Optimized Liebeskind–Srogl coupling reaction between dihydropyrimidines and tributyltin compounds

We developed an optimized Liebeskind–Srogl reaction in order to synthesize potentially biologically active 2-aryl-1,4-dihydropyrimidines. The pallado-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction between dihydropyrimidines and tributyltin derivatives appears particularly efficient (67–95% yields) when using CuBr·Me₂S as the copper cofactor.     

Silver catalyzed C–C and C–S coupling of aryl halides and thiols with boronic acids

An efficient Ag(I) catalyzed carbon–carbon and carbon–sulfur bond formation reaction of aryl halides and thiols with boronic acids has been demonstrated. Using this protocol, substrates with a wide range of functional group including electron-rich, and electron deficient substituents have been explored. These reactions are particularly useful to prepare symmetrical and unsymmetrical biphenyls and thioethers. These products were isolated in high yield.     

New ligands for copper-catalyzed C–N coupling reactions with aryl halides

2-Carbomethoxy-3-hydroxyquinoxaline-di-N-oxide was identified as an efficient novel ligand for the copper-catalyzed coupling reactions of aryl iodides, bromides, and chlorides with aliphatic amines and N-containing heterocycles under mild conditions. The catalytic system showed great functional-group tolerance and excellent chemoselectivity.     

Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction on cost-effective oxide-derived copper and transition metal–nitrogen–carbon catalysts

The electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) either to generate multicarbon (C₂₊) or single carbon (C₁) value-added products provides an effective and promising approach to mitigate the high CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere and promote energy storage. However, cost-effectiveness of catalytic materials limits practical application of this technology in the short term. Herein, we summarize and discuss recent and advanced works on cost-effective oxide-derived copper catalysts for the generation of C₂₊ products (hydrocarbons and alcohols) and transition metal–nitrogen–doped carbon electrocatalytic materials for C₁ compounds production from CO₂RR. We think they represent suitable electrocatalyst candidates for scaling up electrochemical CO₂ conversion. This short review may provide inspiration for the future design and development of innovative active, cost-effective, selective and stable electrocatalysts with improved properties for either the production of C₂₊ (alcohols, hydrocarbons) or carbon monoxide from CO₂RR.     

One-pot conversion of aromatic compounds to the corresponding bis(indolyl)methanes by the Vilsmeier–Haack reaction

Various electron-rich aromatics could be smoothly converted into the corresponding bis(indolyl)methanes in good to moderate yields by treatment of electron-rich aromatics with POCl₃ and DMF, followed by treatment with indole at room temperature. The present article is the first report on a novel metal-free one-pot method for the preparation of bis(indolyl)methanes from electron-rich aromatics.     

Copper-catalyzed intramolecular C–N coupling reaction of aryl halide with amide

An efficient and concise method for the ligand-free copper-catalyzed intramolecular C–N bond coupling was developed, which afforded various (NH)-phenanthridinones in good to excellent yields with tolerance of various substrates.     

Reduction of aryl halides at transition metal cathodes. Conditions for aryl–aryl bond formation: The Ullmann's reaction revisited

The cathodic reduction of some aryl halides ArX (1-naphthyl halides NpI and NpBr, iodo benzene and bromobenzene PhI and PhBr taken as model substrates) was achieved essentially in propylene carbonate (PC) considered for its high dielectric permittivity. Different electrode materials such as copper, silver, palladium, silver palladium alloy and nickel were used. Such conditions permit the activation of the C–X bond by metal (the step featuring similarity with Ullmann's reaction). Electron transfer to organometallic intermediates generated at the metal interface activates the formation of Ar–Ar linkages often in good yields, especially in the case of aryl iodides.     

Synthesis of chiral α-amino anilides via a DMEDA-promoted selective C─N coupling reaction of aryl halides and α-aminoamides

A DMEDA-promoted and copper-catalyzed approach has been designed for the coupling of aryl halides and chiral α-aminoamides to afford a range of functionalized chiral α-amino anilides. This method has a higher yield and better reproducibility than those under ligand-free conditions. Of the two amino groups in the same molecule, only the amide NH₂ is observed to react, showing high regioselectivity. In addition, no racemization occurs, and the ee can reach 99%. For certain hydroxyl-containing substrates, such as l-tyrosine amide and l-threonine amide, addition of a phase transfer catalyst (15-Crown-5) is necessary for such a transformation.     

DABCO-catalyzed C–C bond formation reaction between electron-deficient alkynes and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds

An excellent catalyst DABCO has been found to catalyze C–C bond formation reaction between activated methylenes and alkynes. The transformation has provided a facile route for the synthesis of 2H-pyran-2-ones or unsaturated alkenoic acid ester derivatives and explored the new possibilities of N-catalysts for Michael addition of nucleophiles with alkynoates.     

Facile and convenient synthesis of aryl hydrazines via copper-catalyzed C–N cross-coupling of aryl halides and hydrazine hydrate

An efficient and convenient method for the synthesis of aryl hydrazines has been developed via copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of aryl bromides and hydrazine with a readily accessible ligand and water as a solvent. The multigram scale procedure is applicable to aryl bromides bearing both moderately electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents in the aromatic nucleus. No column chromatography is required to obtain aryl hydrazine hydrochlorides in good yields.     

Highly sensitive and selective sensing platform based on π–π interaction between tricyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with thionine–graphene composite

We are just beginning to exploit the fascinating potential of thionine, called electrochemical probe that can selectively recognize specific polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), as tools for the detection of tricyclic aromatic hydrocarbons phenanthrene (PHE) and anthracene (ANT). A novel electrochemical sensing platform by modification of electroactive thionine functionalized graphene onto glass carbon electrode (Th/GRs/GCE) surface was constructed. The immobilized thionine showed a remarkable stability, which may benefit from the π–π stacking force with graphene. Under optimum conditions, the proposed electrochemical sensor exhibited high sensitivity and low detection limit for detecting PHE and ANT. The total amount of PHE and ANT could be quantified in a wide range of 10 pM–0.1 μM with a good linearity (R² = 0.9979) and a low detection limit of 0.1 pM (S/N = 3). Compounds which possess one or two benzene rings or PAHs with more than three rings, such as benzene, naphthalene (NAP), benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and pyrene (PYR) show little interference on the detection. Consequently, a simple and sensitive electrochemical method was proposed for the determination of PHE and ANT, which was used to determine PHE and ANT in waste water samples. The electrochemical method provides a general tool that complements the commonly used spectroscopic methods and immune method for the detection of PAHs.     

Expedient synthesis of novel β-ketoesters from the Mizoroki–Heck coupling of ethyl 3-ethoxyacrylate with aryl and pyridyl halides

It is well known that β-ketoesters are useful intermediates for the synthesis of a range of heterocyclic templates. While there are many useful synthetic methods available to access these intermediates, there are still opportunities for the discovery of useful methodologies for their construction from novel starting materials. In this regard, we report on the discovery of a facile Pd-catalyzed Mizoroki–Heck coupling of ethyl 3-ethoxyacrylate with aryl and heteroaryl halides to form substituted alkoxyacrylates which can be hydrolyzed to form novel aryl and heteroaryl β-ketoesters.     

Copper Catalysts based on carbon–carbon fiburous materials for ethanol dehydrogenation

The possibility of using new carbon–carbon composites as supports for a copper catalyst for ethanol dehydrogenation was demonstrated. The composites, which represented carbon nanostructures (single-walled carbon nanotubes or carbon nanofibers) attached to the surface of carbon microfibers, were prepared by essentially different procedures. Copper catalysts deposited on these supports exhibited different activity in the ethanol conversion, which is associated with the distribution and size of copper particles.     

Palladium-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of potassium 2-pyridyl trifluoroborate with aryl (heteroaryl) halides

Palladium-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of potassium pyridine-2-trifluoroborates and various aryl (heteroaryl) halides can generate the corresponding desired coupling products with moderate to good yields. It can be carried out under the conditions with ethanol as solvent, Pd(OAc)₂ and SPhos as catalyst system and Na₂CO₃ as a base.     

Site-selective and regioselective Diels–Alder reaction of allenyl aryl ethers

Abstract  

The site-selectivity and regioselectivity of Diels–Alder reactions of allenyl aryl ethers with cyclopentadiene and acrolein were studied. While cyclopentadiene (as an electron-rich diene) only reacted with the external double bond of allenyl aryl ethers to provide the site-selective normal electron demand Diels–Alder cycloadducts, acrolein (as an electron-deficient diene) reacted with the C₁–C₂ π bond of allenyl aryl ethers to provide the site- and regioselective hetero-Diels–Alder cycloadducts as exclusive products.     

A perspective on the PGM-free metal–nitrogen–carbon catalysts for PEMFC

<正>Introduction Atomically dispersed transition metals embedded in nitrogendoped carbons(M–N–C) represent a typical kind of platinum group-free(PGM-free) catalyst which is considered as a potential candidate for the cathode of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells(PEMFCs) [1–3]. Apart from their low cost, the advantage of the M–N–C catalysts over PGM is further underlined by their good poisoning-resistance to impurities in fossil-derived hydrogen, such as carbon monoxide and sulfur-containin...     

One-pot multicoupling reaction of silylcopper reagents, organolithium compounds and α,β-unsaturated nitriles

The silylcupration of allene using a lower order silylcopper species gives an allylsilane-vinyl copper intermediate 2 which, in conjunction with an organolithium reagent, is able to participate in a one-pot multicoupling reaction with α,β-unsaturated nitriles. The scope of this tandem reaction is studied and a possible mechanism pathway is outlined.