Alkyl−(Hetero)Aryl Bond Formation via Decarboxylative Cross‐Coupling: A Systematic Analysis

Suzuki, Negishi, and Kumada couplings are some of the most important reactions for the formation of skeletal C−C linkages. Their widespread use to forge bonds between two aromatic rings has enabled every branch of chemical science. The analogous union between alkyl halides and metallated aryl systems has not been as widely employed due to the lack of commercially available halide building blocks. Redox‐active esters have recently emerged as useful surrogates for alkyl halides in cross‐coupling chemistry. Such esters are easily accessible through reactions between ubiquitous carboxylic acids and coupling agents widely used in amide bond formation. This article features an amalgamation of in‐house experience bolstered by approximately 200 systematically designed experiments to accelerate the selection of ideal reaction conditions and activating agents for the cross‐coupling of primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl carboxylic acids with both aryl and heteroaryl organometallic species.     

A Convergent Synthesis of Functionalized Alkenyl Halides through Cobalt(III)‐Catalyzed Three‐Component C−H Bond Addition

A Co^III‐catalyzed three‐component coupling of C(sp²)−H bonds, alkynes, and halogenating agents to give alkenyl halides is reported. This transformation proceeds with high regio‐ and diastereoselectivity, and is effective for a broad range of aryl and alkyl terminal alkynes. Diverse C−H bond partners also exhibit good reactivity for a range of heteroaryl and aryl systems as well as synthetically useful secondary and tertiary amide, urea, and pyrazole directing groups. This multicomponent transformation is also compatible with allenes in place of alkynes to furnish tetrasubstituted alkenyl halides, showcasing the first halo‐arylation of allenes.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Heteroarylation and Concomitant ortho‐Alkylation of Aryl Iodides

Three‐component couplings were achieved from common aryl halides, alkyl halides, and heteroarenes under palladium and norbornene co‐catalysis. The reaction forges hindered aryl–heteroaryl bonds and introduces ortho‐alkyl groups to aryl rings. Various heterocycles such as oxazoles, thiazoles and thiophenes underwent efficient coupling. The heteroarenes were deprotonated in situ by bases without the assistance of palladium catalysts.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Umpolung Arylation of Ambiphilic α‐Bromoalkyl Boronic Esters

A nickel‐catalyzed reductive arylation of ambiphilic α‐bromoalkyl boronic esters with aryl halides is described. This platform provides an unrecognized opportunity to promote the catalytic umpolung reactivity of ambiphilic reagents with aryl halides, thus unlocking a new cross‐coupling strategy that complements existing methods for the preparation of densely functionalized alkyl‐substituted organometallic reagents from simple and readily accessible precursors.     

On the Radical Nature of Iron‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reactions

The radical nature of iron‐catalyzed cross‐coupling between Grignard reagents and alkyl halides has been studied by using a combination of competitive kinetic experiments and DFT calculations. In contrast to the corresponding coupling with aryl halides, which commences through a classical two‐electron oxidative addition/reductive elimination sequence, the presented data suggest that alkyl halides react through an atom‐transfer‐initiated radical pathway. Furthermore, a general iodine‐based quenching methodology was developed to enable the determination of highly accurate concentrations of Grignard reagents, a capability that facilitates and increases the information output of kinetic investigations based on these substrates.     

Nickel‐ and Photoredox‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reactions of Aryl Halides with 4‐Alkyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridines as Formal Nucleophilic Alkylation Reagents

A combination of nickel and photoredox catalysts promoted novel cross‐coupling reactions of aryl halides with 4‐alkyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridines. 4‐Alkyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridines act as formal nucleophilic alkylation reagents through a photoredox‐catalyzed carbon–carbon (C?C) bond‐cleavage process. The present strategy provides an alternative to classical carbon‐centered nucleophiles, such as organometallic reagents.     

Rational Design of an Iron‐Based Catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura Cross‐Couplings Involving Heteroaromatic Boronic Esters and Tertiary Alkyl Electrophiles

Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions between a variety of alkyl halides and unactivated aryl boronic esters using a rationally designed iron‐based catalyst supported by β‐diketiminate ligands are described. High catalyst activity resulted in a broad substrate scope that included tertiary alkyl halides and heteroaromatic boronic esters. Mechanistic experiments revealed that the iron‐based catalyst benefited from the propensity for β‐diketiminate ligands to support low‐coordinate and highly reducing iron amide intermediates, which are very efficient for effecting the transmetalation step required for the Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction.     

Palladium-catalyzed tetrakis(dimethylamino)ethylene-promoted reductive coupling of aryl halides

Tetrakis(dimethylamino)ethylene (TDAE)/cat. PdCl(2)(PhCN)(2)-promoted reductive coupling of aryl bromides having either electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups on their para- and/or meta-position proceeded smoothly to afford the corresponding biaryls in good to excellent yields. Notably, TDAE is such a mild reductant that easily reducible groups, such as carbonyl and nitro groups, are tolerate. A similar reductive coupling of ortho-substituted aryl bromides did not occur at all. The proper choice of palladium catalysts is essential for the reductive coupling; thus, PdCl(2)(PhCN)(2), PdCl(2)(MeCN)(2), Pd(hfacac)(2), Pd(2)(dba)(3), PdCl(2), and Pd(OAc)(2) were used successively for this reaction, but phosphine-ligated palladium catalysts such as Pd(PPh(3))(4), PdCl(2)(PPh(3))(2), and Pd(dppp) did not promote the reaction. The reductive coupling did not occur with nickel catalysts such as NiBr(2), NiCl(2)(bpy), and Ni(acac)(2). The TDAE/cat. palladium-promoted reductive coupling of aryl halides having electron-withdrawing groups took place more efficiently than that of aryl halides substituted with electron-donating groups. A plausible mechanism of TDAE/cat. palladium-promoted reaction is discussed.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Cross‐CouplingLigand‐Free Conditions Reaction of Thiols with Aryl Iodides under

Commercially available CuO powder is found to be a suitable catalyst for C‐S coupling reaction between aryl‐ and alkyl thiols and aryl iodides. Functional groups including halides, ketone, unprotected amine and heterocycles were tolerated by the reaction conditions employed.     

Cesium carbonate‐catalyzed indium insertion into alkyl iodides and their synthetic utilities in cross‐coupling reactions

A catalytic amount of cesium carbonate (10 mol%) was found to be capable of effectively catalyzing the insertion of indium powder into alkyl iodides. The thus‐generated alkyl indium reagents could readily undergo palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions with a wide variety of aryl halides, showing compatibility to a range of important functional groups.     

Single‐Electron‐Transfer‐Induced Coupling of Arylzinc Reagents with Aryl and Alkenyl Halides

Arylzinc reagents, prepared from aryl halides/zinc powder or aryl Grignard reagents/zinc chloride, were found to undergo coupling with aryl and alkenyl halides without the aid of transition‐metal catalysis to give biaryls and styrene derivatives, respectively. In this context, we have already reported the corresponding reaction using aryl Grignard reagents instead of arylzinc reagents. Compared with the Grignard cross‐coupling, the present reaction features high functional‐group tolerance, whereby electrophilic groups such as alkoxycarbonyl and cyano groups are compatible as substituents on both the arylzinc reagents and the aryl halides. Aryl halides receive a single electron and thereby become activated as the corresponding anion radicals, which react with arylzinc reagents, thus leading to the cross‐coupling products.     

Utilizing 2‐phenylpropanal as coupling partner for C‐S bond formation via sequential thioarylation and decarbonylation process: A novel strategy for the synthesis of aryl alkyl sulfides

In this study, first direct access to aryl alkyl sulfides employing 2‐phenylpropanal as coupling partner is reported. Diaryl disulfides react with this aldehyde in the presence of morpholine and produce the corresponding sulfide products in high yields. In another part, disulfides are in situ generated in the reaction mixture from aryl halides/CuI/Cyanodithioformate and coupled with 2‐phenylpropanal to access aryl alkyl sulfides.     

Fast,Efficient and Low E‐Factor One‐Pot Palladium‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of (Hetero)Arenes

The homocoupling of aryl halides and the heterocoupling of aryl halides with either aryl bromides or arenes bearing an ortho‐lithiation directing group are presented. The use of a Pd catalyst, in combination with t‐BuLi, allows for the rapid and efficient formation of a wide range of polyaromatic compounds in a one pot procedure bypassing the need for the separate preformation of an organometallic coupling partner. These polyaromatic structures are obtained in high yields, in 10 min at room temperature, with minimal waste generation (E‐factors as low as 1.5) and without the need for strict inert conditions, making this process highly efficient and practical in comparison to classical methods. As illustration, several key intermediates of widely used BINOL‐derived structures are readily prepared.     

Fast,Efficient and Low E‐Factor One‐Pot Palladium‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of (Hetero)Arenes

The homocoupling of aryl halides and the heterocoupling of aryl halides with either aryl bromides or arenes bearing an ortho‐lithiation directing group are presented. The use of a Pd catalyst, in combination with t‐BuLi, allows for the rapid and efficient formation of a wide range of polyaromatic compounds in a one pot procedure bypassing the need for the separate preformation of an organometallic coupling partner. These polyaromatic structures are obtained in high yields, in 10 min at room temperature, with minimal waste generation (E‐factors as low as 1.5) and without the need for strict inert conditions, making this process highly efficient and practical in comparison to classical methods. As illustration, several key intermediates of widely used BINOL‐derived structures are readily prepared.     

Expedient Synthesis of Chiral α‐Amino Acids through Nickel‐Catalyzed Reductive Cross‐Coupling

A novel method for the synthesis of non‐natural L ‐ and D ‐amino acids by a Ni‐catalyzed reductive cross‐coupling reaction is described. This strategy enables the racemization‐free cross‐coupling of serine/homoserine‐ derived iodides with aryl/acyl/alkyl halides. It provides convenient access to varieties of enantiopure and functionalized amino acids, which are important building blocks in bioactive compounds and pharmaceuticals.     

In situ generation of highly active bis(N‐heterocyclic)carbene palladium as an efficient catalyst in direct S‐arylation of methylphenyl sulfoxide and the Heck reaction: Ligand steric effects in product selectivity

The use of 1,3‐bis(N‐heterocyclic)carbene ligands with different alkyl wingtip groups (alkyl = methyl, isopropyl and tert ‐butyl) is an effective method for the palladium‐catalysed direct S ‐arylation of methylphenyl sulfoxide and C–C coupling of various of aryl halides with alkenes. The reactions proceed in moderate to good yields. Interestingly, it is shown experimentally that, by using bulkier bidentate N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands, more selective catalytic systems towards cis products in Heck coupling reactions can be achieved.     

Ni‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reaction: The Direct Synthesis of Symmetrical Disulfanes from Aryl and Primary Alkyl Halides

A novel Ni‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reaction is introduced for the direct synthesis of diaryldisulfanes and dialkyldisulfanes from aryl halides and primary alkyl halides at normal atmospheric conditions, respectively. This one‐pot and domino protocol utilizes only 10 mol% of NiCl₂ as a catalyst and morpholin‐4‐ium morpholine‐4‐carbo‐dithioate as a new, stable, solid, and odorless sulfurating reagent in the presence of ethylene glycol as a cosolvent and bidentate ligand in dimethyl formamide (DMF) at 130°C with good to excellent yields and relatively short time reaction.     

Transition‐Metal‐Free C3 Arylation of Indoles with Aryl Halides

We report an unprecedented transition metal‐free coupling of indoles with aryl halides. The reaction is promoted by KOtBu and is regioselective for C3 over N. The use of degassed solvents devoid of oxygen is necessary for the success of the transformation. Preliminary studies implicate a hybrid mechanism that involves both aryne intermediates and non‐propagative radical processes. Electron transfer is also a distinct possibility. These conclusions were substantiated by EPR data, isotopic labeling studies, and the use of radical scavengers and electron transfer inhibitors.     

PEPPSI‐Type Palladium Complexes Containing Basic 1,2,3‐Triazolylidene Ligands and Their Role in Suzuki–Miyaura Catalysis

A series of PEPPSI‐type palladium(II) complexes was synthesized that contain 3‐chloropyridine as an easily removable ligand and a triazolylidene as a strongly donating mesoionic spectator ligand. Catalytic tests in Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions revealed the activity of these complexes towards aryl bromides and aryl chlorides at moderate temperatures (50 °C). However, the impact of steric shielding was the inverse of that observed with related normal Nheterocyclic carbenes (imidazol‐2‐ylidenes) and sterically congested mesityl substituents induced lower activity than small alkyl groups. Mechanistic investigations, including mercury poisoning experiments, TEM analyses, and ESI mass spectrometry, provide evidence for ligand dissociation and the formation of nanoparticles as a catalyst resting state. These heterogeneous particles provide a reservoir for soluble palladium atoms or clusters as operationally homogeneous catalysts for the arylation of aryl halides. Clearly, the substitution of a normal N‐heterocyclic carbene for a more basic triazolylidene ligand in the precatalyst has a profound impact on the mode of action of the catalytic system.     

Sequential One‐Pot Addition of Excess Aryl‐Grignard Reagents and Electrophiles to O‐Alkyl Thioformates

The sequential addition of aromatic Grignard reagents to O‐alkyl thioformates proceeded to completion within 30 s to give aryl benzylic sulfanes in good yields. This reaction may begin with the nucleophilic attack of the Grignard reagent onto the carbon atom of the O‐alkyl thioformates, followed by the elimination of ROMgBr to generate aromatic thioaldehydes, which then react with a second molecule of the Grignard reagent at the sulfur atom to form arylsulfanyl benzylic Grignard reagents. To confirm the generation of aromatic thioaldehydes, the reaction between O‐alkyl thioformates and phenyl Grignard reagent was carried out in the presence of cyclopentadiene. As a result, hetero‐Diels–Alder adducts of the thioaldehyde and the diene were formed. The treatment of a mixture of the thioformate and phenyl Grignard reagent with iodine gave 1,2‐bis(phenylsulfanyl)‐1,2‐diphenyl ethane as a product, which indicated the formation of arylsulfanyl benzylic Grignard reagents in the reaction mixture. When electrophiles were added to the Grignard reagents that were generated in situ, four‐component coupling products, that is, O‐alkyl thioformates, two molecules of Grignard reagents, and electrophiles, were obtained in moderate‐to‐good yields. The use of silyl chloride or allylic bromides gave the adducts within 5 min, whereas the reaction with benzylic halides required more than 30 min. The addition to carbonyl compounds was complete within 1 min and the use of lithium bromide as an additive enhanced the yields of the four‐component coupling products. Finally, oxiranes and imines also participated in the coupling reaction.