Highly Efficient C?H Hydroxylation of Carbonyl Compounds with Oxygen under Mild Conditions

A transition‐metal‐free Cs₂CO₃‐catalyzed α‐hydroxylation of carbonyl compounds with O₂ as the oxygen source is described. This reaction provides an efficient approach to tertiary α‐hydroxycarbonyl compounds, which are highly valued chemicals and widely used in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. The simple conditions and the use of molecular oxygen as both the oxidant and the oxygen source make this protocol very environmentally friendly and practical. This transformation is highly efficient and highly selective for tertiary C(sp³) H bond cleavage.     

Supported Gold Nanoparticles for Efficient α‐Oxygenation of Secondary and Tertiary Amines into Amides

Although the α‐oxygenation of amines is a highly attractive method for the synthesis of amides, efficient catalysts suited to a wide range of secondary and tertiary alkyl amines using O₂ as the terminal oxidant have no precedent. This report describes a novel, green α‐oxygenation of a wide range of linear and cyclic secondary and tertiary amines mediated by gold nanoparticles supported on alumina (Au/Al₂O₃). The observed catalysis was truly heterogeneous, and the catalyst could be reused. The present α‐oxygenation utilizes O₂ as the terminal oxidant and water as the oxygen atom source of amides. The method generates water as the only theoretical by‐product, which highlights the environmentally benign nature of the present reaction. Additionally, the present α‐oxygenation provides a convenient method for the synthesis of ¹⁸O‐labeled amides using H₂¹⁸O as the oxygen source.     

A Highly Efficient Gold‐Catalyzed Photoredox α‐C(sp3)H Alkynylation of Tertiary Aliphatic Amines with Sunlight

A new α‐C(sp³)? H alkynylation of unactivated tertiary aliphatic amines with 1‐iodoalkynes as radical alkynylating reagents in the presence of [Au₂(μ‐dppm)₂]²⁺ in sunlight provides propargylic amines. Based on mechanistic studies, a C? C coupling of an α‐aminoalkyl radical and an alkynyl radical is proposed for the C(sp³)? C(sp) bond formation. The mild, convenient, efficient, and highly selective C(sp³)? H alkynylation reaction shows excellent regioselectivity and good functional‐group compatibility. A scale‐up to gram quantities is possible with sunlight used as a clean and sustainable energy source.     

Enantio‐ and Site‐Selective α‐Fluorination of N‐Acyl 3,5‐Dimethylpyrazoles Catalyzed by Chiral π–CuII Complexes

Catalytic enantioselective α‐fluorination reactions of carbonyl compounds are among the most powerful and efficient synthetic methods for constructing optically active α‐fluorinated carbonyl compounds. Nevertheless, α‐fluorination of α‐nonbranched carboxylic acid derivatives is still a big challenge because of relatively high pK_a values of their α‐hydrogen atoms and difficulty of subsequent synthetic transformation without epimerization. Herein we show that chiral copper(II) complexes of 3‐(2‐naphthyl)‐l ‐alanine‐derived amides are highly effective catalysts for the enantio‐ and site‐selective α‐fluorination of N‐(α‐arylacetyl) and N‐(α‐alkylacetyl) 3,5‐dimethylpyrazoles. The substrate scope of the transformation is very broad (25 examples including a quaternary α‐fluorinated α‐amino acid derivative). α‐Fluorinated products were converted into the corresponding esters, secondary amides, tertiary amides, ketones, and alcohols with almost no epimerization in high yield.     

Methyl‐Selective α‐Oxygenation of Tertiary Amines to Formamides by Employing Copper/Moderately Hindered Nitroxyl Radical (DMN‐AZADO or 1‐Me‐AZADO)

Methyl‐selective α‐oxygenation of tertiary amines is a highly attractive approach for synthesizing formamides while preserving the amine substrate skeletons. Therefore, the development of efficient catalysts that can advance regioselective α‐oxygenation at the N‐methyl positions using molecular oxygen (O₂) as the terminal oxidant is an important subject. In this study, we successfully developed a highly regioselective and efficient aerobic methyl‐selective α‐oxygenation of tertiary amines by employing a Cu/nitroxyl radical catalyst system. The use of moderately hindered nitroxyl radicals, such as 1,5‐dimethyl‐9‐azanoradamantane N‐oxyl (DMN‐AZADO) and 1‐methyl‐2‐azaadamanane N‐oxyl (1‐Me‐AZADO), was very important to promote the oxygenation effectively mainly because these N‐oxyls have longer life‐times than less hindered N‐oxyls. Various types of tertiary N‐methylamines were selectively converted to the corresponding formamides. A plausible reaction mechanism is also discussed on the basis of experimental evidence, together with DFT calculations. The high regioselectivity of this catalyst system stems from steric restriction of the amine‐N‐oxyl interactions.     

An Alternative to the Classical α‐Arylation: The Transfer of an Intact 2‐Iodoaryl from ArI(O2CCF3)2

The α‐arylation of carbonyl compounds is generally accomplished under basic conditions, both under metal catalysis and via aryl transfer from the diaryl λ³‐iodanes. Here, we describe an alternative metal‐free α‐arylation using ArI(O₂CCF₃)₂ as the source of a 2‐iodoaryl group. The reaction is applicable to activated ketones, such as α‐cyanoketones, and works with substituted aryliodanes. This formal C? H functionalization reaction is thought to proceed through a [3,3] rearrangement of an iodonium enolate. The final α‐(2‐iodoaryl)ketones are versatile synthetic building blocks.     

Highly Diastereoselective Synthesis of α‐Difluoromethyl Amines from N‐tert‐Butylsulfinyl Ketimines and Difluoromethyl Phenyl Sulfone

The first highly efficient and stereoselective difluoromethylation of structurally diverse N‐tert‐butylsulfinyl ketimines has been achieved with an in situ generated PhSO₂CF₂^? anion, which provides a powerful synthetic method for the preparation of a variety of structurally diverse homochiral α‐difluoromethyl tertiary carbinamines, including α‐difluoromethyl allylic amines and α‐difluoromethyl propargylamines. The stereocontrol mode of the present diastereoselective difluoromethylation of ketimines was found to be different from that of other known fluoroalkylations of N‐tert‐butylsulfinyl aldimines, which suggests that a cyclic six‐membered transition state may be involved in the reaction.     

Long‐Lived Excited States of Zwitterionic Copper(I) Complexes for Photoinduced Cross‐Dehydrogenative Coupling Reactions

Four heteroleptic copper(I) complexes containing phenanthroline and monoanionic nido‐carborane‐diphosphine ligands have been prepared and structurally characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and X‐ray diffraction. These complexes exhibit intense absorptions in the visible range and excited‐state lifetimes on the microsecond scale. Their application in visible‐light‐induced cross‐dehydrogenative coupling reactions was investigated. Preliminary studies showed that one of the four copper(I) complexes is an efficient catalyst for photoinduced oxidative C?H functionalization using oxygen as oxidant. Furthermore, α‐functionalized tertiary amines were obtained in good‐to‐excellent yields by light irradiation (λ>420 nm) of a mixture of our Cu^I complex, tertiary amines, and a variety of nucleophiles (nitroalkane, acetone, or indoles) under aerobic conditions. Electron paramagnetic resonance measurements provided evidence for the formation of superoxide radical anions (O₂^??) rather than singlet oxygen (¹O₂) during these photocatalytic reactions.     

Chemo‐ and Enantioselective Oxidative α‐Azidation of Carbonyl Compounds

We report high‐performance I⁺/H₂O₂ catalysis for the oxidative or decarboxylative oxidative α‐azidation of carbonyl compounds by using sodium azide under biphasic neutral phase‐transfer conditions. To induce higher reactivity especially for the α‐azidation of 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds, we designed a structurally compact isoindoline‐derived quaternary ammonium iodide catalyst bearing electron‐withdrawing groups. The nonproductive decomposition pathways of I⁺/H₂O₂ catalysis could be suppressed by the use of a catalytic amount of a radical‐trapping agent. This oxidative coupling tolerates a variety of functional groups and could be readily applied to the late‐stage α‐azidation of structurally diverse complex molecules. Moreover, we achieved the enantioselective α‐azidation of 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds as the first successful example of enantioselective intermolecular oxidative coupling with a chiral hypoiodite catalyst.     

Synthesis,Supramolecular Behavior,and In Vitro Photodynamic Activities of Novel Zinc(II) Phthalocyanines “Side‐strapped” with Crown Ether Bridges

Two new tetra‐ or di‐α‐substituted zinc(II) phthalocyanines 5 and 6 have been prepared through a “side‐strapped” method. In the molecules, the adjacent benzene rings of the phthalocyanine core are linked at α‐position through a triethylene glycol bridge to form a hybrid aza‐/oxa‐crown ether. The tetra‐α‐substituted phthalocyanine 5 shows an eclipsed self‐assembly property in CH₂Cl₂ and the effect on the di‐α‐substituted analogue 6 is significantly weakened. Furthermore, the crown ethers of these compounds can selectively complex with Fe³⁺ or Cu²⁺ ion in DMF, leading to formation of J‐aggregated nano‐assemblies, which can be disaggregated in the presence of some organic or inorganic ligands, such as triethylamine, tetramethylethylenediamine, CH₃COO^?, or OH^?. In addition, both compounds are efficient singlet oxygen generators with the singlet oxygen quantum yields (Φ_Δ) of 0.54‐0.74 in DMF relative to unsubstituted zinc(II) phthalocyanine (Φ_Δ=0.56). They exhibit photodynamic activities toward HepG2 human hepatocarcinoma cells, but the compound 6 , which has more than 40‐fold lower IC₅₀ value (0.08 μM ) compared to the analogue 5 (IC₅₀=3.31 μM ), shows remarkablely higher in vitro photocytotoxicity due to its significantly higher cellular uptake and singlet oxygen generation efficiency. The results suggest that these compounds can serve as promising multifunctional materials both in (opto)electronic field and photodynamic therapy.     

A Robust Palladium(II)–Porphyrin Complex as Catalyst for Visible Light Induced Oxidative C?H Functionalization

A series of palladium(II)–porphyrin complexes that display dual emissions with lifetimes up to 437 μs have been synthesized. Among the four complexes, PdF₂₀TPP is an efficient and robust catalyst for photoinduced oxidative C? H functionalization by using oxygen as terminal oxidant. α‐Functionalized tertiary amines were obtained in good to excellent yields by light irradiation (λ>400 nm) of a mixture of PdF₂₀TPP , tertiary amine, and nucleophile (cyanide, nitromethane, dimethyl malonate, diethyl phosphite, and acetone) under aerobic conditions. Four examples of intramolecular cyclized amine compounds could be similarly prepared. Comparison of the UV‐visible absorption spectra before and after the photochemical reaction revealed that PdF₂₀TPP was highly robust (>95 % recovery). The practical application of PdF₂₀TPP has been revealed by the photochemical reactions performed by using a low catalyst loading (0.01 mol %) and on a 10 mmol scale. The PdF₂₀TPP catalyst could sensitize photoinduced oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides in excellent yields. Mechanistic studies revealed that the photocatalysis proceeded by singlet‐oxygen oxidation.     

Regioselective Insertion of o‐Carborynes into the α‐C?H Bond of Tertiary Amines: Synthesis of α‐Carboranylated Amines

o‐Carboryne can undergo α‐C H bond insertion with tertiary amines, thus affording α‐carboranylated amines in very good regioselectivity and isolated yields. In this process, the nucleophilic addition of tertiary amines to the multiple bond of o‐carboryne generates a zwitterionic intermediate. An intramolecular proton transfer, followed by a nucleophilic attack leads to the formation of the final product. Thus, regioselectivity is highly dependent upon the acidity of α‐C H proton of tertiary amines. This approach serves as an efficient methodology for the preparation of a series of 1‐aminoalkyl‐o‐carboranes.     

Regioselective Insertion of o‐Carborynes into the α‐CH Bond of Tertiary Amines: Synthesis of α‐Carboranylated Amines

o‐Carboryne can undergo α‐C? H bond insertion with tertiary amines, thus affording α‐carboranylated amines in very good regioselectivity and isolated yields. In this process, the nucleophilic addition of tertiary amines to the multiple bond of o‐carboryne generates a zwitterionic intermediate. An intramolecular proton transfer, followed by a nucleophilic attack leads to the formation of the final product. Thus, regioselectivity is highly dependent upon the acidity of α‐C? H proton of tertiary amines. This approach serves as an efficient methodology for the preparation of a series of 1‐aminoalkyl‐o‐carboranes.     

A Versatile Iron–Tannin‐Framework Ink Coating Strategy to Fabricate Biomass‐Derived Iron Carbide/Fe‐N‐Carbon Catalysts for Efficient Oxygen Reduction

The conversion of biomass into valuable carbon composites as efficient non‐precious metal oxygen‐reduction electrocatalysts is attractive for the development of commercially viable polymer electrolyte membrane fuel‐cell technology. Herein, a versatile iron–tannin‐framework ink coating strategy is developed to fabricate cellulose‐derived Fe₃C/Fe‐N‐C catalysts using commercial filter paper, tissue, or cotton as a carbon source, an iron–tannin framework as an iron source, and dicyandiamide as a nitrogen source. The oxygen reduction performance of the resultant Fe₃C/Fe‐N‐C catalysts shows a high onset potential (i.e. 0.98 V vs the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)), and large kinetic current density normalized to both geometric electrode area and mass of catalysts (6.4 mA cm^?2 and 32 mA mg^?1 at 0.80 V vs RHE) in alkaline condition. This method can even be used to prepare efficient catalysts using waste carbon sources, such as used polyurethane foam.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Triboration: Straightforward,Atom‐Economical Synthesis of 1,1,1‐Triborylalkanes from Terminal Alkynes and HBpin

A convenient and efficient one‐step synthesis of 1,1,1‐triborylalkanes was achieved via sequential dehydrogenative borylation and double hydroborations of terminal alkynes with HBpin (HBpin=pinacolborane) catalyzed by inexpensive and readily available Cu(OAc)₂. This process proceeds under mild conditions, furnishing 1,1,1‐tris(boronates) with wide substrate scope, excellent selectivity, and good functional‐group tolerance, and is applicable to gram‐scale synthesis without loss of yield. The 1,1,1‐triborylalkanes can be used in the preparation of α‐vinylboronates and borylated cyclic compounds, which are valuable but previously rare compounds. Different alkyl groups can be introduced stepwise via base‐mediated deborylative alkylation to produce racemic tertiary alkyl boronates, which can be readily transformed into useful tertiary alcohols.     

AgF‐Mediated Fluorinative Cross‐Coupling of Two Olefins: Facile Access to α‐CF3 Alkenes and β‐CF3 Ketones

A AgF‐mediated fluorination with a concomitant cross‐coupling between a gem‐difluoroolefin and a non‐fluorinated olefin is reported. This highly efficient method provides facile access to both α‐CF₃ alkenes and β‐CF₃ ketones, which otherwise remain challenging to be directly prepared. The application of this method is further demonstrated by the synthesis of bioactive isoxazoline derivatives. This approach represents a conceptually novel route to trifluoromethylated compounds that combines the in situ generation of the CF₃ moiety and a C? H functionalization in a single reaction system.     

Synthesis of 3,4,5‐Trisubstituted Isoxazoles from Morita–Baylis–Hillman Acetates by an NaNO2/I2‐Mediated Domino Reaction

An efficient NaNO₂/I₂‐mediated one‐pot transformation of Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) acetates into alkyl 3‐nitro‐5‐(aryl/alkyl)isoxazole‐4‐carboxylates is described. In a cascade event, initial Michael addition of NaNO₂ to the MBH acetate furnishes the allylnitro intermediate which undergoes I₂‐catalyzed oxidative α‐C H nitration of the nitromethyl subunit followed by [3+2] cycloaddition to afford the title compounds. Structural elaborations of these highly substituted isoxazoles by S_NAr reactions and hydrogenolysis allows access to useful products.     

Stereocontrolled Total Synthesis of (−)‐Stemaphylline

Homologation of readily available α‐boryl pyrrolidines with metal carbenoids is especially challenging even when good leaving groups (Cl⁻) are employed. By performing a solvent switch from Et₂O to CHCl₃, efficient 1,2‐metalate rearrangement of the intermediate boronate occurs with both halide and ester leaving groups. The methodology was used in the total synthesis of the Stemona alkaloid (−)‐stemaphylline in just 11 steps (longest linear sequence), with high stereocontrol (>20:1 d.r.) and 11 % overall yield. The synthesis also features a late‐stage lithiation–borylation reaction with a tertiary amine containing carbenoid.     

Iridium‐Catalyzed Reductive Strecker Reaction for Late‐Stage Amide and Lactam Cyanation

A new iridium‐catalyzed reductive Strecker reaction for the direct and efficient formation of α‐amino nitrile products from a broad range of (hetero)aromatic and aliphatic tertiary amides, and N‐alkyl lactams is reported. The protocol exploits the mild and highly chemoselective reduction of the amide and lactam functionalities using IrCl(CO)[P(C₆H₅)₃]₂ (Vaska's complex) in the presence of tetramethyldisiloxane, as a reductant, to directly generate hemiaminal species able to undergo substitution by cyanide upon treatment with TMSCN (TMS=trimethylsilyl). The protocol is simple to perform, broad in scope, efficient (up to 99 % yield), and has been successfully applied to the late‐stage functionalization of amide‐ and lactam‐containing drugs, and naturally occurring alkaloids, as well as for the selective cyanation of the carbonyl carbon atom linked to the N atom of proline residues within di‐ and tripeptides.     

A Convenient Route to Tetraalkylammonium Perfluoroalkoxides from Hydrofluoroethers

Hydrofluoroethers are shown to alkylate tertiary amines readily under solvent‐free conditions, affording valuable tetraalkylammonium perfluoroalkoxides bearing α‐fluorines. The reaction of R_FCF₂? OCH₃ (R_F=CF₂CF₃, CF₂CF₂CF₃, and CF(CF₃)₂) with NR¹R²R³ produces twenty new α‐perfluoroalkoxides, [(CH₃)NR¹R²R³][R_FCF₂O] under mild conditions. These α‐perfluoroalkoxides are easy to handle, thermally stable, and can be used for the perfluoroalkoxylation of benzyl bromides.