Trivalent Organostibines: Sb,N Ligands in Double N-Arylation of Primary Amines toward Functionalized Carbazoles.

A Sb,N ligand (L-Sb) for Pd-catalyzed double N-arylation of primary amines was developed. This trivalent ligand L-Sb, containing a 5,6,7,12-tetrahydrodibenzo[c,f][1,5]azastibocine skeleton and stable under air and moisture, could be synthesized facilely on a gram scale from chlorostibine (1) and cyclopentylmagnesium bromide. L-Sb showed excellent catalytic performance in Pd2(dba)3-catalyzed double N-arylation of 2,2'-dibromo-1,1'-biphenyl (2) with primary amines (3), affording functionalized carbazoles in good yields. This Pd2(dba)3/L-Sb-catalyzed double N-arylation, the first example of the application of trivalent organostibines as a ligand in N-arylation, featured the following advantages: small catalyst loading, wide functional group tolerance, good yields, and ease of gram-scale synthesis.

Cross- and Multi-Coupling Reactions Using Monofluoroalkanes.

Carbon-fluorine bonds are stable and have demonstrated sluggishness against various chemical manipulations. However, selective transformations of C-F bonds can be achieved by developing appropriate conditions as useful synthetic methods in organic chemistry. This review focuses on C-C bond formation at monofluorinated sp3 -hybridized carbons via C-F bond cleavage, including cross-coupling and multi-component coupling reactions. The C-F bond cleavage mechanisms on the sp3 -hybridized carbon centers can be primarily categorized into three types: Lewis acids promoted F atom elimination to generate carbocation intermediates; nucleophilic substitution with metal or carbon nucleophiles supported by the activation of C-F bonds by coordination of Lewis acids; and the cleavage of C-F bonds via a single electron transfer. The characteristic features of alkyl fluorides, in comparison with other (pseudo)halides as promising electrophilic coupling counterparts, are also discussed.

Synthesis of (Deoxy)difluoromethylated Phosphines by Reaction of R2P(O)H with TMSCF3 and Their Application in Cu(I) Clusters in Sonogashira Coupling.

R2PCF2H ligands and their R2P(O)CF2H precursors were synthesized from R2P(O)H with TMSCF3 by simply modulating the H2O concentration via deoxydifluoromethylation and difluoromethylation. The air sensitive R2PCF2H phosphines can be stabilized in Cu(I) clusters as ligands. Within these Cu(I) clusters, the Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction can proceed fast and efficiently using terminal alkynes and aryl iodides within 15 min at room temperature under air to give a variety of diaryl(alkyl)acetylenes in good yields (49 examples, yields of ≤99%). Six of the internal alkynes present in drug precursors can be obtained using this protocol in good yields. The mechanism is proposed on the basis of control experiments.

CF3SO2Na-Mediated Five-Component Carbonylation of Triarylboroxines with TMSCF3 and THF/LiOH/NaI to Give Aroyloxyalkyl Iodides.

Herein, we developed an efficient and transition-metal-free multicomponent coupling reaction for the synthesis of aroyloxyl alkyl iodides. In the reaction among 2,4,6-triarylboroxines, THF, TMSCF3, LiOH, and NaI, five-component reactions could be precisely controlled by modulating CF3SO2Na, supplying one type of aroyloxyl alkyl iodides in moderate to high yields. The reaction exhibits good functional group tolerance and a wide substrate scope and can be easily transformed into other useful compounds. The mechanism is proposed on the basis of the control experiments.

Cu(I)-Catalyzed C-H Alkenylation of Tertiary C(sp3)-H Bonds of 3-Aryl Benzofuran-2(3H)-ones to Give Z- and E-Styrene Containing Quaternary Carbon Centers with 99/1 Regioselectivity.

The synthesis of isomerically pure olefins containing all-carbon quaternary centers is a challenging issue. Herein, we developed an efficient protocol for the synthesis of (Z)-olefins (27 examples, yield up to 97%, Z/E up to 99/1) and (E)-olefins (16 examples, yield up to 94%, E/Z up to 99/1) containing all-carbon quaternary centers. This protocol is adopted for the copper-catalyzed regioselective C-H alkenylation of the tertiary C(sp3)-H bond of 3-aryl benzofuran-2(3H)-ones with alkyne and alkenes. A diverse range of functional groups in the substrates is well-tolerated, such as F, Cl, Br, Me, OMe, ester, CF3, etc. A gram scale experiment was performed in good yield, and the radical mechanisms are also proposed based on the control experiments.

Bio-inspired asymmetric aldehyde arylations catalyzed by rhodium-cyclodextrin self-inclusion complexes.

Transition-metal catalysts are powerful tools for carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions that are difficult to achieve using native enzymes. Enzymes that exhibit inherent selectivities and reactivities through host-guest interactions have inspired widespread interest in incorporating enzymatic behavior into transition-metal catalytic systems that highly efficiently produce enantiopure compounds. Nevertheless, bio-inspired transition-metal catalysts that are highly enantioselective and reactive have rarely been reported. In this study, we applied γ-cyclodextrin-imidazolium salts to the rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric arylations of aldehydes. The method exhibits wide substrate scope and the corresponding arylcarbinols are obtained in excellent yields under optimized conditions, with enantiomeric excesses of up to 96% observed. Kinetic and competition experiments revealed that self-inclusion of the Rh complex contributes to the high enantioselectivity and reactivity achieved by this catalytic system. Thus, this bio-inspired self-inclusion strategy is promising for the development of highly enantioselective and reactive transition-metal catalysts for asymmetric carbon-carbon bond formation.

One-pot synthesis of phosphorylnaphth[2,1-d]oxazoles and products as P,N-ligands in C-N and C-C formation.

Phosphanylnaphtho[2,1-d]oxazoles were synthesized successfully through one-pot phosphonation of naphthoquinone with diaryl(alkyl)phosphine oxides and Cu-catalyzed oxidative condensation with imines, followed by methylation and reduction. Upon applying 4-phosphanylnaphtho[2,1-d]oxazole as a P,N-chelating ligand, Pd-catalyzed C-N formation of amines or nitrobenzene as well as Ni-catalyzed C-C formation and the synthesis of quinoline proceeded successfully. The reaction was facilely scaled up to give N-benzylaniline 15a in a gram scale synthesis. This research provided a facile and convenient protocol to synthesize phosphanylnaphtho[2,1-d]oxazoles, which could be applied as an efficient P,N-ligand in transition-metal-catalyzed C-N and C-C formation to produce the desired products in high yields with wide functional group tolerance under small catalyst loading, solvent-free conditions in many reactions.

Nickel- and Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions of Organostibines with Organoboronic Acids.

A strategy for the formation of antimony-carbon bond was developed by nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of halostibines. This method has been applied to the synthesis of various triaryl- and diarylalkylstibines from the corresponding cyclic and acyclic halostibines. This protocol showed a wide substrate scope (72 examples) and was compatible to a wide range of functional groups such as aldehyde, ketone, alkene, alkyne, haloarenes (F, Cl, Br, I), and heteroarenes. A successful synthesis of arylated stibine 3 a in a scale of 34.77 g demonstrates high synthetic potential of this transformation. The formed stibines (R3 Sb) were then used for the palladium-catalyzed carbon-carbon bond forming reaction with aryl boronic acids [R-B(OH)2 ], giving biaryls with high selectivity, even the structures of two organomoieties (R and R') are very similar. Plausible catalytic pathways were proposed based on control experiments.

Synthesis of Triarylmethanes by Decarbonylation of 3,3-Diaryl Benzofuranones.

A simple protocol for the synthesis of triarylmethane derivatives with three different (hetero)aryl groups by decarbonylation of 3,3-diaryl benzofuranones, which can easily be prepared via arylation of benzofuranones, was developed. The reaction proceeds on heating in dimethylformamide (DMF) in the presence of CH3ONa and water to generate the products in good to excellent yields. This reaction can be easily scaled up to give a triarylmethane in a gram scale. Further chemical manipulation of the products enabled useful transformations of the phenol ring, including reduction, arylation, cyclization, etc.

Copper-Catalyzed Amination of C(sp3)-H bonds: From Anilides to Indolines.

Copper-catalyzed oxidative intramolecular cyclization of o-alkylated anilines via cleavage of C(sp3)-H and N-H bonds for the production of indolines is described. This approach provides a straightforward strategy for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds through the functionalization of unactivated C(sp3)-H bonds with high site selectivity. The present catalytic system shows high preference for functionalization of unactivated C(sp3)-H bonds over C(sp2)-H bonds, leading to C-N bond formation.

Molecular Packing and Solid-State Photophysical Properties of 1,3,6,8-Tetraalkylpyrenes.

The relationship between the photophysical properties and molecular orientation of 1,3,6,8-tetraalkylpyrenes in the solid state is described herein. The introduction of alkyl groups with different chain structures (in terms of length and branching) did not affect the photophysical properties in solution, but significantly shifted the emission wavelengths and fluorescence quantum yields in the solid state for some samples. Pyrenes bearing ethyl, isobutyl, or neopentyl groups at the 1-, 3-, 6-, and 8-positions showed similar emission profiles in both the solution and solid states. In contrast, pyrenes bearing other alkyl groups exhibited an excimer emission in the solid state, similar to that of the parent pyrene. On studying the photophysical properties in the solid state with respect to the obtained crystal structures, the observed solid-state photophysical properties were found to depend on the relative position of the pyrene chromophores. The solid-state photophysical properties can be controlled by the alkyl groups, which provide changing crystal packing. Among the pyrenes tested, 1,3,6,8-tetraethylpyrene showed the highest fluorescence quantum yield of 0.88 in the solid state.

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.

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.

Regioselective phosphorylation of myo-inositol with BINOL-derived phosphoramidites and its application for protozoan lysophosphatidylinositol.

A regioselective phosphorylation method for myo-inositol was developed by utilizing readily preparable BINOL-derived phosphoramidites. The method also facilitated the complete separation of the diastereomeric products by simple chromatography. Based on this phosphorylation and Ni-catalyzed alkyl-alkyl cross-coupling reaction for long fatty acids, we achieved the first synthesis of a lysophosphatidylinositol, EhPIa having long fatty acid C30:1, as a partial structure of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor from the cell membrane of a protozoa, Entamoeba histolytica.

Nickel-Catalyzed Dimerization and Alkylarylation of 1,3-Dienes with Alkyl Fluorides and Aryl Grignard Reagents.

In the presence of a nickel catalyst, 1,3-butadiene undergoes selective dimerization and alkylarylation with alkyl fluorides and aryl Grignard reagents to give 1,6-octadienes with alkyl and aryl groups at the 3- and 8-positions, respectively, by the consecutive formation of three carbon-carbon bonds. The formation of an anionic nickel complex plays an important role in forming C-C bonds with alkyl fluorides.

The palladium-catalyzed intermolecular C-H chalcogenation of arenes.

Palladium catalyzes the intermolecular chalcogenation of carbazole, 2-phenylpyridine, benzo[h]quinolone, and indole derivatives with disulfides and diselenides via selective C-H bond cleavage, providing a convenient route to thio and selenoethers.

Nickel-catalyzed synthesis of diarylsulfides and sulfones via C-H bond functionalization of arylamides.

The direct sulfenylation and sulfonylation of (sp(2))C-H bonds of benzamide derivatives were achieved using a Ni catalyst with the aid of an 8-aminoquinoline moiety as a bidentate directing group. These protocols represent a convenient route for the formation of valuable diaryl sulfides and sulfones in moderate to excellent yields.

Copper-Catalyzed Regioselective Hydroalkylation of 1,3-Dienes with Alkyl Fluorides and Grignard Reagents.

Copper complexes generated in situ from CuCl2, alkyl Grignard reagents, and 1,3-dienes play important roles as catalytic active species for the 1,2-hydroalkylation of 1,3-dienes by alkyl fluorides through C-F bond cleavage. The alkyl group is introduced to an internal carbon atom of the 1,3-diene regioselectively, thus giving rise to the branched terminal alkene product.

Diarylrhodates as promising active catalysts for the arylation of vinyl ethers with Grignard reagents.

Anionic diarylrhodium complexes, generated by reacting [RhCl(cod)]2 with 2 equiv of aryl Grignard reagents, were found to be effective active catalysts in cross-coupling reactions of vinyl ethers with aryl Grignard reagents, giving rise to the production of vinyl arenes. In this catalytic system, vinyl-O bonds were preferably cleaved over Ar-O or Ar-Br bonds. A lithium rhodate complex was isolated, and its crystal structure was determined by X-ray crystallography.

Copper-catalyzed alkyl-alkyl cross-coupling reactions using hydrocarbon additives: efficiency of catalyst and roles of additives.

Cross-coupling of alkyl halides with alkyl Grignard reagents proceeds with extremely high TONs of up to 1230000 using a Cu/unsaturated hydrocarbon catalytic system. Alkyl fluorides, chlorides, bromides, and tosylates are all suitable electrophiles, and a TOF as high as 31200 h(-1) was attained using an alkyl iodide. Side reactions of this catalytic system, i.e., reduction, dehydrohalogenation (elimination), and the homocoupling of alkyl halides, occur in the absence of additives. It appears that the reaction involves the ß-hydrogen elimination of alkylcopper intermediates, giving rise to olefins and Cu-H species, and that this process triggers both side reactions and the degradation of the Cu catalyst. The formed Cu-H promotes the reduction of alkyl halides to give alkanes and Cu-X or the generation of Cu(0), probably by disproportionation, which can oxidatively add to alkyl halides to yield olefins and, in some cases, homocoupling products. Unsaturated hydrocarbon additives such as 1,3-butadiene and phenylpropyne play important roles in achieving highly efficient cross-coupling by suppressing ß-hydrogen elimination, which inhibits both the degradation of the Cu catalyst and undesirable side reactions.