Synthesis of phenanthrenes and polycyclic heteroarenes by transition-metal catalyzed cycloisomerization reactions

Readily available biphenyl derivatives containing an alkyne unit at one of their ortho-positions are converted into substituted phenanthrenes on exposure to catalytic amounts of either PtCl2, AuCl, AuCl3, GaCl3 or InCl3 in toluene. This 6-endo-dig cyclization likely proceeds through initial pi-complexation of the alkyne unit followed by interception of the resulting eta2-metal species by the adjacent arene ring. The reaction is inherently modular, allowing for substantial structural variations and for the incorporation of substituents at any site of the phenanthrene product. Moreover, it is readily extended to the heterocyclic series as exemplified by the preparation of benzoindoles, benzocarbazoles, naphthothiophenes, as well as bridgehead nitrogen heterocycles such as pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinolines. Depending on the chosen catalyst, biaryls bearing halo-alkyne units can either be converted into the corresponding 10-halo-phenanthrenes or into the isomeric 9-halo-phenanthrenes; in the latter case, the concomitant 1,2-halide shift is best explained by assuming a metal vinylidene species as the reactive intermediate. The scope of this novel method for the preparation of polycyclic arenes is illustrated by the total synthesis of a series of polyoxygenated phenanthrenes that are close relatives of the anticancer agent combretastatin A-4, as well as by the total synthesis of the aporphine alkaloid O-methyl-dehydroisopiline and its naturally occurring symmetrical dimer.     

Highly selective insertion of arynes into a C(sp)-O(sp3) σ bond

Arynes react with ethoxyacetylene to afford 2-ethoxyethynylaryl derivatives through a highly chemo- and regioselective formal insertion of the aryne into the C(sp)-O(sp(3)) bond of the alkyne. Computational studies suggest that the reaction does not proceed through a mechanism initiated by the nucleophilic addition of the oxygen atom to the aryne as previously proposed but by the addition of the triple bond of the alkyne to the aryne.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Annulation of 1,2‐Diborylalkenes and ‐Arenes with 1‐Bromo‐2‐[(Z)‐2‐bromoethenyl]arenes: A Modular Approach to Multisubstituted Naphthalenes and Fused Phenanthrenes

(Z)‐1,2‐Diaryl‐1,2‐bis(pinacolatoboryl)ethenes underwent double‐cross‐coupling reactions with 1‐bromo‐2‐[(Z)‐2‐bromoethenyl]arenes in the presence of [Pd(PPh₃)₄] as a catalyst and 3 M aqueous Cs₂CO₃ as a base in THF at 80 °C. The double‐coupling reaction gave multisubstituted naphthalenes in good to high yields. Annulation of 1,2‐bis(pinacolatoboryl)arenes with bromo(bromoethenyl)arenes in the presence of a catalyst system that consisted of [Pd₂(dba)₃] (dba=dibenzylideneacetone) and 2‐dicyclohexylphosphino‐2′,6′‐dimethoxybiphenyl (SPhos) under the same conditions produced fused phenanthrenes in good to high yields. The first annulation coupling occurred regiospecifically at the bromoethenyl moiety. This procedure is applicable to the facile synthesis of polysubstituted anthracenes, benzothiophenes, and dibenzoanthracenes through a double annulation pathway by using the corresponding dibromobis[(Z)‐2‐bromoethenyl]benzenes as diboryl coupling partners.     

Thermal and electrochemical C-X activation (X = Cl,Br, I) by the strong Lewis acid Pd3(dppm)3(CO)2+ cluster and its catalytic applications

The stoichiometric and catalytic activations of alkyl halides and acid chlorides by the unsatured Pd(3)(dppm)(3)(CO)(2+) cluster (Pd(3)(2+)) are investigated in detail. A series of alkyl halides (R-X; R = t-Bu, Et, Pr, Bu, allyl; X = Cl, Br, I) react slowly with Pd(3)(2+) to form the corresponding Pd(3)(X)(+) adduct and "R(+)". This activation can proceed much faster if it is electrochemically induced via the formation of the paramagnetic species Pd(3)(+). The latter is the first confidently identified paramagnetic Pd cluster. The kinetic constants extracted from the evolution of the UV-vis spectra for the thermal activation, as well as the amount of electricity to bring the activation to completion for the electrochemically induced reactions, correlate the relative C-X bond strength and the steric factors. The highly reactive "R(+)" species has been trapped using phenol to afford the corresponding ether. On the other hand, the acid chlorides react rapidly with Pd(3)(2+) where no induction is necessary. The analysis of the cyclic voltammograms (CV) establishes that a dissociative mechanism operates (RCOCl --> RCO(+) + Cl(-); R = t-Bu, Ph) prior to Cl(-) scavenging by the Pd(3)(2+) species. For the other acid chlorides (R = n-C(6)H(13), Me(2)CH, Et, Me, Pr), a second associative process (Pd(3)(2+) + RCOCl --> Pd(3)(2+.....)Cl(CO)(R)) is seen. Addition of Cu(NCMe)(4)(+) or Ag(+) leads to the abstraction of Cl(-) from Pd(3)(Cl)(+) to form Pd(3)(2+) and the insoluble MCl materials (M = Cu, Ag) allowing to regenerate the starting unsaturated cluster, where the precipitation of MX drives the reaction. By using a copper anode, the quasi-quantitative catalytic generation of the acylium ion ("RCO(+)") operates cleanly and rapidly. The trapping of "RCO(+)" with PF(6)(-) or BF(4)(-) leads to the corresponding acid fluorides and, with an alcohol (R'OH), to the corresponding ester catalytically, under mild conditions. Attempts were made to trap the key intermediates "Pd(3)(Cl)(+)...M(+)" (M(+) = Cu(+), Ag(+)), which was successfully performed for Pd(3)(ClAg)(2+), as characterized by (31)P NMR, IR, and FAB mass spectrometry. During the course of this investigation, the rare case of PF(6)(-) hydrolysis has been observed, where the product PF(2)O(2)(-) anion is observed in the complex Pd(3)(PF(2)O(2))(+), where the substrate is well-located inside the cavity formed by the dppm-Ph groups above the unsatured face of the Pd(3)(2+) center. This work shows that Pd(3)(2+) is a stronger Lewis acid in CH(2)Cl(2) and THF than AlCl(3), Ag(+), Cu(+), and Tl(+).     

Co-Catalyzed Asymmetric Intramolecular [3+2] Cycloaddition of Yne-Alkylidenecyclopropanes and its Reaction Mechanism

Developing new transition metal-catalyzed asymmetric cycloadditions for the synthesis of five-membered carbocycles (FMCs) is a research frontier in reaction development due to the ubiquitous presence of chiral FMCs in various functional molecules. Reported here is our discovery of a highly enantioselective intramolecular [3+2] cycloaddition of yne-alkylidenecyclopropanes (yne-ACPs) to bicyclo[3.3.0]octadiene and bicyclo[4.3.0]nonadiene molecules using a cheap Co catalyst and commercially available chiral ligand (S)-Xyl-BINAP. This reaction avoids the use of precious Pd and Rh catalysts, which are usually the choices for [3+2] reactions with ACPs. The enantiomeric excess in the present reaction can be up to 92 %. Cationic cobalt(I) species was suggested by experiments as the catalytic species. DFT calculations showed that this [3+2] reaction starts with oxidative cyclometallation of alkyne and ACP, followed by ring opening of the cyclopropyl (CP) group and reductive elimination to form the cycloadduct. This mechanism is different from previous [3+2] reactions of ACPs, which usually start from CP cleavage, not from oxidative cyclization.     

Remarkably efficient hydrolysis of methylparathion catalyzed by [2-(2-pyridyl)phenyl-C,N]palladium(II) complexes

The reaction of the palladium(II) acetate derivative [Pd(NwedgeC)(OAc)]2 (NwedgeC = (NC5H4-2-C6H4(C2,N) or (2-(2-pyridyl)-phenyl-C,N)) with methylparathion and water in THF leads to the formation of [Pd(NwedgeC)(mu-SP(=O)(OCH3)2)]2 (1), which reacts with PPh3 in THF to afford mononuclear complex [Pd(NwedgeC)(SP(=O)(OCH3)2)(PPh3)] (2). Compounds 1 and 2 have been characterized by 1H, 13C, and 31P NMR spectroscopy; elemental analysis; and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. When dissolved in water, 1 serves as a precatalyst for the hydrolysis of methylparathion. Kinetic and spectroscopic studies suggest that compound 1 dissociates in aqueous solution to afford cationic diaqua complex [Pd(NwedgeC)(OH2)2]+ (A). At basic pH, A is converted into its deprotonated form [Pd(NwedgeC)(OH2)(OH)] (B), which dimerizes to afford a dinuclear complex, presumably [Pd(NwedgeC)(mu-OH)]2 (C). At pH 7, the reaction is first order in substrate and first order in palladium catalyst A, with k2 = 146 +/- 9 M(-1) s(-1) at 303 K. At more-basic pH, the reaction rate increases and shows an apparent half-order dependence in palladium catalyst. These observations suggest that the active form of the catalyst at basic pH is B, whose concentration is controlled by an equilibrium with inactive C. Analysis of the data obtained at pH 9 yields a dimer formation constant K(f) = [C]/[B]2 = (6.6 +/- 5.6) x 10(6) M(-1) and a second-order rate constant k2 of (8.6 +/- 3.6) x 10(3) M(-1) s(-1) at 298 K. The pH dependence of the reaction rate as well as a spectroscopic titration indicates that the pKa of A is in the 9.5-9.7 range. Determination of the activation parameters at both pH 7 and 9 suggests that catalysis occurs via an associative mechanism whose rate-determining step involves the substitution of a water ligand of A by a molecule of methylparathion at neutral pH and nucleophilic attack of the phosphorus center of methylparathion by a hydroxide ligand of B at basic pH.     

Palladium-catalyzed hydrogenation: detection of palladium hydrides. A joint study using para-hydrogen-enhanced NMR spectroscopy and density functional theory

Pd(PEt3)2(OTf)2, acting as an in situ source of Pd(PEt3)2, reacts with an alkyne and hydrogen via phosphine loss to form the detectable hydride-containing species Pd(PEt3)2(H)(CHPhCH2Ph), cis- and trans-Pd(PEt3)2(H)(CPh=CHPh), and Pd2(PEt3)3(H)(CHPhCH2Ph)2+, which map onto the reaction scheme predicted by density functional theory.     

Rhodium-catalyzed reaction of terminal alkynes with allylamine leading to (E)-3-alkylidene N-heterocycles

Terminal alkynes react with allylamine in the presence of a RhCl(PPh3)3 catalyst to give (E)-3-alkylidene-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrroles. The products consist of two molecules of alkyne and one molecule of allylamine. Although dimers, trimers, and oligomers of alkynes are also obtained as byproducts, the addition of various ammonium salts to the reaction suppresses such oligomerization, resulting in an increase in product.     

Mechanism of the copper-free palladium-catalyzed Sonagashira reactions: multiple role of amines

Amines used as bases in copper-free, palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira reactions play a multiple role. The oxidative addition of iodobenzene with [Pd(0)(PPh(3))(4)] is faster when performed in the presence of amines (piperidine>morpholine). Amines also substitute one ligand L in trans-[PdI(Ph)(L)(2)] (L=PPh(3), AsPh(3)) formed in the oxidative addition. This reversible reaction, which gives [PdI(Ph)L(R(2)NH)], is favored in the order AsPh(3)>PPh(3) and piperidine>morpholine. Two mechanisms are proposed for Sonogashira reactions, depending on the ligand and the amine. When L=PPh(3), its substitution by the amine in trans-[PdI(Ph)(PPh(3))(2)] is less favored than that of the alkyne. A mechanism involving prior coordination of the alkyne is suggested, followed by deprotonation of the ligated alkyne by the amine. When L=AsPh(3), its substitution in trans-[PdI(Ph)(AsPh(3))(2)] by the piperidine is easier than that by the alkyne, leading to a different mechanism: substitution of AsPh(3) by the amine is followed by substitution of the second AsPh(3) by the alkyne to generate [PdI(Ph)(amine)(alkyne)]. Deprotonation of the ligated alkyne by an external amine leads to the coupling product. This explains why the catalytic reactions are less efficient with AsPh(3) than with PPh(3) as ligand.     

A highly selective cascade approach to diverse aromatic ring systems from simple aromatic aldehydes and propiolates

[reaction: see text] A new triethylamine-catalyzed cascade reaction of aromatic aldehydes with propiolates has been developed. This serial multi-bond-forming process furnishes diverse polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, including naphthalenes, phenanthrenes, benzofurans, and 2,3,9,9a-tetrahydronaphtha[2,3-b]furans. The chemical outcome of the process depends on the reaction temperature and can be tailored selectively by an appropriate choice of experimental conditions.     

Lewis acid-base interactions between metal atoms and their applications for the synthesis of bimetallic cluster complexes

A series of new palladium-ruthenium cluster complexes have been prepared by adding Pd(PBu(t)(3)) fragments to the ruthenium-ruthenium bonds of ruthenium carbonyl complexes. Reaction of Pd(PBu(t)(3))(2) with Ru(3)(CO)(12) yielded the tripalladium adduct Ru(3)(CO)(12)[Pd(PBu(t)(3))](3) 1. Compound 1 contains three Pd(PBu(t)(3)) groups symmetrically disposed with each one acting as a bridge across one Ru-Ru bond of the former Ru(3)(CO)(12) molecule. Reaction of Pd(PBu(t)(3))(2) with Ru(6)(CO)(17)(C) yielded the dipalladium adduct Ru(6)(CO)(17)(C)[Pd(PBu(t)(3))](2) 2. Compound 2 exists as two isomers in the solid state. One isomer has Pd(PBu(t)(3)) groups bridging two edges of the Ru(6) octahedron. The other isomer has a Pd(PBu(t)(3)) group bridging one edge of the Ru(6) octahedron, and the other is a triple bridge. The reaction of Pd(PBu(t)(3))(2) with Ru(CO)(5) yielded the dipalladium-diruthenium complex Ru(2)(CO)(9)[Pd(PBu(t)(3))](2) 3, a dipalladium adduct of the unstable molecule Ru(2)(CO)(9).     

Transition-metal-catalyzed reactions of propargylamine with carbon dioxide and carbon disulfide.

The reactions of propargylamine derivatives with carbon dioxide and carbon disulfide have been systematically examined in the presence of transition-metal catalysts. Pd(OAc)(2) is the best catalyst for the formation of the corresponding oxazolidinones. In addition, we found that, in the reaction of propargylamine with carbon dioxide catalyzed by palladium(0) metal catalyst in toluene, both oxazolidinone 1 and imidazolidinone 2 could be obtained under mild reaction conditions at the same time. The reaction of 1 with primary and secondary amines has been examined. A plausible reaction mechanism for the formation of 2 was proposed. In addition, in this paper, we first disclosed the ligand's effect on this reaction. Using PBu(t)(3) as a ligand with Pd(2)(dba)(3), 1 was exclusively formed in 90% yield.     

Fluorinated Phenanthrenes as Aryne Precursors: PAH Synthesis Based on Domino Ring Assembly Using 1,1‐Difluoroallenes

On treatment with the catalyst InBr₃, 1,1‐difluoroallenes that bear a cyclopentene moiety and an aryl group underwent domino ring assembly in the presence or absence of N‐bromosuccinimide or N‐iodosuccinimide to afford aryne precursors such as three‐ringed ortho‐fluoro(halo)phenanthrenes, four‐ringed ortho‐fluoro(halo)tetraphenes, ortho‐fluoro(halo)chrysenes and fluoro[4]helicenes. Metalation of the aryne precursors followed by elimination of the fluoride resulted in the unprecedented systematic generation of arynes bearing π‐extended systems. Diels?Alder reactions of these arynes with isobenzofurans afforded the corresponding cycloadducts whose reductive aromatisation in an SnCl₂/HBr system furnished fully aromatised benzotriphenylenes. In addition, oxidative aryl?aryl coupling (the Scholl reaction) of these benzotriphenylenes facilitated the synthesis of ‘half HBCs’ (hexabenzocoronenes).     

A bimetallic catalyst and dual role catalyst: synthesis of N-(alkoxycarbonyl)indoles from 2-(alkynyl)phenylisocyanates

3-allyl-N-(alkoxycarbonyl)indoles are synthesized via the reaction of 2-(alkynyl)phenylisocyanates and allyl carbonates in the presence of Pd(PPh(3))(4) (1 mol %) and CuCl (4 mol %) bimetallic catalyst. It is most probable that Pd(0) acts as a catalyst for the formation of a pi-allylpalladium alkoxide intermediate and Cu(I) behaves as a Lewis acid to activate the isocyanate, and the cyclization step proceeds with a cooperative catalytic activity of Pd and Cu. On the other hand, N-(alkoxycarbonyl)indoles are produced via the reaction of 2-(alkynyl)phenylisocyanates and alcohols under a catalytic amount of Na(2)PdCl(4) (5 mol %) or PtCl(2) (5 mol %). Pd(II) or Pt(II) catalyst exhibits dual roles; it acts as a Lewis acid to accelerate the addition of alcohols to isocyanates and as a typical transition-metal catalyst to activate the alkyne for the subsequent cyclization.     

Scope and limitations of the Pd/BINAP-catalyzed amination of aryl bromides

Mixtures of Pd(2)(dba)(3) or Pd(OAc)(2) and BINAP catalyze the cross-coupling of amines with a variety of aryl bromides. Primary amines are arylated in high yield, and certain classes of secondary amines are also effectively transformed. The process tolerates the presence of several functional groups including methyl and ethyl esters, enolizable ketones, and nitro groups provided that cesium carbonate is employed as the base. Most reactions proceed to completion with 0.5-1.0 mol % of the palladium catalyst; in some cases, catalyst levels as low as 0.05 mol % Pd may be employed. Reactions are considerably faster if Pd(OAc)(2) is employed as the precatalyst, and the order in which reagents are added to the reaction has a substantial effect on reaction rate. It is likely that the catalytic process proceeds via bis(phosphine)palladium complexes as intermediates. These complexes are less prone to undergo undesirable side reactions which lead to diminished yields or catalyst deactivation than complexes of the corresponding monodentate triarylphosphines.     

Boron trifluoride induced palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of 1-aryltriazenes with areneboronic acids

[reaction: see text] Aryltriazenes are directly coupled with areneboronic acids in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd(2)(dba)(3) and P(tBu)(3) together with 1 equiv of BF(3).OEt(2) in DME to afford the corresponding biaryl products in up to 98% yield. A carbonylative cross-coupling reaction under a carbon monoxide atmosphere is also found to give the corresponding diaryl ketone with a similar catalyst system.     

Synthesis of ynones by palladium-catalyzed acylation of terminal alkynes with acid chlorides

Phosphane-free oxime-derived palladacycle 2 is an efficient precatalyst for the copper-free acylation of terminal alkynes with different carboxylic acid chlorides in toluene in the presence of 3 equiv of TEA as base, giving the corresponding ynones in good yields. The coupling reaction can normally be performed under air or under inert atmosphere when very low catalyst loadings (10(-3) mol % Pd) (turnover numbers (TONs) up to 23,000, turnover frequencies (TOFs) up to 958 h(-1)) or sensitive carboxylic acid chlorides are used. In addition, Pd(OAc)(2) has been shown as an efficient catalyst for the ligandless process, although usually working under higher loading conditions. This new protocol allows one to perform the synthesis of ynones at 110 degrees C, at room temperature, or under microwave irradiation conditions.     

Pd-catalyzed intermolecular amidation of aryl halides: the discovery that xantphos can be trans-chelating in a palladium complex

A general method for the intermolecular coupling of aryl halides and amides using a Xantphos/Pd catalyst is described. This system displays good functional group compatibility, and the desired C-N bond forming process proceeds in good to excellent yields with 1-4 mol % of the Pd catalyst. Additionally, the arylation of sulfonamides, oxazolidinones, and ureas is reported. The efficiency of these transformations was found to be highly dependent on reaction concentrations and catalyst loadings. A Pd complex resulting from oxidative addition of 4-bromobenzonitrile, (Xantphos)Pd(4-cyanophenyl)(Br) (II), was prepared in one step from Xantphos, Pd(2)(dba)(3), and the aryl bromide. Complex II proved to be an active catalyst for the coupling between 4-bromobenzonitrile and benzamide. X-ray crystallographic analysis of II revealed a rare trans-chelating bisphosphine-Pd(II) structure with a large bite angle of 150.7 degrees.     

An ortho-palladated dimethylbenzylamine complex as a highly efficient turnover catalyst for the decomposition of P=S insecticides. Mechanistic studies of the methanolysis of some P=S-containing phosphorothioate triesters

An ortho-palladated complex Pd(dmba)(py)(OTf) (9), or Pd(N,N-dimethylbenzylamine)(pyridine)(trifluoromethanesulfonate), was synthesized and its solution properties in methanol studied as a function of pH. In neutral solution the triflate dissociates from the complex to give a dominant form Pd(dmba)(py)(HOCH3), and in acid the pyridine dissociates to give Pyr-H+ and Pd(dmba)(HOCH3)(HOCH3). Under basic conditions, Pd(dmba)(py)(HOCH3) ionizes to give Pd(dmba)(py)(-OCH3) from which the pyridine can dissociate to yield a mixture of a bis-methoxy-bridged dimer (Pd(dmba)(-OCH3))2 (15-dimer), and its monomer Pd(dmba)(HOCH3)(-OCH3). Kinetic studies under buffered conditions reveal that 9 is an effective catalyst for the methanolysis of fenitrothion and other P=S pesticides. The active form of the catalyst is a basic one having one associated methoxide generated with an apparent (s)(s)pK(a) of 10.8. Analysis of the change in the UV/vis spectrum as a function of pH generates a spectrophotometric (s)(s)pK(a) of 10.8 +/- 0.1. This catalytic system is shown to promote the methanolysis of fenitrothion (3), diazinon (4), quinalphos (5), coumaphos (10) and dichlofenthion (11) at 0.05 mol dm(-3) triethyl amine buffer, (s)(s)pH 10.8, 25 degrees C, under turnover conditions where the [phosphorothioate]/[9] ratio is 48.6, 13.4, 13.4, 18.6, and 48.6 respectively. In all cases, the products were derived from displacement of the leaving group by methoxide, the second-order turnover rate constants being 36.9, 0.45, 0.12, >146.7 and 44.3 dm3 mol(-1) s(-1) respectively. An associative mechanism for the catalyzed methanolysis of the P=S pesticides is proposed where a transiently coordinated S=P substrate is intramolecularly attacked by the Pd(II)-coordinated methoxide.     

Regioselective synthesis of substituted naphthalenes and phenanthrenes by FeCl3-promoted annulation of aryl and naphthyl acetaldehydes with alkynes

The FeCl₃-promoted annulation reaction of aryl acetaldehydes with alkynes has been established, which provides a new and versatile straightforward procedure for the regioselective synthesis of mono-, di-, and polysubstituted naphthalenes under mild conditions. Interestingly, the present catalytic system not only differentiates between internal and terminal alkynes but also shows unprecedented complete Me₃SiOH elimination selectivity for silyl alkyne substrates. Furthermore, the synthesis of a series of substituted phenanthrenes via reactions of nathphyl acetaldehydes with internal alkynes is also achieved for the first time in good yields with excellent regioselectivity.