Bi(OTf)3-Catalyzed Intramolecular Amination of Triazenylaryl Allylic Alcohols: A Stereoselective,High-Yield Synthesis of (E)-3-Alkenyl 2H-indazoles

An efficient Bi(OTf)₃-catalyzed synthesis of 3-alkenyl-2-pyrrolidine-2H-indazoles from triazenylaryl allylic alcohols via the intramolecular direct amination process is reported. Compared with the dodecyl benzenesulfonic acid (DBSA)-catalyzed method, the new method is more efficient and gives greater yields and functionality tolerance. Additionally, the 3-alkenyl-2-pyrrolidine-2H-indazoles can be transformed to a series of new products under different reaction conditions.     

Lewis acid-mediated [3+2] cycloaddition between hydrazones and olefins

[3+2] Cycloaddition between hydrazones and olefins was accelerated in the presence of a stoichiometric amount of BF₃·OEt₂ or a catalytic amount of Zr(OTf)₄, Hf(OTf)₄, or Sc(OTf)₃ under mild conditions. The corresponding pyrazolidine derivatives were obtained in moderate to high yields using this novel [3+2] Lewis acid catalysis.     

Highly Efficient One-Pot Synthesis of 2-Arylmethyl N-Substituted Anilines via Yb（OTf）3 Catalyzed Three-Component Reaction

An efficient method has been developed for one-pot three-component coupling reactions of various aldehydes, 1-cyclohexen-2-one, and primary or secondary amines in the presence of a catalytic amount of Yb（OTf）3 under mild conditions to afford the corresponding 2-arylmethyl N-substituted anilines in good yields. In addition, the catalyst was easily recovered and could be reused for at least four cycles without any loss of activity.     

Establishing the Coordination Chemistry of Antimony(V) Cations: Systematic Assessment of Ph4Sb(OTf) and Ph3Sb(OTf)2 as Lewis Acceptors

The coordination chemistry of the stiboranes Ph₄Sb(OTf) ( 1 a , OTf = OSO₂CF₃) and Ph₃Sb(OTf)₂ ( 3 ) with Lewis bases has been investigated. The significant steric encumbrance of the Sb center in 1 a precludes interaction with most ligands, but the relatively low steric demands of 4‐methylpyridine‐N‐oxide (OPyrMe) and OPMe₃ enabled the characterization of [Ph₄Sb(OPyrMe)][OTf] ( 2 a ) and [Ph₄Sb(OPMe₃)][OTf] ( 2 b ), rare examples of structurally characterized complexes of stibonium acceptors. In contrast, 3 was found to engage a variety of Lewis bases, forming stable isolable complexes of the form [Ph₃Sb(donor)₂][OTf]₂ [donor=OPMe₃ ( 6 a ), OPCy₃ ( 6 b , Cy=cyclohexyl), OPPh₃ ( 6 c ), OPyrMe ( 6 d )], [Ph₃Sb(dmap)₂(OTf)][OTf] ( 6 e , dmap=4‐(dimethylamino)pyridine) and [Ph₃Sb(donor)(OTf)][OTf] [donor=1,10‐phenanthroline ( 7 a ) or 2,2′‐bipy ( 7 b , bipy=bipyridine)]. These compounds exhibit significant structural diversity in the solid‐state, and undergo ligand exchange reactions in line with their assignment as coordination complexes. Compound 3 did not form stable complexes with phosphine donors, with reactions instead leading to redox processes yielding SbPh₃ and products of phosphine oxidation.     

One—Pot Synthese of 3,4—Dihydropyrimidine—2（1H）—thiones Catalyzed by La（OTf）3

A general and practical procedure for the syntheses of 3,4-di-hydropyrimidine-2(1H)-thiones by a one-pot condensation of aldehyde,β-ketoester or β-diketone and thiourea using La(OTf)3 as the catalyst is described.Mild reaction conditions,excellent yields as well as the environmentally friendly character of La(OTf)3 make it an important alternative to the classic acid-catalyzed Biginelli‘s reaction.     

Microwave‐Assisted Expedite Synthesis of 2‐Phenylimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridylquinoxalin‐2(1H)‐ones

An efficient methodology has been developed for the synthesis of quinoxalin‐2(1H)‐one derivatives of 2‐phenylimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines by microwave‐irradiated Hinsberg heterocyclization between 2‐phenylimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine‐3‐glyoxalates and o‐phenylenediamine using either montmorillonite K‐10 or Yb(OTf)₃ as catalysts. Montmorillonite K‐10 was proven to be an efficient catalyst for the heterocyclization reaction between sterically hindered glyoxalate and o‐phenylenediamine only under microwave conditions. The use of Yb(OTf)₃/tetrahydrofuran was also found to be an effective catalyst for the above chemical transformation among a series of Lewis acids screened under microwave conditions; however, comparatively lesser yields were obtained as compared with the use of montmorillonite K‐10.     

In(OTf)3催化下水相合成2-(3,4,5-三甲氧基苯基)-5-[(5-烷硫基-1,3,4-噁二唑-2-基)硫甲基]-1,3,4-噻二唑类衍生物

以2-巯基-5-(3,4,5-三甲氧基苯基)-1,3,4-噻二唑为原料,经醚化、酰肼化、闭环、硫醚化四步反应合成了10个2-(3,4,5-三甲氧基苯基)-5-[(5-烷硫基-1,3,4-噁二唑-2-基)硫甲基]- 1,3,4-噻二唑类衍生物。通过元素分析、IR、MS、1H NMR和 13C NMR对目标化合物进行了表征。采用In(OTf)3催化下40 oC水相合成目标化合物,具有反应条件温和、合成收率高、催化剂可循环使用等特点。     

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.     

A density functional theory study of the stereoselectivity of Cu(OTf)2-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition of trifluoromethylated N-acylhydrazones and isoprene: A concerted asynchronous mechanism

Here we employ density functional theory calculations to systematically investigate the underlying mechanism of Cu(OTf)₂-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reactions in the synthesis of CF₃-substituted pyrazolidines. About eight possible initial configurations of the [3+2] reaction is considered, and all relevant reactants, transition states, and products are optimized. Based on these structures, internal reaction coordinate paths, and wavefunction analysis results, we conclude that the Cu(OTf)₂-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition follows a concerted asynchronous mechanism. The C N bond forms immediately after the formation of the C C bond. Among the eight reaction paths, the energy barrier for the [3+2] reaction that leads to the CF₃-substituted syn-pyrazolidine is the lowest, ∼5.4 kcal/mol, which might result in the diastereoselectivity that is observed in the experiment. This work not only gives the detailed mechanism of the Cu(OTf)₂-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition but can also be helpful for the future designation of Cu(OTf)₂-based cycloaddition processes.     

Efficient synthesis of di- and trisubstituted 2-aryloxazoles via ytterbium(III) triflate catalyzed cyclization of tertiary propargylic alcohols with aryl amides

An efficient synthetic method to prepare di- and trisubstituted 2-aryloxazoles based on Yb(OTf)₃ catalyzed cyclization of trisubstituted propargylic alcohols with aryl amides is described. The reaction was accomplished in moderate to excellent product yields and with complete regioselective control. The mechanism is suggested to involve activation of the starting alcohol by the metal catalyst that results in its ionization. Subsequent cyclization of this newly generated carbocationic species with the aryl amide then affords the oxazole. In view of the mild conditions along with the low cost, commercially availability of Yb(OTf)₃ and its high tolerance to air and moisture, the present synthetic approach offers an operationally simplistic and convenient route to this important aromatic heterocycle.     

Sc(OTf)3-Catalyzed [3+2]-cycloaddition of aziridines with nitriles under solvent-free conditions

[3+2]-Cycloaddition of aziridines with various nitriles in the absence of organic solvent catalyzed by Sc(OTf)₃ afforded the corresponding imidazolines in good to excellent yields under extremely mild reaction conditions.     

Indium(III) Triflate: A Highly Efficient Catalyst for Reactions of Sugars[1]

Indium(III) trifluoromethanesulfonate has been found to be extremely efficient in catalyzing acyl transfer reactions of various carbohydrates and their derivatives. Selective acetolyses of certain benzyl ethers/isopropylidene acetals of sugars have been possible using In(OTf)₃ in Ac₂O (neat). Reaction of the per-O-acetate of 2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-D-glucose with benzyl mercaptan in the presence of In(OTf)₃ led to the formation of the corresponding thioglycoside in high yield. Facile formation and hydrolysis of the isopropylidene and benzylidene acetals of various carbohydrates have also been achieved very efficiently in the presence of In(OTf)₃. The results show great promise for In(OTf)₃ in synthetic carbohydrate chemistry.     

The Coordination Chemistry of Iron with the 1,4‐Bis(2‐pyridyl‐methyl)piperazine Ligand

The behaviour of Fe^II and Fe^III ions in combination with the potential ligand 1,4‐bis(2‐pyridyl‐methyl)piperazine (BPMP) under anhydrous conditions has been investigated. BPMP has been reacted with FeCl₂, FeCl₃ and [Fe(OTf)₂(MeCN)₂]. This led to the isolation of four new complexes, which were fully characterized and structurally investigated by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. It turned out that in the presence of chloride co‐ligands Fe^III favours the tetradentate coordination mode of BPMP with the piperazine unit in a boat configuration, like for instance in [BPMP(Cl)Fe(μ‐O)FeCl₃] or [BPMP‐FeCl₂][FeCl₄], ( 1 ). However, the employment of FeCl₂ leads to the formation of a coordination polymer [BPMP‐FeCl₂]_n, ( 2 ), containing the piperazine ring in a chair configuration binding to two iron centres each. 2 can only be dissolved in very polar solvents like dmf which is capable of breaking up the polymeric structure under formation of [Cl₂(dmf)Fe(μ‐BPMP‐1κ²N,N:2κ²N,N))Fe(dmf)Cl₂]·2 dmf, ( 3 ). In contrast, using [Fe(OTf)₂(MeCN)₂] instead of FeCl₂ as the starting material leads to a mononuclear Fe^II complex with BPMP bound in the desirable tetradentate fashion: [BPMP‐Fe(OTf)₂], ( 4 ). Unlike other complexes with tetradentate N/py ligands the two residual ligands in 4 are bound almost trans to each other with the potential to adopt a cis orientation under oxidising conditions, and it will be interesting to exploit its catalytic properties in future.     

Gadolinium Photocatalysis: Dearomative [2+2] Cycloaddition/Ring-Expansion Sequence with Indoles

Lanthanide photocatalysts are much less investigated in synthetic chemistry than rare and expensive late transition metals. We herein introduce Gd^III photocatalysis of a highly regioselective, intermolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition/ring-expansion sequence with indoles, which could provide divergent access to cyclopenta[b]indoles and indolines. A simple and commercially available Gd(OTf)₃ salt is sufficient for this visible-violet-light-induced transformation. The reaction proceeds either through a transient or start-to-end dearomatization cascade and shows excellent regioselectivity (usually >95:5 r.r.), broad scope (59 examples), good functional group tolerance and facile scale-up under mild, direct visible-light-excitation conditions. Mechanistic investigations reveal that direct excitation of the Gd(OTf)₃/indole mixture gives an excited state intermediate, which undergoes the subsequent [2+2] cycloaddition and cyclobutane-expansion cascade.     

PhI(OTf)2 Does Not Exist (Yet)**

PhI(OTf)₂ has been used for the past 30 years as a strong I(III) oxidant for organic and inorganic transformations. It has been reported to be generated in situ from the reactions of either PhI(OAc)₂ or PhI=O with two equivalents of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMS-OTf). In this report it is shown that neither of these reactions generate a solution with spectroscopic data consistent with PhI(OTf)₂, with supporting theoretical calculations, and thus this compound should not be invoked as the species acting as the oxidant for transformations that have been associated with its use.     

Zn(OTf)2-catalyzed,microwave-promoted synthesis of 2-substituted 5-methyloxazoles from propargylic amides

The versatile conversion of propargylic amides to the respective 2-substituted 5-methyloxazoles was efficiently catalyzed by Zn(OTf)₂ (5?mol%) under microwave irradiation in toluene. The method was applicable to a wide range of aliphatic, aromatic and heteroaromatic propargylic amides and thus represents a useful method which is complementary to the existing metal-catalyzed protocols, considering the ready availability of Zn(OTf)₂.     

Copper(II) triflate-catalyzed reduction of carboxylic acids to alcohols and reductive etherification of carbonyl compounds

A protocol is described for the reduction of carboxylic acids to primary alcohols using 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane (TMDS) and a catalytic amount of Cu(OTf)₂. Aliphatic as well as aromatic carboxylic acids are reduced in high selectivity and good yields. TMDS/Cu(OTf)₂ has also been found to be an efficient catalytic reducing system for the preparation of symmetrical ethers from carbonyl compounds under mild conditions.     

Gadolinium Photocatalysis: Dearomative [2+2] Cycloaddition/Ring‐Expansion Sequence with Indoles

Lanthanide photocatalysts are much less investigated in synthetic chemistry than rare and expensive late transition metals. We herein introduce Gd^III photocatalysis of a highly regioselective, intermolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition/ring‐expansion sequence with indoles, which could provide divergent access to cyclopenta[b]indoles and indolines. A simple and commercially available Gd(OTf)₃ salt is sufficient for this visible‐violet‐light‐induced transformation. The reaction proceeds either through a transient or start‐to‐end dearomatization cascade and shows excellent regioselectivity (usually >95:5 r.r.), broad scope (59 examples), good functional group tolerance and facile scale‐up under mild, direct visible‐light‐excitation conditions. Mechanistic investigations reveal that direct excitation of the Gd(OTf)₃/indole mixture gives an excited state intermediate, which undergoes the subsequent [2+2] cycloaddition and cyclobutane‐expansion cascade.     

Cu(I)-catalyzed cascade intramolecular cyclization of 2-propynol phenyl azides and diarylphosphine oxides for the synthesis of bisphosphorylated indole derivatives

The [Cu(OTf)]₂·C₆H₆ catalyzed cascade intermolecular addition–intramolecular cyclization reaction of easily prepared 2-propynol phenyl azides and diarylphosphine oxides was developed. This novel reaction leads to simultaneous formation of one C–N and two C–P bonds in a single step to give bisphosphorylated indole derivatives under mild conditions in moderate to good yields.     

Reaction of the N‐heterocyclic carbene, 1,3‐dimesityl‐ imidazol‐2‐ylidene,with a uranyl triflate complex,UO2(OTf)2(thf)3

The N‐heterocyclic carbene, 1,3‐dimesityl‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene (IMes) reacts with tetrahydrofuran (THF) in the presence of an oxidizing uranyl triflate complex, UO₂(OTf)₂(thf)₃ (^?OTf = ^?OSO₂CF₃), to give 1,4‐bis(1,3‐dimesityl‐2‐imidazolium)‐1,3‐butadiene bis(trifluoromethanesulfonate), formally understood as the coupling product of two equivalents of IMes with [CH?CH? CH?CH](OTf)₂. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.