Nucleophilic fluoroalkylation of epoxides with fluorinated sulfones

The unprecedented nucleophilic fluoroalkylation of simple epoxides with fluorinated sulfones was achieved to give the beta-fluoroalkyl alcohols in one step. The negative "fluorine effect" in the nucleophilic fluoroalkylation of epoxides with fluorinated carbanions was probed by the reactivity comparison between carbanions PhSO2CF2- (3) and PhSO2CCl2- (4) and between carbanions PhSO2CHF- (7) and PhSO2CHCl- (13). The mediation of this fluorine effect by introducing another electron-withdrawing benzenesulfonyl group was found to be an effective way to significantly increase the nucleophilicity of the fluorinated carbanions, with the reactivity order [(PhSO2)2CF-] (16) > PhSO2CFH- (7) > PhSO2CF2- (3).     

Carbonylation of Difluoroalkyl Bromides Catalyzed by Palladium

Although important progress has been made in the fluoroalkylation reactions, the transition‐metal‐catalyzed carbonylative fluoroalkylation reaction remains challenging so far. Herein, we report the first example of a Pd‐catalyzed carbonylation of difluoroalkyl bromides with (hetero)arylboronic acids under one atmosphere pressure of CO. The reaction can also be extended to the aryl potassium trifluoroborate salts. The advantages of this protocol are synthetic simplicity, broad substrate scope, and excellent functional group compatibility. The resulting difluoroalkyl ketones can serve as versatile building blocks for the synthesis of various useful fluorinated compounds.     

Nucleophilic fluoroalkylation of alpha,beta-enones, arynes, and activated alkynes with fluorinated sulfones: probing the hard/soft nature of fluorinated carbanions

We have successfully accomplished the nucleophilic fluoroalkylation of alpha,beta-enones, arynes, and activated alkynes with fluorinated sulfones. It was found that for acylic alpha,beta-enones, although the reaction medium and the structure of the enones can all influence the regioselectivity of the nucleophilic alkylation reactions, the hard/soft nature of the carbanions played a major role. By using the 1,4- and 1,2-addition product ratio as a probe to determine the hard/soft nature of the above-mentioned four halogenated carbanions, the order of the softness of these carbanions can be given as follows: [(PhSO2)2CF(-)] (20) approximately = PhSO2CCl2(-) (32) > PhSO2CHF(-) (31) > PhSO2CF2(-) (30). In the case of fluoroalkylation of aryne (35 as the precursor) and alpha,beta-acetylenic ketones 46 with fluorobis(phenylsulfonyl)methane (21), fluorobis(phenylsulfonyl)methylated arenes 36 and beta-fluorobis(phenylsulfonyl)methylated alpha,beta-enones 47 were obtained as the corresponding products in good yields. During the reaction between 2-fluoro-2-(phenylsulfonyl)acetophenone (34) and arynes or activated alkynes 46, an intramolecular tandem reaction process leads to the formation of acyl-fluoroalkylated arenes 43 or alpha-acyl-beta-fluoroalkylated alpha,beta-enones 48. It turned out that the softness of a fluorine-bearing carbanion (such as 20 or 33 derived from 21 or 34) plays a crucial role for the success of the nucleophilic fluoroalkylation reactions with arynes and some activated alkynes (alpha,beta-acetylenic ketones).     

Understanding and Controlling Fluorinated Diacyl Peroxides and Fluoroalkyl Radicals in Alkene Fluoroalkylations

The demand for practical methods for the synthesis of novel fluoroalkyl molecules is increasing owing to their diverse applications. Our group has achieved efficient difunctionalizing fluoroalkylations of alkenes using fluorinated carboxylic anhydrides as user-friendly fluoroalkyl sources. Fluorinated diacyl peroxide, prepared in situ from carboxylic anhydrides, enables the development of novel reactions when used as a radical fluoroalkylating reagent. In this account, we aim to provide an in-depth understanding of the structure, bonding, and reactivity of fluorinated diacyl peroxides and radicals as well as their control in fluoroalkylation reactions. In the first part of this account, the physical properties and reactivity of diacyl peroxides and fluoroalkyl radicals are described. In the subsequent part, we categorize the reactions into copper-catalyzed and metal-free methods utilizing the oxidizing properties of fluorinated diacyl peroxides. We also outline examples and mechanisms.     

Novel approach for asymmetric synthesis of fluorinated beta-amino sulfones and allylic amines

[reaction: see text] Enantiomerically pure gamma-fluoroalkyl beta-amino sulfones are readily synthesized in three steps starting from fluorinated imidoyl chlorides and arylmethyl sulfones. A complementary two-step sequence starting from chiral fluorinated beta-amino sulfoxides has also been developed. To illustrate the application of this procedure, a new method for the synthesis of alpha-fluoroalkyl allylic amines in optically pure form involving a Julia methylenation-desulfonylation reaction is presented.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative Difluoroalkylation of α,β‐Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids

The first example of nickel‐catalyzed decarboxylative fluoroalkylation of α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acids has been developed with commonly available fluoroalkyl halides. This novel transformation has demonstrated broad substrate scope, excellent functional‐group tolerance, mild reaction conditions, and excellent stereoselectivity. Mechanistic investigations indicate that a fluoroalkyl radical is involved in the catalytic cycle.     

Palladium/acetic acid-catalyzed fluoroalkylation of alkynes with monofluorinated sulfones as pronucleophiles

A facile palladium-catalyzed fluoroalkylation of alkynes with monofluorinated sulfones in the presence of acetic acid has been achieved. By using different α-substituted fluoro(phenylsulfonyl)methane derivatives, a variety of allylated monofluoromethyl compounds were obtained with high regio- and stereoselectivity. Substrate scope and limitation were also examined, and it was found that the reaction was amenable to both 1-aryl-substituted propynes and 3-aryl-substituted propynyl ethers.     

Synthesis of New Fluoropolymers: Tailoring Macromolecular Properties with Fluorinated Substituents

The challenges and opportunities in the preparation of new fluoro- polymers are illustrated by the synthesis of fluorinated poly(ether sulfones), polyimides, and polyethers. Synthetic methods used for the preparation of new fluorinated monomers and polymers include anion-radical substitutions of perfluoroalkyl diiodides, nucleophilic additions to fluorinated olefins, perfluoroalkylsulfonyl-mediated nucleophilic sub-stitutions, and direct fluorinations with elemental fluorine. Properly placed fluorinated substituents can have significant effects on the dielectric properties, thermal stability, moisture absorption, permeability, phase transitions, and reactivity of the resulting polymers. In addition, fluorinated groups can enhance nonlinear optical effects and provide a method for chromophore alignment. The special behavior of partially fluorinated substituent groups offers unique tools for tailoring macro-molecular properties.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Oxidative Reaction of β‐Keto Sulfones with Alcohols via C−S Bond Cleavage: Reaction Development and Mechanism Study

A Cu‐catalyzed cascade oxidative radical process of β‐keto sulfones with alcohols has been achieved by using oxygen as an oxidant. In this reaction, β‐keto sulfones were converted into sulfinate esters under the oxidative conditions via cleavage of C?S bond. Experimental and computational studies demonstrate that a new pathway is involved in this reaction, which proceeds through the formation of the key four‐coordinated Cu^II intermediate, O?O bond homolysis induced C?S bond cleavage and Cu‐catalyzed esterification to form the final products. This reaction provides a new strategy to sulfonate esters and enriches the research content of C?S bond cleavage and transformations.     

Synthesis of fluorinated allylic amines: Reaction of 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl sulfones and sulfoxides with fluorinated imines

A new synthesis of fluorinated allylamines through the reaction of 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl sulfones and sulfoxides (as vinyl anion equivalents) with imines and imino esters has been described. The process includes a TBAF-mediated fragmentation of 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl sulfones to afford the desired allylic amines. When the reaction is performed with the corresponding sulfoxides, the fragmentation takes place under the addition conditions, affording the final products in a single step.     

Synthesis and properties of novel fluoroalkyl end‐capped oligomers having adamantane units in the main chains via a radical process

Fluoroalkanoyl peroxides were reacted with adamantane in the presence of radical polymerizable monomers such as acrylic acid, acryloylmorpholine, and N,N‐dimethylacrylamide to afford fluoroalkyl end‐capped oligomers having adamantane units in the main chains via a radical process under very mild conditions. Thermal stability of these new fluorinated adamantane co‐oligomers thus obtained became higher than that of the corresponding fluorinated homo‐oligomers having no adamantane units. Interestingly, these fluorinated adamantane co‐oligomers exhibited good solubility in traditional organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, benzene, dimethylsulfoxide and N,N‐dimethylformamide including water, although the parent adamantane exhibited no solubility in water, methanol and dimethylsulfoxide. Furthermore, these adamantane co‐oligomers were able to reduce the surface tension effectively to form the nanometer size‐controlled self‐assembled fluorinated molecular aggregates. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

聚苯基（聚苄基）甲基硅氧烷的氟烷基化反应研究

通过苯基甲基二乙氧基硅烷和苄基甲基二乙氧基硅烷的缩合反应制备了聚苯基甲基和聚苄基甲基硅氧烷。研究了它们与含氟酰基过氧化物间的反应。经酸碱滴定及ＩＲ、＾１Ｈ ＮＭＲ和＾１９Ｆ ＮＭＲ光谱分析确证反应主要生成苯环上氟烷基取代产物。通过测定经氟烷基化后聚硅氧烷处理的玻璃表面的接触角，初步评价了氟烷基化率对其表现性能变化的影响。     

Reactions of sulfur- and phosphorus-substituted fluoroalkylating silicon reagents with imines and enamines under acidic conditions

Nucleophilic fluoroalkylation reactions of imines and enamines with α-phenylthio, α-phenylsulfonyl, and α-diethylphosphoryl substituted fluorinated silanes have been investigated. The reactions are promoted by hydrofluoric acid generated in situ from potassium hydrodifluoride and trifluoroacetic acid. Sulfur reagents worked well with both imines and enamines, whereas phosphorus reagent efficiently coupled only with enamines.     

The Nucleophilicity of Persistent α‐Monofluoromethide Anions

α‐Fluorocarbanions are key intermediates in nucleophilic fluoroalkylation reactions. Although frequently discussed, the origin of the fluorine effect on the reactivity of α‐fluorinated CH acids has remained largely unexplored. We have now investigated the kinetics of a series of reactions of α‐substituted carbanions with reference electrophiles to elucidate the effects of α‐F, α‐Cl, and α‐OMe substituents on the nucleophilic reactivities of carbanions.     

Free‐radical polymerization of dioxolane and dioxane derivatives: Effect of fluorine substituents on the ring opening polymerization

Partially fluorinated and perfluorinated dioxolane and dioxane derivatives have been prepared to investigate the effect of fluorine substituents on their free‐radical polymerization products. The partially fluorinated monomer 2‐difluoromethylene‐1,3‐dioxolane (I) was readily polymerized with free‐radical initiators azobisisobutyronitrile or tri(n‐butyl)borane–air and yielded a vinyl addition product. However, the hydrocarbon analogue, 2‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxolane (II), produced as much as 50% ring opening product at 60 °C by free‐radical polymerization. 2‐Difluoromethylene‐4‐methyl‐1,3‐dioxolane (III) was synthesized and its free‐radical polymerization yielded ring opening products: 28% at 60 °C, decreasing to 7 and 4% at 0 °C and −78 °C, respectively. All the fluorine‐substituted, perfluoro‐2‐methylene‐4‐methyl‐1,3‐dioxolane (IV) produced only a vinyl addition product with perfluorobenzoylperoxide as an initiator. The six‐membered ring monomer, 2‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxane (V), caused more than 50% ring opening during free‐radical polymerization. However, the partially fluorinated analogue, 2‐difluoromethylene‐1,3‐dioxane (VI), produced only 22% ring opening product with free‐radical polymerization and the perfluorinated compound, perfluoro‐2‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxane (VII), yielded only the vinyl addition polymer. The ring opening reaction and the vinyl addition steps during the free‐radical polymerization of these monomers are competitive reactions. We discuss the reaction mechanism of the ring opening and vinyl addition polymerizations of these partially fluorinated and perfluorinated dioxolane and dioxane derivatives. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5180–5188, 2004     

Markovnikov‐Selective Radical Addition of S‐Nucleophiles to Terminal Alkynes through a Photoredox Process

Direct radical additions to terminal alkynes have been widely employed in organic synthesis, providing credible access to the anti‐Markovnikov products. Because of the Kharasch effect, regioselective control for the formation of Markovnikov products still remains a great challenge. Herein, we develop a transition‐metal‐free, visible light‐mediated radical addition of S‐nucleophiles to terminal alkynes, furnishing a wide array of α‐substituted vinyl sulfones with exclusive Markovnikov regioselectivity. Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that radical/radical cross‐coupling might be the key step in this transformation. This radical Markovnikov addition protocol also provides an opportunity to facilitate the synthesis of other valuable α‐substituted vinyl compounds.     

Sodium Dithionite‐Mediated Decarboxylative Sulfonylation: Facile Access to Tertiary Sulfones

A straightforward multicomponent decarboxylative cross coupling of redox‐active esters (N‐hydroxyphthalimide ester), sodium dithionite, and electrophiles was established to construct sterically bulky sulfones. The inorganic salt sodium dithionite not only served as the sulfur dioxide source, but also acted as an efficient radical initiator for the decarboxylation. Notably, diverse naturally abundant carboxylic acids and artificially prepared carboxyl‐containing drugs with multiple heteroatoms and sensitive functional groups successfully underwent this decarboxylative sulfonylation to provide sterically bulky tertiary sulfones. Mechanistic studies further demonstrated that decarboxylation was the rate‐determining step and occurred via a single‐electron transfer (SET) process with the assistance of sodium dithionite.     

N-Heteroaromatic Fluoroalkylation through Ligand Coupling Reaction of Sulfones

Ligand coupling on hypervalent main group elements has emerged as a pivotal methodology for the synthesis of functionalized N-heteroaromatic compounds in recent years due to the avoidance of transition metals and the mildness of the reaction conditions. In this direction, the reaction of N-heteroaryl sulfur(IV) and N-heteroaryl phosphorus(V) compounds has been well studied. However, the ligand coupling of sulfur(VI) is still underdeveloped and the reaction of alkyl N-heteroarylsulfones is still elusive, which does not match the high status of sulfones as the chemical chameleons in organic synthesis. Here we present a ligand coupling-enabled formal SO₂ extrusion of fluoroalkyl 2-azaheteroarylsulfones under the promotion of Grignard reagents, which not only enriches the chemistry of sulfones, but also provides a novel and practical synthetic tool towards N-heteroaromatic fluoroalkylation.     

Diversity‐Oriented Desulfonylative Functionalization of Alkyl Allyl Sulfones

The diversity‐oriented desulfonylative functionalization of alkyl allyl sulfones with various sulfone‐type reagents by radical chemistry has been developed. The readily installed allylsulfonyl moiety acts as a C‐radical precursor, which is substituted by various functionalities using sulfur‐based radical trapping reagents. The generality of this approach is documented by the successful desulfonylative alkynylation, azidation, trifluoromethylthiolation, sulfenylation, trifluoromethylselenylation, halogenation, and deuteration. The method is compatible with a wide range of functional groups. Considering the deuteration, products are obtained in good yields with a high level of deuterium incorporation.     

多组分参与的氟烷基化反应研究进展

多组分参与的氟烷基化反应是当前有机氟化学研究的一个热点.在过去的几年里,由于新试剂新方法的不断涌现,多组分参与的氟烷基化反应取得了长足的进展,不仅可以经济有效地一步将氟烷基基团与其他官能团同步引入,而且可以将起始原料转化为多种含有生物活性或药物活性的化合物.按照三组分二氟烷基化反应、三组分三氟甲基化反应、三组分全氟烷基化反应、三组分单氟烷基化反应、三组分氟化反应以及四组分氟烷基化反应和总结7个部分,总结了多组分参与的氟烷基化反应在过去近十年时间里的发展进程,同时对该类反应进行了总结和展望.