Methods of Reactivity Umpolung

The past decade of organic chemistry may be charcterized as a period of violent development of new synthetic methods. This was accompained by a systematization of the analysis of synthetic problems (synthetic strategy). The planning of the synthesis of an organic target molecule is greatly facilitated by distinguishing between reagents X(C)_n … with normal reactivity (acceptor properties at C^1,3,5…, donor properties at X, C^2,4…) and with reactivity umpolung (acceptor properties at X, C^2,4…, donor properties at C^1,3,5…). In this context, reactivity umpolung turned out to be useful as a heuristic principle, as a classification scheme, and as an aid for locating so-called strategic bonds (synthon, transform, and antithesis according to E. J. Corey). There are six principal methods of umpolung: 1 2n-oxidation, heteroatom exchange and modification, homologation and its reversal, the cyclopropane “trick”, use of acetylenes, and redox reactions; under certain circumstances none of these techniques is necessary in cases where direct umpolung is possible. Throughout the article, normal reactivity is indicated by green print; reactivity umpolung by red print.     

Bench‐Stable Electrophilic Indole and Pyrrole Reagents: Serendipitous Discovery and Use in C–H Functionalization

The development of reagents allowing the reversal of the standard reactivity (Umpolung) of small building blocks is an important field of research in chemistry, as it allows increasing the flexibility of organic synthesis. Indoles and pyrroles are ubiquitous heterocycles in natural products and drugs. They are usually functionalized making use of their high nucleophilicity. In contrast, only few methods are based on the use of electrophilic indole and pyrrole synthons, as the needed reagents are highly unstable or can be used only with a very narrow scope. Herein, we report the serendipitous discovery and first use in the C–H functionalization of arenes of IndoleBX and PyrroleBX, new thermally highly stable benziodoxol(on)e hypervalent iodine reagents. IndoleBX and PyrroleBX could be obtained in one step from the corresponding heterocycles and acetoxy benziodoxolone using a Lewis acid catalyst. The mild reactions conditions allowed the introduction of a broad range of functional groups, including ethers, halogens and boronic esters. The new reagents could then be used in the rhodium‐ and ruthenium‐catalyzed C–H heteroarylation of arene rings bearing heterocyclic or benzamide directing groups. Such transformations could not be realized using previously reported C–H functionalization procedures.     

Synergistic N-Heterocyclic Carbene/Palladium-Catalyzed Umpolung 1,4-Addition of Aryl Iodides to Enals

An umpolung 1,4-addition of aryl iodides to enals promoted by cooperative (terpy)Pd/NHC catalysis was developed that generates various bioactive β,β-diaryl propanoate derivatives. This system is not only the first reported palladium-catalyzed arylation of NHC-bound homoenolates but also expands the scope of NHC-induced umpolung transformations. A diverse array of functional groups such as esters, nitriles, alcohols, and heterocycles are tolerated under the mild conditions. This method also circumvents the use of moisture-sensitive organometallic reagents.     

High Stability of a Phosphenium Ion Allows Umpolung of P--H Bonds

The high intrinsic stability of 1,3,2-diazaphospholenium cations enhances ionic polarization of covalent P--X bonds in P -halogeno- and P -hydrido-diazaphospholenes. The physical properties of the latter suggest a hydridic nature of the P--H bond, and their reactivities display an "Umpolung" as compared to known reaction patterns of phosphines.     

B−B Bond Nucleophilicity in a Tetraaryl μ-Hydridodiborane(4) Anion

The tetraaryl μ-hydridodiborane(4) anion [ 2 H]⁻ possesses nucleophilic B−B and B−H bonds. Treatment of K[ 2 H] with the electrophilic 9-H-9-borafluorene (HBFlu) furnishes the B₃ cluster K[ 3 ], with a triangular boron core linked through two BHB two-electron, three-center bonds and one electron-precise B−B bond, reminiscent of the prominent [B₃H₈]⁻ anion. Upon heating or prolonged stirring at room temperature, K[ 3 ] rearranges to a slightly more stable isomer K[ 3 a ]. The reaction of M[ 2 H] (M⁺=Li⁺, K⁺) with MeI or Me₃SiCl leads to equimolar amounts of 9-R-9-borafluorene and HBFlu (R=Me or Me₃Si). Thus, [ 2 H]⁻ behaves as a masked [:BFlu]⁻ nucleophile. The HBFlu by-product was used in situ to establish a tandem substitution-hydroboration reaction: a 1:1 mixture of M[ 2 H] and allyl bromide gave the 1,3-propylene-linked ditopic 9-borafluorene 5 as sole product. M[ 2 H] also participates in unprecedented [4+1] cycloadditions with dienes to furnish dialkyl diaryl spiroborates, M[R₂BFlu].