Fischer Carbene Complexes as Chemical Multitalents: The Incredible Range of Products from Carbenepentacarbonylmetal alpha,beta-Unsaturated Complexes

The metal carbene complexes, discovered by E. O. Fischer at the start of the 1960s and carrying his name, have since proved themselves to be irreplaceable building blocks for organic synthesis. In particular, since the discovery of the D?tz reaction, a formal cycloaddition of Fischer alpha,beta-unsaturated carbene complexes to alkynes with CO insertion, this area of chemistry has become increasingly interesting to organic chemists. In spite of the considerable diversity of reactions performed with these complexes, proper selection of substrates and careful adjustment of the reaction conditions have allowed, in most cases the perfectly selective preparation of individual compounds of this enormous range of products. The spectrum of new successes begins with the conventional Diels-Alder reaction of alkynylcarbene complexes and the formal regioselective [3+2] cycloaddition of alkenylcarbene complexes to alkynes. It extends much further, however, from cascade reactions with the formation of oligofunctional and oligocyclic products of impressive molecular complexity to complex, formal [3+6] cocyclizations in which six bonds are formed in a single operational step. Beyond doubt, the methodological arsenal of preparative organic chemistry cannot be imagined any more without the valuable transformations of the Fischer carbene complexes; it only remains to be seen whether one or other of the numerous new types of cocyclization products of these complexes can establish itself as a lead structure in the search for biologically active compounds.     

The reductive cocondensation of chlorotrimethylsilane and dichlorodimethylsilane

Linear and cyclic permethyloligosilanes were prepared by the Wurtz-type cocondensation of chlorotrimethylsilane and dichlorodimethylsilane in the presence of sodium metal or samarium iodide as reducing agents. The yields and composition of the reaction products depend on the cocondensation conditions.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1520–1522, June, 1996.     

Hypervalent Iodine(III)‐Mediated Benzannulation of Enamines with Alkynes: an Efficient Synthesis of Substituted Aminonaphthoic Acid Derivatives

An intermolecular two C? C bond formation procedure for the synthesis of carbocycles mediated by hypervalent iodine(III) reagents was developed. This metal free protocol provided a new approach for the synthesis of useful substituted 1‐amino‐2‐naphthoic acid derivatives via benzannulation reactions. Various N‐unsubstituted and N‐alkyl substituted aromatic enamines with terminal alkynes and non‐terminal alkynes can be converted into corresponding 1‐amino‐2‐naphthoic acid derivatives under mild reaction conditions. When meta‐substituted phenyl enamines were employed in the reaction, two cyclization paths were detected in the reaction and ortho‐cyclization products were the only or major products. Good functional group tolerance, readily available material and high atom utilization efficiency make this method a potential procedure which may find broad application in organic synthesis.     

Activation of dimethyl ether with barium and strontium atoms

Organometallic compounds are produced when barium and strontium atoms are cocondensed with dimethyl ether at ?196°C; hydrolysis of the cocondensation products from both reactions yields mainly C₁—C₈ alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes.     

Chemistry of and with Highly Reactive Metals

Today, the synthetic chemist has a large repertoire of metal activation methods at his disposal. After a first breakthrough was made at the beginning of the seventies with the introduction of the Rieke metals, a series of further, in part more efficient methods were describes, based on which not only classical metal-induced reactions could be substantially improved but also completely new reactions could be discovered. In this article the individual activation methods are discussed and compared as far as is possible using the currently available data. Especially noteworthy are the metal–graphite combinations because of their unsurpassed reactivity and concomitant easy preparation and manipulation. As shown by numerous applications of these reagents on polyfunctional substrates, particularly natural products, high reactivity of the metal and excellent selectivity are by no means precluded. Besides the purely preparative aspects also insights gained so far into the general principles and limits of metal activation are outlined, and attempts at determining the morphology of highly dispersed systems are reported.     

Atom Economy—A Challenge for Organic Synthesis: Homogeneous Catalysis Leads the Way

Enhancing the efficiency of the synthesis of complex organic products constitutes one of the most exciting challenges to the synthetic chemist. Increasing the catalogue of reactions that are simple additions or that minimize waste production is the necessary first step. Transition metal complexes, which can be tunable both electronically and sterically by varying the metal and/or ligands, are a focal point for such invention. Except for catalytic hydrogenation, such methods have been rare in complex synthesis and virtually unknown for C? C bond formation until the advent of cross-coupling reactions. These complexes may orchestrate a variety of C? C bond-forming processes, important for creation of the basic skeleton of the organic structure. Their ability to insert into C? H bonds primes a number of different types of additions to relatively nonpolar π-electron systems. Besides imparting selectivity, they make feasible reactions that uncatalyzed were previously unknown. The ability of these complexes to preorganize π-electron systems serves as the basis both of simple additions usually accompanied by subsequent hydrogen shifts and of cycloadditions. The ability to generate “reactive” intermediates under mild conditions also provides prospects for new types of C? C bond-forming reactions. While the examples reveal a diverse array of successes, the opportunities for new invention are vast and largely untapped.     

Recent Advances in Organocatalytic Methods for Asymmetric C?C Bond Formation

Beyond a doubt organocatalysis belongs to the most exciting and innovative chapters of organic chemistry today. Organocatalysis has emerged not only as a complement to metal‐catalyzed reactions and to biocatalysis over the last decade, but also provides new asymmetric organocatalyzed reactions that cannot be accomplished by metal‐ or biocatalyzed reactions so far. A large number of organocatalytic processes are already well established in organic synthesis. Nevertheless, the number of publications in this field is still on the increase; new important results are produced constantly. This review gives a detailed overview of the latest developments and main streams in organocatalyzed asymmetric C? C bond formation processes of the last three years. It is intended to outline the most important current findings focused on especially new synthetic methodologies.     

Asymmetric Catalysis with Heterobimetallic Compounds

This review focuses on a new concept in catalytic asymmetric reactions that was first realized for the use of heterobimetallic complexes. As these heterobimetallic complexes function as both a Brønsted base and as a Lewis acid, just like an enzyme, they make possible a variety of efficient catalytic asymmetric reactions. This heterobimetallic concept should prove to be applicable to a variety of new asymmetric catalyses. The first part of this review describes the development of rare-earth–alkali metal complexes such as LnM₃tris(binaphthoxide) complexes (LnMB, Ln = rare-earth metal, M = alkali metal), which are readily prepared from the corresponding rare-earth trichlorides or rare-earth isopropoxides, and their application to catalytic asymmetric synthesis. By using a catalytic amount of LnMB complexes several asymmetric reactions proceed efficiently to give the corresponding desired products in up to 98% ee: LnLB-catalyzed asymmetric nitroaldol reactions (L = Li), LnSB-catalyzed asymmetric Michael reactions (S ? Na), and LnPB-catalyzed asymmetric hydrophosphonylations of either imines or aldehydes (P ? K). Applications of these heterobimetallic catalysts to the syntheses of several biologically and medicinally important compounds are also described. Spectral analyses and computational simulations of the asymmetric reactions catalyzed by the heterobimetallic complexes reveal that the two different metals play different roles to enhance the reactivity of both reaction partners and to position them. From mechanistic considerations, a useful activation of the heterobimetallic catalyses was realized by addition of alkali metal reagents. The second part describes the development of another type of heterobimetallic catalysts featuring Group 13 elements such as Al and Ga as the central metal. Among them, the AlLibis(binaphthoxide) complex (ALB) is an effective catalyst for asymmetric Michael reactions, tandem Michael–aldol reactions, and hydrophosphonylation of aldehydes.     

Cocondensation reactions of heterocyclic aromatic compounds with lithium, calcium and magnesium atoms at 77 K

Calcium and magnesium atoms were cocondensed with aromatic heterocycles containing five- and six-membered rings in the presence of THF at 77 K. In the case of calcium the cocondensation with five-membered heterocyclic compounds resulted in C-H bond activations and led to the corresponding aryl calcium compounds, while magnesium did not show comparable reactions. When six-membered heterocyclic compounds, e.g., pyridine and 4-methylpyridine (4-picoline) were cocondensed with calcium, magnesium and lithium atoms, all reactions led to the formation of non-metallated aromatic products and the formation of metal hydride. DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G** level of theory were carried out in order to interpret the pathways of the cocondensation reactions using calcium atoms and identify the possible intermediates involved. In all reactions π- and σ-complexes between calcium atoms and the heterocyclic aromatic reactant were found as stable intermediates on the energy hypersurface.     

Oxidative Coupling via Organocopper Compounds

The type of reaction described here, which achieved preparative importance before the turn of the century in the form of the Glaser reaction, has found new applications in recent years: Syntheses of 1,3-dienes, 2,3,6,7-tetraaza-1,3,5,7-tetraenes, 2,3-diaza-1,3-dienes, hydrazine derivatives, bis(heteroallyl) compounds, hetarenes, polyhetarenes, cyclopolyarenes, protophanes, phanes, and heteraprotophanes. The reaction, which consists in the metalation of the starting substance followed by oxidative coupling of the metal derivative, merits special preparative interest when several successive coupling processes are possible (e. g. polyyne, polyarene, cyclopolyarene, and protophane syntheses). The main factors limiting its applicability are the high thermal stability of some organic copper compounds and the disproportionation of the ligands that frequently occurs as a competing reaction. Selective asymmetric linkages are not generally possible by this method.     

Nonaqueous Emulsions – A Versatile Tool for New Types of Functional Nanoparticles

Summary : The preparation of functional polymer latex particles is usually carried out in aqueous heterogeneous systems, i.e. for example in emulsion or mini-emulsion polymerization. Due to the presence of water, moisture sensitive reactions like step growth polymerizations or metal catalyzed reactions can not be accomplished without side reactions and / or decomposition. In order to avoid these side reactions, different nonaqueous emulsion systems have been developed. According to the desired polymerization procedure, these systems consist of a nonpolar organic phase surrounded by a perfluorinated solvent or of a polar organic phase which is dispersed in a nonpolar organic solvent. Both emulsions are stabilized by amphipolar block copolymers and result in long time stable particle dispersions. The resulting dispersions yield particles with narrow size distributions and – depending on the reaction conditions – diameters down to tens of nanometers. This technique allows the formation of particles consisting of numerous different classes of polymers, e.g. polyurethanes, polyesters, polyolefins etc. and the formation of more complex morphologies such as core shell structures.     

Indole‐N‐Carboxylic Acids and Indole‐N‐Carboxamides in Organic Synthesis

Indoles are ubiquitous structures that are found in natural products and biologically active molecules. The synthesis of indoles and indole‐involved synthetic methodologies in organic chemistry have been receiving considerable attention. Indole‐N‐carboxylic acids and derived indole‐N‐carboxamides are intriguing compounds, which have been widely used in organic synthesis, especially in multicomponent reactions and C?H functionalization of indoles. This Minireview summarizes the advances of reactions involving indole‐N‐carboxylic acids and indole‐N‐carboxamides in organic chemistry, and discusses the synthetic potential and perspective of this field.     

Reactions of difluorosilylene with cyclic alkenes: Cyclopentadiene and cycloheptatriene

The reactions of difluorosilylene with cyclopentadiene and cycloheptatriene were studied both in the gas phase and by the cocondensation method. Several new organosilicon compounds were synthesized and their structures characterized. In the cycloheptatriene reaction the comparison between the results from the gas phase and cocondensation experiments provides the first solid evidence which makes it possible to differentiate between the silirane mechanism and the ·SiF₂SiF₂· diradical mechanism in the “addition reactions” of difluorosilylene.     

Visible‐Light Photocatalysis: Does It Make a Difference in Organic Synthesis?

Visible‐light photocatalysis has evolved over the last decade into a widely used method in organic synthesis. Photocatalytic variants have been reported for many important transformations, such as cross‐coupling reactions, α‐amino functionalizations, cycloadditions, ATRA reactions, or fluorinations. To help chemists select photocatalytic methods for their synthesis, we compare in this Review classical and photocatalytic procedures for selected classes of reactions and highlight their advantages and limitations. In many cases, the photocatalytic reactions proceed under milder reaction conditions, typically at room temperature, and stoichiometric reagents are replaced by simple oxidants or reductants, such as air, oxygen, or amines. Does visible‐light photocatalysis make a difference in organic synthesis? The prospect of shuttling electrons back and forth to substrates and intermediates or to selectively transfer energy through a visible‐light‐absorbing photocatalyst holds the promise to improve current procedures in radical chemistry and to open up new avenues by accessing reactive species hitherto unknown, especially by merging photocatalysis with organo‐ or metal catalysis.     

Modulation of Reactivities of Dienophiles for DielsAlder Reactions via Complexation of α,β‐Unsaturated Chelating Amides

We describe the modulation of reactivities of dienophiles for Diels? Alder reactions via a new principle based on chelating amides positioned adjacent to their C?C bond. It is demonstrated for modified acrylic acid derivatives and related dienophiles with three different chelating entities. Complexation of the chelators leads to an intensified electron‐withdrawing effect leading to an enhancement of reactivity in Diels? Alder reactions depending on the complexed metal ion. The application of this new approach might be extended to other reactions with reacting entities adjacent to chelating amides.     

The Forgotten Carbonyl Reaction: Chloroacetylation and Bromoacetylation of Carbonyl Compounds

Halomethyl acetates ( 3 ) could be prepared from aliphatic, α,β‐unsaturated and aromatic aldehydes, as well as from alicyclic ketones with high yields in simple one‐pot reactions. Very often, the products didn't have to be purified and could directly be used for synthetic purposes after evaporation of the solvent. Obviously, the ‘bad reputation’ of the reaction in the literature stemed from the fact that the reactions didn't take place under the best conditions. Carbonyl compounds ( 1 ) and acyl halides ( 2 ) form equilibria which are completely on the side of the halomethyl acetates ( 3 ) at room temperature (starting with aliphatic and most aromatic aldehydes) and which can be strongly influenced by the reaction parameters. It is crucial to work at low temperature in apolar solvents and to remove (or deactivate) the catalyst before workup. Reactions may be realized with or without solvents. Side reactions were observed with formaldehyde and acetaldehyde but, with exception of formaldehyde, could be reduced close to zero (see Fig. 5). By‐products were essentially avoided if the reaction took place in apolar solvents and with a local excess of acetyl chloride. In many cases clean products were available which could directly be used for synthetic purposes. Halomethyl acetates ( 3 ) are bifunctional carbonyl derivatives with two different leaving groups, whose preparative advantages have been useful for the synthesis of various pentafulvenes, but were especially important for preparing unstable parent fulvenes and fulvalenes.     

Ketenimine Complexes from Carbene Complexes and Isocyanides: Versatile Building Blocks for Carbocycles and N-Heterocycles [New Synthetic Methods (74)]

Ketenimine complexes are readily available in great variety by reaction of isocyanides with carbene complexes. They have proven to be useful building blocks in new synthetic approaches to carbocyclic and N-heterocyclic four-, five-, and six-membered rings. The reactions involve new metal-induced bond formation patterns of the ketenimine ligands, which can be influenced across a wide range by varying the following five parameters: the metal, the ligands, and the three substituents on the N?C?C unit.     

Selective and Scalable Synthesis of Trifluoromethanesulfenamides and Fluorinated Unsymmetrical Disulfides using a Shelf‐Stable Electrophilic SCF3 Reagent

The chemoselective trifluoromethylthiolation of nitrogen nucleophiles and thiols using N‐(trifluoromethylthio)phthalimide under mild, metal‐free conditions is described. A series of trifluoromethanesulfenamides and unsymmetrical disulfides is prepared from the corresponding aliphatic and aromatic amines and thiols in good yields. The reactions are operationally simple and tolerate a wide variety of functional groups. Trifluoromethanesulfenamides and disulfides belong to interesting classes of organic molecules which possess remarkable properties for medicinal and agrochemical applications.     

New method for the synthesis of indenes

A new two-step method was developed for the synthesis of 2-sulfonyl-substituted indenes from aromatic aldehydes. The reactions of 1-phenylsulfonyl-1-(trimethylsilyl)ethylene with ortho-lithiated derivatives of aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes afford conjugate addition products whose subsequent cyclization gives substituted 2-sulfonylindenes in preparative yields. The reactions of 2-(phenylsulfonyl)indenes with Grignard reagents were studied. It was shown that the sulfonyl group can be replaced in the presence of iron(iii) acetylacetonate.     

Diels-Alder-Reactions Part I: New Preparative Aspects

Cycloadditions of conjugated dienes, named after their discoverers, have claimed preparative and mechanistic interest for nearly 40 years. The almost inexhaustible variability of the components of these one-stage reactions offers entry to important classes of compounds. The systematization of the preparative uses of these reactions which is offered in this paper relates predominantly to recent results. The mechanistic aspects of the Diels-Alder reactions will be discussed later in the second part of this contribution.