Silver(I)-Catalyzed Synthesis of Cuneanes from Cubanes and their Investigation as Isosteres.

Bridged or caged polycyclic hydrocarbons have rigid structures that project substituents into precise regions of 3D space, making them attractive as linking groups in materials science and as building blocks for medicinal chemistry. The efficient synthesis of new or underexplored classes of such compounds is, therefore, an important objective. Herein, we describe the silver(I)-catalyzed rearrangement of 1,4-disubstituted cubanes to cuneanes, which are strained hydrocarbons that have not received much attention since they were first described in 1970. The synthesis of 2,6-disubstituted or 1,3-disubstituted cuneanes can be achieved with high regioselectivities, with the regioselectivity being dependent on the electronic character of the cubane substituents. A preliminary assessment of cuneanes as scaffolds for medicinal chemistry suggests cuneanes could serve as isosteric replacements of trans-1,4-disubstituted cyclohexanes and 1,3-disubstituted benzenes. An analogue of the anticancer drug sonidegib was synthesized, in which the 1,2,3-trisubstituted benzene was replaced with a 1,3-disubstituted cuneane.

Electronic Structure and Photoactivity of Organoarsenic Hybrid Polyoxometalates.

Organofunctionalization of polyoxometalates (POMs) allows the preparation of hybrid molecular systems with tunable electronic properties. Currently, there are only a handful of approaches that allow for the fine-tuning of POM frontier molecular orbitals in a predictable manner. Herein, we demonstrate a new functionalization method for the Wells-Dawson polyoxotungstate [P2W18O62]6- using arylarsonic acids which enables modulation of the redox and photochemical properties. Arylarsonic groups facilitate orbital mixing between the organic and inorganic moieties, and the nature of the organic substituents significantly impacts the redox potentials of the POM core. The photochemical response of the hybrid POMs correlates with their computed and experimentally estimated lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energies, and the arylarsonic hybrids are found to exhibit increased visible light photosensitivity comparable with that of arylphosphonic analogues. Arylarsonic hybridization offers a route to stable and tunable organic-inorganic hybrid systems for a range of redox and photochemical applications.

Diphosphoryl-functionalized Polyoxometalates: Structurally and Electronically Tunable Hybrid Molecular Materials.

Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a new class of hybrid Wells-Dawson polyoxometalate (POM) containing a diphosphoryl group (P2 O6 X) of the general formula [P2 W17 O57 (P2 O6 X)]6- (X=O, NH, or CR1 R2 ). Modifying the bridging unit X was found to impact the redox potentials of the POM. The ease with which a range of α-functionalized diphosphonic acids (X=CR1 R2 ) can be prepared provides possibilities to access diverse functionalized hybrid POMs. Compared to existing phosphonate hybrid Wells-Dawson POMs, diphosphoryl-substituted POMs offer a wider tunable redox window and enhanced hydrolytic stability. This study provides a basis for the rational design and synthesis of next-generation hybrid Wells-Dawson POMs.

Nickel-Catalyzed Arylative Cyclizations of Alkyne- and Allene-Tethered Electrophiles using Arylboron Reagents.

The use of arylboron reagents in metal-catalyzed domino addition-cyclization reactions is a well-established strategy for the preparation of diverse, highly functionalized carbo- and heterocyclic products. Although rhodium- and palladium-based catalysts have been commonly used for these reactions, more recent work has demonstrated nickel catalysis is also highly effective, in many cases offering unique reactivity and access to products that might otherwise not be readily available. This review gives an overview of nickel-catalyzed arylative cyclizations of alkyne- and allene-tethered electrophiles using arylboron reagents. The scope of the reactions is discussed in detail, and general mechanistic concepts underpinning the processes are described.

Synthesis of New Morphinan Opioids by TBADT-Catalyzed Photochemical Functionalization at the Carbon Skeleton.

The synthesis of new morphinan opioids by the addition of photochemically generated carbon-centered radicals to substrates containing an enone in the morphinan C-ring, is described. Using tetrabutylammonium decatungstate (TBADT) as a hydrogen atom transfer photocatalyst, diverse radical donors can be used to prepare a variety of C8-functionalized morphinan opioids. This work demonstrates the late-stage modification of complex, highly functionalized substrates.

Gold(I)-Catalyzed Nucleophilic Allylation of Azinium Ions with Allylboronates.

Gold(I)-catalyzed nucleophilic allylations of pyridinium and quinolinium ions with various allyl pinacolboronates are reported. The reactions are completely selective with respect to the site of the azinium ion that is attacked, to give various functionalized 1,4-dihydropyridines and 1,4-dihydroquinolines. Evidence suggests that the reactions proceed through nucleophilic allylgold(I) intermediates formed by transmetalation from allylboronates. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations provided mechanistic insight.

Enantioselective Nickel-Catalyzed anti-Arylmetallative Cyclizations onto Acyclic Ketones.

Domino reactions involving nickel-catalyzed additions of (hetero)arylboronic acids to alkynes, followed by cyclization of the alkenylnickel intermediates onto tethered acyclic ketones to give chiral tertiary-alcohol-containing products in high enantioselectivities, are described. The reversible E/Z isomerization of the alkenylnickel intermediates enables overall anti-arylmetallative cyclization to occur. The ring system of the products are substructures of certain diarylindolizidine alkaloids.

One-Carbon Oxidative Annulations of 1,3-Enynes by Catalytic C-H Functionalization and 1,4-Rhodium(III) Migration.

Rhodium(III)-catalyzed C-H functionalization-oxidative annulations of aromatic substrates with 1,3-enynes that contain allylic hydrogen atoms cis to the alkyne are described. The key step in these reactions is an alkenyl-to-allyl 1,4-rhodium(III) migration to give electrophilic π-allylrhodium(III) species. Nucleophilic trapping of these species gives heterocycles such as benzopyrans, isobenzofuranones, and isoindolinones.

Remote Nucleophilic Allylation by Allylrhodium Chain Walking.

Metal migration through a carbon chain is a versatile method for achieving remote functionalization. However, almost all known examples involve the overall net migration of alkylmetal species. Here, we report that allylrhodium species obtained from hydrorhodation of 1,3-dienes undergo chain walking toward esters, amides, or (hetero)arenes over distances of up to eight methylene units. The final, more highly conjugated allylrhodium species undergo nucleophilic allylation with aldehydes and with an imine to give Z-homoallylic alcohols and amines, respectively.

Switchable Synthesis of Z-Homoallylic Boronates and E-Allylic Boronates by Enantioselective Copper-Catalyzed 1,6-Boration.

The enantioselective Cu-catalyzed 1,6-boration of (E,E)-α,ß,γ,δ-unsaturated ketones is described, which gives homoallylic boronates with high enantiomeric purity and unexpectedly high Z-selectivity. By changing the solvent, the outcome can be altered to give E-allylic boronates.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral Cyclopent-2-enones by Nickel-Catalyzed Desymmetrization of Malonate Esters.

The enantioselective synthesis of highly functionalized chiral cyclopent-2-enones by the reaction of alkynyl malonate esters with arylboronic acids is described. These desymmetrizing arylative cyclizations are catalyzed by a chiral phosphinooxazoline/nickel complex, and cyclization is enabled by the reversible E/Z isomerization of alkenylnickel species. The general methodology is also applicable to the synthesis of 1,6-dihydropyridin-3(2H)-ones.

Sulfonylative and Azidosulfonylative Cyclizations by Visible-Light-Photosensitization of Sulfonyl Azides in THF.

The generation of sulfonyl radicals from sulfonyl azides using visible light and a photoactive iridium complex in THF is described. This process was used to promote sulfonylative and azidosulfonylative cyclizations of enynes to give several classes of highly functionalized heterocycles. The use of THF as the solvent is critical for successful reactions. The proposed mechanism of radical initiation involves the photosensitized formation of a triplet sulfonyl nitrene, which abstracts a hydrogen atom from THF to give a tetrahydrofuran-2-yl radical, which then reacts with the sulfonyl azide to generate the sulfonyl radical.

Arylative Intramolecular Allylation of Ketones with 1,3-Enynes Enabled by Catalytic Alkenyl-to-Allyl 1,4-Rhodium(I) Migration.

Alkenyl-to-allyl 1,4-rhodium(I) migration enables the generation of nucleophilic allylrhodium(I) species by remote C-H activation. This new mode of reactivity was employed in the diastereoselective reaction of arylboron reagents with substrates containing a 1,3-enyne tethered to a ketone, to give products containing three contiguous stereocenters. The products can be obtained in high enantioselectivities using a chiral sulfur-alkene ligand.

Enantioselective Rhodium-Catalyzed Coupling of Arylboronic Acids, 1,3-Enynes, and Imines by Alkenyl-to-Allyl 1,4-Rhodium(I) Migration.

A chiral rhodium complex catalyzes the highly enantioselective coupling of arylboronic acids, 1,3-enynes, and imines to give homoallylic sulfamates. The key step is the generation of allylrhodium(I) species by alkenyl-to-allyl 1,4-rhodium(I) migration.

Enantioselective Nickel-Catalyzed Intramolecular Allylic Alkenylations Enabled by Reversible Alkenylnickel E/Z Isomerization.

Enantioselective nickel-catalyzed arylative cyclizations of substrates containing a Z-allylic phosphate tethered to an alkyne are described. These reactions give multisubstituted chiral aza- and carbocycles, and are initiated by the addition of an arylboronic acid to the alkyne, followed by cyclization of the resulting alkenylnickel species onto the allylic phosphate. The reversible E/Z isomerization of the alkenylnickel species is essential for the success of the reactions.

Enantioselective Nickel-Catalyzed anti-Carbometallative Cyclizations of Alkynyl Electrophiles Enabled by Reversible Alkenylnickel E/Z Isomerization.

Nickel-catalyzed additions of arylboronic acids to alkynes, followed by enantioselective cyclizations of the alkenylnickel species onto tethered ketones or enones, are reported. These reactions are reliant upon the formal anti-carbonickelation of the alkyne, which is postulated to occur by the reversible E/Z isomerization of an alkenylnickel species.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Oxidative C-H Allylation of Benzamides with 1,3-Dienes by Allyl-to-Allyl 1,4-Rh(III) Migration.

The Rh(III)-catalyzed oxidative C-H allylation of N-acetylbenzamides with 1,3-dienes is described. The presence of allylic hydrogens cis to the less substituted alkene of the 1,3-diene is important for the success of these reactions. With the assistance of reactions using deuterated 1,3-dienes, a proposed mechanism is provided. The key step is postulated to be the first reported examples of allyl-to-allyl 1,4-Rh(III) migration.

Chain Walking of Allylrhodium Species Towards Esters During Rhodium-Catalyzed Nucleophilic Allylations of Imines.

Allylrhodium species derived from δ-trifluoroboryl ß,γ-unsaturated esters undergo chain walking towards the ester moiety. The resulting allylrhodium species react with imines to give products containing two new stereocenters and a Z-alkene. By using a chiral diene ligand, products can be obtained with high enantioselectivities, where a pronounced matched/mismatched effect with the chirality of the allyltrifluoroborate is evident.

Direct Synthesis of 5-Aryl Barbituric Acids by Rhodium(II)-Catalyzed Reactions of Arenes with Diazo Compounds.

A commercially available rhodium(II) complex catalyzes the direct arylation of 5-diazobarbituric acids with arenes, allowing straightforward access to 5-aryl barbituric acids. Free N-H groups are tolerated on the barbituric acid, with no complications arising from N-H insertion processes. This method was applied to the concise synthesis of a potent matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor.