An efficient, metal‐free, silicon–hydrogen bond functionalization based on the microwave‐assisted reaction of readily available enynones and silanes is reported. This process seemingly proceeds through a 2‐furyl carbene species, a particularly elusive intermediate. Preliminary studies on the metal‐free oxygen–hydrogen and nitrogen–hydrogen bond functionalization of representative alcohols, azoles and sulfonamides are also provided.
A simple and efficient one‐pot approach has been developed for a copper‐catalyzed phosphorylation of glycine derivatives under air and at room temperature. The present cross‐dehydrogenative coupling allows various methoxyphenyl‐protected glycine derivatives to be phosphorylated using diverse alkyl and aryl phosphites through an oxidative coupling between Csp3−H and P−H bonds catalyzed by copper iodide. This method provides a new synthetic tool to obtain biologically active α‐aminophosphonates.
Aryl carbamates were for the first time applied as electrophiles in the cross‐coupling with arylsilanes via nickel or iron catalysis to construct valuable biaryl compounds. This new coupling reaction features a good group tolerance and non‐sensitivity to steric hindrance on both aryl carbamates and arylsilanes.
4H‐Pyran units are frequently present in molecules with significant biological and pharmaceutical activities. Herein, we present the first enantioselective formal [3+3] cycloaddition between 2‐(1‐alkynyl)‐2‐alken‐1‐ones and β‐keto esters catalyzed by a cyclohexyldiamine‐based thiourea‐tertiary amine bifunctional catalyst. Under the mild and eco‐friendly conditions, a wide range of polysubstituted 4H‐pyrans were obtained in moderate yields with good enantioselectivities.
An iron(III)‐catalyzed C‐3 functionalization of flavones has been achieved using tert‐butyl peroxybenzoate (TBPB)/potassium persulphate (K2S2O8) oxidant combinations with a suitable solvent. In the presence of iron(III)/tert‐butyl peroxybenzoate/potassium persulphate, the reaction of flavones in cycloalkanes afforded exclusive C‐3 cycloalkylation via C –C coupling, whereas the solvent N,N‐dialkylformamide provided C‐3 amidation via C –C coupling. Under identical reaction conditions just by switching the solvent to chlorobenzene, C‐3 methylated flavones were obtained where tert‐butyl peroxybenzoate (TBPB) served as the source of the methyl group.
A series of geometry‐constrained iminopyridyl‐palladium chlorides were synthesized and characterized. These phosphine‐free palladium complexes were explored for their catalytic activities in both Suzuki and Heck cross‐coupling reactions, achieving turnover numbers as high as 106 towards various aryl bromides, even those containing various functionalities. In addition, the influence of substituents with steric and electronic factors was reflected by the differences observed in their activities.
2,2‐Difluoro‐1,3‐diketones are introduced as gem‐difluoroenolate precursors for the first example of an organocatalytic asymmetric aldol addition with N‐benzylisatins to form 3‐difluoroalkyl‐3‐hydroxyoxindoles.
The copper(II)‐catalyzed decarboxylative coupling reactions of arylglyoxylic acids with isatins afford 4H‐benzo[d][1,3]oxazin‐4‐ones via decarbonylation and concurrent C–N, C–O bond formation.
A novel iron‐catalyzed direct alkylamination reaction of phenols has been achieved with O‐benzoyl‐N‐alkylhydroxylamines as aminating agents. This protocol provides a facile access to N‐alkyl‐substituted aminophenols though a radical reaction from phenols. The catalytic direct alkylamination operates at room temperature without the need of any ligands and additives to afford the desired products with excellent regioselectivity and functional group tolerance.
A palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling of activated amides with arylboronic acids has been developed via C–N bond cleavage. This approach demonstrated high tolerance to a variety of alkyl, aryl, heterocyclic and vinyl substituents. Unsymmetrical ketones could be achieved in excellent yield under mild conditions with 1% catalyst loadings.
An advantageous methodology for the oxidative debenzylation of ethers has been developed. Very low amounts of a catalyst system based on vanadyl acetylacetonate and a triazole type pincer ligand allow the selective oxidative cleavage of a number of O‐benzyl ethers in the presence of oxygen as the sole oxidant. The methodology tolerates a number of functional groups such as halo‐, alkoxy‐, or trifluoromethylarenes, alkyne, alkene, ether, and acetal units. Large‐scale deprotections can be also carried out by the optimized procedure, which is amenable to enantioenriched reactants as well.
An efficient protocol for the direct sulfanylation of various 4‐hydroxycoumarins and 4‐hydroxyquinolinones in good yield with arylsulfonylhydrazides as sulfanylating agents was developed via copper(I) bromide⋅dimethyl sulfide‐catalyzed S–O, S–N bond cleavage and C–S cross‐coupling reactions. A highly selective fluorescence turning‐on sensing of cadmium(II) ions in water using the synthesized 3‐sulfanyl‐4‐hydroxycoumarin derivative was also investigated.
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.
The improved synthesis of γ‐, δ‐ and ϵ‐lactones using a dinuclear N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐gold(I) catalyst is reported. This solvent‐free process provides access to γ‐ and δ‐lactones in high regio‐ and stereoselectivity. Reactions were performed at low catalyst loadings and without the need for any additives. The use of a digold pre‐catalyst provides a new synthetic route to functionalised ϵ‐lactones, poorly accessible using previous methodologies.
The ruthenium(II)‐ or rhodium(III)‐catalyzed pyrimidinyl‐directed Grignard‐type C−H additions of N‐heterocycles with activated aldehydes and ketones are described. A cationic ruthenium catalyst and sodium acetate additive in dichloroethane as solvent were found to be optimal catalytic system for the construction of C‐7 alkylated indolines. In sharp contrast, a cationic rhodium complex allows the generation of C‐2 alkylated indoles and pyrroles as well as C‐1 alkylated carbazoles. The site‐selective C−H functionalization of these heterocyclic scaffolds could be an important asset towards the development of novel bioactive compounds.
The direct regioselective synthesis of highly functionalized pyrroles with two different electron‐withdrawing groups has been developed using an angle strain‐induced 1,2‐shift of an electron‐withdrawing group in 2H‐pyrroles. The preferential migration aptitude of an electron‐withdrawing group over alkyl and aryl groups is believed to be the result of the orbital overlap between the internal alkene and the electron‐withdrawing group. The newly developed regioselective synthesis of pyrroles features a wide substrate scope, simple reaction set‐up, and high yields (60–82%), capturing the essence of alkyne‐isocyanide “click” reactions.
The copper‐catalyzed reaction of 5‐substituted penta‐1,4‐diyn‐3‐yl acetates with P(O)H compounds to efficiently give a new class of phosphonyl diynes is reported. The reaction may take place through a regioselective nucleophilic attack of phosphorus nucleophiles on Cu‐allenylidene intermediates to form allenyl intermediates followed by a rapid allene‐alkyne isomerization process. The synthetic utility of the obtained products is demonstrated.
An efficient copper‐catalyzed enantioselective conjugate addition of dimethylzinc to unsaturated 2‐acyl‐N‐methylimidazoles has been achieved using a chiral bidentate hydroxyalkyl‐NHC ligand. The reactions proceed with excellent regioselectivity (1,4 vs. 1,6 and 1,8) in extended conjugated systems to afford the 1,4‐adducts in high enantioselectivities. This regioselectivity could be ascertained by DFT studies highlighting the crucial role of the imidazole ring. Thanks to the development of efficient protocols to regenerate the unsaturated 2‐acyl‐N‐methylimidazole moiety, an iterative process has been developed ultimately leading to 3,5,7 all‐syn or anti‐anti polydeoxypropionate stereodiads.
