Iron‐Catalyzed α‐Alkylation of Ketones with Alcohols

A general and benign iron‐catalyzed α‐alkylation reaction of ketones with primary alcohols has been developed. The key to success of the reaction is the use of a Knölker‐type complex as catalyst (2 mol %) in the presence of Cs₂CO₃ as base (10 mol %) under hydrogen‐borrowing conditions. Using 2‐aminobenzyl alcohol as alkylation reagent allows for the “green” synthesis of quinoline derivatives.     

Chemo‐ and Stereoselective Iron‐Catalyzed Hydrosilylation of Ketones

The reduction of ketones with polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) gives the corresponding alcohols in good to excellent yield applying iron‐based catalyst systems. In the case of prochiral ketones, the use of Fe(OAc)₂/(S,S)‐Me‐DuPhos leads to high enantioselectivity up to 99 % ee. The reaction proceeds in the presence of several functional groups such as esters, halides as well as conjugated double bonds, with high chemoselectivity. The advantage of this protocol is that the reaction requires no activating agents or additives.     

Direct Catalytic Conversion of Ethanol to C5+ Ketones: Role of Pd–Zn Alloy on Catalytic Activity and Stability

Ethanol can be used as a platform molecule for synthesizing valuable chemicals and fuel precursors. Direct synthesis of C₅₊ ketones, building blocks for lubricants and hydrocarbon fuels, from ethanol was achieved over a stable Pd‐promoted ZnO‐ZrO₂ catalyst. The sequence of reaction steps involved in the C₅₊ ketone formation from ethanol was determined. The key reaction steps were found to be the in situ generation of the acetone intermediate and the cross‐aldol condensation between the reaction intermediates acetaldehyde and acetone. The formation of a Pd–Zn alloy in situ was identified to be the critical factor in maintaining high yield to the C₅₊ ketones and the stability of the catalyst. A yield of >70 % to C₅₊ ketones was achieved over a 0.1 % Pd‐ZnO‐ZrO₂ mixed oxide catalyst, and the catalyst was demonstrated to be stable beyond 2000 hours on stream without any catalyst deactivation.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Cross‐Coupling Reaction between Allylic CH Bonds and α‐CH Bonds of Ketones or Aldehydes

A dehydrogenative cross‐coupling reaction between allylic C?H bonds and the α‐C?H bond of ketones or aldehydes was developed using Cu(OTf)₂ as a catalyst and DDQ as an oxidant. This synthetic approach to γ,δ‐unsaturated ketones and aldehydes has the advantages of broad scope for both ketones and aldehydes as reactants, mild reaction conditions, good yields and atom economy. A plausible mechanism using Cu(OTf)₂ as a Lewis acid catalyst was also proposed (DDQ=2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone; Tf=trifluoromethanesulfonate).     

Platinum‐Catalyzed Multi‐Step Reaction of Propargyl Alcohols with N‐Heteroaromatics

N‐Methyl indole reacts with but‐2‐yn‐1‐ol in the presence of PtCl₂ in MeOH giving indole derivatives having a substituted 3‐oxobutyl group at the 3‐position in good yield. Under the reaction conditions, various substituted indoles and substituted propargyl alcohols are successfully involved in the reaction giving the corresponding addition products in good to moderate yields. The catalytic reaction can be further extended to N‐phenyl pyrrole. In the present multi‐step reaction, PtCl₂ likely plays dual roles: as the catalyst for the rearrangement of propargyl alcohols to the corresponding alkenyl ketones and as the catalyst for the addition of indoles to the alkenyl ketones. Experimental evidence is provided to support the proposed mechanism.     

Selective Hydrogenation and Hydrodeoxygenation of Aromatic Ketones to Cyclohexane Derivatives Using a Rh@SILP Catalyst

Rhodium nanoparticles immobilized on an acid‐free triphenylphosphonium‐based supported ionic liquid phase (Rh@SILP(Ph₃‐P‐NTf₂)) enabled the selective hydrogenation and hydrodeoxygenation of aromatic ketones. The flexible molecular approach used to assemble the individual catalyst components (SiO₂, ionic liquid, nanoparticles) led to outstanding catalytic properties. In particular, intimate contact between the nanoparticles and the phosphonium ionic liquid is required for the deoxygenation reactivity. The Rh@SILP(Ph₃‐P‐NTf₂) catalyst was active for the hydrodeoxygenation of benzylic ketones under mild conditions, and the product distribution for non‐benzylic ketones was controlled with high selectivity between the hydrogenated (alcohol) and hydrodeoxygenated (alkane) products by adjusting the reaction temperature. The versatile Rh@SILP(Ph₃‐P‐NTf₂) catalyst opens the way to the production of a wide range of high‐value cyclohexane derivatives by the hydrogenation and/or hydrodeoxygenation of Friedel–Crafts acylation products and lignin‐derived aromatic ketones.     

Nucleophilic Iron Complexes in Proton‐Transfer Catalysis: An Iron‐Catalyzed Dimroth Cyclocondensation

The nucleophilic iron complex Bu₄N[Fe(CO)₃(NO)] (TBA[Fe]) is an active catalyst in C?H‐amination but also in proton‐transfer catalysis. Herein, we describe the successful use of this complex as a proton‐transfer catalyst in the cyclocondensation reaction between azides and ketones to the corresponding 1,2,3‐triazoles. Cross‐experiments indicate that the proton‐transfer catalysis is significantly faster than the nitrene‐transfer catalysis, which would lead to the C?H amination product. An example of a successful sequential Dimroth triazole–indoline synthesis to the corresponding triazole‐substituted indolines is presented.     

钯配合物催化烯烃氧化合成酮类物质的研究进展

本文系统地评述了钯配合物催化烯烃氧化合成酮类物质的研究进展。综述了改进Wacker 类催化剂催化活性的几种方法。总结了烯烃氧化合成酮类物质反应的几种典型催化体系及其作用机理。着重介绍了Pd (Ⅱ) HPA (杂多酸)、Pd (Ⅱ) FePc (酞菁铁)、Pd (Ⅱ) HQ (氢醌) FePc、Pd (Ⅱ) HQHPA、Pd (Ⅱ) CuSO₄ HPA 等Wacker 类催化体系在烯烃氧化合成酮类物质中的应用; 对Pd (Ⅱ) LCoNO₂、PdCl₂(MeCN)₂ CuCl、Pd (OAc)₂ 吡啶、氟两相等非Wacker 类催化体系在烯烃氧化合成酮类物质中的应用也作了讨论。     

Axial base‐controlled catalytic activity,oxidative stability and product selectivity of water‐insoluble manganese and iron porphyrins for oxidation of styrenes in water under green conditions

A series of water‐insoluble iron(III) and manganese(III) porphyrins, FeT(2‐CH₃)PPCl, FeT(4‐OCH₃)PPCl, FeT(2‐Cl)PPCl, FeTPPCl, MnT(2‐CH₃)PPOAc, MnT(4‐OCH₃)PPOAc, MnT(2‐Cl)PPOAc and MnTPPOAc, in the presence of imidazole (ImH), F^?, Cl^?, Br^? and acetate were used as catalysts for the aqueous‐phase heterogeneous oxidation of styrenes to the corresponding epoxides and aldehydes with sodium periodate. Also, the effect of various reaction parameters such as reaction time, molar ratio of catalyst to axial base, type of axial base, molar ratio of olefin to oxidant and nature of metal centre on the activity and oxidative stability of the catalysts and the product selectivity was investigated. Higher catalytic activities were found for the iron complexes. Interestingly, the selectivity towards the formation of epoxide and aldehyde (or acetophenone) was significantly influenced by the type of axial base. Furthermore, Br^? and ImH were found to be the most efficient co‐catalysts for the oxidation of olefins performed in the presence of the manganese and iron porphyrins, respectively. The optimized molar ratio of catalyst to axial base was different for various axial bases. Also, the order of co‐catalyst activity of the axial bases obtained in aqueous medium was different from that reported for organic solvents. The use of a convenient axial base under optimum reaction catalyst to co‐catalyst molar ratio in the presence of the manganese porphyrin gave the oxidative products with a conversion of ca 100% in a reaction time of less than 3 h. However, the catalytic activity of the iron porphyrins could not be effectively improved by increasing the catalyst to co‐catalyst molar ratio.     

Recent Progress on Nazarov Cyclizations: The Use of Iron Salts as Catalysts in Ionic Liquid Solvent Systems

Nazarov cyclization is an important and versatile method for the synthesis of five‐membered carbocycles, and extensive studies have been conducted to optimize the reaction. Among recent studies, several trends are recognized. One is the combination of different reactions with Nazarov cyclization in a one‐pot reaction system which enables the preparation of unique cyclization products. The second is the use of a transition‐metal catalyst, though Lewis or Brønsted acids have generally been used for the reaction. The third is the realization of the asymmetric Nazarov cyclization. The fourth is the base‐catalyzed Nazarov cyclization. Furthermore, several useful protocols for realizing Nazarov cyclization have also been developed. The recent progress on Nazarov cyclizations is summarized in Section 2. Section 3 is our chronicle in this field. We focused on the use of iron as the catalyst in Nazarov cyclizations and ionic liquids as solvents: Nazarov cyclization of thiophene derivatives using FeCl₃ as the catalyst was accomplished and we succeeded in demonstrating the first example of an iron‐catalyzed asymmetric Nazarov reaction. We next established Nazarov cyclization of pyrrole or indole derivatives using Fe(ClO₄)₃·Al₂O₃ as the catalyst with high trans selectivities in excellent yields. Since the cyclized product was reacted with a vinyl ketone in the presence of the same iron salt, the system allowed realization of the sequential type of Nazarov/Michael reaction of pyrrole derivatives. Furthermore, we demonstrated the recyclable use of the iron catalyst and obtained the desired Nazarov/Michael reaction products in good yields for five repetitions of the reactions without any addition of the catalyst using an ionic liquid, [bmim][NTf₂], as the solvent. We expect that the iron‐catalyzed Nazarov cyclization, in particular, in an ionic liquid solvent might become a useful method to synthesize functional molecules that include cycloalkene moieties.     

A rhodium‐catalyzed route for oxidative coupling and cyclization of 2‐aminobenzyl alcohol with ketones leading to quinolines

2‐Aminobenzyl alcohol undergoes oxidative cyclization with aryl(alkyl), alkyl(alkyl) and cyclic ketones in dioxane at 80° in the presence of a catalytic amount of RhCl(PPh₃)₃ along with KOH to afford the corresponding quinolines in good yields. The catalytic pathway seems to be proceeded via a sequence involving initial oxidation of 2‐aminobenzyl alcohol to 2‐aminobenzaldehyde by a rhodium catalyst, cross aldol reaction between 2‐aminobenzaldehyde and ketones, and cyclodehydration.     

Ketones from Nickel‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative,Non‐Symmetric Cross‐Electrophile Coupling of Carboxylic Acid Esters

Synthesis of the C?C bonds of ketones relies upon one high‐availability reagent (carboxylic acids) and one low‐availability reagent (organometallic reagents or alkyl iodides). We demonstrate here a ketone synthesis that couples two different carboxylic acid esters, N‐hydroxyphthalimide esters and S‐2‐pyridyl thioesters, to form aryl alkyl and dialkyl ketones in high yields. The keys to this approach are the use of a nickel catalyst with an electron‐poor bipyridine or terpyridine ligand, a THF/DMA mixed solvent system, and ZnCl₂ to enhance the reactivity of the NHP ester. The resulting reaction can be used to form ketones that have previously been difficult to access, such as hindered tertiary/tertiary ketones with strained rings and ketones with α‐heteroatoms. The conditions can be employed in the coupling of complex fragments, including a 20‐mer peptide fragment analog of Exendin(9–39) on solid support.     

Ketones from Nickel‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative,Non‐Symmetric Cross‐Electrophile Coupling of Carboxylic Acid Esters

Synthesis of the C?C bonds of ketones relies upon one high‐availability reagent (carboxylic acids) and one low‐availability reagent (organometallic reagents or alkyl iodides). We demonstrate here a ketone synthesis that couples two different carboxylic acid esters, N‐hydroxyphthalimide esters and S‐2‐pyridyl thioesters, to form aryl alkyl and dialkyl ketones in high yields. The keys to this approach are the use of a nickel catalyst with an electron‐poor bipyridine or terpyridine ligand, a THF/DMA mixed solvent system, and ZnCl₂ to enhance the reactivity of the NHP ester. The resulting reaction can be used to form ketones that have previously been difficult to access, such as hindered tertiary/tertiary ketones with strained rings and ketones with α‐heteroatoms. The conditions can be employed in the coupling of complex fragments, including a 20‐mer peptide fragment analog of Exendin(9–39) on solid support.     

A Sustainable Synthesis of 2‐Benzoxazyl and 2‐Benzothiazyl Ketones from Alkynyl Bromides and 2‐Amino(thio)phenols Promoted by a Recyclable Catalytic System

An environmentally and economically sustainable synthesis of 2‐benzoxazyl ketones and 2‐benzothiazyl ketones through FeCl₃·6H₂O catalyzed tandem reactions of alkynyl bromides with 2‐amino(thio)phenols in [bmim]BF₄ has been developed. Remarkable advantages of this new synthetic strategy include high efficiency, readily available starting materials, and recyclable catalyst and reaction medium.     

CH Photooxygenation of Alkyl Benzenes Catalyzed by Riboflavin Tetraacetate and a Non‐Heme Iron Catalyst

A mixture of the photocatalyst riboflavin tetraacetate (RFT) and the biomimetic non‐heme iron complex [Fe(TPA)(MeCN)₂](ClO₄)₂ (TPA=tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine) efficiently catalyzes the visible‐light‐driven aerobic oxidation of alkyl benzenes to ketones and carboxylic acids. An RFT‐catalyzed photocycle and the independent action of the iron complex as a catalyst for H₂O₂ disproportionation and alkyl benzene oxygenation ensure high yields and selectivities.     

Asymmetric Hydrogenation of α-Hydroxy Ketones: A Reaction Sensitive toward Electronic Effect of Substrates

以[RuCl2(benzene)]2 和 SunPhos为原料现场制备的催化剂,催化不对称氢化α-羟基酮类化合物可获得手性1, 2-二醇类化合物,ee值最高达99%。     

Enantioselective N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Catalysis by the Umpolung of α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones

N‐Heterocyclic carbene‐catalyzed formation of β‐anionic intermediates from enones has been employed in the enantioselective synthesis of 2‐aryl propionates. The reaction was achievable using a homochiral 4‐MeOC₆H₄ morpholinone catalyst allowing the first example of enantioselective catalysis by umpolung of α,β‐unsaturated ketones. The reaction is high yielding, and shows robustness with reasonable generality. A mechanism is proposed in which the enantiodetermining protonation is achieved using either hexafluoroisopropanol or the formed naphthol product.     

A Molecularly Defined Iron‐Catalyst for the Selective Hydrogenation of α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes

A selective iron‐based catalyst system for the hydrogenation of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes to allylic alcohols is presented. Applying the defined iron–tetraphos complex [FeF(L)][BF₄] (L=P(PhPPh₂)₃) in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid a broad range of aldehydes are reduced in high yields using low catalyst loadings (0.05–1 mol %). Excellent chemoselectivity for the reduction of aldehydes in the presence of other reducible moieties, for example, ketones, olefins, esters, etc. is achieved. Based on the in situ detected hydride species [FeH(H₂)(L)]⁺ a catalytic cycle is proposed that is supported by computational calculations.     

Efficient Synthesis of β‐Acetylamino Ketones using Silica‐Supported Sodium Hydrogen Sulfate as a Heterogeneous Catalyst

Silica‐supported sodium hydrogen sulfate (NaHSO₄ · SiO₂) efficiently catalyzes the four‐component reaction of aryl aldehydes, enolisable ketones, acetyl chloride, and acetonitrile to form the corresponding β‐acetylamino ketones at room temperature. The catalyst is inexpensive and ecofriendly and works under heterogeneous conditions.The present methodology offers several advantages such as excellent yields, simple procedure, short reaction times (1–3 h), and mild conditions.     

Highly Enantioselective Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones with Chiral (NH)2P2 Macrocyclic Iron(II) Complexes

Bis(isonitrile) iron(II) complexes bearing a C₂‐symmetric diamino (NH)₂P₂ macrocyclic ligand efficiently catalyze the hydrogenation of polar bonds of a broad scope of substrates (ketones, enones, and imines) in high yield (up to 99.5 %), excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee), and with low catalyst loading (generally 0.1 mol %). The catalyst can be easily tuned by modifying the substituents of the isonitrile ligand.