Nickel‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Dialkyl Ketones from the Coupling of N‐Alkyl Pyridinium Salts with Activated Carboxylic Acids

While ketones are among the most versatile functional groups, their synthesis remains reliant upon reactive and low‐abundance starting materials. In contrast, amide formation is the most‐used bond‐construction method in medicinal chemistry because the chemistry is reliable and draws upon large and diverse substrate pools. A new method for the synthesis of ketones is presented here that draws from the same substrates used for amide bond synthesis: amines and carboxylic acids. A nickel terpyridine catalyst couples N‐alkyl pyridinium salts with in situ formed carboxylic acid fluorides or 2‐pyridyl esters under reducing conditions (Mn metal). The reaction has a broad scope, as demonstrated by the synthesis of 35 different ketones bearing a wide variety of functional groups with an average yield of 60±16 %. This approach is capable of coupling diverse substrates, including pharmaceutical intermediates, to rapidly form complex ketones.     

Photoinduced Electron Transfer from Xanthates to Acyl Azoliums: Divergent Ketone Synthesis via N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalysis

Considering the prevalence of alcohols and carboxylic acids, their fragment cross-coupling reactions could hold significant implications in organic synthesis. Herein, we report a versatile method for synthesizing a diverse range of ketones from alcohols and carboxylic acid derivatives via N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis. Mechanistic investigations revealed that photoexcited xanthates and acyl azoliums undergo single electron transfer (SET) under photocatalyst-free conditions, generating NHC-derived ketyl radicals and alkyl radicals. These open-shell intermediates subsequently undergo the radical-radical cross-coupling reaction, yielding valuable ketones. Furthermore, this approach can be employed in three-component reactions involving alkenes and enynes, resulting in structurally diverse cross-coupled ketones. The unified strategy offers a unique opportunity for the fragment coupling of a diverse range of alcohols and carboxylic acid derivatives, accommodating diverse functional groups even in complex settings.     

Carboxylic Acids as Traceless Directing Groups for the Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative CH Arylation of Thiophenes

A rhodium(III)‐catalyzed carboxylic acid directed decarboxylative C? H/C? H cross‐coupling of carboxylic acids with thiophenes has been developed. With a slight adjustment of the reaction conditions based on the nature of the substrates, aryl carboxylic acids with a variety of substituents could serve as suitable coupling partners, and a broad variety of functional groups were tolerated. This method provides straightforward access to biaryl scaffolds with diverse substitution patterns, many of which have conventionally been synthesized through lengthy synthetic sequences. An illustrative example is the one‐step gram‐scale synthesis of a biologically active 3,5‐substituted 2‐arylthiophene by way of the current method.     

Manganese‐Catalyzed Hydroarylation of Unactivated Alkenes

Transition‐metal‐catalyzed hydroarylation of unactivated alkenes with strategic use of remote coordinating functional groups has received significant attention recently to address the issues of both low reactivity and poor selectivity. The bidentate 8‐aminoquinoline amide group is the most successfully adopted in unactivated alkenes for Pd and Ni catalysis. We describe the first manganese‐catalyzed hydroarylation of unactivated alkenes bearing diverse simple functionalities with arylboronic acids. A series of δ‐ and γ‐arylated amides, ketones, pyridines, and amines was accessed with excellent regioselectivity and in high yields. Hydroalkenylation of unactivated alkenes was also shown to be applicable under this manganese‐catalysis regime. The method features earth‐abundant manganese catalysis, easily available substrates, broad functional‐group tolerance, and excellent regioselective control.     

Carboxylic Acids as Traceless Directing Groups for the Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative C?H Arylation of Thiophenes

A rhodium(III)‐catalyzed carboxylic acid directed decarboxylative C H/C H cross‐coupling of carboxylic acids with thiophenes has been developed. With a slight adjustment of the reaction conditions based on the nature of the substrates, aryl carboxylic acids with a variety of substituents could serve as suitable coupling partners, and a broad variety of functional groups were tolerated. This method provides straightforward access to biaryl scaffolds with diverse substitution patterns, many of which have conventionally been synthesized through lengthy synthetic sequences. An illustrative example is the one‐step gram‐scale synthesis of a biologically active 3,5‐substituted 2‐arylthiophene by way of the current method.     

Highly efficient dehydrogenation of secondary alcohols catalyzed by iridium-CNP complexes

A new highly practical method is presented for dehydrogenation of secondary alcohols to the corresponding ketones catalyzed by the iridium-CNP complexes. The reactions are compatible with substrates bearing diverse functional groups and proceed efficiently under mild conditions.     

Alkylation de quelques composés carbonylés par des groupes tertiaires. Utilisation de la réaction de friedel-crafts dans la synthèse d'ésters

t-Alkylation of carboxylic esters via their ketene alkyl trimethylsilyl acetals by the Friedal-Crafts reaction allows the synthesis of new highly hindered compounds. A new route using sodium amide in dimethoxyethane, for the preparation of trimethylsilylenol ethers of ketones, is described. The α-t-butylation of these compounds permits the synthesis of new crowded pentasubstituted ketones. The limits as well as the performance of the method have been studied.     

Manganese-Catalyzed Hydroarylation of Unactivated Alkenes

Transition-metal-catalyzed hydroarylation of unactivated alkenes with strategic use of remote coordinating functional groups has received significant attention recently to address the issues of both low reactivity and poor selectivity. The bidentate 8-aminoquinoline amide group is the most successfully adopted in unactivated alkenes for Pd and Ni catalysis. We describe the first manganese-catalyzed hydroarylation of unactivated alkenes bearing diverse simple functionalities with arylboronic acids. A series of δ- and γ-arylated amides, ketones, pyridines, and amines was accessed with excellent regioselectivity and in high yields. Hydroalkenylation of unactivated alkenes was also shown to be applicable under this manganese-catalysis regime. The method features earth-abundant manganese catalysis, easily available substrates, broad functional-group tolerance, and excellent regioselective control.     

A Focused Review of Synthetic Applications of Lawesson’s Reagent in Organic Synthesis

Lawesson’s reagent (LR) is a well-known classic example of a compound with unique construction and unusual chemical behavior, with a wide range of applications in synthetic organic chemistry. Its main functions were rounded for the thionation of various carbonyl groups in the early days, with exemplary results. However, the role of Lawesson’s reagent in synthesis has changed drastically, and now its use can help the chemistry community to understand innovative ideas. These include constructing biologically valuable heterocycles, coupling reactions, and the thionation of natural compounds. The ease of availability and the convenient usage of LR as a thionating agent made us compile a review on the new diverse applications on some common functional groups, such as ketones, esters, amides, alcohols, and carboxylic acids, with biological applications. Since the applications of LR are now diverse, we have also included some new classes of heterocycles such as thiazepines, phosphine sulfides, thiophenes, and organothiophosphorus compounds. Thionation of some biologically essential steroids and terpenoids has also been compiled. This review discusses the recent insights into and synthetic applications of this famous reagent from 2009 to January 2021.     

Amidation and esterification of carboxylic acids with amines and phenols by N,N′-diisopropylcarbodiimide: A new approach for amide and ester bond formation in water

The present study reports the successful synthesis of two important and abundant functional groups "ester and amide" by N,N′-diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC) in water as a green solvent. A wide range of substrates could be employed with high functional group tolerance. The products were obtained in high yields after short reaction times. This method provides an efficient, economic, simple and very mild protocol for ester and amide bond formation in aqueous media. In addition, this work not only may lead to environmentally benign systems but also will provide a new aspect of organic chemistry in water.     

Palladium-catalyzed oxidative activation of arylcyclopropanes

Palladium chloride-catalyzed intramolecular activation of electroneutral cyclopropane derivatives results in cleavage of the cyclopropane ring followed by formation of heterocyclic derivatives. Phenols, carboxylic acids, and amide groups were considered as substituents ortho to the cyclopropane ring in this catalytic activation chemistry. The regioselectivity observed in the case of amide-containing substrates was different from that of carboxylic acid-containing substrates, ruling out simple cyclopropane isomerization followed by a Wacker oxidation as the mechanistic pathway. [reaction: see text]     

Cooperative Photoredox and N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed Fluoroaroylation for the Synthesis of α-Trifluoromethyl-Substituted Ketones

α-Trifluoromethylated ketones have attracted significant attention as valuable building blocks in organic synthesis. Such compounds are generally accessed through trifluoromethylation of ketones. Here we report an alternative disconnection approach for the construction of α-CF₃ carbonyl compounds by using aroyl fluorides as bifunctional reagents for fluoroaroylation of gem-difluoroalkenes through cooperative photoredox and N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis. This strategy bypasses the use of expensive or sensitive trifluoromethylation reagents and/or the requirement for ketone pre-functionalization, thus enabling an efficient and general synthetic method to access α-CF₃-substituted ketones. A wide variety of gem-difluoroalkenes and aroyl fluorides bearing a diverse set of functional groups are eligible substrates. Notably, the developed methodology also provides rapid access to mono- or difluoroalkyl ketones. Mechanistic studies reveal that merging photoredox catalysis with NHC catalysis is essential for the reaction.     

Copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative synthesis of aromatic carboxylic acids

A simple, practical and efficient copper-catalyzed method for synthesis of aromatic carboxylic acids has been developed. The protocol uses inexpensive CuI/L-proline as the catalyst/ligand, and readily available aryl halides and malononitrile as the starting materials, and the corresponding aromatic carboxylic acids were obtained in moderate to good yields. The method is of tolerance towards functional groups in the substrates.     

经由Domino脱HCl/Pd（OAc）2催化的Heck反应合成查尔酮

通过Domino脱HCl/Pd(OAc)2催化的Heck反应实现了β-氯代烷基芳基酮、酯和酰胺与卤代芳烃的交叉偶联反应,高效合成了查尔酮类化合物。利用原位生成烯酮为中间体进行反应的策略,减少副反应的发生,从而提高反应的效率。该方法对各种官能团的容忍性好,为从氯代烷烃出发直接合成查尔酮类化合物提供了一条新途径。     

Synthesis of various acylating agents directly from carboxylic acids

Abstract

A straightforward synthesis of acylating reagents such as Weinreb and MAP amides from aromatic, aliphatic carboxylic acids, and amino acids using PPh₃/NBS combination is described. A chemo-selective modification of the carboxylic acid group into Weinreb amide in the presence of more reactive aldehydes and ketones is presented. All reactions were performed at ambient temperature under air using undried commercial grade solvent. Furthermore, the present methodology could be performed at a gram scale under inert-free reaction conditions. In addition, 7-azaindoline amide auxiliary (used for catalytic asymmetric aldol- and Mannich-type reactions), which behaves like Weinreb amide is also synthesized under similar reaction conditions.     

Synthesis of functionalized 3-pyridyl methyl ketones

A synthesis of 3-pyridyl methyl ketones is described that employs a palladium-catalyzed olefination of 3-bromopyridines with butyl vinyl ether followed by acid hydrolysis of the intermediate pyridyl vinyl ether in situ. This method has been applied to bromoquinoline substrates as well. The reaction is compatible with a variety of functional groups.     

Direct Synthesis of Tri-/Difluoromethyl Ketones from Carboxylic Acids by Cross-Coupling with Acyloxyphosphonium Ions

A simple and straightforward approach to the synthesis of trifluoromethyl and difluoromethyl ketones from widely available carboxylic acids is disclosed. The transformation utilizes an acyloxyphosphonium ion as the active electrophile, conveniently generated in situ from the carboxylic acid substrate by using commodity chemicals. The utility of the reaction system is exemplified by its chemoselectivity, with tolerance to a variety of important functional groups. The late-stage functionalization of carboxylic acid active pharmaceutical ingredients and pharmaceutically relevant compounds is also discussed.     

Copper-catalyzed conjugate additions of alkylboranes to imidazolyl α,β-unsaturated ketones: formal reductive conjugate addition of terminal alkenes

Conjugate addition of alkylboron compounds (alkyl-9-BBN) to imidazol-2-yl α,β-unsaturated ketones proceeded in the presence of a catalytic amount (10 mol %) of CuCl, 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (IMes), and t-BuOK. The alkylboranes are available through alkene hydroboration, and thus the overall process represents a reductive conjugate addition of alkenes to enone derivatives. A variety of functional groups are tolerated in both the alkenes and the α,β-unsaturated ketones. The 2-acylimidazole moiety can easily be converted into the corresponding carboxylic acid, ester, and amide derivatives.     

Acyl/aroyl Meldrum’s acid as an enol surrogate for the direct organocatalytic synthesis of α,β-unsaturated ketones

The operationally simple, robust and straightforward organocatalytic protocol is developed for the synthesis of E-selective α,β-unsaturated ketones. The method utilizes simple and easily accessible starting materials such as Meldrum’s acid, carboxylic acid, aldehyde and simple bifunctional amine catalyst. The tandem organocatalytic process utilizes acyl/aroyl Meldrum’s acid as an enol surrogate for the effective Doebner-Knoevenagel type condensation reactions. A wide variety of aldehydes, carboxylic acids and base sensitive functional groups are well tolerated under the mild reaction conditions.     

Carbonyl Compounds′ Journey to Amide Bond Formation

The formation of amide bonds is one of the most stimulating emerging areas in organic and medicinal chemistry. Amides are recognized as central building blocks in a plethora of interesting pharmaceuticals, proteins, peptides, polymers, natural products, functional materials, and biologically relevant carbocyclic or heterocyclic molecules, and they are also found in a variety of industrial fields. Therefore, a review of recent developments and challenges in the formation of amide bonds from carbonyl compounds is particularly important. Herein, we have scrutinized a range of metal‐catalyzed and metal‐free approaches for the synthesis of amides from aldehydes, ketones, and oximes. In addition, this Minireview highlights relevant mechanistic studies, as well as the potential applications of these methods in the synthesis of candidate drug molecules. We hope that the data compiled herein will encourage further progress in this notable area of chemistry research.