A one-pot electrophilic cyanation–functionalization strategy for the synthesis of disubstituted malononitriles

Malononitriles are valuable synthetic intermediates for many applications, including the synthesis of herbicides and other biologically active molecules, and the synthesis of chiral ligands for asymmetric catalysis. This article describes the development of a procedure for the conversion of primary nitriles to malononitriles using dimethylmalononitrile, a commercial, non-toxic, carbon-bound source of electrophilic cyanide. This procedure avoids the use of toxic cyanide or malononitrile as a starting material. This protocol is further applied to the dicyanation of benzyl Grignard reagents, generated from benzyl bromides, yielding fully functionalized malononitriles from a nitrile-free precursor.     

DDQ-mediated oxidation of sp C–H bond for the direct synthesis of vicinal tricarbonyl compounds

A facile and direct synthetic method was developed for the construction of vicinal tricarbonyl compounds (VTCs) in moderate to excellent yields (46–92%), by treating the readily available 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) in the presence of 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ). The reaction pathway involves the DDQ-mediated oxidative activation of sp³ C–H bond and subsequent coupling to TEMPO to form the key intermediate TEMPO-substrate adduct, which can be further converted to VTC products promoted by DDQ.     

Silver-mediated C–H bond functionalization: one-pot to construct substituted indolizines from 2-alkylazaarenes with alkynes

A new silver-mediated highly selective C–H functionalization of 2-alkylazaarenes with internal and terminal alkynes for the creation of substituted indolizines in one-pot has been demonstrated. This process firstly represents a simple, efficient, and atom-economic way to construct polysubstituted indolizines in good yields from internal and terminal alkynes through C–H functionalization of 2-alkylazaarenes.     

Biological activity of new amino phospha betaines with C10–C18 alkyl groups

New amino phospha betaines were obtained by quaternization of potassium salt of amino phosphonate and higher alkyl bromides. The structure of isopropyl (N-dodecyl-N,N- dimethylammoniomethyl)phosphonate was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. All synthesized compounds demonstrate high antibacterial and antifungal activities.     

Oxidation-induced ortho-selective C–H bond functionalization of 2-naphthylamine derivative

Selective C–H bond functionalization has been emerged as a versatile strategy for the construction of new chemical bonds. In the past decades, the directing group(DG)-assisted C–H bond activation has been developed as one of the most efficient methods for selective C–H functionalization. Although a great progress has been made by utilizing this traditional method, developing new strategy for selective C–H bond functionalization is still highly demanded. Hence, a novel oxidation-induced C–H bond functionalization method was demonstrated in this work. By this new method, ortho-C(sp2)–H chlorination of N-substituted 2-naphthylamine was realized in a highly selective manner.     

Indium trichloride catalyzed sp C–H bond functionalization of 2-alkyl azaarenes under microwave irradiation

Microwave promoted indium trichloride (10 mol %) catalyzed sp³ C–H bond functionalization of 2-alkyl azaarenes 1 or 4 has been observed to construct C–C bond either with but-2-ene-1,4-diones 2 or (E)-3-(2-oxo-2-phenylethylidene)indolin-2-one (6) giving access to 2-((quinolin-2-yl)methyl)butane-1,4-diones 3, 2-((pyridin-2-yl)methyl)butane-1,4-diones 5, or 3-(quinolin-2-yl)propan-2-yl)indolin-2-ones 7 in good yields using 1,4-dioxane as solvent.     

Iron-mediated remote C–H bond benzylation of 8-aminoquinoline amides

An efficient and convenient method for C5-benzylation of quinoline frameworks is developed with the using of inexpensive FeCl₃ catalyst. A range of N-bisbenzylic and N-monobenzylic sulfonamides smoothly react with aliphatic amides and aromatic amides, giving the corresponding products in moderate to excellent yields.     

A new method for the synthesis of organic–polyoxometallate hybrid compounds

The reaction of the Na₂MoO₄ or Na₂WO₄ salt with organic amine and PCl₅, SiCl₄ or TiCl₄ in hydrochloric acid medium under hydrothermal conditions yields organic–polyoxometallate hybrid compounds, with the following reaction formula: Na₂MO₄ + Lewis-base + XCl_n + HCl → (Lewis-baseH)_m(XM₁₂O₄₀) + NaCl + H₂O (M = Mo or W; X = P, Si, Ti,; n = 3–5). By using this method, four new complexes, [(CH₃)₂NH]₃[H₃PW₁₂O₄₀] (1), (C₂H₅OH)₃(H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀) (2), [DMDA]₂[H₄SiW₁₂O₄₀]·H₂O (3) (DMDA = 1 N,3 N-dimethyl-1,3-diazolidine) and [(DAN)₆][H₄TiW₁₂O₄₀]·4H₂O (DAN = 4,4′-dianiline) (4), were obtained, and their crystal structures are reported. Thermal analysis of 1, 2 and 4 has been carried out. The thermal analysis indicates that the Keggin anion skeleton begins to decompose at about 300 °C. The possibility of constructing hydrogen-bond interactions by association between the polyoxometallate and the organic compound is explored. The roles of solvents and organic groups in the formation of specific crystalline architectures are discussed. The crystal structure of [H₄TiW₁₂O₄₀], a hetero-transition-metal Keggin polyoxometallate with a square-plane TiO₄, has been reported. Four architectures developed by hydrogen-bond associations of different Keggin polyoxometallates and organic bearing N–H or O–H donor functions are described. The selected organic modules (4,4′-dianiline, 1,3-dimethylimidazolidine, dimethylamine and ethanol) possess hydrogen-donor functions to allow them to act as bridges between polyoxometallate groups. Depending on the nature of the donor group, the number of hydrogens available for bonding, the geometric features and the sizes of the organic modules, diverse assembling patterns have been observed ranging from one-dimensional to three-dimensional networks. For all the networks, H₃O⁺ and H⁺ act as actual linkers between the molecular units.     

A new method for the synthesis of β-halonitroalkanes

Summary A new method is elaborated for the synthesis of -chloronitroalkanes; it consists in the reaction of phosphorus pentachloride with acetals obtained by the addition of primary -nitro alcohols to vinyl alkyl ethers.     

Mini-review on the functionalization of C–H bond to C-X linkage via metalla-electrocatalyzed tool

To date, the C–H activation protocol and its functionalization of bonds via transition metal have witnessed major attention in coordination chemistry as they eliminate the pre-functionalization of the substrate. Conventional approaches use a stoichiometric amount of chemical oxidants which are toxic under mild conditions. This will create a major problem in C–H functionalization reactions that involve a selective issue of reductive elimination from metal center to form a significant amount of by-product (waste) in large amount which is difficult to separate and thus reduce atom economy and sustainability of the reaction medium. This will limit catalyst turnover and thus, decreases the reaction rate. To avoid this, there is an urgent need for renewable resources which bring about the functionalization of the C–H bond. Metalla-electro catalyzed is the cleanest tool on the platform of C–H activation chemistry. Here, electricity was being involved as a clean surrogate of chemical oxidant and holds unleashed potential for an oxidative protocol of C–H activation with unmet site selectivity. This mini-review pay attention to the C–H functionalization of the bond to C–C, C–N, and C-Miscellaneous (P, O, and S) bond linkage by employing different transition metal {precious (Pd, Rh, Ru, and Ir)} and {earth-abundant (Mn, Ni, Co, and Cu)} using the electrochemical tool. Such metalla-electro catalyzed tools are helpful to those who were not being trained electrochemists but can unleash this potential benefit in various sustainable organic transformations.     

DMF-dimethyl sulfate as a new reagent for the synthesis of β-lactams

A number of 2-azetidinones were synthesized in good to excellent yields by a novel reaction between Schiff bases, substituted acetic acids and alkoxymethylene-N,N-dimethyliminium salts, the adduct formed from DMF and O-alkylating agents. The advantages of this new method are mild reaction conditions, low cost, avoiding the use of chlorinating agents and easy purification of the products. The best results were obtained when DMF and dimethyl sulfate were used at room temperature.     

Palladium-catalyzed oxidative C–H bond coupling of indoles and benzaldehydes: a new approach to the synthesis of 3-benzoylindoles

A palladium-catalyzed dehydrogenative acylation of indoles using easily accessible aldehydes as the acyl source is described. This reaction provides a new approach for the synthesis of 3-acylindoles.     

Sulfonylation of C(sp3)–H bond for synthesis of 2-sulfolmethyl azaarenes catalyzed by TBAI in water

Research on Chemical Intermediates - A tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI)-catalyzed method for synthesis of 2-sulfolmethyl quinolone has been developed. Using water as solvent, a wide range of...     

Fe3O4@SiO2@Propyl–ANDSA: as a new catalyst for one-pot synthesis of 4H-chromene

Research on Chemical Intermediates - This work describes a new method for a one-pot multicomponent condensation of a variety of aldehydes with dimedone and malononitrile in water, providing a...     

Carbon–hydrogen (C–H) bond activation at PdIV: a Frontier in C–H functionalization catalysis

The direct functionalization of carbon–hydrogen (C–H) bonds has emerged as a versatile strategy for the synthesis and derivatization of organic molecules. Among the methods for C–H bond activation, catalytic processes that utilize a Pd^II/Pd^IV redox cycle are increasingly common. The C–H activation step in most of these catalytic cycles is thought to occur at a Pd^II centre. However, a number of recent reports have suggested the feasibility of C–H cleavage occurring at Pd^IV complexes. Importantly, these latter processes often result in complementary reactivity and selectivity relative to analogous transformations at Pd^II. This mini review highlights proposed examples of C–H activation at Pd^IV centres. Applications of this transformation in catalysis as well as mechanistic details obtained from stoichiometric model studies are discussed. Furthermore, challenges and future perspectives for the field are reviewed.     

Iodine-catalyzed efficient synthesis of azaarene substituted 3-hydroxy-2-oxindole derivatives through sp3 C–H functionalization

Iodine-catalyzed benzylic sp³ C–H bond functionalization of lutidines or picolines to isatins is described. This synthetic method provides a rapid entry towards biologically interesting 3-azaarene substituted 3-hydroxy-2-oxindole derivatives.     

Copper-catalyzed intermolecular C(sp3)–H bond functionalization towards the synthesis of tertiary carbamates

We describe the development of an intermolecular unactivated C(sp³)–H bond functionalization towards the direct synthesis of tertiary carbamates. The transformation proceeded using a readily available, abundant first-row transition metal catalyst (copper), and isocyanates as the source of the amide moiety. This is a novel strategy for direct transformation of a variety of unactivated hydrocarbon feedstocks to N-alkyl-N-aryl and N,N-dialkyl carbamates without pre-functionalization or installation of a directing group. The reaction had a broad substrate scope with 3° > 2° > 1° site selectivity. The reaction proceeded even on a gram scale, and a corresponding free amine was directly obtained when the reaction was performed at high temperature. Kinetic studies suggested that radical-mediated C(sp³)–H bond cleavage was the rate-determining step.     

Pd-catalyzed enantioselective C–H arylation of phosphinamides with boronic acids for the synthesis of P-stereogenic compounds

A Pd-catalyzed enantioselective C–H arylation of phosphinamides with aryl boronic acids is presented. With readily affordable amino acid derivatives as chiral ligands, the reaction proceeded efficiently to afford the P-stereogenic phosphinamides in up to 75% yield and with 99% ee under mild conditions. Most importantly, the reaction could be performed on a large scale for various substrates. This method provides an alternative and reliable way for accessing P-stereogenic phosphinamides.     

Stereomodulating effect of remote groups on the NADH-mimetic reduction of alkyl aroylformates with 1,4-dihydronicotinamide-β-lactam amides

Conformationally restricted NADH peptidomimetics 4a-e, characterized by the presence of a (1,4-dihydronicotinamide)-(β-lactam) moiety, have been synthesized and used to study the Mg²⁺ cation-promoted asymmetric reduction of alkyl aroylformates in acetonitrile. Increasing the bulkiness of peripheral substituents at the nitrogen atom of the β-lactam ring, at the 1,4-dihydronicotinamide moiety, or at the aroylformate ester group, was found to cause weak but clearly detectable variations of the enantiomeric excess of the reaction. A rational for these observations was consistent with a chelated NADH/Mg²⁺/ArCOCO₂R³ ternary complex model, according to DFT calculations computed at a B3LYP/6-31G^∗ theory level.     

Carbene-Catalyzed Intermolecular Dehydrogenative Coupling of Aldehydes with C(sp3)−H Bonds

The development of catalyst-controlled methods for direct functionalization of two distinct C−H bonds represents an appealing approach for C−C formations in synthetic chemistry. Herein, we describe an organocatalytic approach for straightforward acylation of C(sp³)−H bonds employing readily available aldehyde as “acyl source” involving dehydrogenative coupling of aldehydes with ether, amine, or benzylic C(sp³)−H bonds. The developed method affords a broad range of ketones under mild conditions. Mechanistically, simple ortho-cyanoiodobenzene is essential in the oxidative radical N-heterocyclic carbene catalysis to give a ketyl radical and C(sp³) radical through a rarely explored intermolecular hydrogen atom transfer pathway, rendering the acylative C−C formations in high efficiency under a metal- and light-free catalytic conditions. Moreover, the prepared products show promising anti-bacterial activities that shall encourage further investigations on novel agrochemical development.