Heck arylation of acrolein acetals using the 9-bromoanthracene: A case of study

The influence of several parameters on the selectivity of the palladium catalysed Heck coupling of 9-bromoanthracene with acrolein acetals was studied. While the ester is the quasi exclusive product when only a base (i.e. NaOAc, K₂CO₃, etc.) is added in the medium, the presence of halide abstracting agent such as thallium or silver salts decreases noticeably the selectivity towards the ester. On the other hand, the addition of n-Bu₄NOAc yields to the formation of the aldehyde with up to 74% selectivity. The presence of water was found to play a significant role not only on the rate but also on the selectivity of the reaction. A comprehensive mechanism is proposed outlining the influence of each additive, particularly on the selectivity of the reaction.     

A stereoselective synthesis of (2R,3S)-2-amino-3,4-dihydroxybutyric acid using an ether directed aza-Claisen rearrangement

A new approach for the stereoselective synthesis of (2R,3S)-2-amino-3,4-dihydroxybutyric acid, an α-amino acid from Lyophyllum ulmarium, has been accomplished using an ether directed aza-Claisen rearrangement. On investigation of optimal conditions for this key step it was shown for the first time that Au(I) can be used to catalyse this transformation.     

Stereospecific preparation of (2E, 4Z)-monofluorodienyl esters by the Heck reaction of high E/Z ratio 1-bromo-1-fluorostyrenes

High E/Z ratio (E/Z>75:25) 1-bromo-1-fluorostyrenes, which were prepared by isomerization of 1-bromo-1-fluorostyrenes (E/Z≈1:1), underwent the Heck reaction with methyl acrylate, and (2E, 4Z)-methyl 5-aryl-4-fluoropenta-2,4-dienoates were successfully isolated. Heck reactions of (Z)-1-bromo-1-fluorostyrenes also occur. However, the products are difficult to separate in a pure form, since they have an obvious tendency to isomerize on a silica gel column.     

Kinetic investigation of a PC(sp)P pincer palladium (II) complex in the Heck reaction

An investigation of the kinetics of the Heck reaction between 4-iodoanisole and styrene catalysed by {cis-1,3-bis[(di-tert-butylphosphino)methyl]-cyclohexane} palladium (II) iodide (1) has been performed in DMF-d₇ solution. Based on mercury poisoning experiments a heterogeneous palladium catalyst formed from the pre-catalyst is proposed. Saturation behaviour with respect to the olefin concentration suggests a mechanism consisting of a pre-equilibrium association of the olefin followed by a rate determining reaction with aryl halide. The equilibrium constant for the olefin association, K₁, and the rate constant for the subsequent oxidative addition step, k₂, were determined to (5.7 ± 2.5) × 10⁻³ and 18.4 ± 2.7 M⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively.     

Reducing agents as components in catalytic systems of the Heck reaction

Using of reducing agents for arylation of alkenes has been found to increase the activity of the catalytic system and allow to avoid the use of traditional tertiary amines as bases in the Heck reaction.     

Palladium-catalyzed domino protodecarboxylation/oxidative Heck reaction: regioselective arylation of coumarin-3-carboxylic acids

A protocol for straightforward and step-economical synthesis of neoflavones from coumarin-3-carboxylic acids is developed. This approach enables controlled protodecarboxylation/regioselective C–H arylation of coumain-3-carboxylic acids in one-pot using a monometallic catalytic system. A wide variety of electron-donating and -withdrawing substituents on both coumarins and arylboronic acid are tolerated under the reaction conditions and 4-aryl coumarins are constructed in high yields.     

A novel approach to functionalized (E)-1,4-diaryl-1-butenes by Heck reaction and their applications for the construction of dibenzylbutyrolactone lignan skeletons by radical cyclization

A highly regio- and stereoselective [Pd(allyl)Cl]₂ catalyzed Heck reaction of aryl iodides and electronically neutral terminal olefins generated in situ by fluoride induced protiodesilylation of alkenylsilanol derivatives under mild conditions has been developed. The products, viz. terminally substituted styrenes and (E)-1,4-diaryl-1-butenes were obtained in very good yields. The dibenzylbutyrolactone lignan skeletons have been prepared employing two regio- and stereoselective Bu₃SnH-mediated radical cyclization routes.     

Straightforward synthesis of (R,R/S,S)-2-[2-(2-aryl)-1-phenyl-ethyl]-morpholines: a new class of inhibitors of the norepinephrine transporter

Diastereoselective synthesis of (R,R/S,S)-2-[2-(2-aryl)-1-phenyl-ethyl]-morpholines 6 has been achieved through the preparation of key E-enol-triflate 4 and its further coupling with benzylzinc reagents and final hydrogenation.     

A mechanistic study on modern palladium catalyst precursors as new gateways to Pd(0) in cationic Heck reactions

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was used as a means to directly identify catalytic cationic organopalladium species in ligand-controlled Heck reactions involving electron-rich olefins and different Pd-sources. In these high-temperature Heck arylations, the oxidative addition intermediates were observed as bidentate ligand chelated cationic aryl palladium species, suggesting that the used ligand attaches to the metal center at the very beginning of the catalytic cycle. This was also in agreement with the obtained regioisomeric profile of the isolated products. The investigation supports the standard Pd(0)/Pd(II) Heck mechanism and provides further insight regarding the conceivable composition of fundamental Pd(II) intermediates in an ongoing Heck reaction.     

Catalytic activity of Pd(II) and Pd(II)/DAB-R systems for the Heck arylation of olefins

Palladium-catalyzed reactions of aryl bromides with various olefins involving Pd(II)/diazabutadiene (DAB-R) systems have been investigated. The scope of a coupling process using Pd(II) sources and an α-diimine as ligand in the presence of Cs₂CO₃ as base was tested using various substrates. The Pd(OAc)₂/DAB-Cy (1, DAB-Cy=1,4-dicyclohexyl-diazabutadiene) system presents the highest activity with respect to electron-neutral and electron-deficient aryl bromides in coupling with electron rich olefins. The synthesis and X-ray characterization of a Pd(II)-diazabutadiene ligand is reported. Extensive optimization experiments showed that another Pd(II) source, Pd(acac)₂ (acac=acetylacetonate), proved to activate aryl bromides at high temperatures, low catalyst loadings when the appropriate concentration of ⁿBu₄NBr additive was employed. The effect of the DAB-Cy ligand is important at very low catalyst loadings and high temperatures. Pd(acac)₂ and Pd(acac)₂/DAB-Cy precatalysts were very effective for the arylation of various olefins with aryl bromides with respect to reaction rate, catalyst loadings, and functional group tolerance.     

Palladium nanoparticles supported on poly (N-vinylpyrrolidone)-grafted silica as new recyclable catalyst for Heck cross-coupling reactions

Novel catalytic system based on palladium nanoparticles supported on poly (N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) grafted silica was prepared. Aminopropylsilica was reacted with acryloyl chloride to form acrylamidopropylsilica, and onto this functionalized silica vinylpyrrolidone monomer was polymerized by free-radical polymerization. The complexation of PVP-grafted silica with PdCl₂ was carried out to obtain the heterogeneous catalytic system. X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image showed that palladium dispersed through the support in nanometer size. This catalytic system exhibited excellent activity in cross-coupling reactions of aryl iodides, bromides and also chlorides with olefinic compounds in Heck-Mizoraki reactions in short reaction time and high yields. Elemental analysis of Pd by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) technique and hot filtration test showed low leaching of the metal into solution from the supported catalyst. The catalyst can be reused several times in repeating Heck reaction cycles without considerable loss in its activity.     

Synthesis and characterizations of N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis (diphenylphosphino)ethylendiamine derivatives: Use of palladium(II) complex as pre-catalyst in Suzuki coupling and Heck reactions

Oxidation of N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(diphenylphosphino)ethylendiamine (1) with elemental sulfur and selenium gives the corresponding sulfide and selenide, respectively, [(Ph₂P(E))₂NCH₂CH₂N(P(E)Ph₂)₂] (E: S 1a, Se 1b). Complexes of 1 [(M₂Cl₄){(Ph₂P)₂NCH₂CH₂N(PPh₂)₂}] (M: Ni(II) 1c, Pd(II) 1d, Pt(II) 1e) were prepared by the reaction of 1 with NiCl₂ or [MCl₂(COD)] (M = Pd, Pt). The new compounds were characterized by NMR, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The catalytic activity of Pd(II) complex 1d was tested in the Suzuki coupling reaction and Heck reaction. The palladium complex 1d catalyses the Heck reaction between styrene and aryl bromides as well as Suzuki coupling reaction between phenylboronic acid and arylbromides affording stilbenes and biphenyls in high yield, respectively.     

Palladium complexes of phosphinamine ligands in the intramolecular asymmetric Heck reaction

The synthesis of two novel cyclisation substrates for the asymmetric intramolecular Heck reaction is reported. Their cyclisation, in addition to a known substrate for cis-decalin formation, were tested with palladium complexes of BINAP and heterobidentate oxazoline-containing ligands. In general BINAP provides a more active catalyst system for the range of substrates tested although excellent enantioselectivities of up to 85% were obtained with the P,N ligands studied. A trend was noted whereby the t-leucine-derived oxazoline ligands were more reactive and enantioselective than the valine-derived analogues. Similarly, the diphenylphosphinoferrocenyloxazoline ligands were more reactive and selective than the corresponding diphenylphosphinophenyloxazoline ligands.     

Synthesis of polyhydroxylated ester analogs of the stilbene resveratrol using decarbonylative Heck couplings

Protected 3,5-hydroxy-benzoyl chlorides 3 were coupled with styrenes 4 to give hydroxylated stilbenes, analogs of resveratrol, an important antioxidant disease preventative agent isolated from grape skins and other dietary sources. Levulinate and chloroacetate protecting groups allowed for the selective production of mono- and di-acetate variations under palladium-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed decarbonylative coupling conditions. Fluorinated analogs were also produced using Heck conditions with bromofluorobenzenes. Human HL-60 cell assays showed the 4′-acetoxy variant 11 to have improved activity (ED₅₀ 17 μM) relative to resveratrol (24 μM).     

Highly active Pd(II) catalysts with pyridylbenzoimidazole ligands for the Heck reaction

The air-, and thermo-stable palladium(II) complexes C1-C10 are prepared by the reaction of PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂ with pyridylbenzoimidazole. With various substituents on the pyridine ring, palladium atom was coordinated by two pyridylbenzoimidazole molecules via nitrogen atoms of benzoimidazole. The structure of complexes C3, C4, C6, and C7 has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Without substituents on the pyridine ring, palladium atom was directly coordinated with two nitrogen atoms of pyridine and benzoimidazole nitrogen via intramolecular chelation (C10). These complexes performed the Heck olefination of aryl bromides in a good to high yield under phosphine-free conditions.     

Bis-chelate tetracarbene palladium(II) complex as an efficient and recyclable catalyst precursor for Heck reaction

A homoleptic Pd(II) complex with two chelating di-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands has been synthesized and its square planar molecular geometry has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The complex proved to be an efficient catalyst having exceedingly high turnover number and good reusability in Heck reaction.     

Studies on the aza-Claisen rearrangement of 4,5-dihydroxylated allylic trichloroacetimidates: the stereoselective synthesis of (2R,3S)- and (2S,3S)-2-amino-3,4-dihydroxybutyric acids

Two new synthetic approaches, involving substrate directed aza-Claisen rearrangements and aza-Claisen rearrangements mediated by chiral Pd(II) catalysts, have been developed for the stereoselective synthesis of (2R,3S)-2-amino-3,4-dihydroxybutyric acid, a dihydroxylated α-amino acid from the edible mushroom, Lyophyllum ulmarium and its (2S,3S)-unnatural diastereomer.     

Stereoselective synthesis of protected (2S,3S)-N-methyl-5-hydroxyisoleucine, a component of halipeptins

The stereocontrolled synthesis of the protected (2S,3S)-N-methyl-5-hydroxyisoleucine, a component of halipeptins A and B with potent anti-inflammatory activity, has been achieved. The key steps include (i) installation of a double bond to bicyclic lactam 4 using N-tert-butyl phenylsulfinimidoyl chloride, (ii) highly exo-selective Michael reaction with lithium dimethylcuprate in the presence of chlorotrimethylsilane, and (iii) Ru-catalyzed oxidative deprotection of N,O-benzylidene acetal to the acid anhydride.     

4-Formylazetidin-2-ones, synthon for the synthesis of (2R,3S) and (2S,3R)-3-amino-2-hydroxydecanoic acid (AHDA)

An efficient synthesis of 3-amino-2-hydroxydecanoic acid (AHDA), a nonproteinogenic amino acid, using enantiopure 3-benzyloxy-4-formylazetidin-2-one as a building block is described. Both the enantiomers of AHDA have been synthesized from the corresponding enantiomer of 3-benzyloxy-4-formylazetidin-2-one in good yield and optical purity.     

Design of highly active heterogeneous palladium catalysts for the activation of aryl chlorides in Heck reactions

In situ generation of highly active palladium species by intermediate dissolution of Pd from solid supported catalysts has been demonstrated to be a very successful approach for the activation of aryl chlorides in Heck reactions. The new ‘heterogeneous’ Pd catalysts act as reservoir for molecular Pd species with unsaturated coordination sphere in solution. Crucial Pd leaching and re-deposition onto the support can be controlled by optimization of reaction conditions and by the properties of the catalysts. Pd is re-deposited onto the support at the end of the reaction. The catalysts, palladium supported on activated carbon, on various metal oxides or fluorides and Pd complexes in zeolites, are easy to prepare, though the preparation conditions are crucial. The catalysts convert all aryl bromides completely within minutes (TON 100,000). Aryl chlorides (even deactivated ones) are converted with high yields, within 2-6 h. The catalysts belong to the most active ones in Heck reactions at all (including best homogeneous systems) and fulfill all relevant requirements for practical applications in laboratory and industry.