Organozinc Pivalate Reagents: Segregation,Solubility, Stabilization,and Structural Insights

The pivalates RZnOPiv?Mg(OPiv)X?n LiCl (OPiv=pivalate; R=aryl; X=Cl, Br, I) stand out amongst salt‐supported organometallic reagents, because apart from their effectiveness in Negishi cross‐coupling reactions, they show more resistance to attack by moist air than conventional organometallic compounds. Herein a combination of synthesis, coupling applications, X‐ray crystallographic studies, NMR (including DOSY) studies, and ESI mass spectrometric studies provide details of these pivalate reagents in their own right. A p‐tolyl case system shows that in [D₈]THF solution these reagents exist as separated Me(p‐C₆H₄)ZnCl and Mg(OPiv)₂ species. Air exposure tests and X‐ray crystallographic studies indicate that Mg(OPiv)₂ enhances the air stability of aryl zinc species by sequestering H₂O contaminants. Coupling reactions of Me(p‐C₆H₄)ZnX (where X=different salts) with 4‐bromoanisole highlight the importance of the presence of Mg(OPiv)₂. Insight into the role of LiCl in these multicomponent mixtures is provided by the molecular structure of [(THF)₂Li₂(Cl)₂(OPiv)₂Zn].     

Preparation and Application of Solid,Salt‐Stabilized Zinc Amide Enolates with Enhanced Air and Moisture Stability

The treatment of various N‐morpholino amides with TMPZnCl⋅LiCl (TMP=2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidyl) and Mg(OPiv)₂ in THF at 25 °C provides solid zinc enolates with enhanced air and moisture stability (t _1/2 in air: 1–3 h) after solvent evaporation. These enolates undergo Pd‐ and Cu‐catalyzed cross‐couplings with (hetero)aryl bromides as well as allylic and benzylic halides. The arylated N‐morpholino amides were converted into various ketones by LaCl₃⋅2 LiCl mediated acylation with Grignard reagents. The new, solid enolates were used to prepare a potent anti‐breast‐cancer drug candidate in six steps and 23 % overall yield.     

Air‐Stable Solid Aryl and Heteroaryl Organozinc Pivalates: Syntheses and Applications in Organic Synthesis

A wide range of air‐stable, solid, polyfunctional aryl and heteroarylzinc pivalates were efficiently prepared by either magnesium insertion or Hal/Mg exchange followed by transmetalation with Zn(OPiv)₂ (OPiv=pivalate). By reducing the amount of LiCl the air stability could be significantly enhanced compared with previously prepared reagents. An alternative route is directed magnesiation using TMPMgCl ? LiCl (TMP=2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidyl) followed by transmetalation with Zn(OPiv)₂ or, for very sensitive substrates, direct zincation by using TMPZnOPiv. These zinc reagents not only show excellent stability towards air, but they also undergo a broad range of C?C bond‐formation reactions, such as allylation and carbocupration reactions, as well as addition to aldehydes and 1,4‐addition reactions. Acylation reactions can be performed by using an excess of TMSCl to overcome side reactions of the omnipresent pivalate anion.     

Preparation of Solid,Substituted Allylic Zinc Reagents and Their Reactions with Electrophiles

The treatment of various allylic chlorides or bromides with zinc dust in the presence of lithium chloride and magnesium pivalate (Mg(OCOtBu)₂) in THF affords allylic zinc reagents which, after evaporation of the solvent, produce solid zinc reagents that display excellent thermal stability. These allylic reagents undergo Pd‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions with PEPPSI‐IPent, as well as highly regioselective and diastereoselective additions to aryl ketones and aldehydes. Acylation with various acid chlorides regioselectively produces the corresponding homoallylic ketones, with the new C? C bond always being formed on the most hindered carbon of the allylic system.     

Two‐Coordinate Magnesium(I) Dimers Stabilized by Super Bulky Amido Ligands

A variety of very bulky amido magnesium iodide complexes, LMgI(solvent)_0/1 and [LMg(μ‐I)(solvent)_0/1]₂ (L=‐N(Ar)(SiR₃); Ar=C₆H₂{C(H)Ph₂}₂R′‐2,6,4; R=Me, Prⁱ, Ph, or OBu^t; R′=Prⁱ or Me) have been prepared by three synthetic routes. Structurally characterized examples of these materials include the first unsolvated amido magnesium halide complexes, such as [LMg(μ‐I)]₂ (R=Me, R′=Prⁱ). Reductions of several such complexes with KC₈ in the absence of coordinating solvents have afforded the first two‐coordinate magnesium(I) dimers, LMg?MgL (R=Me, Prⁱ or Ph; R′=Prⁱ, or Me), in low to good yields. Reductions of two of the precursor complexes in the presence of THF have given the related THF adduct complexes, L(THF)Mg?Mg(THF)L (R=Me; R′=Prⁱ) and LMg?Mg(THF)L (R=Prⁱ; R′=Me) in trace yields. The X‐ray crystal structures of all magnesium(I) complexes were obtained. DFT calculations on the unsolvated examples reveal their Mg?Mg bonds to be covalent and of high s‐character, while Ph???Mg bonding interactions in the compounds were found to be weak at best.     

A Convenient Alumination of Functionalized Aromatics by Using the Frustrated Lewis Pair Et3Al and TMPMgCl⋅LiCl

A straightforward and efficient alumination of functionalized arenes by using the frustrated Lewis pair Et₃Al and TMPMgCl ? LiCl (TMP=2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidyl) has been developed. In particular, halogenated electron‐rich aromatics can be smoothly functionalized by using the frustrated Lewis pair Et₃Al and TMPMgCl ? LiCl. Compared with previously described alumination methods, this procedure avoids extensive cooling and the need for an excess of base. This in situ procedure has proven to be most practical and allows for regio‐ and chemoselective metalation of a wide range of aromatics with sensitive functional groups (CONEt₂, CO₂Me, CN, OCONMe₂) or halogens (F, Cl, Br, I). The resulting aromatic aluminates, which were characterized by using NMR spectroscopy, were subjected to allylations, acylations, and palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions after transmetalation to zinc. It was shown that the nature of the Zn salt used for transmetalation is crucial. Thus, compared with ZnCl₂ (2 equiv), the use of Zn(OPiv)₂ (2 equiv; OPiv=pivalate) allows the subsequent quenching reactions to be performed with only a slight excess of electrophile (1.2 equiv) and provides interesting functionalized aromatics in good yields.     

1‐Aryl‐4‐Silylmethyl[60]fullerenes: Synthesis,Properties, and Photovoltaic Performance

The efficient nucleophilic addition of aryl Grignard reagents (aryl=4‐MeOC₆H₄, 4‐Me₂NC₆H₄, Ph, 4‐CF₃C₆H₄, and thienyl) to C₆₀ in the presence of DMSO produced 1,2‐arylhydro[60]fullerenes after acid treatment. The reactions of the anions of these arylhydro[60]fullerenes with either dimethylphenylsilylmethyl iodide or dimethyl(2‐isopropoxyphenyl)silylmethyl iodide yielded the target compounds, 1‐aryl‐4‐silylmethyl[60]fullerenes. The properties and structures of these 1‐aryl‐4‐silylmethyl[60]fullerenes (aryl=4‐MeOC₆H₄, thienyl) were examined by electrochemical studies, X‐ray crystallography, flash‐photolysis time‐resolved microwave‐conductivity (FP‐TRMC) measurements, and electron‐mobility measurements by using a space‐charge‐limited current (SCLC) model. Organic photovoltaic devices with a polymer‐based bulk heterojunction structure and small‐molecule‐based p–n and p–i–n heterojunction configurations were fabricated by using 1‐aryl‐4‐silylmethyl[60]fullerenes as an electron acceptor. The most efficient device exhibited a power‐conversion efficiency of 3.4 % (short‐circuit current density: 8.1 mA/ cm², open‐circuit voltage: 0.69 V, fill factor: 0.59).     

Regioselective Magnesiation and Zincation Reactions of Aromatics and Heterocycles Triggered by Lewis Acids

Mixed TMP-bases (TMP=2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl), such as TMPMgCl ⋅ LiCl, TMP₂Mg ⋅ 2LiCl, TMPZnCl ⋅ LiCl and TMP₂Zn ⋅ 2LiCl, are outstanding reagents for the metalation of functionalized aromatics and heterocycles. In the presence of Lewis acids, such as BF₃ ⋅ OEt₂ or MgCl₂, the metalation scope of such bases was dramatically increased, and regioselectivity switches were achieved in the presence or absence of these Lewis acids. Furthermore, highly reactive lithium bases, such as TMPLi or Cy₂NLi, are also compatible with various Lewis acids, such as MgCl₂ ⋅ 2LiCl, ZnCl₂ ⋅ 2LiCl or CuCN ⋅ 2LiCl. Performing such metalations in continuous flow using commercial setups permitted practical and convenient reaction conditions.     

Improving the Halogen–Magnesium Exchange by using New Turbo-Grignard Reagents

This Minireview describes the scope of the halogen–magnesium exchange. It shows that the use of the turbo-Grignard reagent (iPrMgCl⋅LiCl) greatly enhances the rate of the Br– and I–Mg exchange. Furthermore, this magnesium reagent allows the performance of a fast sulfoxide–magnesium exchange. Also, the use of sBuMgOR⋅LiOR (R=2-ethylhexyl) enables a Br–Mg exchange in toluene leading to various Grignard reagents in toluene. Additionally, the new exchange reagent sBu₂Mg⋅2 LiOR (R=2-ethylhexyl) further increases the rate of the halogen–magnesium exchange allowing one to perform a chlorine–magnesium exchange for aromatic chlorides bearing an ortho-methoxy substituent in toluene.     

Manganese(IV) Corroles with σ‐Aryl Ligands

Different pathways for the preparation of organometallic manganese(IV) corroles with σ‐aryl ligands have been evaluated. The treatment of a manganese(III) corrole with Grignard reagents PhMgX (X = Cl, Br), followed by aerial oxidation yields oxidized halogenido complexes [(cor)Mn^IVX] instead of the anticipated organometallic compounds. Reaction of these halogenido species, especially the bromido compound, with excess Grignard reagents or with lithium aryls results in the formation of the desired σ‐aryl compounds via salt metatheses. Three examples of this class of rare complexes have been characterized by means of optical and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and in two cases single crystal X‐ray diffraction studies have been carried out. In the crystal, the molecular structures of the σ‐phenyl‐ and the σ‐(p‐bromophenyl) derivatives were observed to be very similar, albeit both species pack in different pattern.     

Direct Zincation of Functionalized Aromatics and Heterocycles by Using a Magnesium Base in the Presence of ZnCl2

A wide range of polyfunctional aryl and heteroaryl zinc reagents were efficiently prepared in THF by using (TMP)₂Mg ? 2 LiCl (TMP=2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperamidyl) in the presence of ZnCl₂. The possible pathways of this metalation procedure as well as possible reactive intermediates are discussed. This experimental protocol expands the tolerance of functional groups and allows an efficient zincation of sensitive heterocycles such as quinoxaline or pyrazine. The zincated arenes and heteroarenes react with various electrophiles providing the expected products in 60–95 % yield.     

Regio- and chemoselective metalation of arenes and heteroarenes using hindered metal amide bases

The preparation of highly functionalized organometallic compounds can be achieved by direct C H activation of a broad range of unsaturated substrates using lithium chloride solubilized 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidide bases (TMP_nMX_m⋅p LiCl). These are excellent reagents for converting a wide range of aromatic and heterocyclic substrates into valuable organometallic reagents with broad applications in organic synthesis.     

Reactivity of mixed organozinc and mixed organocopper reagents: 11. Nickel‐catalyzed atom‐economic aryl–allyl coupling of mixed (n‐alkyl)(aryl)zincs

Group selectivity in the allylation of mixed (n‐butyl)(phenyl)zinc reagent can be controlled by changing reaction parameters. CuCN‐catalyzed allylation in tetrahydrofuran (THF)–hexamethylphosphoric triamide is n‐butyl selective and also γ‐selective in the presence of MgCl₂, whereas CuI‐catalyzed allylation in THF in the presence of n‐Bu₃P takes place with a n‐butyl transfer:phenyl transfer ratio of 23:77 and an α:γ transfer ratio of phenyl of 76:24. NiCl₂(Ph₃P)₂‐catalyzed allylation in the presence of LiCl is phenyl selective with an α:γ ratio of 65:35. The reaction of methyl‐ or n‐butyl(aryl)zinc reagents with an allylic electrophile in THF at room temperature in the presence of NiCl₂(Ph₃P)₂ catalyst and LiCl as an additive provides an atom‐economic alternative to aryl–allyl coupling using diarylzincs. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of a pyridine-stabilized germanone

The first isolable pyridine‐stabilized germanone has been prepared and its reactivity toward trimethylaluminum has been investigated. The germanone adduct results from a stepwise conversion that starts from 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) and the ylide‐like N‐heterocyclic germylene LGe: (L=CH{(C?CH₂)(CMe)[N(aryl)]₂}, aryl=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) ( 1 ) at room temperature, and gives the corresponding germylene–pyridine adduct L(DMAP)Ge: ( 2 ) in 91 % yield. The latter reacts with N₂O at room temperature to form the desired germanone complex L(DMAP)Ge?O ( 3 ) in 73 % yield. The Ge? O distance of 1.646(2) Å in 3 is the shortest hitherto reported for a Ge?O species. The reaction of 3 with trimethylaluminum leads solely to the addition product LGe(Me)O[Al(DMAP)Me₂] ( 4 ). The latter results from insertion of the Ge?O subunit into an Al? Me bond of AlMe₃ and concomitant migration of the DMAP ligand from germanium to the aluminum atom. Compounds 2 – 4 have been fully characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods. Their molecular structures have been established by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallographic analysis.     

Acceleration of CuI-catalyzed coupling reaction of alkyl halides with aryl Grignard reagents using lithium chloride

In the presence of LiCl, CuI-catalyzed coupling reaction of R(alkyl)-X with Ar(aryl)MgBr at rt was completed within 2 h. Effective leaving groups X in R-X were Br, I, OTs, but not Cl. Grignard reagents ArMgBr with both standard and bulky Ar such as 2-MeC₆H₄, 2-MeOC₆H₄, and 2,6-(Me)₂C₆H₃ afforded the desired products in good yields. Ester and cyano groups in R-X were tolerated. Coupling reaction with R(alkyl)-MgBr proceeded as well.     

β‐Diketiminate Stabilized Magnesium Hydroxide,Heterobimetallic, and Halide Complexes: Synthesis and X‐ray Structural Studies

The controlled hydrolysis of heteroleptic magnesium amide, LMgN(SiMe₃)₂ (L = CH[C(Me)N(2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)]₂) with water afforded the corresponding hydroxide [LMg(OH)·THF]₂ as air and moisture sensitive compound. The presence of a sterically bulky β‐diketiminate ligand prevents the self‐condensation reaction of this hydroxide complex. Single crystal X‐ray analysis shows that the hydroxide is dimeric in the solid state. Reaction of the magnesium amide or LMg(Me)·OEt₂ with LAlMe(OH) generates the heterobimetallic species containing the Mg–O–Al moiety. Additionally, the reaction of methylmagnesiumchloride with the free ligand leads to complex L′MgCl (L′ = CH[Et₂NCH₂CH₂N(CMe)]₂). As revealed by the crystal structure, L′MgCl is a solvent free monomeric magnesium chloride complex that is analogues to the Grignard reagent.     

[{Na(7‐Nitro‐5‐sulfonate‐naphthalene‐1,4‐dicarboxy‐acid (H2O)2}·H2O]n: A Water‐Soluble 2D Layer Polymeric Complex with Microporous Molecular Channels

The X‐ray crystallographic studies are reported for a water‐soluble sodium complex of organic acid, {[Na(NSNDC)(H₂O)₂]·H₂O}_n, (NSNDC = 7‐Nitro‐5‐sulfonate‐napthalene‐1,4‐dicarboxy‐acid). It contains layers of vertically oriented NNSDC‐anions sandwiching cations and water molecules. The rows of anions are linked in a direction by sodium ions and along b by hydrogen bonding, which have microporous channels (9.410 × 3.210Ų) along the crystallographic b‐axis. Considering the Na coordination environments, π‐π stacking interaction between aryl ring and hydrogen bonds, the title compound represents a stably 2D infinitely extended structure.     

Practical Enantioselective Arylation and Heteroarylation of Aldehydes with In Situ Prepared Organotitanium Reagents Catalyzed by 3‐Aryl‐H8‐BINOL‐Derived Titanium Complexes

A highly efficient and practical method for the catalytic enantioselective arylation and heteroarylation of aldehydes with organotitanium reagents, prepared in situ by the reaction of aryl‐ and heteroaryllithium reagents with ClTi(OiPr)₃, is described. Titanium complexes derived from DPP‐H₈‐BINOL ( 3 d ; DPP=3,5‐diphenylphenyl) and DTBP‐H₈‐BINOL ( 3 e ; DTBP=3,5‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl) exhibit excellent catalytic activity in terms of enantioselectivity and turnover efficiency for the transformation, providing diaryl‐, aryl heteroaryl‐, and diheteroarylmethanol derivatives in high enantioselectivity at low catalyst loading (0.2–2 mol %). The reaction begins with a variety of aryl and heteroaryl bromides through their conversion into organolithium intermediates by Br/Li exchange with nBuLi, thus providing straightforward access to a range of enantioenriched alcohols from commercially available starting materials. Various 2‐thienylmethanols can be synthesized enantioselectively by using commercially available 2‐thienyllithium in THF. The reaction can be carried out on a 10 mmol scale at 0.5 mol % catalyst loading, demonstrating its preparative utility.     

Lewis Base Assisted Magnesium Complexes Incorporating Pyrrolyl and Ketiminate Ligands: Synthesis,Structural Diversity and Characterization

A series of four, five and six‐coordinated magnesium derivatives integrating with substituted pyrrole and ketimine ligands are conveniently synthesized. Reaction of two equiv of 2‐dimethylaminomethyl pyrrole with Mg[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ in THF affords the monomeric magnesium complex Mg[C₄H₃N(2‐CH₂NMe₂)]₂ (THF)₂ ( 1 ) in high yield along with elimination of two equiv of HN(SiMe₃)₂. Similarly, the reaction between two equiv of 2‐t‐butylaminomethyl pyrrole and Mg[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ in THF renders the magnesium derivative, Mg[C₄H₃N(2‐CH₂NH^tBu)]₂(THF)2₂( 2 ) in good yield. Interestingly, reaction between two equiv of 2‐t‐butylaminomethyl pyrrole and Mg[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ in toluene, instead of THF, generates Mg[C₄H₃N(2‐CH2NH^tBu)]₂ ( 3 ), also in high yield. Furthermore, the assembly of two equiv of ketimine ligand, HOCMeCHCMeNAr (Ar = C₆H₃‐2,6‐ⁱPr₂) and Mg[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂, yields five‐coordinated magnesium derivatives, Mg(OCMeCHCMeNAr)₂(THF) ( 4 ) and Mg(OCMeCHCMeNAr)₂(OEt₂) ( 5 ), using THF and diethyl ether, respectively. All the aforementioned derivatives are characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy as well as 1 , 3 , 4 and 5 are subjected to X‐ray diffraction analysis in solid state.     

Coα‐(1H‐Imidazolyl)‐Coβ‐methylcob(III)amide: Model for Protein‐Bound Corrinoid Cofactors

Coα‐(1H‐Imidazol‐1‐yl)‐Coβ‐methylcob(III)amide ( 4 ) was synthesized by methylation with methyl iodide of (1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)cob(I)amide, obtained by electrochemical reduction of Coα‐(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)‐Coβ‐cyanocob(III)amide ( 5 ). The spectroscopic data and a single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis indicated 4 to exhibit a base‐on constitution in solution and in the crystal. The crucial lengths of the axial Co−N and Co−CH₃ bonds also emerged from the crystallographic data and were found to be smaller by 0.1 and 0.02 Å, respectively, than those in methylcob(III)alamin ( 2 ). The data of 4 support the view, that the `long' axial Co−N bonds as determined by X‐ray crystallography for the B<sub>12</sub>‐dependent methionine synthase, for methylmalonyl‐CoA mutase, and for glutamate mutase represent stretched Co−N bonds. The thermodynamic effect (the `trans influence') of the 1H‐imidazole base in 4 on the organometallic reactivity of this model for protein‐bound organometallic B₁₂ cofactors was examined by studying Me‐group‐transfer equilibria in aqueous solution and using (5′,6′‐dimethyl‐1H‐benzimidazol‐1‐yl)cobamides (cobalamins) as reaction partners (Schemes 2 – 5, Table). In comparison with methylcob(III)alamin ( 2 ), 4 was found to be destabilized for an abstraction of the Co‐bound Me group by a Co^III electrophile. In contrast, the abstraction of the Co‐bound Me group by a radical(oid) Co^II species was not significantly influenced thermodynamically by the exchange of the nucleotide base. Likewise, exploratory Me‐group‐transfer experiments with Me−Co^III and nucleophilic Co^I corrinoids at pH 6.8 provided an apparent equilibrium constant near unity. However, this finding also was consistent with partial protonation of the imidazolylcob(I)amide at pH 6.8, suggesting an interesting pH dependence of the Megroup‐transfer equilibrium near neutral pH. Therefore, the replacement of the 5′,6′‐dimethyl‐1H‐benzimidazole base by an 1H‐imidazole moiety, as observed in methyl transferases and in C‐skeleton mutases, does not by itself strongly alter the inherent reactivity of the B₁₂ cofactors in the crucial homolytic and nucleophilic‐heterolytic reactions involving the organometallic bond, but may help to enhance the control of the organometallic reactivity by protonation/deprotonation of the axial base.