Chemoselective Reduction of Tertiary Amides to Amines Catalyzed by Triphenylborane

Triphenylborane (BPh₃) was found to catalyze the reduction of tertiary amides with hydrosilanes to give amines under mild condition with high chemoselectivity in the presence of ketones, esters, and imines. N,N‐Dimethylacrylamide was reduced to provide the α‐silyl amide. Preliminary studies indicate that the hydrosilylation catalyzed by BPh₃ may be mechanistically different from that catalyzed by the more electrophilic B(C₆F₅)₃.     

Highly atom efficient guanylation of both aromatic and secondary amines catalyzed by simple lanthanide amides

It is demonstrated that the cyclopentadienyl-free simple lanthanide amides [(Me(3)Si)(2)N](3)Ln(mu-Cl)Li(THF)(3)(Ln = La, Sm, Eu, Y, Yb) and Ln[N(SiMe(3))(2)]3 (Ln = Y, Yb) are highly efficient catalysts for the guanylation of both aromatic and secondary amines with a high activity under mild conditions. It is found that these catalysts are compatible with a wide range of solvents and substrates.     

Novel and efficient method for esterification, amidation between carboxylic acids and equimolar amounts of alcohols, and amines utilizing Me2NSO2Cl and N,N-dimethylamines; its application to the synthesis of coumaperine, a natural chemopreventive dieneamide

Various carboxylic esters or amides were prepared in good to excellent yield between carboxylic acids and equimolar amounts of alcohols or amines under very mild conditions (0-45°C; within 3 h) using dimethylsulfamoyl chloride (Me₂NSO₂Cl; 1) combined with N,N-dimethylamines (Me₂NR: 2a; R=Me, 2b; R=Bu). The choice of the sulfamoyl chloride and the amine is crucial for the reaction; that is, sterically uncrowded amines accelerated the present esterification and amidation. This agent had some advantages over methanesulfonyl chloride (3)/amines as for the atom-economy, avoidance of side reactions, and had very high chemoselectivity toward the carboxyl group vs the hydroxyl group; the experiment was performed by the addition of 1 to the mixture of carboxylic acids and alcohols. Application of this method to the synthesis of coumaperine, a chemopreventive natural product, was performed using the present amidation as a key step.     

Direct amidation of non-activated carboxylic acid and amine derivatives catalyzed by TiCp2Cl2

This paper described a mild and efficient direct amidation of non-activated carboxylic acid and amine derivatives catalyzed by TiCp₂Cl₂. Arylacetic acid derivatives reacted with different amines to afford the corresponding amides in good to excellent yield except of aniline. Aryl formic acids failed to react with aniline but smoothly reacted with aliphatic amines and benzylamine in moderate to good yield, fatty acids reacting with benzyl and aliphatic amines give amides in good to excellent yield. Chiral amino acids derivatives were transformed into amides without racemization in moderate yield. The possible mechanism of direct amidation catalyzed by TiCp₂Cl₂ was discussed. This catalytic method is very suitable for the amidation of low sterically hindered arylacetic acid, fatty acids with different low sterically hindered amines except aniline, as well as the amidation of aryl formic acid with benzyl and aliphatic amines.     

Lanthanide Amide-catalyzed Aza-Henry Reaction of N-Tosyl Imines with Nitroalkanes

In the presence of 10 mol% lanthanide amide [(Me₃Si)₂N]₃Ln(µ‐Cl)Li(THF)₃, the aza‐Henry reaction of N‐tosyl imines with nitroalkanes (1:5 molar ratio) could be performed in good yields. The lanthanide amide‐catalyzed aza‐Henry reaction has the features of mild reaction conditions, tolerance of a variety of aromatic aldehyde‐derived imines and nitroalkanes, short time and good chemical yields. A catalytic mechanism for the reaction was also proposed.     

Synthesis of new α-aminonitriles containing organosilicon groups via three component Strecker reactions

A three-component efficient procedure is described for the synthesis of α-aminonitriles containing bis(trimethylsilyl)ethenyl groups from 4-[2,2-bis(trimethylsilyl)ethenyl]benzaldehyde (1), aromatic amines and trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN). Reactions have been studied in the presence of various Lewis acids as catalysts or in ionic liquids under mild conditions. Compound (1) was obtained via Peterson olefination of terephthaldehyde with tris(trimethylsilyl)methyllithium, (Me₃Si)₃CLi, in THF at 0 °C.     

Iron salts catalyzed synthesis of β-N-substituted aminoacrylates

The direct condensation of amines with β-ketoesters to produce functional enamine derivatives has been investigated with iron Lewis acid catalysts. FeCl₃·6H₂O shows good catalytic activity and makes possible the chemo- and stereoselective formations of (Z)-enamine derivatives from aliphatic and aromatic primary amines under mild conditions.     

Palladium(II)‐catalyzed catalytic aminocarbonylation and alkoxycarbonylation of terminal alkynes: regioselectivity controlled by the nucleophiles

The aminocarbonylation and alkoxycarbonylation reactions of terminal alkynes took place smoothly and efficiently using a catalyst system Pd(OAc)₂–dppb–p‐TsOH? CH₃CN? CO under relatively mild experimental conditions. The catalytic system was tested and optimized using two different nucleophiles: alcohols and amines. Phenylacetylene (1a) was considered as an alkyne along with diisobutylamine (2b₁) and methanol (2c₁) as nucleophiles. The results showed significant differences in the conversion of 1a and in the selectivity towards the gem or trans unsaturated esters or amides with these nucleophiles. The effects of the type of palladium catalysts, the type of ligands, the amount of dppb and the solvents were carefully studied. With diisobutylamine (2b₁), excellent regioselectivity towards the 2‐acrylamides (gem isomer, 3ab₁) was almost always observed, while trans‐α,β‐unsaturated esters 4ac₁ was the predominant product with methanol (2c₁) as a nucleophile. This remarkable sensitivity in the selectivity of the reaction indicates two different possible mechanistic pathways for these carbonylation reactions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Manganese Pre‐Catalyst: Mild Reduction of Amides,Ketones, Aldehydes,and Esters

A new (N ‐phosphinoamidinate)manganese complex is shown to be a useful pre‐catalyst for the hydrosilative reduction of carbonyl compounds, and in most cases at room temperature. The Mn‐catalyzed reduction of tertiary amides to tertiary amines, with a useful scope, is demonstrated for the first time by use of this catalyst, and is competitive with the most effective transition‐metal catalysts known for such transformations. Ketones, aldehydes, and esters were also successfully reduced under mild conditions by using this new Mn catalyst.     

Direct Phenolysis Reactions of Unactivated Amides into Phenolic Esters Promoted by a Heterogeneous CeO2 Catalyst

The direct catalytic esterification of amides that leads to the construction of C−O bonds through the cleavage of amide C−N bonds is a highly attractive strategy in organic synthesis. While aliphatic and aromatic alcohols can be readily used for the alcoholysis of activated and unactivated amides, the introduction of phenols is more challenging due to their lower nucleophilicity in the phenolysis of unactivated amides. Herein, we demonstrate that phenols can be used for the phenolysis of unactivated amides into the corresponding phenolic esters using a simple heterogenous catalytic system based on CeO₂ under additive-free reaction conditions. The method tolerates a broad variety of functional groups (>50 examples) in the substrates. Results of kinetic studies afforded mechanistic insights into the principles governing this reaction, suggesting that the cooperative effects of the acid–base functions of catalysts would be of paramount importance for the efficient progression of the C−N bond breaking process, and consequently, CeO₂ showed the best catalytic performance among the catalysts explored.     

A Manganese Pre‐Catalyst: Mild Reduction of Amides,Ketones, Aldehydes,and Esters

A new (N ‐phosphinoamidinate)manganese complex is shown to be a useful pre‐catalyst for the hydrosilative reduction of carbonyl compounds, and in most cases at room temperature. The Mn‐catalyzed reduction of tertiary amides to tertiary amines, with a useful scope, is demonstrated for the first time by use of this catalyst, and is competitive with the most effective transition‐metal catalysts known for such transformations. Ketones, aldehydes, and esters were also successfully reduced under mild conditions by using this new Mn catalyst.     

Yb(OTf)3催化苯乙酮、芳香醛和芳香胺的Mannich反应: 三组分“一锅法”合成β-氨基酮衍生物

报道了稀土化合物Yb(OTf)₃催化的苯乙酮、芳香醛和芳香胺Mannich反应, 三组分“一锅法”合成了一系列的β-氨基酮衍生物. 该方法操作简单、条件温和、产率较高、催化剂可重复使用, 且对环境友好.     

Highly Enantioselective Fluorescent Recognition of Both Unfunctionalized and Functionalized Chiral Amines by a Facile Amide Formation from a Perfluoroalkyl Ketone

The H₈BINOL‐based perfluoroalkyl ketone (S)‐ 2 is found to exhibit highly enantioselective fluorescent enhancements toward both unfunctionalized and functionalized chiral amines. It greatly expands the substrate scope of the corresponding BINOL‐based sensor. A dramatic solvent effect was observed for the reaction of the amines with compound (S)‐ 2 . In DMF, cleavage of the perfluoroalkyl group of compound (S)‐ 2 to form amides was observed but not in other solvents, such as methylene chloride, chloroform, THF, hexane, and perfluorohexane. Thus, the addition of another solvent, such as THF, can effectively quench the reaction of compound (S)‐ 2 with amines in DMF to allow stable fluorescent measurement. This is the first example that the formation of strong amide bonds under very mild conditions is used for the enantioselective recognition of chiral amines. The mechanism of the reaction of compound (S)‐ 2 with chiral amines is investigated by using various analytical methods including mass spectrometry as well as NMR and UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy.     

Heteroacyl azides as acylating agents for aromatic or heteroaromatic amines

The possibility of formation of substituted heterocyclic amides from heteroacyl azides and aromatic or heteroaromatic amines was investigated. Although acylation proceeded in some cases under mild reaction conditions, formation of N,N′-disubstituted ureas was the main process at elevated temperatures.     

Group 3 metal (Sc, La) triflates as catalysts for the carbomethoxylation of aliphatic amines with dimethylcarbonate under mild conditions

The activity of Sc(OTf)₃ and La(OTf)₃ (OTf=SO₃CF₃) as catalysts for the phosgene-free synthesis of carbamate esters via carbomethoxylation of aliphatic amines with dimethylcarbonate (DMC) has been investigated. In the presence of M(OTf)₃ (M=Sc, La), primary and secondary aliphatic amines easily react with dimethylcarbonate, under very mild conditions (20 °C), to afford carbamate esters with good yield and excellent selectivity (≌100%). Sc(OTf)₃ is a more effective catalyst than the homologue La salt. The carbomethoxylation reaction requires as strict anhydrous conditions, as, at 20 °C, the presence of water inhibits markedly the catalytic activity of both triflate salts. Temperature influences carbamate selectivity, which is lower at higher temperature because of deleterious formation of N-methylation side-products.     

Convenient metal-free direct oxidative amidation of aldehyde using dibromoisocyanuric acid under mild conditions

A facile method for the direct synthesis of amides from aldehydes is described. Amide bonds were synthesized by an oxidative amidation in the presence of dibromoisocyanuric acid (DBI). Treatment of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes with dibromoisocyanuric acid generated acyl bromide intermediates, which were employed to react with a variety of secondary and primary amines to give amides. Through this reaction method, various amides were synthesized directly from aldehydes under mild conditions in high yields and short times. This facile and efficient procedure provides potential strategy for the direct synthesis of amides from aldehydes.     

Synthesis, Structure and Catalytic Activity Comparison of Tris- and Tetracoordinated Lanthanide Amides

Tetracoordinated lanthanide amides [(MeaSi)2N]3Ln (μ-C1)Li(THF)3 (Ln=La (1), Pr (2)) were synthesized by the reaction of anhydrous lanthanide(Ⅲ) chlorides LnCl3 (Ln=La, Pr) with 3 equiv, of lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (Me3Si)2NLi in THF, followed by recrystallization from toluene. Sublimation of 1 and 2 afforded the triscoordinate lanthanide amides [(Me3Si)2N]3Ln (Ln=La, Pr). The crystal structure of 2 was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The catalytic activity studies show that the tetracoordinate amides can be used as single-component MMA (methyl methacrylate) polymerization catalysts, while the triscoordinate amides showed poor activity on MMA polymerization under the same conditions.     

One-pot esterification and amidation of phenolic acids

We developed a new one-pot reaction of phenolic acids to afford the corresponding esters and amides through acyl-protected and activated phenolic acid intermediates. The simultaneous protection/activation of phenolic acids with alkylchloroformates proceeded readily in the presence of DMAP at room temperature; subsequent addition of alcohols or amines afforded the corresponding esters or amides. The use of iso-butyloxycarbonyl as the protecting and activating group in the one-pot reactions afforded phenolic esters or amides in 91% average yield. As a practical example of this convenient synthesis, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) was readily synthesized from commercially available caffeic acid and phenethyl alcohol in 95% yield, and an isotopomer of CAPE, [3,10-¹³C₂]CAPE, was synthesized in 91% yield from [3-¹³C]caffeic acid and 2-[1-¹³C]phenethyl alcohol. This method may be useful for the convenient esterification and amidation of diverse phenolic acids.     

La[N(SiMe3)2]3‐Catalyzed Hydroboration of Esters and Other Challenging Unsaturated Groups

The commercially available homoleptic lanthanum amide La[N(SiMe₃)₂]₃ (LaN^TMS) is reported to enable the hydroboration of esters using pinacolborane (HBpin) as the reducing agent. A wide range of substrates including aromatic, aliphatic esters and lactones were applicable to afford corresponding boronic esters in excellent yields under mild and neat conditions with broad functional group compatibility and good chemoselectivity. Furthermore, LaN^TMS is capable to realize the very challenging and rarely reported hydroboration of carbonate esters with low catalyst loading at room temperature. Both cyclic and linear carbonate esters can be easily converted to the corresponding products with satisfactory yields. Besides, the hydroboration of alkynes has been developed by using LaN^TMS as a catalyst.     

Heterobimetallic complexes of lanthanide and lithium metals with dianionic guanidinate ligands: Syntheses, structures and catalytic activity for amidation of aldehydes with amines

Reactions of triguanidinate lanthanide complexes Ln[(ⁱPrN)(NC₆H₄p-Cl)C(NHⁱPr)]₃ (Ln = Nd, Y) with 3 equiv. of n-BuLi gave [Li(THF)(DME)]₃Ln[μ-η²η¹ (ⁱPrN)₂C(NC₆H₄p-Cl)]₃, which represents the first structurally characterized complexes of lanthanide and lithium metals with dianionic guanidinate ligands. The Nd complex was found to be an effective catalyst for amidation of aldehydes with amines under mild conditions with a wide scope of substrates.