Synthesis of Spiro[piperidine‐3,3′‐oxindoles] via Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Dearomatization of N‐Propargyl‐ and N‐Homoallenyl‐2‐bromotryptamines

N‐Propargyl‐ and N‐homoallenyl‐2‐bromo‐β‐tryptamines undergo gold(I)‐catalyzed dearomatizing cyclizations to afford 2‐bromospiroindolenines that are in situ hydrolyzed to furnish spirooxindoles in a one‐pot process. Tryptophane derivatives (R²=CO₂Et) led upon cyclization to chiral spirooxindoles in excellent diastereoselectivities.

     

Aluminum‐Catalyzed Formation of Functional 1,3,2‐Dioxathiolane 2‐Oxides from Sulfur Dioxide: An Easy Entry towards N‐Substituted Aziridines

Aluminum(III) complexes derived from aminotriphenolate ligands are shown to be excellent catalysts for the formation of cyclic sulfites from a range of (functionalized) terminal and internal epoxides, and ex situ generated sulfur dioxide. The developed catalytic protocol is characterized by its operational simplicity, wide scope in epoxide reaction partners, good to excellent isolated yields and mild reaction conditions [50–70 °C, p(SO₂) <1 bar]. The synthetic potential of these cyclic sulfites in organic synthesis is demonstrated in the preparation of N‐substituted aziridines through a three‐step protocol.

     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Carboaminations of Allenes by N‐Allyltetrahydro‐β‐carbolines: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

N‐Allyltetrahydro‐β‐carbolines bearing a pendant allene undergo unprecedented gold(I)‐catalyzed cyclizations proceeding with an allyl migration from the nitrogen to the allene moiety. The initial product of the gold‐catalyzed cyclization evolves either via isomerization or Cope rearrangement, leading to different scaffolds. Density function theory (DFT) calculations established that the allyl migration occurs in an asynchronous suprafacial manner.

     

Enantioselective Copper‐Catalyzed Intramolecular N−H Bond Insertion: Synthesis of Chiral 2‐Carboxytetrahydroquinolines

The first highly enantioselective intramolecular N−H bond insertion was realized by using copper catalysts modified with chiral spirobisoxazoline ligands, which provides a novel strategy for the synthesis of chiral 2‐carboxytetrahydroquinolines. This reaction features fast reaction rate, high yield, high enantioselectivity, and mild reaction conditions.

     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Homogeneous Reductive Amidation of Aldehydes

The catalytic reductive amidation of an aldehyde (hexanal) with an amide (acetamide) is reported. Apart from the desired N‐hexylacetamide, the two isomeric unsaturated intermediates as well as hexanol are produced together with higher mass products that arise from aldol condensation and diamide coupling of the aldehyde. Screening of different catalyst precursor salts, ligands and reaction conditions led to the finding that the catalytic system based on the (cyclooctadiene)rhodium chloride dimer, [Rh(cod)Cl]₂, in combination with the ligand xantphos and an acid co‐catalyst results in high selectivity for the desired product. Under optimized conditions nearly full conversion is reached with high selectivity to the desired N‐alkylamide and with a very high N ‐ alkylamide/alcohol ratio, while producing only small amounts of by‐products. The scope of the reaction has been investigated using different amides as well as aldehydes; the results show the general applicability of this novel reaction, but with electron‐withdrawing amides the selectivity to N‐alkylamide is lower. NMR studies showed that the nucleophilic addition of acetamide to hexanal is acid catalyzed, forming N‐(1‐hydroxyhexyl)acetamide in equilibrium with both hexanal and the dehydrated unsaturated imides. A catalytic mechanism is proposed in which a strong acid such as HOTs acts as a co‐catalyst by establishing a rapid chemical equilibrium between the aldehyde, acetamide and the intermediates. Furthermore, it is proposed that the presence of acid causes a change in catalytic species, enabling a cationic Rh/xantphos hydrogenation catalyst to selectively hydrogenate the intermediates to N‐hexylacetamide in the presence of hexanal.     

Efficient Oxidative Cleavage of Tetrahydrofuran‐2‐methanols to γ‐Lactones by a 2‐Iodobenzamide Catalyst in Combination with Oxone®

An environmentally friendly oxidative cleavage of tetrahydrofuran‐2‐methanols to the corresponding γ‐lactones using a catalytic amount of 2‐iodo‐N‐isopropylbenzamide has been developed. The reaction of various tetrahydrofuran‐2‐methanols with the catalyst in the presence of Oxone^® (2 KHSO₅⋅KHSO₄⋅K₂SO₄) as a co‐oxidant in DMF at room temperature successfully affords the corresponding lactones in good to high yields, and recovery of the catalyst is readily accomplished using a reductive work‐up. This method is notable because it enables the transformation of tetrahydrofuran‐2‐methanols to γ‐lactones under mild conditions without the use of any toxic heavy metals.

     

Regioselective Synthesis of Naphtho‐fused Heterocycles via Palladium(0)‐Catalyzed Tandem Reaction of N‐Tosylhydrazones

We have developed a palladium(0)‐catalyzed tandem process which involves the cross‐coupling reaction of N‐tosylhydrazones with dibromide compounds followed by a sequence of intramolecular 5‐exo‐trig, 3‐exo‐trig cyclization, ring opening, and β‐hydride elimination to produce 6‐endo‐trig cyclized products. The strategy was successfully applied for the regioselective synthesis of substituted benzo[b]naphtho[2,1‐d]thiophenes, naphtho[1,2‐b]benzofurans, and benzo[a]carbazoles in moderate to excellent yields.

     

Highly Selective Copper‐Catalyzed Monoarylation of Aniline

A series of mono‐, bi‐ and tridendate ligands was investigated in the copper‐catalyzed monoarylation of aniline with p‐chloronitrobenzene. Excellent selectivities at high conversions were observed when bridged bisimidazolidenes as well as biphenyl‐bisalkylphosphines were employed. The X‐ray crystal structure of bis(tert‐butyl)biphenylphosphine‐copper complex indicates a significant binding of the metal center to the aryl moiety and, thus, an almost bidendate coordination mode. Chelating bisphosphines, glycol, phenanthroline or other mono‐ to tridendate ligands led to less selective or productive catalysts.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Trifluoromethylation and Bicyclizations of 1,7‐Enynes Leading to Fused Polycycles

A series of trifluoromethyl‐containing heterocycles, like indene and dihydroquinolinone or dihydrocoumarin‐fused tetracyclic compounds have been prepared using copper‐catalyzed cascade reaction of benzene‐tethered 1,7‐enynes. A study of the mechanism indicated that radical trifluoromethylation and sequential 6‐exo‐dig/5‐endo‐trig bicyclization processes were involved in this protocol. Moreover, some selected products showed certain fungicidal activities against 14 kinds of plant fungi which means that these functionalized tetracyclic compounds might be used in the agrochemical field.

     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Bis‐Hydroaminomethylation of Linear Aliphatic Alkenes with Piperazine

An efficient protocol was developed to prepare a series of dialkylpiperazines via Rh‐catalyzed bis‐hydroaminomethylation of linear aliphatic alkenes with piperazine. The well‐known Rh/Biphephos catalytic system was applied, yielding the desired dialkylpiperazines within six tandem catalytic steps, already at low catalyst loadings of 0.1 mol%. For the model alkene 1‐octene, good yields and linearities of 80% and 77:23, respectively, were achieved under optimized conditions. Influences on the catalytic system regarding n/iso ratio, possible side reactions and the reaction path are discussed on the basis of yield vs. time plots and parameter optimization. With the developed general protocol, other linear, functionalized and branched substrates were effectively transformed to the corresponding linear N,N‐disubstituted piperazines.

     

Tandem Catalysis: Access to Ketones from Aldehydes and Arylboronic Acids via Rhodium‐Catalyzed Addition/Oxidation

Direct cross‐coupling reactions of aromatic aldehydes with arylboronic acids afforded ketones in high yields and under mild conditions in the presence of a rhodium catalyst, acetone and a base. This new reaction, involving a formal aldehyde C H bond activation, is believed to proceed via a tandem process involving addition of the organometallic species to the aldehyde followed by oxidation by β‐hydride transfer.     

Alkoxycarbonylation of 3,3,3‐Trifluoropropyne: an Intriguing Reaction to Prepare Trifluoromethyl‐Substituted Unsaturated Acid Derivatives

The addition of CO and methanol to 3,3,3‐trifluoropropyne is catalysed by Pd(OAc)₂ in the presence of (6‐methylpyrid‐2‐yl)diphenylphosphine and CH₃SO₃H. The main products of the reaction are the methyl esters of 2‐(trifluoromethyl)propenoic acid 1 and of 3‐(trifluoromethyl)propenoic acid 2 (4,4,4‐trifluorobut‐2‐enoic acid). The regioselectivity of the reaction can be controlled to a great extent by a suitable choice of the composition of the catalytic system and the reaction conditions. Thus, 1 can be obtained in 93% yield by using P(CO)=20 atm and high ligand/Pd and acid/Pd ratios. On the other hand, selectivity up to 85% in 2 can be achieved using P(CO)=80 atm and a low ligand/Pd ratio together with a high acid/Pd ratio. The reaction mechanism is also discussed.     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Secondary Alkylamines: Selective Alkylation with Aliphatic Amines

The chemoselective N‐alkylation of tert‐alkylamines applying aliphatic amines is described for the first time. In the presence of the Shvo catalyst 1 , tert‐octylamine 4 and 1‐adamantylamine 5 are alkylated using primary, secondary, and even tertiary amines to give the corresponding monoalkylated tert‐alkylamine in moderate to very good yields and excellent selectivity. This novel reaction proceeds without an additional hydrogen source and ammonia is formed as the only by‐product.     

Practical Synthesis of Chiral N,N′‐Bis(2′‐pyridinecarboxamide)‐1,2‐cyclohexane Ligands

A simple and scalable procedure for the preparation of chiral ligands 1 and 2 from trans‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane and 2‐picolinic acid is described.     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Catalyzed Oxidative Amidation of Aldehydes with Amines

The N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐catalyzed oxidative amidation of aromatic aldehydes with amines in the presence of N‐bromosuccinimide (NBS) as an oxidant has been developed for the synthesis of amides. This amidation strategy is tolerant to both the electronic and the steric nature of the aryl aldehydes employed. The present methodology was extended to chiral amino acid derivatives to generate the corresponding amides in good yields and excellent ee values (>98%).

     

A Simple Approach to Unsymmetric Atropoisomeric Bipyridine N,N′‐Dioxides and Their Application in Enantioselective Allylation of Aldehydes

The [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization of 1‐isoquinolinyl‐1,7‐octadiyne with benzonitrile catalyzed by CpCo(CO)₂ opened a new pathway for a synthesis of unsymmetrical axially chiral bipyridine N,N′‐dioxides. The N,N′‐dioxide 3a was found to be highly catalytically active and enantioselective for the asymmetric allylation of aldehydes with allyltrichlorosilane. The allylation took place with even 1 % of the catalyst with an enantioselectivity up to 87 % ee.     

A Ruthenium Complex‐Catalyzed Cyclotrimerization of Halodiynes with Nitriles. Synthesis of 2‐ and 3‐Halopyridines

Monohalo‐ and dihalodiynes efficiently undergo [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization with nitriles in the presence of a catalytic amount of the ruthenium complex Cp*RuCl(cod) (10 mol%) to afford the corresponding halopyridines under ambient conditions in good isolated yields (up to 90%). The halopyridines are formed as two separable regioisomers. This is the first example of a direct synthesis of halopyridines from haloalkynes and nitriles.

     

Copper‐Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidation of Amines to Imines under Neat Conditions with Low Catalyst Loading

The copper (I)‐catalyzed direct synthesis of imines from amines under mild aerobic conditions is described. The method is applicable for the synthesis of various imines from corresponding amines such as benzylic, aliphatic, cyclic secondary, heteroaromatic species and the oxidative condensation of benzylamines with anilines extends the scope of the CuCl catalytic system. Noteworthy, solvent‐free procedure, air as a benign oxidant, and the cheap and easy availability of the catalyst are the vital advantages of the method.