Kinetically-Controlled Ni-Catalyzed Direct Carboxylation of Unactivated Secondary Alkyl Bromides without Chain Walking.

Herein, we report the direct carboxylation of unactivated secondary alkyl bromides enabled by the merger of photoredox and nickel catalysis, a previously inaccessible endeavor in the carboxylation arena. Site-selectivity is dictated by a kinetically controlled insertion of CO2 at the initial C(sp3)-Br site by the rapid formation of Ni(I)-alkyl species, thus avoiding undesired ß-hydride elimination and chain-walking processes. Preliminary mechanistic experiments reveal the subtleties of stereoelectronic effects for guiding the reactivity and site-selectivity.

Comproportionation and disproportionation in nickel and copper complexes.

Disproportionation and comproportionation reactions have become increasingly important electron transfer events in organometallic chemistry and catalysis. The renewed interest in these reactions is in part attributed to the improved understanding of first-row metals and their ability to occupy odd and even oxidation states. Disproportionation and comproportionation reactions enable metal complexes to shuttle between various oxidation states, a matter of utmost relevance for controlling the speciation and catalytic turnover. In addition, these reactions have a direct impact in the thermodynamic and kinetic stability of the corresponding metal complexes. This review covers the relevance and impact of these processes in electron transfer reactions and provides valuable information about their non-negligible influence in Ni- and Cu-catalysed transformations.

Low Pressure Carbonylation of Benzyl Carbonates and Carbamates for Applications in 13 C Isotope Labeling and Catalytic CO2 Reduction.

Herein, we report a methodology to access isotopically labeled esters and amides from carbonates and carbamates employing an oxygen deletion strategy. This methodology utilizes a decarboxylative carbonylation approach for isotope labeling with near stoichiometric, ex situ generated 12 C, or 13 C carbon monoxide. This reaction is characterized by its broad scope, functional group tolerance, and high yields, which is showcased with the synthesis of structurally complex molecules. A complementary method that operates by the catalytic in situ generation of CO via the reduction of CO2 liberated during decarboxylation has also been developed as a proof-of-concept approach that CO2 -derived compounds can be converted to CO-containing frameworks. Mechanistic studies provide insight into the catalytic steps which highlight the impact of ligand choice to overcome challenges associated with low-pressure carbonylation methodologies, along with rational for the development of future methodologies.

Rapid Access to Carbon-Isotope-Labeled Alkyl and Aryl Carboxylates Applying Palladacarboxylates.

Herein, we report a strategy for the formation of isotopically labeled carboxylic esters from boronic esters/acids using a readily accessible palladium carboxylate complex as an organometallic source of isotopically labeled functional groups. The reaction allows access to either unlabeled or full 13C- or 14C-isotopically labeled carboxylic esters, and the method is characterized by its operational simplicity, mild conditions, and general substrate scope. Our protocol is further extended to a carbon isotope replacement strategy, involving an initial decarbonylative borylation procedure. Such an approach allows access to isotopically labeled compounds directly from the unlabeled pharmaceutical, which can have implications for drug discovery programs.

Remote Hydroamination of Disubstituted Alkenes by a Combination of Isomerization and Regioselective N-H Addition.

Remote hydrofunctionalizations of alkenes incorporate functional groups distal to existing carbon-carbon double bonds. While remote carbonylations are well-known, remote hydrofunctionalizations are most common for addition of relatively nonpolar B-H, Si-H, and C-H bonds with alkenes. We report a system for the remote hydroamination of disubstituted alkenes to functionalize an alkyl chain selectively at the subterminal, unactivated, methylene position. Critical to the high regioselectivity and reaction rates are the electronic properties of the substituent on the amine and the development of the ligand DIP-Ad-SEGPHOS by evaluating the steric and electronic effects of ligand modules on reactivity and selectivity. The remote hydroamination is compatible with a broad scope of alkenes and aminopyridines and enables the regioconvergent synthesis of amines from an isomeric mixture of alkenes. The products can be derivatized by nucleophilic aromatic substitution on the amino substituent with a variety of nucleophiles.

Trifluoromethylation of Carbonyl and Unactivated Olefin Derivatives by C(sp3 )-C Bond Cleavage.

Herein, we report a Cu-mediated trifluoromethylation of carbonyl-type compounds and unactivated olefins enabled by visible-light irradiation via σ C(sp3 )-C bond-functionalization. The reaction is distinguished by its modularity, mild conditions and wide scope-even in the context of late-stage functionalization-thus offering a complementary approach en route to valuable C(sp3 )-CF3 architectures from easily accessible precursors.

Reductive Elimination from Sterically Encumbered Ni-Polypyridine Complexes.

Herein we disclose the synthesis of sterically encumbered dialkylnickel(II) complexes bearing 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline ligands. A comparison with their unsubstituted analogues by both X-ray crystallography and theoretical calculations revealed significant distortions in their molecular structures. Eyring plots along with stoichiometric and photoexcitation studies revealed that sterically encumbered dialkylnickel(II) complexes enable facile C(sp 3)-C(sp 3) reductive elimination, thus offering an improved understanding of Ni catalysis.

Nickel-Catalyzed Site-Selective Intermolecular C(sp3 )-H Amidation.

A nickel-catalyzed site-selective intermolecular amidation of saturated C(sp3 )-H bonds is reported. This mild protocol exhibits a predictable reactivity pattern to incorporate amide functions at C(sp3 )-H sites adjacent to nitrogen and oxygen atoms in either cyclic or acyclic frameworks, thus offering a complementary reactivity profile to existing oxidative-type processes or metal-catalyzed C(sp3 )-N bond-forming reactions operating via two-electron manifolds.

Catalytic Hydrodifluoroalkylation of Unactivated Olefins.

Herein, we report a modular catalytic technique that streamlines the preparation of gem-difluoroalkanes from unactivated sp3 precursors. The method is characterized by its simplicity, generality, and site selectivity, including the functionalization of advanced intermediates and olefin feedstocks. Our approach is enabled by a cooperative interplay of halogen- and hydrogen-atom transfer, thus offering a new entry point to difluorinated alkyl bioisosteres of interest in drug discovery.

Room-Temperature-Stable Magnesium Electride via Ni(II) Reduction.

Herein, we report the synthesis of highly reduced bipyridyl magnesium complexes and the first example of a stable organic magnesium electride supported by quantum mechanical computations and X-ray diffraction. These complexes serve as unconventional homogeneous reductants due to their high solubility, modular redox potentials, and formation of insoluble, non-coordinating byproducts. The applicability of these reductants is showcased by accessing low-valent (bipy)2Ni(0) species that are challenging to access otherwise.

Mechanistic Investigation of the Iron-Catalyzed Azidation of Alkyl C(sp3)-H Bonds with Zhdankin's λ3-Azidoiodane.

An in-depth study of the mechanism of the azidation of C(sp3)-H bonds with Zhdankin's λ3-azidoiodane reagent catalyzed by iron(II)(pybox) complexes is reported. Previously, it was shown that tertiary and benzylic C(sp3)-H bonds of a range of complex molecules underwent highly site-selective azidation by reaction with a λ3-azidoiodane reagent and an iron(II)(pybox) catalyst under mild conditions. However, the mechanism of this reaction was unclear. Here, a series of mechanistic experiments are presented that reveal critical features responsible for the high selectivity and broad scope of this reaction. These experiments demonstrate the ability of the λ3-azidoiodane reagent to undergo I-N bond homolysis under mild conditions to form λ2-iodanyl and azidyl radicals that undergo highly site-selective and rate-limiting abstraction of a hydrogen atom from the substrate. The resultant alkyl radical then combines rapidly with a resting state iron(III)-azide complex, which is generated by the reaction of the λ3-azidoiodane with the iron(II)(pybox) complex, to form the C(sp3)-N3 bond. This mechanism is supported by the independent synthesis of well-defined iron complexes characterized by cyclic voltammetry, X-ray diffraction, and EPR spectroscopy, and by the reaction of the iron complexes with alkanes and the λ3-azidoiodane. Reaction monitoring and kinetic studies further reveal an unusual effect of the catalyst on the rate of formation of product and consumption of reactants and suggest a blueprint for the development of new processes leading to late-stage functionalization of C(sp3)-H bonds.

Site-Selective Defluorinative sp3 C-H Alkylation of Secondary Amides.

A site-selective defluorinative sp3 C-H alkylation of secondary amides that rapidly and reliably incorporates gem-difluoroalkene motifs into previously unfunctionalized sp3 sites is disclosed. This protocol is distinguished by its mild conditions, wide scope, and exquisite site-selectivity, thus unlocking a new platform to introduce carbonyl isosteres at saturated hydrocarbon sites.

Ni-Catalyzed Carboxylation of Aziridines en Route to ß-Amino Acids.

A Ni-catalyzed reductive carboxylation of N-substituted aziridines with CO2 at atmospheric pressure is disclosed. The protocol is characterized by its mild conditions, experimental ease, and exquisite chemo- and regioselectivity pattern, thus unlocking a new catalytic blueprint to access ß-amino acids, important building blocks with considerable potential as peptidomimetics.

sp3 Bis-Organometallic Reagents via Catalytic 1,1-Difunctionalization of Unactivated Olefins.

A catalytic 1,1-difunctionalization of unactivated olefins en route to sp3 bis-organometallic B,B(Si)-reagents is described. The protocol is characterized by exceptional reaction rates, mild conditions, wide scope, and exquisite selectivity pattern, constituting a new platform to access sp3 bis-organometallics.

Dual Catalytic Strategy for Forging sp2-sp3 and sp3-sp3 Architectures via ß-Scission of Aliphatic Alcohol Derivatives.

A dual platform for forging sp2-sp3 and sp3-sp3 carbon bonds via catalytic ß-scission of aliphatic alcohol derivatives with both aryl and alkyl halides is disclosed. This protocol is distinguished by its wide substrate scope and broad applicability, even in the context of late-stage functionalization.

Bimolecular Coupling as a Vector for Decomposition of Fast-Initiating Olefin Metathesis Catalysts.

The correlation between rapid initiation and rapid decomposition in olefin metathesis is probed for a series of fast-initiating, phosphine-free Ru catalysts: the Hoveyda catalyst HII, RuCl2(L)(═CHC6H4- o-O iPr); the Grela catalyst nG (a derivative of HII with a nitro group para to O iPr); the Piers catalyst PII, [RuCl2(L)(═CHPCy3)]OTf; the third-generation Grubbs catalyst GIII, RuCl2(L)(py)2(═CHPh); and dianiline catalyst DA, RuCl2(L)( o-dianiline)(═CHPh), in all of which L = H2IMes = N,N'-bis(mesityl)imidazolin-2-ylidene. Prior studies of ethylene metathesis have established that various Ru metathesis catalysts can decompose by ß-elimination of propene from the metallacyclobutane intermediate RuCl2(H2IMes)(κ2-C3H6), Ru-2. The present work demonstrates that in metathesis of terminal olefins, ß-elimination yields only ca. 25-40% propenes for HII, nG, PII, or DA, and none for GIII. The discrepancy is attributed to competing decomposition via bimolecular coupling of methylidene intermediate RuCl2(H2IMes)(═CH2), Ru-1. Direct evidence for methylidene coupling is presented, via the controlled decomposition of transiently stabilized adducts of Ru-1, RuCl2(H2IMes)Ln(═CH2) (Ln = py n'; n' = 1, 2, or o-dianiline). These adducts were synthesized by treating in situ-generated metallacyclobutane Ru-2 with pyridine or o-dianiline, and were isolated by precipitating at low temperature (-116 or -78 °C, respectively). On warming, both undergo methylidene coupling, liberating ethylene and forming RuCl2(H2IMes)Ln. A mechanism is proposed based on kinetic studies and molecular-level computational analysis. Bimolecular coupling emerges as an important contributor to the instability of Ru-1, and a potentially major pathway for decomposition of fast-initiating, phosphine-free metathesis catalysts.