Directly Bridging Indoles to 3,3′‐Bisindolylmethanes by Using Carboxylic Acids and Hydrosilanes under Mild Conditions

A straightforward Lewis acid‐promoted protocol for 3,3′‐bisindolylmethanes (BIMs) synthesis by reductive alkylation of indoles at the C3 position with carboxylic acids in the presence of hydrosilane was developed for the first time. Instead of aldehydes, more readily available, stable, and easy‐to‐handle carboxylic acids have been employed as alternative alkylating agents. As an efficient organocatalyst, B(C₆F₅)₃ enables the reductive alkylation of various substituted indole derivatives with carboxylic acids with up to 98 % yield at room temperature and under neat conditions. This metal‐free strategy offers an alternative approach for the direct functionalization of indoles to BIMs with carboxylic acids and such protocol allows selective reduction of carboxylic acid to aldehyde in combination with C−C bond formation.     

Synthesis of trisubstituted alkenes by reductive dehydroxylation of Baylis-Hillman adducts using polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) and catalytic B(C6F5)3

B(C₆F₅)₃ as a catalyst and polymethylhydrosiloxane as a hydride source have been employed for the reductive dehydroxylation of Baylis-Hillman adducts wherein the hydride adds in an S_N2′ manner onto the unactivated allyl alcohol moiety with concomitant elimination of the hydroxy group along with double bond migration. The products formed were found to be E in the case of ester adducts and Z in the case of nitrile adducts.     

An efficient synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles via B(C6F5)3 catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition of nitriles and sodium azide

A simple and efficient protocol is developed for the synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazole derivatives from various nitriles and sodium azide (NaN₃) via [3+2] cycloaddition reaction using B(C₆F₅)₃ as a catalyst. The present synthetic method displayed significant advantages such as low catalyst loading, mild reaction conditions, low toxicity, easy work-up, high yields, and compatibility with other functional groups.     

Synthesis and reactivity of [N(C6H4Br)3][B(C6F5)4]: the X-ray crystal structure of [Fe(C5H5)2][B(C6F5)4]

A new chemical oxidant [N(4-C₆H₄Br)₃][B(C₆F₅)₄], was prepared and used to synthesize [Fe(C₅H₅)₂][B(C₆F₅)₄]. The crystal structure of [Fe(C₅H₅)₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] was determined.     

Role of B(C6F5)3 in activating the nickel-methyl complex (η-C5H5)Ni(CH3)(PPh3) to initiate the vinyl polymerization of norbornene

The Ni-methyl complex (η⁵-C₅H₅)Ni(CH₃)(PPh₃) (1) reacted with B(C₆F₅)₃ to give an unstable contact ion-pair complex with a μ-methyl bridge between the Ni and B atoms. Formation of the B-CH₃ bond was confirmed by the reaction of this complex with PPh₃ to give [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ni(PPh₃)₂][B(CH₃)(C₆F₅)₃] which was structurally characterized. Spontaneous decomposition of the contact ion-pair complex yielded (η⁵-C₅H₅)Ni(C₆F₅)(PPh₃) which is very stable and does not show any reactions with norbornene with or without added B(C₆F₅)₃. ¹⁹F NMR study showed that the polynorbornene obtained by the catalysis of 1/B(C₆F₅)₃ system has the C₆F₅ end-group. A series of reactions, which includes CH₃/C₆F₅ exchange between the Ni and B centers with concomitant dissociation of PPh₃ to accept coordination of a norbornene monomer, is proposed as the route to active species that can initiate vinyl polymerization of norbornene.     

B(C6F5)3-catalyzed metal-free hydrogenations of 2-quinolinecarboxylates

A metal-free hydrogenation of 2-quinolinecarboxylates has been realized by using 5?mol% of B(C₆F₅)₃ as catalyst. A variety of tetrahydroquinolines were obtained in 57–99% yields. An attempt for the asymmetric hydrogenation with chiral boron Lewis acids generated from chiral dienes afforded very low ee’s.     

A general method for C3 reductive alkylation of indoles

General indole C₃ reductive alkylation conditions have been developed. The scope of this reaction includes C₂ unsubstituted indoles, aryl and alkyl aldehydes, as well as N-H and N-alkyl indole substrates.     

Reductive etherification of carbonyl compounds with alkyl trimethylsilylethers using polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) and catalytic B(C6F5)3

A facile synthesis of symmetrical and unsymmetrical ethers is achieved by reductive coupling of carbonyl compounds with alkoxysilanes. This reaction is performed using inert polymethylhydrosiloxane as the hydride source and B(C₆F₅)₃ as the catalytic activator of the PMHS.     

B(C6F5)3-catalyzed oxidative deamination/cyclization cascade reaction of benzylamines and ketones for the synthesis of 2,4,6-triarylpyridines

The B(C₆F₅)₃-catalyzed oxidative deamination/cyclization cascade reaction of benzylamines and ketones for the construction of 2,4,6-triarylpyridines under metal-/solvent-free conditions has been successfully achieved. The advantages of this strategy include good functional group tolerance, low catalyst loading and high yields.     

Polynuclear palladium and gold perhalophenyl derivatives with dppm bridges. Crystal and molecular structure of trans-C6F5Au(μ-dppm)Pd(C6F5)2(μ-dppm)AuC6F5 (dppm = Ph2PCH2PPh2)

Reactions of PdRR′(η¹-dppm)₂ (R = R′= C₆F₅ or C₆Cl₅; R = C₆F₅, R′= Cl; dppm = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂) with the gold derivatives ClAu(tht), C₆F₅Au(tht), (C₆F₅)₃Au(tht) or O₃ClOAuPPh₃ (tht = tetrahydrothiophen) in appropriate ratios yield the bi- or tri-nuclear complexes PdRR′(dppm)₂AuCl, PdRR′(dppm)₂Au(C₆F₅); PdRR′(dppm)₂Au(C₆F₅)₃; PdRR′(dppmAuCl)₂; PdRR′(dppmAuC₆F₅)₂; PdRR′[dppmAu(C₆F₅)₃]₂, [PdRR′(dppm)₂Au]X (X = ClO₄ or BPh₄); [PPh₃Au(dppm)Pd(C₆F₅)₂(dppm)AuCl]ClO₄ or [PPh₃ Au(dppm)Pd(C₆F₅)₂(dppm)Au(C₆F₅)₃]ClO₄. The structure of trans-Pd(C₆F₅)₂[dppmAu(C₆F₅)]₂ has been determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Understanding the role of an easy-to-prepare aldimine-alkyne carboamination catalyst, [Ti(NMe2)3(NHMe2)][B(C6F5)4]

A series of reactivity studies of the carboamination pre-catalyst [Ti(NMe₂)₃(NHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] as well as the preparation of other catalysts are reported in this work. Treatment of [Ti(NMe₂)₃(NHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] with the aldimines Ar′NCHtol (Ar′ = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃, tol = 4-MeC₆H₄), and depending on the reaction conditions, results in isolation of [Me₂NCHR′][B(C₆F₅)₄] (1) or (Me₂N)₂CHtol, as well as the asymmetric titanium dimer [(Me₂N)₂(HNMe₂)Ti(μ₂-N[2,6-Me₂C₆H₃])₂Ti(NHMe₂)(NMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] (2). Protonation of CpTi(NMe₂)₃ and Cp^∗Ti(NMe₂)₃ results in isolation of the salts, [CpTi(NMe₂)₂(NHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] (3) and [Cp^∗Ti(NMe₂)₂(NHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] (4), respectively. Treatment of compounds 3 or 4 with H₂N[2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃] results in formation of the imido salts [CpTi(N[2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃])(NHMe₂)₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] (5) (58% yield) or [Cp^∗Ti(N[2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃])(NHMe₂)₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] (6). When Ti(NMe₂)₄ is treated with [Et₃Si][B(C₆F₅)₄], the salt [Ti(NMe₂)₃(N[SiEt₃]Me₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] (7) is obtained, and treatment of the latter with [2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃]NCHtol produces the imine adduct [Ti(NMe₂)₃(κ¹-[2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃]NCHtol)][B(C₆F₅)₄] (8). The carboamination catalytic activity of complexes 2-7 was investigated and compared to [Ti(NMe₂)₃(NHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄]. Likewise, a proposed mechanism to the active carboamination catalyst stemming from [Ti(NMe₂)₃(NHMe₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] is described.     

A straightforward synthesis of cationic nitrile ligated transition metal complexes with the [B(C6F5)4] anion

Nitrile ligated transition metal complexes bearing polyfluorinated tetra(aryl)borates as counter anions are highly active initiators/mediators for various polymerization reactions. However, the methods for their preparation are still far too inefficient for widespread use in applied research or in industry. Accordingly, an improved synthesis for two of the most promising species in this assemblage of complexes, namely [Cu(C₆H₅CN)₅][B(C₆F₅)₄]₂ and [Zn(CH₃CN)_4/6][B(C₆F₅)₄]₂, has been developed. This route provides easy access to pure products on a gram scale, by the reaction of copper(II)acetate and diethyl zinc with [H(OEt₂)₂][B(C₆F₅)₄]. Additionally, a new route for the synthesis of the oxonium acid as precursor has been developed, allowing a fast preparation of this compound. Elementary analysis and X-ray crystal structures are in accordance with earlier results on the ease of solvent loss and theoretical studies dealing with acetonitrile-exchange reactions.     

One-pot three components synthesis of O-acetylcyanohydrins with TMSCN, acetic anhydride and carbonyl compounds under solvent-free condition

One-pot three components synthesis of O-acetylcyanohydrins has been developed in the presence of B(C₆F₅)₃ as the catalyst. Variety of aldehydes or ketones reacts with TMSCN and acetic anhydride (Ac₂O) under the influence of 1 mol % of B(C₆F₅)₃ to give good to excellent yield of the products without solvent at rt.     

Coordination chemistry of the activation of [(triazacyclohexane)CrCl3] with [PhNMe2H][B(C6F5)4] and AlR3

Complexes of N-substituted 1,3,5-triazacyclohexanes with CrCl₃ form 1:1 adducts with [PhNMe₂H][B(C₆F₅)₄] with increased solubility in toluene. Addition of AlⁱBu₃ leads to free PhNMe₂ and a complex with [B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ weakly coordinated to chromium via a meta-fluorine atom. This complex can polymerise and/or trimerise olefins similar to methyl aluminoxane activated complexes. Decomposition of the active complex involves transfer of the triazacyclohexane to aluminium leading to [(triazacyclohexane)AlⁱBu₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] and [(arene)₂Cr][B(C₆F₅)₄]. These chromium(I) complexes have been characterised by X-ray crystallography and prove that chromium is reduced to the oxidation state +I during the catalysis.     

Tieftemperatur-flüssigphase-fluorierung von (C6F5)2Te: Bildung von (C6F5)2TeF2, (C6F5)2TeF4 und (C6F11)2TeF4 [1]

(C₆F₅)₂Te reacts with elemental fluorine step by step to form the tellurium fluorides (C₆F₅)₂TeF₂, (C₆F₅)₂TeF₄ and (C₆F₁₁)₂TeF₄, which can be isolated in pure states. The intermediates (C₆F_11?2n)₂TeF₄ (n = 1,2) are detected spectroscopically. (C₆F₅)₂TeF₂ is also formed from the reaction of (C₆F₅)₂Te with XeF₂. The preparations, properties and ¹⁹F n.m.r. spectra of these new compounds are discussed, the mass and vibrational spectra are described.     

Formation of perfluorinated polyphenylenes by multiple pentafluorophenylation using C6F5Si(CH3)3

Pentafluorophenylation of perfluoroarenes with C₆F₅Si(CH₃)₃ was investigated by using NMR and MALDI-TOF-MS techniques. Successive multiple pentafluorophenylation easily occurred not only on the para-position but also on the ortho-positions to provide perfluorinated p-phenylene and m-phenylene compounds. The perfluoroarenes having electron-withdrawing substituents provided oligo- to poly-(phenylene)s depending on the added amounts of C₆F₅Si(CH₃)₃, while the perfluoroarenes having electron-donor substituents gave H(C₆F₄)_nF polymers produced from C₆F₅H, which was the decomposed product of C₆F₅Si(CH₃)₃.     

Fe（HSO4）3： An efficient,heterogeneous and reusable catalyst for the synthesis of 14-aryl- or alkyl- 14H-dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes

Fe（HSO4）3 has been used as an efficient and recyclable catalyst for the one-pot synthesis of 14-aryl- or alkyl-14Hdibenzo[aj]xanthene derivatives by the reaction of 2-naphtol and aldehydes. Different types of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes are used in the reaction and in all cases the products were obtained in good to excellent yields.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of [C6H5Hg(H2NSiMe3)][H2N{B(C6F5)3}2], a phenyl-mercury(II) cation stabilised by a non-coordinating counter-anion

The new heteroleptic mercury(II) complex PhHgN(SiMe₃)₂(1) reacts with the strong Brønsted acid [H(OEt₂)₂][H₂N{B(C₆F₅)₃}₂] with cleavage of a N-Si bond to give [C₆H₅Hg(H₂NSiMe₃)][H₂N{B(C₆F₅)₃}₂] (2), a phenyl-mercury(II) cation stabilised by a primary amine and a non-coordinating counter-anion. Attempts to generate donor-free aryl mercury cations were not successful. The crystal structure of 2 · CH₂Cl₂ shows short π-bonding interactions between the metal and the phenyl ring of a neighbouring cation; the geometry about the mercury(II) atom is nearly linear. The X-ray structures of the new salts [H₂N(SiMe₃)₂ · H₃NSiMe₃][B(C₆F₅)₄]₂ and [Et₃O][H₂N{B(C₆F₅)₃}₂] · CH₂Cl₂ are also presented.     

Use of Trifluoromethyl Groups for Catalytic Benzylation and Alkylation with Subsequent Hydrodefluorination

The electrophilic organofluorophosphonium catalyst [(C₆F₅)₃PF][B(C₆F₅)₄] is shown to effect benzylation or alkylation by aryl and alkyl CF₃ groups with subsequent hydrodefluorination, thus resulting in a net transformation of CF₃ into CH₂–aryl fragments. In the case of alkyl CF₃ groups, Friedel–Crafts alkylation by the difluorocarbocation proceeded without cation rearrangement, in contrast to the corresponding reactions of alkyl monofluorides.     

B(C6F5)3-catalyzed Prins/Ritter reaction: a novel synthesis of hexahydro-1H-furo[3,4-c]pyranyl amide derivatives

The coupling of aldehydes or ketones with (2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-methylenetetrahydrofuran-3-yl)methanol in the presence of nitriles under the influence of 5 mol % tris(pentaflourophenyl)borane at room temperature afforded a novel series of cis-fused hexahydro-1H-furo[3,4-c]pyran derivatives in good yields with high selectivity. This is the first report on the synthesis of hexahydro-1H-furo[3,4-c]pyranyl amide through a sequential Prins/Ritter reactions using B(C₆F₅)₃ as a mild Lewis acid.