Catalytic C?C,C?N,and C?O Ullmann‐Type Coupling Reactions

Copper‐catalyzed Ullmann condensations are key reactions for the formation of carbon–heteroatom and carbon–carbon bonds in organic synthesis. These reactions can lead to structural moieties that are prevalent in building blocks of active molecules in the life sciences and in many material precursors. An increasing number of publications have appeared concerning Ullmann‐type intermolecular reactions for the coupling of aryl and vinyl halides with N, O, and C nucleophiles, and this Minireview highlights recent and major developments in this topic since 2004.     

Amide‐Directed Tandem C?C/C?N Bond Formation through C?H Activation

The transformation of C? H bonds into other chemical bonds is of great significance in synthetic chemistry. C? H bond‐activation processes provide a straightforward and atom‐economic strategy for the construction of complex structures; as such, they have attracted widespread interest over the past decade. As a prevalent directing group in the field of C? H activation, the amide group not only offers excellent regiodirecting ability, but is also a potential C? N bond precursor. As a consequence, a variety of nitrogen‐containing heterocycles have been obtained by using these reactions. This Focus Review addresses the recent research into the amide‐directed tandem C? C/C? N bond‐formation process through C? H activation. The large body of research in this field over the past three years has established it as one of the most‐important topics in organic chemistry.     

An efficient synthesis of phosphenimidous esters,RO?PN?Ar

Trimethylsilyltrifluoromethane sulfonate is shown to be an efficient catalyst for the elimination of Me₃SiCl from N-trimethylsilyl-N-(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)amidochlorophosphites la-f , leading to the phosphenimidous esters 3a–f. The crystal structures of phosphites 1a and 1d provide a stereochemical explanation for the better thermal stability of 1d On the basis of these observations a convenient and general synthesis of phosphenimidous esters 3a–f is presented.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed ortho‐Selective C?F Bond Borylation of Polyfluoroarenes with Bpin?Bpin

An ortho‐selective C F bond borylation between N‐heterocycle‐substituted polyfluoroarenes and Bpin‐Bpin with simple and commercially available [Rh(cod)₂]BF₄ as a catalyst is now reported. The reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions with high efficiency and broad substrate scope, even toward monofluoroarene, thus providing a facile access to a wide range of borylated fluoroarenes that are useful for photoelectronic materials. Preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that a Rh^III/V catalytic cycle via a key intermediate rhodium(III) hydride complex [(H)Rh^IIIL_n(Bpin)] may be involved in the reaction.     

The Morita?Baylis?Hillman Reaction of Chiral Highly Oxygenated Cyclopent‐2‐enones

The Morita? Baylis? Hillman (MBH) reactions of (4S,5R,7R,8R)‐ and (4R,5R,7R,8R)‐4‐hydroxy‐7,8‐dimethoxy‐7,8‐dimethyl‐6,9‐dioxaspiro[4.5]dec‐2‐en‐1‐ones ( 2 and 3 , resp.) with aldehydes using various catalysts were studied. A combination of Bu₃P/phenol in THF was found being optimum conditions giving the corresponding MBH adducts with high diastereoisomeric ratios. After separation, each stereomerically pure isomer of the MBH adducts was subjected to hydrolysis employing 1% aq. CF₃COOH (TFA) in a water bath of an ultrasonic cleaner to afford the corresponding polyhydroxylated cyclopentenones in good yields.     

Electronic Structure of Monodithiolated Iron?Oxotungsten Heterometallic Complexes: Integer‐Spin Fe?W Assembly

Fe? W heterometallic complexes, in which an FeX₂ (X=Cl, SPh) moiety is attached to monodithiolene oxotungsten through a sulfide bridge, that is, [Ph₄P]₂[Cl₂Fe(S)₂WOS₂] ( 1 ), [Ph₄P]₂[Cl₂Fe(S)₂WOS₂(DMED)] ( 2 , DMED=dimethylethylenedicarboxylate), [Ph₄P]₂[Cl₂Fe(S)₂WO(tdt)] ( 3 , tdt=toluenedithiolate), [Ph₄P]₂[(SPh)₂Fe(S)₂WO(tdt)] ( 4 ), and [Ph₄P]₂[Cl₂Fe(S)₂WO(edt)] ( 5 , edt=ethanedithiolate), are reported. Mössbauer and EPR spectroscopy, magnetism, electrochemistry, and electronic structural analysis based on DFT and TD‐DFT calculations show the transfer of electron from the iron center to the tungsten center, thus resulting in a ferromagnetically coupled Fe^IIIW^V unit, along with antiferromagnetic intermolecular interactions, from the starting Fe^II and W^VI compounds. A net spin of a S=3 ground state, which arises from ferromagnetically coupled Fe^III and W^V atoms, displays a rare X‐band EPR in normal mode at g≈7 in the solid state.     

Attempted 1,3-trimethylsilyl migration in Me3Si?PSN?R system

A dimer of thioxo-N-t-butylimino(trimethylsiloxy)-phosphorane 5 has been prepared by reaction of tris(trimethylsilyl) phosphine with N-sulfinyl-N-tert-butylamine. The structure of 5 has been confimed by X-ray analysis data. 1-Aza-2-thia-3-phosphaallene 1 , thiaphosphaziridine 3 , iminophosphine P-sulfide 4 are postulated as intermediates of the reaction studied.     

Intermolecular interactions in group 14 hydrides: Beyond C?H···H?C contacts

In line with previous work in which we established the factors that enhance attractive C? H···H? C dihydrogen interactions in alkanes, an extended theoretical analysis of noncovalent intermolecular interactions in group 14 hydrides is presented here. Remarkably, these weak interactions may play a major role in determining the crystal structures adopted by several families of molecules. A combined structural and computational analysis at the MP2 level allowed us to identify and characterize different interactions of the type E? H···H? E and E···H? E (E = Si, Ge, Sn, and Pb), and to find also the most suitable scenario for the establishment of each particular type. The nature of the interactions has been analyzed in terms of natural charges of the atoms involved and a topological analysis of the electron density of several dimers confirms the existence of H···H and H···E attractive contacts. We have observed that the interaction strength increases when descending down the periodic group and that silicon has a marked tendency to establish Si···H? Si interactions. A size‐dependent backbone effect that reinforces H···H dihydrogen interactions in polyhedral systems has also been found.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Enantioselective C?C Bond Formation through C?O Cleavage in Aryl Esters

We report the first enantioselective C C bond formation through C O bond cleavage using aryl ester counterparts. This method is characterized by its wide substrate scope and results in the formation of quaternary stereogenic centers with high yields and asymmetric induction.     

Ethylenedithio?Tetrathiafulvalene?Helicenes: Electroactive Helical Precursors with Switchable Chiroptical Properties

Electroactive fused ethylenedithio? tetrathiafulvalene? [4]helicene and ‐[6]helicenes have been synthesized through a strategy that involved the preparation of 2,3‐dibromo‐helicene derivatives as intermediates. The dihedral angles between the terminal helicenes, as determined by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis, are 22.7° and 50.7° for the [4]helicene and [6]helicene, respectively. Their solid‐state architectures show interplay between S???S and π???π intermolecular interactions. The chiroptical properties of the enantiopure EDT? TTF? [6]helicene derivatives have been investigated and supported by TDDFT calculations. Remarkable redox switching of the circular dichroism (CD) signal between the neutral and radical‐cation species has been achieved.     

Manganese‐Catalyzed Dehydrogenative [4+2] Annulation of N?H Imines and Alkynes by C?H/N?H Activation

Described herein is a manganese‐catalyzed dehydrogenative [4+2] annulation of N H imines and alkynes, a reaction providing highly atom‐economical access to diverse isoquinolines. This transformation represents the first example of manganese‐catalyzed C H activation of imines; the stoichiometric variant of the cyclomanganation was reported in 1971. The redox neutral reaction produces H₂ as the major byproduct and eliminates the need for any oxidants, external ligands, or additives, thus standing out from known isoquinoline synthesis by transition‐metal‐catalyzed C H activation. Mechanistic studies revealed the five‐membered manganacycle and manganese hydride species as key reaction intermediates in the catalytic cycle.     

Homolytic S?S Bond Dissociation of 11 Bis(thiocarbonyl)disulfides R‐C(S)?S?S?C(S)R and Prediction of A Novel Rubber Vulcanization Accelerator

The structures and energetics of eight substituted bis(thiocarbonyl)disulfides (RCS₂)₂, their associated radicals RCS₂^., and their coordination compounds with a lithium cation have been studied at the G3X(MP2) level of theory for R=H, Me, F, Cl, OMe, SMe, NMe₂, and PMe₂. The effects of substituents on the dissociation of (RCS₂)₂ to RCS₂^. were analyzed using isodesmic stabilization reactions. Electron‐donating groups with an unshared pair of electrons have a pronounced stabilization effect on both (RCS₂)₂ and RCS₂^.. The S? S bond dissociation enthalpy of tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD, R=NMe₂) is the lowest in the above series (155 kJ mol^?1), attributed to the particular stability of the formed Me₂NCS₂^. radical. Both (RCS₂)₂ and the fragmented radicals RCS₂^. form stable chelate complexes with a Li⁺ cation. The S? S homolytic bond cleavage in (RCS₂)₂ is facilitated by the reaction [Li(RCS₂)₂]⁺+Li⁺→2 [Li(RCS₂)]^.+. Three other substituted bis(thiocarbonyl) disulfides with the unconventional substituents R=OSF₅, Gu¹, and Gu² have been explored to find suitable alternative rubber vulcanization accelerators. Bis(thiocarbonyl)disulfide with a guanidine‐type substituent, (Gu¹CS₂)₂, is predicted to be an effective accelerator in sulfur vulcanization of rubber. Compared to TMTD, (Gu¹CS₂)₂ is calculated to have a lower bond dissociation enthalpy and smaller associated barrier for the S? S homolysis.     

Bifunctional transition metal‐based molecular catalysts for asymmetric C?C and C?N bond formation

This paper describes the recent advances in the conceptually new bifunctional Ir and Ru catalysts for asymmetric catalytic reactions. These reactions include the enantioselective Michael addition of 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds to cyclic enones and nitroalkenes, and the enantioselective direct amination of α‐cyanoacetates with diazoesters. The outcome of these reactions in terms of reactivity and selectivity was delicately influenced by the catalyst structures and the reaction conditions including the solvents used. Even with a 1 : 1 molar ratio of donors to acceptors, the reactions proceeded smoothly to give the corresponding chiral adducts with an excellent yield and enantiomeric excess (ee). Preliminary mechanistic studies showed that the key stage of the catalytic cycle is the interaction of the bifunctional catalyst with a pronucleophilic reagent that leads to stereoselective formation of C‐, O‐, or N‐bound complexes. The resulting protonated catalyst bearing metal‐bound nucleophiles readily reacts with electrophiles to provide C? C and C? N bond formation products in a highly stereoselective manner. © 2009 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Chem Rec 9: 106–123; 2009: Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ) DOI 10.1002/tcr.20172     

B?H,C?H,and B?C Bond Activation: The Role of Two Adjacent Agostic Interactions

Tuning the nature of the linker in a L∼BHR phosphinoborane compound led to the isolation of a ruthenium complex stabilized by two adjacent, δ‐C H and ε‐B_sp2 H, agostic interactions. Such a unique coordination mode stabilizes a 14‐electron “RuH₂P₂” fragment through connected σ‐bonds of different polarity, and affords selective B H, C H, and B C bond activation as illustrated by reactivity studies with H₂ and boranes.     

MHSe: The First Hydride Selenides of the Lanthanides (M = La?Nd; Gd?Er,Lu)

The oxidation of most of the lanthanide dihydrides MH₂ (M = La? Nd; Gd? Er, Lu) with equimolar amounts of selenium results in the formation of the first lanthanide hydride selenides MHSe. The presence of alkali chlorides (e.g., NaCl or CsCl) as fluxes secures complete and fast reactions (7 d) at 700–850°C in sealed, arc-welded tantalum capsules (protected by evacuated silica vessels) as well as single-crystalline products (pale bluish-gray hexagonal columns or platelets). Two different structures were determined from X-ray single crystal data for the examples of 2H? CeHSe (hexagonal, P6₃/mmc (no. 194), Z = 2, a = 406.36(4), c = 794.81(9) pm, R1 = 0.0365, wR2 = 0.0766) and 1H? HoHSe (hexagonal, P6 m2 (no. 187), Z = 1, a = 381.56(3), c = 387.28(5) pm, R1 = 0.0140, wR2 = 0.0337). According to X-ray powder data, the hydride selenides MHSe with M = La? Nd proved to be isostructural with 2H-CeHSe, those with M = Gd? Er and Lu crystallize isotypically with 1H? HoHSe just like YHSe. Both structures contain hydrogen in half of the trigonal planar interstices within closest-packed mono-layers of the metals. These layers [(M³⁺)(H^?)_3/3]²⁺ (a,β or b,α) are alternatively sheethed with closest-packed mono-layers of Se^2? (C) along [001], and only the stacking sequence decides whether a “stuffed” WC- (C(a,β)C ? 1 H-MHSe) or a “stuffed” anti-NiAs-type arrangement (C(a,β)C(b,α)C ? 2H? MHSe) emerges.     

Oxindole Synthesis by Direct Coupling of C?H and C?H Centers

An sp ² /sp ³ get‐together : A novel and efficient method can be used to synthesize 3,3‐disubstitued oxindoles by the direct intramolecular oxidative coupling of an aryl C? H and a C? H center (see scheme; DMF=N,N‐dimethylformamide).