Ullmann‐Ma Reaction: Development,Scope and Applications in Organic Synthesis†

Copper‐catalyzed cross‐couplings of aryl halides and nucleophiles, traditionally called Ullmann‐type coupling reactions, were initially reported by Ullmann et al. from 1901—1929. A seminal report in 1998 by Ma et al. from Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences revealed an accelerating effect caused by amino acids, which brought Ullmann‐type coupling reactions into a ligand‐accelerating era. From 1999 to the first 10 years of 2000s, the first‐generation ligands were developed by many researchers and promoted Ullmann‐type coupling reactions of aryl iodides and bromides under relatively mild conditions. Amino acid ligands, developed by Ma and coworkers, are one class of the most important first‐generation ligands. In the second 10 years of 2000s, Ma et al. led the discovery of second‐generation ligands for copper‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions. Two great breakthroughs have been realized by using second‐generation oxalic diamide and related amide ligands, with aryl chlorides as general coupling partner and with low catalyst loadings. Now copper‐catalyzed cross coupling reactions of aryl halides and nucleophiles with amino acids or oxalic diamides and related amides as ligands are recognized as Ullmann‐Ma reactions and have found extensive applications in organic synthesis.     

Copper Catalyzed C−H Activation

Activation of C?H bonds and their application in cross coupling chemistry has received a wider interest in recent years. The conventional strategy in cross coupling reaction involves the pre‐functionalization step of coupling reactants such as organic halides, pseudo‐halides and organometallic reagents. The C?H activation facilitates a simple and straight forward approach devoid of pre‐functionalization step. This approach also addresses the environmental and economical issues involved in several chemical reactions. In this account, we have reported C?H bond activation of small organic molecules, for example, formamide C?H bond can be activated and coupled with β‐dicarbonyl or 2‐carbonyl substituted phenols under oxidative conditions to yield carbamates using inexpensive copper catalysts. Phenyl carbamates were successfully synthesized in moderate to good yields by cross dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) of phenols with formamides using copper catalysts in presence of a ligand. We have also prepared unsymmetrical urea derivatives by oxidative cross coupling of formamides with amines using copper catalysts. Synthesis of N,N‐dimethyl substituted amides, 5‐substituted‐γ‐lactams and α‐acyloxy ethers was carried out from carboxylic acids using recyclable CuO nanoparticles. Copper nanoparticles afforded N‐aryl‐γ‐amino‐γ‐lactams by oxidative coupling of aromatic amines with 2‐pyrrolidinone. Reusable transition metal HT‐derived oxide catalyst was used for the synthesis of N,N‐dimethyl substituted amides by the oxidative cross‐coupling of carboxylic acids and substituted benzaldehydes. Overview of our work in this area is summarized.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Reductive Cross‐Coupling of Aryl Halides with Monofluoroalkyl Halides for Late‐Stage Monofluoroalkylation

A combinatorial nickel‐catalyzed monofluoroalkylation of aryl halides with unactivated fluoroalkyl halides by reductive cross‐coupling has been developed. This method demonstrated high efficiency, mild conditions, and excellent functional‐group tolerance, thus enabling the late‐stage monofluoroalkylation of diverse drugs. The key to success was the combination of diverse readily available bidentate and monodentate pyridine‐type nitrogen ligands with nickel, which in situ generated a variety of readily tunable catalysts to promote fluoroalkylation with broad scope with respect to both coupling partners. This combinatorial catalysis strategy offers a solution for nickel‐catalyzed reductive cross‐coupling reactions and provides an efficient way to synthesize fluoroalkylated druglike molecules for drug discovery.     

Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed CS Bond Coupling Reaction

Sulfur‐containing molecules such as thioethers are commonly found in chemical biology, organic synthesis, and materials chemistry. While many reliable methods have been developed for preparing these compounds, harsh reaction conditions are usually required in the traditional methods. The transition metals have been applied in this field, and the palladium‐catalyzed coupling of thiols with aryl halides and pseudo halides is one of the most important methods in the synthesis of thioethers. Other metals have also been used for the same purpose. Here, we summarize recent efforts in metal‐catalyzed C? S bond cross‐coupling reactions, focusing especially on the coupling of thiols with aryl‐ and vinyl halides based on different metals.     

Dibenzothiophene Sulfoximine as an NH3 Surrogate in the Synthesis of Primary Amines by Copper‐Catalyzed C−X and C−H Bond Amination

Readily accessible dibenzothiophene sulfoximine is an NH₃ surrogate allowing the preparation of free anilines by copper‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions with aryl iodides or amides followed by radical S−N bond cleavage. The one‐pot/two‐step reactions sequence leads to the aminated products in good yields.     

Formal Direct Cross‐Coupling of Phenols with Amines

The transition‐metal‐catalyzed amination of aryl halides has been the most powerful method for the formation of aryl amines over the past decades. Phenols are regarded as ideal alternatives to aryl halides as coupling partners in cross‐couplings. An efficient palladium‐catalyzed formal cross‐coupling of phenols with various amines and anilines has now been developed. A variety of substituted phenols were compatible with the standard reaction conditions. Secondary and tertiary aryl amines could thus be synthesized in moderate to excellent yields.     

Catalytic Ester and Amide to Amine Interconversion: Nickel‐Catalyzed Decarbonylative Amination of Esters and Amides by C−O and C−C Bond Activation

An efficient nickel‐catalyzed decarbonylative amination reaction of aryl and heteroaryl esters has been achieved for the first time. The new amination protocol allows the direct interconversion of esters and amides into the corresponding amines and represents a good alternative to classical rearrangements as well as cross coupling reactions.     

Rational Design of an Iron‐Based Catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura Cross‐Couplings Involving Heteroaromatic Boronic Esters and Tertiary Alkyl Electrophiles

Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions between a variety of alkyl halides and unactivated aryl boronic esters using a rationally designed iron‐based catalyst supported by β‐diketiminate ligands are described. High catalyst activity resulted in a broad substrate scope that included tertiary alkyl halides and heteroaromatic boronic esters. Mechanistic experiments revealed that the iron‐based catalyst benefited from the propensity for β‐diketiminate ligands to support low‐coordinate and highly reducing iron amide intermediates, which are very efficient for effecting the transmetalation step required for the Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction.     

Cross‐Coupling of Organolithium with Ethers or Aryl Ammonium Salts by C−O or C−N Bond Cleavage

Various aryl‐, alkenyl‐, and/or alkyllithium species reacted smoothly with aryl and/or benzyl ethers with cleavage of the inert C?O bond to afford cross‐coupled products, catalyzed by commercially available [Ni(cod)₂] (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene) catalysts with N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands. Furthermore, the coupling reaction between the aryllithium compounds and aryl ammonium salts proceeded under mild conditions with C?N bond cleavage in the presence of a [Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂] catalyst. These methods enable selective sequential functionalizations of arenes having both C?N and C?O bonds in one pot.     

C−O Activation by a Rhodium Bis(N‐Heterocyclic Carbene) Catalyst: Aryl Carbamates as Arylating Reagents in Directed C−H Arylation

Despite recent progress in the catalytic transformation of inert phenol derivatives as alternatives to aryl halides and triflates, attempts at the cross‐coupling of inert phenol derivatives with the C−H bonds of arenes have met with limited success. Herein, we report the rhodium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling of aryl carbamates with arenes bearing a convertible directing group. The key to success is the use of an in situ generated rhodium bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene) species as the catalyst, which can promote activation of the inert C(sp²)−O bond in aryl carbamates.     

Alkyl−(Hetero)Aryl Bond Formation via Decarboxylative Cross‐Coupling: A Systematic Analysis

Suzuki, Negishi, and Kumada couplings are some of the most important reactions for the formation of skeletal C−C linkages. Their widespread use to forge bonds between two aromatic rings has enabled every branch of chemical science. The analogous union between alkyl halides and metallated aryl systems has not been as widely employed due to the lack of commercially available halide building blocks. Redox‐active esters have recently emerged as useful surrogates for alkyl halides in cross‐coupling chemistry. Such esters are easily accessible through reactions between ubiquitous carboxylic acids and coupling agents widely used in amide bond formation. This article features an amalgamation of in‐house experience bolstered by approximately 200 systematically designed experiments to accelerate the selection of ideal reaction conditions and activating agents for the cross‐coupling of primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl carboxylic acids with both aryl and heteroaryl organometallic species.     

Nickel‐ and Photoredox‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reactions of Aryl Halides with 4‐Alkyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridines as Formal Nucleophilic Alkylation Reagents

A combination of nickel and photoredox catalysts promoted novel cross‐coupling reactions of aryl halides with 4‐alkyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridines. 4‐Alkyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridines act as formal nucleophilic alkylation reagents through a photoredox‐catalyzed carbon–carbon (C?C) bond‐cleavage process. The present strategy provides an alternative to classical carbon‐centered nucleophiles, such as organometallic reagents.     

Intra‐ and Intermolecular Nickel‐Catalyzed Reductive Cross‐Electrophile Coupling Reactions of Benzylic Esters with Aryl Halides

Nickel‐catalyzed cross‐electrophile coupling reactions of benzylic esters and aryl halides have been developed. Both inter‐ and intramolecular variants proceed under mild reaction conditions. A range of heterocycles and functional groups are tolerated under the reaction conditions. Additionally, the first example of a stereospecific cross‐electrophile coupling of a secondary benzylic ester is described.     

Cobalt‐Catalyzed Intermolecular C(sp2)O Cross‐Coupling

Cobalt(II)‐catalyzed C(sp²)?O cross‐coupling between aryl/heteroaryl alcohols and vinyl/aryl halides in the presence of Cu^I has been achieved under ligand‐free conditions. In this reaction, copper plays a significant role in transmetalation rather than being directly involved in the C?O coupling. This unique Co/Cu‐dual catalyst system provides an easy access to a library of aryl–vinyl, heteroaryl–styryl, aryl–aryl, and heteroaryl–heteroaryl ethers in the absence of any ligand or additive.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed C−H Silylation through Palladacycles Generated from Aryl Halides

A highly efficient palladium‐catalyzed disilylation reaction of aryl halides through C?H activation has been developed for the first time. The reaction has broad substrate scope. A variety of aryl halides can be disilylated by three types of C?H activation, including C(sp²)?H, C(sp³)?H, and remote C?H activation. In particular, the reactions are also unusually efficient. The yields are essentially quantitative in many cases, even in the presence of less than 1 mol % catalyst and 1 equivalent of the silylating reagent under relatively mild conditions. The disilylated biphenyls can be converted into disiloxane‐bridged biphenyls.     

Palladium complex containing two sterically hindered ligands as highly efficient catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura reaction

A new palladium(II) complex containing two sterically hindered ligands, a P,P‐bonded diphosphine and N,N‐bonded Schiff base, within the same coordination sphere has been synthesized and investigated as a catalyst for the Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions of aryl halides with arylboronic acids. The reaction was highly efficient with aryl bromides in water at room temperature and aryl chlorides in dimethylformamide under relatively mild conditions. Excellent yields of coupling products were obtained for a wide range of aryl halides including heteroaryl halides with a low loading of catalyst. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Transformations of Aryl Ketones via Ligand‐Promoted C−C Bond Activation

The coupling of aromatic electrophiles (aryl halides, aryl ethers, aryl acids, aryl nitriles etc.) with nucleophiles is a core methodology for the synthesis of aryl compounds. Transformations of aryl ketones in an analogous manner via carbon–carbon bond activation could greatly expand the toolbox for the synthesis of aryl compounds due to the abundance of aryl ketones. An exploratory study of this approach is typically based on carbon–carbon cleavage triggered by ring‐strain release and chelation assistance, and the products are also limited to a specific structural motif. Here we report a ligand‐promoted β‐carbon elimination strategy to activate the carbon–carbon bonds, which results in a range of transformations of aryl ketones, leading to useful aryl borates, and also to biaryls, aryl nitriles, and aryl alkenes. The use of a pyridine‐oxazoline ligand is crucial for this catalytic transformation. A gram‐scale borylation reaction of an aryl ketone via a simple one‐pot operation is reported. The potential utility of this strategy is also demonstrated by the late‐stage diversification of drug molecules probenecid, adapalene, and desoxyestrone, the fragrance tonalid as well as the natural product apocynin.     

Methionine: a green and efficient promoter for copper‐catalyzed Sonogashira cross‐coupling reactions

In the presence of amino acids as environmentally friendly ligands, CuI‐catalyzed Sonogashira cross‐coupling of various aryl halides with phenylacetylene was conducted to afford the corresponding internal alkynes. l ‐Methionine was found to be useful for this palladium‐free and amine‐free coupling reaction. It was also found that the solvent system plays an important role in this reaction, and significantly affects the product formation and reaction rate. Sonogashira coupling of aryl iodides and aryl bromides in dimethylsulfoxide or dimethylformamide gave the coupled products in good to excellent yields. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Iron‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reaction: Heterogeneous palladium and copper‐free Heck and Sonogashira cross‐coupling reactions catalyzed by a reusable Fe(III) complex

An interesting silica‐supported iron catalyst was successfully prepared and demonstrated as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for cross‐coupling reactions of aryl halides. The as‐prepared nanocatalyst was well characterized and found to be highly efficient in Heck reaction under mild and sustainable conditions (water as solvent at 80 °C in short reaction time). Furthermore, the obtained catalyst was used as an efficient, inexpensive and green heterogeneous catalyst for Sonogashira cross‐coupling reactions of various aryl iodides and provided the corresponding products with moderate to good yields. This phosphine, copper and palladium‐free catalyst was simply recovered from the reaction mixture and recycled five times without substantial decrease in its catalytic activity.     

Ferrocenyl bisoxazoline as an efficient non‐phosphorus ligand for palladium‐catalyzed copper‐free Sonogashira reaction in aqueous solution

Pd(OAc)₂‐catalyzed Sonogashira coupling reactions of alkynes and a variety of aryl halides with 1,3‐bis(5‐ferrocenylisoxazoline‐3‐yl)benzene as an efficient non‐phosphorus ligand under copper‐free conditions are presented. The main advantages over previous methodologies include low catalyst loading (0.2 mol% Pd(OAc)₂ and 0.4 mol% ferrocenyl bisoxazoline ligand are sufficient for these coupling reactions), less problematic reaction medium (water–dimethylformamide) and more convenient operation (no requirement for nitrogen protection).