D‐Glucosamine in iron‐catalysed cross‐coupling reactions of Grignards with allylic and vinylic bromides: application to the synthesis of a key sitagliptin precursor

A sustainable D ‐glucosamine ligand is successfully introduced into iron‐catalysed C ? C cross‐coupling reactions for the first time. The Fe(acac)₂/D ‐glucosamine·HCl/Et₃N catalytic system was effective at 5 mol% loading in coupling reactions of Grignard reagents with organic bromides. Moderate to high efficiency was achieved with preserved stereochemistry when allyl (Csp³) or alkenyl (Csp²) bromides were coupled with phenylmagnesium (Csp²) or benzylmagnesium (Csp³) bromides. The catalytic system developed was also successfully applied for the novel and economic preparation of a Michael‐acceptor‐like starting material used in an alternative synthesis of the drug sitagliptin, a known blockbuster for the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ChemBead Enabled High-Throughput Cross-Electrophile Coupling Reveals a New Complementary Ligand

High-throughput experimentation (HTE) methods are central to modern medicinal chemistry. While many HTE approaches to C−N and Csp²−Csp² bonds are available, options for Csp²−Csp³ bonds are limited. We report here how the adaptation of nickel-catalyzed cross-electrophile coupling of aryl bromides with alkyl halides to HTE is enabled by AbbVie ChemBeads technology. By using this approach, we were able to quickly map out the reactivity space at a global level with a challenging array of 3×222 micromolar reactions. The observed hit rate (56 %) is competitive with other often-used HTE reactions and the results are scalable. A key to this level of success was the finding that bipyridine 6-carboxamidine (BpyCam), a ligand that had not previously been shown to be optimal in any reaction, is as general as the best-known ligands with complementary reactivity. Such “cryptic” catalysts may be common and modern HTE methods should facilitate the process of finding these catalysts.     

Palladium nanoparticles: Chemoselective control for reductive Heck with aryl triflates and 2,3-dihydrofuran

The reductive-Heck reaction offers a unique entry to formal Csp²-Csp³ cross-coupling reactions that proceed in the absence of a main group organometallic coupling partner. Consequently, further development of new variants would be transformative. Unfortunately, controlling the relative rates of the organopalladium intermediates has proven difficult with homogenous, single-site Pd catalysts. This work describes a selective reductive Heck reaction catalyzed by Pd-nanoparticles. The reaction works well with electron-deficient aryl triflates at room temperature in the absence of ligands. This work addresses some of the challenges found in the reductive-Heck literature.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Thiolation of Aryl Halides and Heteroaryl Halides through Electrochemistry

Transition‐metal‐catalyzed coupling reactions are useful tools for synthesizing aryl sulfur compounds. However, conventional transition‐metal‐catalyzed thiolation of aryl bromides and chlorides typically requires the use of strong base under elevated reaction temperature. Herein, we report the first examples of nickel‐catalyzed electrochemical thiolation of aryl bromides and chlorides in the absence of an external base at room temperature using undivided electrochemical cells.     

Pd‐PEPPSI‐IPent‐SiO2: A Supported Catalyst for Challenging Negishi Coupling Reactions in Flow

A silica‐supported precatalyst, Pd‐PEPPSI‐IPent‐SiO₂, has been prepared and evaluated for its proficiency in the Negishi cross‐coupling of hindered and electronically deactivated coupling partners. The precatalyst Pd‐PEPPSI‐IPent loaded onto packed bed columns shows high catalytic activity for the room‐temperature coupling of deactivated/hindered biaryl partners. Also for the first time, the flowed Csp³–Csp² coupling of secondary alkylzinc reagents to (hetero)aromatics has been achieved with high selectivity with Pd‐PEPPSI‐IPent‐SiO₂. These couplings required residence times as short as 3 minutes to effect completion of these challenging transformations with excellent selectivity for the nonrearranged product.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Csp2Csp3 Bond Formation by CarbonFluorine Activation

We report herein a general catalytic method for Csp²?Csp³ bond formation through C?F activation. The process uses an inexpensive nickel complex with either diorganozinc or alkylzinc halide reagents, including those with β‐hydrogen atoms. A variety of fluorine substitution patterns and functional groups can be readily incorporated. Sequential reactions involving different precatalysts and coupling partners permit the synthesis of densely functionalized fluorinated building blocks.     

Palladium Complexes Based on Ylide-Functionalized Phosphines (YPhos): Broadly Applicable High-Performance Precatalysts for the Amination of Aryl Halides at Room Temperature

Palladium allyl, cinnamyl, and indenyl complexes with the ylide-substituted phosphines Cy₃P⁺−C⁻(R)PCy₂ (with R=Me ( L1 ) or Ph ( L2 )) and Cy₃P⁺−C⁻(Me)PtBu₂ ( L3 ) were prepared and applied as defined precatalysts in C−N coupling reactions. The complexes are highly active in the amination of 4-chlorotoluene with a series of different amines. Higher yields were observed with the precatalysts in comparison to the in situ generated catalysts. Changes in the ligand structures allowed for improved selectivities by shutting down β-hydride elimination or diarylation reactions. Particularly, the complexes based on L2 (joYPhos) revealed to be universal precatalysts for various amines and aryl halides. Full conversions to the desired products are reached mostly within 1 h reaction time at room temperature, thus making L2 to one of the most efficient ligands in C−N coupling reactions. The applicability of the catalysts was demonstrated for aryl chlorides, bromides and iodides together with primary and secondary aryl and alkyl amines, including gram-scale applications also with low catalyst loadings of down to 0.05 mol %. Kinetic studies further demonstrated the outstanding activity of the precatalysts with TOF over 10.000 h⁻¹.     

Kumada coupling of aryl, heteroaryl, and vinyl chlorides catalyzed by amido pincer nickel complexes

A series of amido pincer complexes of nickel were examined for their catalysis in the Kumada cross-coupling reaction. The P,N,O-pincer nickel complexes tested are active catalysts for the cross-coupling of aryl, heteroaryl, and vinyl chlorides with aryl Grignard reagents. The reactions can proceed at room temperature and tolerate functional groups in aryl chlorides with the aid of LiCl and ZnCl(2) additives.     

Exploiting Synergistic Effects in Organozinc Chemistry for Direct Stereoselective C‐Glycosylation Reactions at Room Temperature

Pairing a range of bis(aryl) zinc reagents ZnAr₂ with the stronger Lewis acidic [(ZnAr^F₂)] (Ar^F=C₆F₅), enables highly stereoselective cross‐coupling between glycosyl bromides and ZnAr₂ without the use of a transition metal. Reactions occur at room temperature with excellent levels of stereoselectivity, where ZnAr^F₂ acts as a non‐coupling partner although its presence is crucial for the execution of the C(sp²)–C(sp³) bond formation process. Mechanistic studies have uncovered a unique synergistic partnership between the two zinc reagents, which circumvents the need for transition‐metal catalysis or forcing reaction conditions. Key to the success of the coupling is the avoidance of solvents that act as Lewis bases versus diarylzinc compounds (e.g. THF).     

Excellent Suzuki–Miyaura catalytic activity of a new Pd(II) complex with sulfonamide–Schiff base ligand

A new air‐stable Pd(II) complex containing a sulfonamide–Schiff base ligand has been synthesized, characterized and investigated as a catalyst for the Suzuki–Miyaura reactions of aryl halides with arylboronic acids. Theoretical calculations (B3LYP) and spectroscopic evidence suggest that the sulfonamide–Schiff base coordinates to the Pd centre through sulfonamide nitrogen (? SO₂NH₂) rather than imine (? CH?N). The complex shows excellent cross‐coupling activity with aryl bromides in water at room temperature and aryl chlorides in isopropanol at 60°C. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

CO2 as Both a Selective Agent and Reaction Media in Palla-dium-Catalyzed Reductive Ullmann-Type Coupling Reaction

Carbon dioxide as both a selective agent and reaction media in the palladium-catalyzed Ullmann-type coupling has been described. The results showed that aryl chlorides could be easily activated in the presence of carbon dioxide and the chemoselectivity shifted toward the palladium-catalyzed Ullmann-type coupling reaction. In liquid carbon dioxide, homocoupling reactions of aryl halides, including less reactive aryl chlorides, were carried out smoothly in moderate to good yields using Pd/C, zinc, and H2O as the catalytic system at room temperature.     

An inexpensive and highly stable ligand 1,4-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzyl)piperazine for Mizoroki-Heck and room temperature Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions

A bulky, inexpensive and simple bidentate ligand 1,4-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzyl)piperazine (1) has been synthesized and characterized. The palladium catalyst was formed by combination of 1 with [Cl₂Pd(COD)] in a ratio of 1:1, tested in the Suzuki-Miyaura and Mizoroki-Heck cross-coupling reactions. Coupling of a variety of aryl bromides with phenylboronic acid using methanol as solvent at room temperature, or at 60 °C, gave generally high yields of coupled products. Coupling of aryl chlorides with organoboron reagent at 110 °C in DMF afforded good yields of biaryls under aerobic conditions. This non-phosphorus, air and moisture stable catalyst also displays good activity for Mizoroki-Heck coupling reaction in methanol at 60 °C with various aryl chlorides and bromides.     

Murahashi Cross-Coupling at −78 °C: A One-Pot Procedure for Sequential C−C/C−C,C−C/C−N,and C−C/C−S Cross-Coupling of Bromo-Chloro-Arenes

The coupling of organolithium reagents, including strongly hindered examples, at cryogenic temperatures (as low as −78 °C) has been achieved with high-reactivity Pd-NHC catalysts. A temperature-dependent chemoselectivity trigger has been developed for the selective coupling of aryl bromides in the presence of chlorides. Building on this, a one-pot, sequential coupling strategy is presented for the rapid construction of advanced building blocks. Importantly, one-shot addition of alkyllithium compounds to Pd cross-coupling reactions has been achieved, eliminating the need for slow addition by syringe pump.     

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.     

General and highly efficient fluorinated-N-heterocyclic carbene–based catalysts for the palladium-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura reaction

A general and highly efficient trifluoromethylated-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-based catalyst for the palladium-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura reaction was reported. In the presence of the catalyst, reactions of non-activated aryl chlorides and triflates with aryl boronic acids occurred at room temperature with good to excellent yields (63–98%). In addition, catalysts generated from a combination of Pd(OAc)₂/imidazolium salt 6a is not only effective for the coupling of heteroaryl boronic acid with aryl halides and heteroaryl halides, but also efficient for coupling of other heteroaryl halides and heteroaryl boronic acids. Finally, the catalyst is highly effective for Suzuki–Miyaura reaction of aryl bromides and chlorides with 0.01–0.1 mol % loading if the temperature was raised at refluxed THF/H₂O.     

Room‐Temperature Arylation of Thiols: Breakthrough with Aryl Chlorides

The formation of aryl C−S bonds is an important chemical transformation because aryl sulfides are valuable building blocks for the synthesis of biologically and pharmaceutically active molecules and organic materials. Aryl sulfides have traditionally been synthesized through the transition‐metal‐catalyzed cross‐coupling of aryl halides with thiols. However, the aryl halides used are usually bromides and iodides; readily available, low‐cost aryl chlorides often not reactive enough. Furthermore, the deactivation of transition‐metal catalysts by thiols has forced chemists to use high catalyst loadings, specially designed ligands, high temperatures, and/or strong bases, thus leading to high costs and the incompatibility of some functional groups. Herein, we describe a simple and efficient visible‐light photoredox arylation of thiols with aryl halides at room temperature. More importantly, various aryl chlorides are also effective arylation reagents under the present conditions.     

Transition-Metal-Free Coupling of Polyfluorinated Arenes and Functionalized,Masked Aryl Nucleophiles

A chemoselective C(sp²)−C(sp²) coupling of sufficiently electron-deficient fluorinated arenes and functionalized N-aryl-N’-silyldiazenes as masked aryl nucleophiles is reported. The fluoride-promoted transformation involves the in situ generation of the aryl nucleophile decorated with various sensitive functional groups followed by a stepwise nucleophilic aromatic substitution (S_NAr). These reactions typically proceed at room temperature within minutes. This catalytic process allows for the functionalization of both coupling partners, furnishing highly fluorinated biaryls in good yields.     

Palladium(II) complex with a potential N4-type Schiff-base ligand as highly efficient catalyst for Suzuki-Miyaura reactions in aqueous media

Two new air-stable palladium(II) complexes containing a N₄-Schiff-base ligand have been synthesized and investigated as catalysts for the Suzuki-Miyaura reactions. The binuclear complex 2 has proven to be an excellent catalyst for additive-free Suzuki-Miyaura reactions of aryl bromides in neat water at room temperature and aryl chlorides in aqueous-glycerol at 80 °C. Satisfactory to excellent yields of biaryls are obtained with a wide range of substrates with relatively low loading of catalyst.     

Palladium complex containing two sterically hindered ligands as highly efficient catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura reaction

A new palladium(II) complex containing two sterically hindered ligands, a P,P‐bonded diphosphine and N,N‐bonded Schiff base, within the same coordination sphere has been synthesized and investigated as a catalyst for the Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions of aryl halides with arylboronic acids. The reaction was highly efficient with aryl bromides in water at room temperature and aryl chlorides in dimethylformamide under relatively mild conditions. Excellent yields of coupling products were obtained for a wide range of aryl halides including heteroaryl halides with a low loading of catalyst. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Iron-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions of Alkyl Grignards with Aryl Chlorobenzenesulfonates

Aryl sulfonate esters are versatile synthetic intermediates in organic chemistry as well as attractive architectures due to their bioactive properties. Herein, we report the synthesis of alkyl-substituted benzenesulfonate esters by iron-catalyzed C(sp²)–C(sp³) cross-coupling of Grignard reagents with aryl chlorides. The method operates using an environmentally benign and sustainable iron catalytic system, employing benign urea ligands. A broad range of chlorobenzenesulfonates as well as challenging alkyl organometallics containing β-hydrogens are compatible with these conditions, affording alkylated products in high to excellent yields. The study reveals that aryl sulfonate esters are the most reactive activating groups for iron-catalyzed alkylative C(sp²)–C(sp³) cross-coupling of aryl chlorides with Grignard reagents.