Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Indole Derivatives From Pyrimidyl‐Substituted Anilines and Diazo Compounds

An efficient method for the synthesis of indole derivatives from readily available pyrimidyl‐substituted anilines and diazo compounds via rhodium(III)‐catalyzed C H bond activation has been developed. This cyclization reaction displays excellent functional group compatibility and regioselectivity, which overcomes some drawbacks of the classical indole synthetic methods and provides a facile approach for the construction of multi‐substituted indole derivatives. The redox‐neutral intermolecular annulation procedure comprises tandem C H bond activation, cyclization, and condensation steps, releasing water and nitrogen as by‐products.

     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative Acylation of O‐Phenyl Carbamates with α‐Oxocarboxylic Acids at Room Temperature

A palladium‐catalyzed oxidative acylation of O‐phenyl carbamates with α‐oxocarboxylic acids via selective aromatic C H bond activation is described. This protocol represents the first ortho‐acylation of phenol derivatives, and a catalytic amount of triflic acid additive is crucial for this transformation.     

2‐Aminopyridines as an α‐Bromination Shuttle in a Transition Metal‐Free One‐Pot Synthesis of Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines

A wide range of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines are accessible from cheap and readily available 2‐aminopyridines and 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds using a unique CBrCl₃/2‐aminopyridine system for bromination at the α‐carbon. 2‐Aminopyridine is not only the substrate but also acts as a bromination shuttle, transferring the bromine atom from CBrCl₃ to the α‐carbon of the 1,3‐dicarbonyl. The reaction mechanism involves a series of reversible steps, including an addition reaction with cyclic transition state, to form a bromo‐hemiaminal intermediate. Isolated yields of up to 97% were obtained under mild conditions and at short reaction times in this transition metal‐free, one‐pot synthesis.

     

Highly Efficient Suzuki Coupling Reaction of α‐Chloroalkylidene‐β‐lactones and β‐Lactams with Organoboronic Acids

The activation of C Cl bond of (Z)‐α‐chloroalkylidene‐β‐lactones and (E)‐α‐chloroalkylidene‐β‐lactams via the Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction is reported in this paper. Alkyl, heteroaromatic, substituted phenyl‐ and alkenylboronic acids can be coupled with a wide variety of α‐chloroalkylidene‐β‐lactones and β‐lactams in excellent yields within a short period of time. The cross‐coupling reaction of optically active substrates leads to the optically active compounds without racemization of the corresponding chiral center.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Direct Arylations of 1,2,3‐Triazoles with Aryl Chlorides using Conventional Heating

Generally applicable, palladium‐catalyzed direct arylations of 1,2,3‐triazoles with aryl chlorides were accomplished through conventional heating at reaction temperatures of 105–120 °C. Thereby, intra‐ and intermolecular C H bond functionalizations were achieved with a variety of differently substituted chlorides as electrophiles, bearing numerous valuable functional groups.     

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.     

Synthesis of γ‐Fluoro‐α, β‐unsaturated Carboxylic Esters from Saturated α‐Fluoro Aldehydes

γ‐Fluoro‐α, β‐unsaturated carboxylic esters 7a, 7b and 7d and 4‐fluoro‐4‐phenylbut‐3‐enoic ester ( 8 ) are obtained by two alternative pathways from 2‐fluoro aldehydes 5a—d , either by Horner—Wadsworth—Emmons reaction or by Wittig reaction. The aldehydes 5a—d are prepared by Swern oxidation of the corresponding fluorohydrins 4a—d . These are available from α‐olefins by bromofluorination, bromineby‐acetate replacement and subsequent hydrolysis.     

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.).

     

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.

     

One‐Pot Palladium‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Selectively Substituted Phenanthridines by Sequential Aryl‐Aryl and Heck Couplings,Aza‐Michael and Retro‐Mannich Reactions

A catalytic synthesis of selectively substituted phenanthridines is achieved through a reaction sequence involving palladium/norbornene‐catalyzed unsymmetrical aryl‐aryl and Heck couplings followed by aza‐Michael and retro‐Mannich reactions. In spite of the many steps involved the method is very simple and allows the formation of selectively substituted phenanthridines under mild conditions in a straightforward one‐pot reaction starting from readily available aryl iodides and bromides.     

Iridium‐Catalyzed Selective Synthesis of 4‐Substituted Benzofurans and Indoles via Directed Cyclodehydration

A directed cyclization‐dehydration cascade of α‐aryloxy ketones and α‐arylamino ketones was efficiently catalyzed by a cationic iridium‐BINAP complex, which afforded various types of 4‐substituted benzofurans and indoles in high yields with complete regioselectivity. The newly developed protocol also enabled the enantioselective preparation of chiral 4‐acetyloxindole using a chiral iridium catalyst.     

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.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Oxidative Heck‐Type Allylation of β,β‐Disubstituted Enones with Allyl Carbonates

The palladium‐catalyzed oxidative Heck‐type allylation of β,β‐disubstituted enones, i.e., α‐oxoketene dithioacetals, was efficiently realized with allyl carbonates, providing a concise route to highly functionalized dienes. The present synthetic methodology utilizes the substrate activation strategy to activate the C H bond of β,β‐disubstituted enones by introduction of a 1,2‐dithiolane functionality to make the enone substrate highly polarized and thus increase its reactivity, demonstrating rare examples for transition metal‐catalyzed allylic substitution of ß,ß‐disubstituted enones through a Heck‐type allylation process.

     

Copper‐Catalyzed Selective Oxidative Acylation of Secondary Anilines with Ethyl Glyoxalate: Domino Synthesis of Indoline‐2,3‐diones

A novel, easy and useful copper‐catalyzed selective acylation of secondary anilines with ethyl glyoxalate has been developed, and the corresponding indoline‐2,3‐dione derivatives were prepared. The procedure comprises the sequential intermolecular copper‐catalyzed selective oxidative ortho‐site aromatic acylation of the NH group in secondary anilines and intramolecular nucleophilic attack of the NH group to the ester. The inexpensive, easy and efficient method should provide a new strategy for synthesis of dicarbonyl compounds.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed and Hybrid Acids‐Assisted Synthesis of [60]Fulleroazepines in One Pot under Mild Conditions: Annulation of N‐Sulfonyl‐2‐aminobiaryls with [60]Fullerene through Sequential C‐H Bond Activation,C‐C and C‐N Bond Formation

An extraordinarily efficient hybrid acids‐assisted, palladium‐catalyzed and chelating‐group‐assisted C H bond activation of N‐sulfonyl‐2‐aminobiaryls and their annulations with [60]fullerene via sequential C C and C N bond formation at room temperature to afford [60]fulleroazepines is demonstrated. The formation of [60]fulleroazepines is highly regioselective and tolerant to both electron‐withdrawing and electron‐donating groups on the aryl moiety and the reaction gives monofunctionalized fullerenes in good yields (up to 54% isolated yield and 92% based on converted C₆₀).     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Selectively Substituted Phenanthridine Derivatives

Selectively substituted phenanthridine derivatives are obtained by a facile reaction of o‐alkylated aryl iodides, o‐bromoarenesulfonylanilines and activated olefins in the presence of palladium and norbornene as catalysts. The reaction takes place under mild conditions to give the products in satisfactory yields using readily available starting materials.     

Di‐tert‐butyl Peroxide (DTBP)‐Mediated Oxidative Cross‐ Coupling of Isochroman and Indole Derivatives

A metal‐free C C bond formation method via the oxidative cross‐coupling reaction of isochroman and indole derivatives was established. Various α‐fuctionalized cyclic ethers were achieved in satisfactory yields using di‐tert‐butyl peroxide (DTBP) as the oxidant. This method is also a potentially efficient strategy for the construction of cyclic ether‐containing targets.

     

H‐Phosphonate‐Mediated Amination of Quinoline N‐Oxides with Tertiary Amines: A Mild and Metal‐Free Synthesis of 2‐Dialkylaminoquinolines

A synthetic strategy has been developed for the synthesis of 2‐dialkylaminoquinolines from easily available quinoline N‐oxides, tertiary amines, diisopropyl H‐phosphonate and carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) in one pot under metal‐free conditions at room temperature.

     

Copper‐Catalyzed Cascade Reactions of Substituted 4‐Iodopyrazolecarbaldehydes with 1,2‐Phenylenediamines and 2‐Aminophenols

A new approach for the synthesis of novel annulated‐pyrazoles is presented. This protocol includes an intermolecular condensation followed by a copper‐mediated intramolecular C N or C O coupling reaction. The method is applied to a range of substituted 4‐iodopyrazolecarbaldehydes which react with 1,2‐phenylenediamines or 2‐aminophenols to yield substituted 2,4‐ or 1,4‐dihydrobenzo[b]pyrazolo[4,3‐e][1,4]diazepines or substituted‐2H‐ or 1H‐benzo[b]pyrazolo[3,4‐f][1,4]oxazepines, respectively.     

Transition Metal‐Free Direct Trifluoromethylation of 2,3‐Dihydropyridin‐4(1H)‐ones at Room Temperature

A transition metal‐free, regioselective C‐5 trifluoromethylation of 2,3‐dihydropyridin‐4(1H)‐ones (cyclic enaminones) with trimethyl(trifluoromethyl)silane (TMSCF₃) was developed that proceeds under mild conditions at room temperature. This direct transformation was successful with both electron‐rich and electron‐deficient cyclic enaminones. This method bypasses substrate prefunctionalization and transition metal catalysis, and allows the convenient and direct access to a variety of medicinally important 3‐trifluoromethylpiperidine derivatives. This chemistry also represents a rare example of a direct trifluoromethylation of an internal olefinic C H bond. A radical mechanism is proposed for this reaction.