One-pot conversion of aromatic bromides and aromatics into aromatic nitriles via aryllithiums and their DMF adduct

Various aromatic bromides and iodides were smoothly converted into the corresponding aromatic nitriles in good to moderate yields by the treatment with n-butyllithium and subsequently DMF, followed by treatment with molecular iodine in aq NH₃. The same treatment of typical aromatics and heteroaromatics with n-butyllithium and subsequently DMF, followed by treatment with molecular iodine in aq NH₃ also provided the corresponding aromatic nitriles in good yields. Moreover, the same treatment of aromatic bromides and aromatics with half amount of DIH (1,3-diiodo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin) instead of molecular iodine worked effectively to give the corresponding aromatic nitriles, respectively, in good yields. These reactions are novel and environmentally benign one-pot methods for the preparation of aromatic nitriles from aromatic bromides and aromatics, respectively, through the formation of aryllithiums and their DMF adducts.     

Direct oxidative conversion of alkyl halides into nitriles with molecular iodine and 1,3-diiodo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin in aq ammonia

Various benzylic halides were smoothly and directly converted into the corresponding aromatic nitriles in high yields using molecular iodine and 1,3-diiodo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, respectively, in aq ammonia. Similarly, primary alkyl halides were also converted into corresponding nitriles in moderate to good yields using molecular iodine and 1,3-diiodo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin in aq ammonia, although a long reaction time was required. The present reaction is a new method for the preparation of aromatic nitriles from benzylic halides and a new method for the conversion of alkyl halides into corresponding nitriles with retention of the number of carbon atoms.     

Practical one-pot transformation of electron-rich aromatics into aromatic nitriles with molecular iodine and aq NH3 using Vilsmeier–Haack reaction

Various electron-rich aromatics could be efficiently transformed into the corresponding aromatic nitriles in good to moderate yields by treatment with DMF and POCl₃, followed by the reaction with molecular iodine or 1,3-diiodo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (DIH) in aq NH₃. Some of less reactive aromatics, such as anisole, 1,2-dimethoxybenzene, 1,4-dimethoxybenzene, and mesityrene, could be also transformed into the corresponding aromatic nitriles in good to moderate yields using N-methylformanilide and O(POCl₂)₂, followed by the reaction with molecular iodine in aq NH₃. Moreover, propiophenone derivatives could be successfully transformed into the corresponding β-chlorocinnamonitriles by the reaction with DMF and POCl₃, followed by the reaction with molecular iodine and aq NH₃. These reactions are novel metal-free one-pot methods for the preparation of aromatic nitriles from electron-rich aromatics and β-chlorocinnamonitriles from propiophenones.     

Practical one-pot conversion of aryl bromides and β-bromostyrenes into aromatic nitriles and cinnamonitriles

Various aryl bromides were efficiently converted into the corresponding aromatic nitriles in good yields by the treatment with Mg turnings and subsequently DMF, followed by treatment with molecular iodine and aq NH₃. The same treatment of aryl bromides, which are weakly reactive to Mg turnings, with ⁱPrMgCl·LiCl and subsequently DMF, followed by the treatment with molecular iodine and aq NH₃ also afforded the corresponding aromatic nitriles in good yields. On the other hand, when N-formylpiperidine was used instead of DMF, p-substituted β-bromostyrenes were converted into the corresponding p-substituted cinnamonitriles, i.e., α,β-unsaturated nitriles, in good to moderate yields by the same procedure. The reactions were carried out by means of a simple experimental procedure and did not require any toxic metal cyanides or expensive rare metals. Therefore, the present reactions are practical and environmentally benign one-pot methods for the preparation of aromatic nitriles, cinnamonitriles, and aliphatic nitriles from aryl bromides, β-bromostyrenes, and alkyl bromides, respectively, through the formation of Grignard reagents and their DMF or N-formylpiperidine adducts.     

Direct transformation of N,N-disubstituted amides and isopropyl esters to nitriles

Various N,N-dimethyl amides, N-methoxy-N-methyl amides, and isopropyl esters were smoothly transformed into the corresponding nitriles in good to moderate yields by the treatment with diisobutylaluminium hydride, followed by treatment with molecular iodine in aq ammonia. The present reactions are novel one-pot and practical methods for the transformation of N,N-disubstituted amides and isopropyl esters into nitriles, through the formation of hemiaminal O-AlBu₂ and hemiacetal O-AlBu₂, respectively.     

Transformation of aromatic bromides into aromatic nitriles via formations of grignard reagents and their DMF adducts

Various aromatic bromides were efficiently transformed into the corresponding aromatic nitriles in good yields via the formations of Grignard reagents and subsequently N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) adducts, followed by treatment with molecular iodine (I₂) in aq NH₃ at room temperature. The present reaction is an easy and practical method for the preparation of aromatic nitriles from aromatic bromides with less toxic reagents, such as Mg, DMF, I₂, and aq NH₃.     

Facile transformation of esters to nitriles

Various esters were efficiently converted into the corresponding nitriles in good yields by the treatment with sodium diisobutyl-tert-butoxyaluminium hydride (SDBBA-H), followed by treatment with molecular iodine in aq ammonia. The present one-pot method is very efficient and practical for the conversion of various aromatic and aliphatic esters into the corresponding nitriles.     

Facile preparation of aromatic esters from aromatic bromides with ethyl formate or DMF and molecular iodine via aryllithium

Various aromatic bromides were treated with n-BuLi and subsequently with ethyl formate, followed by the reaction with ethanol and molecular iodine in the presence of K₂CO₃ to provide the corresponding aromatic ethyl esters in good yields. Moreover, aromatic bromides could be transformed into the corresponding aromatic methyl esters in good yields by the treatment with n-BuLi and subsequently with DMF, followed by the reaction with methanol, molecular iodine, and K₂CO₃. Some aromatics could be also converted into the corresponding aromatic esters in good yields by the treatment with n-BuLi, and subsequently with ethyl formate or DMF, followed by the reaction with molecular iodine and K₂CO₃. The present reactions offer a novel route for the transition-metal-free, carbon-monoxide-free, and therefore environmentally benign one-pot conversion of aromatic bromides and aromatics into aromatic esters.     

tert-Butylnitrite as a convenient and easy-removable oxidant for the conversion of benzylic alcohols to ketones and aldehydes

The oxidation of primary and secondary benzylic alcohols was achieved by using tert-butyl nitrite (t-BuONO) as a stoichiometric oxidant. Various substrates were effectively converted into the corresponding ketones or aldehydes in good to excellent yields. The reaction presumably proceeded by a nitrosyl exchange and a subsequent thermal decomposition of benzylic nitrites. This process would realize an oxidation of alcohols with oxygen in theory by combining with a reproduction of alkyl nitrites from NO and alcohols under an O₂ atmosphere. In addition, almost pure oxidized products were readily obtained by simple evaporation of the reaction mixtures since t-BuONO produced only volatile side products.     

(P2O5/SiO2): a useful heterogeneous alternative for the Ritter reaction

Tertiary alcohols as well as primary and secondary benzylic alcohols react efficiently with nitriles to give the corresponding amides in good to excellent yields in the presence of P₂O₅/SiO₂ (60% w/w).     

Direct oxidative conversion of aldehydes and alcohols to 2-imidazolines and 2-oxazolines using molecular iodine

Aldehydes were converted to the corresponding 2-imidazolines and 2-oxazolines in good yields by the reaction with ethylenediamine and aminoethanol, respectively, using molecular iodine and potassium carbonate. Moreover, primary alcohols were directly converted to the corresponding 2-imidazolines and 2-oxazolines via aldehydes in one-pot manner with ethylenediamine and aminoethanol, respectively, using molecular iodine and potassium carbonate.     

Zinc-catalyzed benzylic C-H bond oxidation

A zinc-catalyzed oxidation of benzylic substrates has been developed. The corresponding carbonyl containing compounds have been produced in moderate to excellent yields. Both arenes and heteroarenes can be applied as substrates by using H₂O₂ as the oxidant.     

Iodine-catalyzed N-alkylation of tosylhydrazones with benzylic alcohols

A new and highly efficient method for the C–N bond formation using molecular iodine-catalyzed N-alkylation reaction of tosylhydrazones with benzylic/benzhydryl alcohols at room temperature in methylene chloride is described. A variety of tosylhydrazones reacted readily with various substituted benzylic alcohols in presence of 20 mol % iodine under mild reaction conditions to produce the corresponding biologically active N-alkylated compounds in good to excellent yields.     

Sodium iodide/boron trifluoride etherate: A mild reagent system for the conversion of allylic and benzylic alcohols into corresponding iodides and sulfoxides into sulfides

A variety of allylic and benzylic alcohols have been converted into the corresponding iodides using NaI/BF₃.Et₂O. Selective conversion of allylic and benzylic alcohols in preference to primary saturated alcohols has also been demonstrated. Further, the same reagent system has been used to convert sulfoxides into sulfides under mild conditions.     

Direct oxidative conversion of alcohols and amines to nitriles with molecular iodine and DIH in aq NH3

Simple and high-yield procedures for the direct oxidative conversion of various primary alcohols, and primary, secondary, and tertiary amines to the corresponding nitriles were successfully carried out with molecular iodine in aq ammonia and 1,3-diiodo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin in aq NH₃, respectively.     

Selective aerobic oxidation of allylic and benzylic alcohols catalyzed by N-hydroxyindole and copper(I) chloride

In the presence of copper(I) chloride, tert-butyl 1-hydroxy-2-methyl-6-trifluoromethyl-1H-indole-3-carboxylate acted as a catalyst for the chemoselective aerobic oxidation of allylic and benzylic alcohols. A variety of primary and secondary allylic and benzylic alcohols were oxidized into the corresponding α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds in good yields without affecting non-allylic alcohols.     

Palladium-catalyzed Heck reaction of in-situ generated benzylic iodides and styrenes

A palladium-catalyzed Heck reaction of in-situ generated benzylic iodides and styrenes has been achieved. The reaction proceeds in a one-pot manner through 1) addition perfluoroalkyl iodides to styrenes to give benzylic iodides, 2) followed by a palladium-catalyzed Heck coupling of the resulting benzylic iodides with the same alkenes in high regio- and stereoselectivity. A variety of perfluoroalkylated alkenes were obtained in moderate to excellent yields.     

NaIO4/LiBr‐Mediated Direct Conversion of Benzylic Alcohols and Aromatic Aldehydes to Aromatic Esters

Aromatic aldehydes or benzylic alcohols are directly converted to the corresponding aromatic esters in high yields on treatment with methanol or ethanol mediated by sodium metaperiodate (NaIO₄)/LiBr in an acidic medium.     

ZnCl2-catalyzed Ferrier reaction; synthesis of 2,3-unsaturated 1-O-glucopyranosides of allylic, benzylic and tertiary alcohols

Tertiary, allylic and benzylic alcohols react with 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-d-glucal in dichloromethane at 25°C in the presence of ZnCl₂ to afford the corresponding 2,3-unsaturated-1-O-glucopyranoside acetates in 65-91% yields, with selective formation of the α-anomer.     

Highly efficient catalytic aerobic oxidations of benzylic alcohols in water

A highly efficient catalytic system without transition metals in water has been developed for aerobic oxidations of benzylic alcohols. The newly developed catalyst system could oxidize benzylic alcohols and heteroaromatic analogues with 1 mol % TEMPO as a catalyst and with a catalytic amount of 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin and NaNO2 as cocatalysts. Under the optimal conditions, various alcohols could be converted into their corresponding aldehydes or ketones in high yields.