Zinc‐Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Cross‐Coupling of Terminal Alkynes with Aldehydes: Access to Ynones

Because of the lack of redox ability, zinc has seldom been used as a catalyst in dehydrogenative cross‐coupling reactions. Herein, a novel zinc‐catalyzed dehydrogenative C(sp²)? H/C(sp)? H cross‐coupling of terminal alkynes with aldehydes was developed, and provides a simple way to access ynones from readily available materials under mild reaction conditions. Good reaction selectivity can be achieved with a 1:1 ratio of terminal alkyne and aldehyde. Various terminal alkynes and aldehydes are suitable in this transformation.     

Decarboxylative A3‐coupling reactions: An overview

The propargylamine motif is not only prevalent in a wide variety of pharmaceuticals and other biologically active compounds but also utilized as a versatile building block in organic synthesis. Among the various methods for the synthesis of propargylamine derivatives, A³‐coupling represents one of the most general and attractive routes, since it offers the possibility for the construction of complex molecules from simple starting materials (amines, aldehydes, and alkynes) in one‐step with high atom economy. However, the use of volatile alkynes is the main disadvantage of this reaction. Recently, alkynyl carboxylic acids were successfully used as easily accessible and high stable surrogates for alkynes (via in situ decarboxylation) in A³‐coupling reactions. This Focus‐Review aims to give an overview of the decarboxylative A³‐coupling reactions by hoping that it will be beneficial to elicit further research in this appealing research arena. A special emphasis is placed on mechanistic aspect of reactions which may allow possible new insights into catalyst improvement.     

Polymer‐anchored copper(II) complex: an efficient reusable catalyst for the synthesis of propargylamines

A new, heterogeneous, polymer‐supported copper(II) complex was prepared and characterized using various techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. This heterogeneous copper catalyst is efficient for the synthesis of propargylamines via a three‐component coupling reaction of aldehydes, amines and alkynes. The effect of solvent on the coupling reactions was investigated. Further, the catalyst can be easily recovered quantitatively by simple filtration and reused for a minimum number of cycles without significant loss of its catalytic activity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Umpolung Reactions of α‐Imino Esters: Useful Methods for the Preparation of α‐Amino Acid Frameworks

This paper summarizes our recent efforts toward the development of tandem reactions utilizing umpolung reactions of α‐imino esters. A highly diastereoselective tandem N‐alkylation–Mannich reaction of α‐imino esters was developed. A tandem N‐alkylation–addition reaction of α‐imino esters derived from ethyl glyoxylate with various aldehydes proceeded to give 1,2‐amino alcohols. The same reaction also proceeded efficiently using a novel flow system comprising two connected microreactors. Novel syntheses of α‐quaternary alkynyl amino esters and allenoates were developed through the use of umpolung N‐addition to β,γ‐alkynyl α‐imino esters, followed by regioselective acylation. In addition, a highly regioselective tandem N‐alkylation–vinylogous aldol reaction of β,γ‐alkenyl α‐imino esters was discovered. N‐Alkylation of α‐iminophosphonates followed by a Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reaction with aldehydes occurred to afford enamines, which can be used in a four‐component coupling reaction with methyl vinyl ketone. α‐N‐Acyloxyimino esters served as highly efficient substrates for the N,N,C‐trialkylation reaction to introduce various nucleophiles at the imino nitrogen and carbon atoms.     

Syngas‐Free Highly Regioselective Rhodium‐Catalyzed Transfer Hydroformylation of Alkynes to α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes

The hydroformylation of alkynes is a fundamental and important reaction in both academic research and industry. Conventional methods focus on the conversion of alkynes, CO, and H₂ into α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes, but they often suffer from problems associated with operation, regioselectivity, and chemoselectivity. Herein, we disclose an operationally simple, mild, and syngas‐free rhodium‐catalyzed reaction for the hydroformylation of alkynes via formyl and hydride transfer from an alkyl aldehyde. This synthetic method uses inexpensive and easy‐to‐handle n‐butyraldehyde to overcome the challenge posed by the use of syngas in traditional approaches and employs a commercially available catalyst and ligand to transform a broad range of internal alkynes, especially alkynyl‐containing complex molecules, into versatile stereodefined α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes with excellent chemo‐, regio‐, and stereoselectivity.     

Palladium‐ and Solvent‐Free Synthesis of Ynones by Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Acylation of Terminal Alkynes with Acyl Chlorides under Aerobic Conditions

Air‐stable Cu^I/cryptand‐22 complex was found to be a highly active catalyst for the solvent‐free cross‐coupling reaction of terminal alkynes with different acyl chlorides in the presence of Et₃N as base to give the corresponding ynones in quantitative yields.     

Cu‐free Sonogashira Type Cross‐Coupling of 6‐Halo‐2‐cyclopropyl‐3‐(pyridyl‐3‐ylmethyl) Quinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones as Potential Antimicrobial Agents

C(sp)–C(sp2) bond formation via Sonogashira cross‐coupling reactions on 6‐halo‐2‐cyclopropyl‐3‐(pyridyl‐3‐ylmethyl)quinazolin‐4(3H )‐ones with appropriate alkynes was explored. Optimization of reaction conditions with various catalysts, ligands, bases, and solvents was conducted. The combination of PdCl₂(MeCN)₂ with X‐Phos proved to be the best metal–ligand system for this conversion in the presence of triethylamine (Et₃N) in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature for iodosubstrates, at 80°C for the bromosubstrates in 8 h, and also for the chlorosubstrates in 16 h. We also demonstrated synthesis of a successful diversity‐oriented synthesis library of highly functionalized quinazolinones via Cu‐free Sonogashira coupling of diverse aryl halides and azido‐alkyne (“click”) ligation reactions with substituted azides. The library exhibited significant antimicrobial activity when screened against several microorganisms.     

Cu‐Catalyzed Formal Methylative and Hydrogenative Carboxylation of Alkynes with Carbon Dioxide: Efficient Synthesis of α,β‐Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids

The sequential hydroalumination or methylalumination of various alkynes catalyzed by different catalyst systems, such those based on Sc, Zr, and Ni complexes, and the subsequent carboxylation of the resulting alkenylaluminum species with CO₂ catalyzed by an N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)–copper catalyst have been examined in detail. The regio‐ and stereoselectivity of the overall reaction relied largely on the hydroalumination or methylalumination reactions, which significantly depended on the catalyst and alkyne substrates. The subsequent Cu‐catalyzed carboxylation proceeded with retention of the stereoconfiguration of the alkenylaluminum species. All the reactions could be carried out in one‐pot to afford efficiently a variety of α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acids with well‐controlled configurations, which are difficult to construct by previously reported methods. This protocol could be practically useful and attractive because of its high regio‐ and stereoselectivity, simple one‐pot reaction operation, and the use of CO₂ as a starting material.     

Mechanism of Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Conia‐ene Reaction of β‐Ketoesters with Alkynes: A DFT Study

Density functional calculations have been performed to comparatively investigate two possible pathways of Au(I)‐catalyzed Conia‐ene reaction of β‐ketoesters with alkynes. Our studies find that, under the assistance of trifluoromethanesulfonate (TfO), the β‐ketoester is the most likely to undergo Model II to isomerize into its enol form, in which TfO plays a proton transfer role through a 6‐membered ring transition state. The coordination of the Au(I) catalyst to the alkynes triple bond can enhance the eletrophilic capability and reaction activity of the alkynes moiety, which triggers the nucleophilic addition of the enol moiety on the alkynes moiety to give a vinyl‐Au intermediate. This cycloisomerizaion step is exothermal by 21.3 kJ/mol with an energy barrier of 56.0 kJ/mol. In the whole catalytic process, the protonation of vinyl‐Au is almost spontaneous, and the formation of enol is a rate‐limiting step. The generation of enol and the activation of Au(I) catalyst on the alkynes are the key reasons why the Conia‐ene reaction can occur in mild condition. These calculations support that Au(I)‐catalyzed Conia‐ene reactions of β‐ketoesters with alkynes go through the pathway 2 proposed by Toste.     

Mechanistic Study on the Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Synthesis of 2,3‐Disubstituted Indoles Under Aerobic Conditions: Anion Effects and the Development of a Low‐Catalyst‐Loading Process

As a result of detailed mechanistic and kinetic studies, we have proposed that PdX₂‐catalyzed oxidative coupling of o‐alkynylanilines 1 with terminal alkynes 2 under aerobic conditions is initiated by aminopalladation of 1 followed by ligand exchange of the resulting σ‐indolylpalladium(II) complex with 2 , reductive elimination and N‐demethylation. Side reactions associated with intermediates on the way to 2,3‐disubstituted indoles 3 were identified, and the roles of acetate and iodide in channeling the reaction towards the desired product were established. Based on kinetic and spectroscopic studies, the soluble iodide‐ligated Pd⁰ species was proposed to be the resting state of the catalyst and its oxidation to active Pd^II species was the turnover‐limiting step. Catalytic conditions with low loading of Pd(OAc)₂ (0.0005 to 0.001 equiv) were subsequently developed.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Cross‐Coupling Reaction between Allylic CH Bonds and α‐CH Bonds of Ketones or Aldehydes

A dehydrogenative cross‐coupling reaction between allylic C?H bonds and the α‐C?H bond of ketones or aldehydes was developed using Cu(OTf)₂ as a catalyst and DDQ as an oxidant. This synthetic approach to γ,δ‐unsaturated ketones and aldehydes has the advantages of broad scope for both ketones and aldehydes as reactants, mild reaction conditions, good yields and atom economy. A plausible mechanism using Cu(OTf)₂ as a Lewis acid catalyst was also proposed (DDQ=2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone; Tf=trifluoromethanesulfonate).     

An efficient and recyclable silica‐supported carbene–Cu(II) catalyst for the oxidative coupling reaction of terminal alkynes with H‐phosphonates under base‐free reaction conditions

The oxidative coupling reactions of terminal alkynes with H‐phosphonates were explored using SiO₂−NHC−Cu(II) (5.0 mol%) as catalyst at room temperature under base‐free reaction conditions. The reactions of a variety of terminal alkynes with H‐phosphonates generated the corresponding alkynylphosphonate products in good to excellent yields. In addition, SiO₂−NHC−Cu(II) could be recovered and recycled for six consecutive trials without significant loss of its reactivity. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Gold‐Catalyzed Synthesis of 1,3‐Diaminopyrazoles from 1‐Alkynyltriazenes and Imines

A new procedure for the synthesis of highly substituted 1,3‐diaminopyrazoles is described. As substrates, we have employed 1‐alkynyltriazenes and imines. The formation of pyrazoles was achieved by two‐fold C–N coupling reactions in the presence of (JohnPhos)AuCl and AgNT f₂ as catalyst precursors. The regioselectivity of the reaction was inferred from a crystallographic analysis of one reaction product.     

Expeditious and highly efficient synthesis of propargylamines using a Pd‐Cu nanowires catalyst under solvent‐free conditions

A heterogeneous Pd‐Cu NWs‐catalyzed expeditious and solvent‐free synthesis of propargylamines via A³‐coupling of aldehydes, alkynes, and amines has been proposed. A wide range of aldehydes, alkynes and amine substrates undergo A³‐coupling to produce propargylamines in good to excellent yields with good functional tolerance, such as that towards alkoxy, hydroxy, C‐X (X = F, Cl, Br) as well as amide and C=C bonds. Furthermore, the catalyst could be recovered easily and reused for at least 5 cycles without showing significant loss of catalytic activity.     

Photoinduced Copper‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Decarboxylative Alkynylation with Terminal Alkynes

We describe a photoinduced copper‐catalyzed asymmetric radical decarboxylative alkynylation of bench‐stable N‐hydroxyphthalimide(NHP)‐type esters of racemic alkyl carboxylic acids with terminal alkynes, which provides a flexible platform for the construction of chiral C(sp³)?C(sp) bonds. Critical to the success of this process are not only the use of the copper catalyst as a dual photo‐ and cross‐coupling catalyst but also tuning of the NHP‐type esters to inhibit the facile homodimerization of the alkyl radical and terminal alkyne, respectively. Owing to the use of stable and easily available NHP‐type esters, the reaction features a broader substrate scope compared with reactions using the alkyl halide counterparts, covering (hetero)benzyl‐, allyl‐, and aminocarbonyl‐substituted carboxylic acid derivatives, and (hetero)aryl and alkyl as well as silyl alkynes, thus providing a vital complementary approach to the previously reported method.     

Copper(I) oxide nanoparticles supported on magnetic casein as a bio‐supported and magnetically recoverable catalyst for aqueous click chemistry synthesis of 1,4‐disubstituted 1,2,3‐triazoles

Copper(I) oxide nanoparticles supported on magnetic casein (Cu₂O/Casein@Fe₃O₄NPs) has been synthesized as a bio‐supported catalyst and was characterized using powder X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The catalytic activity of the synthesized catalyst was investigated in one‐pot three‐component reactions of alkyl halides, sodium azide and alkynes to prepare 1,4‐disubstituted 1,2,3‐triazoles with high yields in water. The reaction work‐up is simple and the catalyst can be magnetically separated from the reaction medium and reused in subsequent reactions.     

Iridium‐Catalyzed Coupling Reaction of Primary Alcohols with 2‐Alkynes Leading to Hydroacylation Products

A novel iridium‐catalyzed intermolecular coupling reaction of primary alcohols or aldehydes with 2‐alkynes was successfully achieved with high regioselectivity to give hydroacylation products such as α,β‐unsaturated ketones in good yields. The mechanistic investigation of the reaction strongly indicated that the coupling proceeds through the initial formation of homoallylic alcohols followed by dehydrogenation to β,γ‐unsatutated ketones and then isomerisation, which leads to the hydroacylation products.     

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).     

Caffeine gold complex supported on magnetic nanoparticles as a green and high turnover frequency catalyst for room temperature A3 coupling reaction in water

A new heterogeneous catalyst derived from gold (III) and supported on caffeine‐coated magnetic nanoparticles, Fe₃O₄@Caff‐Au, has been prepared and characterized using different techniques. This magnetic gold composite shows high catalytic activity in A³ coupling reactions of terminal alkynes, aldehydes and secondary amines. Using this green catalyst, propargylamines are obtained in high turnover frequency in short reaction times using water as solvent at room temperature. This stable and ready accessible catalyst can be easily recycled magnetically for at least nine consecutive runs without significant loss of activity and with slight aggregation of Au species.     

Pd(0)‐Catalyzed Tandem One‐Pot Reaction of Biphenyl Ketones/Aldehydes to the Corresponding Di‐substituted Aryl Olefins

Synthesis of di‐substituted aryl olefins via a Pd(0)‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reaction of biphenyl ketones/aldehydes, tosylhydrazide, and aryl bromides (or benzyl halides) was developed. This methodology was achieved by one‐pot two‐step reactions involving the preparation of N ‐tosylhydrazones by reacting tosylhydrazide with biphenyl ketones/aldehydes, followed by coupling with aryl bromides (or benzyl halides) in the presence of Pd(PPh₃ )₄ and lithium t ‐butoxide to produce various di‐substituted aryl olefins in moderate to good yields.