Enantioselective Hydroazidation of Trisubstituted Non‐Activated Alkenes

A one‐pot procedure for the enantioselective hydroazidation of non‐activated trisubstituted alkenes is described. Hydroboration with monoisopinocampheylborane (IpcBH₂) provides dialkylboranes that are in situ selectively converted into monoalkyl‐substituted catecholboranes; these undergo radical azidation upon treatment with benzenesulfonyl azide and a radical initiator. Enantiomerically enriched azides were thus obtained in yields of 59–81 % and enantioselectivities of up to 94:6 e.r. (98:2 e.r. if the intermediate dialkylborane is purified by crystallization). A rapid access to enantiomerically pure (+)‐rodocaine is also described. The use of other arenesulfonyl radical traps enables enantioselective hydroallylation, hydrosulfanylation, and hydrobromination reactions with yields of 71–86 %.     

A mild oxidative aryl radical addition into alkenes by aerobic oxidation of arylhydrazines

A mild and practical oxyarylation of alkenes by oxidative radical addition has been developed by using aerobic oxidation of hydrazine compounds. The use of a catalytic amount of potassium ferrocyanide trihydrate (K₄[Fe(CN)₆]?3 H₂O) and water accelerated this radical reaction to give peroxides or alcohols from simple alkenes in good yields. The environmentally friendly and economical radical reactions were achieved at room temperature in the presence of iron catalyst, oxygen gas, and water. A method involving aniline as a radical precursor is also described.     

无配体、在空气下Pd(OAc)2催化的Heck反应研究

研究了无配体、空气下Pd(OAc)₂催化的Heck反应. 多种芳基碘化物、芳基溴化物可以与烯丙基醋酸酯、丙烯酸酯和苯乙烯等烯基化合物在Pd(OAc)₂催化下发生Heck反应. 该反应不需要配体的加入, 在空气中就可以进行. 讨论了碱、添加剂、溶剂、催化剂等因素对反应产率的影响. 该反应的最优化条件是: Pd(OAc)₂ (5 mol%)为催化剂, Ag₂CO₃ (0.6 equiv.)为添加剂, 以苯或甲苯为溶剂空气中回流12 h, 芳基碘化物、芳基溴化物可以顺利地与烯丙基醋酸酯、丙烯酸酯、苯乙烯等烯基化合物发生Heck反应, 以较高的产率得到目标产物.     

Pd/Light‐Accelerated Atom‐Transfer Carbonylation of Alkyl Iodides: Applications in Multicomponent Coupling Processes Leading to Functionalized Carboxylic Acid Derivatives

The atom‐transfer carbonylation reaction of various alkyl iodides thereby leading to carboxylic acid esters was effectively accelerated by the addition of transition‐metal catalysts under photoirradiation conditions. By using a combined Pd/hν reaction system, vicinal C‐functionalization of alkenes was attained in which α‐substituted iodoalkanes, alkenes, carbon monoxide, and alcohols were coupled to give functionalized esters. When alkenyl alcohols were used as acceptor alkenes, three‐component coupling reactions, which were accompanied by intramolecular esterification, proceeded to give lactones. Pd‐dimer complex [Pd₂(CNMe)₆][PF₆]₂, which is known to undergo homolysis under photoirradiation conditions, worked quite well as a catalyst in these three‐ or four‐component coupling reactions. In this metal/radical hybrid system, both Pd radicals and acyl radicals are key players and a stereochemical study confirmed the carbonylation step proceeded through a radical carbonylation mechanism.     

Selective copper(II)-catalyzed aerobic oxidative cleavage of aromatic gem-disubstituted alkenes to carbonyl compounds under neutral and mild conditions

Three copper(II) catalytic systems, CuCl₂·2H₂O, CuCl₂·2H₂O+phenanthroline, and [Cu(μ-Cl)Cl(phen)]₂ were used to cleave alkenes to their corresponding carbonyl compounds under aerobic and neutral conditions. [Cu(μ-Cl)Cl(phen)]₂ shows enhanced selectivity over the other two catalytic systems. The oxidative cleavage reactions were carried out in mixed H₂O/THF solvent system under oxygen (4 atm) at 60°C. The real oxidant is 2-hydroperoxytetrahydrofuran, which is generated in situ in the process through the reaction between THF and oxygen catalyzed by copper(II). The cleavage reactions are selective for aromatic gem-disubstituted alkenes. Aromatic internal alkenes are slow to be oxidized, and both aliphatic terminal and internal alkenes are inert to oxidative cleavage. Free radical scavenger 2,2,6,6, tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxyl (TEMPO) deactivates the reaction indicating the involvement of free radical path in the reaction mechanism.     

Synthesis of trans‐Disubstituted Alkenes by Cobalt‐Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Terminal Alkynes with Activated Alkenes

A cobalt‐catalyzed reductive coupling of terminal alkynes, RC?CH, with activated alkenes, R′CH?CH₂, in the presence of zinc and water to give functionalized trans‐disubstituted alkenes, RCH?CHCH₂CH₂R′, is described. A variety of aromatic terminal alkynes underwent reductive coupling with activated alkenes including enones, acrylates, acrylonitrile, and vinyl sulfones in the presence of a CoCl₂/P(OMe)₃/Zn catalyst system to afford 1,2‐trans‐disubstituted alkenes with high regio‐ and stereoselectivity. Similarly, aliphatic terminal alkynes also efficiently participated in the coupling reaction with acrylates, enones, and vinyl sulfone, in the presence of the CoCl₂/P(OPh)₃/Zn system providing a mixture of 1,2‐trans‐ and 1,1‐disubstituted functionalized terminal alkene products in high yields. The scope of the reaction was also extended by the coupling of 1,3‐enynes and acetylene gas with alkenes. Furthermore, a phosphine‐free cobalt‐catalyzed reductive coupling of terminal alkynes with enones, affording 1,2‐trans‐disubstituted alkenes as the major products in a high regioisomeric ratio, is demonstrated. In the reactions, less expensive and air‐stable cobalt complexes, a mild reducing agent (Zn) and a simple hydrogen source (water) were used. A possible reaction mechanism involving a cobaltacyclopentene as the key intermediate is proposed.     

Difunctionalization of Alkenes and Alkynes via Intermolecular Radical and Nucleophilic Additions

Popular and readily available alkenes and alkynes are good substrates for the preparation of functionalized molecules through radical and/or ionic addition reactions. Difunctionalization is a topic of current interest due to its high efficiency, substrate versatility, and operational simplicity. Presented in this article are radical addition followed by oxidation and nucleophilic addition reactions for difunctionalization of alkenes or alkynes. The difunctionalization could be accomplished through 1,2-addition (vicinal) and 1,n-addition (distal or remote) if H-atom or group-transfer is involved in the reaction process. A wide range of moieties, such as alkyl (R), perfluoroalkyl (R_f), aryl (Ar), hydroxy (OH), alkoxy (OR), acetatic (O₂CR), halogenic (X), amino (NR₂), azido (N₃), cyano (CN), as well as sulfur- and phosphorous-containing groups can be incorporated through the difunctionalization reactions. Radicals generated from peroxides or single electron transfer (SET) agents, under photoredox or electrochemical reactions are employed for the reactions.     

Nitrile-Promoted Alkene Epoxidation with Urea–Hydrogen Peroxide (UHP)

An efficient method for alkene epoxidation has been studied systematically using benzonitrile and the complex urea–hydrogen peroxide (UHP), which is an anhydrous form of hydrogen peroxide and has the potential to release hydrogen peroxide in a controlled manner and thus avoid the need to slowly add aqueous H₂O₂ to the reaction mixture. The absence of water in the reaction media was also beneficial, because it minimized undesired reactions of the oxidized products. A range of alkenes was epoxidized by this method, providing yields ranging from 79% to 96%.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Synthetic Communications® to view the free supplemental file.     

Silica supported Ru(salophen)Cl: An efficient and robust heterogeneous catalyst for epoxidation of alkenes with sodium periodate

In the present work, heterogenization of Ru(salophen)Cl via its axial ligation to silica-bound imidazole, SiIm, is reported. The heterogeneous catalyst, [Ru(salophen)Cl–SiIm], was characterized by elemental analysis, SEM, TEM, FT-IR and diffuse reflectance UV–Vis spectroscopic techniques. The catalyst, which is not soluble in water and common organic solvents, was used for efficient epoxidation of cyclic and linear alkenes with NaIO₄ under agitation with magnetic stirring. This new heterogenized catalyst is of high stability and reusability in the oxidation reactions. The effect of reaction parameters such as solvent and oxidant in the epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene were also investigated.     

Kinetics,Substrate Selectivity and Mechanism of the Oxidation of Alkenes by Peroxynitrous Acid

The kinetic features of the oxidation of alkenes by peroxynitrous acid (HOONO) generated in the H₂O₂–HNO₂/acetate buffer (pH 4.27) system, are quantitatively explained assuming simultaneous reactions in the gas and liquid phases. A remarkable similarity is found for the substrate selectivities of the gas-phase reactions of alkenes as well as of alkanes and arenes with HOONO and with ^·OH radicals. The reaction mechanism is discussed.     

Iodine(III) reagent (ABX—N3)-induced intermolecular anti-Markovnikov hydroazidation of unactivated alkenes

Science China Chemistry - Anti-Markovnikov hydroazidation of unactivated alkenes using ABX2014;N3 as an initiator has been developed at room temperature, wherein hydrogen azide (HN3) acts as both...     

Study on the Regioselectivity of Rhodium-Catalyzed Ring Opening Reactions of C1-Substituted 7-Oxabenzonorbornadienes with Boronic Acids

An optimized condition for the rhodium-catalyzed ring-opening reaction of C₁-substituted oxabicyclic alkenes with aryl boronic acids was developed and the effect of aryl boronic acid as well as the effect of C₁ substitution on the oxabicyclic alkenes was studied. Aryl boronic acids carrying electron-donating substituents provided the ring-opened products in excellent yields regardless of the position, while electron-withdrawing substituents were more susceptible to steric interactions. Although two different regioisomers are possible, all the rhodium-catalyzed ring-opening reactions of C₁ substituted oxabicyclic alkenes studied with aryl boronic acids were found to be highly regioselective, giving single regioisomers in all cases.     

Intramolecular Diamination of Alkenes with Palladium(II)/Copper(II) Bromide and IPy2BF4: The Role of Halogenated Intermediates

The oxidative intramolecular diamination of alkenes with tethered ureas and related groups as the nitrogen source has been investigated both with the iodonium reagent IPy₂BF₄ (Py=pyridine) and under palladium catalysis in the presence of copper(II) bromide as a reoxidant. For terminal alkenes, the two procedures enable selective and high‐yielding transformations. Studies with deuterated material led to the conclusion that the reactions proceed through different stereochemical pathways. An advanced protocol for palladium‐catalyzed diamination through six‐membered‐ring annulation was also developed, and the first examples of the intramolecular diamination of internal alkenes are described. In this case, the same stereochemical outcome was observed for the iodonium‐promoted and palladium‐catalyzed transformations. On this basis, it was possible to determine the importance of aminohalogenated intermediates in both diamination reactions. Overall, the disclosed procedures broaden significantly the synthetic applicability of the oxidative intramolecular diamination of alkenes.     

DFT studies on the mechanism of Ag2CO3‐catalyzed hydroazidation of unactivated terminal alkynes with TMS‐N3: An insight into the silver(I) activation mode

Silver‐mediated hydroazidation of unactivated alkynes has been developed as a new method for the synthesis of vinyl azides. Density functional theory calculations toward this reaction reveal that terminal alkynes with TMS‐N₃ participated hydroazidation proceed through HN₃ formation, deprotonation and silver acetylides formation, nucleophilic addition, and protonation of terminal carbon by AgHCO₃. It is also found that water molecules and activation modes of Ag (I) have a significant influence on the title reaction mechanism. Initially, catalyst Ag₂CO₃ coordinates preferentially with internal N atom of TMS–N₃ to assist water as hydrogen source and proton‐shuttle in facilitating HN₃ formation. Then, the regioselective anti‐addition of HN₃ to triple bond of active silver‐acetylide or ethynyl carbinols affords product vinyl azide via Ag–C σ‐bond activation or Ag…C π‐coordination activation modes, and the former one is more favorable. The origin of the difference regioselectivity is ascribed to the electronic and orbital effects of the reactive sites. Moreover, Ag₂CO₃ is the critical catalyst, acting as activator, base, and stabilizer to promote the HN₃ and vinyl azide formation. Water molecule plays an important role as proton shuttle to promote HN₃ and key active silver acetylides formation, thus improving the yield of product. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A theoretical study of the reactions of carbonyl oxide with water in atmosphere: the role of water dimer

Carbonyl oxide is a well-known intermediate formed in gas-phase reactions of ozone with alkenes. Secondary reactions of carbonyl oxide are suggested to lead to the formation of HO, H₂O₂ and organic peroxides in the atmosphere. We performed a theoretical study of reactions of carbonyl oxide with water and a water dimer. Using CCSD(T)/6-311+G(2d,2p)//B3LYP/6-311+G(2d,2p) calculations we found that the most energetically favourable channel is the formation of hydroxymethyl hydroperoxide (HMHP) as the result of reactions of carbonyl oxide with the water dimer. The potential importance of water dimer reactions in the chemistry of the troposphere is discussed herein.     

Addition of ArSSAr to carbon-carbon multiple bonds using electrochemistry

ArS(ArSSAr)⁺ (arylbis(arylthio)sulfonium ions), which were generated and accumulated by the electrochemical oxidation of diaryl disulfides (ArSSAr) in CH₂Cl₂ at −78 °C, reacted with alkenes to give the corresponding diarylthio-substituted compounds in a stereospecific manner in good yields, when the reaction was quenched with a soft nucleophile, such as allylsilanes, ketene silyl acetals, and triethylamine. A mechanism involving the initial formation of an episulfonium ion followed by ring-opening by the attack of ArSSAr has been suggested. The reactions of ArS(ArSSAr)⁺ with alkynes also took place to give 1,2-diorganothio-substitued alkenes stereoselectively under similar conditions.     

An efficient palladium-catalyzed Heck coupling of aryl chlorides with alkenes

Catalyst system PdCl₂(PCy₃)₂/Cs₂CO₃ in dioxane was found to be the efficient catalyst system for Heck cross-coupling reactions of deactivated, neutral, and activated aryl chlorides with a variety of alkenes under mild conditions to afford selectively E-arylated alkenes in good to excellent yields.     

Visible-light-promoted oxidative difunctionalization of alkenes with sulfonyl chlorides to access β-keto sulfones under aerobic conditions

A mild, practical and efficient strategy to prepare β-keto sulfones has been developed by visible light promoted reactions. This reaction involves Ir(ppy)₂(dtbbpy)PF₆ catalyzed direct funcationalization of alkenes with sulfonyl chlorides under mild conditions. Air was used as oxidant without any additives. The transformation affords the corresponding products in moderate to high yields.     

A Palladium Nanoparticle–Nanomicelle Combination for the Stereoselective Semihydrogenation of Alkynes in Water at Room Temperature

The addition of NaBH₄ to Pd(OAc)₂ in water containing nanomicelles leads to the generation of H₂ and Pd nanoparticles. Subsequent reduction of disubstituted alkynes affords Z‐alkenes in high yields. These reactions are general, take place in water at ambient temperatures, and offer recycling of the aqueous reaction mixture along with low overall E Factors.     

Iron‐Catalyzed Regioselective Transfer Hydrogenative Couplings of Unactivated Aldehydes with Simple Alkenes

An FeBr₃‐catalyzed reductive coupling of various aldehydes with alkenes that proceeds through a direct hydride transfer pathway has been developed. With ⁱPrOH as the hydrogen donor under mild conditions, previously challenging coupling reactions of unactivated alkyl and aryl aldehydes with simple alkenes, such as styrene derivatives and α‐olefins, proceeded smoothly to furnish a diverse range of functionalized alcohols with complete linear regioselectivity.