The 9H‐9‐Borafluorene Dianion: A Surrogate for Elusive Diarylboryl Anion Nucleophiles

Double reduction of the THF adduct of 9H‐9‐borafluorene ( 1 ?THF) with excess alkali metal affords the dianion salts M₂[ 1 ] in essentially quantitative yields (M=Li–K). Even though the added charge is stabilized through π delocalization, [ 1 ]^2? acts as a formal boron nucleophile toward organoboron ( 1 ?THF) and tetrel halide electrophiles (MeCl, Et₃SiCl, Me₃SnCl) to form B?B/C/Si/Sn bonds. The substrate dependence of open‐shell versus closed‐shell pathways has been investigated.     

Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Alkenylation–Annulation of closo‐Dodecaborate Anions through Double B−H Activation at Room Temperature

1,2,3‐Trisubstituted closo‐dodecaborates with B?O, B?N, and B?C bonds as well as a fused borane oxazole ring have been synthesized by rhodium‐catalyzed direct cage B?H alkenylation and annulation of ureido boranes in the first reported example of regioselective B?H bond functionalization of the [B₁₂H₁₂]^2? cage by transition‐metal catalysis. This reaction proceeded at room temperature under ambient conditions and exhibited excellent selectivity for efficient monoalkenylation with good functional‐group tolerance. The urea moiety enabled B?H activation by acting as a directing group, was incorporated in the oxazole ring in situ, and also avoided multiple alkenylation. A possible mechanism is proposed on the basis of the isolation of a rhodium agostic intermediate and control experiments.     

Bismuth Undecahydro‐closo‐dodecaborane: A Retainable Intermediate of B−H Bond Activation by Bismuth(III) Cations

The [B₁₂H₁₂]^2? anion shows an extensive substitutional chemistry based on its three‐dimensional aromaticity. The replacement of functional groups can be attained by electrophilically induced substitution caused by Brønsted or Lewis acidic electrophiles (e.g. Pt²⁺). Until now, it was impossible to structurally characterize a metal‐substituted [B₁₂H₁₂]^2? cage. When an aqueous solution containing both Bi³⁺ cations and [B₁₂H₁₂]^2? anions was heated, the charge‐neutral bismuth undecahydro‐closo‐dodecaborane BiB₁₂H₁₁ was obtained, representing a new class of metalated [B₁₂H₁₂]^2? clusters. The title compound was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopic methods. Compared to the typical B?H bond, the short B?Bi single bond (230 pm) exhibits inverted polarity.     

Intermolecular Amination of Unactivated C(sp3)−H Bonds with Cyclic Alkylamines: Formation of C(sp3)−N Bonds through Copper/Oxygen‐Mediated C(sp3)−H/N−H Activation

The first example of intermolecular amination of unactivated C(sp³)?H bonds by cyclic alkylamines mediated by Cu(OAc)₂/O₂ is reported. This method avoids the use of benzoyloxyamines as the aminating reagent, which are normally prepared from alkylamines in extra steps. A variety of unnatural β^{2, 2}‐amino acid analogues are synthesized by this simple and efficient procedure. This approach offers a solution to the previous unmet challenge of C(sp³)?H/N?H activation for the formation of C(sp³)?N bonds.     

Homolytic Cleavage of a B−B Bond by the Cooperative Catalysis of Two Lewis Bases: Computational Design and Experimental Verification

Density functional theory (DFT) investigations revealed that 4‐cyanopyridine was capable of homolytically cleaving the B?B σ bond of diborane via the cooperative coordination to the two boron atoms of the diborane to generate pyridine boryl radicals. Our experimental verification provides supportive evidence for this new B?B activation mode. With this novel activation strategy, we have experimentally realized the catalytic reduction of azo‐compounds to hydrazine derivatives, deoxygenation of sulfoxides to sulfides, and reduction of quinones with B₂(pin)₂ at mild conditions.     

Total Synthesis of (+/−)‐Frondosin B and (+/−)‐5‐epi‐Liphagal by Using a Concise (4+3) Cycloaddition Approach

A recently developed (4+3) cycloaddition between dienes and furfuryl alcohols, as precursors of oxyallyl‐type cations, has been used as a key step in the racemic syntheses of two natural products: frondosin B and liphagal. This work demonstrates the synthetic potential of this cycloaddition reaction, and offers a short synthetic route to an interesting family of natural products. A full account of these synthetic studies is presented, further illustrating the mechanism, scope, and limitations of this straightforward synthetic method for seven‐membered rings.     

Highly Stereoselective Cobalt(III)‐Catalyzed Three‐Component C−H Bond Addition Cascade

A highly stereoselective three‐component C(sp²)?H bond addition across alkene and polarized π‐bonds is reported for which Co^III catalysis was shown to be much more effective than Rh^III. The reaction proceeds at ambient temperature with both aryl and alkyl enones employed as efficient coupling partners. Moreover, the reaction exhibits extremely broad scope with respect to the aldehyde input; electron rich and poor aromatic, alkenyl, and branched and unbranched alkyl aldehydes all couple in good yield and with high diastereoselectivity. Multiple directing groups participate in this transformation, including pyrazole, pyridine, and imine functional groups. Both aromatic and alkenyl C(sp²)?H bonds undergo the three‐component addition cascade, and the alkenyl addition product can readily be converted into diastereomerically pure five‐membered lactones. Additionally, the first asymmetric reactions with Co^III‐catalyzed C?H functionalization are demonstrated with three‐component C?H bond addition cascades employing N‐tert‐butanesulfinyl imines. These examples represent the first transition metal catalyzed C?H bond additions to N‐tert‐butanesulfinyl imines, which are versatile and extensively used intermediates for the asymmetric synthesis of amines.     

Synthesis of the First Example of the 12‐Vertex‐closo/12‐Vertex‐nido Biscarborane Cluster by a Metal‐Free B−H Activation at a Phosphorus(III) Center

An unusual 12‐vertex‐closo‐C₂B₁₀/12‐vertex‐nido‐C₂B₁₀ biscarborane cluster was synthesized through an unprecedented regioselective metal‐free B?H activation by a sterically hindered P^III center under mild conditions accompanied by cage‐opening rearrangement. A combination of the electron‐accepting properties of a carborane cage and steric enforcement of close interatomic contacts represent a new synthetic strategy for the activation of strong B?H bonds in carboranes.     

The Mixed-Valent (μ-Nitrido)dimanganese Complex Anion [(CN)5MnV(μ-N)MnII(CN)5]6−

Localized valencies are displayed by the Mn^V–Mn^II complex ion 1 . This is the key finding from X-ray structure analysis, as well as vibrational and EPR spectroscopic invesigations on 1 obtained by the reaction of manganese(II ) and [Mn^v(N)(CN)₅]³⁻ salts in aqueous 1 M NaCN solution. Remarkably, the asymmetry is induced by the nitrogen atom bridge.     

Hydroarylation of 2‐Aryloxybut‐1‐en‐3‐ynes via Pd/Acid‐Catalyzed C−H Bond Activation: A Concise Synthesis of 2,3‐Bismethylene‐2,3‐dihydrobenzofurans

An intramolecular exo ‐hydroarylation of 2‐aryloxy‐1,4‐disilylbut‐1‐en‐3‐ynes via ortho ‐C−H bond activation under palladium(0) and acid catalysis was found to give 2,3‐bis(silylmethylidene)‐2,3‐dihydrobenzofurans. The two silyl groups present probably promoted the reaction and played a key role in stabilizing the diene moiety in the product. The products readily led to functionalized condensed cycles by a Diels–Alder reaction.     

Cp*CoIII‐Catalyzed C(sp3)−H Bond Amidation of 8‐Methylquinoline

An efficient and external oxidant‐free, Cp*Co^III‐catalyzed C(sp³)?H bond amidation of 8‐methylquinoline, using oxazolone as an efficient amidating agent, is reported for the first time under mild conditions. The reaction is selective and tolerates a variety of functional groups. Based on previous reports and experimental results, the deprotonation pathway proceeds through an external base‐assisted concerted metalation and deprotonation process.     

Confirmed by X‐ray Crystallography: The B⋅B One‐Electron σ Bond

Is one electron sufficient to bring about significant σ bonding between two atoms? The chemist’s view on the chemical bond is usually tied to the concept of shared electron pairs, and not too much experimental evidence exists to challenge this firm belief. Whilst species with the unusual one‐electron σ‐bonding motif between homonuclear atoms have so far been identified mainly by spectroscopic evidence, we present herein the first crystallographic characterization, augmented by a detailed quantum‐chemical validation, for a radical anion featuring a B?B one‐electron‐two‐center σ bond.     

Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of Homopropargylallene‐Alkynes through C(sp3)−C(sp) Bond Activation

Upon exposure to a catalytic amount of [RhCl(CO)₂]₂ in 1,4‐dioxane, homopropargylallene‐alkynes underwent a novel cycloisomerization accompanied by the migration of the alkyne moiety of the homopropargyl functional group to produce six/five/five tricyclic compounds in good yields. A plausible mechanism was proposed on the basis of an experiment with ¹³C‐labeled substrate. The resulting tricyclic derivatives were further converted into the corresponding bicyclo[3.3.0] skeletons with vicinal cis dihydroxy groups.     

Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Redox‐Neutral Coupling of α‐Trifluoromethylacrylic Acid with Benzamides through Directed C−H Bond Cleavage

A rhodium(III)‐catalyzed redox‐neutral coupling of α‐trifluoromethylacrylic acid with bezamides proceeds smoothly accompanied by amide‐directed C?H bond cleavage to produce β‐[2‐(aminocarbonyl)phenyl]‐α‐trifluoromethylpropanoic acid derivatives. One of the products can be transformed to a trifluoromethyl substituted heterocyclic compound. In addition, the redox‐neutral coupling of α‐trifluoromethylacrylic acid with related aromatic substrates possessing a nitrogen‐containing directing group can also be conducted under similar conditions.     

B3LYP density functional study on spectroscopic properties of CuO− and CuS−

Spectroscopic constant and molecular properties of CuO^? and CuS^? in their ground state were studied in detail using hybrid the HF/DF B3LYP density functional method. Four basis sets of Cu, one of them fully uncontracted, were used for this calculation. The basis sets for O and S are correlation consistent basis sets. The basis sets were developed systematically in order to see the effect of basis sets on the spectroscopic properties and also to check the consistency of the calculated properties. The B3LYP spectroscopic properties of CuO^? agree very well with the only available experimental values. Most of the spectroscopic properties of CuO^? and particularly those of CuS^? are reported for the first time. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Ruthenium(II)‐Catalyzed Traceless C−H Functionalization Using an N−N Bond as an Internal Oxidant

A previously elusive Ru^II‐catalyzed N?N bond‐based traceless C?H functionalization strategy is reported. An N‐amino (i.e., hydrazine) group is used for the directed C?H functionalization with either an alkyne or an alkene, affording an indole derivative or olefination product. The synthesis features a broad substrate scope, superior atom and step economy, as well as mild reaction conditions.     

B(C6F5)3‐Catalyzed Tandem Friedel‐Crafts and C−H/C−O Coupling Reactions of Dialkylanilines

Tandem Friedel‐Crafts (FC) and C?H/C?O coupling reactions catalyzed by tris(pentafluorophenyl) borane (B(C₆F₅)₃) were achieved without using any other additive in the absence of solvent. This process can be used for the reactions between a series of dialkylanilines and vinyl ethers with good isolated yields of bis(4‐dialkylaminophenyl) compounds. Based on combined theoretical and experimental studies, the possible reaction mechanism was proposed. B(C₆F₅)₃ can activate the C=C and C?O bond for FC and C?H/C?O coupling reactions respectively. The FC reaction is slow, which is followed by a fast C?H/C?O coupling.     

Mechanochemical Iridium(III)‐Catalyzed C−H Bond Amidation of Benzamides with Sulfonyl Azides under Solvent‐Free Conditions in a Ball Mill

Mechanochemical conditions have been applied to an iridium(III)‐catalyzed C?H bond amidation process for the first time. In the absence of solvent, the mechanochemical activation enables the formation of an iridium species that catalyzes the ortho‐selective amidation of benzamides with sulfonyl azides as the nitrogen source. As the reaction proceeds in the absence of organic solvents without external heating and yields the desired products in excellent yields within short reaction times, this method constitutes a powerful, fast, and environmentally benign alternative to the common solvent‐based standard approaches.