Ruthenium(ii)-catalyzed regioselective 1,6-conjugate addition of umpolung aldehydes as carbanion equivalents

One of the most efficient and reliable approaches to construct C–C bonds involves the conjugate addition of carbon nucleophiles to electron-deficient ketones. Yet, 1,6-conjugate additions of extended conjugated systems largely remain underexplored due to difficulties in controlling the regioselectivity. Herein, we report umpolung aldehydes as carbanion equivalents for highly regioselective 1,6-conjugate addition reactions to unsaturated ketones, with preliminary studies of the enantioselective variant. The synergy of ruthenium(ii) catalyst and electron-rich, bidentate phosphine ligand is essential for the reactivity and selectivity under mild reaction conditions.

Highly regioselective 1,6-conjugate addition was developed using hydrazone as carbanion equivalent catalyzed by ruthenium under mild conditions.     

Sc(OTf)3-catalyzed synthesis of indoles and SnCl4-mediated regioselective hydrochlorination of 5-(arylamino)pent-3-yn-2-ones

Highly substituted indole derivatives bearing alkyl and aryl moieties can be prepared by Sc(OTf)(3)-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts alkenylation of 5-(arylamino)pent-3-yn-2-ones. In addition, a method for regioselective hydrochlorination of 5-(arylamino)pent-3-yn-2-ones mediated by SnCl(4) in moderate to good yields (up to 84%) has been developed. The resulting exclusive Z-selectivity of the C-Cl bond can be further exploited using cross C-N coupling reactions.     

Ruthenium(III)-catalyzed mechanistic studies of oxidation of benzhydrols by sodium N-chloro-p-toluenesulfonamide in HCl medium

The kinetics of oxidation of benzhydrol and its p-substituted derivatives (YBH, where Y=H, Cl, Br, NO₂, CH₃, and OCH₃) by sodium N-chloro-p-toluenesulfonamide or chloramine-T (CAT), catalyzed by ruthenium(III) chloride, in the presence of hydrochloric acid in 30% (v/v) MeOH medium has been studied at 35°C. The reaction rate shows a first-order dependence on [CAT]_O and a fractional-order each on [ YBH]_O, [Ru(III)], and [H⁺]. The reaction also has a negative fractional-order (−0.35) behavior in the reduction product of CAT, p-toluenesulfonamide (PTS). The increase in MeOH content of the solvent medium retards the rate. The variation of ionic strength of the medium has negligible effect on the rate. Rate studies in D₂O medium show that the solvent isotope effect, k′H₂O/k′D₂O, is equal to 0.60. Proton inventory studies have been made in H₂O(SINGLEBOND)D₂O mixtures. The rates correlate satisfactorily with Hammett σ relationship. The LFE relationship plot is biphasic and the reaction constant ρ=−2.3 for electron donating groups and ρ=−0.32 for electron withdrawing groups at 35°C. Activation parameters ΔH^≠, ΔS^≠, and ΔG^≠ have been calculated. The parameters, ΔH^≠ and ΔS^≠, are linearly related with an isokinetic temperature β=334 K indicating enthalpy as a controlling factor. A mechanism consistent with the observed kinetics has been proposed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Palladium-catalyzed direct C2-arylation of free (NH) indoles via norbornene-mediated regioselective CH activation

A palladium-catalyzed direct C2-arylation reaction of free (NH) indoles has been developed. This reaction relies on a norbornene-mediated CH activation process on the indole ring, which features high regioselectivity and excellent functional group tolerance.     

Photoredox catalyst-mediated direct regioselective phosphonylation of indoles

An efficient hetero-cross-dehydrogenative-coupling (hetero-CDC) reaction between N-protected indoles and phosphites to 2-indolyphosphites is described. The regioselective methodology took place in the presence of photo redox catalyst Ru(bpy)₃(PF₆)₂ combined with oxygen as an clean oxidant when exposed to visible light, furnishing the 2-indolyphosphites as the exclusive products in moderate to good yields with good functional group tolerance. Moreover, the phosphonylation protocol was proved by the control reaction to proceed through the radical pathway.     

Cu(II)-catalyzed direct and site-selective arylation of indoles under mild conditions

We have developed a new site-selective Cu(II)-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization process that can selectively arylate indoles at either the C3 or C2 position under mild conditions. The scope of the arylation process is broad and tolerates broad functionality on both the indole and aryl unit, which makes it amenable to further elaboration. The mechanism of the arylation reaction is proposed to proceed via a Cu(III)-aryl species that undergoes initial electrophilic addition at the C3 position of the indole motif. We speculate that site of indole arylation arises through a migration of the Cu(III)-aryl group from C3 to C2, and this can be controlled by the nature of the group on the nitrogen atom; free (NH)- and N-alkylindoles deliver the C3-arylated product, whereas N-acetylindoles afford the C2 isomer, both with excellent yield and selectivity.     

Pd(II)-catalyzed direct C5-arylation of azole-4-carboxylates through double C-H bond cleavage

The first palladium-catalyzed direct C5-arylation of azole-4-carboxylates with simple unactivated arenes through double C-H bond cleavage is realized. This protocol provided a straightforward access to diverse 5-arylsubstituted azole-4-carboxylic derivatives with good functional group tolerance.     

Total synthesis of (-)-quinocarcin by gold(i)-catalyzed regioselective hydroamination

In control: The novel and enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-quinocarcin includes the highly stereoselective preparation of the 2,5-cis-pyrrolidine by intramolecular amination, a selective substrate-controlled 6-endo-dig intramolecular alkyne hydroamination with a cationic Au(I) catalyst, and Lewis-acid-mediated ring-opening/halogenation sequence.     

A general study of [(eta5-Cp')2Ti(eta2-Me3SiC2SiMe3)]-catalyzed hydroamination of terminal alkynes: regioselective formation of Markovnikov and anti-Markovnikov products and mechanistic explanation (Cp'=C5H5, C5H4Et, C5Me5)

A general study of the regioselective hydroamination of terminal alkynes in the presence of [(eta5-Cp)2Ti(eta2-Me3SiC2SiMe3)] (1), [(eta5-CpEt)2Ti(eta2-Me3SiC2SiMe3)] (CpEt=ethylcyclopentadienyl) (2), and [(eta5-Cp*)2Ti(eta2-Me3SiC2SiMe3)] (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) (3) is presented. While aliphatic amines give mainly the anti-Markovnikov products, anilines and aryl hydrazines yield the Markovnikov isomer as main products. Interestingly, using aliphatic amines such as n-butylamine and benzylamine the different catalysts lead to a significant change in the observed regioselectivity. Here, for the first time a highly selective switch from the Markovnikov to the anti-Markovnikov product is observed simply by changing the catalyst. Detailed theoretical calculations for the reaction of propyne with different substituted anilines and tert-butylamine in the presence of [(eta5-C5H5)Ti(=NR)(NHR)] (R=4-C6H4X; X=H, F, Cl, CH3, 2,6-dimethylphenyl) reveal that the experimentally observed regioselectivity is determined by the relative stability of the corresponding pi-complexes 10. While electrostatic stabilization favors the Markovnikov performance for aniline, the steric repulsive destabilization disfavors the Markovnikov performance for tert-butylamine.     

Ruthenium(III)- and osmium(VIII)-catalyzed oxidation of 2-thiouracil by bromamine-B in acid and alkaline media: a kinetic and mechanistic study

The kinetics of oxidation of 2-thiouracil (TU) by sodium N-bromobenzenesulphonamide or bromamine-B (BAB) have been studied in an HCl medium, catalyzed by RuCl₃, and in a NaOH media with OsO₄ as catalyst, at 313 K. The stoichiometry and oxidation products are the same in both cases, but their kinetic patterns were found to be different. In acid medium the rate shows a first order dependence in each of [BAB] and [TU], and is dependent on [Ru^III]. The reaction rate is inversely dependent on [H⁺]. In alkaline medium, the rate is first order in [BAB] and in [Os^VIII] and zero order in [TU]. The reaction rate is dependent on [NaOH]. Activation parameters have been evaluated, solvent isotope effects have been studied in D₂O medium, and equilibrium constants were calculated. The activation parameters and rate constants indicate that the catalytic efficiency is: Os^VIII > Ru^III. The proposed mechanisms and the derived rate laws are consistent with the observed kinetics.     

C4-arylation and domino C4-arylation/3,2-carbonyl migration of indoles by tuning Pd catalytic modes: Pd(i)–Pd(ii) catalysis vs. Pd(ii) catalysis

Efficient C4-arylation and domino C4-arylation/3,2-carbonyl migration of indoles have been developed. The former route enables C4-arylation in a highly efficient and mild manner and the latter route provides an alternative straightforward protocol for synthesis of C2/C4 disubstituted indoles. The mechanism studies imply that the different reaction pathways were tuned by the distinct acid additives, which led to either the Pd(i)–Pd(ii) pathway or Pd(ii) catalysis.

C4-arylation via Pd(i)–Pd(ii) catalysis and domino C4-arylation/3,2-carbonyl migration of indoles via Pd(ii) catalysis tuning by acids have been developed.     

Ruthenium(III)-catalyzed and uncatalyzed kinetic studies on the oxidation of sulfanilic acid by chloramine-T in perchloric acid medium: a mechanistic approach

The kinetics of the oxidation of sulfanilic acid (SAA) by sodium N-chloro-p-toluenesulfonamide (CAT) in the presence and absence of ruthenium(III) chloride have been investigated at 303 K in perchloric acid medium. The reaction shows a first-order dependence on [CAT]_o and a non-linear dependence on both [SAA]_o and [HClO₄] for both the ruthenium(III)-catalyzed and uncatalyzed reactions. The order with respect to [Ru^III] is unity. The effects of added p-toluenesulfonamide, halide, ionic strength, and dielectric constant have been studied. Activation parameters have been evaluated. The rate of the reaction increases in the D₂O medium. The stoichiometry of the reaction was found to be 1:1 and the oxidation product of SAA was identified as N-hydroxyaminobenzene-4-sulfonic acid. The ruthenium(III)-catalyzed reactions are about four-fold faster than the uncatalyzed reactions. The protonated conjugate acid (CH₃C₆H₄SO₂NH₂Cl⁺) is postulated as the reactive oxidizing species in both the cases.     

Ruthenium(III)-catalyzed oxidation of amides by sodium N-bromobenzenesulphonamide in hydrochloric acid: a kinetic and mechanistic study

The kinetics of the RuIII-catalyzed oxidation of urea and substituted ureas namely: methylurea, ethylurea and propylurea, to the corresponding hydrazines by sodium N- bromobenzenesulphonamide or bromamine-B (BAB) in HCl medium has been studied at 303K. The reaction rate shows a first order dependence each upon [BAB], [amide] and [RuIII] and is dependent on [H+]. Addition of halide ions and benzenesulphonamide do not significantly affect the rate. Proton inventory studies were made in H2O-D2O mixtures for urea and methylurea. A Taft linear free energy relationship is observed for the reaction with *=–2.95 and =–0.25, showing that electron-donating groups enhance the rate. An isokinetic relation is observed with =370K, indicating that enthalpy factors control the rate; this result is also confirmed by Exner Criterion which showed a linear plot for the logarithms of rate constants at the highest and lowest temperatures employed. The protonation constant of monobromamine-B has been evaluated and equals 7.5. A mechanism consistent with the observed kinetic data has been proposed.     

Rhodium(II)-catalyzed enantioselective C-H functionalization of indoles

A catalytic, enantioselective method for the C-H functionalization of indoles by diazo compounds has been achieved. With catalytic amounts of Rh(2)(S-NTTL)(4), the putative Rh-carbene intermediates from α-alkyl-α-diazoesters react with indoles at C(3) to provide α-alkyl-α-indolylacetates in high yield and enantioselectivity. From DFT calculations, a mechanism is proposed that involves a Rh-ylide intermediate with oxocarbenium character.     

Pd(II)-catalyzed regioselective direct arylation of uracil via oxidative Heck reaction using arylboronic acids

A palladium catalyzed regioselective synthesis of 6-aryl uracils via oxidative Heck reaction (C–H bond functionalization) of uracils and arylboronic acids is reported. The method is simple, atom-economical, and high yielding.     

Gold(I)-catalyzed hydroarylation of allenes with indoles

Reaction of a monosubstituted, 1,3-disubstituted, or tetrasubstituted allene with various indoles catalyzed by a 1:1 mixture of a gold(I) N-heterocyclic carbene complex and AgOTf at room temperature leads to hydroarylation with formation of 3-allyl-indoles in modest to good yield.     

Palladium-catalyzed direct and regioselective C-H bond functionalization/oxidative acetoxylation of indoles

The first general examples of palladium-catalyzed direct and selective oxidative C3-acetoxylation of indoles are presented. The mild reaction conditions (70 °C and with weak base, KOAc) in this indole C-H-acetoxylation are notable.     

Ruthenium(II)-catalyzed cyclization of azabenzonorbornadienes with alkynes

The ruthenium-catalyzed cyclization of azabenzonorbornadienes with alkynes leads to an unanticipated dihydrobenzoindole framework. Depending on the structure of the alkyne and the Ru catalyst, either a dihydrobenzoindole and/or a [2+2] cycloaddition product could be formed. Cp*Ru(COD)Cl was found to be an active catalyst for the cyclization of an azabenzonorbornadiene with a propargylic alcohol to produce the dihydrobenz[g]indole as a single regio and stereoisomer in good yield. For other alkynes, selective formation of the dihydrobenz[g]indole is possible by using a cationic Ru catalyst, [Cp*Ru(CH3CN)3]PF6.     

Ruthenium(ii) complexes with tetra-15-crown-5-phthalocyanine: synthesis and spectroscopic investigation

The ruthenium complexes with tetra-15-crown-5-phthalocyanine and various axial ligands were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopy. A method for the synthesis of bisaxially coordinated ruthenium(ii) tetra-15-crown-5-phthalocyaninates with the N-donor ligands (R₄Pc)Ru(L₂) (R₄Pc^2– = [4,5,4",5",4,5,4,5-tetrakis(1,4,7,10,13-pentaoxotridecamethylene)phthalocyaninate-ion], L is trimethylamine (Me₃N), pyridine (py), isoquinoline (iqnl), triethylamine (Et₃N), pyrazine (pyz)) was developed. The preparation technique involves selective decarbonylation of (R₄Pc)Ru(CO)(MeOH) on treatment with Me₃NO in excess N-donor solvent.     

Synthesis of 4-(4-Alkyl-2-morpholinyl)indoles

N-substituted 4-(2-morpholinyl)indoles were prepared from 1-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-4-acetylindole (7) which was itself prepared from 4-cyanoindole. Bromination of ketone 7, followed by reaction with amines and subsequent sodium borohydride reduction, gave amino alcohols. These were converted to α-chloro amides that were cyclized to lactams. Lithium aluminum hydride reduction served both to remove the t-BOC protecting group and to reduce the lactams to the 4-(2-morpholinyl) indoles.