Single‐Electron‐Transfer‐Induced Coupling of Arylzinc Reagents with Aryl and Alkenyl Halides

Arylzinc reagents, prepared from aryl halides/zinc powder or aryl Grignard reagents/zinc chloride, were found to undergo coupling with aryl and alkenyl halides without the aid of transition‐metal catalysis to give biaryls and styrene derivatives, respectively. In this context, we have already reported the corresponding reaction using aryl Grignard reagents instead of arylzinc reagents. Compared with the Grignard cross‐coupling, the present reaction features high functional‐group tolerance, whereby electrophilic groups such as alkoxycarbonyl and cyano groups are compatible as substituents on both the arylzinc reagents and the aryl halides. Aryl halides receive a single electron and thereby become activated as the corresponding anion radicals, which react with arylzinc reagents, thus leading to the cross‐coupling products.     

Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed CS Bond Coupling Reaction

Sulfur‐containing molecules such as thioethers are commonly found in chemical biology, organic synthesis, and materials chemistry. While many reliable methods have been developed for preparing these compounds, harsh reaction conditions are usually required in the traditional methods. The transition metals have been applied in this field, and the palladium‐catalyzed coupling of thiols with aryl halides and pseudo halides is one of the most important methods in the synthesis of thioethers. Other metals have also been used for the same purpose. Here, we summarize recent efforts in metal‐catalyzed C? S bond cross‐coupling reactions, focusing especially on the coupling of thiols with aryl‐ and vinyl halides based on different metals.     

C‐phosphorylation of 2,5‐dimethyl‐N‐arylpyrroles

C‐Phosphorylation of 2,5‐dimethylpyrroles with phosphorus (III) halides has been studied. Synthetic methods have been elaborated that provide an access to 3‐phosphorylated 2,5‐dimethylpyrroles, including pyrrole‐substituted halogeno and dihalogeno phosphines; on this basis, a variety of trivalent and pentavalent phosphorus derivatives has been obtained. Ortho‐diphosphorylated 2,5‐dimethyl‐N‐arylpyrrole derivatives have been synthesized for the first time. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 10:223–230, 1999     

Visible‐Light‐Promoted Nickel‐ and Organic‐Dye‐Cocatalyzed Formylation Reaction of Aryl Halides and Triflates and Vinyl Bromides with Diethoxyacetic Acid as a Formyl Equivalent

A simple formylation reaction of aryl halides, aryl triflates, and vinyl bromides under synergistic nickel‐ and organic‐dye‐mediated photoredox catalysis is reported. Distinct from widely used palladium‐catalyzed formylation processes, this reaction proceeds by a two‐step mechanistic sequence involving initial in situ generation of the diethoxymethyl radical from diethoxyacetic acid by a 4CzIPN‐mediated photoredox reaction. The formyl‐radical equivalent then undergoes nickel‐catalyzed substitution reactions with aryl halides and triflates and vinyl bromides to form the corresponding aldehyde products. Significantly, besides aryl bromides, less reactive aryl chlorides and triflates and vinyl halides serve as effective substrates for this process. Since the mild conditions involved in this reaction tolerate a plethora of functional groups, the process can be applied to the efficient preparation of diverse aromatic aldehydes.     

Mechanism of Ligand‐Controlled Regioselectivity‐Switchable Copper‐Catalyzed Alkylboration of Alkenes

Cu‐catalyzed alkylboration of alkenes with bis(pinacolato)diboron ((Bpin)₂) and alkyl halides provides a ligand‐controlled regioselectivity‐switchable method for the construction of complex boron‐containing compounds. Here, we employed DFT methods to elucidate the mechanistic details of this reaction and the origin of the different regioselectivity induced by Xantphos and Cy‐Xantphos. The calculation results reveal that the catalytic cycle mainly proceeds through the migratory insertion of alkenes on Cu‐Bpin complex, the oxidative addition of alkyl halides, and the reductive elimination of a C?C bond. Meanwhile, the rate‐ determining step is the oxidative addition of alkyl halides and the regioselectivity‐determining step is the migratory insertion of alkenes. The bulky cyclohexyl group of Cy‐Xantphos facilitates the approach of the substituents of alkenes to Bpin in the migratory insertion step and thus leads to the Markovnikov products. The less bulky phenyl group on Xantphos prefers keeping the substituents of alkenes away from the Bpin moiety in the migratory insertion step and thus results in anti‐Markovnikov products.     

Regioselective Transition‐Metal‐Free Allyl–Allyl Cross‐Couplings

Readily prepared allylic zinc halides undergo S_N2‐type substitutions with allylic bromides in a 1:1 mixture of THF and DMPU providing 1,5‐dienes regioselectively. The allylic zinc species reacts at the most branched end (γ‐position) of the allylic system furnishing exclusively γ,α′‐allyl–allyl cross‐coupling products. Remarkably, the double bond stereochemistry of the allylic halide is maintained during the cross‐coupling process. Also several functional groups (ester, nitrile) are tolerated. This cross‐coupling of allylic zinc reagents can be extended to propargylic and benzylic halides. DFT calculations show the importance of lithium chloride in this substitution.     

Synthesis and Reactivity of 2‐Pyrrolidino‐, 2‐N‐Methylpiperazino‐, 2‐Piperidino‐, and 2‐Morpholino‐1,3,4‐thiadiazines

A variety of 2‐pyrrolidino‐, 2‐N‐methylpiperazino‐, 2‐piperidino‐, and 2‐morpholino‐1,3,4‐thiadiazines were prepared by cyclocondensation of phenacyl halides with thiosemicarbazides. Heating of the products resulted in desulfurization and formation of pyrazoles. The rate of this process strongly depends on the substitution pattern of the 1,3,4‐thiadiazines.     

Phosphorylation of 2‐(3‐methyl‐1,3‐diazabuten‐1‐yl)‐3‐ethoxycarbonylthiophenes with phosphorus(III) halides

2‐(3‐Methyl‐1,3‐diazabuten‐1‐yl)‐3‐ethoxycarbonylthiophenes are phosphorylated with phosphorus(III) halides in basic media at position 5 of the thiophene ring. Up to three heteroaromatic substituents can be introduced one by one at the same phosphorus atom. On this basis, mono‐, bis‐, and trishetaryl substituted P(III) and P(V) derivatives have been obtained. Phosphorylated 2‐(N,N‐dimethylformamidino)‐3‐ethoxycarbonylthiophenes provide a synthetic access to phosphorylated thienopyrimidines. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 12:641–651, 2001     

Novel Regioselective Synthesis and Biological Activity of 6‐Phenylazo and 3,6‐Bis(arylazo)‐7‐hydroxy‐1H‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]pyrimidin‐5(4H)‐one

Treatment of 6‐hydroxy‐5‐phenylazo‐2‐thioxo‐4(1H)‐pyrimidinone 1 with a series of hydrazonoyl halides 2 and N,2‐diaryl‐diazinecarbohydrazonoyl halides 9 in dioxane in the presence of triethylamine under reflux furnishes 6‐phenylazo and 3,6‐bis(arylazo)‐7‐hydroxy‐1H‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]pyrimidin‐5(4H)‐one derivatives 7 and 10 , respectively. The biological activities of the products were evaluated.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Cross‐Electrophile Coupling with Organic Reductants in Non‐Amide Solvents

Cross‐electrophile coupling of aryl halides with alkyl halides has thus far been primarily conducted with stoichiometric metallic reductants in amide solvents. This report demonstrates that the use of tetrakis(dimethylamino)ethylene (TDAE) as an organic reductant enables the use of non‐amide solvents, such as acetonitrile or propylene oxide, for the coupling of benzyl chlorides and alkyl iodides with aryl halides. Furthermore, these conditions work for several electron‐poor heterocycles that are easily reduced by manganese. Finally, we demonstrate that TDAE addition can be used as a control element to ‘hold’ a reaction without diminishing yield or catalyst activity.     

Palladium(II)‐Initiated Catellani‐Type Reactions

The Catellani reaction is known as a powerful strategy for the expeditious synthesis of highly substituted arenes and benzo‐fused rings, which are usually difficult to access through traditional cross‐coupling strategies. It utilizes the synergistic interplay of palladium and norbornene catalysis to facilitate sequential ortho C?H functionalization and ipso termination of aryl halides in a single operation. In classical Catellani‐type reactions, aryl halides are mainly used as the substrates, and a Pd⁰ catalyst is required to initiate the reaction. Nevertheless, recent advances showcase that Catellani‐type reactions can also be initiated by a Pd^II catalyst with different starting materials instead of aryl halides via different reaction mechanisms and under different conditions. This emerging concept of Pd^II/norbornene cooperative catalysis has significantly advanced Catellani‐type reactions, thus enabling future developments of this field. In this Minireview, Pd^II‐initiated Catellani‐type reactions and their application in the synthesis of bioactive molecules are summarized.     

Synthesis of 6‐(5‐Methylisoxazol‐3yl)‐3‐alkyl Sulfanyl‐[1,2,4]triazolo‐[3,4‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazoles

A new series of isoxazole substituted fused triazolo‐thiadiazoles have been synthesized by the cyclocondensation of 5‐methylisoxazole‐3‐craboxylic acid and 4‐amino 1,2‐4‐triazole‐ 3,5‐dithiol using phosphorous oxychloride. The cyclised intermediate 6‐(5‐methylisoxazol‐3‐yl)‐[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazole‐3‐thiol later on S‐alkylated with different alkyl halides in ethanol to give the title products in good to excellent yields.     

Silica‐supported 3‐4,5‐dihydroimidazol‐1‐yl‐propyltriethoxysilanedichloropalladium(II) complex: Heck and Suzuki cross‐coupling reactions

A novel mesoporous silica‐nanotube‐supported 3‐4,5‐dihydroimidazol‐1‐yl‐propyltriethoxysilanedichloropalladium(II) complex was prepared and characterized. 3‐4,5‐Dihydroimidazol‐1‐yl‐propyltriethoxysilanedichloropalladium(II) and mesoporous silica‐supported 3‐4,5‐dihydroimidazol‐1‐yl‐propyltriethoxysilanedichloropalladium(II) were tested for catalytic activity for Heck coupling reactions between styrene and several aryl halides and Suzuki coupling reactions between phenylboronic acid and several aryl halides. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Efficient Copper(I)‐Catalyzed S‐Arylation of KSCN with Aryl Halides in PEG‐400

A simple and efficient protocol for CuI‐catalyzed C? S bond formation of aryl halides with KSCN to symmetrical diaryl sulfides was reported in PEG‐400 without any other additives. A variety of aryl halides were converted to the corresponding diaryl sulfides in good to excellent yields. The present procedure tolerated a variety of functional groups and the steric hindrance of ortho‐substituents on aryl halides did not affect the outcome.     

Fast,Efficient and Low E‐Factor One‐Pot Palladium‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of (Hetero)Arenes

The homocoupling of aryl halides and the heterocoupling of aryl halides with either aryl bromides or arenes bearing an ortho‐lithiation directing group are presented. The use of a Pd catalyst, in combination with t‐BuLi, allows for the rapid and efficient formation of a wide range of polyaromatic compounds in a one pot procedure bypassing the need for the separate preformation of an organometallic coupling partner. These polyaromatic structures are obtained in high yields, in 10 min at room temperature, with minimal waste generation (E‐factors as low as 1.5) and without the need for strict inert conditions, making this process highly efficient and practical in comparison to classical methods. As illustration, several key intermediates of widely used BINOL‐derived structures are readily prepared.     

Fast,Efficient and Low E‐Factor One‐Pot Palladium‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of (Hetero)Arenes

The homocoupling of aryl halides and the heterocoupling of aryl halides with either aryl bromides or arenes bearing an ortho‐lithiation directing group are presented. The use of a Pd catalyst, in combination with t‐BuLi, allows for the rapid and efficient formation of a wide range of polyaromatic compounds in a one pot procedure bypassing the need for the separate preformation of an organometallic coupling partner. These polyaromatic structures are obtained in high yields, in 10 min at room temperature, with minimal waste generation (E‐factors as low as 1.5) and without the need for strict inert conditions, making this process highly efficient and practical in comparison to classical methods. As illustration, several key intermediates of widely used BINOL‐derived structures are readily prepared.     

Tandem One Pot and Efficient Method for the Palladium‐Reagent‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of Quinazoline Thiols

A facile synthesis of 1,4‐dihydroquinazolines from 2‐aminobenzyl amine and carbon disulfide via dithiocarbamate performed at room temperature is reported. Corresponding S‐alkyl quinazoline derivatives were obtained from 1,4‐dihydroquinazolines in one‐pot reactions under the palladium reagents after addition of alkyl halides. The versatility of this synthetic protocol has been demonstrated with various halo benzenes. The products thus obtained have been characterized by MP, IR, ¹H‐NMR, and mass spectroscopy.     

Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Radical Alkenylation of α‐Carbonyl Alkyl Bromides and Benzyl Bromides

Through the use of [Ru(bpy)₃Cl₂] (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) and [Ir(ppy)₃] (ppy=phenylpyridine) as photocatalysts, we have achieved the first example of visible‐light photocatalytic radical alkenylation of various α‐carbonyl alkyl bromides and benzyl bromides to furnish α‐vinyl carbonyls and allylbenzene derivatives, prominent structural elements of many bioactive molecules. Specifically, this transformation is regiospecific and can tolerate primary, secondary, and even tertiary alkyl halides that bear β‐hydrides, which can be challenging with traditional palladium‐catalyzed approaches. The key initiation step of this transformation is visible‐light‐induced single‐electron reduction of C? Br bonds to generate alkyl radical species promoted by photocatalysts. The following carbon? carbon bond‐forming step involves a radical addition step rather than a metal‐mediated process, thereby avoiding the undesired β‐hydride elimination side reaction. Moreover, we propose that the Ru and Ir photocatalysts play a dual role in the catalytic system: they absorb energy from the visible light to facilitate the reaction process and act as a medium of electron transfer to activate the alkyl halides more effectively. Overall, this photoredox catalysis method opens new synthetic opportunities for the efficient alkenylation of alkyl halides that contain β‐hydrides under mild conditions.     

On the Radical Nature of Iron‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reactions

The radical nature of iron‐catalyzed cross‐coupling between Grignard reagents and alkyl halides has been studied by using a combination of competitive kinetic experiments and DFT calculations. In contrast to the corresponding coupling with aryl halides, which commences through a classical two‐electron oxidative addition/reductive elimination sequence, the presented data suggest that alkyl halides react through an atom‐transfer‐initiated radical pathway. Furthermore, a general iodine‐based quenching methodology was developed to enable the determination of highly accurate concentrations of Grignard reagents, a capability that facilitates and increases the information output of kinetic investigations based on these substrates.     

C‐phosphorylation of n‐methylpyrrole

The phosphorylation of N‐methylpyrrole with phosphorus (III) halides has been studied. Migration of the dibromophosphino group from the second to the third position of N‐methylpyrrole, leading to the 3‐dibromophosphine, has been found. Methods for the synthesis of 2,4‐bisphosphorylated pyrroles have been developed. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 10:213–221, 1999