Aerobic oxidative transformation of primary azides to nitriles by ruthenium hydroxide catalyst

In the presence of an easily prepared supported ruthenium hydroxide catalyst, Ru(OH)(x)/Al(2)O(3), various kinds of structurally diverse primary azides including benzylic, allylic, and aliphatic ones could be converted into the corresponding nitriles in moderate to high yields (13 examples, 65-94% yields). The gram-scale (1 g) transformation of benzyl azide efficiently proceeded to give benzonitrile (0.7 g, 90% yield) without any decrease in the performance in comparison with the small-scale (0.5 mmol) transformation. The catalysis was truly heterogeneous, and the retrieved catalyst could be reused for the transformation of benzyl azide without an appreciable loss of its high performance. The present transformation of primary azides to nitriles likely proceeds via sequential reactions of imide formation, followed by dehydrogenation (β-elimination) to produce the corresponding nitriles. The Ru(OH)(x)/Al(2)O(3) catalyst could be further employed for synthesis of amides in water through the transformation of primary azides (benzylic and aliphatic ones) to nitriles, followed by sequent hydration of the nitriles formed. Additionally, direct one-pot synthesis from alkyl halides and TBAN(3) (TBA = tetra-n-butylammonium) could be realized with Ru(OH)(x)/Al(2)O(3), giving the corresponding nitriles in moderate to high yields (10 examples, 64-84% yields).     

From azides to nitriles. A novel fast transformation made possible by BrF3

[reaction: see text]. Various alkyl and aryl azides, readily obtained from halides or alcohols, were transformed into the corresponding nitriles using bromine trifluoride in moderate to good yields. The reaction is general and gives positive results with aliphatic, aromatic, cyclic, and functionalized azides. It can also be applied to the synthesis of optically active nitriles.     

Magnetically recoverable lanthanum hydroxide as an efficient catalyst for Aerobic Oxidative Conversions of primary alcohols to the nitriles

Herein we report a novel magnetically recoverable lanthanum hydroxide nanoparticles for oxidative synthesis of nitriles directly from corresponding alcohols with ammonia as nitrogen source. The procedure for the preparation and characterization of La(OH)₃/Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles were investigated and the scope and generality of the method was explored for a series of structurally diverse primary alcohols with electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing groups. The best result was observed when 5 mol% of La with respect to the benzyl alcohol was used at reflux condition under O₂ atmosphere. The La(OH)₃/Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles could be easily isolated from the reaction mixture with an external magnet and reused at least 5 times without significant loss in activity.     

Oxidative transformation of azides to aryl nitriles using DIB/TBHP: scope and mechanistic insights

Bis(tert-butylperoxy)iodobenzene, generated in situ by the reaction between diacetoxyl iodobenzene (DIB) and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), was used in the oxidative transformation of primary azides to nitriles, and secondary azides to ketones.     

A non-metal catalysed oxidation of primary azides to nitriles at ambient temperature

A novel non-metal catalyzed oxidation of organic azides to nitriles under solvent-free conditions is presented employing catalytic amounts of KI, and DABCO in aq. TBHP at room temperature. This non-metal catalyzed oxidation of azides provides good selectivity as double and triple bonds were not oxidized under the present reaction conditions.     

Iron-facilitated direct oxidative C-H transformation of allylarenes or alkenes to alkenyl nitriles

This paper describes the first direct approach to alkenyl nitriles from allylarenes or alkenes facilitated by an inexpensive homogeneous iron catalyst. Three C-H bond cleavages occur under the mild conditions during this process. Mechanistic studies indicate that the cleavage of the allyl C(sp(3))-H bond is involved in the rate-determining step. This observation may provide an opportunity to achieve C(sp(3))-H functionalization catalyzed by an iron catalyst.     

Zirconium nitride as a highly efficient nitrogen source to synthesize the metal nitride clusterfullerenes

Metal nitride clusterfullerenes(NCFs)have significant applications in molecular electronics,biomedical imaging,and nonlinear optical devices due to their unique structures.However,their wide applications are limited by the production quantity.In this work,the yields of metal nitride clusterfullerenes M3N@C80(M=Y,Sc,Gd)were greatly enhanced by utilizing zirconium nitride(Zr N)as an efficient nitrogen source for the arc-discharge method.Compared with the traditional synthetic route using N2gas as nitrogen source,the Zr N inside graphite tube can be vaporized simultaneously with metal and graphite,and then afford the high concentration of nitrogen atoms in the arc region,which will promote the formation of metal nitride clusterfullerenes finally.The Zr N can promote the yields of Y3N@C80,Sc3N@C80and Gd3N@C80,revealing the universal applicability of Zr N as a highly efficient nitrogen source.Specifically,the yield of Sc3N@C80was greatly improved when adding Zr N,and it shows over double yield compared to traditional synthetic route using N2gas.In addition,Zr N can also enhance the yields of paramagnetic azametallofullerene M2@C79N due to the high concentration of nitrogen atoms in the arc region.This new method enhances the production quantity of metal nitride clusterfullerenes and azametallofullerenes,and it will greatly promote the research and application of these molecular carbon materials.     

A green and efficient access to awl nitriles via an electrochemicalanodic oxidation

The nitrile functionality is a key building block in synthetic chemistry, and has wide applications in pharmaceuticals. However, traditional methodologies for the synthesis of nitriles are limited to harsh reaction conditions. Herein, we report a new and efficient access to aryl nitriles by an electrochemical synthesis. Compared with the conventional synthetic methods, this electrochemical synthesis is more environmentally friendly and easier to handle.     

A ruthenium-grafted hydrotalcite as a multifunctional catalyst for direct alpha-alkylation of nitriles with primary alcohols

Treatment of a hydrotacite, Mg6Al2(OH)16CO3, with an aqueous solution of RuCl3.nH2O afforded a monomeric Ru(IV) species on the surface of the hydrotalcite. This novel Ru-grafted hydrotalcite (Ru/HT) efficiently catalyzed alpha-alkylation of nitriles with primary alcohols through the cooperative catalysis between the Ru species and the surface base sites. The catalyst system could be further extended for the one-pot synthesis of alpha,alpha-dialkylated phenylacetonitriles via the base-catalyzed Michael reaction of alpha-alkylated phenylacetonitrile with activate olefins.     

Practical CuCl/DABCO/4-HO-TEMPO-catalyzed oxidative synthesis of nitriles from alcohols with air as oxidant

A mild and efficient copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative synthesis of nitriles directly from alcohols and aqueous ammonia with air as the terminal oxidant was disclosed. A variety of nitriles are obtained in good to excellent yields.     

A green and efficient access to aryl nitriles via an electrochemical anodic oxidation

The nitrile functionality is a key building block in synthetic chemistry, and has wide applications in pharmaceuticals. However, traditional methodologies for the synthesis of nitriles are limited to harsh reaction conditions. Herein, we report a new and efficient access to aryl nitriles by an electrochemical synthesis. Compared with the conventional synthetic methods, this electrochemical synthesis is more environmentally friendly and easier to handle.     

o-Iodoxybenzoic acid- and tetraethylammonium bromide-mediated oxidative transformation of primary carboxamides to one-carbon dehomologated nitriles

A clean and efficient method for the oxidative transformations of primary carboxamides to one-carbon dehomologated nitriles using the combination of o-iodoxybenzoic acid and tetraethylammonium bromide has been developed. This method exhibits a broad scope and is expected to be of great utility in organic synthesis.     

An efficient InCl3-catalyzed hydration of nitriles to amides: acetaldoxime as an effective water surrogate

An efficient InCl₃-catalyzed hydration protocol of nitriles to amides was developed. The reaction was carried out in toluene at refluxing temperature with the aid of acetaldoxime as an effective water surrogate to produce amides in high yields.     

Gadolinium(III) chloride: a novel and an efficient reagent for the synthesis of homoallylic alcohols

Carbonyl compounds efficiently undergo nucleophilic addition reactions with allylstannanes in the presence of GdCl₃·6H₂O in acetonitrile under extremely mild reaction conditions to give the corresponding homoallylic alcohols in excellent yields and with high chemoselectivity.     

Diastereoselective aziridination of 2-B(pin)-substituted allylic alcohols: an efficient approach to novel organoboron compounds

We report that 2-B(pin)-substituted allylic alcohols are good substrates for diastereoselective aziridinations in the presence of PhI(OAc)(2) and N-aminophthalimide. Under the aziridination conditions, the valuable B-C bond remains intact, affording a variety of novel boron-substituted aziridines in good yields and excellent diastereoselectivities. Oxidation of the aziridine B-C bond enables generation of syn-1,3-aminohydroxy-2-ketones with high diastereoselectivity.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed synthesis of allylic alcohols: boronic acid as a hydroxide source

Secondary allylic alcohols were synthesized from linear allylic halides or carbonates using a catalytic amount of a ruthenium complex in the presence of boronic acid. The effects of solvent, base, ruthenium precursor, and boronic acid were fully explored, and the scope of the reaction was extended to various substrates. We also describe a preliminary investigation towards an enantioselective process.     

Palladium(II)-catalyzed oxidative transformation of allylic alcohols and vinyl ethers into 2-alkoxytetrahydrofurans: catechol as an activator of catalyst

[chemical reaction: see text]. A highly effective synthesis of 2-alkoxytetrahydrofurans from allylic alcohols and vinyl ethers was achieved by using catalytic amounts of Pd(OAc)2, Cu(OAc)2, and catechol (1:1:2) under O2. The use of catechol as an activator of Pd(II)-Cu(II) catalyst has been unprecedented. The 2-alkoxytetrahydrofurans are formed via oxypalladation of allylic alcohols toward vinyl ethers followed by 5-exo cyclization of the resulting oxypalladation intermediate and subsequent beta-Pd-H elimination. No 6-endo cyclization of the oxypalladation intermediate occurs.