Room-Temperature Copper-Catalyzed Etherification of Aryl Bromides.

We disclose the development of a Cu-catalyzed C-O coupling method utilizing a new N1,N2-diarylbenzene-1,2-diamine ligand, L8. Under optimized reaction conditions, structurally diverse aryl and heteroaryl bromides underwent efficient coupling with a variety of alcohols at room temperature using an L8-based catalyst. Notably, the L8-derived catalyst exhibited enhanced activity when compared to the L4-based system previously disclosed for C-N coupling, namely the ability to functionalize aryl bromides containing acidic functional groups. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that C-O coupling utilizing L8 ⋅ Cu involves rate-limiting alkoxide transmetallation, resulting in a mechanism of C-O bond formation that is distinct from previously described Pd-, Cu-, or Ni-based systems. This lower energy pathway leads to rapid C-O bond formation; a 7-fold increase relative to what is seen with other ligands. The results presented in this report overcome limitations in previously described C-O coupling methods and introduce a new ligand that we anticipate may be useful in other Cu-catalyzed C-heteroatom bond-forming reactions.

Nickel-Carbon Bond Oxygenation with Green Oxidants via High-Valent Nickel Species.

Described herein is the synthesis of the NiII complex (tBuMe2tacn)NiII(cycloneophyl) (tBuMe2tacn = 1-tert-butyl-4,7-dimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane, cycloneophyl = -CH2CMe2-o-C6H4-) and its reactivity with dioxygen and peroxides. The new tBuMe2tacn ligand is designed to enhance the oxidatively induced bond-forming reactivity of high-valent Ni intermediates. Tunable chemoselectivity for Csp2-O vs Csp2-Csp3 bond formation was achieved by selecting the appropriate solvent and reaction conditions. Importantly, the use of cumene hydroperoxide and meta-chloroperbenzoic acid suggests a heterolytic O-O bond cleavage upon reaction with (tBuMe2tacn)NiII(cycloneophyl). Mechanistic studies using isotopically labeled H2O2 support the generation of a high-valent Ni-oxygen species via an inner-sphere mechanism and subsequent reductive elimination to form the Csp2-O bond. Kinetic studies of the exceptionally fast Csp2-O bond-forming reaction reveal a first-order dependence on both (tBuMe2tacn)NiII(cycloneophyl) and H2O2, and thus an overall second-order reaction. Eyring analysis further suggests that the oxidation of the NiII complex by H2O2 is the rate-determining step, which can be modulated by the presence of coordinating solvents. Moreover, computational studies fully support the conclusions drawn from experimental results. Overall, this study reveals for the first time the ability to control the oxidatively induced C-C vs C-O bond formation reactions at a Ni center. Importantly, the described system merges the known organometallic reactivity of Ni with the biomimetic oxidative transformations resembling oxygenases and peroxidases, and involving high-valent metal-oxygen intermediates, which is a novel approach that should lead to unprecedented oxidative catalytic transformations.

Room-Temperature Cu-Catalyzed Amination of Aryl Bromides Enabled by DFT-Guided Ligand Design.

Ullmann-type C-N coupling reactions represent an important alternative to well-established Pd-catalyzed approaches due to the differing reactivity and the lower cost of Cu. While the design of anionic Cu ligands, particularly those by Ma, has enabled the coupling of various classes of aryl halides and alkyl amines, most methods require conditions that can limit their utility on complex substrates. Herein, we disclose the development of anionic N1,N2-diarylbenzene-1,2-diamine ligands that promote the Cu-catalyzed amination of aryl bromides under mild conditions. Guided by DFT calculations, these ligands were designed to (1) increase the electron density on Cu, thereby increasing the rate of oxidative addition of aryl bromides, and (2) stabilize the active anionic CuI complex via a π-interaction. Under optimized conditions, structurally diverse aryl and heteroaryl bromides and a broad range of alkyl amine nucleophiles, including pharmaceuticals bearing multiple functional groups, were efficiently coupled at room temperature. Combined computational and experimental studies support a mechanism of C-N bond formation that follows a catalytic cycle akin to the well-explored Pd-catalyzed variants. Modification of the ligand structure to include a naphthyl residue resulted in a lower energy barrier to oxidative addition, providing a 30-fold rate increase relative to what is seen with other ligands. Collectively, these results establish a new class of anionic ligands for Cu-catalyzed C-N couplings, which we anticipate may be extended to other Cu-catalyzed C-heteroatom and C-C bond-forming reactions.

Studying Regioisomer Formation in the Pd-Catalyzed Fluorination of Cyclic Vinyl Triflates: Evidence for in situ Ligand Modification.

Pd-catalyzed nucleophilic fluorination reactions are important methods for the synthesis of fluoroarenes and fluoroalkenes. However, these reactions can generate a mixture of regioisomeric products that are often difficult to separate. While investigating the Pd-catalyzed fluorination of cyclic vinyl triflates, we observed that the addition of a substoichiometric quantity of TESCF3 significantly improved the regioselectivity of the reaction. Herein, we report a combined experimental and computational study on the mechanism of this transformation focusing on the role of TESCF3 . The poor regioselectivity of the reaction in the absence of additives results from the formation of LPd-cyclohexyne complexes (L=biaryl monophosphine ligand). When TESCF3 is added to the reaction mixture, the generation of the Pd-cyclohexyne complexes is diminished by an unexpected pathway involving the dearomatization of the ligand by nucleophilic attack from a trifluoromethyl anion (CF3 - ).

Reductive activation of PdII-precatalysts via decarboxylation of pivalate in direct C-H arylation reactions.

The mechanism of the reductive activation of PdII pre-catalysts has been extensively studied, but remains poorly understood. Herein, a combined computational and experimental approach is employed to clearly identify a PdII reduction process that has not been considered thus far. Pivalate, assumed to be a general base, was found to decarboxylate and act as a reductant, suggesting an alternative explanation for the superior performance of pivalic acid as an additive in Pd-catalyzed direct C-H arylation reactions.

Dual Mode Radiative Transition from a Phenoselenazine Derivative and Electrical Switching of the Emission Mechanism.

Dual emission featuring both thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) and phosphorescence was engineered into a single metal-free molecule, phenyl(10-phenyl-10H-phenoselenazin-3-yl)methanone. Selenium incorporated into the molecule increases the spin-orbit coupling to facilitate both TADF and phosphorescence, whereas donor-acceptor units promote TADF emission. The relative contribution of the green TADF and yellow phosphorescence can be controlled by the driving voltage of the devices. At low voltage, phosphorescence emission dominates the electroluminescence, whereas TADF is the major component at high voltages. The mechanism of dual emission was explored using experimental and theoretical methods.

Ancillary ligand increases the efficiency of heteroleptic Ir-based triplet emitters in OLED devices.

The excellent contrast ratio, visibility, and advantages in producing thin and light displays let organic light emitting diodes change the paradigm of the display industry. To improve future display technologies, higher electroluminescence efficiency is needed. Herein, the detailed study of the non-radiative decay mechanism employing density functional theory calculations is carried out and a simple, general strategy for the design of the ancillary ligand is formulated. It is shown that steric bulk properly directed towards the phenylisoquinoline ligands can significantly reduce the non-radiative decay rate.

Direct Stereoconvergent Allylation of Chiral Alkylcopper Nucleophiles with Racemic Allylic Phosphates.

Copper-catalyzed stereoconvergent allylation of chiral sp3 -hybridized carbon nucleophiles with a racemic mixture of acyclic secondary allylic phosphates is reported. In the presence of a copper-catalyst complexed with chiral BenzP* ligand, tandem coupling reaction of vinyl arenes, bis(pinacolato)diboron, and racemic allylic phosphates provided ß-chiral alkylboronates possessing (E)-alkenyl moiety through a direct stereoconvergent allylic coupling with concomitant generation of a C(sp3 )-stereogenic center. A range of vinyl (hetero)arenes and secondary allylic phosphates bearing 1°, 2°, 3° alkyl and phenyl α-substituents were suitable for the reaction, forming products with high enantioselectivities up to 95 % ee. Density functional theory calculations were conducted in detail to elucidate the origin of the observed regioselectivity of borylcupration and stereoconvergent (E)-olefin formation from racemic allylic phosphates.

Ruthenium catalyzes the synthesis of γ-butenolides fused with cyclohexanones.

Ruthenium(II)-catalyzed reactions of cyclic diazodicarbonyl compounds with ß-ketoamides for chemo- and stereoselective construction of cyclohexanone-fused γ-butenolides are described. This study represents the first example of the addition of an enol substrate which is formed by the tautomerization of the ß-ketoamides to the electrophilic carbene center for unusual cyclization through amide cleavage. The combined experimental and computational studies shed light on the mechanistic pathway favouring the unusual ring formation reaction instead of the involvement of the general carbonyl ylide intermediates for the product generation.

CuH-Catalyzed Enantioselective Alkylation of Indole Derivatives with Ligand-Controlled Regiodivergence.

Enantioenriched molecules bearing indole-substituted stereocenters form a class of privileged compounds in biological, medicinal, and organic chemistry. Thus, the development of methods for asymmetric indole alkylation is highly valuable in organic synthesis. Traditionally, achieving N-selectivity in indole alkylation reactions is a significant challenge, since there is an intrinsic preference for alkylation at C3, the most nucleophilic position. Furthermore, selective and predictable access to either N- or C3-alkylated chiral indoles using catalyst control has been a long-standing goal in indole functionalization. Herein, we report a ligand-controlled regiodivergent synthesis of N- and C3-alkylated chiral indoles that relies on a polarity reversal strategy. In contrast to conventional alkylation reactions in which indoles are employed as nucleophiles, this transformation employs electrophilic indole derivatives, N-(benzoyloxy)indoles, as coupling partners. N- or C3-alkylated indoles are prepared with high levels of regio- and enantioselectivity using a copper hydride catalyst. The regioselectivity is governed by the use of either DTBM-SEGPHOS or Ph-BPE as the supporting ligand. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are conducted to elucidate the origin of the ligand-controlled regiodivergence.

How bulky ligands control the chemoselectivity of Pd-catalyzed N-arylation of ammonia.

Steric bulk has been recognized as a central design principle for supporting ligands in the widely utilized Buchwald-Hartwig amination. In a recent example, it was shown that a Pd-catalyst carrying a phosphine ligand can successfully aminate aryl halides using ammonia as the nitrogen source. Interestingly, the chemoselectivity of this reaction was found to depend on the steric demand of the phosphine ligand. Whereas a sterically less demanding phosphine affords diphenylamine as the major product, it was shown that the amination reaction can be stopped after the first amination to give aniline if a sterically more encumbering phosphine ligand is used. Density functional theory calculations were carried out to examine the relationship between the steric demand of the phosphine ligand and the chemoselectivity. It was found that the key feature that leads to the chemoselectivity is the ability of the phosphine ligand to rotate the biaryl moiety of the ligand away from the Pd-center upon amine addition to release some of the steric crowding from the Pd-coordination site.

Stereoselective construction of sterically hindered oxaspirocycles via chiral bidentate directing group-mediated C(sp3)-O bond formation.

The systematic investigation of chiral bidentate auxiliaries has resulted in the discovery of a chiral 2,2-dimethyl-1-(pyridin-2-yl)propan-1-amine-derived directing group that enables stereoselective palladium(ii)-catalyzed intramolecular C(sp3)-O bond formation. This new chiral directing group exhibited high reactivity in the activation of methylene C(sp3)-H bonds with excellent levels of stereoselectivity (a diastereomeric ratio of up to 39 : 1), which allowed the construction of a wide range of oxaspirocycles. Mechanistic investigations were also conducted to elucidate the reaction mechanism and understand the origin of the diastereoselectivity. DFT calculations suggest that only modest levels of diastereoselectivity are accomplished at the rate-determining C-H metalation-deprotonation step and the d.r. is further enriched at the reductive elimination step.

Synthesis and reactivity of a mononuclear non-haem cobalt(IV)-oxo complex.

Terminal cobalt(IV)-oxo (CoIV-O) species have been implicated as key intermediates in various cobalt-mediated oxidation reactions. Herein we report the photocatalytic generation of a mononuclear non-haem [(13-TMC)CoIV(O)]2+ (2) by irradiating [CoII(13-TMC)(CF3SO3)]+ (1) in the presence of [RuII(bpy)3]2+, Na2S2O8, and water as an oxygen source. The intermediate 2 was also obtained by reacting 1 with an artificial oxidant (that is, iodosylbenzene) and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. In particular, the resonance Raman spectrum of 2 reveals a diatomic Co-O vibration band at 770 cm-1, which provides the conclusive evidence for the presence of a terminal Co-O bond. In reactivity studies, 2 was shown to be a competent oxidant in an intermetal oxygen atom transfer, C-H bond activation and olefin epoxidation reactions. The present results lend strong credence to the intermediacy of CoIV-O species in cobalt-catalysed oxidation of organic substrates as well as in the catalytic oxidation of water that evolves molecular oxygen.

Chemoselective Coupling of 1,1-Bis[(pinacolato)boryl]alkanes for the Transition-Metal-Free Borylation of Aryl and Vinyl Halides: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Investigation.

A new transition-metal-free borylation of aryl and vinyl halides using 1,1-bis[(pinacolato)boryl]alkanes as boron sources is described. In this transformation one of the boron groups from 1,1-bis[(pinacolato)boryl]alkanes is selectively transferred to aryl and vinyl halides in the presence of sodium tert-butoxide as the only activator to form organoboronate esters. Under the developed borylation conditions, a broad range of organohalides are borylated with excellent chemoselectivity and functional group compatibility, thus offering a rare example of a transition-metal-free borylation protocol. Experimental and theoretical studies have been performed to elucidate the reaction mechanism, revealing the unusual formation of Lewis acid/base adduct between organohalides and α-borylcarbanion, generated in situ from the reaction of 1,1-bis[(pinacolato)boryl]alkanes with an alkoxide base, to facilitate the borylation reactions.