Cobalt-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of alkyl halides with aryl Grignard reagents and their application to sequential radical cyclization/cross-coupling reactions

Reactions of alkyl halides with arylmagnesium bromides in the presence of cobalt(II)(diphosphine) complexes are discussed. Treatment of 1-bromooctane with phenylmagnesium bromide with the aid of a catalytic amount of CoCl₂(dppp) [DPPP=1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane] yielded octylbenzene in good yield. The reaction mechanism would include single electron transfer from an electron-rich cobalt complex to alkyl halide to generate the corresponding alkyl radical. The mechanism was justified by CoCl₂(dppe)-catalyzed [DPPE=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane] sequential radical cyclization/cross-coupling reactions of 6-halo-1-hexene derivatives that yielded benzyl-substituted cyclopentane skeletons.     

Cobalt- and rhodium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of allylic ethers and halides with organometallic reagents

Reactions of 2-alkenyl methyl ether with phenyl, trimethylsilylmethyl, and allyl Grignard reagents in the presence of cobalt(II) complexes are discussed. The success of the reactions heavily depends on the combination of the substrate, ligand, and Grignard reagent. In the reaction of cinnamyl methyl ether, the formation of the linear coupling products predominates over that of the relevant branched products. In the cobalt-catalyzed allylation of allylic ethers, addition of a diphosphine ligand can change the regioselectivity, mainly providing the corresponding branched products. Rhodium complexes catalyze the reactions of allylic ethers and halides with allylmagnesium chloride and allylzinc bromide, respectively, in which the branched coupling product is the major product.     

Hydroxylated terphenylphosphine ligands for palladium-catalyzed ortho-selective cross-coupling of dibromophenols, dibromoanilines, and their congeners with Grignard reagents

p-Terphenylphosphines bearing one or two hydroxy groups were used as ligands to palladium in the cross-coupling of dibromophenols, dibromoanilines, and their congeners with Grignard reagents. High ortho-selectivity that cannot be achieved using other phosphine ligands was observed. ortho-Preference was also observed in competitive cross-coupling reactions of two substrates. A significant effect of the concentration of the Grignard reagent on the ortho-selectivity was observed, when the hydroxylated terphenylphosphines were used. Kinetic studies on this effect showed that high concentrations of the Grignard reagent retard the cross-coupling reaction only at the para-position, but not at the ortho-position.     

Nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of primary alkyl halides with phenylethynyl- and trimethylsilyethynyllithium reagents

A highly efficient alkyl-alkynyl coupling system is described which is promoted by a well-defined and moisture-stable pincer complex [NiCl{C₆H₃-2,6-(OPPh₂)₂}] (1). Non-activated alkyl halides could be efficiently coupled with phenylethynyl- and trimethylsilylethynyllithium reagents at room temperature. Compared to the alkylation of primary alkyl halides with alkynyllithium reagents in literatures, this method requires milder conditions (room temperature) and proceeds quickly. This research will make these readily available alkynyllithium reagents much more useful for organic synthesis.     

Synthesis of nickel-salicylideneimines complexes and catalyzing cross-coupling reaction of aryl halides and Grignard reagents

A series of nickel-salicylideneimines complexes were prepared in wild way and these complexes were stable to air and moisture. The nickel-salicylideneimines complexes exhibited good activity in catalyzing Grignard reagents with aryl halids to biphenyl derivatives and the more fluorine atoms contained by N-substituted benzene moiety could function the better activity.     

An unprecedented iron-catalyzed cross-coupling of primary and secondary alkyl Grignard reagents with non-activated aryl chlorides

The use of N-heterocyclic carbene ligands in the iron-catalyzed cross-coupling of alkyl Grignards has allowed, for the first time, coupling of non-activated, electron rich aryl chlorides. Surprisingly, the tetrahydrate of FeCl₂ was found to be a better pre-catalyst than anhydrous FeCl₂. Primary Grignard reagents coupled in excellent yields while secondary Grignard reagents coupled in modest yields. The use of acyclic secondary Grignard reagents resulted in the formation of isomers in addition to the desired product. These isomeric products were formed via reversible β-hydrogen elimination, indicating that the cross-coupling proceeds through an ionic pathway.     

Mechanism of the reaction of acetylene with Grignard reagents

Kinetics of the reaction between acetylene and phenylmagnesium bromide were investigated in diethyl ether in the presence of small additions of triethylamine and without a catalyst. The mechanistic scheme suggested by Grignard et al. was supplemented with the reaction of bromomagnesiumacetylene with the Grignard reagent. The rate constants for individual reactions were determined. Triethylamine catalyzes the reactions to different extents, the conversions of bromomagnesiumacetylene being the most susceptible to the catalysis. The possible ways of the action of the catalyst were discussed and the importance of nucleophilic assistance was stressed.     

Iron-catalyzed cross-coupling of aryltrimethylammonium triflates and alkyl Grignard reagents

Fe(acac)₃ effectively catalyzes reaction of aryltrimethylammonium triflates with β-hydrogen-containing primary or secondary alkyl Grignard reagents in a mixed solvent of THF and NMP at room temperature. A series of functional groups are tolerated under the reaction conditions.     

Cobalt-catalyzed cross-coupling of alkynyl Grignard reagents with alkenyl triflates

Alkenyl triflates in combination with Co(acac)(3) as a catalyst were found to be excellent coupling partners of alkynyl Grignard reagents, where no special additives (even a phosphine ligand) but a common solvent, THF, are required to obtain variously substituted enynes.     

Cobalt-catalyzed sequential cyclization/cross-coupling reactions of 6-halo-1-hexene derivatives with Grignard reagents and their application to the synthesis of 1,3-diols

Cobalt/N-heterocyclic carbene system or cobalt/diamine combination effectively catalyzes sequential cyclization/cross-coupling reactions of 6-halo-1-hexene derivatives with trialkylsilylmethyl, 1-alkynyl, and aryl Grignard reagents. The sequential cyclization/cross-coupling reactions are applied to the synthesis of 1,3-diols starting from siloxy-tethered 6-halo-1-hexene derivatives.     

Selective catalytic monoreduction of dichlorooligosilanes with Grignard reagents

Transition metal-catalyzed monoreduction of dichlorooligosilanes with Grignard reagents is reported. Among the examined catalysts, group 4 metal chlorides such as TiCl₄ and Cp₂TiCl₂ gave the highest reactivity and good selectivity. The reducing power is effectively controlled by changing the catalysts and Grignard reagents to achieve sufficient selectivity depending on the oligosilane substrates.     

Acceleration of CuI-catalyzed coupling reaction of alkyl halides with aryl Grignard reagents using lithium chloride

In the presence of LiCl, CuI-catalyzed coupling reaction of R(alkyl)-X with Ar(aryl)MgBr at rt was completed within 2 h. Effective leaving groups X in R-X were Br, I, OTs, but not Cl. Grignard reagents ArMgBr with both standard and bulky Ar such as 2-MeC₆H₄, 2-MeOC₆H₄, and 2,6-(Me)₂C₆H₃ afforded the desired products in good yields. Ester and cyano groups in R-X were tolerated. Coupling reaction with R(alkyl)-MgBr proceeded as well.     

Ligand-free nickel-catalyzed Kumada couplings of aryl bromides with tert-butyl Grignard reagents

A ligand-free nickel-catalyzed Kumada cross-coupling of aryl bromides and tert-butyl Grignard reagents led to the formation of a series of tert-butyl aryls in moderate to good yields, excellent tBu/iBu ratios, and good functional group compatibility. A radical coupling process is indicated and a mechanism with a Ni(I)-Ni(III) catalytic cycle is proposed.     

Silver-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of alkyl bromides with alkyl or aryl Grignard reagents

Treatment of secondary or tertiary alkyl bromides with alkyl Grignard reagents in the presence of catalytic amounts of silver bromide and potassium fluoride in CH₂Cl₂ afforded the corresponding cross-coupling products in reasonable yields. Moreover, silver showed catalytic activity for the cross-coupling reactions of alkyl bromides with aryl Grignard reagents.     

Reaction of Grignard reagents with carbonyl compounds under continuous flow conditions

This contribution details how a continuous flow reactor was used to react carbonyl compounds with Grignard reagents at room temperature in an efficient and safe manner. Flow rate, residence time and temperature were optimized for the preparation of a small collection of secondary and tertiary alcohols. Excellent yields and general applicability were observed using the set-up protocol. The procedure was also applied for the preparation of Tramadol, an analgesic drug belonging to the opioid group. The developed conditions allowed the selective addition of Grignard reagents to aldehydes and ketones in the presence of a nitrile function.     

Preparation of unsymmetrical terphenyls via the nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of alkyl biphenylsulfonates with aryl Grignard reagents

Unsymmetrical terphenyl derivatives were prepared by sequential transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of neopentyl bromobenzenesulfonates with arylboronic acids and arylmagnesium bromides in good yields. Biphenylsulfonates undergo nickel-catalyzed coupling reactions more rapidly than the corresponding benzenesulfonates. The stepwise palladium- and nickel-catalyzed reaction of the bromobenzenesulfonates appears to be a promising and conceptually straightforward route for preparing unsymmetrical terphenyls.     

Nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of benzylic zinc reagents with aromatic bromides, chlorides and tosylates

Benzylic zinc reagents prepared by direct insertion of zinc to benzylic chlorides in the presence of LiCl undergo smooth cross-coupling reactions with aromatic chlorides, bromides and tosylates using Ni(acac)(2) and PPh(3) as a catalyst system.