Palladium‐Catalysed Regioselective Sequential C‐5 and C‐2 Direct Arylations of 3‐Acetylpyrroles with Aryl Bromides

The PdCl(C₃H₅)(dppb)/KOAc system was found to be effective for the direct regioselective C‐5 arylation of 3‐acetylpyrroles with ortho‐substituted aryl bromides. This procedure has been found to be tolerant to a variety of functional groups at C‐2 of the aryl bromide such as methyl, formyl, nitrile, nitro, hydroxymethyl, chloro, fluoro or trifluoromethyl. The sequential direct C‐5 arylation followed by C‐2 arylation of such 3‐substituted pyrroles allows the synthesis of 2,5‐diaryl‐3‐acetylpyrroles in high yields.     

Synthesis of α‐Carbolines Starting from 2,3‐Dichloropyridines and Substituted Anilines

9H‐α‐Carbolines have been prepared via consecutive intermolecular Buchwald–Hartwig reaction and Pd‐catalyzed intramolecular direct arylation from commercially available 2,3‐dichloropyridines and substituted anilines. The combination of a high reaction temperature (180 °C) and the use of DBU were found to be crucial for the intramolecular direct arylation reactions of the 3‐chloro‐N‐phenylpyridin‐2‐amines as no reaction was observed at 120 °C and 180 °C using different inorganic and other organic bases. On the other hand, nitrogen‐methylated pyridine analogues of these substrates {N‐[3‐chloro‐1‐methylpyridin‐2(1H)‐ylidene]anilines} do undergo ring closure at 120 °C, with K₃PO₄ as base, affording the respective 1‐methyl‐1H‐α‐carbolines in good yields.     

Synthesis of Dibenzophosphole Oxides via Palladium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Direct Arylation Reactions of ortho‐Halodiarylphosphine Oxides

A palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular direct arylation reaction was developed and two efficient one‐pot sequential direct arylation/Suzuki–Miyaura coupling and intra/intermolecular direct arylation reations were also realized. The method provides a simple and straightforward procedure for the synthesis and further functionalization of dibenzophosphole oxides from easily accessible ortho‐halodiarylphosphine oxides in good to excellent yields.

     

Base‐Mediated Direct Arylation of Pyrrole Derivatives

It appears that transition metal catalysts are not necessary to perform the direct arylation of electron‐rich heterocycles with aryl iodides and bromides. Lithium tert‐butoxide in DMF promotes this reaction for a variety of N‐alkyl‐ and N‐arylpyrroles as well as for benzofuran and some other electron‐rich aromatic compounds and provides the desired products in moderate to high yields. In contrast to all previous reports on the Pd‐catalyzed direct arylation of indolizine, the reaction mediated by lithium tert‐butoxide proceeds selectively at position 5.     

Palladium‐Catalysed Direct Arylation of Heteroaromatics Bearing Unprotected Hydroxyalkyl Functions using Aryl Bromides

Heteroaromatics bearing unprotected hydroxyalkyl functions can be arylated using aryl or heteroaryl bromides, via palladium‐catalysed carbon‐hydrogen bond activation/arylation. Good yields were generally obtained using 0.01–0.5 mol% of the air‐stable palladium acetate complex as the catalyst. The nature of the base was found to be crucial for the selectivity of this reaction. Potassium acetate led to the direct arylation products whereas caesium carbonate led to the formation of the ether. This procedure is certainly more atom‐economic than other methods for the preparation of such compounds, as no protection/deprotection sequence of the hydroxyalkyl function and no preparation of an organometallic derivative is required.     

Palladium‐Catalysed Intramolecular Direct Arylation of 2‐Bromobenzenesulfonic Acid Derivatives

A palladium‐catalysed intramolecular direct arylation of 2‐bromobenzenesulfonic acid derivatives was found to proceed using 1 mol% of palladium acetate as the catalyst. The influence of the substituents on the phenol moiety of 2‐bromobenzenesulfonic acid phenyl esters reveals that electron‐donating substituents favour the reaction while electron‐withdrawing ones are unfavourable. The reactivity of sulfonamides was also studied and, in all cases, a selective activation at sp² C H vs. sp³ C H was observed. A sulfonamide bearing both phenyl and benzyl substituents on nitrogen gave selectively the six‐membered ring product.     

Reversed‐Polarity Synthesis of Diaryl Ketones through Palladium‐Catalyzed Direct Arylation of 2‐Aryl‐1,3‐dithianes

An umpolung approach to the synthesis of diaryl ketones has been developed based on in situ generation of acyl anion equivalents and their catalytic arylation. This method entails the base‐promoted, palladium‐catalyzed direct C‐H arylation of 2‐aryl‐1,3‐dithianes with aryl bromides. Use of MN(SiMe₃)₂ (M=Li, Na) base results in reversible deprotonation of the weakly acidic dithiane. In the presence of a Pd(NiXantphos)‐based catalyst and aryl bromide, cross‐coupling of the metallated 2‐aryl‐1,3‐dithiane takes place under mild conditions (2 h at rt) with yields as high as 96 %. The resulting 2,2‐diaryl‐1,3‐dithianes were converted into diaryl ketones by either molecular iodine, N‐bromo succinimide (NBS) or Selectfluor in the presence of water. The dithiane arylation/hydrolysis can be performed in a one‐pot procedure to yield a variety of diaryl ketones in good to excellent yields. This method is suitable for rapid and large‐scale synthesis of diaryl ketones. A one‐pot preparation of anti‐cholesterol drug fenofibrate (TriCor®) has been achieved on 10.0 mmol scale in 86 % yield.

     

Copper‐Mediated ortho‐Arylation of Benzamides with Arylboronic Acid

The copper‐mediated direct ortho C H bond arylation of benzamide derivatives with arylboronic acids was achieved by employing an 8‐aminoquinoline moiety as the bidentate directing group. Various biaryls were synthesized in good yields with excellent regioselectivity. The reaction shows good functional group compatibility and proceeds in a highly selective manner at the ortho‐position of the benzamides. Deuterium‐labelling experiments indicated that the ortho C H bond cleavage of benzamide was involved in the rate‐determining step of the arylation.

     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Direct Denitrogenative C‐3‐Arylation of 1H‐Indoles with Arylhydrazines using Air as the Oxidant

A novel palladium‐catalyzed approach to direct C‐3‐arylation of 1H‐indoles with arylhydrazines using air as the oxidant via C N bond cleavage has been developed. Various substituents are tolerated in this system in moderate to good yields. This reaction could also be compatible with a larger scale. Thus, this strategy using arylhydrazines as arylating reagents provides a powerful method for constructing substituted 3‐aryl‐1H‐indoles.     

A Novel Rhodium‐Catalyzed Cascade Cyclization: Direct Synthesis of 3‐Substituted Phthalides from Aldehydes and Aromatic Acids

A novel rhodium(III)‐catalyzed direct functionalization of ortho C H bonds of benzoic acid derivatives and an intramolecular cyclization sequence generates 3‐substituted phthalides in moderate to good yields. This cascade cyclization involves a Grignard‐type arylation of an aldehyde and subsequent intramolecular nucleophilic substitution. No theoretical waste except for water is generated in the reaction.     

Ligand Control in Enantioselective Desymmetrization of Bicyclic Hydrazines: Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed Ring‐Opening versus Hydroarylation

The efficient desymmetrization of 2,3‐bicyclic hydrazines with boronic acids through rhodium‐catalyzed ring‐opening or reductive arylation is described. Excellent levels of enantioselectivity are achieved in ring‐opening with ortho‐substituted boronic acids, using Josiphos‐type ligands. Alternatively, reductive arylation occurs selectively with electron‐poor Josiphos and Walphos ligands. A C H activation/1,4‐migration mechanism was established through deuterium transfer experiments.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Regioselective γ‐Mono‐ and Diarylation of Acrylamide Derivatives with Aryl Halides

Palladium‐catalyzed direct mono‐ and diarylations involving C(sp³) H cleavage at the γ‐position of acrylamides are described. The monoarylation products can be obtained with ortho‐substituted aryl halides. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction has shown that the double bond has shifted towards the introduced aryl group to afford the γ‐arylated β,γ‐unsaturated amide products. A second arylation occurs when less sterically hindered aryl halides are employed. This chemistry offers a novel disconnection for the synthesis of γ‐arylated compounds.     

Intermolecular versus Intramolecular Palladium‐Catalyzed Direct Arylations between 1‐(2‐Bromobenzyl)imidazoles and Aryl Bromides

Herein, we report on the sequential palladium‐catalyzed intermolecular followed by intramolecular direct arylations of 1‐(2‐bromobenzyl)imidazoles. We found that, in the presence of 1 mol% palladium acetate and potassium acetate as base, the intermolecular reaction between 1‐(2‐bromobenzyl)imidazole derivatives and electron‐deficient aryl bromides proceeded faster than the intramolecular reaction, allowing us to prepare medium‐size polycyclic imidazoles after a second Pd‐catalyzed intramolecular arylation. These iterative direct arylations allowed the synthesis of fused nitrogen‐containing heterocycles with a 5‐ or 7‐membered‐ring in only two steps. Some reactions have also been performed as a one‐pot procedure using 2 mol% of palladium acetate in the presence of a larger amount of base (3 equiv.).

     

Copper‐Catalyzed Ultrasound‐Expedited N‐Arylation of Sulfoximines using Diaryliodonium Salts

An ultrasound‐accelerated route for an expeditious N‐arylation of NH‐sulfoximines is described that involves the use of diaryliodonium salts in aqueous polyethylene glycol‐400 and copper(I) bromide as catalyst at room temperature. The high yields of the products and simple work‐up are the highlights of the protocol.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Divergent Arylation with Triazolopyridines: One‐Pot Synthesis of 6‐Aryl‐2‐α‐styrylpyridines

We have developed a new strategy for palladium‐catalyzed arylation reactions with triazolopyridines, wherein two different chemical transformations (C‐3 vs. C‐7) are observed by differentiating the substrates using different bases. The reactive palladium carbenoids were directly generated from triazolopyridines and underwent denitrogenative arylations with aryl bromides. Intriguingly, when potassium carbonate was replaced with potassium tert‐butoxide, direct C H arylation occurred at the most acidic position (C‐7). Moreover, two different catalytic arylation events were successfully performed in a one‐pot sequence, providing a convenient access to 6‐aryl‐2‐α‐styrylpyridines.

     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Direct Arylations of 1,2‐Azolo[1,5‐a]pyridines using Copper(I) Chloride as a Lewis Acid Activator and the Synthesis of 2,6‐Disubstituted Pyridines

A direct method for the arylation of 1,2‐azolo[1,5‐a]pyridines has been developed. In the process, the fused pyridines react with aryl halides in the presence of the palladium complex Pd(OAc)₂(Phen) as a catalyst and copper(I) chloride (CuCl) as a Lewis acid to form arylated derivatives. While pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyridines and [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐a]pyridines are arylated at ortho‐positions of their pyridine rings using this method, in situ ring‐opening of the formed C‐7 arylated [1,5‐a]pyridine takes place to generate the 2,6‐disubstituted pyridine. Also, upon treatment with lithium diisopropylamide (LDA), C‐7 arylated pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyridine‐3‐carboxylates react to produce diversely substituted 2,6‐disubstituted pyridines. Finally, a sequential C‐3 arylation was accomplished through a two‐step sequence involving hydrolysis of pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyridine‐3‐carboxylates followed by the bimetallic Pd/Cu‐catalyzed decarboxylative coupling reaction with aryl bromide.

     

Mechanistic Studies on the Palladium‐Catalyzed Direct C‐5 Arylation of Imidazoles: The Fundamental Role of the Azole as a Ligand for Palladium

An in‐depth mechanistic study on the palladium‐catalyzed direct arylation of imidazoles at the C‐5 position is presented. The interactions of triphenylphosphine (PPh₃)‐ligated aryl‐Pd species with 1,2‐dimethyl‐1H‐imidazole (dmim) have been studied in detail. In contrast with previous suggestions, phosphine‐ligated organo‐Pd species are not active and the reaction proceeds through imidazole‐ligated organo‐Pd intermediates. The kinetics of the oxidative addition of aryl halides with dmim‐ligated Pd(0) species have been characterized in a Pd(dba)₂/dmim model system. A thorough study of the equilibria involving novel [ArPd(dmim)₂X] complexes (X=I, OAc) and the unexpected cationic [ArPd(dmim)₃]⁺ is also reported. The ability of these species to effect the C H arylation of dmim at room temperature in the presence of acetate is also demonstrated.

     

Highly Efficient Ligands for the Palladium‐Assisted Double N‐Arylation of Primary Amines for One‐Sep Construction of Carbazoles

A highly efficient one‐pot synthesis of carbazoles via palladium‐catalyzed double N‐arylation of primary amines with 2,2′‐dihalobiphenyls is described using a catalyst system comprised of tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0) (Pd₂dba₃) and the proazaphosphatrane P(i‐BuNCH₂CH₂)₃N ( 8 ) or its derivative (t‐Bu)₂PN P(i‐BuNCH₂CH₂)₃N ( 9a ) as the ligand. The process is effective for double N‐arylation of 2,2′‐biphenyl dibromide, diiodide, and even dichloride with a variety of primary amines including neutral, electron‐rich, electron‐deficient, and sterically hindered anilines as well as aliphatic amines.     

Highly Practical “Ligand‐Free‐Like” Copper‐Catalyzed N‐Arylation of Azoles in Lower Nitrile Solvents

In lower nitrile solvents, the N‐arylation of azoles with aryl halides was achieved efficiently in the presence of copper powder without any additional ligands. Thus, the first nitrile type of monodentate ligand‐mediated, “ligand‐free‐like” copper‐catalyzed N‐arylation procedure was established.     

Synthesis of α‐Arylphosphonates using Copper‐Catalyzed α‐Arylation and Deacylative α‐Arylation of β‐Ketophosphonates

Efficient methods for the direct arylation and deacylative arylation of β‐ketophosphonates with iodoarenes in presence of a copper(I) or a copper(II) salt as the catalysts have been developed. The corresponding α‐arylphosphonates were obtained in high yields. A tentative mechanism for the deacylative arylation reaction was proposed on the basis of the experimental data.