Regioselective Hydroalkylation and Arylalkylation of Alkynes by Photoredox/Nickel Dual Catalysis: Application and Mechanism

Alkynes are an important class of organic molecules due to their utility as versatile building blocks in synthesis. Although efforts have been devoted to the difunctionalization of alkynes, general and practical strategies for the direct hydroalkylation and alkylarylation of terminal alkynes under mild reaction conditions are less explored. Herein, we report a photoredox/nickel dual‐catalyzed anti‐Markovnikov‐type hydroalkylation of terminal alkynes as well as a one‐pot arylalkylation of alkynes with alkyl carboxylic acids and aryl bromides via a three‐component cross‐coupling. The results indicate that the transformations proceed via a new mechanism involving a single‐electron transfer with subsequent energy‐transfer activation pathways. Moreover, steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorescence‐spectroscopy measurements, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and wavefunction analysis have been performed to give an insight into the catalytic cycle.     

Photo-induced anti-Markovnikov hydroalkylation of unactivated alkenes employing a dual-component initiator

Metal-free anti-Markovnikov hydroalkylation of unactivated alkenes with cyanoacetate has been developed,featuring the use of a dual-component initiator containing an organic photocatalyst and a radical precursor.When combined,the two components can undergo visible light-induced singleelectron transfer,and serve as a versatile and effective alkyl radical generator.     

A Giese reaction for electron-rich alkenes

A general method for the hydroalkylation of electron-rich terminal and non-terminal alkenes such as enol esters, alkenyl sulfides, enol ethers, silyl enol ethers, enamides and enecarbamates has been developed. The reactions are carried out at room temperature under air initiation in the presence of triethylborane acting as a chain transfer reagent and 4-tert-butylcatechol (TBC) as a source of hydrogen atom. The efficacy of the reaction is best explained by very favorable polar effects supporting the chain process and minimizing undesired polar reactions. The stereoselective hydroalkylation of chiral N-(alk-1-en-1-yl)oxazolidin-2-ones takes place with good to excellent diastereocontrol.

Giese reaction not anymore limited to electron poor alkenes! A general method for the radical mediated hydroalkylation of electron rich alkenes including enol ethers, silylenolethers, enamides, and enecarbamates has been developed.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Regioselective Hydroalkylation of 1,3‐Dienes with Alkyl Fluorides and Grignard Reagents

Copper complexes generated in situ from CuCl₂, alkyl Grignard reagents, and 1,3‐dienes play important roles as catalytic active species for the 1,2‐hydroalkylation of 1,3‐dienes by alkyl fluorides through C? F bond cleavage. The alkyl group is introduced to an internal carbon atom of the 1,3‐diene regioselectively, thus giving rise to the branched terminal alkene product.     

Synthesis of Polysubstituted α‐Pyrones Using Zinc‐Catalyzed Addition–Cyclization Reactions

Various polysubstituted α‐pyrone derivatives have been directly synthesized via a hydroalkylation of Michael additional reaction following a cyclized process catalyzed by the Lewis acid of Zn(OAc)₂. This protocol provides a new convenient and step‐economical route to construct heterocycles. Fourteen examples are obtained from easily available materials with moderate to good yields.     

Photoredox- and Nickel-Catalyzed Hydroalkylation of Alkynes with 4-Alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines: Ligand-Controlled Regioselectivity

Dual photoredox- and nickel-catalyzed hydroalkylation of terminal alkynes with 4-alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines under visible light irradiation to afford Markovnikov- or anti-Markovnikov-type alkylated alkenes in good-to-high yields has been achieved, in which the regioselectivity of the products was effectively controlled by coordination ligands for nickel species. Using [NiCl₂(dtbbpy)] as a catalyst led to the formation of Markovnikov-type products, whereas using NiCl₂ ⋅ 6 H₂O led to the formation of anti-Markovnikov-type products.     

Cobalt-Catalyzed Facial-Selective Hydroalkylation of Cyclopropenes

Cyclopropene hydrofunctionalization has been a promising strategy for accessing multi-substituted cyclopropanes; however, cyclopropene hydroalkylation remains underdeveloped. Herein, we report a low-valent CoH-catalyzed facial-selective cyclopropene hydroalkylation to access multi-substituted cyclopropanes. This reaction exhibits a broad substrate scope of alkyl halides and cyclopropenes and tolerates many functional groups. Moderate-to-good facial-selectivity is obtained without any directing groups. Mechanism studies provide evidence that alkyl radicals are generated from alkyl halides and irreversible CoH insertion is responsible for the facial-selectivity. Our preliminary exploration demonstrates that asymmetric cyclopropene hydroalkylation can be realized without conspicuous auxiliary groups.     

Cp2TiCl2-Catalyzed hydroalkylation of α-olefins with ButBr—Et3Al

The reactions of olefins with alkyl halides and Et₃Al in the presence of catalytic amounts of Cp₂TiCl₂ were studied. Unbranched -olefins of the aliphatic series underwent hydroalkylation under the action of tert-butyl bromide to form 2,3-dimethylalkanes.     

Room temperature hydroalkylation of electron-deficient olefins: sp3 C-H functionalization via a lewis acid-catalyzed intramolecular redox event

A practical method for the intramolecular hydroalkylation of electron-deficient olefins has been developed. The direct transformation of benzylic, tertiary, and sterically hindered secondary sp3 C-H bonds into C-C bonds under the action of a catalytic amount of a variety of Lewis acids is described. The mechanism of these transformations is proposed to involve a tandem hydride transfer/cyclization sequence.     

Ligand‐Controlled Regiodivergent Hydroalkylation of Pyrrolines

Nickel hydride (NiH) catalyzed hydrocarbonation has emerged as an efficient approach to construct new C?C bonds containing at least one C(sp³) center. However, the regioselectivity of this reaction is by far dictated by substrates. Described here is a strategy to achieve two different regioselectivites of hydroalkylation of the same substrates by using ligand control. This strategy enables the first regiodivergent hydroalkylation of 3‐pyrrolines, yielding both 2‐ and 3‐alkylated pyrrolidines, valuable synthetic intermediates and common motifs in many bioactive molecules. This method demonstrates broad scope and high functional‐group tolerance, and can be applied in late‐stage functionalizations.     

Palladium-catalyzed intramolecular hydroalkylation of alkenyl-beta-keto esters, alpha-aryl ketones, and alkyl ketones in the presence of Me3SiCl or HCl

Reaction of 3-butenyl beta-keto esters or 3-butenyl alpha-aryl ketones with a catalytic amount of [PdCl2(CH3CN)2] (2) and a stoichiometric amount of Me3SiCl or Me3SiCl/CuCl2 in dioxane at 25-70 degrees C formed 2-substituted cyclohexanones in good yield with high regioselectivity. This protocol tolerated a number of ester and aryl groups and tolerated substitution at the allylic, enolic, and cis and trans terminal olefinic positions. In situ NMR experiments indicated that the chlorosilane was not directly involved in palladium-catalyzed hydroalkylation, but rather served as a source of HCl, which presumably catalyzes enolization of the ketone. Identification of HCl as the active promoter of palladium-catalyzed hydroalkylation led to the development of an effective protocol for the hydroalkylation of alkyl 3-butenyl ketones that employed sub-stoichiometric amounts of 2, HCl, and CuCl2 in a sealed tube at 70 degrees C.     

Amberlyst-15® in ionic liquid: an efficient and recyclable reagent for the benzylation and hydroalkylation of β-dicarbonyl compounds

Benzylation and hydroalkylation of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds using Amberlyst-15 immobilized in ionic liquid [Bmim][PF₆] as an efficient reusable reagent was studied. The reagent was compared with other solid acid reagents along with role of the ionic liquid. The effect of various reaction parameters like type of reagent, solvent, substrate molar ratio, reaction time, and temperature were studied. Present protocol is advantageous due to the ease in handling of reagent, simple work-up procedure, economical and environmentally benign process. The products were obtained in good to excellent yield and applicable to wide variety of substrates.     

Palladium-Catalyzed Formal Hydroalkylation of Aryl-Substituted Alkynes with Hydrazones

We have developed an unprecedented Pd-catalyzed formal hydroalkylation of alkynes with hydrazones, which are generated in situ from naturally abundant aldehydes, as both alkylation reagents and hydrogen donors. The hydroalkylation proceeds with high regio- and stereoselectivity to form (Z)-alkenes, which are more difficult to generate compared to (E)-alkenes. The reaction is compatible with a wide range of functional groups, including hydroxy, ester, ketone, nitrile, boronic ester, amine, and halide groups. Furthermore, late-stage modifications of natural products and pharmaceutical derivatives exemplify its unique chemoselectivity, regioselectivity, and synthetic applicability. Mechanistic studies indicate the possible involvement of Pd-hydride intermediates.     

A Photoenzymatic Strategy for Radical-Mediated Stereoselective Hydroalkylation with Diazo Compounds

Carbene insertion reactions initiated with diazo compounds have been widely used to develop unnatural enzymatic reactions. However, alternative functionalization of diazo compounds in enzymatic processes has been unexploited. Herein, we describe a photoenzymatic strategy for radical-mediated stereoselective hydroalkylation with diazo compounds. This method generates carbon-centered radicals through an ene reductase catalyzed photoinduced electron transfer process from diazo compounds, enabling the synthesis of γ-stereogenic carbonyl compounds in good yields and stereoselectivities. This study further expands the possible reaction patterns in photo-biocatalysis and offers a new approach to solving the selectivity challenges of radical-mediated reactions.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Formal Hydroalkylation of Aryl‐Substituted Alkynes with Hydrazones

We have developed an unprecedented Pd‐catalyzed formal hydroalkylation of alkynes with hydrazones, which are generated in situ from naturally abundant aldehydes, as both alkylation reagents and hydrogen donors. The hydroalkylation proceeds with high regio‐ and stereoselectivity to form (Z)‐alkenes, which are more difficult to generate compared to (E)‐alkenes. The reaction is compatible with a wide range of functional groups, including hydroxy, ester, ketone, nitrile, boronic ester, amine, and halide groups. Furthermore, late‐stage modifications of natural products and pharmaceutical derivatives exemplify its unique chemoselectivity, regioselectivity, and synthetic applicability. Mechanistic studies indicate the possible involvement of Pd‐hydride intermediates.     

Asymmetric Intramolecular Hydroalkylation of Internal Olefin with Cycloalkanone to Directly Access Polycyclic Systems

An asymmetric intramolecular hydroalkylation of unactivated internal olefins with tethered cyclic ketones was realized by the cooperative catalysis of a newly designed chiral amine (SPD-NH₂) and Pd^II complex, providing straightforward access to either bridged or fused bicyclic systems containing three stereogenic centers with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee) and diastereoselectivity (up to >20 : 1 dr). Notably, the bicyclic products could be conveniently transformed into a diverse range of key structures frequently found in bioactive terpenes, such as Δ⁶-protoilludene, cracroson D, and vulgarisins. The steric hindrance between the Ar group of the SPD-NH₂ catalyst and the branched chain of the substrate, hydrogen-bonding interactions between the N−H of the enamine motif and the C=O of the directing group MQ, and the counterion of the Pd^II complex were identified as key factors for excellent stereoinduction in this dual catalytic process by density functional theory calculations.     

Platinum(II)/europium(III)-catalyzed intramolecular hydroalkylation of 4-pentenyl β-dicarbonyl compounds

Reaction of 5,5-dimethyl-8-nonene-2,4-dione with a catalytic mixture of [PtCl₂(CH₂CH₂)]₂ (2) (1 mol %), and EuCl₃ (2 mol %) in dioxane that contained HCl (1.0 equiv) at 90 °C for 18 h led to the isolation of 2-acetyl-3,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexanone in 85% yield. A number of 4-pentenyl β-dicarbonyl compounds underwent intramolecular hydroalkylation to form cyclohexanones in moderate to excellent yield.     

Hydroalkylation of Styrenes with Benzylamines by Potassium Hydride

A method for the synthesis of 1,3-diarylpropylamines through hydroalkylation of styrenes with benzylamines by potassium hydride has been developed. The protocol is initiated by solvothermal treatment of benzylamines with KH at 100 °C to generate deprotonated anionic species, which undergo selective C-alkylation with arylalkenes at 0 °C to ambient temperature to afford 1,3-diarylpropylamines as the major product.     

Palladium-catalyzed hydroalkylation of methylenecyclopropanes with simple hydrazones

A palladium-catalyzed hydroalkylation reaction of methylenecyclopropanes via highly selective C–C σ-bond scission was achieved under mild conditions, in which simple hydrazones served as carbanion equivalents. This method featured good functional group compatibility, affording high yields of C-alkylated terminal alkenes.

A palladium-catalyzed hydroalkylation of methylenecyclopropanes via selective C–C σ-bond scission was achieved, in which simple hydrazones served as carbanion equivalents. This method affords high yields of C-alkylated terminal alkenes with good functional group compatibility.     

Solvent-free hydroalkylation of olefins with 1,3-diketones catalyzed by phosphotungstic acid

An efficient and convenient method for the direct hydroalkylation of styrene and norborene with 1,3-diketones has been developed by using 12-phosphotungstic acid as an eco-friendly, and air- and moisture-tolerable catalyst. Reactions proceeded without any solvent, providing a clean access to alkylated 1,3-diketones.