Electrochemical NiH-Catalyzed C(sp3)−C(sp3) Coupling of Alkyl Halides and Alkyl Alkenes

Herein, an electrochemically driven NiH-catalyzed reductive coupling of alkyl halides and alkyl alkenes for the construction of Csp³−Csp³ bonds is firstly reported. Notably, alkyl halides serve dual function as coupling substrates and as hydrogen sources to generate NiH species under electrochemical conditions. The tunable nature of this reaction is realized by introducing an intramolecular coordinating group to the substrate, where the product can be easily adjusted to give the desired branched products. The method proceeds under mild conditions, exhibits a broad substrate scope, and affords moderate to excellent yields with over 70 examples, including late-stage modification of natural products and drug derivatives. Mechanistic insights offer evidence for an electrochemically driven coupling process. The sp³-carbon-halogen bonds can be activated through single electron transfer (SET) by the nickel catalyst in its low valence state, generated by cathodic reduction, and the generation of NiH species from alkyl halides is pivotal to this transformation.     

Iron-catalyzed alkenylation of cyclic ethers via decarboxylative sp(C)–sp(C) coupling

An efficient Fe(acac)₃-catalyzed decarboxylative C(sp²)–C(sp³) coupling reaction via oxidation of C–H bond adjacent to an oxygen atom has been developed successfully, in which cyclic ethers are selectively transformed into the corresponding alkenylation products with good chemical yields and excellent stereoselectivities. The mechanism was studied and the reaction was supposed to proceed through a radical oxidative coupling process.     

Direct Synthesis of Disubstituted 3-Isoquinolinone Derivatives through the Construction of C−N,C=O,and C(sp2)−C(sp3) Bonds under Transition-Metal-Free Conditions

The efficient three-component cascade coupling reaction of 3-haloisoquinolines, haloalkanes, and sp³-carbon nucleophiles (acetophenone or nitromethane) led to a series of structurally novel 1,2-disubstituted-3-isoquinolinones through the formation of C(sp³)−C(sp²), C−N, and C=O bonds. The NaOAc-promoted reaction described in this work is simple to operate, environment friendly, and highly selective.     

Solvent-free and direct C(sp)–H amination of adamantanes by grinding

A facile, direct and environmentally benign conversion of C(sp³)–H bonds to C(sp³)–N bonds using substoichiometric amount of aprotic superelectrophiles polyhalomethane–AlX₃ has been achieved by grinding under solvent-free conditions at room temperature in air. It is a general and simple method for the direct amination of adamantanes, and a series of aminoadamantanes of azoles, arylamines or heteroarylamines were obtained in good to excellent yields. The advantages of this amination are atom economy, solvent-free, chemoselectivity, short reaction time and high yields.     

Transition-Metal-Free C(sp2)–C(sp2) Cross-Coupling of Diazo Quinones with Catechol Boronic Esters

A transition-metal-free C(sp²)−C(sp²) bond formation reaction by the cross-coupling of diazo quinones with catechol boronic esters was developed. With this protocol, a variety of biaryls and alkenyl phenols were obtained in good to high yields under mild conditions. The reaction tolerates various functionalities and is applicable to the derivatization of pharmaceuticals and natural products. The synthetic utility of the method was demonstrated by the short synthesis of multi-substituted triphenylenes and three bioactive natural products, honokiol, moracin M, and stemofuran A. Mechanistic studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the reaction involves attack of the boronic ester by a singlet quinone carbene followed by a 1,2-rearrangement through a stepwise mechanism.     

C(sp)H?O and C(sp)H?O hydrogen bonds in acyclic- and cyclic-organotellurium carboxylates

The reactions between R₂TeI₂ (R₂=(CH₃)₂, C₄H₈, C₅H₁₀) and AgOCOR′ (R′=C₆H₅, 4-NO₂C₆H₄, CHCHC₆H₅) (molar ratio 1:2) yield diorganotellurium dicarboxylates: (CH₃)₂Te(OCOC₆H₅)₂ (1), C₅H₁₀ Te(OCOC₆H₅)₂ (2), C₄H₈Te(OCO4-NO₂C₆H₄)₂ (3) and C₄H₈Te(OCOCHCHC₆H₅)₂ (4). They are characterized by IR, (¹H, ¹³C, ¹²⁵Te) solution NMR; (¹³C, ¹²⁵Te) solid state NMR spectroscopy. The X-ray structures of 1-4 (the immediate environment about tellurium is that of distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry with a stereochemically active electron lone pair) are described in the context of their ability to generate intermolecular CH?O hydrogen bonds, which lead to the formation of supramolecular assemblies.     

Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed Sequential C(sp)?C(sp3) and C(sp3)?C(sp3) Bond Formation through Migratory Carbene Insertion

A Rh^I‐catalyzed three‐component reaction of tert‐propargyl alcohol, diazoester, and alkyl halide has been developed. This reaction can be considered as a carbene‐involving sequential alkyl and alkynyl coupling, in which C(sp) C(sp³) and C(sp³) C(sp³) bonds are built successively on the carbenic carbon atom. The Rh^I‐carbene migratory insertion of an alkynyl moiety and subsequent alkylation are proposed to account for the two separate C C bond formations. This reaction provides an efficient and tunable method for the construction of all‐carbon quaternary center.     

Nickel-Catalyzed C−I-Selective C(sp2)−C(sp3) Cross-Electrophile Coupling of Bromo(iodo)arenes with Alkyl Bromides

Despite several methodologies established for C(sp²)−I selective C(sp²)−C(sp³) bond formations, achieving arene-flanked quaternary carbons by cross-coupling of tertiary alkyl precursors with bromo(iodo)arenes in a C(sp²)−I selective manner is rare. Here we report a general Ni-catalyzed C(sp²)−I selective cross-electrophile coupling (XEC) reaction, in which, beyond 3° alkyl bromides (for constructing arene-flanked quaternary carbons), 2° and 1° alkyl bromides are also demonstrated to be viable coupling partners. Moreover, this mild XEC displays excellent C(sp²)−I selectivity and functional group compatibility. The practicality of this XEC is demonstrated in simplifying the routes to several medicinally relevant and synthetically challenging compounds. Extensive experiments show that the terpyridine-ligated Ni^I halide can exclusively activate alkyl bromides, forming a Ni^I−alkyl complex through a Zn reduction. Attendant density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal two different pathways for the oxidative addition of the Ni^I−alkyl complex to the C(sp²)−I bond of bromo(iodo)arenes, explaining both the high C(sp²)−I selectivity and generality of our XEC.     

Synthesis of Cytotoxic Iron-Containing Macrocycles Through Unexpected C(sp2)−C(sp2) Bonds Formation

In previous reports, it has been demonstrated that cyclometalated iron(II/III) complexes can be prepared by reacting iron(0) precursors and mercurated or brominated derivatives. However, in this report, the reaction between [Fe₃(CO)₁₂] and mercurated 6-phenyl-2,2′-bipyridine or brominated 2,6-diphenyl-pyridine pincer derivatives led to compounds in which C(sp²)−C(sp²) bonds have been formed between two ligands. A 16-electron iron(II) complex ( 1Cl ) bearing a tetradentate ligand originating from the dimerization of 6-phenyl-2,2′-bipyridine was isolated, while a protonated 14-membered macrocycle with [FeBr₄]⁻ as counterion ( 2 ) was obtained from 2,6-diphenyl-pyridine. Studies by X-ray diffraction crystallography, NMR, UV-vis and cyclic voltammetry confirmed the structures. Additionally, the cytotoxicity of the new compounds toward gastric cancer cell lines was evaluated, and it was established that the presence of the iron(II) center was crucial for an elevated activity.     

Highly selective insertion of arynes into a C(sp)-O(sp3) σ bond

Arynes react with ethoxyacetylene to afford 2-ethoxyethynylaryl derivatives through a highly chemo- and regioselective formal insertion of the aryne into the C(sp)-O(sp(3)) bond of the alkyne. Computational studies suggest that the reaction does not proceed through a mechanism initiated by the nucleophilic addition of the oxygen atom to the aryne as previously proposed but by the addition of the triple bond of the alkyne to the aryne.     

Sulfur-directed metal-free and regiospecific methyl C(sp3)–H imidation of thioanisoles

Regiospecific and direct imidation of the methyl C(sp³)–H bond of thioanisoles is realized under mild and metal-free conditions with N-fluorobis(benzenesulfonyl)imide as an oxidant and nitrogen source. Proposed mechanism suggests that thionium ion intermediates and a Pummerer-type reaction are involved. The imidation has advantages such as high step-economy, excellent functionality tolerance, and regiospecificity, giving structurally diverse imidation products.     

Sulfur-mediated C(sp2)–H imidation and 1,2-imidofluorination of vinyl sulfides

A new strategy for the C(sp²)–H imidation and 1,2-imidofluorination of vinylsulfides has been established through simple treatment with N-fluorobis(benzenesulfonyl)imide, which acts as both oxidant and nitrogen source. For alkyl and electron-rich aryl vinylsulfides, alkyl/arylthioenamines are produced in up to 92% total yields. However, for steric and electron-deficient aryl vinylsulfides, 1,2-imidofluorination products are prepared in up to 73% yields. The chemoselectivity is controlled by the steric and electronic effects of aryl substituents. Thionium ions are proposed as key intermediates in the two reactions.     

Pyrene-tethered bismoviologens for visible light-induced C(sp3)–P and C(sp2)–P bonds formation

Developing efficient photosensitizers for C–P bond construction is highly important and remains a challenge due to the urgently needed for the synthesis of modified nucleosides, nucleotides, and other phosphine-containing ligands. Herein, two pyrene-tethered bismoviologen derivatives (Py-BiV²⁺) were designed and synthesized for visible-light-induced C–P bonds formation. The photochemical and electrochemical properties of Py-BiV²⁺ were studied systemically, certifying fine-tunable opto-electronic properties through the number of pyrene groups (4, n = 1; 6, n = 2). The prepared Py-BiV²⁺ showed strong light absorption, while retaining good redox features and chromic response features that were inherent to viologens. 4 exhibited accelerated photoinduced electron transfer in the presence of the electron donor (pyrene) and the generated 4′ (radical cation) showed higher stability. Accordingly, Py-BiV²⁺ directly served as photosensitizers for the first time in the visible-light-induced C(sp³)–P and C(sp²)–P bonds formation. As expected, these novel viologen derivatives exhibited good catalytic performance and good substrate expansibility under ambient conditions.     

镍催化构筑C(sp3)—C(sp3)键反应研究进展

过渡金属催化的偶联反应是构筑C-C键的高效方法,在有机合成中得到了广泛的应用.然而,相对于Heck反应、Negishi偶联与Suzuki偶联等构筑C（sp²）-C（sp²）键的反应,过渡金属催化的构筑C（sp³）-C（sp³）键的偶联反应较难进行,发展较晚.近年来,烷基-烷基C-C键偶联反应受到广泛的重视,一些高效催化剂被开发出来,其中镍催化剂展示出独特的催化活性和选择性.本文将综述镍催化烷基-烷基C-C键偶联反应最新研究进展,主要包括烷基亲电试剂与金属有机试剂交叉偶联反应、导向基参与的C（sp³）-H键活化的偶联反应、镍-光反应催化剂协同催化偶联反应、烷基亲电试剂与亲电试剂的还原偶联反应和镍催化烯烃加成反应等.     

C sp 3-H bond activation triggered by formation of metallacycles: rhodium(I)-catalyzed cyclopropanation/cyclization of allenynes

Giving direction: An C?sp?3-H bond activation directed by a rhodacycle intermediate has been found to occur in a Rh(I)-catalyzed reaction between an allene moiety having a tert-butyl substituent, and tethered alkynes. Cyclic compounds containing a cyclopropane ring were obtained in good to high yields (up to 92%).     

Mechanism,reactivity, and selectivity of the iridium-catalyzed C(sp3)–H borylation of chlorosilanes

The iridium-catalyzed C(sp³)–H borylation of methylchlorosilanes is investigated by means of density functional theory, using the B3LYP and M06 functionals. The calculations establish that the resting state of the catalyst is a seven-coordinate Ir(v) species that has to be converted into an Ir(iii)tris(boryl) complex in order to effect the oxidative addition of the C–H bond. This is then followed by a C–B reductive elimination to yield the borylated product, and the catalytic cycle is finally completed by the regeneration of the active catalyst over two facile steps. The two employed functionals give somewhat different conclusions concerning the nature of the rate-determining step, and whether reductive elimination occurs directly or after a prior isomerization of the Ir(v) hydride intermediate complex. The calculations reproduce quite well the experimentally-observed trends in the reactivities of substrates with different substituents. It is demonstrated that the reactivity can be correlated to the Ir–C bond dissociation energies of the corresponding Ir(v) hydride intermediates. The effect of the chlorosilyl group is identified to originate from the α-carbanion-stabilizing effect of the silicon, which is further reinforced by the presence of an electron-withdrawing chlorine substituent. Furthermore, the source of selectivity for the borylation of primary over secondary C(sp³)–H can be explained on a steric basis, by repulsion between the alkyl group and the Ir/ligand moiety. Finally, the difference in the reactivity between C(sp³)–H and C(sp²)–H borylation is investigated and rationalized in terms of distortion/interaction analysis.     

Concise route to 3-arylisoquinoline skeleton by Lewis acid catalyzed C(sp3)-H bond functionalization and its application to formal synthesis of (±)-tetrahydropalmatine

An expeditious route to furnish an isoquinoline skeleton via hydride shift mediated C-H bond functionalization was developed. In this process, an unusual [1,5]-H shift without the assistance of the adjacent heteroatom took place to produce tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives in good to excellent chemical yields. The formal synthesis of (±)-tetrahydropalmatine was achieved by exploiting this new transformation.     

通过C(sp3)-H键活化构建C-P键合成氨基膦酸酯类化合物

氨基膦酸酯及其衍生物是一种重要的有机化合物,因其具有抗菌、抗真菌、酶抑制剂和催化抗体活性而广泛应于药物化学和农业化学。通过C(sp3)-H键活化构建C-P键的方法是合成氨基膦酸酯衍生物重要方法之一。本文以过渡金属体系和非金属体系进行分类,介绍了近年来通过C(sp3)-H键活化方法构建C-P键合成氨基膦酸酯类化合物的研究进展。