Pd‐Catalyzed C−H Alkylation of Arenes Using PyrDipSi,a Transformable and Removable Silicon‐Tethered Directing Group

An efficient Pd‐catalyzed ortho‐C?H alkylation reaction of arenes using a transformable and removable Si‐tethered pyridyldiisopropylsilyl (PyrDipSi) directing group has been developed. In addition, the PyrDipSi directing group allows for an efficient sequential double‐fold C?H alkylation/oxygenation of arenes to produce meta‐alkylated phenols. This directing group can easily be removed or converted into valuable functionalities, such as aryl, iodo, boronic ester, or phenol.     

Palladium-catalyzed coupling of arene C-H bonds with methyl- and arylboron reagents assisted by the removable 2-pyridylsulfinyl group

The Pd(II)-catalyzed direct coupling of arene C-H bonds with organoboron reagents assisted by the 2-pyridylsulfinyl group is reported. Methylboronic acid and arylboronic acid neopentyl esters proved to be efficient coupling partners, furnishing methylated arenes and biaryl products in moderate to good yields. The 2-pyridylsulfinyl group can be easily removed to provide the free biaryls. The essential role of the 2-pyridyl unit in stabilizing the cyclopalladation complex was demonstrated by X-ray diffraction analysis of the palladacycle intermediate.     

Copper-catalyzed oxidative trifluoromethylation of terminal alkynes and aryl boronic acids using (trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane

Trifluoromethylated acetylenes and arenes are widely applicable in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. In 2010, our group has reported the copper-mediated oxidative trifluomethylation of terminal alkynes and aryl boronic acids. This method allows a wide range of functional group tolerant trifluoromethylated acetylenes and arenes to be easily prepared. After the preliminary mechanistic studies of the oxidative trifluoromethylation of terminal alkyne, an efficient copper-catalyzed oxidative trifluoromethylation of terminal alkynes and aryl boronic acids has been developed. The catalytic protocol is successfully achieved by adding both the substrate and a portion of CF(3)TMS slowly using a syringe pump to the reaction mixture.     

Ruthenium(II)-catalyzed synthesis of hydroxylated arenes with ester as an effective directing group

An unprecedented Ru(II) catalyzed ortho-hydroxylation has been developed for the facile synthesis of a variety of multifunctionalized arenes from easily accessible ethyl benzoates with ester as an efficient directing group. Both the TFA/TFAA cosolvent system and oxidants serve as the critical success factors in this transformation. The reaction demonstrates excellent reactivity, good functional group tolerance, and high yields.     

Samarium triflate-catalyzed halogen-promoted Friedel-Crafts alkylation with alkenes

A versatile and efficient halogen-promoted highly regio- and stereoselective Friedel-Crafts (F-C) alkylation with alkenes has been developed with use of easily available and inexpensive NBS or I2 as the efficient halogen sources. Lewis acids, in particular metal triflates, are found to be effective catalysts for this halogen-promoted F-C alkylation. Among these, Sm(OTf)3 was the best catalyst. Electron-rich arenes smoothly underwent F-C alkylation with a variety of alkenes including alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds.     

Polystyrene and Silica Gel–Supported,AlCl3-Catalyzed Preparation of Diaryl Sulfoxides from Arenes and Thionyl Chloride

A simple, chemoselective, and efficient method has been developed for direct conversion of arenes to symmetrical diaryl sulfoxides using thionyl chloride in the presence of a catalytic amount of cross-linked polystyrene-supported aluminium chloride (Ps-AlCl₃) and silica gel–supported aluminium chloride (SiO₂-AlCl₃). These solid acid catalysts are stable and can be easily recovered and reused without appreciable change in their efficiency.     

Copper-mediated oxidative trifluoromethylation of boronic acids

A copper-mediated oxidative cross-coupling of aryl- and alkenylboronic acids with (trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane (Me(3)SiCF(3)) under mild conditions has been developed. This method allows a wide range of functional group tolerant trifluoromethylated arenes and alkenes to be easily prepared. This oxidative trifluoromethylation has the potential to introduce trifluoromethyl groups into advanced, highly functionalized organic molecules.     

Efficient synthesis of copillar[5]arenes and their host-guest properties with dibromoalkanes

An efficient method for the synthesis of copillar[5]arenes was developed with FeCl(3) as catalyst and different 1,4-dialkoxybenzenes and paraformaldehyde as reactants (yields: 50-85%). The host-guest property of (co)pillar[5]arenes and terminal dibromoalkanes was investigated by (1)H NMR measurements and an X-ray study. The complexation behavior of the copillar[5]arenes can be tuned by changing the substituents on the host. A complete complexation selectivity was found between pillar[5]- and pillar[6]arenes, which is an interesting aspect for sensor techniques.     

Alternative Strategies with Iodine: Fast Access to Previously Inaccessible Iodine(III) Compounds

Non‐iodinated arenes can be easily and selectively converted into (diacetoxyiodo)arenes in a single step under mild conditions by using iodine triacetates as reagents. The oxidative step is decoupled from the synthesis of hypervalent iodine(III) reagents, which can now be prepared conveniently in a one‐pot synthesis for subsequent reactions without prior purification. The chemistry of iodine triacetates was also expanded to heteroatom ligand exchanges to form novel inorganic hypervalent iodine compounds.     

Efficient and Practical Arene Hydrogenation by Heterogeneous Catalysts under Mild Conditions

An efficient and practical arene hydrogenation procedure based on the use of heterogeneous platinum group catalysts has been developed. Rh/C is the most effective catalyst for the hydrogenation of the aromatic ring, which can be conducted in iPrOH under neutral conditions and at ordinary to medium H₂ pressures (<10 atm). A variety of arenes such as alkylbenzenes, benzoic acids, pyridines, furans, are hydrogenated to the corresponding cyclohexyl and heterocyclic compounds in good to excellent yields. The use of Ru/C, less expensive than Rh/C, affords an effective and practical method for the hydrogenation of arenes including phenols. Both catalysts can be reused several times after simple filtration without any significant loss of catalytic activity.     

Palladium-catalyzed C-H alkenylation of arenes using thioethers as directing groups

Thioethers have been proven to be reliable directing groups for palladium catalyzed alkenylation of arenes via C-H activation. Mechanistic investigation reveals that the C-H cleavage of arenes is the turnover-limiting step, and an acetate-bridged dinuclear cyclopalladation intermediate is involved. The alkenylated thioethers can be easily removed and transformed into a variety of useful groups.     

Copper‐Mediated Aromatic 1,1‐Difluoroethylation with (1,1‐Difluoroethyl)trimethylsilane (TMSCF2CH3)

A new method for the formation of 1,1‐difluoroethyl copper species (“CuCF₂CH₃”) with 1,1‐difluoroethylsilane (TMSCF₂CH₃) has been developed. The “CuCF₂CH₃” species can be applied to the efficient 1,1‐difluoroethylation of diaryliodonium salts under mild conditions, affording (1,1‐difluoroethyl)arenes in good to excellent yields. This convenient procedure tolerates a wide range of functional groups and thus serves as a practical synthetic tool for the introduction of CF₂CH₃ group(s) into complex molecules.     

Facile synthesis of (E)-alkenyl aldehydes from allyl arenes or alkenes via Pd(II)-catalyzed direct oxygenation of allylic C-H bond

Palladium-catalyzed oxygenation of allyl arenes or alkenes has been developed to produce (E)-alkenyl aldehydes with high yields. Allylic C-H bond cleavages occur under the mild conditions during this process. Mechanistic studies show that oxygen source is water.     

Site‐Selective C−H Oxygenation via Aryl Sulfonium Salts

Herein, we report a two‐step process forming arene C?O bonds in excellent site‐selectivity at a late‐stage. The C?O bond formation is achieved by selective introduction of a thianthrenium group, which is then converted into C?O bonds using photoredox chemistry. Electron‐rich, ‐poor and ‐neutral arenes as well as complex drug‐like small molecules are successfully transformed into both phenols and various ethers. The sequence differs conceptually from all previous arene oxygenation reactions in that oxygen functionality can be incorporated into complex small molecules at a late stage site‐selectively, which has not been shown via aryl halides.     

Regioselective ipso-nitration of calix[4]arenes

A novel protection/deprotection method leading to the regioselective ipso-substitution of calix[4]arenes is described. The introduction of nosyl (p-nitrobenzenesulfonyl) groups into the lower rim of partly alkylated tert-butylcalix[4]arenes leads subsequently to the exclusive ipso-nitration of the alkylated phenol rings, while the protecting groups can be easily removed in the next step. This method gives dialkoxy- or trialkoxy-substituted calix[4]arenes with nitro groups on the alkylated rings and tert-butyl groups on the remaining ones. The above substitution pattern is complementary to the isomers so far known in the chemistry of calix[4]arenes and could be used in the design of novel type of calixarene-based receptors.     

Aryl methyl sulfides as substrates for rhodium-catalyzed alkyne carbothiolation: arene functionalization with activating group recycling

A Rh(I)-catalyzed method for the efficient functionalization of arenes is reported. Aryl methyl sulfides are combined with terminal alkynes to deliver products of carbothiolation. The overall process results in reincorporation of the original arene functional group, a methyl sulfide, into the products as an alkenyl sulfide. The carbothiolation process can be combined with an initial Rh(I)-catalyzed alkene or alkyne hydroacylation reaction in three-component cascade sequences. The utility of the alkenyl sulfide products is also demonstrated in simple carbo- and heterocycle-forming processes. We also provide mechanistic evidence for the course of this new process.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Difluoromethylation of Arylboronic Acids with Bromodifluoromethane

Although bromodifluoromethane (BrCF₂H) is a simple and readily available fluorine source, direct formation of difluoromethylated arenes with BrCF₂H has not been reported. Herein, we describe an efficient method to access difluoromethylated arenes through a nickel‐catalyzed difluoromethylation of arylboronic acids with BrCF₂H. The reaction exhibits high efficiency, good functional group tolerance and broad substrate scope, thus providing an efficient route for applications in drug discovery and development. Preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that a difluoromethyl radical is involved in the reaction.     

Silanol as a removable directing group for the Pd(II)-catalyzed direct olefination of arenes

Need some direction? Silanol was developed as a directing group for the Pd(II)-catalyzed oxidative Heck-type reaction of arenes. A one-pot C-H activation/desilylation process of benzyldiisopropylsilanol was also demonstrated, providing a powerful approach for the synthesis of ortho-alkenyl-substituted alkylarenes. Considering the easily attachable and readily removable properties of the silanol group, this reaction will find broad synthetic applications.     

Amberlyst-15: an efficient and reusable catalyst for the Friedel-Crafts reactions of activated arenes and heteroarenes with α-amido sulfones

The heterogeneous Amberlyst-15 catalyst displays efficient catalytic properties for the Friedel-Crafts reactions between an activated arenes or heteroarenes and α-amido sulfones. Various α-amido sulfones on treatment with 1,2,4-trimethoxy benzene give the Friedel-Crafts reaction products in very good yield. The reactions with heteroarenes show moderate yield of the product. The catalyst can be easily recycled without significant loss of activity.     

Oxygenative Cleavage of Chlorocatechols with Molecular Oxygen Catalyzed by Non-Heme Iron(III) Complexes and Its Relevance to Chlorocatechol Dioxygenases

The degradation of halogenated arenes , which are considered as hazardous compounds from a toxicological and environmental point of view, can be effected by non-heme iron enzymes such as chlorocatechol dioxygenases. In principle, this process of biological oxygenation mimics the reaction of the iron complex shown below [Eq. (a); Py=2-pyridyl].