Photoinduced inverse Sonogashira coupling reaction

Alkynes are widely used in chemistry, medicine and materials science. Here we demonstrate a transition-metal and photocatalyst-free inverse Sonogashira coupling reaction between iodoalkynes and (hetero)arenes or alkenes under visible-light irradiation. Mechanistic and computational studies suggest that iodoalkynes can be directly activated by visible light irradiation, and an excited state iodoalkyne acted as an “alkynyl radical synthetic equivalent”, reacting with a series of C(sp²)–H bonds for coupling products. This work should open new windows in radical chemistry and alkynylation method.

A transition-metal and photocatalyst-free, photoinduced inverse Sonogashira coupling reaction was developed. Under visible-light irradiation, the excited state iodoalkyne acted as an “alkynyl radical synthetic equivalent”.

Alkynes are among the most important class of compounds in organic chemistry. Because of their structural rigidity, special electronic properties and numerous methods available for the functionalization of the triple bond, alkynes are important tools and structural elements both in medicinal chemistry and materials sciences.¹ Therefore, the development of a new methodology to introduce carbon–carbon triple bonds is of great importance in organic chemistry. The Sonogashira coupling reaction is typically used for the formation of C(sp)–C(sp²) bonds starting from hetero(aryl) halides and terminal alkynes.² Recently, “inverse Sonogashira coupling” involving the direct alkynylation of unreactive C(sp²)–H bonds with readily available alkynyl halides has received growing interest in the development of a complementary strategy (Fig. 1a). Various main-group and transition metals have been developed to promote this transformation.³ In addition, a photomediated Sonogashira reaction without a photocatalyst was also developed by several groups (Fig. 1b).⁴Open in a separate windowFig. 1Models of alkynylation. (a) Conventional inverse Sonogashira reaction. (b) Photomediated Sonogashira reaction. (c) SOMOphilic alkynylation. (d) Photoinduced inverse Sonogashira reaction.In recent years, SOMOphilic alkylnylation (SOMO = singly occupied molecular orbital) has become an excellent method of introducing alkynyl groups (Fig. 1c).⁵ Based on photoredox and transition metal catalysis, numerous in situ generated radicals undergo α-addition and β-elimination to alkynyl reagents, like the broadly applicable ethynylbenziodoxolone (EBX) reagent. Various radical alkynylations were thus discovered by Li,⁶ Chen,⁷ Waser,⁸ and many other groups.⁹ However, extending the scope of radical precursors, more atom–economic reactions, and a deeper understanding of the mechanism in these transformations are still highly desirable.After the discovering of trityl radicals by Gomberg in 1900, the “rational” era of radical chemistry has since begun.¹⁰ Now, the development of radical reactions, especially those involving C(sp³) and C(sp²) radicals, enables rapid access to drug discovery, agrochemistry, materials science, and other disciplines.¹¹ However, the C(sp) radical remains a baffling species. Due to their very high energy, short life time, and limited and harsh preparation methods, alkynyl radicals remain an elusive species, which just exists in some extreme environments, like outer-space and the petrochemical industry.¹² Even though alkynyl radicals have been proposed as intermediates for some alkynylation methods, they were regarded as mysterious species and ignored by organic chemists for a long time.¹³ Recently, two approaches have been developed to aid the alkynyl radical generation step. In 2015, Hashmi and collaborators reported a [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂]²⁺ catalyzed free radical–radical C(sp)–C(sp³) bond coupling reaction between iodoalkynes and aliphatic amines.¹⁴ Under irradiation of sunlight, the dimeric gold complex was proposed to reduce the iodine acetylide to an alkynyl radical. In 2017, Li developed a transition-metal-free alkynylation reaction between iodoalkyne and 2-indolinone.¹⁵ Iodoalkynes could release alkynyl radicals under high temperature conditions. In 2019, we reported an Au(i) and Ir(iii) catalyzed alkynylative cyclization of o-alkylnylphenols with iodoalkynes, wherein the photosensitized energy transfer promoted the oxidative addition of a gold(i) complex with iodoalkynes.¹⁶ Based on our continuous interest in haloalkyne and photo-chemistry, we proposed that an iodoalkyne could be a potential “alkynyl radical precursor” under light irradiation. In this work, we uncovered a novel mode of transition-metal and photocatalyst-free, direct photoexcitation of iodoalkynes for the inverse Sonogashira coupling reaction with arenes, heteroarenes, and alkenes via an “alkynyl-radical type” transfer (Fig. 1d).     

Efficient palladium-catalyzed homocoupling reaction and Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction of terminal alkynes under aerobic conditions

An efficient method for palladium-catalyzed homocoupling reaction of terminal alkynes in the synthesis of symmetric diynes is presented. The results showed that both Pd(OAc)(2) and CuI played crucial roles in the reaction. In the presence of 2 mol % Pd(OAc)(2), 2 mol % CuI, 3 equiv of Dabco, and air, homocoupling of various terminal alkynes afforded the corresponding symmetrical diynes in moderate to excellent yields, whereas low yields were obtained without either Pd(OAc)(2) or CuI. Moreover, high TONs (turnover numbers; up to 940 000 for the reaction of phenylacetylene) for the homocoupling reaction were observed. Under similar reaction conditions, cross-coupling of 1-iodo-4-nitrobenzene with phenylacetylene was also carried out smoothly in quantitative yield. However, the presence of CuI disfavored the palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions of the less active aryl iodides and bromides. In the presence of 0.01-2 mol % Pd(OAc)(2), a number of aryl iodides and bromides were coupled with terminal alkynes in good to excellent yields. It is noteworthy that this protocol employs mild, efficient, aerobic, copper-free, and ligand-free conditions.     

Click-reagent version of Sonogashira coupling protocol to conjugated fluorescent alkynes with no or reduced homocoupling

A click-reagent version of the Sonogashira-coupling protocol has been developed. Diarylalkynes with donor and/or acceptor substituents have been synthesized via this protocol at moderate to excellent yields and with no or drastically reduced quantities of undesired homocoupled side products. This protocol is green-solvent compatible, air-insensitive, and effective under microwave conditions.     

Cyclopalladated ferrocenylimines: efficient catalysts for homocoupling and Sonogashira reaction of terminal alkynes

A novel pathway for homocoupling of terminal alkynes has been described using cyclopalladated ferrocenylimine 1 or 2/CuI as catalyst in the air. This catalytic system could tolerate several functional groups. The palladacycle 2 in the presence of n-Bu₄NBr as an additive could be applied to Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction of aryl iodides, aryl bromides, and some activated aryl chlorides with terminal alkynes under amine- and copper-free conditions, mostly to give moderate to excellent yields.     

Palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling reaction followed by isomerization and cyclization

2-Iodoaniline reacts with terminal acetylenic carbinols in THF at 80 °C in the presence of a catalytic amount of PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂ and CuI along with aqueous tetrabutylammonium hydroxide to afford the corresponding 2-arylquinolines in good yields. The catalytic pathway seems to be proceeded via a sequence involving initial Sonogashira coupling between 2-iodoaniline and terminal acetylenic carbinols to form coupled acetylenic carbinols, isomerization of coupled acetylenic carbinols to α,β-unsaturated ketones, and cyclodehydration.     

New nonlinear optical polyurethanes with adjusted subtle structure through Sonogashira coupling reaction

In this paper, four new nonlinear optical (NLO) polyurethanes ( P1 – P4 ) were designed and synthesized, and according to the concept of “suitable isolation group,” the subtle structure of the obtained polymers were modified by the introduction of isolation groups in different sizes to adjust their properties via Sonogashira coupling reaction. All the polymers were well characterized and the second harmonic generation (SHG) experiment results demonstrated that BOP groups were the suitable isolation groups in this system, and the corresponding polymer P2 exhibited a larger d₃₃ value than other polymers. Thus, the obtained results further confirmed our original idea and were consistent with the concept of “suitable isolation group.” Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Microwave-enhanced Sonogashira coupling reaction of substituted pyrimidinones and pyrimidine nucleosides

Direct microwave-enhanced Sonogashira coupling of several pyrimidinones and uridine with alkynes, PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂, Et₃N and CuI to give the corresponding 5-alkynyl derivatives is described.     

Recent progress and current applications of Sonogashira coupling reaction in water

The use of aqueous media in palladium‐catalyzed reactions has become popular because water‐based synthetic processes are inherently safer as well as being inexpensive. Moreover, it does not require dry solvents, and the products may easily be isolated by extraction, which greatly facilitates the operation. Thus the use of water in palladium‐catalyzed reactions represents one of the most economically and environmentally viable options for many organic transformations. In this review, recent developments of Sonogashira reaction in water or aqueous media will be disclosed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cross-linked polymer supported palladium catalyzed carbonylative Sonogashira coupling reaction in water

A cross-linked polymer-supported ionic liquid immobilized palladium catalyst, which is prepared by reaction of the Pd(OAc)₂ with copolymer of 3-butyl-1-vinylimidazolium iodide and divinylbenzene, was well characterized and employed as an effective heterogeneous catalyst for carbonylative Sonogashira coupling reaction of aryl iodides with terminal alkynes in water, affording the corresponding α,β-alkynyl ketones in good to excellent yields. The catalytic system not only solves the basic problem of homogeneous palladium catalyst recovery and reuse but also avoids the use of toxic phosphine ligands. The stability of supported palladium was also discussed.     

Synthesis of indolequinones via a Sonogashira coupling/cyclization cascade reaction

A mild strategy for constructing indolequinone motifs is described on the basis of the Sonogashira reaction and a copper-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization cascade reaction. The first step involves the palladium- and copper-catalyzed reaction between halogenated naphthoquinone and terminal acetylene to generate a coupling product, which then reacts in a copper-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization with the nitrogen functional group adjacent to the carbon-carbon triple bond.     

Asymmetric synthesis of macrocyclic binaphthol dimers using a Sonogashira coupling reaction

Asymmetric synthesis of 24- and 26-membered macrocyclic binaphthol dimers was achieved by assembling a 3,3′-diethynyl-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol unit and 1,2- and 1,3-phenylene units with Sonogashira coupling reaction.     

The Sonogashira coupling reaction catalyzed by ultrafine nickel(0) powder

The Sonogashira coupling reaction catalyzed by ultrafine nickel(0) powder has been developed; terminal alkynes couple with aryl, alkenyl iodide and aryl bromide in the presence of cuprous iodide, triphenylphosphine, potassium hydroxide and ultrafine particle nickel(0) to provide the corresponding cross-coupling products with high yields.     

Gold catalyzes the Sonogashira coupling reaction without the requirement of palladium impurities

By a combination of kinetic and theoretical studies it is concluded that gold is intrinsically active to perform the Sonogashira coupling reaction between phenylacetylene and iodobenzene. The presence of Pd impurities is not mandatory for catalyst activity.     

Sonogashira coupling reaction of homopropargyl ether with aryl bromides and synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted 3-bromofurans

This paper presents Sonogashira coupling reaction of aryl bromides with protected homopropargyl alcohols such as tert-butyldimethyl(1-phenylbut-3-ynyloxy)silane and tert-butyldimethyl(1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)but-3-ynyloxy)silane in piperidine catalyzed by PdCl₂/PPh₃ without copper(I). The coupling products, disubstituted acetylene, are obtained in good or excellent yields. These products can be further used for the synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted 3-bromofurans.     

Carbonylative Sonogashira coupling of terminal alkynes with aqueous ammonia

[reaction: see text] Carbonylative coupling of phenylethyne with 4-methoxy-1-iodobenzene in the presence of 1 mol % PdCl(2)(PPh(3))(2), 2 equiv of 0.5 M aqueous ammonia, and CO (1 atm) gives the corresponding alpha,beta-alkynyl ketone in 72% isolated yield after stirring at room temperature for 41 h, while noncarbonylative coupling product is not obtained.     

Copper-free Sonogashira coupling of cyclopropyl iodides with terminal alkynes

The substrate scope of the copper-free Sonogashira coupling has been successfully extended to cyclopropyl iodides, allowing an efficient access to a wide variety of functionalized alkynyl cyclopropanes.     

Development of environmental friendly synthetic strategies for Sonogashira cross coupling reaction: An update

Sonogashira cross coupling is a well-known reaction for the formation of carbon–carbon bond. It involves the coupling of aryl halides with terminal alkynes to synthesize versatile functionalized alkyne scaffolds having diverse applications. Many of the natural products and important pharmaceutical drugs can be obtained through this reaction. In this regard, hectic progress has been put by the synthetic chemists to make this cross coupling more effective. This review article discloses mild and environmental friendly reaction conditions of Sonogashira cross coupling developed during 2013–2018.     

Studies on the radical addition reaction of perfluoroalkyl iodides with 2,3-allenols and the Pd-catalyzed kinetic resolution via Sonogashira coupling reaction

A radical addition reaction promoted by Na₂S₂O₄ of perfluoroalkyl iodides with 2,3-allenols affording E/Z mixtures of 3-iodo-4-perfluoroalkyl-substituted allylic alcohols has been studied. Kinetic resolution with Sonogashira coupling reaction was applied to afford the Z isomer of 3-iodo-4-perfluoroalkyl-substituted allylic alcohol (Z-3) and the E isomer of conjugated enynic diols (E-5) in 39-52% and 22-40% yields, respectively.     

Selectivity studies in the reaction between iodobenzene and phenylacetylene: Sonogashira coupling vs hydroarylation

The selectivity of the coupling reaction between iodobenzene and phenylacetylene was evaluated. Several palladium catalysts, ligands and reaction conditions were tested, showing that supported catalysts, room temperature or ionic liquids (NHC precursors) favor Sonogashira coupling, while the non‐supported ones, higher temperature and PPh₃ as ligand, favor hydroarylation. Neither excess of iodobenzene nor phenylboronic acids are required; and it is possible to avoid the use of PPh₃, although this lowers selectivity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.