ligand is important for stabilizing low-valent Nb in the cycloaddition. The bicyclic cyclohexadiene skeleton is important in transition-metal-catalyzed intramolecular cycloadditions.

Preparation and use of DMF-stabilized iridium nanoclusters as methylation catalysts using methanol as the C1 source.

We report methylations of alcohols and anilines catalyzed by DMF-stabilized Ir nanoclusters using methanol as the C1 source. The DMF-stabilized Ir nanoclusters were prepared in one step and have diameters of 1-1.5 nm. They react in a borrowing-hydrogen reaction and are efficient methylation catalysts (TON up to 310 000).

C-Alkylation by Hydrogen Autotransfer Reactions.

The development of practical, efficient, and atom-economical methods for the formation of carbon-carbon bonds remains a topic of considerable interest in current synthetic organic chemistry. In this review, we have summarized selected topics from the recent literature with particular emphasis on C-alkylation processes involving hydrogen transfer using alcohols as alkylation reagents. This review includes selected highlights concerning recent progress towards the modification of catalytic systems for the α-alkylation of ketones, nitriles, and esters. Furthermore, we have devoted a significant portion of this review to the methylation of ketones, alcohols, and indoles using methanol. Lastly, we have also documented recent advances in ß-alkylation methods involving the dimerization of alcohols (Guerbet reaction), as well as new developments in C-alkylation methods based on sp (3) C-H activation.