Water and Sodium Chloride: Essential Ingredients for Robust and Fast Pd‐Catalysed Cross‐Coupling Reactions between Organolithium Reagents and (Hetero)aryl Halides

Direct palladium‐catalysed cross‐couplings between organolithium reagents and (hetero)aryl halides (Br, Cl) proceed fast, cleanly and selectively at room temperature in air, with water as the only reaction medium and in the presence of NaCl as a cheap additive. Under optimised reaction conditions, a water‐accelerated catalysis is responsible for furnishing C(sp³)–C(sp²), C(sp²)–C(sp²), and C(sp)–C(sp²) cross‐coupled products, in competition with protonolysis, within a reaction time of 20 s, in yields of up to 99 %, and in the absence of undesired dehalogenated/homocoupling side products even when challenging secondary organolithiums serve as the starting material. It is worth noting that the proposed protocol is scalable and the catalyst and water can easily and successfully be recycled up to 10 times, with an E‐factor as low as 7.35.     

Intramolecular Metal‐Free Oxidative Aryl–Aryl Coupling: An Unusual Hypervalent‐Iodine‐Mediated Rearrangement of 2‐Substituted N‐Phenylbenzamides

Hypervalent‐iodine‐mediated oxidative coupling of the two aryl groups in either 2‐acylamino‐N‐phenyl‐benzamides or 2‐hydroxy‐N‐phenylbenzamides, with concomitant insertion of the ortho‐substituted N or O atom into the tether, has been described for the first time. This unusual metal‐free rearrangement reaction involves an oxidative C(sp²)? C(sp²) aryl–aryl bond formation, cleavage of a C(sp²)? C(O) bond, and a lactamization/lactonization. Furthermore, unsymmetrical diaryl compounds can be easily obtained by removing the tether within the cyclized product.     

Redox‐Neutral Coupling between Two C(sp3)−H Bonds Enabled by 1,4‐Palladium Shift for the Synthesis of Fused Heterocycles

The intramolecular coupling of two C(sp³)?H bonds to forge a C(sp³)?C(sp³) bond is enabled by 1,4‐Pd shift from a trisubstituted aryl bromide. Contrary to most C(sp³)?C(sp³) cross‐dehydrogenative couplings, this reaction operates under redox‐neutral conditions, with the C?Br bond acting as an internal oxidant. Furthermore, it allows the coupling between two moderately acidic primary or secondary C?H bonds, which are adjacent to an oxygen or nitrogen atom on one side, and benzylic or adjacent to a carbonyl group on the other side. A variety of valuable fused heterocycles were obtained from easily accessible ortho‐bromophenol and aniline precursors. The second C?H bond cleavage was successfully replaced with carbonyl insertion to generate other types of C(sp³)‐C(sp³) bonds.     

Surface oxidation process of a diamond‐like carbon film analyzed by difference X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Difference X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (D‐XPS) revealed the surface oxidation process of a diamond‐like carbon (DLC) film. Evaluation of surface functional groups on DLC solely by the C 1s spectrum is difficult because the spectrum is broad and has a secondary asymmetric lineshape. D‐XPS clarified the subtle but critical changes at the DLC surface caused by wet oxidation. The hydroxyl (C―OH) group was dominant at the oxidized surface. Further oxidized carbonyl (C?O) and carboxyl (including carboxylate) (COO) groups were also obtained; however, the oxidation of C?O to COO was suppressed to some extent because the reaction required C―C bond cleavage. Wet oxidation cleaved the aliphatic hydrogenated and non‐hydrogenated sp² carbon bonds (C―H sp² and C―C sp²) to create a pair of C―OH and hydrogenated sp³ carbon (C―H sp³) bonds. The reaction yield for C―H sp² was superior at the surface, suggesting that the DLC film was hydrogen rich at the surface. Oxidation of aromatic sp² rings or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as nanographite to phenols did not occur because of their resonance stabilization with electron delocalization. Non‐hydrogenated sp³ carbon (C―C sp³) bonds were not affected by oxidation, suggesting that these bonds are chemically inert. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Amine‐Catalyzed Highly Regioselective and Stereoselective C(sp2)–C(sp2) Cross‐Coupling of Naphthols with trans‐α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes

A metal‐free C(sp²)–C(sp²) cross‐coupling approach to highly congested (E)‐α‐naphtholylenals from simple naphthols and enals is described. The mild reaction conditions with pyridine hydrobromideperbromide (PHBP) as the bromination reagent in the presence of piperidine or diphenylprolinol trimethylsilyl (TMS) ether as promoters enable the process in good yields and with high chemoselectivity, regioselectivity, and stereoselectivity. The process involves an unprecedented pathway of in situ regioselective 4‐bromination of 1‐naphthols and the subsequent unusual aromatic nucleophilic substitution of the resulting 4‐bromo‐1‐naphthols with the α‐C(sp²) of enals through a Michael‐type Friedel–Crafts alkylation–dearomatization followed by a cyclopropanation ring‐opening cascade process. The noteworthy features of this strategy are highlighted by the highly efficient creation of a C(sp²)–C(sp²) bond from readily available unfunctionalized naphthols and enals catalyzed by non‐metal, readily available cyclic secondary amines under mild reaction conditions.     

Copper‐Mediated/Catalyzed Oxyalkylation of Alkenes with Alkylnitriles

A copper‐promoted oxyalkylation of alkenes with alkylnitriles has been developed. The protocol provides rapid access to phthalides (γ‐lactones) or isochromanones (δ‐lactones) via the formation of a C(sp³)?C(sp³) and a C(sp³)?O bond with the generation of up to two quaternary carbon atoms. Mechanistic studies suggest that this reaction is initiated by the formation of the C(sp³)?C(sp³) bond rather than the C(sp³)?O bond. Catalytic conditions were subsequently developed using carboxylic acid as an internal nucleophile.     

Ni(0)-promoted activation of Csp2–H and Csp2–O bonds

A dinickel(0)–N₂ complex, stabilized with a rigid acridane-based PNP pincer ligand, was studied for its ability to activate C(sp²)–H and C(sp²)–O bonds. Stabilized by a Ni–μ–N₂–Na⁺ interaction, it activates C–H bonds of unfunctionalized arenes, affording nickel–aryl and nickel–hydride products. Concomitantly, two sodium cations get reduced to Na(0), which was identified and quantified by several methods. Our experimental results, including product analysis and kinetic measurements, strongly suggest that this C(sp²)–H activation does not follow the typical oxidative addition mechanism occurring at a low-valent single metal centre. Instead, via a bimolecular pathway, two powerfully reducing nickel ions cooperatively activate an arene C–H bond and concomitantly reduce two Lewis acidic alkali metals under ambient conditions. As a novel synthetic protocol, nickel(ii)–aryl species were directly synthesized from nickel(ii) precursors in benzene or toluene with excess Na under ambient conditions. Furthermore, when the dinickel(0)–N₂ complex is accessed via reduction of the nickel(ii)–phenyl species, the resulting phenyl anion deprotonates a C–H bond of glyme or 15-crown-5 leading to C–O bond cleavage, which produces vinyl ether. The dinickel(0)–N₂ species then cleaves the C(sp²)–O bond of vinyl ether to produce a nickel(ii)–vinyl complex. These results may provide a new strategy for the activation of C–H and C–O bonds mediated by a low valent nickel ion supported by a structurally rigidified ligand scaffold.

A structurally rigidified nickel(0) complex was found to be capable of cleaving both C(sp²)–H and C(sp²)–O bonds.     

Photoredox-Controlled Mono- and Di-Multifluoroarylation of C(sp3)−H Bonds with Aryl Fluorides

A controllable mono- and di-multifluoroarylation of acyclic and cyclic N-aryl amines with aryl fluorides by photocatalyzed dual C(sp³)−H/C(sp²)−F functionalization has been developed, providing new access to a wide array of valuable α-fluoroarylated amines. In addition, the one-pot consecutive hetero-di-multifluoroarylation of N-aryl pyrrolidines and N,N-dimethylanilines was achieved with high to excellent diastereoselectivity. This new defluorinative C(sp³)−C(sp²) coupling is distinguished by a broad scope, good regioselectivity, and mild conditions as well as gram-scale and late-stage applicability, and thus constitutes a significant advance in the arylation of unactivated C(sp³)−H bonds with aryl fluorides.     

Impact of Oxidation State on Reactivity and Selectivity Differences between Nickel(III) and Nickel(IV) Alkyl Complexes

Described is a systematic comparison of factors impacting the relative rates and selectivities of C(sp³)?C and C(sp³)?O bond‐forming reactions at high‐valent Ni as a function of oxidation state. Two Ni complexes are compared: a cationic octahedral Ni^IV complex ligated by tris(pyrazolyl)borate and a cationic octahedral Ni^III complex ligated by tris(pyrazolyl)methane. Key features of reactivity/selectivity are revealed: 1) C(sp³)?C(sp²) bond‐forming reductive elimination occurs from both centers, but the Ni^III complex reacts up to 300‐fold faster than the Ni^IV, depending on the reaction conditions. The relative reactivity is proposed to derive from ligand dissociation kinetics, which vary as a function of oxidation state and the presence/absence of visible light. 2) Upon the addition of acetate (AcO^?), the Ni^IV complex exclusively undergoes C(sp³)?OAc bond formation, while the Ni^III analogue forms the C(sp³)?C(sp²) coupled product selectively. This difference is rationalized based on the electrophilicity of the respective M?C(sp³) bonds, and thus their relative reactivity towards outer‐sphere S_N2‐type bond‐forming reactions.     

Gas‐phase functionalized carbon‐carbon coupling reactions catalyzed by Ni (II) complexes

Gas‐phase C―C coupling reactions mediated by Ni (II) complexes were studied using a linear quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. Ternary nickel cationic carboxylate complexes, [(phen)Ni (OOCR¹)]⁺ (where phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline), were formed by electrospray ionization. Upon collision‐induced dissociation (CID), they extrude CO₂ forming the organometallic cation [(phen)Ni(R¹)]⁺, which undergoes gas‐phase ion‐molecule reactions (IMR) with acetate esters CH₃COOR² to yield the acetate complex [(phen)Ni (OOCCH₃)]⁺ and a C―C coupling product R¹‐R². These Ni(II)/phenanthroline‐mediated coupling reactions can be performed with a variety of carbon substituents R¹ and R² (sp³, sp², or aromatic), some of them functionalized. Reaction rates do not seem to be strongly dependent on the nature of the substituents, as sp³‐sp³ or sp²‐sp² coupling reactions proceed rapidly. Experimental results are supported by density functional theory calculations, which provide insights into the energetics associated with the C―C bond coupling step.     

Construction of β-Phenylalanine Derivatives through Pd-Catalyzed,C(sp2)−H (ortho) Functionalization

This paper describes the Pd(II)-catalyzed, picolinamide-directing-group-aided C(sp²)−H (ortho) functionalization of racemic and enantiopure β-phenylalanines and 3-amino-3-phenylpropanols (1,3-amino alcohols). The C(sp²)−H (ortho) functionalizations including arylation, bromination, iodination, and alkoxylation were attempted. The C(sp²)−H (ortho) arylation reactions gave biaryl or terphenyl-type β-phenylalanine scaffolds, halogenation and methoxylation reactions gave ortho C−H halogenated or methoxylated β-phenylalanines. Additionally, the C−H arylation of an ortho-methyl substituted β-phenylalanine containing both C(sp²)−H and remote C(sp³)−H bonds was investigated. β-Phenylalanine is an arylated β-amino acid motif present in various natural products, bioactive molecules, and β-peptides and it is a precursor to medicinally active compounds. Accordingly, this work contributes to the expansion of the library of unnatural β-phenylalanine (β-amino acid) derivatives through site-selective C−H functionalization.     

Molecular mechanics (MM3) parameterization of hydroxylamine and methyl derivatives

Based on results of electron diffraction, gas phase infrared spectroscopy (IR), and MP2/6-31 + G* ab initio calculations, a set of molecular mechanics (MM3) parameters was developed for molecules containing the N(sp³)—O(sp³) moiety. Using this set of parameters, MM3 is able to reproduce structures (bond lengths and bond angles) and vibrational spectra satisfactorily. © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Direct oxidative C(sp3)─H/C(sp2)─H coupling reaction using recyclable Sr-doped LaCoO3 perovskite catalyst

A strontium-doped lanthanum cobaltite perovskite, La_0.6Sr_0.4CoO₃, was prepared and utilized as a recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for the direct oxidative C(sp³)─H/C(sp²)─H coupling reaction between cyclic ethers and alkenes or coumarins to achieve corresponding α-functionalized ethers. The α-functionalization of cyclic thioethers or amides with alkenes or coumarins was also achieved via this protocol. The La_0.6Sr_0.4CoO₃ catalyst exhibited better performance than a variety of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. Utilizing a recyclable catalyst would offer a greener option for the direct oxidative C(sp³)─H/C(sp²)─H coupling reaction. To our best knowledge, the C(sp³)─H/C(sp²)─H coupling between olefins and ethers to generate α-functionalized ethers using a heterogeneous catalyst has not been previously reported, and the α-functionalization of cyclic thioethers or amides with alkenes or coumarins is new.     

Application of Langlois' reagent（NaSO2CF3） in C–H functionalisation

The process of selectively introducing a CF₃ group into an organic molecule using inexpensive,stable,and solid sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate has rapidly advanced in recent years to become an eco-friendly method used by organic chemists to synthesize various natural and bioactive molecules.This review focuses on advances made within the last five years regarding C-H functionalisation,namely thermochemical C（sp²）-H（thio）trifluoromethylations,photochemical C（sp²）...     

Boron-Copper 1,3-Rearrangement: the New Concept Behind the Boryl Migration from C(sp2) in Alkenyl Boranes to C(sp3)

Regioselective borylcupration of borylated skipped (Z)-dienes generates diborylated alkylcopper species that are involved in an intramolecular stereospecific B/Cu 1,3-rearrangement by migration of Bpin moiety from C(sp²) to C(sp³). DFT mechanistic studies showed that boryl migration occurs through the formation of 4-membered boracycle intermediate with a moderate free-energy barrier. Moreover, the use of KOMe forms stable Lewis base adducts with Bpin moieties that blocks the reaction. Subsequently to the 1,3-boron shift, the in situ electrophilic trapping allows selective C−H, C−C and C−X bonds, followed by intramolecular cross coupling giving access to cyclic functionalized alkylidenecyclohexanes or alkylidenecyclobutanes.     

Base‐Catalyzed Stereoselective Vinylation of Ketones with Arylacetylenes: A New C(sp3)?C(sp2) Bond‐Forming Reaction

Alkylaryl‐ and alkylheteroarylketones, including those with condensed aromatic moieties, are readily vinylated with arylacetylenes (KOH/DMSO, 100 °C, 1 h) to give regio‐ and stereoselectively the (E)‐β‐γ‐ethylenic ketones ((E)‐3‐buten‐1‐ones) in 61–84 % yields and with approximately 100 % stereoselectivity. This vinylation represents a new C(sp³)? C(sp²) bond‐forming reaction of high synthetic potential.     

Chiral Iron Porphyrins Catalyze Enantioselective Intramolecular C(sp3)−H Bond Amination Upon Visible-Light Irradiation

Iron-catalyzed asymmetric amination of C(sp³)−H bonds is appealing for synthetic applications due to the biocompatibility and high earth abundance of iron, but examples of such reactions are sparse. Herein we describe chiral iron complexes of meso- and β-substituted-porphyrins that can catalyze asymmetric intramolecular C(sp³)−H amination of aryl and arylsulfonyl azides to afford chiral indolines (29 examples) and benzofused cyclic sulfonamides (17 examples), respectively, with up to 93 % ee (yield: up to 99 %) using 410 nm light under mild conditions. Mechanistic studies, including DFT calculations, for the reactions of arylsulfonyl azides reveal that the Fe(NSO₂Ar) intermediate generated in situ under photochemical conditions reacts with the C(sp³)−H bond through a stepwise hydrogen atom transfer/radical rebound mechanism, with enantioselectivity arising from cooperative noncovalent interactions between the Fe(NSO₂Ar) unit and the peripheral substituents of the chiral porphyrin scaffold.     

The steric structure of multiflorine methylation products

Summary Multiflorine (1) — a minor lupine alkaloid — treated by methyl lithium or methyl magnesium iodide affords 4S-4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2,3-didehydrosparteine (2) and 2S-2-methyl-4-oxosparteine (3), respectively, as the dominating products. Their steric structure, determined by¹H and¹³C NMR techniques, points to stereospecific preferences of these reactions. The observed nucleophilic 1,2- and 1,4-additions indicate that regiospecificity of the action of MeLi or MeMgI on multiflorine is different from that of the so far known similar alkylation of other enamino ketones.

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Die räumliche Struktur von Methylierungsprodukten des Multiflorins

Zusammenfassung Multiflorin (1), ein Lupin-Nebenalkaloid, ergibt bei Umsetzung mit Methyllithium oder Methylmagnesiumiodid 4S-4-Hydroxy-4-methyl-2,3-didehydrospartein (2) und 2S-2-Methyl-4-oxospartein (3) als Hauptprodukte. Ihre NMR-spektroskopisch (¹H und¹³C) aufgeklärte räumliche Struktur weist auf eine Stereoselektivität der erwähnten Reaktionen hin. Die beobachteten nucleophilen 1,2- und 1,4-Additionen zeigen, daß sich die Regiospezifität der Einwirkung von MeLi oder MeMgl auf Multiflorin von jener bis jetzt bekannter Alkylierungen von Enaminoketonen unterscheidet.

     

Nickel-Catalyzed C−I-Selective C(sp2)−C(sp3) Cross-Electrophile Coupling of Bromo(iodo)arenes with Alkyl Bromides

Despite several methodologies established for C(sp²)−I selective C(sp²)−C(sp³) bond formations, achieving arene-flanked quaternary carbons by cross-coupling of tertiary alkyl precursors with bromo(iodo)arenes in a C(sp²)−I selective manner is rare. Here we report a general Ni-catalyzed C(sp²)−I selective cross-electrophile coupling (XEC) reaction, in which, beyond 3° alkyl bromides (for constructing arene-flanked quaternary carbons), 2° and 1° alkyl bromides are also demonstrated to be viable coupling partners. Moreover, this mild XEC displays excellent C(sp²)−I selectivity and functional group compatibility. The practicality of this XEC is demonstrated in simplifying the routes to several medicinally relevant and synthetically challenging compounds. Extensive experiments show that the terpyridine-ligated Ni^I halide can exclusively activate alkyl bromides, forming a Ni^I−alkyl complex through a Zn reduction. Attendant density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal two different pathways for the oxidative addition of the Ni^I−alkyl complex to the C(sp²)−I bond of bromo(iodo)arenes, explaining both the high C(sp²)−I selectivity and generality of our XEC.     

Triiodide‐Mediated δ‐Amination of Secondary C−H Bonds

The C_δ?H amination of unactivated, secondary C?H bonds to form a broad range of functionalized pyrrolidines has been developed by a triiodide (I₃^?)‐mediated strategy. By in situ 1) oxidation of sodium iodide and 2) sequestration of the transiently generated iodine (I₂) as I₃^?, this approach precludes undesired I₂‐mediated decomposition which can otherwise limit synthetic utility to only weak C(sp³)?H bonds. The mechanism of this triiodide‐mediated cyclization of unbiased, secondary C(sp³)?H bonds, by either thermal or photolytic initiation, is supported by NMR and UV/Vis data, as well as intercepted intermediates.