A RuH(2)(CO)(PPh(3))(3)-catalyzed regioselective arylation of aromatic ketones with arylboronates via carbon-hydrogen bond cleavage

When the reaction of aromatic ketones with arylboronates (arylboronic acid esters) using RuH(2)(CO)(PPh(3))(3) (3) as a catalyst was conducted in toluene, the corresponding arylation product was obtained in moderate yields. In this case, a nearly equivalent amount of a benzyl alcohol derived from a reduction of an aromatic ketone was also formed. The use of aliphatic ketones, such as pinacolone and acetone, as an additive or a solvent dramatically suppressed the reduction of the aromatic ketones and, as a result, ortho-arylation products were obtained in high yield based on the aromatic ketones. In these reactions, the aliphatic ketone functioned as a scavenger of ortho-hydrogens of the aromatic ketones and the B(OR)(2) moiety of the arylboron compound (HB species). A variety of aromatic ketones, such as acetophenones, acetonaphthones, tetralones, and benzosuberone, could also be used in this coupling reaction. Several arylboronates containing electron-donating (NMe(2), OMe, and Me) and -withdrawing (CF(3) and F) groups were also applicable to this coupling reaction. Intermolecular competitive reaction using pivalophenone-d(0)() and -d(5) and intramolecular competitive reaction using pivalophenone-d(1) were carried out using 3 as a catalyst. The k(H)/k(D) value for the intermolecular competitive reaction was substantially different, compared with intramolecular competitive reaction. This strongly suggests the production of an intermediate where the ketone carbonyl is coordinated to the ruthenium involved in this catalytic reaction. (1)H and (11)B NMR studies using 2'-methylacetophenone, phenylboronate (2), and pinacolone (6) indicate that 6 functions effectively as a scavenger of the HB species.     

Asymmetric hydrogenation of tert-alkyl ketones

A combined system of RuCl2(tolbinap)(pica) and an alkaline or organic phosphazene base catalyzes asymmetric hydrogenation of sterically congested tert-alkyl ketones (TolBINAP = 2,2'-bis(di-4-tolylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl, PICA = alpha-picolylamine). Hydrogenation with RuH(eta1-BH4)(tolbinap)(pica) does not require any strong base. Alcoholic solvents strongly affect the catalytic efficiency. The reaction proceeds smoothly in ethanol under 1-20 atm of H2 and at room temperature with a substrate to catalyst molar ratio of up to 100 000. Various aliphatic, aromatic, heteroaromatic, and olefinic tert-alkyl ketones are convertible to the corresponding chiral carbinols in high enantiomeric purity. Olefinic and heteroaromatic functions are left intact. Certain cyclic ketones are also usable. The mode of enantioface selection is consistent and predictable.     

Stereoselective borylative ketone-diene coupling

In the presence of catalytic Ni(cod)(2) and P(t-Bu)(3), ketones, dienes, and B(2)(pin)(2) undergo a stereoselective multicomponent coupling reaction. Upon oxidation, the reaction furnishes 1,3-diols as the major reaction product.     

Osmium pyme complexes for fast hydrogenation and asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones

The osmium compound trans,cis-[OsCl2(PPh3)2(Pyme)] (1) (Pyme=1-(pyridin-2-yl)methanamine), obtained from [OsCl2(PPh3)3] and Pyme, thermally isomerizes to cis,cis-[OsCl2(PPh3)(2)(Pyme)] (2) in mesitylene at 150 degrees C. Reaction of [OsCl2(PPh3)3] with Ph2P(CH2)(4)PPh2 (dppb) and Pyme in mesitylene (150 degrees C, 4 h) leads to a mixture of trans-[OsCl2(dppb)(Pyme)] (3) and cis-[OsCl2(dppb)(Pyme)] (4) in about an 1:3 molar ratio. The complex trans-[OsCl2(dppb)(Pyet)] (5) (Pyet=2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanamine) is formed by reaction of [OsCl2(PPh3)3] with dppb and Pyet in toluene at reflux. Compounds 1, 2, 5 and the mixture of isomers 3/4 efficiently catalyze the transfer hydrogenation (TH) of different ketones in refluxing 2-propanol and in the presence of NaOiPr (2.0 mol %). Interestingly, 3/4 has been proven to reduce different ketones (even bulky) by means of TH with a remarkably high turnover frequency (TOF up to 5.7 x 10(5) h(-1)) and at very low loading (0.05-0.001 mol %). The system 3/4 also efficiently catalyzes the hydrogenation of many ketones (H2, 5.0 atm) in ethanol with KOtBu (2.0 mol %) at 70 degrees C (TOF up to 1.5 x 10(4) h(-1)). The in-situ-generated catalysts prepared by the reaction of [OsCl2(PPh3)3] with Josiphos diphosphanes and (+/-)-1-alkyl-substituted Pyme ligands, promote the enantioselective TH of different ketones with 91-96 % ee (ee=enantiomeric excess) and with a TOF of up to 1.9 x 10(4) h(-1) at 60 degrees C.     

Mn(III)-Based Oxidative Free-Radical Cyclizations of Unsaturated Ketones

Mn(III)-based oxidative free-radical cyclization of unsaturated ketones is a versatile synthetic procedure with broad applicability. For example, oxidation of cyclopentanone 1a with 2 equiv of Mn(OAc)(3).2H(2)O and 1 equiv of Cu(OAc)(2).H(2)O in AcOH at 80 degrees C for 1.5 h affords 75% of bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-8-one 8a and 15% of bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-en-8-one 9a. Bridged bicyclic ketones that cannot enolize further are isolated in good yield. Monocyclic beta,gamma-unsaturated ketones that can enolize are oxidized further to give gamma-acetoxy enones. The formation of bicyclo[3.3.1]non-2-en-9-one (57a) in 52% yield from 2-allylcyclohexanone (56a) suggests that kinetically controlled enolization is the rate-determining step in alpha-keto radical formation. A wide variety of examples delineating the scope, limitations, and stereoselectivity of this reaction are presented.     

Preparation of a series of Ru(II) complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene ligands for the catalytic transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones

The reaction of [RuCl(2)(p-cymene](2) with Ag-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes yields a series of [(p-cymene)Ru(NHC)] complexes (2a-f). All synthesised compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy and the molecular structure of 2a was determined by X-ray crystallography. All complexes have been tested as catalysts for the transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones, showing excellent activity in this reaction.     

A ruthenium-catalyzed reaction of aromatic ketones with arylboronates: a new method for the arylation of aromatic compounds via C-H bond cleavage

The ruthenium-catalyzed reaction of aromatic ketones with arylboronic acid esters (arylboronates) gave the ortho arylation product. For this coupling reaction, a RuH2(CO)(PPh3)3 complex exhibited the highest catalytic activity among the complexes screened. Several aromatic ketones, for example, acetophenones, acetonaphthone, alpha-tetralone, and benzosuberone, can be used in this coupling reaction. A variety of arylboronates containing electron-donating (OMe and NMe2) and -withdrawing (F and CF3) groups were found to react with aromatic ketones to give the corresponding aylation products. The corresponding arylboronic acids could be used in this coupling reaction, but the yields were slightly lower, as compared to those of the reaction using the corresponding arylboronates.     

Palladium-catalyzed intermolecular directed C-H amidation of aromatic ketones

Pd-catalyzed directed ortho C-H amidation of aromatic ketones with both sulfonamides and amides has been accomplished. The use of an electron-deficient Pd complex, Pd(OTf)(2), is crucial for the success of this transformation. Some key intermediates of the reaction, that is, the cyclopalladation complexes of ketones, have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. Experimental analysis of these palladacycles and also the experimental results with N-methyl sulfonamides indicate that the new reaction does not seem to proceed through a nitrene intermediate. The utility of the newly developed reaction was demonstrated for the synthesis of useful organic intermediates such as 2- and 3-alkyl indoles and 2-aminophenyl ketones.     

Rhenium-catalyzed regioselective synthesis of multisubstituted pyridines from β-enamino ketones and alkynes via C-C bond cleavage

A new method is described for the regioselective synthesis of multisubstituted pyridine derivatives. Treatment of N-acetyl β-enamino ketones with alkynes in the presence of the rhenium catalyst, Re(2)(CO)(10), gives multisubstituted pyridines regioselectively. In this reaction, the N-acetyl moieties are important for the selective formation of the multisubstituted pyridines. This reaction proceeds via insertion of alkynes into a carbon-carbon single bond of β-enamino ketones, intramolecular nucleophilic cyclization, and elimination of acetic acid.     

A solid-phase self-organized catalyst of nanopalladium with main-chain viologen polymers: alpha-alkylation of ketones with primary alcohols

[reaction: see text] A novel solid-phase self-organized catalyst of palladium nanoparticles was prepared from PdCl(2) with main-chain viologen polymers via complexation and reduction. This insoluble nanocatalyst nano-Pd-V efficiently promoted alpha-alkylation of ketones with primary alcohols in the presence of Ba(OH)(2).H(2)O under atmospheric conditions without organic solvents. The nano-Pd-V catalyst was reused without loss of catalytic activity.     

3+2] cycloadditions of aryl cyclopropyl ketones by visible light photocatalysis

We report a new method for the formal [3+2] reaction of aryl cyclopropyl ketones with olefins to generate highly substituted cyclopentane ring systems. The key initiation step in this process is the one-electron reduction of the ketone to the corresponding radical anion, which is accomplished using a photocatalytic system comprising Ru(bpy)(3)(2+), La(OTf)(3), and TMEDA.     

Palladium-catalyzed oxidative coupling of trialkylamines with aryl iodides leading to alkyl aryl ketones

A new, simple method for selectively synthesizing alkyl aryl ketones has been developed by palladium-catalyzed oxidative coupling of trialkylamines with aryl iodides. In the presence of PdCl(2)(MeCN)(2), TBAB, and ZnO, a variety of aryl iodides underwent an oxidative coupling reaction with tertiary amines and water to afford the corresponding alkyl aryl ketones in moderate to excellent yields. It is noteworthy that this method is the first example of using trialkylamines as the carbonyl sources for constructing alkyl aryl ketone skeletons.     

Asymmetric Catalysis by Architectural and Functional Molecular Engineering: Practical Chemo- and Stereoselective Hydrogenation of Ketones

Hydrogenation is a core technology in chemical synthesis. High rates and selectivities are attainable only by the coordination of structurally well-designed catalysts and suitable reaction conditions. The newly devised [RuCl(2)(phosphane)(2)(1,2-diamine)] complexes are excellent precatalysts for homogeneous hydrogenation of simple ketones which lack any functionality capable of interacting with the metal center. This catalyst system allows for the preferential reduction of a C=O function over a coexisting C=C linkage in a 2-propanol solution containing an alkaline base. The hydrogenation tolerates many substituents including F, Cl, Br, I, CF(3), OCH(3), OCH(2)C(6)H(5), COOCH(CH(3))(2), NO(2), NH(2), and NRCOR as well as various electron-rich and -deficient heterocycles. Furthermore, stereoselectivity is easily controlled by the electronic and steric properties (bulkiness and chirality) of the ligands as well as the reaction conditions. Diastereoselectivities observed in the catalytic hydrogenation of cyclic and acyclic ketones with the standard triphenylphosphane/ethylenediamine combination compare well with the best conventional hydride reductions. The use of appropriate chiral diphosphanes, particularly BINAP compounds, and chiral diamines results in rapid and productive asymmetric hydrogenation of a range of aromatic and heteroaromatic ketones and gives a consistently high enantioselectivity. Certain amino and alkoxy ketones can be used as substrates. Cyclic and acyclic alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones can be converted into chiral allyl alcohols of high enantiomeric purity. Hydrogenation of configurationally labile ketones allows for the dynamic kinetic discrimination of diastereomers, epimers, and enantiomers. This new method shows promise in the practical synthesis of a wide variety of chiral alcohols from achiral and chiral ketone substrates. Its versatility is manifested by the asymmetric synthesis of some biologically significant chiral compounds. The high rate and carbonyl selectivity are based on nonclassical metal-ligand bifunctional catalysis involving an 18-electron amino ruthenium hydride complex and a 16-electron amido ruthenium species.     

Bifunctional rhenium complexes for the catalytic transfer-hydrogenation reactions of ketones and imines

The silyloxycyclopentadienyl hydride complexes [Re(H)(NO)(PR(3))(C(5)H(4)OSiMe(2)tBu)] (R=iPr (3 a), Cy (3 b)) were obtained by the reaction of [Re(H)(Br)(NO)(PR(3))(2)] (R=iPr, Cy) with Li[C(5)H(4)OSiMe(2)tBu]. The ligand-metal bifunctional rhenium catalysts [Re(H)(NO)(PR(3))(C(5)H(4)OH)] (R=iPr (5 a), Cy (5 b)) were prepared from compounds 3 a and 3 b by silyl deprotection with TBAF and subsequent acidification of the intermediate salts [Re(H)(NO)(PR(3))(C(5)H(4)O)][NBu(4)] (R=iPr (4 a), Cy (4 b)) with NH(4)Br. In nonpolar solvents, compounds 5 a and 5 b formed an equilibrium with the isomerized trans-dihydride cyclopentadienone species [Re(H)(2)(NO)(PR(3))(C(5)H(4)O)] (6 a,b). Deuterium-labeling studies of compounds 5 a and 5 b with D(2) and D(2)O showed H/D exchange at the H(Re) and H(O) positions. Compounds 5 a and 5 b were active catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation reactions of ketones and imines with 2-propanol as both the solvent and H(2) source. The mechanism of the transfer hydrogenation and isomerization reactions was supported by DFT calculations, which suggested a secondary-coordination-sphere mechanism for the transfer hydrogenation of ketones.     

Ruthenium-Lewis acid catalyzed asymmetric Diels-Alder reactions between dienes and alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones

The complex [Ru(Cp)(R,R-BIPHOP-F)(acetone)][SbF(6)], (R,R)-1 a, was used as catalyst for asymmetric Diels-Alder reactions between dienes (cyclopentadiene, methylcyclopentadiene, isoprene, 2,3-dimethylbutadiene) and alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones (methyl vinyl ketone (MVK), ethyl vinyl ketone, divinyl ketone, alpha-bromovinyl methyl ketone and alpha-chlorovinyl methyl ketone). The cycloaddition products were obtained in yields of 50-90 % and with enantioselectivities up to 96 % ee. Ethyl vinyl ketone, divinyl ketone and the halogenated vinyl ketones worked best and their reactions with acyclic dienes consistently provided products with >90 % ee. alpha-Chlorovinyl methyl ketone performed better than alpha-bromovinyl methyl ketone. The reaction also provided a [4.3.1]bicyclic ring system in 95 % ee through an intramolecular cycloaddition reaction. Crystal structure determinations of [Ru(Cp)((S,S)-BIPHOP-F)(mvk)][SbF(6)], (S,S)-1 b, and [Ru(Cp)((R,R)-Me(4)BIPHOP-F)(acrolein)][SbF(6)], (R,R)-2 b, provided the basis for a rationalization of the asymmetric induction.     

Cooperative catalysis in highly enantioselective Mannich-type three-component reaction of a diazoacetophenone with an alcohol and an imine

A highly enantioselective three-component reaction of a diazoacetophenone, an alcohol, and an imine catalyzed cooperatively by Rh(2)(OAc)(4) and BINOL-derived chiral phosphoric acid has been developed for the synthesis of chiral β-amino-α-hydroxyl ketones in good yield with excellent diastereo and enantio selectivity.     

Facile beta-alkyl and beta-hydride elimination in the nickel-catalyzed annulation of o-iodophenyl ketones and aldehydes with bicyclic alkenes

[reaction: see text] o-Iodoaryl aldehydes react with bicyclic alkenes in the presence of NiBr(2)(dppe) and Zn powder in acetonitrile at 80 degrees C undergoing annulation to give polycyclic ketone derivatives. Surprisingly, o-iodoaryl alkyl ketones also react with bicyclic alkenes to form polycyclic ketones with structures the same as those from the corresponding o-iodoaryl aldehydes.     

Oxidative cross-coupling of beta,beta-difluoroenol silyl ethers with nucleophiles: a dipole-inversion method to difluoroketones

Oxidative cross-coupling of alpha-aryl-beta,beta-difluoroenol silyl ethers with heteroaromatics in the presence of Cu(OTf)(2) in wet acetonitrile proceeds smoothly, affording heteroaryldifluoromethyl aryl ketones in 61-88% yields. Alcohols also react as nucleophiles under the same conditions to provide alkoxydifluoromethyl aryl ketones in 73-80% yields. [reaction: see text]     

Hydrogenation without a transition-metal catalyst: on the mechanism of the base-catalyzed hydrogenation of ketones

The hydrogenation of unsaturated organic substrates such as olefins and ketones is usually effected by homogeneous or heterogeneous transition-metal catalysts. On the other hand, a single case of a transition-metal-free and purely base-catalyzed hydrogenation of ketones was reported by Walling and Bollyky some 40 years ago. Unfortunately, the harsh reaction conditions (ca. 200 degrees C, >100 bar H(2), potassium tert-butoxide as base) limit the substrate spectrum of this reaction to robust, nonenolizable ketones such as benzophenone. We herein present a mechanistic study of this process as a basis for future rational improvement. The base-catalyzed hydrogenation of ketones was found to be irreversible, and it shows first-order kinetics with respect to the substrate ketone, hydrogen, and catalytic base. The rate of the reaction depends on the type of alkali ion present (Cs > Rb - K > Na > Li). Using D(2) instead of H(2) revealed a rapid base-catalyzed isotope exchange/equilibration between the gas phase and the solvent as a concomitant reaction. The degree of deuteration of the product alcohols did not indicate a significant kinetic isotope effect. It is proposed that both ketone reduction and isotope exchange proceed via similar six-membered cyclic transition states involving the H(2)(D(2))-molecule, the alkoxide base, and the ketone (solvent alcohol in the case of isotope exchange). Mechanistic analogies are pointed out which apparently exist between the base-catalyzed hydrogenation of ketones studied here and the Ru-catalyzed asymmetric ketone hydrogenation developed by Noyori. In both cases, heterolysis of the hydrogen molecule appears to be assisted by a Br?nsted-base (i.e., alkoxide), the latter being bound to the substrate ketone or the catalyst ligand, respectively, by a bridging Lewis-acidic alkali ion.     

Synthesis of functionalized dialkyl ketones from carboxylic acid derivatives and alkyl halides

Unsymmetrical dialkyl ketones can be directly prepared by the nickel-catalyzed reductive coupling of carboxylic acid chlorides or (2-pyridyl)thioesters with alkyl iodides or benzylic chlorides. A wide variety of functional groups are tolerated by this process, including common nitrogen protecting groups and C-B bonds. Even hindered ketones flanked by tertiary and secondary centers can be formed. The mechanism is proposed to involve the reaction of a (L)Ni(alkyl)(2) intermediate with the carboxylic acid derivative.