Iodine‐Mediated Copper‐Catalyzed Efficient α‐C(sp2)‐Thiomethylation of α‐Oxoketene Dithioacetals with Dimethyl Sulfoxide in One Pot

The direct α‐Csp² H functionalization and thiomethylation of α‐oxoketene dithioacetals (DTAs) has been accomplished with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in the presence of iodine and a copper(I) salt for the first time. A prerequisite is the in situ iodination of the α‐Csp² atom of dithioacetals that could offer other reaction channels. The operationally simple one‐pot protocol includes region‐defined consecutive iodination and sulfenylation of the challenging α‐Csp² H bond of dithioacetals employing cheap and readily available reagents. DMSO here plays a dual role as thiomethyl source and solvent.

     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed β‐Alkylation of Secondary Alcohols with Primary Alcohols

Cyclopentadienyl (Cp), hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borato (Tp), and bipyridine ruthenium complexes were found to be active catalysts for the β‐alkylation of secondary alcohols with primary alcohols. Mechanistic aspects of the Cp and Tp complexes‐catalyzed reactions were investigated; the crucial hydrido complexes were identified. Carbonyl complexes resulting from aldehyde decarbonylation were formed in some cases, and surprisingly, they were also found to be active for the catalytic processes.     

Silver Hexafluoroantimonate‐Catalyzed Direct α‐Alkylation of Unactivated Ketones

A practically simple and direct α‐alkylation of unactivated ketones using benzylic alcohols has been achieved. The in situ formed acetals are the key for the success of the reaction. The catalyst, silver hexafluoroantimonate(V) (AgSbF₆) provides double activation by converting the ketone into an enol ether via acetal and generation of carbocationic center at the benzylic position of the benzylic alcohol. The alcohols include benzylic propargyl alcohols, cinnamyl alcohols, and diarylmethanols.

     

An Efficient and Recyclable Catalyst for N‐Alkylation of Amines and β‐Alkylation of Secondary Alcohols with Primary Alcohols: SBA‐15 Supported N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Iridium Complex

A mesoporous silica (SBA‐15)‐supported pyrimidine‐substituted N‐heterocyclic carbene iridium complex was prepared and used as a catalyst for both environmentally friendly N‐alkylation of amines and β‐alkylation of secondary alcohols with primary alcohols. The structure of the supported iridium catalyst was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), ¹³C and ²⁹Si solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), iridium K‐edge X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) and extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopic analyses which demonstrated that the coordination environment of the iridium centre and the 3‐dimensional‐hexagonal pore structure of SBA‐15 were retained after the immobilization. The catalyst was found to be highly efficient for both kinds of reaction on a wide range of substrates under mild conditions. Moreover, the supported iridium catalyst was obviously superior to the unsupported one in the N‐alkylation of aniline and β‐alkylation of 1‐phenylethanol with benzyl alcohol as substrate, which indicated that not only the iridium complex moiety but also the support material contributed to the catalytic activity of the supported iridium catalyst in these reactions. The supported iridium catalyst can be easily recycled by simple washing without chemical treatment, and exhibited excellent recycling performance without notable decrease in catalytic efficiency even after twelve test cycles for N‐alkylation of aniline with benzyl alcohol, nine cycles for N‐alkylation of different amines with different alcohols, and eight cycles for β‐alkylation of 1‐phenylethanol with benzyl alcohol, respectively.     

Indium(III) Chloride‐Catalyzed Propargylation/Amination/Cycloisomerization Tandem Reaction: One‐Pot Synthesis of Highly Substituted Pyrroles from Propargylic Alcohols, 1,3‐Dicarbonyl Compounds and Primary Amines

A convenient one‐pot propargylation/amination/cycloisomerization tandem process has been developed for the synthesis of highly substituted pyrroles derivatives from propargylic alcohols, 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds and primary amines using indium(III) chloride as a multifunctional catalyst. This method provides a flexible and rapid route to substituted pyrroles.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral β‐Aryloxy Alcohols by Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Ketone Hydrogenation via Dynamic Kinetic Resolution (DKR)

A highly efficient enantioselective synthesis of chiral β‐aryloxy alcohols by the {RuCl₂[(S)‐SDP][(R,R)‐DPEN]} [(S_a,R,R)‐ 1a ; SDP=7,7′‐bis(diarylphosphino)‐1,1′‐spirobiindane; DPEN=trans‐1,2‐diphenylethylenediamine] complex‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of racemic α‐aryloxydialkyl ketones via dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) has been developed. Enantioselectivities of up to 99% ee with good to high cis/anti‐selectivities (up to>99:1) were achieved.     

Asymmetric Ring Opening of meso‐Epoxides with Aromatic Amines Catalyzed by a New Proline‐Based N,N′‐Dioxide‐Indium Tris(triflate) Complex

The catalytic asymmetric ring opening of meso‐epoxides with aromatic amines was achieved using a new proline‐based N,N′‐dioxide‐indium tris(triflate) complex in high yields (up to 99%) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) under mild conditions. The coordination ability of N,N′‐dioxide 1c was investigated by X‐ray and NMR analysis. A plausible seven‐coordinate transition state model was proposed. The chiral N,N′‐dioxides surveyed were synthesized from proline through only three conventional steps. The procedure could be run on a gram‐scale without any loss of enantioselectivity. This protocol provides a highly practical and useful tool for the bulky preparation of optically pure β‐amino alcohols.     

Aldehyde‐Catalyzed Transition Metal‐Free Dehydrative β‐Alkylation of Methyl Carbinols with Alcohols

Different to the borrowing hydrogen strategy in which alcohols were activated by transition metal‐catalyzed anaerobic dehydrogenation, the direct addition of aldehydes was found to be an effective but simpler way of alcohol activation that can lead to efficient and green aldehyde‐catalyzed transition metal‐free dehydrative C‐alkylation of methyl carbinols with alcohols. Mechanistic studies revealed that the reaction proceeds via in situ formation of ketones by Oppenauer oxidation of the methyl carbinols by external aldehydes, aldol condensation, and Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley (MPV)‐type reduction of α,β‐unsatutated ketones by substrate alcohols, affording the useful long chain alcohols and generating aldehydes and ketones as the by‐products that will be recovered in the next condensation to finish the catalytic cycle.     

Green and Scalable Aldehyde‐Catalyzed Transition Metal‐Free Dehydrative N‐Alkylation of Amides and Amines with Alcohols

In contrast to the borrowing hydrogen‐type N‐alkylation reactions, in which alcohols were activated by transition metal‐catalyzed anaerobic dehydrogenation, the addition of external aldehydes was accidentally found to be a simple and effective protocol for alcohol activation. This interesting finding subsequently led to an efficient and green, practical and scalable aldehyde‐catalyzed transition metal‐free dehydrative N‐alkylation method for a variety of amides, amines, and alcohols. Mechanistic studies revealed that this reaction most possibly proceeds via a simple but interesting transition metal‐free relay race mechanism.     

Iridium‐ and Rhodium‐Catalyzed Carbocyclization between 2‐Phenylimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine and α‐Diazo Esters

Iridium(III) and rhodium(III) complexes can catalyze the carbocyclization between 2‐phenylimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine and α‐diazo esters. The reaction occurs via C H activation and dialkylation of the arene followed by intramolecular nucleophilic substitution. Iridium(III) and rhodium(III) catalysis offer complementary scopes with respect to the α‐diazo esters.

     

Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Regioselective Direct C‐2 Alkenylation of Indoles Assisted by the Removable N‐(2‐Pyrimidyl) Group

The C‐2‐alkenylindole unit is a key component of numerous natural products and pharmacophores. However, the intermolecular direct construction of the core structural motif remains challenging in organic synthesis. Here we report a new, efficient, and versatile methodology for the synthesis of C‐2‐alkenylindoles through rhodium(III)‐catalyzed direct C H functionalization of indoles with acrylates under air by employing a metal‐directing group strategy. This strategy gives a rare selectivity for the alkenylation N‐(2‐pyrimidyl)indoles at the C‐2 position and provides the functionalized C‐2‐ alkenylindoles under mild conditions with broad substrate tolerance. An expansion of the methodology has also been demonstrated to, for example, the direct alkenylation of pyrrole and facile deprotection of the pyrimidyl group. All the results suggest that this methodology could be served as a highly attractive alternative for the direct construction of biologically important C‐2‐alkenylindoles.

     

Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide to Formate Catalyzed by a Copper/1,8‐Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene System

Hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to formate was achieved using copper (Cu) catalysts in the presence of strong organic bases including amidines and guanidines. Specifically, 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU) proved to be effective for the transformation of a 1:1 mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide into its formate salt under increased pressure in the presence of various Cu(I) and Cu(II) salts at 100 °C. A novel complex derived from copper iodide and DBU equally promoted the same reaction, indicating that DBU–Cu species are involved as real catalysts in this hydrogenation.

     

Copper‐Catalyzed α‐Aminoxylation of Ketones with 2,2,6,6‐Tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO)

An efficient copper‐catalyzed α‐aminoxylation of ketones with 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO) is presented for the synthesis of 2‐aryloxy‐1‐aryl‐2‐(2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐yloxy)ethanones in moderate to excellent yields. It is noteworthy that the copper/iron (Cu/Fe) catalyst can be recovered and reused several times with high catalytic reactivity.

     

Ruthenium(II)‐Catalyzed Regioselective Synthesis of Allyl Ketones from Alkynes and their Silver(I)‐Catalyzed Hydroarylation into γ‐Functionalized Ketones

The regioselective synthesis of β,γ‐unsaturated ketones from terminal alkynes is achieved by cooperative action of tris(acetonitrile)pentamethylcyclopentadieneruthenium hexafluorophosphate [Cp*Ru(NCMe)₃⁺ PF₆⁻] and para‐toluenesulfonic acid catalysts. These allyl ketones undergo direct regioselective hydroarylation/Friedel–Crafts reaction to introduce an electron‐rich aryl group at the γ‐position in the presence of ligand‐free silver triflate (AgOTf) catalyst. Both catalytic reactions take place with atom economy and provide an alternative to the synthesis of a variety of allyl ketones and γ‐arylated ketones.     

Probing the Mechanism of the Asymmetric Aminolysis of meso‐Epoxides Catalyzed by a Proline‐Based N,N′‐Dioxide‐Indium Tris(triflate) Complex

An exploration of the mechanism of the aminolysis of meso‐epoxides catalyzed by the proline‐based N,N′‐dioxide‐indium tris(triflate) complex was performed using control experiments, UV‐Vis spectroscopy, ¹H NMR, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Control experiments disclosed that the ligand‐to‐indium tris(triflate) ratio, the catalyst loading, the concentration, and the presence of 4 Å MS have dramatic effects on this reaction with regard to both the yield and the enantioselectivity. Combined with control experiments, UV‐Vis spectroscopy, ¹H NMR, ESI‐MS and SEM analyses revealed that molecular sieves perform multiple functions in the catalysis. A plausible molecular sieves‐assisted reaction pathway was proposed. In this pathway, molecular sieves perform (i) as desiccant to in situ dry the reaction system, (ii) as proton transfer agent to accelerate the catalysis, and (iii) as counter ion source to preserve the electroneutrality of the transition states. Besides, the generality of the substrate scope was further explored; excellent yields (up to 99%) and enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) were obtained.     

1,2‐Polymerization of 1,3‐butadiene with Cr(acac)3‐alkylaluminum catalysts

The polymerization of butadiene (Bd) with chromium(III) acetylacetonato [Cr(acac)₃]‐trialkylaluminum (AlR₃) or methylaluminoxane (MAO) catalysts was investigated for the synthesis of 1,2‐poly(Bd). The polymerization of Bd was found to proceed with Cr(acac)₃‐AlR₃ (R‐Me, Et, i‐Bu) catalysts to give poly(Bd) with a high 1,2‐vinyl content, but highly isotactic 1,2‐poly(Bd) was not synthesized. The Cr(acac)₃‐MAO catalyst gave a polymer consisting of low 1,2 units. The effects of the Al/Cr mole ratios on the polymerization of Bd with the Cr(acac)₃‐AlR₃ catalysts were observed. With an increase of Al/Cr mole ratios, the isotactic (mm) content of the polymer increased but the 1,2‐vinyl contents decreased. The effects of the aging time and temperatures of the catalysts on the polymerization of Bd with the Cr(acac)₃‐AlR₃ catalysts were also observed, and the lower polymerization temperature and the prolonged aging time were favored to produce the 1,2‐vinyl structure. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 1621–1627, 2000     

An Efficient Method for the Selective Iridium‐Catalyzed Monoalkylation of (Hetero)aromatic Amines with Primary Alcohols

An efficient multi‐gram scale synthesis protocol of a variety of P,N ligands is described. The synthesis is achieved in a two‐step reaction. First, the amine is deprotonated and subsequently the chlorophosphine is added to yield the corresponding P,N ligand. Deprotonation of the amine is normally achieved with n‐BuLi at low temperature, but for the preparation of ligands with a 2,2′‐dipyridylamino backbone and phosphines with a high steric demand KH has to be employed in combination with reaction temperatures of 110 °C for the salt metathesis step. The reaction of two equivalents of a selected P,N ligand with one equivalent of the iridium complex [IrCl(cod)]₂ (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene) affords P,N ligand‐coordinated iridium complexes in quantitative yield. X‐Ray single crystal structure analysis of one of these complexes reveals a monomeric five‐coordinated structure in the solid state. The iridium complexes were used to form catalysts for the N‐alkylation of aromatic amines with alcohols. The catalyst system was optimized by studying 8 different P,N ligands, 9 different solvents and 14 different bases. Systematic variation of the substrate to base and the amine to alcohol ratios as well as the catalyst loading led to optimized catalytic reaction conditions. The substrate scope of the developed catalytic protocol was shown by synthesizing 20 different amines of which 12 could be obtained in isolated yields higher than 90%. A new efficient catalyst system for the selective monoalkylation of primary aromatic and heteroaromatic amines with primary aromatic, heteroaromatic as well as aliphatic alcohols has been established. The reaction proceeds with rather moderate catalyst loadings.     

Iron(III)‐Catalyzed Cascade Reaction between Nitroolefins and 2‐Aminopyridines: Synthesis of Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines and Easy Access towards Zolimidine

The iron(III)‐catalyzed one‐pot cascade reaction between nitroolefins and 2‐aminopyridines has been demonstrated for the synthesis of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines by exploiting the bielectrophilic nature of nitroolefins. This methodology could be successfully applicable for the synthesis of zolimidine, a useful drug for the treatment of peptic ulcer. The reaction proceeds through Michael addition followed by intramolecular cyclization and in situ denitration.     

Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed Arylation of β‐Chloro Ketones and Related Derivatives through Domino Dehydrochlorination/ Conjugate Addition

Highly efficient arylations of β‐chloro ketones and their ester and amide derivatives were achieved by means of domino dehydrochlorination/Rh(I)‐catalyzed conjugate addition. In situ generated vinyl ketones and their analogues were identified as the reaction intermediates. The present synthetic protocol provides a concise route to (chiral) β‐aryl ketones, esters, and amides.     

Formation of Tertiary Amides and Dihydrogen by Dehydrogenative Coupling of Primary Alcohols with Secondary Amines Catalyzed by Ruthenium Bipyridine‐Based Pincer Complexes

Dehydrogenative coupling of primary alcohols with secondary amines to form tertiary amides and dihydrogen (H₂) is efficiently catalyzed by bipyridyl‐based ruthenium pincer complexes (0.2–1 mol%) under neutral conditions (in case of the dearomatized complexes), or with added catalytic amount of base. The reaction is sensitive to steric hindrance; in the case of amidation of bulky secondary amines a less sterically hindered complex is more efficient. Selective acylation of primary amines in the presence of secondary amines was also demonstrated.