Synthesis of Unsymmetrical 1,3‐Diynes via Pd/Cu‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of Terminal Alkynes at Room Temperature

A facile and practical synthetic route of unsymmetrical 1,3‐diynes via the PdCl/CuI catalyzed oxidative coupling of two different terminal alkynes has been developed by using 3‐(diphenylphosphino)propanoic acid as a ligand in the presence of oxygen. This system is suitable for not only aromatic alkynes but also heteroaromatic and aliphatic alkynes which were transformed into the corresponding unsymmetrical 1,3‐diynes in moderate to good yields at room temperature. Moreover, the unsymmetrical 1,3‐diynes were also obtained on a multi‐gram scale. Mechanistic studies suggest that oxygen plays a key role in the catalytic cycles.     

A Catalytic Route to Pyrrole Derivatives via Copper‐catalyzed Multicomponent Reaction

A novel approach for the synthesis of pyrrole derivatives has been reported. The reactions starting from terminal alkynes, carbodiimides, and malononitrile using CuI, DBU, and TBPAc in anhydrous MeCN afforded the functionalized pyrroles in acceptable yields. Alkyl‐, aryl‐, and heteroaromatic terminal alkynes were tolerated. Carbodiimides could be symmetrical and unsymmetrical substrates with aryl or alkyl substituents. The reaction exhibited a good regioselectivity when unsymmetrical carbodiimides were employed.     

Thiosemicarbazone salicylaldiminato palladium(II)-catalyzed alkynylation couplings between arylboronic acids and alkynes or alkynyl carboxylic acids

An efficient catalytic system has been developed for the synthesis of unsymmetrical substituted alkynes via the thiosemicarbazone salicylaldiminato palladium(II)-catalyzed alkynylation couplings between arylboronic acids and alkynes or alkynyl carboxylic acids under mild conditions.     

Iodonium Cation-Pool Electrolysis for the Three-Component Synthesis of 1,3-Oxazoles

The synthesis of 1,3-oxazoles from symmetrical and unsymmetrical alkynes was realized by an iodonium cation-pool electrolysis of I₂ in acetonitrile with a well-defined water content. Mechanistic investigations suggest that the alkyne reacts with the acetonitrile-stabilized I⁺ ions, followed by a Ritter-type reaction of the solvent to a nitrilium ion, which is then attacked by water. The ring closure to the 1,3-oxazoles released molecular iodine, which was visible by the naked eye. Also, some unsymmetrical internal alkynes were tested and a regioselective formation of a single isomer was determined by two-dimensional NMR experiments.     

Aerobic Direct Dioxygenation of Terminal/Internal Alkynes to α-Hydroxyketones by an Fe Porphyrin Catalyst

We herein report a new synthetic method for the preparation of α-hydroxyketones by the dioxygenation of alkynes. The reaction proceeds at room temperature under the action of Fe porphyrin and pinacolborane under air as a green oxidant to produce α-hydroxyketones. The mild reaction conditions allow chemoselective oxidation with functional group tolerance. Terminal alkynes in addition to internal alkynes are applicable, affording unsymmetrical α-hydroxyketones that are difficult to obtain by any reported dioxygenation of unsaturated C−C bonds.     

A simple route to morpholine derivatives via copper-acetylide addition to carbodiimide in the presence of oxiranes

A novel catalytic multicomponent reaction for the synthesis of morpholine derivatives has been reported. The reactions involve terminal alkynes, carbodiimides, and oxiranes using [Cu (CH₃CN)₄]PF₆, ^tBuOLi, and TBPAc in anhydrous NMP. Aryl and heteroaromatic terminal alkynes were tolerated. Carbodiimides could be symmetrical and unsymmetrical substrates with aryl or alkyl substituents. The reaction exhibited a good regioselectivity when unsymmetrical carbodiimides were employed.     

Cobalt-catalyzed carbocyclization of o-iodobenzaldehydes and o-iodophenylketones with alkynes

[reaction: see text] Treatment of various o-iodobenzaldehydes and o-iodophenyl ketones with alkynes in the presence of Co(dppe)I(2) and Zn powder in acetonitrile at 80 degrees C afforded the corresponding indenols in moderate to excellent yields with exceedingly high regioselectivity. For most unsymmetrical alkynes tested, the carbocyclization gave a single regioisomer.     

Magnesium‐Catalyzed Hydroboration of Terminal and Internal Alkynes

A magnesium‐catalyzed hydroboration of alkynes providing good yields and selectivities for a wide range of terminal and symmetrical and unsymmetrical internal alkynes has been developed. The compatibility with many functional groups makes this magnesium catalyzed procedure attractive for late stage functionalization. Experimental mechanistic investigations and DFT calculations reveal insights into the reaction mechanism of the magnesium catalyzed protocol.     

Synthesis of naphthalenes through three-component coupling of alkynes, Fischer carbene complexes, and benzaldehyde hydrazones via isoindole intermediates

The synthesis of naphthalene derivatives through three-component coupling of 2-alkynylbenzaldehyde hydrazones with carbene complexes and electron-deficient alkynes has been examined. The reaction involves formation of an isoindole derivative, followed by intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction, followed by nitrene extrusion. The reaction was highly regioselective using unsymmetrical alkynes.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Transformation of Ketone‐Derived N‐Tosyl Hydrazones: An Entry to Alkynes

A novel strategy involving Cu‐catalyzed oxidative transformation of ketone‐derived hydrazone moiety to various synthetic valuable internal alkynes and diynes has been developed. This method features inexpensive metal catalyst, green oxidant, good functional group tolerance, high regioselectivity and readily available starting materials. Oxidative deprotonation reactions were carried out to form internal alkynes and symmetrical diynes. Cross‐coupling reactions of hydrazones with halides and terminal alkynes were performed to afford functionalized alkynes and unsymmetrical conjugated diynes. A mechanism proceeding through a Cu‐carbene intermediate is proposed for the C? C triple bond formation.     

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of azides with electron-deficient alkynes under mild condition in water

We report a simple synthetic protocol for the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azides with electron-deficient alkynes. Alkyne with at least one neighboring electron-withdrawing group proceeds with the cycloaddition successfully without any catalysts at room temperature in water. Under this simple condition, we evaluated a series of small molecule model reactions and then coupled an azido-DNA molecule with electron-deficient alkynes for the formation of [1,2,3]-triazole heterocycle, providing a potential method for introducing functional groups to DNA under biological conditions.     

Enantioselective construction of quaternary carbon centers by catalytic [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of 1,6-enynes and alkynes

[reaction: see text] The enantioselective [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of 1,6-enynes and alkynes using chiral rhodium catalysts gave cycloadducts containing quaternary carbon stereocenters. Both symmetrical and unsymmetrical alkynes and acetylene could be used as coupling partners, and the corresponding bicyclic cyclohexa-1,3-dienes were obtained in good to excellent ee.     

On the regioselectivity of Pd-catalyzed additions of organoboronic acids to unsymmetrical alkynes

The Pd-catalyzed reaction of unsymmetrical alkynes with organoboronic acids gave a mixture of products and, whose ratios were controlled by the electronic as well as steric effects of the substrates.     

Chemo‐ and Regioselective Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of Allenynes with Alkynes

A highly chemo‐ and regioselective partially intramolecular rhodium(I)‐catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of allenynes with alkynes is described. A range of diverse polysubstituted benzene derivatives could be synthesized in good to excellent yields, in which the allenynes served as synthetic equivalent to the diynes. A high regioselectivity could be observed when allenynes were treated with unsymmetrical alkynes.     

Cobalt‐Catalyzed Alkenylzincation of Unfunctionalized Alkynes

While transition metal catalyzed addition reactions of arylmetal reagents to unfunctionalized alkynes have been extensively developed in the last decade, analogous reactions using alkenylmetal reagents remain rare regardless of their potential utility for the synthesis of unsymmetrical 1,3‐dienes. Reported herein is the development of a cobalt/diphosphine catalyst which promotes efficient and stereoselective addition of alkenylzinc reagents to unfunctionalized internal alkynes. The resulting dienylzinc species serve as versatile intermediates for further synthetic transformations.     

Nickel-Catalyzed Unsymmetrical Bis-Allylation of Alkynes

The catalytic bis-allylation of alkynes is an important but challenging protocol to construct all-carbon tetra-substituted alkenes. Particularly, the catalytic unsymmetrical bis-allylation of alkynes remains as an underexplored task to date. We herein report an unprecedented unsymmetrical bis-allylation by simultaneously utilizing electrophilic trifluoromethyl alkene and nucleophilic allylboronate as the allylic reagents. With the aid of robust Ni⁰/NHC catalysis, valuable skipped trienes can be obtained in high regio- and stereo-selectivities under mild conditions. Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction may proceed through a β-fluorine elimination of a nickelacycle followed by a transmetalation step with allylboronate. The present method exhibits a good tolerance of various functional groups. Besides, the skipped triene products can undergo an array of elaborate transformations, which highlights the potential applications of this strategy.     

NMR spectra of 1,3,5-triazines with fluorinated substituents

The NMR spectra of a series of 1,3,5-triazines (1) in which one or more of the substituent groups are fluorinated are described, and the results are discussed in terms of bonding and geometry of the molecules. Remote effects of unsymmetrical substitution are observed in the fluorine-19 and carbon-13 spectra, in some molecules indicating restricted rotation about the bond joining an amino group to a ring carbon.     

Hydroheteroarylation of alkynes under mild nickel catalysis

Nickel complexes having a bulky tri(sec-alkyl)phosphine ligand catalyze hydroheteroarylation of alkynes at 35 degrees C. Selective activation of an Ar-H bond over an Ar-CN bond of N-protected 3-cyanoindoles is achieved by a proper choice of ligand and/or an N-protecting group. The catalysis is applicable to a diverse range of heteroarenes to afford cis-hydroheteroarylation products in highly chemo- and stereoselective manners. Excellent regioselectivity is observed with unsymmetrical alkynes to give the corresponding heteroaryl-substituted ethenes having a larger substituent trans to an aryl group.     

Cesium-catalyzed highly regioselective synthesis of (Z)-vinylic selenosulfides via thioselenation of alkynes with unsymmetrical diorganoyl dichalcogenides

A novel one-pot approach for the synthesis of (Z)-vinylic selenosulfides is demonstrated through the thioselenation of a wide range of alkynes with unsymmetrical diorganoyl dichalcogenides (RSSePh) catalyzed by cesium hydroxide monohydrate, avoiding the use of the transition metal catalyst and the previous preparation of chalcogen alkynes. Other outstanding features include mild reaction conditions, high regio- and stereo-selectivity, excellent yields and wide functional group tolerance.     

Intermolecular rhodium-catalyzed [2+2+2] carbocyclization reactions of 1,6-enynes with symmetrical and unsymmetrical alkynes

The crossed intermolecular rhodium-catalyzed [2+2+2] carbocyclization of carbon and heteroatom tethered 1,6-enynes can be accomplished with symmetrical and unsymmetrical alkynes, to afford the corresponding bicyclohexadienes in an efficient and highly selective manner.