Copper‐Mediated Trifluoroacetylation of Arenediazonium Salts with Ethyl Trifluoropyruvate

A copper‐mediated trifluoroacetylation of various arenediazonium salts with ethyl trifluoropyruvate is reported. The reaction proceeded smoothly under mild conditions at room temperature giving trifluoromethyl aryl ketones in moderate to good yields. A variety of functional groups, including methoxy, hydroxy, ester, ketone, trifluoromethyl, and halide groups, were well tolerated. A possible reaction mechanism involving an aryl radical intermediate was proposed and supported by experimental evidence. This reaction provides a new route to trifluoromethyl aryl ketones, notable synthetic targets, from the corresponding anilines.     

Trifluoromethylation of Alkyl Radicals: Breakthrough and Challenges†

Trifluoromethylation of alkyl radicals is emerging as a powerful tool for C(sp³)–CF₃ bond formations. Based on the hypothesis of CF₃ group transfer from Cu(II)–CF₃ to alkyl radicals, a number of trifluoromethylation reactions have been developed, including trifluoromethylation of alkyl halides, decarboxylative trifluoromethylation of aliphatic carboxylic acids, C(sp³)–H trifluoromethylation, amino‐ and carbo‐trifluoromethylation of alkenes, etc. Challenges in this intriguing field are also discussed.     

A Mild and Efficient Method for N‐Arylnucleobase Synthesis via the Cross‐Coupling Reactions of Nucleobases with Arylboronic Acids Catalyzed by Simple Copper Salts

A simple and efficient copper‐salt catalyzed N‐arylation of nucleobases is reported. In a mixed solvent of MeOH and H₂O, the coupling products were obtained in moderate to excellent yields at room temperature within a short time. A variety of substituted N‐aryl nucleobases can be prepared through this procedure.     

Nitrosoarenes as Nitrogen Source for Generation of Sulfonamides with the Insertion of Sulfur Dioxide under Metal‐Free Conditions†

A metal‐free reaction of nitrosoarenes, aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates, and sulfur dioxide under mild conditions is developed, giving rise to sulfonamides in moderate to good yields. This transformation proceeds efficiently at room temperature in the presence of cyclohexa‐1,4‐diene with a broad reaction scope. Good functional group compatibility is observed, including cyano, halo, and ester. A plausible mechanism involving a radical process with the insertion of sulfur dioxide is proposed, and cyclohexa‐1,4‐diene serves as the reductant during the transformation.     

Enantioselective Arylcyanation of Styrenes via Copper‐Catalyzed Radical Relay†

The first copper‐catalyzed enantioselective arylcyanation of styrenes has been developed using readily available anilines as aryl radical precursors under mild conditions, which enables easy access to chiral 2,3‐diaryl propionitriles with moderate to good enantioselectivities. This operationally straightforward reaction exhibits broad substrate scope and functional group tolerance. Notably, this method has been applied to the synthesis of chiral AIEgen as well as estrogen receptor‐β agonist (R)‐diarylpropionitrile (DPN).     

Copper‐Catalyzed Ritter‐Type Reaction of Unactivated Alkenes with Dichloramine‐T

It was shown that dichloramine‐T ( 1 ) reacted with cyclohexene in acetonitrile to give N¹‐(2‐chlorocyclohexyl) amidine 2a and N‐(2‐chlorocyclohexyl)acetamide ( 3 ) via the competitive addition of acetonitrile and N‐chloro‐N‐tosylamino anion to cyclohexenechloronium ion. This reaction can be catalyzed by Cu(OAc)₂, primarily affording 2a . Furthermore, the resulting 2a can be cyclized to benzimidazol 14a in good yield by treating with KOH in dioxane.     

Polyaniline‐Induced CH Arylation of Arenes with Arenediazonium Salts

A reduced form of polyaniline has been shown to induce direct arylation of an arenediazonium salt with an arene (Gomberg–Bachmann reaction) to give the cross‐coupling product in moderate to good yields under mild conditions. Various arenediazonium salts and arenes, including heteroarenes such as furans, thiophenes, and pyrroles, are employed for the reaction. The most favorable combination of substrates is an electron‐poor arenediazonium salt with an electron‐rich heteroarene. Investigation of the mechanism by reactions with radical scavengers and experiments on kinetic isotope effects indicated the occurrence of a radical chain reaction initiated by one‐electron reduction of an arenediazonium salt by the polyaniline. Only 1 mol % (based on aniline tetramer) of the polyaniline is required for the cross‐coupling reaction to occur. This reaction proceeds under metal‐free conditions and with no need for photonic activation.     

Copper‐Polymer Nanocomposite Catalyst for Synthesis of 1,4‐Diphenylbutadiyne‐1,3

A new catalyst for cross‐coupling synthesis of 1,4‐diphenylbutadiyne‐1,3 was prepared by thermolysis of copper(II) poly‐5‐vinyltetrazolate. It presents heterogeneous catalyst, in which copper nanoparticles are supported on polymeric matrix surface. The catalyst is recovered, recycled, and shows high catalytic activity in cross‐coupling synthesis of 1,4‐diphenylbutadiyne‐1,3. The reaction proceeds in aerobic conditions at room temperature in the presence of pyridine.     

Metal‐Free CN‐ and NN‐Bond Formation: Synthesis of 1,2,3‐Triazoles from Ketones,N‐Tosylhydrazines,and Amines in One Pot

A novel synthetic approach toward 1,4‐disubstituted 1,2,3‐triazoles by C?N‐ and N?N‐bond formation has been established under transition‐metal‐free conditions. Complete control of the regioselectivity was successfully achieved. Commercially available anilines, ketones, and N‐tosylhydrazine were treated with molecular iodine in one pot to allow the regioselective generation of 1,4‐disubstituted 1,2,3‐triazoles in high yields without the use of azides.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Alkynyl Hydrazones from Alkynes and Hydrazonyl Chlorides

A novel ligand‐free synthesis of alkynyl hydrazones via coupling reaction of hydrazonyl chlorides and terminal alkynes, catalyzed by CuI led to excellent yields.     

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of Avarol and Avarone

Formation of the C11−C1′ bond through application of Barton's radical decarboxylation and quinone addition is the cornerstone of a new convergent and concise synthesis of the marine metabolites avarol ( 1 ) and avarone ( 2 ; see scheme), for which antimitotic, antileukemic, and antiviral effects have been reported.     

One‐Pot Four‐Component Synthesis of Thieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐amines via Sequential Gewald/Cyclocondensation Reactions

A one‐pot four‐component synthesis of thieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐amines via sequential Gewald/cyclocondensation reactions is described. 2‐Aminothiophene‐3‐carbonitriles obtained from the Gewald reaction between cyclic ketones, malononitrile, and sulfur underwent a condensation? cyclization reaction with benzonitriles under solvent‐free conditions to afford the title compounds in excellent yields.     

Copper‐Catalyzed One‐Pot Synthesis of N‐Sulfonylalkanimidoyl Thiocyanates from Sulfonyl Azides,Alkynes, and KSCN

Ketenimine intermediates generated by the addition of copper acetylides to sulfonyl azides are trapped by KSCN to afford N‐sulfonylalkanimidoyl thiocyanates in moderate‐to‐good yields.     

One‐pot Green Procedure for Synthesis of Tetrahydrobenzo[a]xanthene‐11‐one Catalyzed by Brønsted Ionic Liquids under Solvent‐free Conditions

An efficient one‐pot condensation of β‐naphthol, aldehydes and cyclic 1,3‐dicarbonyl compound has been achieved with ionic liquids as catalyst, thus a variety of 8,9,10,12‐tetrahydrobenzo[a]xanthen‐11‐one derivatives were prepared in good yields. The present approach offers several advantages such as shorter reaction times, good yields and mild reaction conditions.     

Copper‐Promoted Sandmeyer Difluoromethylthiolation of Aryl and Heteroaryl Diazonium Salts

An efficient copper‐promoted difluoromethylthiolation of aryl and heteroaryl diazonium salts is described. The reaction is conducted under mild reaction conditions and various functional groups were compatible. In addition, reactions of heteroaryl diazonium salts such as pyridyl, quinolinyl, benzothiazolyl, thiophenyl, carbazolyl, and pyrazolyl diazonium salts occurred smoothly to afford the medicinally important difluoromethylthiolated heteroarenes. Furthermore, a more practical one‐pot direct diazotization and difluoromethylthiolation protocol was developed, and it converts the aniline derivatives into difluoromethylthiolated arenes. The utility of the method is demonstrated by difluoromethylthiolation of a number of natural products and drug molecules.     

Synthesis of 1‐Aryl‐1H‐indazoles via a Ligand‐Free Copper‐ Catalyzed Intramolecular Amination Reaction

A general synthesis of 1‐aryl‐1‐H‐indazoles from o‐halogenated aryl aldehydes or ketones and aryl hydrazines was described. This protocol included an intermolecular condensation and a ligand‐free copper‐catalyzed intramolecular Ullmann‐type coupling reaction. This method was applied to a wide range of substrates to produce the indazole products in good yields.