Ligand-controlled phosphine-free Co(II)-catalysed cross-coupling of secondary and primary alcohols

Cobalt(II) complexes (5 mol% Co) bearing phosphine-free N^˄N^˄N pincer ligands efficiently catalyze C–C coupling of secondary and primary alcohols to selectively form α-alkylated ketones with a good functional group compatibility using NaOH (20 mol%) as a base at 120 °C. The NH group on the N^˄N^˄N–Co(II) precatalyst controls the activity and selectivity. This simple catalytic system is involved in the synthesis of quinolones via the dehydrogenative annulation of 2-aminobenzyl alcohols with secondary alcohols.     

Electrochemical Synthesis of Thienoacene Derivatives: Transition-Metal-Free Dehydrogenative C−S Coupling Promoted by a Halogen Mediator

The first electrochemical dehydrogenative C−S bond formation leading to thienoacene derivatives is described. Several thienoacene derivatives were synthesized by dehydrogenative C−H/S−H coupling. The addition of ⁿBu₄NBr, which catalytically promoted the reaction as a halogen mediator, was essential.     

Ligand-Promoted Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed ortho-C−H Amination with Free Amines

Ligand development for rhodium(III)-catalyzed C−H activation reactions has largely been limited to cyclopentadienyl (Cp) based scaffolds. 2-Methylquinoline has now been identified as a feasible ligand that can coordinate to the metal center of Cp*RhCl to accelerate the cleavage of the C−H bond of N-pentafluorophenylbenzamides, providing a new structural lead for ligand design. The compatibility of this reaction with secondary free amines and anilines also overcomes the limitations of palladium(II)-catalyzed C−H amination reactions.     

Metal–Ligand Cooperation on a Diruthenium Platform: Selective Imine Formation through Acceptorless Dehydrogenative Coupling of Alcohols with Amines

Metal?metal singly‐bonded diruthenium complexes, bridged by naphthyridine‐functionalized N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands featuring a hydroxy appendage on the naphthyridine unit, are obtained in a single‐pot reaction of [Ru₂(CH₃COO)₂(CO)₄] with 1‐benzyl‐3‐(5,7‐dimethyl‐1,8‐naphthyrid‐2‐yl)imidazolium bromide (BIN ? HBr) or 1‐isopropyl‐3‐(5,7‐dimethyl‐1,8‐naphthyrid‐2‐yl)imidazolium bromide (PIN ? HBr), TlBF₄, and substituted benzaldehyde containing an electron‐withdrawing group. The modified NHC‐naphthyridine‐hydroxy ligand spans the diruthenium unit in which the NHC carbon and hydroxy oxygen occupy the axial sites. All the synthesized compounds catalyze acceptorless dehydrogenation of alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes in the presence of a catalytic amount of weak base 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO). Further, acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling (ADHC) of the alcohol with amines affords the corresponding imine as the sole product. The substrate scope is examined with 1 (BIN, p‐nitrobenzaldehyde). A similar complex [Ru₂(CO)₄(CH₃COO)(3‐PhBIN)][Br], that is devoid of a hydroxy arm, is significantly less effective for the same reaction. Neutral complex 1 a , obtained by deprotonation of the hydroxy arm in 1 , is found to be active for the ADHC of alcohols and amines under base‐free conditions. A combination of control experiments, deuterium labeling, kinetic Hammett studies, and DFT calculations support metal–hydroxyl/hydroxide and metal–metal cooperation for alcohol activation and dehydrogenation. The bridging acetate plays a crucial role in allowing β‐hydride elimination to occur. The ligand architecture on the diruthenium core causes rapid aldehyde extrusion from the metal coordination sphere, which is responsible for exclusive imine formation.     

A Proton-Responsive Pyridyl(benzamide)-Functionalized NHC Ligand on Ir Complex for Alkylation of Ketones and Secondary Alcohols

A Cp*Ir(III) complex ( 1 ) of a newly designed ligand L¹ featuring a proton-responsive pyridyl(benzamide) appended on N - heterocyclic carbene (NHC) has been synthesized. The molecular structure of 1 reveals a dearomatized form of the ligand. The protonation of 1 with HBF₄ in tetrahydrofuran gives the corresponding aromatized complex [Cp*Ir(L¹H)Cl]BF₄ ( 2 ). Both compounds are characterized spectroscopically and by X-ray crystallography. The protonation of 1 with acid is examined by ¹H NMR and UV-vis spectra. The proton-responsive character of 1 is exploited for catalyzing α-alkylation of ketones and β-alkylation of secondary alcohols using primary alcohols as alkylating agents through hydrogen-borrowing methodology. Compound 1 is an effective catalyst for these reactions and exhibits a superior activity in comparison to a structurally similar iridium complex [Cp*Ir(L²)Cl]PF₆ ( 3 ) lacking a proton-responsive pendant amide moiety. The catalytic alkylation is characterized by a wide substrate scope, low catalyst and base loadings, and a short reaction time. The catalytic efficacy of 1 is also demonstrated for the syntheses of quinoline and lactone derivatives via acceptorless dehydrogenation, and selective alkylation of two steroids, pregnenolone and testosterone. Detailed mechanistic investigations and DFT calculations substantiate the role of the proton-responsive ligand in the hydrogen-borrowing process.     

PhI(OAc)2/I2-Mediated Decarboxylative C4-Amination of Coumarin-3-Carboxylic Acids via Csp2−H Dehydrogenative C−N Cross-Coupling under Ambient Conditions

An efficient and straightforward protocol for accessing a new series of functionalized 4-aminocoumarins from PIDA/I₂-mediated decarboxylative C₄-amination of coumarin-3-carboxylic acids via direct C_sp2−H dehydrogenative C−N cross-coupling with secondary amines under ambient conditions has been accomplished. The notable advantages of this protocol are the tolerance of diverse functional groups, mild reaction conditions at ambient temperature, moderate to good yields, short reaction times (in minutes), high regioselectivity, gram-scale applicability, and eco-friendliness. This is the first report of decarboxylative C_sp2−H cross-dehydrogenative C−N coupling of coumarin-3-carboxylic acids for synthesizing 4-aminocoumarins.     

Catalyst-Controlled Dual Reactivity of Sulfonimidamides: Synthesis of Propargylamines and N-Propargyl Sulfonimidamides

Sulfonimidamides (SIAs) are acting both as surrogate amines and nucleophiles depending on the reaction conditions to access propargylamines and N-propargyl SIAs, respectively. The amine part of SIAs has been cleaved in an InCl₃-catalyzed three-component A³ coupling reaction with aldehyde and acetylene to yield propargylamine. Moreover, N-propargyl SIAs were obtained via the direct-imination of propargyl alcohols in the presence of BF₃⋅OEt₂.     

Polymer-supported N-benzyl- and N-benzhydryl-2-nitrobenzenesulfonamides as alternative to aldehyde linkers

Polymer-supported N-benzyl- and N-benzhydryl-2-nitrobenzenesulfonamides 1 were N-alkylated using three different routes: via Fukuyama reaction with alcohols, by N-alkylation with electrophiles, and by Michael addition reaction with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. The N-alkylated products were obtained in excellent purity and high yield. The 2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl (Nos) group was then cleaved to yield polymer-supported N-alkylated benzylamines and benzhydrylamines. N-alkylation of polymer-supported 2-nitrobenzenesulfonamide linkers 1 described herein represents an alternative route to reductive amination of aldehyde linkers.     

Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Enantio- and Diastereoselective C−H Cyclopropylation of N-Phenoxylsulfonamides: Combined Experimental and Computational Studies

Cyclopropane rings are a prominent structural motif in biologically active molecules. Enantio- and diastereoselective construction of cyclopropanes through C−H activation of arenes and coupling with readily available cyclopropenes is highly appealing but remains a challenge. A dual directing-group-assisted C−H activation strategy was used to realize mild and redox-neutral Rh^III-catalyzed C−H activation and cyclopropylation of N-phenoxylsulfonamides in a highly enantioselective, diastereoselective, and regioselective fashion with cyclopropenyl secondary alcohols as a cyclopropylating reagent. Synthetic applications are demonstrated to highlight the potential of the developed method. Integrated experimental and computational mechanistic studies revealed that the reaction proceeds via a Rh^V nitrenoid intermediate, and Noyori-type outer sphere concerted proton-hydride transfer from the secondary alcohol to the Rh=N bond produces the observed trans selectivity.     

Domino Rhodium/Palladium‐Catalyzed Dehydrogenation Reactions of Alcohols to Acids by Hydrogen Transfer to Inactivated Alkenes

The combination of the d⁸ Rh^I diolefin amide [Rh(trop₂N)(PPh₃)] (trop₂N=bis(5‐H‐dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten‐5‐yl)amide) and a palladium heterogeneous catalyst results in the formation of a superior catalyst system for the dehydrogenative coupling of alcohols. The overall process represents a mild and direct method for the synthesis of aromatic and heteroaromatic carboxylic acids for which inactivated olefins can be used as hydrogen acceptors. Allyl alcohols are also applicable to this coupling reaction and provide the corresponding saturated aliphatic carboxylic acids. This transformation has been found to be very efficient in the presence of silica‐supported palladium nanoparticles. The dehydrogenation of benzyl alcohol by the rhodium amide, [Rh]N, follows the well established mechanism of metal–ligand bifunctional catalysis. The resulting amino hydride complex, [RhH]NH, transfers a H₂ molecule to the Pd nanoparticles, which, in turn, deliver hydrogen to the inactivated alkene. Thus a domino catalytic reaction is developed which promotes the reaction R‐CH₂‐OH+NaOH+2 alkene→R‐COONa+2 alkane.     

Selective C-C bonds formation,N-alkylation and benzo[d]imidazoles synthesis by a recyclable zinc composite

Earth abundant metals are much less expensive, promising, valuable metals and could be served as catalysts for the borrowing hydrogen reaction, dehydrogenation and heterocycles synthesis, instead of noble metals. The uniformly dispersed zinc composites were designed, synthesized and carefully characterized by means of XPS, EDS, TEM and XRD. The resulting zinc composite showed good catalytic activity for the N-alkylation of amines with amines, ketones with alcohols in water under base-free conditions, while unsaturated carbonyl compounds could also be synthesized by tuning the reaction conditions. Importantly, it was the first time to realize the synthesis of 2-aryl-1H-benzo[d]imidazole derivatives by using this zinc composite under green conditions. Meanwhile, this zinc catalyst could be easily recovered and reused for at least five times.     

Enantioselective oxidative coupling of methyl 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoate using mono-N-alkylated octahydrobinaphthyl-2,2′-diamine ligand

Mono-N-alkylated octahydrobinaphthyl-2,2′-diamine (H₈-BINAM) chiral ligands were employed in the catalytic and asymmetric oxidative coupling of methyl 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoate to the corresponding binaphthol derivative. The diamine ligand with one N-(3-pentyl) group shows highest enantioselectivity in the biaryl coupling among other BINAM derivatives, and the coupling reaction proceeds faster than the reactions using alkanediamine ligands.     

Brookhart's Acid-Catalyzed Switchable Regioselective N-Alkylation of Arylamines/Heterocyclic Amines with Cyclopropylcarbinols by Temperature Regulation

An unprecedented, Brookhart's acid-catalyzed temperature-switchable regioselective divergent approach for N-alkylation of arylamines and heterocyclic amines by utilising cyclopropylcarbinols is presented herein. The reaction offers N-alkylated cyclopropyl derivatives and homoallyl amines by employing 2.5 mol% catalyst loading at different temperatures in excellent regioselectivity and yields. This method has shown to be relevant with a wide range of cyclopropylcarbinols, including aliphatic ones. Several control experiments and spectroscopic studies have been performed to gain insight into the reaction mechanism. Further, the synthetic utility of the protocol has also been described.     

One pot synthesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-ethylaniline from nitrobenzene and ethanol

A novel method for the one pot synthesis of N-alkyl arylamines from nitro aromatic compounds and alcohols is proposed through the combination of the aqueous-phase reforming of alcohol for hydrogen production, the reduction of nitro aromatic compounds for the synthesis of aromatic amine and the N-alkylation of aromatic amine for the production of N-alkyl arylamine over an identical catalyst under the same conditions of temperature and pressure in a single reactor. In this process, hydrogen generated from the aqueous-phase reforming of alcohols was used in-situ for the hydrogenation of nitro aromatic compounds for aromatic amine synthesis, followed by N-alkylation of aromatic amine with alcohols to form the corresponding N-alkyl arylamines at a low partial pressure of hydrogen. For the system composed of nitrobenzene and ethanol, under the conditions of 413 K and P _N2 = 1 MPa, the conversion degrees of nitrobenzene and aniline were 100%, the selectivity to N-ethylaniline and N, N-diethylaniline were 85.9% and 0%–4%, respectivity, after reaction for 8 h at the volumetric ratio of nitrobenzene:ethanol:water = 10:60:0. The selectivity for N, N-diethylaniline production is much lower than that through the traditional method. In this process, hydrogen and aromatic amines generated from the aqueous-phase reforming of alcohols and hydrogenation of nitro aromatic compounds, respectively, could be promptly removed from the surface of the catalyst due to the occurrence of in-situ hydrogenation and N-alkylation reactions. Thus, this may be a potential approach to increase the selectivity to N-alkyl arylamine. Supported by the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (Grant No. NCET-04-0557), and the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of High Education (Grant No. SRFDP-20060337001)     

Cobalt-Catalyzed C8-Dienylation of Quinoline-N-Oxides

An efficient Cp*Co^III-catalyzed C8-dienylation of quinoline-N-oxides was achieved by employing allenes bearing leaving groups at the α-position as the dienylating agents. The reaction proceeds by Co^III-catalyzed C−H activation of quinoline-N-oxides and regioselective migratory insertion of the allene followed by a β-oxy elimination, leading to overall dienylation. Site-selective C−H activation was achieved with excellent selectivity under mild reaction conditions, and 30 mol % of a NaF additive was found to be crucial for the efficient dienylation. The methodology features high stereoselectivity, mild reaction conditions, and good functional-group tolerance. C8-alkenylation of quinoline-N-oxides was achieved in the case of allenes devoid of leaving groups as coupling partners. Furthermore, gram-scale preparation and preliminary mechanistic experiments were carried out to gain insights into the reaction mechanism.     

Reductive Deamination with Hydrosilanes Catalyzed by B(C6F5)3

The strong boron Lewis acid tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane B(C₆F₅)₃ is known to catalyze the dehydrogenative coupling of certain amines and hydrosilanes at elevated temperatures. At higher temperature, the dehydrogenation pathway competes with cleavage of the C?N bond and defunctionalization is obtained. This can be turned into a useful methodology for the transition‐metal‐free reductive deamination of a broad range of amines as well as heterocumulenes such as an isocyanate and an isothiocyanate.     

Manganese‐Catalyzed Multicomponent Synthesis of Pyrimidines from Alcohols and Amidines

The development of catalytic reactions for synthesizing different compounds from alcohols to save fossil carbon feedstock and reduce CO₂ emissions is of high importance. Replacing rare noble metals with abundantly available 3d metals is equally important. We report a manganese‐complex‐catalyzed multicomponent synthesis of pyrimidines from amidines and up to three alcohols. Our reaction proceeds through condensation and dehydrogenation steps, permitting selective C−C and C−N bond formations. β‐Alkylation reactions are used to multiply alkylate secondary alcohols with two different primary alcohols to synthesize fully substituted pyrimidines in a one‐pot process. Our PN₅P‐Mn‐pincer complexes efficiently catalyze this multicomponent process. A comparison of our manganese catalysts with related cobalt catalysts indicates that manganese shows a reactivity similar to that of iridium but not cobalt. This analogy could be used to develop further (de)hydrogenation reactions with manganese complexes.     

General methodology for solid-phase synthesis of N-alkyl hydroxamic acids

Polymer-supported N-benzyloxy-2-nitrobenzenesulfonamides 1 were N-alkylated using three different routes: via Fukuyama reaction with alcohols, by N-alkylation with alkylbromides, and by Michael addition reaction with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. The N-alkylated products prepared on the linker 1b were obtained in excellent purity and yield. The 2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl (Nos) group was cleaved under mild conditions to yield polymer-supported N-alkylated benzyloxyamines. Acylation by carboxylic acids and cleavage with TFA yielded N-alkyl hydroxamic acids.     

RhIII-Catalyzed C6-Selective Oxidative C−H/C−H Crosscoupling of 2-Pyridones with Thiophenes

A rhodium(III)-catalyzed C6-selective dehydrogenative cross-coupling of 2-pyridones with thiophenes was developed for the synthesis of 6-thiophenyl pyridin-2(1H)-one derivatives. In this reaction, the excellent site selectivity was controlled by the 2-pyridyl directing group on the nitrogen of the pyridone ring. Control experiments indicated that the N-pyridyl was essential for the transformation. To the best of our knowledge, this procedure is the first successful example of the direct C6 heteroarylation of 2-pyridones with electron-rich thiophene derivatives. 4-Pyridone was also used as substrate to generate the corresponding C2 heteroarylated product. Moreover, this pyridyl directing group was readily removable to generate the biheteroaryl structures with a free N−H group.     

A Unified Mechanism to Account for Manganese- or Ruthenium-Catalyzed Nitrile α-Olefinations by Primary or Secondary Alcohols: A DFT Mechanistic Study

Acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling (ADC) reactions generally involve a nucleophile (e.g., amine) as a coupling partner. Intriguingly, it has been reported that nitriles could also act as nucleophiles in ADC reactions, achieving the α-olefination of nitriles with primary or secondary alcohols by employing a manganese or ruthenium pincer complex as the catalyst, respectively. Although different mechanisms have been postulated for the two catalytic systems, the results of our DFT mechanistic study, reported herein, have allowed us to propose a unified mechanism to account for both nitrile α-olefinations. The reactions take place in four stages, namely alcohol dehydrogenation, nitrile activation to generate a nucleophilic metal species, coupling of an aldehyde or ketone with the metal species to form a C−C bond and to transfer a nitrile (C^α−)H atom to the carbonyl group, and dehydration by transferring the protonic (N−)H to the hydroxy group. A notable feature of the coupling stage is the activation of water or alcohol to give an intermediate featuring an OH⁻- or OR⁻-like group that activates a nitrile C^α−H bond. Moreover, the mechanism can even be applied to the base (KOtBu, modeled by the (KOtBu)₄ cluster)-catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation of nitriles with ketones, which further indicates the generality of the mechanism and the resemblance of the metal pincer complexes to the (KOtBu)₄ base. We expect these in-depth mechanistic insights and the finding of the resemblance of the metal pincer complexes to the (KOtBu)₄ cluster could assist the development of new ADC reactions.