Selective palladium-catalyzed cocyclotrimerization of arynes with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate: A versatile method for the synthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Benzyne (1a) and the substituted derivatives 4,5-difluorobenzyne (1b) and 3-methoxybenzyne (2) undergo chemoselective palladium-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2]-cocyclotrimerization with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) to afford the corresponding phenanthrenes and/or naphthalenes. The major products are phenanthrenes if Pd(PPh(3))(4) is used as the catalyst, naphthalenes if Pd(2)(dba)(3) is used. When the method is applied to polycyclic arynes 3-6, which are generated from the corresponding o-trimethylsilylaryl triflates, the same reactivity pattern is observed: the reaction can be selectively directed either toward the cocyclization of one molecule of aryne and two molecules of alkyne or to the reaction of two molecules of aryne with one molecule of alkyne, by appropriate choice of the palladium catalyst. The synthesis of polycyclic aromatic compounds 33-39 using this methodology is reported.     

An Improved Procedure for Aryne Generation from o-Triazenylarylboronic Acids through One-Pot Boronate Formation/Silica Gel Treatment

We have developed an improved method for generating aryne from o-triazenylarylboronic acids. Unlike the previous method that required excess o-triazenylarylboronic acids as aryne precursors, we used corresponding boronates as limiting reagents, which resulted in high yields. By combining the formation of boronates and aryne generation through silica gel treatment in one-pot, we were able to effectively use a wide range of o-triazenylarylboronic acids in reactions with various arynophiles. This one-pot method was particularly suitable for transforming complex aryne precursors with different functional groups.     

A 2:1 coupling reaction of arynes with aldehydes via o-quinone methides: straightforward synthesis of 9-arylxanthenes

[reaction: see text] A novel coupling reaction, where an aldehyde and two molar amounts of an aryne are assembled selectively, has been demonstrated to afford diverse 9-arylxanthene derivatives in one step. o-Quinone methide arising from the [2 + 2] cycloaddition of an aldehyde with an aryne was postulated as a transient intermediate.     

Highly selective insertion of arynes into a C(sp)-O(sp3) σ bond

Arynes react with ethoxyacetylene to afford 2-ethoxyethynylaryl derivatives through a highly chemo- and regioselective formal insertion of the aryne into the C(sp)-O(sp(3)) bond of the alkyne. Computational studies suggest that the reaction does not proceed through a mechanism initiated by the nucleophilic addition of the oxygen atom to the aryne as previously proposed but by the addition of the triple bond of the alkyne to the aryne.     

Regioselective Synthesis of 1,2,3,4-Tetrasubstituted Arenes by Vicinal Functionalization of Arynes Derived from Aryl(Mes)iodonium Salts**

Herein, the synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrasubstituted benzenoid rings, motifs found in pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and natural products, is described.^[1] In the past, the regioselective syntheses of such compounds have been a significant challenge. This work reports a method using substituted arynes derived from aryl(Mes)iodonium salts to access a range of densely functionalized 1,2,3,4-tetrasubstituted benzenoid rings. Significantly, it was found that halide substituents are compatible under these conditions, enabling post-synthetic elaboration via palladium-catalyzed coupling. This concise strategy is predicated on two regioselective events: 1) ortho- deprotonation of aryl(Mes)iodonium salts to generate a substituted aryne intermediate, and 2) regioselective trapping of said arynes, thereby improving previously reported reaction conditions to generate arynes at room temperature and in shorter reaction times. Density functional theory (DFT) computations and linear free energy relationship (LFER) analysis suggest the regioselectivity of deprotonation is influenced by both proximal and distal ring substituents on the aryne precursor. A competition experiment further reveals the role of arene substituents on relative reactivity of aryl(Mes)iodoniums as aryne precursors.     

An efficient computational model to predict the synthetic utility of heterocyclic arynes

Think before you act: a computational approach is reported for evaluating the synthetic potential of heterocyclic arynes. Routine and rapid calculations of arene dehydrogenation energies and aryne angle distortion predict the likelihood that a given hetaryne can be generated, as well as the degree of regioselectivity expected in a reaction between a given hetaryne and a nucleophilic trapping agent.     

Synthesis of Stannylated Aryl Imines and Amines via Aryne Insertion Reactions into Sn−N Bonds

The reaction of in situ generated arynes with stannylated imines to provide ortho-stannyl-aniline derivatives is reported. The readily prepared trimethylstannyl benzophenone imine is introduced as an efficient reagent to realize the aryne σ-insertion reaction. The imine functionality is an established N-protecting group and insertions proceed with good yields and good to excellent regioselectivities. The product anilines are valuable starting materials for follow-up chemistry thanks to the rich chemistry offered by the trimethylstannyl moiety.     

Alder-ene reaction of aryne with olefins

A novel intermolecular Alder-ene reaction based on aryne and olefins was developed. We performed this transformation under mild conditions such as at room temperature, and this reaction displayed high selectivity and good yields only in the presence of CsF. Hence, the intermolecular Alder-ene reaction of aryne with olefins provides an effective route to synthesize derivatives of olefins.     

Formation of acridones by ethylene extrusion in the reaction of arynes with β-lactams and dihydroquinolinones

N-Unsubstituted β-lactams react with a molecule of aryne by insertion into the amide bond to form a 2,3-dihydroquinolin-4-one, which subsequently reacts with another molecule of aryne to form an acridone by extrusion of a molecule of ethylene. 2,3-Dihydroquinolin-4-ones react under the same reaction conditions to afford identical results. This is the first example of ethylene extrusion in aryne chemistry.     

Arene Trifunctionalization with Highly Fused Ring Systems through a Domino Aryne Nucleophilic and Diels–Alder Cascade

A convenient and efficient domino aryne process was developed under transition‐metal‐free conditions to generate a range of tetra‐ and pentacyclic ring systems. This transformation was realized via a 1,2‐benzdiyne through a nucleophilic and Diels–Alder reaction cascade using styrene as the diene moiety. Three new chemical bonds, namely one C?N and two C?C bonds, and two benzofused rings could be constructed concomitantly, which was made possible by distinct chemoselective control at both the 1,2‐aryne and 2,3‐aryne stages. Moreover, in‐depth studies were carried out on the domino aryne precursors and controlling the diastereoselectivity.     

Boryl (Hetero)aryne Precursors as Versatile Arylation Reagents: Synthesis through CH Activation and Orthogonal Reactivity

(Pinacolato)boryl ortho‐silyl(hetero)aryl triflates are presented as a new class of building blocks for arylation. They demonstrate unique versatility by delivering boronate or (hetero)aryne reactivity chemoselectively in a broad range of transformations. This approach enables the unprecedented postfunctionalization of fluoride‐activated (hetero)aryne precursors, for example, as substrates in transition‐metal catalysis, and offers valuable new possibilities for aryl boronate postfunctionalization without the use of specialized protecting groups.     

Boryl (Hetero)aryne Precursors as Versatile Arylation Reagents: Synthesis through C?H Activation and Orthogonal Reactivity

(Pinacolato)boryl ortho‐silyl(hetero)aryl triflates are presented as a new class of building blocks for arylation. They demonstrate unique versatility by delivering boronate or (hetero)aryne reactivity chemoselectively in a broad range of transformations. This approach enables the unprecedented postfunctionalization of fluoride‐activated (hetero)aryne precursors, for example, as substrates in transition‐metal catalysis, and offers valuable new possibilities for aryl boronate postfunctionalization without the use of specialized protecting groups.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed C?S Activation/Aryne Insertion/Coupling Sequence: Synthesis of Functionalized 2‐Quinolinones

The insertion of an aryne into a C S bond can suppress the addition of an S nucleophile to the aryne in the presence of palladium. Catalyzed by Pd(OAc)₂, a wide range of α‐carbamoyl ketene dithioacetals readily react with arynes to selectively afford functionalized 2‐quinolinones in high yields under neutral reaction conditions by a C S activation/aryne insertion/intramolecular coupling sequence. The attractive feature of the new strategy also lies in the versatile transformations of the alkythio‐substituted quinolinone products.     

A Selective C−H Deprotonation Strategy to Access Functionalized Arynes by Using Hypervalent Iodine

Described here is an efficient method to access highly functionalized arynes from unsymmetrical aryl(mesityl)iodonium tosylate salts. The iodonium salts are prepared in a single pot from either commercially available aryl iodides or arylboronic acids. The aryne intermediates are generated by ortho‐C?H deprotonation of aryl(mesityl)iodonium salt with a commercially available amide base and trapped in a cycloaddition reaction with furan in moderate to good yields. Coupling partners for the aryne intermediates beyond furan are also described, including benzyl azide and alicyclic amine nucleophiles. The regio‐ and chemoselectivity of this reaction is discussed and evidence for the spectator aryl ligand of the iodonium salt as a critical control element in selectivity is presented.     

A practical and general diels-alder reaction of pentafulvenes with arynes

A high-yielding, versatile and practical Diels-Alder reaction of pentafulvenes with arynes under mild reaction conditions is reported. The aryne generated by the fluoride induced 1,2-elimination of 2-(trimethylsilyl)aryl triflates undergoes efficient cycloaddition with 6-substituted and 6,6-disubstituted pentafulvenes leading to the formation of benzonorbornadiene derivatives.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed CS Activation/Aryne Insertion/Coupling Sequence: Synthesis of Functionalized 2‐Quinolinones

The insertion of an aryne into a C? S bond can suppress the addition of an S nucleophile to the aryne in the presence of palladium. Catalyzed by Pd(OAc)₂, a wide range of α‐carbamoyl ketene dithioacetals readily react with arynes to selectively afford functionalized 2‐quinolinones in high yields under neutral reaction conditions by a C? S activation/aryne insertion/intramolecular coupling sequence. The attractive feature of the new strategy also lies in the versatile transformations of the alkythio‐substituted quinolinone products.     

Palladium catalyzed annulation of benzylamines and arynes via C–H activation to construct 5,6-dihydrophenanthridine derivatives

An efficient and versatile strategy employing palladium catalyst to synthesize 5,6-dihydrophenanthridine derivatives by annulation of benzylamines and arynes through C–H activation has been reported. This is promising one pot methodology which includes the use of Kobayashi's aryne precursor to construct plethora of 5,6-dihydrophenanthridine derivatives in moderate to good yield.     

A facile N-arylation of acetanilides with arynes

An efficient, mild and transition-metal-free method for the N-arylation of acetanilides, leading to a range of unsymmetrical diarylamine products is reported. Reactions of ortho-silylaryl triflates with acetanilides in the presence of tetrabutylammonium triphenyldifluorosilicate (TBAT) in toluene afforded the desired products in good to excellent yields. Regioselectivity was also observed when unsymmetrical aryne precursors were used.     

The reaction of intermediate zirconocene-aryne complexes with CH bonds in the thermolysis of diarylzirconocenes

Upon thermolysis in aromatic hydrocarbon solvents diarylzirconocenes undergo successive replacement of their σ-bonded ligands by aryl groups from the solvent. Analysis of the product mixture by photochemical degradation to biphenyls reveals that intermediate aryne zirconocene complexes are formed which then react with the solvent with CH bond fission and formation of new ZrC bonds. A β-hydride elimination process can be excluded for the formation of the aryne complexes and it is suggested that they are formed via abstraction of an ortho proton from one of the aryl ligands by the other σ-bonded group.     

4,5-dehydro- and 4,5,15,16-bis(dehydro)octafluoro[2.2]paracyclophanes: facile generation and extraordinary Diels-Alder reactivity

Dehydroiodination of 4-iodo- and 4,15-diiodo-1,1,2,2,9,9,10,10-octafluoro[2.2]paracyclophane by treatment with KO(t)Bu in the presence of benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, and [2.2]paracyclophane affords each of the corresponding Diels-Alder mono- and bis-cycloadducts derived from the presumed aryne intermediates in high yield. Monoadducts of t-butylbenzene and furan are also obtained in excellent yield. All of the products were characterized by their NMR spectra, with four of them also being confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The extraordinary selectivity/reactivity of the aryne intermediate is discussed.