Photoredox‐Catalyzed Stereoselective Conversion of Alkynes into Tetrasubstituted Trifluoromethylated Alkenes

A regio‐ and stereoselective synthesis of trifluoromethylated alkenes bearing four different substituents has been developed. Stereocontrolled sulfonyloxytrifluoromethylation of unsymmetric internal alkynes with an electrophilic CF₃ reagent, namely the triflate salt of the Yagupol’skii–Umemoto reagent, in the presence of an Ir photoredox catalyst under visible‐light irradiation afforded trifluoromethylalkenyl triflates with well‐predictable stereochemistry resulting from anti addition of the trifluoromethyl and triflate groups. Subsequent palladium‐catalyzed cross‐couplings led to tetrasubstituted trifluoromethylated alkenes in a highly stereoselective manner. The present method is the first example of a facile one‐pot synthesis of tetrasubstituted trifluoromethylated alkenes from simple alkynes.     

The Photoredox‐Catalyzed Meerwein Addition Reaction: Intermolecular Amino‐Arylation of Alkenes

A variety of amides are efficiently accessible under mild conditions by intermolecular amino‐arylation using a photo Meerwein addition with visible light. The reaction has a broad substrate scope, tolerates a large range of functional groups, and was applied to the synthesis of a 3‐aryl‐3,4‐dihydroisoquinoline.     

Silver(I)‐Promoted Radical Sulfonylation of Allyl/Propargyl Alcohols: Efficient Synthesis of γ‐Keto Sulfones

An efficient Ag₂CO₃‐promoted sulfonylation of allyl/propargyl alcohols with sodium sulfinates has been developed. The reaction tolerates a wide range of functional groups to deliver γ‐keto sulfones in high yields (up to 93 %). Propargyl alcohols furnished trimerization product 1,3,5‐triaroylbenzenes in the presence of sodium methanesulfinate under the standard conditions. A mechanism involving a sulfonyl radical was suggested.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed anti‐Markovnikov Oxidation of Terminal Alkenes

The palladium‐catalyzed oxidation of alkenes, the Wacker–Tsuji reaction, is undoubtedly a classic in organic synthesis and provides reliable access to methyl ketones from terminal alkenes under mild reaction conditions. Methods that switch the selectivity of the reaction to provide the aldehyde product are desirable because of the access they provide to a valuable functional group, however such methods are elusive. Herein we survey both the methods which have been developed recently in achieving such selectivity and discuss common features and mechanistic insight which offers promise in achieving the goal of a general method for anti‐Markovnikov‐selective olefin oxidations.     

Photoredox‐Catalyzed Functionalization of Alkenes with Thiourea Dioxide: Construction of Alkyl Sulfones or Sulfonamides

Sulfonylation of alkenes through photoredox‐catalyzed functionalization of alkenes with thiourea dioxide under visible‐light irradiation is achieved. The reaction of alkenes, thiourea dioxide and electrophiles provides a green and efficient access to alkyl sulfones and sulfonamides. A broad reaction scope is presented with good functional group compatibility and excellent regioselectivity. A plausible mechanism involving a radical addition process with sulfur dioxide radical anion (SO₂^‐) derived from the oxidation of sulfur dioxide anion (SO₂^2–) is proposed, which is supported by fluorescence quenching experiments.     

Base‐Free Non‐Noble‐Metal‐Catalyzed Hydrogen Generation from Formic Acid: Scope and Mechanistic Insights

The iron‐catalyzed dehydrogenation of formic acid has been studied both experimentally and mechanistically. The most active catalysts were generated in situ from cationic Fe^II/Fe^III precursors and tris[2‐(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]phosphine ( 1 , PP₃). In contrast to most known noble‐metal catalysts used for this transformation, no additional base was necessary. The activity of the iron catalyst depended highly on the solvent used, the presence of halide ions, the water content, and the ligand‐to‐metal ratio. The optimal catalytic performance was achieved by using [FeH(PP₃)]BF₄/PP₃ in propylene carbonate in the presence of traces of water. With the exception of fluoride, the presence of halide ions in solution inhibited the catalytic activity. IR, Raman, UV/Vis, and EXAFS/XANES analyses gave detailed insights into the mechanism of hydrogen generation from formic acid at low temperature, supported by DFT calculations. In situ transmission FTIR measurements revealed the formation of an active iron formate species by the band observed at 1543 cm^?1, which could be correlated with the evolution of gas. This active species was deactivated in the presence of chloride ions due to the formation of a chloro species (UV/Vis, Raman, IR, and XAS). In addition, XAS measurements demonstrated the importance of the solvent for the coordination of the PP₃ ligand.     

Oxidative Interception of the Hydroamination Pathway: A Gold‐Catalyzed Diamination of Alkenes

A complimentary diamination of alkenes by using homogeneous gold catalysts is described. The reaction is one of very few examples of homogeneous gold oxidation catalysis and proceeds with high selectivity under mild conditions. Individual steps of the suggested catalytic cycle were investigated on isolated model gold complexes, and new pathways for gold‐catalyzed amination reactions were established. The key step is an intramolecular alkyl–nitrogen bond formation from a gold(III) intermediate. This process validates the concept of reductive elimination from high oxidation catalyst states for this type of C? N bond forming reactions.     

Visible‐Light Photoredox‐Catalyzed C−H Difluoroalkylation of Hydrazones through an Aminyl Radical/Polar Mechanism

An unprecedented visible‐light‐induced direct C?H bond difluoroalkylation of aldehyde‐derived hydrazones was developed. This reaction represents a new way to synthesize substituted hydrazones. The salient features of this reaction include difluorinated hydrazone synthesis rather than classical amine synthesis, extremely mild reaction conditions, high efficiency, wide substrate scope, ease in further transformations of the products, and one‐pot syntheses. Mechanistic analyses and theoretical calculations indicate that this reaction is enabled by a novel aminyl radical/polar crossover mechanism, with the aminyl radical being oxidized into the corresponding aminyl cation through a single electron transfer (SET) process.     

On the Mechanism of Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Azide–Alkyne Cycloaddition

The copper(I)‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction regiospecifically produces 1,4‐disubstituted‐1,2,3‐triazole molecules. This heterocycle formation chemistry has high tolerance to reaction conditions and substrate structures. Therefore, it has been practiced not only within, but also far beyond the area of heterocyclic chemistry. Herein, the mechanistic understanding of CuAAC is summarized, with a particular emphasis on the significance of copper/azide interactions. Our analysis concludes that the formation of the azide/copper(I) acetylide complex in the early stage of the reaction dictates the reaction rate. The subsequent triazole ring‐formation step is fast and consequently possibly kinetically invisible. Therefore, structures of substrates and copper catalysts, as well as other reaction variables that are conducive to the formation of the copper/alkyne/azide ternary complex predisposed for cycloaddition would result in highly efficient CuAAC reactions. Specifically, terminal alkynes with relatively low pK_a values and an inclination to engage in π‐backbonding with copper(I), azides with ancillary copper‐binding ligands (aka chelating azides), and copper catalysts that resist aggregation, balance redox activity with Lewis acidity, and allow for dinuclear cooperative catalysis are favored in CuAAC reactions. Brief discussions on the mechanistic aspects of internal alkyne‐involved CuAAC reactions are also included, based on the relatively limited data that are available at this point.     

The Mechanism of Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Hydroalkoxylation of Alkynes: An Extensive Experimental Study

An extensive experimental study of the mechanism of gold(I)‐catalyzed hydroalkoxylation of internal alkynes has been conducted by using NMR spectroscopy. This study was focused on the organogold intermediates, observations of actual catalytic intermediates in situ, and the reaction kinetics that are involved in this reaction. Based on the experimental results, a complete mechanistic picture was established, including on‐ and off‐cycle processes that explain the role of diaurated species. We have shown that gold‐catalyzed hydroalkoxylation of internal alkynes is a reaction that requires only one gold atom for the catalytic cycle, disproving a recent hypothesis regarding the involvement of cooperative gold catalysis.     

Cobalt‐Catalyzed Hydrogen‐Atom Transfer Induces Bicyclizations that Tolerate Electron‐Rich and Electron‐Deficient Intermediate Alkenes

A novel Co^II‐catalyzed polyene cyclization was developed that is uniquely effective when performed in hexafluoroisopropanol as the solvent. The process is presumably initiated by metal‐catalyzed hydrogen‐atom transfer (MHAT) to 1,1‐disubstituted or monosubstituted alkenes, and the reaction is remarkable for its tolerance of internal alkenes bearing either electron‐rich methyl or electron‐deficient nitrile substituents. Electron‐rich aromatic terminators are required in both cases. Terpenoid scaffolds with different substitution patterns are obtained with excellent diastereoselectivities, and the bioactive C20‐oxidized abietane diterpenoid carnosaldehyde was made to showcase the utility of the nitrile‐bearing products. Also provided are the results of several mechanistic experiments that suggest the process features an MHAT‐induced radical bicyclization with late‐stage oxidation to regenerate the aromatic terminator.     

Gold‐Catalyzed Formal Dehydro‐Diels–Alder Reactions of Ene‐Ynamide Derivatives Bearing Terminal Alkyne Chains: Scope and Mechanistic Studies

A new protocol for the synthesis of a variety of N‐containing aromatic heterocycles by a formal gold‐catalyzed dehydro‐Diels–Alder reaction of ynamide derivatives has been developed. Deuterium‐labeling experiments and kinetic studies support the involvement of a dual gold catalysis mechanism in which a gold acetylide moiety adds onto an aurated keteneiminium.     

Cobalt‐Catalyzed E‐Selective Cross‐Dimerization of Terminal Alkynes: A Mechanism Involving Cobalt(0/II) Redox Cycles

A highly E‐selective cross‐dimerization of terminal alkynes with either terminal silylacetylenes, tert‐butylacetylene, or 1‐trimethylsilyloxy‐1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐propyne in the presence of a dichlorocobalt(II) complex bearing a sterically demanding 2,9‐bis(2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyl)‐1,10‐phenanthroline, activated with two equivalents of EtMgBr, gives a variety of (E)‐1,3‐enynes. A well‐characterized diolefin/cobalt(0) complex, with divinyltetramethyldisiloxane, acted as a catalytically active species without any activation, clearly indicating that a cobalt(0) species is involved in the catalytic cycle.     

Efficient Pd‐Catalyzed Allene Synthesis from Alkynes and Aryl Bromides through an Intramolecular Base‐Assisted Deprotonation (iBAD) Mechanism

An optimized ligand‐controlled palladium‐catalyzed allene synthesis starting from alkynes and aryl bromides giving rise to allene products in a simple and direct manner is described. The methodology is performed in an inter‐ and intramolecular fashion with unprecedented scope and excellent yields. Based on mechanistic investigations and on DFT calculations, the role played by the carboxylic additive (i.e., PivOH) in controlling the selectivity of the reaction is discussed, allowing us to propose an intramolecular base‐assisted deprotonation (iBAD) mechanism for this process.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Oxidative Intermolecular Difunctionalization of Terminal Alkenes with Organostannanes and Molecular Oxygen

A cationic palladium complex catalyzes the title transformations, which are thought to proceed via a π‐allyl or π‐benzyl intermediate. The regioselectivity of the reaction (1,2‐ or 1,1‐difunctionalization) depends on the type of terminal double bond (conjugated or nonconjugated) in the substrate (see scheme) and appears to be controlled by the relative rates of β‐hydride elimination and transmetalation. DMA=dimethylacetamide, Tf=triflyl.

     

Silicon‐Free SuFEx Reactions of Sulfonimidoyl Fluorides: Scope,Enantioselectivity, and Mechanism

SuFEx reactions, in which an S?F moiety reacts with a silyl‐protected phenol, have been developed as powerful click reactions. In the current paper we open up the potential of SuFEx reactions as enantioselective reactions, analyze the role of Si and outline the mechanism of this reaction. As a result, fast, high‐yielding, “Si‐free” and enantiospecific SuFEx reactions of sulfonimidoyl fluorides have been developed, and their mechanism shown, by both experimental and theoretical methods, to yield chiral products.     

Pd‐Catalyzed Carbonylative α‐Arylation of Aryl Bromides: Scope and Mechanistic Studies

Reaction conditions for the three‐component synthesis of aryl 1,3‐diketones are reported applying the palladium‐catalyzed carbonylative α‐arylation of ketones with aryl bromides. The optimal conditions were found by using a catalytic system derived from [Pd(dba)₂] (dba=dibenzylideneacetone) as the palladium source and 1,3‐bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (DPPP) as the bidentate ligand. These transformations were run in the two‐chamber reactor, COware, applying only 1.5 equivalents of carbon monoxide generated from the CO‐releasing compound, 9‐methylfluorene‐9‐carbonyl chloride (COgen). The methodology proved adaptable to a wide variety of aryl and heteroaryl bromides leading to a diverse range of aryl 1,3‐diketones. A mechanistic investigation of this transformation relying on ³¹P and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy was undertaken to determine the possible catalytic pathway. Our results revealed that the combination of [Pd(dba)₂] and DPPP was only reactive towards 4‐bromoanisole in the presence of the sodium enolate of propiophenone suggesting that a [Pd(dppp)(enolate)] anion was initially generated before the oxidative‐addition step. Subsequent CO insertion into an [Pd(Ar)(dppp)(enolate)] species provided the 1,3‐diketone. These results indicate that a catalytic cycle, different from the classical carbonylation mechanism proposed by Heck, is operating. To investigate the effect of the dba ligand, the Pd⁰ precursor, [Pd(η³‐1‐PhC₃H₄)(η⁵‐C₅H₅)], was examined. In the presence of DPPP, and in contrast to [Pd(dba)₂], its oxidative addition with 4‐bromoanisole occurred smoothly providing the [PdBr(Ar)(dppp)] complex. After treatment with CO, the acyl complex [Pd(CO)Br(Ar)(dppp)] was generated, however, its treatment with the sodium enolate led exclusively to the acylated enol in high yield. Nevertheless, the carbonylative α‐arylation of 4‐bromoanisole with either catalytic or stoichiometric [Pd(η³‐1‐PhC₃H₄)(η⁵‐C₅H₅)] over a short reaction time, led to the 1,3‐diketone product. Because none of the acylated enol was detected, this implied that a similar mechanistic pathway is operating as that observed for the same transformation with [Pd(dba)₂] as the Pd source.     

Hydroxy‐Directed Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Alkene/Alkyne Coupling: Increased Scope,Stereochemical Implications,and Mechanistic Rationale

The recognition of the dual binding mode of propargyl and allyl alcohols to [Cp*Ru] fragments fostered the development of a highly regioselective intermolecular Alder‐ene‐type reaction of alkynes with 1,2‐disubstituted alkenes. The increased substrate scope opens new perspectives in stereochemical terms. As the loaded catalyst is chiral‐at‐metal, stereochemical information is efficiently relayed from the propargylic site to the emerging C−C bond. This interpretation is based on the X‐ray structure of the first Cp*Ru complex carrying an intact enyne ligand, and provides valuable insights into bonding and activation of the substrates. Computational data draw a clear picture of the principles governing regio‐ and stereocontrol.     

Following Solid‐Acid‐Catalyzed Reactions by MAS NMR Spectroscopy in Liquid Phase—Zeolite‐Catalyzed Conversion of Cyclohexanol in Water

A microautoclave magic angle spinning NMR rotor is developed enabling in situ monitoring of solid–liquid–gas reactions at high temperatures and pressures. It is used in a kinetic and mechanistic study of the reactions of cyclohexanol on zeolite HBEA in 130 °C water. The ¹³C spectra show that dehydration of 1‐¹³C‐cyclohexanol occurs with significant migration of the hydroxy group in cyclohexanol and the double bond in cyclohexene with respect to the ¹³C label. A simplified kinetic model shows the E1‐type elimination fully accounts for the initial rates of 1‐¹³C‐cyclohexanol disappearance and the appearance of the differently labeled products, thus suggesting that the cyclohexyl cation undergoes a 1,2‐hydride shift competitive with rehydration and deprotonation. Concurrent with the dehydration, trace amounts of dicyclohexyl ether are observed, and in approaching equilibrium, a secondary product, cyclohexyl‐1‐cyclohexene is formed. Compared to phosphoric acid, HBEA is shown to be a more active catalyst exhibiting a dehydration rate that is 100‐fold faster per proton.