Synthesis of Polybenzoacenes: Annulative Dimerization of Phenylene Triflate by Twofold C−H Activation

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent an emerging class of π-conjugated molecules in the area of optoelectronic devices and materials. Unprecedented synthetic routes to various PAHs from simple phenol derivatives by a palladium-catalyzed annulative dimerization of phenylene triflate through twofold inter- and intramolecular C−H activation have been established. The initially formed partially fused PAHs can be smoothly transformed into a variety of fully fused PAHs by the Scholl reaction. Furthermore, the reactions of phenanthrene-substituted aryl triflates proceeded regioselectively. The findings inspired the development of a rapid and efficient synthesis of polybenzoacene derivatives. This study not only allows transformation of phenyl triflates, but also discloses a new retrosynthetic strategy towards PAHs, especially polybenzoacenes.     

Palladium-Catalyzed Skeletal Rearrangement of Substituted 2-Silylaryl Triflates via 1,5-C−Pd/C−Si Bond Exchange

A palladium-catalyzed skeletal rearrangement of 2-(2-allylarylsilyl)aryl triflates has been developed to give highly fused tetrahydrophenanthrosilole derivatives via unprecedented 1,5-C−Pd/C−Si bond exchange. The reaction pathways can be switched toward 4-membered ring-forming C(sp²)−H alkylation by tuning the reaction conditions to give completely different products, fused dihydrodibenzosilepin derivatives, from the same starting materials. The inspection of the reaction conditions revealed the importance of carboxylates in promoting the C−Pd/C−Si bond exchange.     

Synthesis of Phenalenyl‐Fused Pyrylium Cations: Divergent C−H Activation/Annulation Reaction Sequence of Naphthalene Aldehydes with Alkynes

Described herein is the synthesis of stable oxonium‐doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by the rhodium‐catalyzed C−H activation/annulations of naphthalene‐type aldehydes with internal alkynes. This protocol provides four divergent reaction types, including two unexpected annulations with an oxygen transposition process, which lead to diverse types of phenalenyl‐fused pyrylium cations comprising a four‐, five‐, or six‐ring‐fused π‐conjugated core. The annulations exhibit an exquisite regioselectivity and a high tolerance of sensitive functional groups. These PAHs feature intriguing photophysical properties such as full‐color tunable fluorescence emission, high quantum yield, and positively charged core, and can be reduced easily to the phenalenyl radicals.     

π‐Extended Star‐Shaped Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons based on Fused Truxenes: Synthesis,Self‐Assembly,and Facilely Tunable Emission Properties

A new set of star‐shaped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) based on naphthalene‐fused truxenes, TrNaCn (n=1–4), were synthesized and characterized. The synthesis involved a microwave‐assisted six‐fold Suzuki coupling reaction, followed by oxidative cyclodehydrogenation. Multiple dehydrocyclization products could be effectively isolated in a single reaction, thus suggesting that the oxidative cyclodehydrogenation reaction involved a stepwise ring‐closing process. The thermal, optical, and electrochemical properties and the self‐assembly behavior of the resulting oxidized samples were investigated to understand the impact of the ring‐fusing process on the properties of the star‐shaped PAHs. Distinct bathochromic shift of the absorption maxima (λ_max) revealed that the molecular conjugation extended with the stepwise ring‐closing reactions. The optical band‐gap energy of these PAHs varied significantly on increasing the number of fused rings, thereby resulting in readily tunable emissive properties of the resultant star‐shaped PAHs. Interestingly, the generation of rigid “arms” by using perylene analogues caused TrNaC2 and TrNaC3 to show significantly enhanced photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) in solution (η=0.65 and 0.66, respectively) in comparison with those of TrNa and TrNaC1 (η=0.08 and 0.16, respectively). Owing to strong intermolecular interactions, the TrNa precursor was able to self‐assemble into rod‐like microcrystals, which could be facilely identified by the naked eye, whilst TrNaC1 self‐assembled into nanosheets once the naphthalene rings had fused. This study offers a unique platform to gain further insight into—and a better understanding of—the photophysical and self‐assembly properties of π‐extended star‐shaped PAHs.     

Palladium-catalyzed C-P coupling reactions between vinyl triflates and phosphine-boranes: efficient access to vinylphosphine-boranes

Vinylphosphine-borane complexes are easily synthesized by palladium-catalyzed C-P cross-coupling of vinyl triflates with secondary phosphine-boranes. This method allows the synthesis of phosphine derivatives not always easily accessible by other approaches. The vinylphosphine derivatives are purified by chromatography on silica gel. The versatility of the method is proved by using various triflates and diaryl-, dialkyl- and alkylarylphosphine-borane precursors. Chiral enantiopure phosphine-boranes are synthesized from chiral triflates.     

Rapid Access to Nanographenes and Fused Heteroaromatics by Palladium‐Catalyzed Annulative π‐Extension Reaction of Unfunctionalized Aromatics with Diiodobiaryls

Efficient and rapid access to nanographenes and π‐extended fused heteroaromatics is important in materials science. Herein, we report a palladium‐catalyzed efficient one‐step annulative π‐extension (APEX) reaction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heteroaromatics, producing various π‐extended aromatics. In the presence of a cationic Pd complex, triflic acid, silver pivalate, and diiodobiaryls, diverse unfunctionalized PAHs and heteroaromatics were directly transformed into larger PAHs, nanographenes, and π‐extended fused heteroaromatics in a single step. In the reactions that afford [5]helicene substructures, simultaneous dehydrogenative ring closures occur at the fjord regions to form unprecedented larger nanographenes. This successive APEX reaction is notable as it stiches five aryl–aryl bonds by C−H functionalization in a single operation. Moreover, the unique molecular structures, crystal‐packing structures, photophysical properties, and frontier molecular orbitals of the thus‐formed nanographenes were elucidated.     

Synthesis of Multiply Substituted Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Iridium‐Catalyzed Annulation of Ring‐Fused Benzocyclobutenol with Alkyne through C−C Bond Cleavage

The first iridium‐catalyzed intermolecular cyclization between alkynes and ring‐fused benzocyclobutenols (RBCB) through C?C bond cleavage is described. A variety of elusive polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with multiple substituents are obtained in good yields under mild conditions. This procedure provides a unique and expeditious tool for the synthesis of PAHs.     

Reaction of α,β‐unsaturated ketones with cerium(IV) salts in alcohol

Reaction of α,β‐unsaturated ketones with cerium(IV) salts or lanthanide triflates in alcohols gave good yields of the corresponding β‐alkoxy compounds. In the case of 2‐cyclopentenone and 2‐cyclohexenone, the 1,1,3‐trialkoxy acetal derivatives were obtained preferentially accompanied by β‐alkoxyketone, except 2‐cycloheptenone. However, in the reaction of 2‐cycloheptenone with alcohol using cerium(IV) sulfate (CS)‐molecular sieve, 1,1,3‐trialkoxy derivatives were obtained. Also, in the cases of 1‐penten‐3‐one, 4‐hexen‐3‐one and 3‐hepten‐2‐one, 1,1,3‐trialkoxy derivatives were obtained preferentially. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Zirconacyclopentadiene‐Annulated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Syntheses of large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and graphene nanostructures demand methods that are capable of selectively and efficiently fusing large numbers of aromatic rings, yet such methods remain scarce. Herein, we report a new approach that is based on the quantitative intramolecular reductive cyclization of an oligo(diyne) with a low‐valent zirconocene reagent, which gives a PAH with one or more annulated zirconacyclopentadienes (ZrPAHs). The efficiency of this process is demonstrated by a high‐yielding fivefold intramolecular coupling to form a helical ZrPAH with 16 fused rings (from a precursor with no fused rings). Several other PAH topologies are also reported. Protodemetalation of the ZrPAHs allowed full characterization (including by X‐ray crystallography) of PAHs containing one or more appended dienes with the ortho‐quinodimethane (o‐QDM) structure, which are usually too reactive for isolation and are potentially valuable for the fusion of additional rings by Diels–Alder reactions.     

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.     

Chemoselective Aromatic Azido Reduction with Concomitant Aliphatic Azide Employing Al/Gd Triflates/NaI and ESI‐MS Mechanistic Studies

Aluminium and gadolinium triflates catalyze the chemoselective reduction of aromatic azides to the corresponding amines in combination with sodium iodide. This mild chemoselective method has been applied to the synthesis of various aryl amines, C2‐azido‐substituted pyrrolo[2,1‐c][1,4]benzodiazepines, and fused[2,1‐b]quinazolinones by an intramolecular azido reduction tandem cyclization reaction. Interestingly, this methodology selectively reduces aryl azides with enhanced yields and proceeds in shorter reaction times than previous strategies. The mechanistic aspects have been investigated and the intermediates associated with this selective transformation have been intercepted and characterized by online monitoring of the reaction by ESI‐MS.     

What is necessary for next‐generation atmospheric environmental standards? Recent research trends for PM2.5‐bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives

The air pollution associated with PM_2.5 kills 7 million people every year in the world, especially threatening the health of children in developing countries. However, the current air quality standards depend mainly on particle size. PM_2.5 contains many carcinogenic/mutagenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their derivatives such as nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and oxygenated PAHs. Among them, environmental standards and guidelines have been set for benzo[a]pyrene by few countries and international organizations. Recent research reports showed that these pollutants are linked to diseases other than lungs, and new methods have been developed for determining trace levels of not only PAHs but also their derivatives. It is time to think about the next‐generation environmental standards. This article aims to (a) describe recent studies on the health effects of PAHs and their derivatives other than cancer, (b) describe new analytical methods for PAH derivatives, and (c) discuss the targets for the next‐generation standards.     

Synthesis and Properties of a New Class of Fully Conjugated Azahexacene Analogues

Acenes are a traditional class of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which attracted considerable interest during the last decade because of their outstanding p‐channel semiconductor properties. More recently, N‐heteroacenes have been prepared. These molecules have been shown to be more stable and can exhibit n‐channel semiconductor properties. Inspired by these archetype PAHs, we synthesized a novel class of highly persistent azahexacene analogues 3 a – d . These molecules are composed of a core of four fused five‐membered rings derived from their respective diketopyrrolopyrroles. These new π‐conjugated scaffolds show broad and intense absorption in the visible region and possess low‐lying HOMO and LUMO levels, leading to much better stability compared to that of acenes and most heteroacenes.     

Synthesis of 3,4‐Fused Tricyclic Indoles Using 3‐Alkylidene Indolines as Versatile Precursors

In this personal account, our recent studies of novel synthetic methods of 3,4‐fused tricyclic indole derivatives using 3‐alkylidene indoline derivatives as versatile precursors are discussed. Two types of cascade reactions producing 3,4‐fused tricyclic 3‐alkylidene indolines were developed based on a palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular Heck insertion to an allene‐allylic amination cascade and a platinum‐catalyzed intramolecular Friedel‐Crafts type C?H coupling‐allylic amination cascade. Furthermore, three types of 3,4‐fused tricyclic indoles were accessible from a single 3‐alkylidene indoline precursor via acid‐promoted olefin isomerization or oxidative treatments. The application of the developed methods to the synthesis of natural products bearing a 3,4‐fused tricyclic indole skeleton, (?)‐aurantioclavine, fargesine, and synthetic studies of dragmacidin E are also highlighted.     

Expedient synthesis of highly substituted fused heterocoumarins

[reaction: see text] Highly substituted fused coumarins can be prepared in two steps starting from the appropriate boronic acids and enol triflates. The synthesis of fused pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7-one (1) is a key example to demonstrate the potential of the method in the elaboration of new coumarin scaffolds.     

Synthesis of Cyclic Alkenyl Triflates by a Cationic Cyclization Reaction and its Application in Biomimetic Polycyclizations and Synthesis of Terpenes

Cyclic alkenyl triflates are useful intermediates in organic synthesis usually synthesized from ketones through a reaction involving enolization and trapping with a triflating agent. This sequence suffers from some stereochemical drawbacks owing to the basic conditions required. Herein, we describe a new acid‐mediated cationic cyclization reaction of enyne derivatives (or alkynols) to access cyclic alkenyl triflates. This new atom‐economical process is high yielding, scalable, technically very simple, proceeds without the need of any metallic reagent or catalyst, and more importantly, it complements and challenges conventional methodologies. We have also developed new biomimetic cationic cyclization reactions to yield interesting polycyclic compounds. As a demonstration of the potential of this method in the context of total synthesis, we have synthesized two terpenes: austrodoral and pallescensin A. Using the cationic cyclization in the key step of the synthetic routes allowed the synthesis of these natural products in a very simple, concise, scalable, and efficient way.     

Synthesis of Monothiomalonates – Versatile Thioester Enolate Equivalents for C–C Bond Formations

Monothiomalonates (MTM s) are surrogates of thioester enolates that allow for stereoselective C–C bond formations under mild conditions and thereby afford access to synthetically versatile thioester derivatives. Here we present a straightforward synthetic route to MTM s that proceeds through nucleophilic ring‐opening of Meldrum 's acid derivatives followed by O‐alkylation of the resulting malonic acid half thioesters with alkyl triflates or acetimidates as electrophiles. The method affords MTM s in overall yields of 34 – 92% and allows for variations of the oxo‐ and thioester moieties as well as the substituent at the C(α ) position.     

A Simple Extraction Method for Determination of High Molecular Weight Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sediments by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

A simplified extraction method was developed for extracting high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from river sediments. The samples were extracted 3 times with 5 mL of solvent (toluene:methanol, 9 : 1, v/v) at 100 °C, 10 minutes for each extraction. After clean‐up and concentration, extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometer (GC‐MS). The extraction efficiency and accuracy was evaluated by the standard reference material (SRM‐1941b). Comparing to certified values, the average recoveries of high molecular weight PAHs with 3, 4, 5 and 6 fused benzene rings were 72.9∼113.2 % (R.S.D. 2.3∼6.3 %) except those of dibenz[a,h]anthracene (206.2±4.6 %). The average recoveries for PAHs spiked sediment samples were comparable with accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and Soxhlet methods. The simple extraction method consumes less solvent, fewer amount of sample than those of conventional methods. The lowest quantitation limit of PAHs is 1.1 μg/kg.     

Visible‐Light‐Promoted Nickel‐ and Organic‐Dye‐Cocatalyzed Formylation Reaction of Aryl Halides and Triflates and Vinyl Bromides with Diethoxyacetic Acid as a Formyl Equivalent

A simple formylation reaction of aryl halides, aryl triflates, and vinyl bromides under synergistic nickel‐ and organic‐dye‐mediated photoredox catalysis is reported. Distinct from widely used palladium‐catalyzed formylation processes, this reaction proceeds by a two‐step mechanistic sequence involving initial in situ generation of the diethoxymethyl radical from diethoxyacetic acid by a 4CzIPN‐mediated photoredox reaction. The formyl‐radical equivalent then undergoes nickel‐catalyzed substitution reactions with aryl halides and triflates and vinyl bromides to form the corresponding aldehyde products. Significantly, besides aryl bromides, less reactive aryl chlorides and triflates and vinyl halides serve as effective substrates for this process. Since the mild conditions involved in this reaction tolerate a plethora of functional groups, the process can be applied to the efficient preparation of diverse aromatic aldehydes.     

Preparation and Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions of tetrahydropyridine-2-boronic acid pinacol esters

[reaction: see text] A study on the conversion of lactam-derived vinyl triflates and phosphates into the corresponding vinyl boronates was carried out. While delta-valerolactam-derived vinyl triflates were successfully converted into 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridine-2-boronic acid pinacol ester derivatives by Pd-catalyzed coupling reaction with both bis(pinacolato)diboron and pinacolborane, pyrrolidinone and epsilon-caprolactam derivatives either did not react or were readily reduced. The delta-valerolactam-derived vinyl boronates are thermally stable compounds that efficiently coupled, under Pd catalysis, with structurally diverse aryl and heteroaryl bromides and triflates, vinyl iodides and bromides, and aromatic acid chlorides, to give the corresponding 2-substituted piperidines in good to excellent yields. The number of electrophiles that can virtually be coupled with these new boronic esters makes them very useful reagents for the synthesis of N-heterocyclic compounds.