Palladium-catalyzed tandem reaction of yne-propargylic carbonates with boronic acids: a simple method for the synthesis of fused aromatic rings through allene-mediated electrocyclization

The palladium-catalyzed tandem reactions of yne-propargylic carbonates with aryl boronic acids, 2-furyl boronic acid, and 2-thiopheneboronic acid, followed by 6pi-electrocyclization to give fused ring aromatic products such as naphthalene, benzofuran, and benzothiophene derivatives are realized. Screening of the reaction conditions revealed that the combination of [Pd(PPh3)4] in THF gave the best results in terms of reactivity and product yields in the reaction of yne-propargylic carbonates with phenylboronic acid. The reaction is sensitive toward steric hindrance when substituted phenylboronic acids are employed. However, when we take 2-furyl boronic acid as the organometallic reagent, most substrates perform very well to give benzofuran derivatives. In addition, 2-thiopheneboronic acid is also a very effective coupling reagent to give bezothiophenes in high yields. A mechanism is proposed that involves the formation of an allenylpalladium complex from Pd0 and propargylic carbonate, followed by insertion of an intramolecular triple bond and the Suzuki coupling reaction, and then electrocyclization.     

Understanding the Influence of Donor-Acceptor Diazo Compounds on the Catalyst Efficiency of B(C6F5)3 Towards Carbene Formation

Diazo compounds have been largely used as carbene precursors for carbene transfer reactions in a variety of functionalization reactions. However, the ease of carbene generation from the corresponding diazo compounds depends upon the electron donating/withdrawing substituents either side of the diazo functionality. These groups strongly impact the ease of N₂ release. Recently, tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane [B(C₆F₅)₃] has been shown to be an alternative transition metal-free catalyst for carbene transfer reactions. Herein, a density functional theory (DFT) study on the generation of carbene species from α-aryl α-diazocarbonyl compounds using catalytic amounts of B(C₆F₅)₃ is reported. The significant finding is that the efficiency of the catalyst depends directly on the nature of the substituents on both the aryl ring and the carbonyl group of the substrate. In some cases, the boron catalyst has negligible effect on the ease of the carbene formation, while in other cases there is a dramatic reduction in the activation energy of the reaction. This direct dependence is not commonly observed in catalysis and this finding opens the way for intelligent design of this and other similar catalytic reactions.     

Pd–Carbene Migratory Insertion: Application to the Synthesis of Trifluoromethylated Alkenes and Dienes

Pd‐catalyzed cross‐coupling of halides with CF₃‐substituted diazo compounds or N‐tosylhydrazones has been explored for the synthesis of CF₃‐substituted alkenes and 1,3‐butadienes. Pd–carbene migratory insertion plays the key role in these transformations.     

Copper–Carbene Intermediates in the Copper‐Catalyzed Functionalization of OH Bonds

Copper–carbene [Tp^xCu?C(Ph)(CO₂Et)] and copper–diazo adducts [Tp^xCu{η¹‐N₂C(Ph)(CO₂Et)}] have been detected and characterized in the context of the catalytic functionalization of O?H bonds through carbene insertion by using N₂?C(Ph)(CO₂Et) as the carbene source. These are the first examples of these type of complexes in which the copper center bears a tridentate ligand and displays a tetrahedral geometry. The relevance of these complexes in the catalytic cycle has been assessed by NMR spectroscopy, and kinetic studies have demonstrated that the N‐bound diazo adduct is a dormant species and is not en route to the formation of the copper–carbene intermediate.     

Deactivation of Ru-benzylidene Grubbs catalysts active in olefin metathesis

In this work, we explore the reactivity induced by coordination of a CO molecule trans to the Ru-benzylidene bond of a prototype Ru-olefin metathesis catalyst bearing a N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand. DFT calculations indicate that CO binding to the Ru center promotes a cascade of reactions with very low-energy barriers that lead to the final crystallographically characterized product, in which the original benzylidene group has attacked the proximal aromatic ring of the ligand leading to a cycloheptatriene ring through a Buchner ring expansion. In conclusion, the overall mechanism is best described as a carbene insertion into a C–C bond of the aromatic N-substituent of the NHC ligand, forming a cyclopropane ring. This cyclopropanation step is followed by a Buchner ring expansion reaction, leading to the experimentally observed product presenting a cycloheptatriene ring.     

Development of palladium-catalyzed transformations using propargylic compounds

It is known that propargylic compounds having an ester and a halide at the propargylic positions react with palladium complexes leading to π-propargylpalladium and allenylpalladium complexes, which cause various transformations in the presence of the reactants. The aim of the present study was to develop novel palladium-catalyzed transformations using propargylic compounds. As diastereoselective reactions of propargylic compounds with bis-nucleophiles, we have developed palladium-catalyzed reactions of propargylic carbonates with 2-substituted cyclohexane-1,3-diones, 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)acetates and 2-oxocyclohex-3-enecarboxylates. These processes produce highly substituted cyclic compounds in a highly stereoselective manner. Through our studies on the construction of substituted 2,3-allenols by the reactions of propargylic oxiranes, it has been made clear that palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions occur in the presence of arylboronic acids and terminal alkynes. The processes can be carried out in mild conditions to yield substituted 4-aryl-2,3-allenols in a diastereoselective manner. In our attempt to develop CO2-recycling reactions, we developed a methodology for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates by palladium-catalyzed reactions of propargylic carbonates with phenols. Our findings suggested that the process proceeds through a pathway involving decarboxylation-followed fixation of the liberated CO2. Diastereoselective, enantioselective, and enantiospecific construction of cyclic carbonates have been achieved by the application of this methodology.     

Elevated Catalytic Activity of Ruthenium(II)–Porphyrin‐Catalyzed Carbene/Nitrene Transfer and Insertion Reactions with N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands

Bis(NHC)ruthenium(II)–porphyrin complexes were designed, synthesized, and characterized. Owing to the strong donor strength of axial NHC ligands in stabilizing the trans M?CRR′/M?NR moiety, these complexes showed unprecedently high catalytic activity towards alkene cyclopropanation, carbene C? H, N? H, S? H, and O? H insertion, alkene aziridination, and nitrene C? H insertion with turnover frequencies up to 1950 min^?1. The use of chiral [Ru(D₄‐Por)(BIMe)₂] ( 1 g ) as a catalyst led to highly enantioselective carbene/nitrene transfer and insertion reactions with up to 98 % ee. Carbene modification of the N terminus of peptides at 37 °C was possible. DFT calculations revealed that the trans axial NHC ligand facilitates the decomposition of diazo compounds by stabilizing the metal–carbene reaction intermediate.     

Co(III), Rh(III) & Ir(III)-Catalyzed Direct C−H Alkylation/Alkenylation/Arylation with Carbene Precursors

Metal carbenes play a pivotal role in transition-metal-catalyzed synthetic transfer reactions. The metal carbene is generated either from a diazo compound through facile extrusion of N₂ with a metal catalyst or in situ generated from other sources like triazoles, pyriodotriazoles, sulfoxonium ylides and iodonium-ylide. On the other hand, Co(III), Rh(III) & Ir(III)-catalyzed C−H functionalizations have been well established as a key synthetic step to enable the construction of various synthetic transformations. Interestingly, in recent years, merging of these two concepts C−H activation and carbene migratory insertion gained much attention, in particular group 9 metal-catalyzed arene C−H functionalizations with carbene precursors via carbene migratory insertion. In this review, we summarize recent advances in Co(III), Rh(III) & Ir(III)-catalyzed direct C−H alkylation/alkenylation/arylation with carbene precursors and also discuss key synthetic intermediates within the catalytic cycles.     

Ligand Bite Angle‐Dependent Palladium‐Catalyzed Cyclization of Propargylic Carbonates to 2‐Alkynyl Azacycles or Cyclic Dienamides

The regioselectivity of the palladium‐catalyzed cyclization of propargylic carbonates with sulfonamide nucleophiles is critically dependent on the bite angle of the bidentate phosphine ligand. Ligands with small bite angles favor attack on the central carbon atom of an allenylpalladium intermediate to afford cyclic dienamide products, whereas the use of those with large bite angles leads to alkynyl azacycles, with high stereoselectivity. A computational analysis of the reaction pathway is also presented.     

Crystalline 2π Aromatic Azadiboriridinylium: A BN Analogue of Cyclopropenylium Cation

N-Substitution of a thermally unstable diboratriazole 1 with a trimethylsilyl group affords a remarkably stable diboratriazole derivative 2 . Ring contraction of 2 with an N-heterocyclic carbene accompanied by the release of N₂ as well as 1,4-hydrogen shift affords a carbene-stabilized azadiboriridine 3 . Abstraction of the H−B_3mem hydride in 3 with methyl trifluoromethanesulfonate leads to the isolation of a hitherto unknown azadiboriridinylium 4 , the first BN analogue of cyclopropenylium cation. X-ray diffraction analysis and computational studies confirmed the delocalization of π electrons over the B₂N three-membered ring, indicating the 2π aromatic feature. Compound 4 undergoes ring expansion reactions with azobenzene and pyridazine to furnish triazadiborolidinylium species 5 and 6 , the latter of which possesses a cationic B₂N₃ ring with a pronounced 6π aromatic property. Moreover, the reaction of 4 with a diazo compound produces a cationic B₂N₃C pentafulvene derivative 7 .     

Single-Nitrogen Atom Incorporation into B=B Bond via the N=N Bond Splitting of Diazo Compound and Diazirine

Triboraazabutenyne 3 is synthesized by the reaction of diboraazabutenyne 1 with aryl boron dibromide followed by the reduction. The ligand exchange to replace phosphine on the terminal sp² B atom with carbene furnishes 4 . ¹¹B NMR, solid-state structures, and computational studies disclose that 3 and 4 feature the extremely polarized B=B bond. 4 readily splits the N=N bond of both diazo compound and diazirine under ambient conditions, whereby one nitrogen atom is incorporated into the B=B moiety leading to a neutral diboraazaallene 6 . The mechanism of the reaction between 4 and diazo compound is extensively investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, as well as the isolation of an intermediate.     

Formation of a C–C double bond from two aliphatic carbons. Multiple C–H activations in an iridium pincer complex

The search for novel, atom-economic methods for the formation of C–C bonds is of crucial importance in synthetic chemistry. Especially attractive are reactions where C–C bonds are formed through C–H activation, but the coupling of unactivated, alkane-type C_sp³–H bonds remains an unsolved challenge. Here, we report iridium-mediated intramolecular coupling reactions involving up to four unactivated C_sp³–H bonds to give carbon–carbon double bonds under the extrusion of dihydrogen. The reaction described herein is completely reversible and the direction can be controlled by altering the reaction conditions. With a hydrogen acceptor present a C–C double bond is formed, while reacting under dihydrogen pressure leads to the reverse process, with some of the steps representing net C_sp³–C_sp³ bond cleavage. Mechanistic investigations revealed a conceptually-novel overall reactivity pattern where insertion or deinsertion of an Ir carbene moiety, formed via double C–H activation, into an Ir–C bond is responsible for the key C–C bond formation and cleavage steps.     

Ligand‐Controlled Copper‐Catalyzed Highly Regioselective Difluoromethylation of Allylic Chlorides/Bromides and Propargyl Bromides

Highly regiodivergent copper‐catalyzed allylic/propargylic difluoromethylation reactions by employing different ligands are described. When 5,6‐dimethyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline was used as the ligand, exclusively α‐difluoromethylated products were obtained, while γ‐selective difluoromethylated products were generated when N‐heterocyclic carbene‐SIPr was used as the ligand. Likewise, high α‐ vs. γ‐selectivities were achieved in the presence of similar copper catalysts for the reactions of propargyl bromides. Moreover, a copper‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic difluoromethylation reaction with moderate to good enantioselectivity by the use of chiral ligands was developed.     

Highly selective acetoxylation of sulfonamides via using phenyliodine(III) diacetate

A highly efficient acetoxylation reaction of N-aryl-arylsulfonamides has been developed, presumably proceeding via the selective functionalization of N-aryl C–H bonds. A stoichiometric amount of PhI(OAc)₂ was generally employed as the oxidation reagent, and various para-acetoxylated sulfonamide derivatives had been generated in excellent yields. This chemistry endowed an economic synthesis of valuable acetoxylated sulfonamides through direct C–O bond formation processes.     

Cu(I) metal organic framework catalyzed C–C and C–N coupling reactions

DABCO (1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) based Cu(I) metal organic framework (here after represented as Cu(I)-MOF) catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction of iodobenzene and phenylacetylene was conducted smoothly to afford diphenylacetylene in excellent yield under N₂ atmosphere. For comparative study, piperidine based Cu(I) clusters were also investigated. Among these catalysts, Cu(I)-MOF exhibited higher activity with good selectivity for the C–C cross-coupled product. Cu(I) catalysts investigated in this study exhibited similar activity in the C–C homo-coupling reaction of phenylacetylene in O₂ atmosphere. Application of these catalysts was extended in the C–N coupling reactions between phenylboronic acid and aromatic/aliphatic/heterocyclic amines. Cu(I)-MOF can be readily recovered from the reaction mixture and reused for several cycles without loss in the catalytic activity.     

Synthesis and Reactivity of an Anionic Diazoolefin

Bent (hetero)allenes such as carbodicarbenes and carbodiphosphoranes can act as neutral C-donor ligands, and diverse applications in coordination chemistry have been reported. N-Heterocyclic diazoolefins are heterocumulenes, which can function in a similar fashion as L-type ligands. Herein, we describe the synthesis and the reactivity of an anionic diazoolefin. This compound displays distinct reactivity compared to neutral diazoolefins, as evidenced by the preparation of diazo compounds via protonation, alkylation, or silylation. The anionic diazoolefin can be employed as an ambidentate, X-type ligand in salt metathesis reactions with metal halide complexes. Extrusion of dinitrogen was observed in a reaction with PCl(NiPr₂)₂, resulting in a stable phosphinocarbene.     

Reactivity of Carbenes and Related Compounds towards Molecular Nitrogen

The thermal N₂ exchange of a number of ¹⁵N-labelled diazo compounds was studied in solution. The compounds involved were 3-diazo-1-methylindolin-2-one ( 1 ), 9-diazofluorene ( 2 ), 5-diazo-1,3-cyclopentadiene-1,2,3,4-tetracarbonitrile ( 3 ), 2-diazo-2H-imidazole-4,5-dicarbonitrile ( 4 ), 4-diazocyclohexa-2,5-dienone ( 5 ), and the conjugate acids of 4 and 5 , namely 4,5-dicyano-1H-imidazole-2-diazonium ion ( 6 ) and 4-hydroxybenzenediazonium ion ( 7 ). Only 1 , 4 , 6 , and 7 exchange their diazo group with ‘external’ molecular N₂. The results are explained on the hypothesis that only organic species which have an empty σ orbital and which are effective in π electron back-donation are able to react with N₂. Thus, reaction with carbenes is likely to occur only if the carbene is in the ¹A₂ singlet state and if its electrophilicity is high.     

Iron-catalyzed α-C–H functionalization of π-bonds: cross-dehydrogenative coupling and mechanistic insights

The deprotonation of propargylic C–H bonds for subsequent functionalization typically requires stoichiometric metal alkyl or amide reagents. In addition to the undesirable generation of stoichiometric metallic waste, these conditions limit the functional group compatibility and versatility of this functionalization strategy and often result in regioisomeric mixtures. In this article, we report the use of dicarbonyl cyclopentadienyliron(ii) complexes for the generation of propargylic anion equivalents toward the direct electrophilic functionalization of propargylic C–H bonds under mild, catalytic conditions. This technology was applied to the direct conversion of C–H bonds to C–C bonds for the synthesis of several functionalized scaffolds through a one-pot cross dehydrogenative coupling reaction with tetrahydroisoquinoline and related privileged heterocyclic scaffolds. A series of NMR studies and deuterium-labelling experiments indicated that the deprotonation of the propargylic C–H bond was the rate-determining step when a Cp*Fe(CO)₂-based catalyst system was employed.

[Cp*Fe(CO)₂]⁺ facilitates the α-deprotonation of unsaturated C–C bond for propargylic and allylic C–H functionalization. Mechanistic studies reveal insights into the superior performance of the electron-rich and hindered ligand on iron.     

Polymer supported palladium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: long lived recyclable catalysts for cross coupling reactions

Polymer supported palladium complexes, containing a pyridyl bis N-heterocyclic carbene ligand system derived from isonicotinic acid, provide highly stable catalysts for Heck and Suzuki cross coupling reactions. These heterogenous catalysts can be recycled ?14 times with no loss of activity.     

Reaction of N-fluoropyridinium fluoride with isonitriles and diazo compounds: a one-pot synthesis of (pyridin-2-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazoles

Reaction of N-fluoropyridinium fluoride generated in situ with a series of isonitriles and diazo compounds led to the formation of the corresponding (pyridine-2-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazoles in good yields (37-59%). Best outcome was consistently achieved with both aromatic isonitriles and stabilized diazo derivatives. The proposed reaction mechanism involves the intermediate formation of a highly reactive carbene species.