Efficient palladium(II) catalysis under air. Base-free oxidative heck reactions at room temperature or with microwave heating

Scope and limitations of the base-free oxidative Heck reaction with arylboronic acids have been explored. Under our conditions, the dmphen-palladium(II)-catalyzed arylation proceeded with air or p-benzoquinone as reoxidants of palladium(0). We found that ambient temperature and mild aerobic conditions allow for the use of substrates sensitive to palladium(II)-catalyzed oxidation. Oxidative Heck couplings, employing different arylboronic acids, were smoothly and regioselectively conducted with both electron-rich and electron-poor olefins, providing high yields even with disubstituted butyl methacrylate, sensitive acrolein, and a vinylboronate ester. Controlled microwave processing was used to reduce reaction times from hours to minutes both in small scale and in 50 mmol scale batch processes.     

Transmetallation versus β-hydride elimination: the role of 1,4-benzoquinone in chelation-controlled arylation reactions with arylboronic acids

The formation of an atypical, saturated, diarylated, Heck/Suzuki, domino product produced under oxidative Heck reaction conditions, employing arylboronic acids and a chelating vinyl ether, has been investigated by DFT calculations. The calculations highlight the crucial role of 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ) in the reaction. In addition to its role as an oxidant of palladium, which is necessary to complete the catalytic cycle, this electron-deficient alkene opens up a low-energy reaction pathway from the post-insertion σ-alkyl complex. The association of BQ lowers the free-energy barrier for transmetallation of the σ-alkyl complex to create a pathway that is energetically lower than the oxidative Heck reaction pathway. Furthermore, the calculations showed that the reaction is made viable by BQ-mediated reductive elimination and leads to the saturated diarylated product.     

Transmetallation Versus β‐Hydride Elimination: The Role of 1,4‐Benzoquinone in Chelation‐Controlled Arylation Reactions with Arylboronic Acids

The formation of an atypical, saturated, diarylated, Heck/Suzuki, domino product produced under oxidative Heck reaction conditions, employing arylboronic acids and a chelating vinyl ether, has been investigated by DFT calculations. The calculations highlight the crucial role of 1,4‐benzoquinone (BQ) in the reaction. In addition to its role as an oxidant of palladium, which is necessary to complete the catalytic cycle, this electron‐deficient alkene opens up a low‐energy reaction pathway from the post‐insertion σ‐alkyl complex. The association of BQ lowers the free‐energy barrier for transmetallation of the σ‐alkyl complex to create a pathway that is energetically lower than the oxidative Heck reaction pathway. Furthermore, the calculations showed that the reaction is made viable by BQ‐mediated reductive elimination and leads to the saturated diarylated product.     

A mechanistic study on modern palladium catalyst precursors as new gateways to Pd(0) in cationic Heck reactions

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was used as a means to directly identify catalytic cationic organopalladium species in ligand-controlled Heck reactions involving electron-rich olefins and different Pd-sources. In these high-temperature Heck arylations, the oxidative addition intermediates were observed as bidentate ligand chelated cationic aryl palladium species, suggesting that the used ligand attaches to the metal center at the very beginning of the catalytic cycle. This was also in agreement with the obtained regioisomeric profile of the isolated products. The investigation supports the standard Pd(0)/Pd(II) Heck mechanism and provides further insight regarding the conceivable composition of fundamental Pd(II) intermediates in an ongoing Heck reaction.     

Development of Stereocontrolled Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Domino Heck/Suzuki β,α-Diarylation Reactions with Chelating Vinyl Ethers and Arylboronic Acids

A stereoselective and 1,4-benzoquinone-mediated palladium(II)-catalyzed Heck/Suzuki domino reaction involving metal coordinating cyclic methylamino vinyl ethers and a number of electronically diverse arylboronic acids has been developed and studied. Diastereomeric ratios up to 39:1 and 78 % isolated yields were obtained. The stereoselectivity of the reaction was found to be highly dependent on the nature of the arylboronic acid and the amount of water present in the reaction mixture. Thus, a domino β,α-diarylation–reduction of chelating vinyl ethers can now be accomplished and stereochemically controlled, given that optimized conditions and an appropriate chiral auxiliary are used. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first example of a stereoselective, oxidative Heck/Suzuki domino reaction in the literature.     

Synthesis of functionalized cinnamaldehyde derivatives by an oxidative Heck reaction and their use as starting materials for preparation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase inhibitors

Cinnamaldehyde derivatives were synthesized in good to excellent yields in one step by a mild and selective, base-free palladium(II)-catalyzed oxidative Heck reaction starting from acrolein and various arylboronic acids. Prepared α,β-unsaturated aldehydes were used for synthesis of novel α-aryl substituted fosmidomycin analogues, which were evaluated for their inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase. IC(50) values between 0.8 and 27.3 μM were measured. The best compound showed activity comparable to that of the most potent previously reported α-aryl substituted fosmidomycin-class inhibitor.     

Cationic Pd(II)/bipyridine-catalyzed addition of arylboronic acids to arylaldehydes. One-pot synthesis of unsymmetrical triarylmethanes

Cationic Pd(II) complex-catalyzed addition of arylboronic acids to aldehydes with low catalyst loading was developed with high yields. One-pot synthesis of unsymmetrical triarylmethanes from arylboronic acids, aryl aldehydes, and electron-rich arenes was achieved in high yields.     

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.     

Oxygen donor-mediated equilibration of diastereomeric alkene-palladium(II) intermediates in enantioselective desymmetrizing Heck cyclizations

This investigation examines the origin of enantioselection in the desymmetrization of an acyclic prochiral Heck cyclization precursor. High asymmetric induction (97-98% ee) is attributed to a temporary interaction of a Lewis basic oxygen donor with weakly Lewis acidic palladium(II). A series of control experiments combined with quantum-chemical model calculations provided sound evidence for a mechanism involving oxygen donor-mediated, rapid equilibration of diastereomeric alkene-palladium(II) complexes prior to the selectivity-determining ring-closing event, a Curtin-Hammett scenario. Our study also highlights the importance of the cationic pathway (triflate counter anions versus halido ligand) and alkene stereochemistry (E versus Z) in asymmetric Heck reactions.     

Diaminophosphine oxides as preligands for Ni-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reactions of aryl chlorides with arylboronic acids

The first investigation of air- and moisture-stable diaminophosphine oxides as preligands in the Ni-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reactions of aryl chlorides with arylboronic acids has been reported. The results show that under the optimized reaction conditions, the new catalytic system with a Ni(II) σ-aryl complex as precatalyst and a diaminophosphine oxide as preligand tolerates a variety of functional groups and is efficient for both electron-rich and electron-deficient aryl chlorides, though it shows higher efficiency for activated arylboronic acids than deactivated ones. Steric effects were observed for both aryl chlorides and arylboronic acids.     

Chelation-mediated palladium(II)-catalyzed domino Heck-Mizoroki/Suzuki-Miyaura reactions using arylboronic acids: increasing scope and mechanistic understanding

A palladium(II)-catalyzed Heck-Mizoroki/Suzuki-Miyaura domino reaction involving metal coordinating dimethylaminoethyl vinyl ethers and a number of electron-rich and electron-deficient arylboronic acids has been developed. Through variation of the temperature and the concentration of the p-benzoquinone (p-Bq) ligand/reoxidant, conditions for the robust and convenient one-pot generation of diarylated-saturated ethers were identified. With the aid of coordination of the dimethylamino group to the arylpalladium intermediate, the otherwise predominant formation of the β-arylated olefin could be reversed. A reaction route involving a chelation-controlled carbopalladation, providing a p-Bq stabilized six-membered palladacycle, followed by transmetalation and reductive elimination is suggested to explain the selective formation of saturated diarylated ether products.     

On the mechanism of the palladium(II)-catalyzed decarboxylative olefination of arene carboxylic acids. Crystallographic characterization of non-phosphine palladium(II) intermediates and observation of their stepwise transformation in Heck-like processes

Mechanistic studies of a palladium-mediated decarboxylative olefination of arene carboxylic acids are presented, providing spectroscopic and, in two instances, crystallographic evidence for intermediates in a proposed stepwise process. Sequentially, the proposed pathway involves carboxyl exchange between palladium(II) bis(trifluoroacetate) and an arene carboxylic acid substrate, rate-determining decarboxylation to form an arylpalladium(II) trifluoroacetate intermediate (containing two trans-disposed S-bound dimethyl sulfoxide ligands in a crystallographically characterized form), then olefin insertion and beta-hydride elimination. Because of the unique mode of generation of the arylpalladium(II) trifluoroacetate intermediate, a species believed to be substantially electron-deficient relative to phosphine-containing arylpalladium(II) complexes previously studied, it has been possible to gain new insights into those steps that are common to the Heck reaction, namely, olefin insertion and beta-hydride elimination. The present results show that there are notable differences in reactivity between arylpalladium(II) intermediates generated by decarboxylative palladation and those produced in conventional Heck reactions. Specifically, we have found that more electron-rich alkenes react preferentially with an arylpalladium(II) trifluoroacetate intermediate formed by decarboxylative palladation, whereas an opposite trend is found in conventional Heck reactions. In addition, we have found that the aralkylpalladium(II) trifluoroacetate intermediates that are formed upon olefin insertion in the present study are stabilized with respect to beta-hydride elimination as compared to the corresponding phosphine-ligated aralkylpalladium(II) complexes. We have also crystallographically characterized an aralkylpalladium(II) trifluoroacetate intermediate derived from arylpalladium(II) insertion into norbornene, and this structure, too, contains an S-bound dimethyl sulfoxide ligand; the ipso-carbon of the transferred aryl group and trifluoroacetate function as the third and fourth ligands in the observed distorted square-planar palladium(II) complex.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of Chromenes via a Palladium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Redox‐Relay Heck Reaction

A palladium‐catalyzed asymmetric redox‐relay Heck reaction of 4H ‐chromenes and arylboronic acids has been successfully developed. The reaction proceeded in moderate to good yields with good to high enantioselectivities. The resulting product is an advanced intermediate of bio‐active compound BW683C.     

Electronic control of the regiochemistry in the Heck reaction

The migratory insertion of propene into the Pd-phenyl bond of a set of neutral palladium(II) complexes with N-N, P-O, and N-O chelating ligands has been investigated by using density functional methods. In contrast to cationic palladium(II)-diimine complexes, which favor 1,2-insertion, the more electron-rich neutral complexes lead to 2,1-insertion. Trans influences are substantial in the unsymmetrical ligand systems, primarily affecting the insertion barrier. Introducing steric effects leads toward improving 1,2-selectivity, due to destabilization of the 2,1-transition state. Electronic and steric influences can be systematically combined to control the regiochemistry in the Heck reaction.     

The first ligand-modulated oxidative Heck vinylation. Efficient catalysis with molecular oxygen as palladium(0) oxidant

The discovery of the first ligand-supported Pd(ii) catalysed oxidative Heck reaction with molecular oxygen as reoxidant and the scope with diverse arylboronic acids and olefins using only 1-2% of catalyst are reported.     

Aryl to aryl palladium migration in the Heck and Suzuki coupling of o-halobiaryls

A novel 1,4-palladium migration between the o- and o'-positions of biaryls has been observed in organopalladium intermediates derived from o-halobiaryls. The organopalladium intermediates generated by this migration have been trapped either by a Heck reaction employing ethyl acrylate or by Suzuki cross-coupling using arylboronic acids. This palladium migration can be activated or deactivated by choosing the appropriate reaction conditions. Chemical and computational evidence supports the presence of an equilibrium that correlates with the C-H acidity of the available arene positions.     

Microwave assisted cross-coupling reactions using palladium nanoparticles in aqueous media

Glucose stabilized palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) have been prepared and the application of NPs in catalyzing both Suzuki and Heck reactions has been explored in aqueous media under microwave conditions. Both electron-rich and electron-deficient aryl halides can be coupled with a variety of boronic acids and styrene to access a wide variety of biaryl compounds and substituted alkenes in good to excellent yields. The catalyst can be recycled and reused four times with minimally affecting the morphology and efficiency of the nanoparticles. A plausible reaction mechanism has been proposed.     

Efficient construction of C–C bonds from aryl halides/aryl esters with arylboronic acids catalysed by palladium(II) thiourea complexes

A new set of palladium(II) complexes comprising phenyl(thiazolyl)thiourea ligands have been successfully synthesized and characterized with the aid of analytical as well as spectral (IR, UV–visible and NMR) methods. A distorted square‐planar geometry with N^S coordination mode of thiourea ligands in the new palladium complexes was corroborated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction methods. Interestingly, the palladium(II) thiourea complexes showed the highest catalytic activity with 0.1 mol% catalyst loading in Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions utilizing a range of aryl bromides/unactivated aryl chlorides with arylboronic acids as coupling partners in aqueous–organic media. Syntheses of diaryl ketones using aryl esters and arylboronic acids as coupling partners were also achieved with low catalyst loading within 20 h. The potential of our catalyst was demonstrated by its wide substrate scope, low catalyst loadings and high isolated yield. Moreover, the influences of key parameters like solvent, base, temperature and catalyst loading were also investigated.     

Copper-mediated C-H bond arylation of arenes with arylboronic acids

A new copper-mediated cross-coupling of arenes and arylboronic acids is described. Under the influence of Cu(OCOCF 3) 2, the C-H bond arylation of electron-rich arenes with arylboronic acids takes place to afford a range of biaryls in good yields. The reaction is selective for cross-coupling; no homocoupling product arising from arenes or arylboronic acids is detected. Multiple C-H bond arylation is possible with indoles and pyrroles furnishing interesting extended pi-systems.     

Palladium catalyzed synthesis of mandelate derivatives from arylboronic acids and glyoxylate hemiacetals

NHC-coordinated cyclometalated palladium(II) catalyzed addition of arylboronic acids to methyl 2-hydroxy-2-methoxyacetate gave corresponding various functionalized methyl mandelate derivatives in good yields.