Formation of BN Isosteres of Azo Dyes by Ring Expansion of Boroles with Azides

Herein, we present the results of our investigations on the effect of ortho substitution of aryl azides on the ring‐expansion reaction of boroles, five‐membered unsaturated boron heterocycles. These studies led to the isolation of the first 1,2‐azaborinine‐substituted azo dyes, which are bright yellow solids. One of the derivatives, (E)‐2‐mesityl‐1‐(mesityldiazenyl)‐3,4,5,6‐tetraphenyl‐1,2‐azaborinine, was found to be unstable in solution and to transform through a Jacobsen‐like reaction into an indazole and 1‐hydro‐1,2‐azaborinine. DFT calculations were performed to shed light on possible mechanisms to rationalize the unexpected azo‐azaborinine formation and to draw conclusions about the role played by the ortho substituents in the reaction.     

New Syntheses of Diazo Compounds

Diazo compounds (R¹R²C?N₂) are known as versatile and useful substrates for an array of chemical transformations and, therefore, diazo chemistry is still far from losing anything of its long‐standing fascination. In addition to many studies on the subsequent chemistry of the diazo group, the inventory of methods for the preparation of diazo compounds is continuously supplemented by new methods and novel variations of established procedures. Several of these synthetic approaches take into account the lability and remarkable chemical reactivity of certain classes of diazo compounds, and environmentally more benign procedures also continue to be developed.     

Activation of α‐Diazocarbonyls by Organic Catalysts: Diazo Group Acting as a Strong N‐Terminal Electrophile

For the first time α‐diazocarbonyls have been used as highly active N‐terminal electrophiles in the presence of bicyclic amidine catalysts. The C? N bond‐forming reactions of active methylene compounds as C nucleophiles with α‐diazocarbonyls as N‐terminal electrophiles proceed quickly under ambient conditions, in the presence of 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU), because of the formation of the reactive N‐terminal electrophilic intermediates. DBU activates both the active methylene and α‐diazocarbonyl. Importantly, this reaction is general for both active methylenes and α‐diazocarbonyls, and the activation mode will lead to new synthetic applications of α‐diazocarbonyls.     

Gold‐Catalyzed Cycloaddition Reactions of Ethyl Diazoacetate,Nitrosoarenes, and Vinyldiazo Carbonyl Compounds: Synthesis of Isoxazolidine and Benzo[b]azepine Derivatives

Gold‐catalyzed cycloadditions of ethyl diazoacetate, nitrosoarenes, and vinyldiazo carbonyl species to yield isoxazolidine derivatives stereoselectively are described. Treatment of these isoxazolidine products with the same catalyst results in a novel 1,2‐H shift/[3,3] rearrangement to give benzo[b]azepine compounds. The mechanism of this skeletal rearrangement is elucidated with deuterium‐labeling experiments.     

Antiaromaticity to Aromaticity: From Boroles to 1,2‐Azaborinines by Ring Expansion with Azides

We have exploited the reactivity of antiaromatic boroles, gaining access to aryl‐substituted monocyclic 1,2‐azaborinines. The observed ring‐expansion reaction of inherently electron‐deficient boroles with organometallic and organic azides is demonstrated for representative examples. This substance class is expected to provide a new avenue into 1,2‐azaborinine chemistry, especially in the area of functional organoboron materials. Our results are based on NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy as well as single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography and provide a virtually quantitative approach that also offers numerous points of variation.     

Ring Contractions and Expansions of Vicinally Disubstituted Cyclobutanes and Cyclopropylmethyl Compounds

Cyclobutanes and cyclopropylmethyl compounds vicinally disubstituted in appropriate manner by one electron-donating group and one leaving or electron-receiving group undergo extremely facile ring contractions and expansions respectively. Unlike many rearrangements of small-ring compounds and most rearrangements of larger-ring compounds, these reactions usually give a single product in high yield and thus possess real synthetic interest. The subject matter of this progress report is classified according to the substituents in question since the nature of these groups largely determines the conditions under which rearrangement takes place.     

Diastereoselective Synthesis of Vicinally Bis(trifluoromethylated) Alkylboron Compounds through Successive Insertions of 2,2,2‐Trifluorodiazoethane

The usefulness of embedded CF₃ substituents within organic substructures necessitates the development of diverse methods for incorporating this functional group. A recently reported route to α‐trifluoromethylated alkylboron compounds by an α‐transfer mechanism has now been extended to the synthesis of unprecedented, vicinally ditrifluoromethylated alkylboron compounds in a diastereoselective fashion. The utility of these products is highlighted by conversion of the C? B bond into other functional groups.     

From C1 to C3: Copper‐Catalyzed gem‐Bis(trifluoromethyl)olefination of α‐Diazo Esters with TMSCF3

A Cu‐catalyzed gem‐bis(trifluoromethyl)olefination of α‐diazo esters, using TMSCF₃ as the only fluorocarbon source, has been developed and provides an exquisite method to access gem‐bis(trifluoromethyl)alkenes. This unprecedented olefination process involves a carbene migratory insertion into “CuCF₃” to generate the α‐CF₃‐substituted organocopper species, which then undergoes β‐fluoride elimination and two consecutive addition‐elimination processes to give the desired products. The key to this efficient one‐pot C₁‐to‐C₃ synthetic protocol lies in the controllable double (over single and triple) trifluoromethylations of the gem‐difluoroalkene intermediates.     

Metal‐Free Ring‐Expansion Reaction of Six‐membered Sulfonylimines with Diazomethanes: An Approach toward Seven‐Membered Enesulfonamides

A new metal‐free, ring‐expansion reaction of six‐membered N‐sulfonylimines with unstable diazomethanes, generated in situ from the N‐tosylhydrazones, has been developed. This reaction delivers valuable seven‐membered enesulfonamides by a Tiffeneau–Demjanov rearrangement and intramolecular proton transfer tautomerization process. Moreover, this ring‐expansion reaction can be carried out in a one‐pot fashion and scaled up to the gram scale by using aryl aldehydes, without the need to isolate the N‐tosylhydrazone.     

Generation of Sulfonyl Radicals from Aryldiazonium Tetrafluoroborates and Sulfur Dioxide: The Synthesis of 3‐Sulfonated Coumarins

A catalyst‐free approach for the generation of sulfonyl radicals from aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates in the presence of DABCO?(SO₂)₂ is realized. The combination of aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates, DABCO?(SO₂)₂, and aryl propiolates affords 3‐sulfonated coumarins in good to excellent yields. This tandem reaction process involves radical addition, spirocyclization, and 1,2‐migration of esters. Additionally, the in situ diazotization of a number of anilines allows the directional synthesis of desired 3‐sulfonated coumarins in a one‐pot, two‐step process.     

Synthesis of α‐Aryl Esters and Nitriles: Deaminative Coupling of α‐Aminoesters and α‐Aminoacetonitriles with Arylboronic Acids

Transition‐metal‐free synthesis of α‐aryl esters and nitriles using arylboronic acids with α‐aminoesters and α‐aminoacetonitriles, respectively, as the starting materials has been developed. The reaction represents a rare case of converting C(sp³)? N bonds into C(sp³)? C(sp²) bonds. The reaction conditions are mild, demonstrate good functional‐group tolerance, and can be scaled up.     

Metal‐Free Decarboxylative Cyclization/Ring Expansion: Construction of Five‐, Six‐, and Seven‐Membered Heterocycles from 2‐Alkynyl Benzaldehydes and Cyclic Amino Acids

A one pot synthesis of 1H‐benzo[g]indoles, tetrahydrobenzo[h]quinolines, and naphtho[1,2‐b]azepines from 2‐alkynyl benzaldehydes and cyclic amino acids is reported. The salient feature of the strategy involves formation of three new bonds (one C? N and two C? C bonds) by a metal‐free decarboxylation/cyclization/one‐carbon ring expansion sequence in one pot.     

Catalyst‐Dependent Chemoselective Formal Insertion of Diazo Compounds into C−C or C−H Bonds of 1,3‐Dicarbonyl Compounds

A catalyst‐dependent chemoselective one‐carbon insertion of diazo compounds into the C?C or C?H bonds of 1,3‐dicarbonyl species is reported. In the presence of silver(I) triflate, diazo insertion into the C(=O)?C bond of the 1,3‐dicarbonyl substrate leads to a 1,4‐dicarbonyl product containing an all‐carbon α‐quaternary center. This reaction constitutes the first example of an insertion of diazo‐derived carbenoids into acyclic C?C bonds. When instead scandium(III) triflate was applied as the catalyst, the reaction pathway switched to formal C?H insertion, affording 2‐alkylated 1,3‐dicarbonyl products. Different reaction pathways are proposed to account for this powerful catalyst‐dependent chemoselectivity.