Hydrothiolation of terminal alkynes with diaryl disulfides and diphenyl diselenide: selective synthesis of (Z)-1-alkenyl sulfides and selenides

A simple, stereoselective and efficient method for the hydrothiolation of terminal alkynes with diaryl disulfides and diphenyl diselenide has been developed. In the presence of CuI, rongalite, and Cs₂CO₃, a variety of disulfides underwent the reaction of terminal alkynes stereoselectively to afford the corresponding (Z)-1-alkenyl sulfides in moderate to excellent yields. It is noteworthy that hydroselenations of 1,2-diphenyldiselane with alkynes are also conducted smoothly to afford (Z)-1-alkenyl selenides in good yields under the standard conditions.     

Synthesis and application of a new selenoplatinum catalyst

The reaction of 4-methyl-5-ethoxycarbonyl-1,2,3-selenadiazole with (PPh₃)₄Pt leads to the formation of a new platinum-containing heterocyclic system. It was found that the selenoplatinum complex is a selective catalyst for the hydrosilylation of terminal alkynes to yield β-(Z)- and β-(E)-silylethylenes.     

Copper-catalyzed Z-selective semihydrogenation of alkynes with hydrosilane: a convenient approach to cis-alkenes

A copper catalyst generated in situ from widely available copper salt and imidazolium salt in the presence of t-BuOK showed high efficiency for the semihydrogenation of a wide range of internal and terminal alkynes to their corresponding alkenes without obvious over-reduction. Functional groups, such as hydroxyl, nitro, halides, and amino, etc. were tolerated. The Z/E ratios of the obtained alkenes were generally >99%. Finally, semireduction of bulky alkynes also went smoothly.     

Efficient synthesis of trisubstituted alkenes in an aqueous-organic system using a versatile and recyclable Rh/m-TPPTC catalyst

We have found that the use of [Rh(cod)OH]₂ associated with the water-soluble ligand m-TPPTC was highly efficient for the Rh-catalyzed arylation of alkynes. Aryl and alkyl alkynes were transformed to alkenes using 3 mol % rhodium catalyst and 2.5 equiv of boronic acid at 100 °C in a biphasic water/toluene system in 80-99% yield. The reaction was found to be totally regioselective for alkyl arylalkynes and alkyl silylated alkynes. The Rh/m-TPPTC system was for the first time recycled with no loss of the activity and with excellent purity of the desired alkene.     

Synthesis of (Z)-1-bromo-1-alkenes and terminal alkynes from anti-2,3-dibromoalkanoic acids by microwave-induced reaction

(Z)-1-Bromo-1-alkenes were stereoselectively prepared in high yields in a short reaction time by microwave irradiation of the corresponding anti-2,3-dibromoalkanoic acids in a Et₃N/DMF system. A one-pot synthesis of terminal alkynes and enynes from 2,3-dibromoalkanoic acids were also developed by microwave-induced reaction.     

Palladium-catalyzed phosphinylthiolation of terminal alkynes

Phosphinylthiolation of terminal alkynes with Ph₂P(O)SBu or a related compound proceeds in the presence of a palladium–PEt₃ catalyst system. Activity and stereoselectivity are highly dependent on the nature of solvent, ethylbenzene, and n-hexanol (or t-amyl alcohol) being E- and Z-selective, respectively.     

Pd/C mediated synthesis of 2-substituted benzo[b]furans/nitrobenzo[b]furans in water

An efficient synthesis of 2-alkyl/aryl substituted benzo[b]furans/nitrobenzo[b]furans in water has been accomplished via Pd/C catalyzed reaction of o-iodophenols with terminal alkynes in the presence of PPh₃, CuI and prolinol. This method can tolerate a variety of functional groups present in the alkynes as well as base labile nitro group in the o-iodophenols. The protocol does not require the use of a phase transfer catalyst or water-soluble phosphine ligands and is free from the use of any organic co-solvent.     

Copper (II)-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective addition of H/P(O)R2 to alkynes

Cu(acac)₂ is the new universal catalyst for β-E regio- and stereoselective syn-addition of the H–P(O)-bond of diphenylphosphine oxide, H-phosphinates, dialkylphosphites to various alkynes in the synthesis of P(O)-containing alkenes. Without additives and ligands Cu(II)-compounds showed better results than CuI or Ni(acac)₂. The catalytic system developed is tolerant to typical organic functional groups present in the alkynes and to the nature of different substituents in the H–P(O)-compounds.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed addition of sulfenamides to alkynes leading to selective synthesis of polyfunctional alkenes

Sulfenamides smoothly add to alkynes by [RuCl₂(CO)₃]₂ or Ru₃(CO)₁₂ catalyst to give the corresponding polyfunctional alkenes in high yield with high regio- and stereoselectivity (Z 100%).     

Regioselective construction of six-membered fused heterocyclic rings via Pd/C-mediated C-C coupling followed by iodocyclization strategy: a new entry to 2H-1,2-benzothiazine-1,1-dioxides

We describe a practical and elegant method of constructing a thiazine ring fused with benzene under mild reaction conditions. A variety of 4-iodo-2H-benzo[e][1,2]thiazine-1,1-dioxides were prepared with high regioselectivity via a two-step process involving Pd/C-mediated C-C coupling of o-halobenzenesulfonamides with terminal alkynes, followed by iodocyclization of the resulting o-(1-alkynyl)arenesulfonamide using elemental iodine in acetonitrile. The coupling reaction was carried out using 10% Pd/C-PPh₃-CuI as a catalyst system in the presence of Et₃N. The process worked well for bromides and iodides, and a wide array of terminal alkynes containing alkyl and aryl substituents were employed. The iodocyclization step tolerated a variety of functional groups such as hydroxy, chloro, cyano, and methoxy, producing the six-membered heterocyclic ring selectively. The resulting 4-iodo-2H-benzo[e][1,2]thiazine-1,1-dioxides participated in Sonogashira, Heck, and Suzuki reactions producing a wide range of functionally substituted benzothiazines in good yields.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (E)-α-aryltellurenylvinylsilanes via hydromagnesiation reaction of alkynylsilanes

(E)-α-Aryltellurenylvinylsilanes have been synthesized stereoselectively via the hydromagnesiation of alkynylsilanes, followed by the reaction with aryltellurenyl iodides. (E)-α-Aryltellurenylvinylsilanes can undergo the cross coupling reaction with Grignard reagents in the presence of Ni(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ catalyst to afford (Z)-1,2-disubstituted vinylsilanes in good yields.     

Ti(NMe2)4-catalyzed Markovnikov hydroamination of alkynes in the presence of N-heterocyclic carbenes and LiN(SiMe3)2

Intermolecular hydroamination of alkynes catalyzed by Ti(NMe₂)₄ was much improved with N-heterocyclic carbenes and LiN(SiMe₃)₂, by which high Markovnikov selectivity was attained for the coupling of nearly all alkynes and amines.     

Z/E Stereoselective synthesis of β-bromo Baylis-Hillman ketones using MgBr2 as promoter via a one-pot three-component reaction

The first time steroselective synthesis of (Z)-β-bromo Baylis-Hillman ketones has been achieved using a one-pot three-component reaction. The new system uses MgBr₂ as both the Lewis acidic promoter and the bromine source for the Michael-type addition with α,β-acetylenic ketones to form an active β-bromo allenolate intermediate, which in turn attacks various aldehydes to afford β-bromo Baylis-Hillman adducts in good yields and Z-selectivity.     

Reaction of CBrF2-CBrF2 with hydrazones of aromatic aldehydes: Novel efficient synthesis of fluorocontaining alkanes, alkenes and alkynes

An olefination of hydrazones of aromatic aldehydes by CBrF₂-CBrF₂ under copper catalysis was investigated. In situ prepared aldehydes hydrazones were converted to (3-bromo-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl)arenes by reaction with CBrF₂-CBrF₂ in the presence of CuCl. Subsequent elimination of HF by sodium hydroxide resulted in stereospecific formation of fluorocontaining alkenes. Elimination proceeds stereoselectively, only Z-isomers of alkenes are formed. Elimination of two molecules of HF from (3-bromo-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl)arenes by treatment with potassium tert-butoxide leads to formation of (bromodifluoromethyl)alkynes. As a result a simple and efficient transformation of aromatic aldehydes to range of various fluorinated alkanes, alkenes and alkynes was elaborated.     

Preparation, structural characterization of 1,2-digermacyclobut-3-enes, and their palladium-catalyzed insertion of alkynes

1,2-Digermacyclobut-3-enes were prepared by the treatment of Z-α,β-bis(chlorodialkylgermyl)ethenes with Na metal in boiling toluene and their structures were fully established by spectroscopic methods coupled with X-ray crystallography. In the presence of an appropriate catalyst, 1,2-digermacyclobut-3-enes reacted smoothly with alkynes to give the corresponding insertion products, 1,4-digermacyclohexa-2,5-dienes in moderate to good yields. Conventional complexes, such as [Pd(PPh₃)₄] and [Pt(PPh₃)₄], serve as efficient catalysts. The mechanism of the insertion reaction of alkynes into the germanium-germanium bond of 1,2-digermacyclobut-3-enes is discussed in terms of a key intermediate, a 1,4-digerma-2-buten-1,4-diylpalladium.     

Efficient synthesis of 2-oxazolidinones and quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones from CO2 catalyzed by tetrabutylammonium fluoride

By employing tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) as a catalyst, the various carboxylative cyclizations of the propargylic amines having internal alkynes with CO₂ proceeded to afford the corresponding 2-oxazolidinones. In this case, it was also found that the generated 2-oxazolidinones were tautomerized into the corresponding 2-oxazolones due to the basicity of TBAF. In addition, we performed the synthesis of quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione from 2-aminobenzonitrile and CO₂ by using TBAF as a catalyst.     

Rhodium-catalyzed carbothiolation reaction of 1-alkylthio-1-alkynes

A rhodium complex derived from RhH(PPh₃)₄ and Me₂PhP catalyzed the carbothiolation reaction of 1-alkylthio-1-alkynes and 1,4-diaryl-1,3-butadiynes giving (Z)-4-alkylthio-4-aryl-3-arylethynyl-3-buten-1-ynes. Terminal alkynes such as 1-decyne and (t-butylthio)acetylene underwent the carbothiolation reaction using a RhH(PPh₃)₄-dppb catalyst. The reactions proceeded via cis-addition with C-C bond formation at the less hindered acetylene carbon.     

Inorganic base-mediated stereoselective hydroamination of arylalkynes with imidazole: An efficient access to N-vinylimidazoles

A metal-free inorganic base-mediated highly stereoselective hydroamination of arylalkynes with imidazoles has been developed, and the corresponding N-vinylimidazoles were obtained in good yields and with moderate to excellent stereoselectivities (up to 99:1). For the electron rich alkynes, the reaction system of CsOH·H₂O/NMP/140?°C led to the predominant formation of E-addition products, while the reaction system of KOH/NMP/90?°C afforded the Z-isomers as the major product. The electron deficient alkynes furnished predominantly the E-addition products in both reaction systems. This study essentially provides a general and an efficient protocol for the synthesis of E-isomer of the N-vinylimidazoles.     

An unprecedented highly efficient solvent-free oxidation of alkynes to α,β-acetylenic ketones with tert-butyl hydroperoxide catalyzed by water-soluble copper complex

The catalytic system composed of CuCl₂ and 2,2′-biquinoline-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid dipotassium salt (BQC) was found to be highly efficient for the selective α-oxidation of internal alkynes to the corresponding α,β-acetylenic ketones, with aqueous tert-butyl hydroperoxide under mild conditions. For the first time, full conversions of alkynes were reached with excellent selectivities, and propargylic tert-butylperoxy ethers were observed and suggested as the reaction intermediates. In the case of terminal alkynes, the oxidations are sluggish and low yields ranging from 32% to 40% were obtained.     

Regio- and stereoselective synthesis of Z-vinylic tellurides from propargylic alcohols: a route to chiral Z-enynes

tert-Butyldimethylsilyl ethers of propargylic alcohols are hydrotellurated regioselectively to give 1,2-Z-vinylic tellurides. Enantiomerically pure propargylic alcohols give enantiomerically pure vinylic tellurides, which are coupled with alkynes under Pd catalysis to give enantiomerically pure allylic enynols.