Oxidative amide synthesis directly from alcohols with amines

Transition metal catalyzed oxidative amide synthesis directly from primary alcohols and amines is a highly atom economical transformation that evolves hydrogen gas as the only by-product. Several Ru-, Rh-based homogeneous and Ag-based heterogeneous catalysts have been developed for direct amide synthesis. Most of the developed catalysts showed excellent activity with sterically unhindered alcohols and amines; however, limited activity was observed with sterically hindered alcohols or amines, less basic aryl amines, and secondary amines. This account provides an overview of recent advances and challenges in direct amide synthesis.     

Transesterification/Acylation of secondary alcohols mediated by N-heterocyclic carbene catalysts

N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) are efficient catalysts for transesterification/acylation reactions involving secondary alcohols. The catalytic transformations are carried out employing low catalyst loadings in convenient reaction times at room temperature.     

Ruthenium catalyzed synthesis of secondary or tertiary amines from amines and alcohols

Unsymmetrical secondary and tertiary amines are prepared by the ruthenium catalyzed reaction of alcohols with amines, which provides highly efficient method for synthesis of cyclic amines.     

A novel one-pot synthesis of secondary alcohols from esters

Alkylation or vinylation by using organometallic reagents after partial reduction of carboxylic esters with LDBBA gave secondary alcohols, also involving allyl alcohols, without any isolation of intermediates in good yield (54-78%).     

(N-heterocyclic carbene)-Pd-catalyzed anaerobic oxidation of secondary alcohols and domino oxidation-arylation reactions

The use of commercially available (SIPr)Pd(cinnamyl)Cl (SIPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene) as a precatalyst for the anaerobic oxidation of secondary alcohols is described. The use of this complex allows for a drastic reduction in the reaction times and catalyst loading when compared to the unsaturated counterpart. This catalytic system is compatible with the use of microwave dielectric heating, decreasing even further catalyst loading and reaction times. Domino Pd-catalyzed oxidation-arylation reactions of secondary alcohols are also presented.     

One-pot synthesis of secondary or tertiary amines from alcohols and amines via alkoxyphosphonium salts

Secondary or tertiary amines may be prepared from primary alcohols and primary or secondary amines by treating triphenylphosphine with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) in the presence of the alcohol at low temperature, followed by addition of the amine and heating for about 1 h. The yield of amine is good to fair, decreasing sharply with sterically congested alcohols and starting amines.     

N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed direct carbonylation of dimethylamine

N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed direct carbonylation of dimethylamine leading to the formation of DMF was successfully accomplished under metal-free conditions. The catalytic efficiency was investigated and the turnover numbers can reach as high as >300. The possible mechanism was also proposed.     

Synthesis and reactivity of triethylborane adduct of N-heterocyclic carbene: versatile synthons for synthesis of N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

The reaction of an imidazolium salt with LiBEt(3)H afforded triethylborane adduct of imidazol-2-ylidene, which can act as a carbene precursor for the synthesis of a transition metal complex as well as a main group element complex.     

A direct and practical approach for the synthesis of N-heterocyclic carbene coinage metal complexes

A novel direct and practical synthetic route leading to N-heterocyclic carbene coinage metal complexes has been developed by using air stable, commercial available Au(III) salt [MAuCl₄·2H₂O], CuCl_n (n=1,2) or AgCl, and imidazolium salts as starting materials. The reaction proceeded without sacrificing carbene transfer agent (Ag₂O) or using highly sensitive free NHC.     

N-heterocyclic carbene enabled synthesis of conjugated polymers

The Suzuki polycondensation of a dihalogenated 4,5-diphenylimidazole (2) with a fluorenyl diboronic acid diester followed by methylation afforded a conjugated poly(imidazolium) copolymer (P2) in 93% yield. Upon exposure to strong base, P2 was converted in situ to the corresponding poly(N-heterocyclic carbene) P3, as evidenced by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and a trapping experiment involving sulfur that afforded the corresponding poly(thiourea) P4. Similarly, treating a solution of P2 with KOtBu and [Ir(1,5-cyclooctadiene)Cl]₂ afforded a conjugated polymer bearing pendant Ir complexes (P5) in 63% yield. Thermal and photophysical analyses of the aforementioned polymers revealed that they were thermally stable with tunable fluorescence properties, features which poise them for use in various electronic and sensing applications. The presented methodology is expected to facilitate the synthesis of a broad range conjugated organometallic polymers from a common and readily accessible precursor.     

A novel ruthenium-catalyzed amination of primary and secondary alcohols

An improved method for the N-alkylation of primary amines with primary and secondary alcohols has been developed. Novel, effective catalyst systems, for example, Ru₃(CO)₁₂ combined with tri-o-tolylphosphine or n-butyl-di-1-adamantylphosphine, allow for aminations in a good yield under comparatively mild conditions.     

N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed domino cyclization of propargylic alcohols and benzoyl isocyanates

N-Hetereocyclic carbenes (NHCs) were found to be efficient catalysts for the cyclization of propargylic alcohols and isocyanates. Domino cyclization reactions were carried out using isopropyl-substituted imidazolium salt as a precatalyst, and a wide range of substituted oxazolidinones were obtained in high yields.     

Template synthesis of benzannulated N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

The reaction of 2-azidophenyl isocyanide (7) with [M(CO)(5)(thf)] (M=Cr, W) yields the isocyanide complexes [M(CO)(5)(7)] (M=Cr 8, M=W 9). Complexes 8 and 9 react with tertiary phosphines such as triphenylphosphane at the azido function of the isocyanide ligand to give the 2-triphenylphosphiniminophenyl isocyanide complexes 10 (M=Cr) and 11 (M=W). The polar triphenylphosphiniminophenyl function in complexes 10 and 11 can be hydrolyzed with H(2)O/HBr to afford triphenylphosphane oxide and the complexes containing the unstable 2-aminophenyl isocyanide ligand. This ligand spontaneously cyclizes by intramolecular nucleophilic attack of the primary amine at the isocyanide carbon atom to yield the 2,3-dihydro-1H-benzimidazol-2-ylidene complexes 12 (M=Cr) and 13 (M=W). Double deprotonation of the cyclic NH,NH-carbene ligands in 12 and 13 with KOtBu and reaction with two equivalents of allyl bromide yields the N,N'-dialkylated benzannulated N-heterocyclic carbene complexes 14 (M=Cr) and 15 (M=W). The molecular structures of complexes 9 and 11-15 were confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Facile synthesis of metal N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

A novel electrochemical procedure for the preparation of metal complexes of N-heterocyclic carbenes using imidazolium salts or corresponding silver-NHC complexes as carbene sources and electrolytes, and metal plates as the sacrificial anodes is described. The procedure is simple and good yielding without the use of expensive or air-sensitive reagents.     

Ruthenium-catalysed synthesis of tertiary amines from alcohols

Secondary amines have been converted into tertiary amines by reactions with primary alcohols. A catalytic system of [Ru(cymene)Cl₂]₂ with dppf has been shown to be effective for this transformation for a range of primary alcohols and secondary amines. The methodology has been applied to the one pot synthesis of Piribedil and other piperazine and morpholine-containing products.     

Efficient synthesis of tertiary amines from secondary amines

Reliable N-alkylations of secondary amines have been developed. By using DIAD and TPP (or PS-TPP) a variety of secondary amines can be converted to the corresponding tertiary amines in good to excellent yields with diverse alkylhalides; no formation of quaternary amine salts are observed. These protocols are amenable to combinatorial chemistry libraries, and are also useful for the syntheses of secondary amines by an acid lysis of the cleavable tertiary amino resins.