Fujiwara–Moritani Reaction of Weinreb Amides using a Ruthenium‐Catalyzed C−H Functionalization Reaction

The ruthenium‐catalyzed Fujiwara–Moritani reaction (oxidative‐Heck reaction) of Weinreb amides is reported herein. The reaction affords exclusively ortho‐C?H olefination products, has excellent substrate scope and tolerates halogen functionalities, which increase the synthetic utility of the method. A variety of activated olefins as well as styrenes can be employed as coupling partners.     

Synthesis of Axially Chiral Styrenes through Pd‐Catalyzed Asymmetric C−H Olefination Enabled by an Amino Amide Transient Directing Group

The atroposelective synthesis of axially chiral styrenes remains a formidable challenge due to their relatively lower rotational barriers compared to the biaryl atropoisomers. Herein, we describe the construction of axially chiral styrenes through Pd^II‐catalyzed atroposelective C?H olefination, using a bulky amino amide as a transient chiral auxiliary. Various axially chiral styrenes were produced with good yields and high enantioselectivity (up to 95 % yield and 99 % ee). Carboxylic acid derivatives of the resulting axially chiral styrenes showed superior enantiocontrol over the biaryl counterparts in Co^III‐catalyzed enantioselective C(sp³)?H amidation of thioamide. Mechanistic studies suggest that C?H cleavage is the enantioselectivity‐determining step.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of Styrenes with Aryl Methyl Ketones in Ionic Liquids: Direct Access to Cyclopropanes

The combined use of Pd(OAc)₂, Cu(OAc)₂, and dioxygen in molten tetrabutylammonium acetate (TBAA) promotes an unusual cyclopropanation reaction between aryl methyl ketones and styrenes. The process is a dehydrogenative cyclizing coupling that involves a twofold C? H activation at the α‐position of the ketone. The substrate scope highlights the flexibility of the catalyst; a reaction mechanism is also proposed.     

A ligand free copper(II) catalyst is as effective as a ligand assisted Pd(II) catalyst towards intramolecular C–S bond formation via C–H functionalization

Copper(I) catalysts are usually ineffective on the other hand Pd(II) catalysts are quite effective in promoting intramolecular sp² C–H functionalization (C–S bond formation). Herein, we have developed a ligand assisted Pd(II) catalyzed C–S bond formation via C–H activation from arylthioureas leading to the formation of 2-aminobenzothiazoles for substrates bearing electron donating (EDG) groups in the aryl ring. However without the assistance of ligand this Pd(II) catalyzed reaction is quite unproductive particularly for thioureas possessing strongly electron donating groups in the aryl rings. Interestingly, the ligand free Cu(II) catalyzed oxidative cyclization of arylthioureas are equally effective both for arylthioureas possessing electron donating as well as electron withdrawing groups in the aryl rings.     

Copper-catalyzed solvent-free redox condensation of benzothiazoles with aldehydes or benzylic alcohols

An efficient and practical method for the construction of 2-aryl- and 2-alkyl-substituted benzothiazoles via a copper-catalyzed redox condensation process between benzothiazoles and aldehydes or benzylic alcohols has been developed. The reaction proceeded under mild reaction conditions using environmentally benign tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as the oxidant. A reaction mechanism involving the ring-opening of benzothiazoles initiated by the attack of acyl radical on the thiazole ring and intramolecular condensation is proposed based on the isolation of an anilide disulfide intermediate.     

FeCl3-promoted formation of C–C bonds: synthesis of substituted quinolines from imines and electron-deficient alkynes

An efficient method for the synthesis of substituted quinolines is described. By FeCl₃-promoted C–C bond formation, 2,3-disubstituted and 2,3,4-trisubstituted quinolines were successfully synthesized from the reaction between imines and electron-deficient alkynes in good yields. The reaction can also be performed in a sequential three-component manner by using aromatic amines and aromatic aldehydes instead of the corresponding imines.     

Aerobic photo-oxidative cleavage of the C-C double bonds of styrenes

Carbon tetrabromide enables us to carry out oxidative cleavage of the C-C double bonds of styrenes under aerobic photo-irradiation conditions. Oxidative cleavage of the various β-substituted styrenes produced benzoic acid in good yields. Since this reaction is found to be applicable to the α- or β-substituted styrenes, which showed very low reactivity under our previous cleavage reaction condition with FSM-16 and I₂, this reaction can be used complementarily.     

A 2,6‐Bis(phenylamino)pyridinato Titanium Catalyst for the Highly Regioselective Hydroaminoalkylation of Styrenes and 1,3‐Butadienes

The C? C bond forming catalytic hydroaminoalkylation of terminal alkenes, 1,3‐dienes, or styrenes allows a direct and highly atom efficient (100 %) synthesis of amines which can result in the formation of two regioisomers, the linear and the branched product. We present a new titanium catalyst with 2,6‐bis(phenylamino)pyridinato ligands for intermolecular hydroaminoalkylation reactions of styrenes and 1‐phenyl‐1,3‐butadienes that delivers the corresponding linear hydroaminoalkylation products with excellent regioselectivities.     

Facile synthesis of 1,4-benzothiazin-3-ones from Cu-catalyzed coupling of 2-iodoanilines and 2-mercaptoacetate

A novel synthesis of 1,4-benzothiazin-3-ones was developed from Cu-catalyzed coupling of readily available substituted 2-iodoanilines with 2-mercaptoacetate. The new method offers clear advantages over existing approaches for its one-step simple operation, wider reaction scope, and moderate to excellent isolated yields.     

1,1-Regioselective alkenylboration of styrenes enabled by palladium catalysis

Despite the 1,2-difunctionalization reactions of styrenes have been well developed, the 1,1-regioselective addition reaction remains challenging. We disclose herein a palladium-catalyzed, highly 1,1-regioselective alkenylboration of styrenes by using alkenyl triflates and a diboron reagent as the coupling partners. A wide scope of styrenes derivatives and alkenyl triflates participate this reaction to provide the corresponding allyl boronates with high regioisomeric ratios. The success of this reaction is ascribed to the application of 1,10-phenanthroline-derivated ligand and the addition of ammonium chloride salt. Moreover, acrylate esters can also selectively afford the 1,1-alkenylboration products under the same reaction conditions.     

Copper-catalyzed efficient dithiocyanation of styrenes: Synthesis of dithiocyanates

A novel Cu-catalyzed intermolecular chemoselectivity dithiocyanation of styrenes with ammonium thiocyanate has been developed under mild conditions. This reaction exhibits a wide range of functional-group tolerance in styrenes to afford various dithiocyanates. The reaction mechanism was primarily investigated and a radical process was proposed.     

Designed To React: Terminal Copper Nitrenes and Their Application in Catalytic C−H Aminations

Heteroscorpionate ligands of the bis(pyrazolyl)methane family have been applied in the stabilisation of terminal copper tosyl nitrenes. These species are highly active intermediates in the copper‐catalysed direct C?H amination and nitrene transfer. Novel perfluoroalkyl‐pyrazolyl‐ and pyridinyl‐containing ligands were synthesized to coordinate to a reactive copper nitrene centre. Four distinct copper tosyl nitrenes were prepared at low temperatures by the reaction with SO₂tBuPhINTs and copper(I) acetonitrile complexes. Their stoichiometric reactivity has been elucidated regarding the imination of phosphines and the aziridination of styrenes. The formation and thermal decay of the copper nitrenes were investigated by UV/Vis spectroscopy of the highly coloured species. Additionally, the compounds were studied by cryo‐UHR‐ESI mass spectrometry and DFT calculations. In addition, a mild catalytic procedure has been developed where the copper nitrene precursors enable the C?H amination of cyclohexane and toluene and the aziridination of styrenes.     

Base-promoted N-alkylation using formamides as the N-sources in neat water

An efficient catalyst-free, alternative method for the C–N bond formation reaction of alkyl electrophiles using formamides as the N-sources was achieved under mild conditions. The reaction possesses the advantages of a broad range of substrates scope and wide functional group tolerance. It should also be noted that this process was performed using the environmentally benign water as the sole solvent, and high yield can also be achieved in ten-gram scale.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Cascade CH Trifluoroethylation of Aryl Iodides and Heck Reaction: Efficient Synthesis of ortho‐Trifluoroethylstyrenes

A palladium‐catalyzed selective C? H bond trifluoroethylation of aryl iodides has been explored. The reaction allows for the efficient synthesis of a variety of ortho‐trifluoroethyl‐substituted styrenes. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction might involve a key Pd^IV intermediate, which is generated through the rate‐determining oxidative addition of CF₃CH₂I to a palladacycle; the bulky nature of CF₃CH₂I influences the reactivity. Reductive elimination from the Pd^IV complex then leads to the formation of the aryl–CH₂CF₃ bond.     

Epoxidation of styrenes with the peroxidase from the cultured cells of Nicotiana tabacum

An enzyme concerned with the epoxidation of styrenes was isolated from cultured cells of Nicotiana tabacum. The enzyme had peroxidase activity as well as epoxidation activity, and its amino acid sequence showed 89% homology in their 9 amino acid overlap with horseradish peroxidase. In the enzymatic reaction, hydrogen peroxide and p-cresol were necessary and molecular oxygen was the source of the oxygen atom of the epoxide. The enzymatic reaction using a spin trap reagent and monitoring of the reaction with ESR indicated that the epoxidation reaction of styrenes proceeded by a radical mechanism with peroxidase.     

Aminol initiated Prins cyclization for the synthesis of octahydro-1H-pyrano [3,4-c]pyridine and hexahydro-1H-furo[3,4-c]pyrrole derivatives

Various aldehydes undergo smooth coupling with a branched homoallylic alcohol appended N-tosyl amine (1 & 3) in the presence of 10 mol % BF₃·OEt₂ at room temperature to afford a novel class of 1,8-disubstituted octahydropyrano[3,4-c]pyridine and 1,6-disubstituted hexahydrofuro[3,4-c]pyrrole derivatives in good yields, respectively.     

Cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate: Reagent for the versatile oxidative functionalization of styrenes using N-hydroxyphthalimide

Cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate was found to be a versatile reagent for the oxidative functionalization of styrenes using N-hydroxyphthalimide and iodine affording three different types of products with oxyphthalimide, nitrate and iodide groups. It was shown that reaction of styrenes with N-hydroxyphthalimide and cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate can be selectively directed to oxynitro-oxyphthalimides and dioxyphthalimides depending on the reaction conditions, in particular a solvent. Reaction of styrenes with iodine under the action of N-hydroxyphthalimide and cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate leads to the formation of iodo-oxyphthalimides.     

Visible‐Light‐Mediated [4+2] Cycloaddition of Styrenes: Synthesis of Tetralin Derivatives

We report a formal [4+2] cycloaddition reaction of styrenes under visible‐light catalysis. Two styrene molecules with different electronic or steric properties were found to react with each other in good yield and excellent chemo‐ and regioselectivity. This reaction provides direct access to polysubstituted tetralin scaffolds from readily available styrenes. Sophisticated tricyclic and tetracyclic tetralin analogues were prepared in high yield and up to 20/1 diasteroselectivity from cyclic substrates.     

Visible-Light-Mediated [4+2] Cycloaddition of Styrenes: Synthesis of Tetralin Derivatives

We report a formal [4+2] cycloaddition reaction of styrenes under visible-light catalysis. Two styrene molecules with different electronic or steric properties were found to react with each other in good yield and excellent chemo- and regioselectivity. This reaction provides direct access to polysubstituted tetralin scaffolds from readily available styrenes. Sophisticated tricyclic and tetracyclic tetralin analogues were prepared in high yield and up to 20/1 diasteroselectivity from cyclic substrates.