Cu(I)-Catalyzed gem-Aminoalkynylation of Diazo Compounds: Synthesis of Fluorinated Propargylic Amines.

The gem-aminoalkynylation of fluorinated diazo compounds catalyzed by a simple Cu(I) salt is described. This three-component reaction allows the synthesis of propargylic amines with broad functional group tolerance. Both electron-rich and electron-poor anilines can be used as nucleophiles and alkyl-, aryl-, and silyl-substituted EthynylBenziodoXoles (EBX) as electrophiles.

Low-Temperature Intramolecular [4+2] Cycloaddition of Allenes with Arenes for the Synthesis of Diene Ligands.

The intramolecular [4+2] cycloaddition between arenes and allenes first reported by Himbert gives rapid access to rigid polycyclic scaffolds. Herein, we report a one-pot oxyalkynylation/cycloaddition reaction proceeding under mild conditions (23-90 °C) and providing complex polycyclic architectures with high efficiency, and atom and step economy. The bicyclo[2.2.2]octadiene products were obtained with a wide variety of useful functional groups and were successfully applied as chiral ligands for metal catalysis. Computational studies gave a first rationalization of the low activation energy for the cycloaddition based on counter-intuitive favorable dispersive interactions in the transition state.

Three-Component Reaction for the Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Propargyl Ethers.

Multicomponent reactions provide efficient means to access molecular complexity. Herein, we report a copper-catalyzed three-component reaction of diazo compounds, alcohols and ethynyl benziodoxole (EBX) reagents for the synthesis of propargyl ethers. Extensive variations of the three partners of the reaction is possible, leading to highly functionalized and structurally diverse products under mild conditions. Alkynylation of a copper ylide intermediate is postulated as key step for this transformation.

Copper-Catalyzed Oxyvinylation of Diazo Compounds.

A copper(I)-catalyzed vinylation of diazo compounds with vinylbenziodoxolone reagents (VBX) as partners is reported. The transformation tolerates diverse functionalities on both reagents delivering polyfunctionalized vinylated products. The strategy was successfully extended to a three-component/intermolecular version with alcohols. The obtained products contain synthetically versatile functional groups, such as an aryl iodide, an ester, and an allylic leaving group, enabling further modification.

Copper-Catalyzed Oxyalkynylation of C-S Bonds in Thiiranes and Thiethanes with Hypervalent Iodine Reagents.

We report the oxyalkynylation of thiiranes and thietanes using ethynylbenziodoxolone reagents (EBXs) to readily access functionalized building blocks bearing an alkynyl, a benzoate, and an iodide group. The reaction proceeds with high atom efficiency most likely through an alkynyl-episulfonium intermediate. The transformation is copper-catalyzed and compatible with a large array of thiiranes and thietanes.

Combining Ru-Catalyzed C-H Functionalization with Pd-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation: Synthesis of 3-Allyl-3-aryl Oxindole Derivatives from Aryl α-Diazoamides.

Ruthenium-catalyzed C-H functionalization was successfully combined with palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation in one pot. The novel dual-metal-catalyzed reaction provides a variety of 3-allyl-3-aryl oxindoles from the corresponding α-diazoamides in up to 99% yield with up to 85% ee. The appropriate ligand choice is important to promote the sequential reaction, avoiding undesired metal interaction or ligand exchange.