The application of polymer-bound carbonylcobalt(0) species in linker chemistry and catalysis

Carbonylcobalt(0) species have been used as linkers between alkynes and a polymer support for the first time. The alkynes may be loaded indirectly onto a phosphine functionalised polymer via their hexacarbonyldicobalt(0) complex, or directly onto a cobalt coated polymer. The alkynes have been released either as alkynes, thus providing a traceless method of immobilising alkynes, or by reaction with an alkene to generate a cyclopentenone via the Pauson-Khand reaction. The cobalt coated polymers produced during this study were shown to catalyse the Pauson-Khand reaction.     

Synthesis of naphthalenes through three-component coupling of alkynes, Fischer carbene complexes, and benzaldehyde hydrazones via isoindole intermediates

The synthesis of naphthalene derivatives through three-component coupling of 2-alkynylbenzaldehyde hydrazones with carbene complexes and electron-deficient alkynes has been examined. The reaction involves formation of an isoindole derivative, followed by intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction, followed by nitrene extrusion. The reaction was highly regioselective using unsymmetrical alkynes.     

Rh(I)-catalyzed carbonylative cyclization reactions of alkynes with 2-bromophenylboronic acids leading to indenones

The Rh-catalyzed reaction of alkynes with 2-bromophenylboronic acids involves carbonylative cyclization to give indenones. The key steps in the reaction involve the addition of an arylrhodium(I) species to an alkyne and the oxidative addition of C-Br bonds on the adjacent phenyl ring to give vinylrhodium(I) species II. The regioselectivity depends on both the electronic and the steric nature of the substituents on the alkynes. A bulky group and an electron-withdrawing group favor the -position of indenones. In the case of silyl- or ester-substituted alkynes, the regioselectivity is extremely high. The selectivity increases in the order SiMe3 > COOR > aryl > alkyl. The reaction of norbornene with 2-bromophenylboronic acids under 1 atm of CO gives the corresponding indanone derivative. The reaction of alkynes with 2-bromophenylboronic acids under nitrogen gives naphthalene derivatives, in which two molecules of alkynes are incorporated. A vinylrhodium complex similar to II can also be generated by a different route by employing 2-bromophenyl(trimethylsilyl)acetylene and arylboronic acids in the presence of Rh(I) complex as the catalyst, resulting in the formation of indenones. The reaction of 1-(2-bromophenyl)-hept-2-yn-1-one with PhB(OH)2 in the presence of Rh(I) complex also resulted in carbonylative cyclization to give an indan-1,3-dione derivative.     

A synthesis of trisubstituted alkenes by a Ru-catalyzed addition

Catalyzed by ruthenium trisacetonitrile hexafluorophosphate 4, the Alder-ene type reaction of alkenes and internal alkynes provides an effective way to synthesize trisubstituted alkenes. Unlike most typical olefination protocols, this reaction is atom economical, and affords trisubstituted alkenes with defined olefin geometry. The regioselectivity can be explained invoking a steric argument based on the proposed mechanism. The first C-C bond formation generally involves sterically less hindered carbons of the alkenes and alkynes. Modest to very high regioselectivity can be achieved depending on the steric difference of the two substituents of alkynes.     

Regioselective double hydrophosphination of terminal arylacetylenes catalyzed by an iron complex

The first catalytic double hydrophosphination of alkynes was achieved by reaction with diarylphosphines in the presence of an iron catalyst. The double hydrophosphination proceeded regioselectively and effectively for various secondary arylphosphines and terminal alkynes to give 1,2-bisphosphinoethane derivatives.     

Metal free synthesis of quinoxalines from alkynes via a cascade process using TsNBr2

A metal free protocol for the synthesis of quinoxalines from alkynes has been developed. The reaction was carried out by treating alkynes with TsNBr₂ in presence of O-phenylenediamines in a mixture of acetonitrile and water (9:1). This one-pot reaction proceeds via an oxidative transformation of alkynes to α,α-dibromoketones in presence of TsNBr₂ and eventually to quinoxalines in presence of 1,2-diamines in a cascade process.     

Copper‐Catalyzed [2+2+2] Modular Synthesis of Multisubstituted Pyridines: Alkenylation of Nitriles with Vinyliodonium Salts

A [2+2+2] modular synthesis of multisubstituted pyridines, with excellent regioselectivity, has been realized by copper catalysisand involves three distinct components: vinyliodonium salts, nitriles, and alkynes. The reactions proceeded with the facile formation of an aza‐butadienylium intermediate by alkenylation of the nitrile with a vinyliodonium salt. Moreover, the alkynes in the reaction were extended to alkenes, which are an advantage of expense and relative scarceness of alkynes.     

Copper-catalyzed hydrative amide synthesis with terminal alkyne, sulfonyl azide, and water

It is shown for the first time that N-sulfonyl amides can be efficiently prepared by an unconventional approach of the hydrative reaction between terminal alkynes, sulfonyl azides, and water in the presence of copper catalyst and amine base under very mild conditions. The present route is quite general, and a wide range of alkynes and sulfonyl azides are readily coupled catalytically with water to furnish amides in high yields. A variety of labile functional groups are tolerated under the conditions, and the reaction is regioselective in that only terminal alkynes react while double or internal triple bonds are intact. The reaction can be readily scaled up and is also adaptable to a solid-phase procedure with high efficiency.     

Palladium-catalyzed benzannulation from alkynes and allylic compounds

Various alkynes reacted with allyl tosylates in the presence of palladium catalysts, giving polysubstituted benzenes with good to high regioselectivity. Pentasubstituted and trisubstituted benzenes were readily prepared by reaction of internal alkynes and terminal alkynes, respectively. The combination of allyl alcohols and p-toluenesulfonic anhydride could be utilized in place of isolated allyl tosylates. The cyclization of diynes with allyl tosylate afforded bicyclic compounds containing an aromatic ring.     

Terminal Alkynes as One-Carbon Donors in [5+1] Heteroannulation: Synthesis of Pyridines via Ynimine Intermediates and Application in the Total Synthesis of Anibamine B

Transition-metal-catalyzed [4+2] heteroannulation of α,β-unsaturated oximes and their derivatives with alkynes has been developed into a powerful strategy for the synthesis of pyridines. It nevertheless lacks regioselectivity when unsymmetrically substituted alkynes are used. We report herein the unprecedented synthesis of polysubstituted pyridines by a formal [5+1] heteroannulation of two readily accessible building blocks. A copper-catalyzed aza-Sonogashira cross-coupling between β,γ-unsaturated oxime esters and terminal alkynes affords ynimines, which, without isolation, undergo an acid-catalyzed domino reaction involving ketenimine formation, 6π-electrocyclization and aromatization to afford pyridines. Terminal alkynes served as a one-carbon donor to the pyridine core in this transformation. Di- through pentasubstituted pyridines are accessible with complete regioselectivity and excellent functional-group compatibility. The first total synthesis of anibamine B, an indolizinium alkaloid with potent antiplasmodial activity, was accomplished featuring this reaction as a key step.     

Cationic carbohydroxylation of alkenes and alkynes using the cation pool method

The reactions of an N-acyliminium ion pool with alkenes and alkynes gave gamma-amino alcohols and beta-amino carbonyl compounds, respectively, after treatment with H(2)O/Et(3)N. The present reaction serves as an efficient method for cationic carbohydroxylation of alkenes and alkynes. When vinyltrimethylsilane was used as an alkene, the reaction was highly diastereoselective and served as an access to an enantiomerically pure alpha-silyl-gamma-amino alcohol. [reaction: see text]     

Reaction between Azidyl Radicals and Alkynes: A Straightforward Approach to NH‐1,2,3‐Triazoles

Reaction between nitrogen‐centered radicals and unsaturated C?C bonds is an effective synthetic strategy for the construction of nitrogen‐containing molecules. Although the reactions between nitrogen‐centered radicals and alkenes have been studied extensively, their counterpart reactions with alkynes are extremely rare. Herein, the first example of reactions between azidyl radicals and alkynes is described. This reaction initiated an efficient cascade reaction involving inter‐/intramolecular radical homolytic addition toward a C?C triple bond and a hydrogen‐atom transfer step to offer a straightforward approach to NH‐1,2,3‐triazoles under mild reaction conditions. Both the internal and terminal alkynes work well for this transformation and some heterocyclic substituents on alkynes are compatible. This mechanistically distinct strategy overcomes the inherent limitations associated with azide anion chemistry and represents a rare example of reactions between a nitrogen‐centered radicals and alkynes.     

Non-Sonogashira-type palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions of terminal alkynes assisted by silver(I) oxide or tetrabutylammonium fluoride

Palladium-catalyzed reaction of aryl and alkenyl halides with terminal alkynes in the presence of silver(I) oxide as an activator furnishes various arylated or alkenylated alkynes in good to excellent yields. The similar coupling reaction is also found to proceed using tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) or tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAOH) as an activator.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed [2+2] cycloadditions between substituted alkynes and norbornadiene: a theoretical study

Theoretical predictions have been made using density functional theory for the reaction paths of a series of substituted alkynes undergoing a ruthenium-catalyzed cycloaddition with norbornadiene. Substituents on the alkynes have been varied in order to probe electronic and steric effects and the role of an intramolecular hydrogen bond. Strong electron-withdrawing groups activate the alkyne and decrease the reaction barrier leading to an increased rate. Bulkier substituents are predicted to lead to higher barriers and slower rates. The hydroxyl group on the alkyne hydrogen bonds to the chlorine stabilizes the transition state and increases the reaction rate. Generally good agreement is found with the trends in recently reported experimental relative rates of reaction of substituted alkynes with norbornadiene.     

Highly stereoselective one-pot procedure to prepare bis- and tris-chalcogenide alkenes via addition of disulfides and diselenides to terminal alkynes

We present here the reaction of diorganoyl dichalcogenides with terminal alkynes under catalyst-free conditions, by a one-pot procedure, to prepare bis- and tris-chalcogenide alkenes selectively, avoiding the previous preparation of chalcogen alkynes. The reaction proceeded cleanly under mild reaction conditions, and the addition of dichalcogenides to alkynes occurred stereoselectively to give exclusively the corresponding Z isomers. We observed that the selectivity control was governed by the effective participation of the hydroxyl group from propargyl alcohols. In addition, the bis-chalcogenide alkenes were exclusively obtained with propargyl alcohol having the acidic hydroxyl group proton. Conversely, the alkynes with no potentially acidic hydroxyl group proton, at propargyl positions, gave exclusively the tris-chalcogenide alkenes.     

Synthesis of bis(indolyl)alkanes by a site-selective gold-catalyzed addition of indoles to butynol derivatives

A new site-selective hydroarylation reaction of alkynes catalyzed by gold complexes and directed by an internal hydroxyl group has been developed. Thus, the treatment of 3-butyn-1-ol derivatives with indoles and a catalytic amount of an in situ formed cationic gold complex leads to the formation of bis(indolyl)alkane derivatives. Particularly interesting is the reaction with terminal alkynes as the double addition of the indol occurs at the terminal carbon of the triple bond. The reaction conditions are very mild and the final bis(indolyl)alkanes are obtained in high yields.     

Mechanism of Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Conia‐ene Reaction of β‐Ketoesters with Alkynes: A DFT Study

Density functional calculations have been performed to comparatively investigate two possible pathways of Au(I)‐catalyzed Conia‐ene reaction of β‐ketoesters with alkynes. Our studies find that, under the assistance of trifluoromethanesulfonate (TfO), the β‐ketoester is the most likely to undergo Model II to isomerize into its enol form, in which TfO plays a proton transfer role through a 6‐membered ring transition state. The coordination of the Au(I) catalyst to the alkynes triple bond can enhance the eletrophilic capability and reaction activity of the alkynes moiety, which triggers the nucleophilic addition of the enol moiety on the alkynes moiety to give a vinyl‐Au intermediate. This cycloisomerizaion step is exothermal by 21.3 kJ/mol with an energy barrier of 56.0 kJ/mol. In the whole catalytic process, the protonation of vinyl‐Au is almost spontaneous, and the formation of enol is a rate‐limiting step. The generation of enol and the activation of Au(I) catalyst on the alkynes are the key reasons why the Conia‐ene reaction can occur in mild condition. These calculations support that Au(I)‐catalyzed Conia‐ene reactions of β‐ketoesters with alkynes go through the pathway 2 proposed by Toste.     

Syngas‐Free Highly Regioselective Rhodium‐Catalyzed Transfer Hydroformylation of Alkynes to α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes

The hydroformylation of alkynes is a fundamental and important reaction in both academic research and industry. Conventional methods focus on the conversion of alkynes, CO, and H₂ into α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes, but they often suffer from problems associated with operation, regioselectivity, and chemoselectivity. Herein, we disclose an operationally simple, mild, and syngas‐free rhodium‐catalyzed reaction for the hydroformylation of alkynes via formyl and hydride transfer from an alkyl aldehyde. This synthetic method uses inexpensive and easy‐to‐handle n‐butyraldehyde to overcome the challenge posed by the use of syngas in traditional approaches and employs a commercially available catalyst and ligand to transform a broad range of internal alkynes, especially alkynyl‐containing complex molecules, into versatile stereodefined α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes with excellent chemo‐, regio‐, and stereoselectivity.     

Aerobic Direct Dioxygenation of Terminal/Internal Alkynes to α-Hydroxyketones by an Fe Porphyrin Catalyst

We herein report a new synthetic method for the preparation of α-hydroxyketones by the dioxygenation of alkynes. The reaction proceeds at room temperature under the action of Fe porphyrin and pinacolborane under air as a green oxidant to produce α-hydroxyketones. The mild reaction conditions allow chemoselective oxidation with functional group tolerance. Terminal alkynes in addition to internal alkynes are applicable, affording unsymmetrical α-hydroxyketones that are difficult to obtain by any reported dioxygenation of unsaturated C−C bonds.     

A general and regioselective synthesis of cyclopentenone derivatives through nickel(0)-mediated [3 + 2] cyclization of alkenyl Fischer carbene complexes and internal alkynes

A broad range of substituted 2-cyclopentenone derivatives 3-6 are synthesized by the nickel(0)-mediated [3 + 2] cyclization reaction of chromium alkenyl(methoxy)carbene complexes 1 and internal alkynes 2. The reaction takes place with complete regioselectivity with both unactivated alkynes and activated alkynes (electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substituted alkynes). Representative cycloadducts containing boron and tin substituents are further demonstrated to be active partners in classical Pd-catalyzed C-C coupling processes to allow the production of 2-aryl- and 2-alkynyl-substituted cyclopentenones 9-13.