Single-Electron Transfer Reactions Enabled by N-Heterocyclic Carbene Organocatalysis

Over the past decades, N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) organocatalysis has undergone a flourish of development on the basis of closed-shell reaction paths. By contrast, the emerging area of single-electron transfer (SET) reactions enabled by NHC catalysis still remain underdeveloped, but offer plenty of opportunities to develop new catalytic modes and useful synthetic methods. A number of interesting transformations were triggered by the SET process from the electron-rich Breslow intermediates to various single-electron acceptors. In additions, recent studies revealed that the Breslow radical cations could also be generated by single-electron reduction of the electron-deficient acyl azolium intermediates. These discoveries open a new avenue for NHC organocatalysis to harness radical reactions. The present review will focus on the exciting advancements in the dynamic area of radical NHC organocatalysis.     

Ambident Reactivity of Imidazolium Cations as Evidence of the Dynamic Nature of N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Mediated Organocatalysis

This work reveals ambident nucleophilic reactivity of imidazolium cations towards carbonyl compounds at the C2 or C4 carbene centers depending on the steric properties of the substrates and reaction conditions. Such an adaptive behavior indicates the dynamic nature of organocatalysis proceeding via a covalent interaction of imidazolium carbenes with carbonyl substrates and can be explained by generation of the H-bonded ditopic carbanionic carbenes.     

氮杂环卡宾与过渡金属共催化反应研究进展

近年来,氮杂环卡宾作为有机小分子催化剂在共催化领域取得了飞速发展,氮杂环卡宾通过与Lewis酸、Brønsted酸、Brønsted碱、氢键等不同催化模式相结合,可以有效提升惰性底物的活性和催化体系的立体控制能力,该策略已经成为复杂手性分子骨架合成的重要工具.相对而言,由于氮杂环卡宾与过渡金属的强配位能力,其与过渡金属共催化反应依旧是氮杂环卡宾在共催化领域中长期存在的挑战性工作.目前,氮杂环卡宾在与钯、铜和钌的共催化反应中取得了重要进展,通过配体和反应体系中碱性强弱的调控,可以有效实现氮杂环卡宾与过渡金属配位的可控调节,避免催化剂失活的同时提升反应体系催化活性.这一策略已经被成功用于一些活性分子骨架构建.本文将对该领域中的研究进展进行介绍.     

Remote Electronic Tuning of Chiral N-Heterocyclic Carbenes

Our recent efforts to develop novel N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed asymmetric reactions are described. During our investigation for development of the acylation reactions via acylazoliums generated by the reactions of NHCs and α-oxidized aldehydes, we have observed significant effects of substitution at a remote site of the carbene carbon of NHCs. In addition, we also observed a significant enhancement of the enantioselectivity by the addition of carboxylate anions. From this observation, we proposed a novel working hypothesis involving a formation of a complex of the substrate and additive to reinforce the recognition of the catalyst for enhancement of the catalytic performance of the asymmetric N-heterocyclic carbene system. By applying this concept, we achieved the kinetic resolutions of both cyclic and acyclic alcohols in excellent enantioselectivities. The effects of the remote substitution were also observed in intramolecular Stetter reaction and intermolecular benzoin reaction. In these reactions, the comparison of the catalytic performance of the NHCs bearing variable remote substitutions provided insights into the reaction mechanism because the remote substitution tuned the electronic nature of NHCs without affecting the steric and electrostatic factors around the reaction site. We also developed an intramolecular benzoin condensation involving two aldehydes, which is challenging to realize. Using the substrates bearing proper protecting groups, we succeeded in the stereo divergent synthesis of a variety of inososes, which are important intermediates for the synthesis of biologically active cyclitols.     

Gold(I) Complexes Stabilized by Nine- and Ten-Membered N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands

Nine- and ten-membered N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have been developed and for the first time their gold(I) complexes were synthesized. The protonated NHC pro-ligands 2 a – h were prepared by the reaction of readily available N,N′-diarylformamidines with bis-electrophilic building blocks, followed by anion exchange. In situ deprotonation of the tetrafluoroborates 2 a – h with tBuOK in the presence of AuCl(SMe₂) provided fast access to NHC-gold(I) complexes 3 – 10 . These new NHC-gold(I) complexes show very good catalytic activity in a cycloisomerization reaction (0.1 mol % catalyst loading, up to 100 % conversion) and their solid-state structures reveal high steric hindrance around the metal atom (%V_bur up to 53.0) which is caused by their expanded-ring architecture.     

Radical Acylfluoroalkylation of Olefins through N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Organocatalysis

Fluorinated ketones are widely prevalent in numerous biologically interesting molecules, and the development of novel transformations to access these structures is an important task in organic synthesis. Herein, we report the multicomponent radical acylfluoroalkylation of a variety of olefins in the presence of various commercially available aromatic aldehydes and fluoroalkyl reagents through N‐heterocyclic carbene organocatalysis. With this protocol, over 120 examples of functionalized ketones with diverse fluorine substituents have been synthesized in up to 99 % yield with complete regioselectivity. The generality of this catalytic strategy was further highlighted by its successful application in the late‐stage functionalization of pharmaceutical skeletons. Excellent diastereoselectivity could be achieved in the reactions forging multiple stereocenters. In addition, preliminary results have been achieved on the catalytic asymmetric variant of the olefin difunctionalization process.     

Helical Chiral N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands in Enantioselective Gold Catalysis

The first chiral helicene-NHC gold(I) complexes efficient in enantioselective catalysis were prepared. The L-shaped chiral ligand is composed of an imidazo[1,5-a]pyridin-3-ylidene (IPy) scaffold laterally substituted by a configurationally stable [5]-helicenoid unit. The chiral information was introduced in a key post-functionalization step of a NHC-gold(I) complex bearing a symmetrical anionic fluoreno[5]helicene substituent, leading to a racemic mixture of complexes featuring three correlated elements of chirality, namely central, axial and helical chirality. After HPLC enantiomeric resolution, X-ray crystallography and theoretical calculations enabled structural and stereochemical characterization of these configurationally stable NHC-gold(I) complexes. The high potential in asymmetric catalysis is demonstrated in the benchmark cycloisomerization of N-tethered 1,6-enynes with up to 95 : 5 er.     

Indol-2-ylidene (IdY): Ambiphilic N-Heterocyclic Carbene Derived from Indole**

The synthesis of ambiphilic N-heterocyclic carbene ligand, indol-2-ylidene (IdY, A ), is described. A series of indolenium precursors ( 2 a – f ) were prepared on a gram scale in good yields. Trapping experiments with elemental selenium, [RhCl(cod)]₂ and CuCl provided the expected carbene adducts. Further computational and spectroscopic studies supported the ambiphilicity of IdY, which lies between cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes (CAAC-5) and cyclic (amino)(aryl)carbene (CAArC). The copper complexes ( 6 ) show high percent buried volume (% V_bur = 58.1) and allow for carboboration of terminal alkynes within 30 minutes in a demonstration of synthetic utility with good yields and high regioselectivity.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of Tertiary Propargylic Alcohols under N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Catalysis

A straightforward procedure to carry out the enantioselective benzoin reaction between aldehydes and ynones by employing a chiral N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) as catalyst was developed. Under the optimized reaction conditions, these ynones undergo a clean and selective 1,2‐addition with the catalytically generated Breslow intermediate, not observing any byproduct arising from competitive Stetter‐type reactivity. This procedure allows the preparation of tertiary alkynyl carbinols as highly enantioenriched materials, which have the remarkable potential to be used as chiral building blocks in organic synthesis.     

Access to Enantioenriched Organosilanes from Enals and β‐Silyl Enones: Carbene Organocatalysis

Herein, an efficient route to enantioenriched organosilanes, containing two consecutive stereogenic centers, from enals and β‐silyl enones under carbene organocatalysis is described. Under mild reaction conditions, this transition‐metal‐free strategy exhibits a broad substrate scope, and excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity.     

氮杂环卡宾在有机催化中的研究进展

介绍了氮杂环卡宾作为有机催化剂的发展历史和催化机理,综述了近年来氮杂环卡宾在有机催化领域中的研究成果.     

经过极性反转的亲核有机催化

总结了近几年来经过极性反转的有机催化的研究近展, 概括了以C, N, P, S为中心的各种亲核催化剂的催化机理及催化性能. 通过对不同类别及同类不同活性中心的催化剂的比较分析, 简要概括了各种催化剂的优劣势, 并对极性反转的有机过程进行了机理上的阐述.     

Piano-Stool Ruthenium N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes for gem-Specific Catalytic Dimerization of Terminal Alkynes

A series of piano-stool Ru−NHC (NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes have been prepared and characterized. The NHC ligands used herein have varying wingtip groups, showing the impact of steric congestion on the selectivity for the catalytic dimerization of terminal alkynes.     

过渡金属N-杂环卡宾配合物合成*

由于N-杂环卡宾配体（NHCs）的独特性能,N-杂环卡宾过渡金属配合物在均相催化等方面取得了重要应用,但是其合成方法却发展缓慢。本文综述了N-杂环卡宾过渡金属配合物合成方法的最新研究进展,介绍了富电子烯烃裂解反应、游离NHC直接配位反应、配体底物的脱质子原位反应、卡宾加合物热解反应、金属交换转移反应和C2-X（X为甲基、卤原子或氢原子）键氧化加成反应等合成N-杂环卡宾过渡金属配合物的主要方法,此外本课题组还首次发现了金属粉末法,该法可用于规模化合成铁、钴、镍、铜等第一过渡系金属NHC配合物。     

Lewis酸对氮杂环卡宾协同催化体系中反应途径的调控

该研究基于氮杂环卡宾（N-heterocyclic carbene,NHC）新颖的协同催化策略,通过Lewis酸共催化剂调控反应具体途径.从α,β-不饱和醛类化合物出发,立足于多反应位点的高烯醇中间体,与氯化镁协作实现高对映选择性的质子转移历程,构建β-手性酯类产物;在相似的反应体系中与氯化钌协作实现高效的空气氧化,构建α,β-不饱和酯类化合物.这两个迥异的反应途径对底物均有较好的官能团容忍性,以高转化率得到目标产物.     

Synergistic N‐Heterocyclic Carbene/Palladium‐Catalyzed Umpolung 1,4‐Addition of Aryl Iodides to Enals

An umpolung 1,4‐addition of aryl iodides to enals promoted by cooperative (terpy)Pd/NHC catalysis was developed that generates various bioactive β,β‐diaryl propanoate derivatives. This system is not only the first reported palladium‐catalyzed arylation of NHC‐bound homoenolates but also expands the scope of NHC‐induced umpolung transformations. A diverse array of functional groups such as esters, nitriles, alcohols, and heterocycles are tolerated under the mild conditions. This method also circumvents the use of moisture‐sensitive organometallic reagents.     

Insights into the N‐Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC)‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Cyclization of Aldimines: General Mechanism and Role of Catalyst

One of the most challenging questions in the Lewis base organocatalyst field is how to predict the most electrophilic carbon for the complexation of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) and reactant. This study provides a valuable case for this issue. Multiple mechanisms (A, B, C, D, and E) for the intramolecular cyclization of aldimine catalyzed by NHC were investigated by using density functional theory (DFT). The computed results reveal that the NHC energetically prefers attacking the iminyl carbon (AIC mode, which is associated with mechanisms A and C) rather than attacking the olefin carbon (AOC mode, which is associated with mechanisms B and D) or attacking the carbonyl carbon (ACC mode, which is associated with mechanism E) of aldimine. The calculated results based on the different reaction models indicate that mechanism A (AIC mode), which is associated with the formation of the aza‐Breslow intermediate, is the most favorable pathway. For mechanism A, there are five steps: (1) nucleophilic addition of NHC to the iminyl carbon of aldimine; (2) [1,2]‐proton transfer to form an aza‐Breslow intermediate; (3) intramolecular cyclization; (4) the other [1,2]‐proton transfer; and (5) regeneration of NHC. The analyses of reactivity indexes have been applied to explain the chemoselectivity, and the general principles regarding the possible mechanisms would be useful for the rational design of NHC‐catalyzed chemoselective reactions.     

Radical Acylfluoroalkylation of Olefins through N-Heterocyclic Carbene Organocatalysis

Fluorinated ketones are widely prevalent in numerous biologically interesting molecules, and the development of novel transformations to access these structures is an important task in organic synthesis. Herein, we report the multicomponent radical acylfluoroalkylation of a variety of olefins in the presence of various commercially available aromatic aldehydes and fluoroalkyl reagents through N-heterocyclic carbene organocatalysis. With this protocol, over 120 examples of functionalized ketones with diverse fluorine substituents have been synthesized in up to 99 % yield with complete regioselectivity. The generality of this catalytic strategy was further highlighted by its successful application in the late-stage functionalization of pharmaceutical skeletons. Excellent diastereoselectivity could be achieved in the reactions forging multiple stereocenters. In addition, preliminary results have been achieved on the catalytic asymmetric variant of the olefin difunctionalization process.     

Ruthenium Olefin Metathesis Catalysts Featuring N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands Tagged with Isonicotinic and 4-(Dimethylamino)benzoic Acid Rests: Evaluation of a Modular Synthetic Strategy

A modular and flexible strategy towards the synthesis of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands bearing Brønsted base tags has been proposed and then adopted in the preparation of two tagged NHC ligands bearing rests of isonicotinic and 4-(dimethylamino)benzoic acids. Such tagged NHC ligands represent an attractive starting point for the synthesis of olefin metathesis ruthenium catalysts tagged in non-dissociating ligands. The influence of the Brønsted basic tags on the activity of such obtained olefin metathesis catalysts has been studied.     

N-杂环卡宾: 一种多用途有机小分子催化剂

近年来, N-杂环卡宾化学引起了化学家们广泛的研究兴趣, 这一切主要归功于Arduengo等的杰出工作, 在1991年他们首次成功分离得到了第一个稳定的N-杂环卡宾——咪唑-2-碳烯. 这推动了N-杂环卡宾化学的飞速发展. 尽管N-杂环卡宾作为配体在金属有机化学中已经被广泛研究, 然而, 对N-杂环卡宾作为反应底物和有机小分子催化剂的研究还有待进一步深入. N-杂环卡宾作为有机小分子催化剂在有机反应中的应用及其研究进展, 引起有机化学家对N-杂环卡宾化学这一热点领域的更多关注.