Ti(NMe2)4-catalyzed Markovnikov hydroamination of alkynes in the presence of N-heterocyclic carbenes and LiN(SiMe3)2

Intermolecular hydroamination of alkynes catalyzed by Ti(NMe₂)₄ was much improved with N-heterocyclic carbenes and LiN(SiMe₃)₂, by which high Markovnikov selectivity was attained for the coupling of nearly all alkynes and amines.     

FeCl3/PPh3-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling reaction of aryl iodides with terminal alkynes

Conditions for a FeCl₃/PPh₃-catalyzed and palladium-, copper-, amine free-Sonogashira coupling reaction of aryl halides with terminal alkynes are reported. The protocol was applicable to a wide variety of substituted aryl iodides and alkynes with different steric and electronic properties and gave excellent yields of the desired coupling products.     

The reactivity of Cp2V2(CO)5 towards alkynes

The chemistry of Cp₂V₂(CO)₅ (I) with alkynes is reported. In non-coordinating solvents, I reacts with large, electron-poor alkynes to give the cyclobutadiene complexes CpV(CO)₂(C₄R₄), which are not formed from photolysis of CpV(CO)₄ in the presence of alkyne. Smaller, more basic alkynes give simple monomeric adduct products of the type CpV(CO)₂(RCCR). This latter product is the only one obtained if coordinating solvents are employed. It is demonstrated that coupling to form the cyclobutadiene ligand occurs on the dimer. The dimeric intermediate, produced at low temperature and observed at low temperature by IR and NMR, is believed to have the formula Cp₂V₂(CO)₄(μ-RCCR) (X).Cp₂V₂(CO)₅ is active as a catalyst precursor in the photochemical hydrogenation of diphenyl acetylene to cis-stilbene. The mechanism appears to proceed through a Cp₂V₂(CO)₄(alkyne) intermediate.     

Cs2CO3-mediated synthesis of terminal alkynes from 1,1-dibromo-1-alkenes

An unprecedented route to prepare terminal alkynes from 1,1-dibromo-1-alkenes mediated by Cs₂CO₃ was proven. 1,1-Dibromo-1-alkenes bearing various functional groups were efficiently converted to corresponding terminal alkynes in moderate to excellent yields.     

The conversion of alkynes into substituted cyclopropanes effected by CH2I2-R3Al (R = Me, Et, i-Bu)

The reaction of mono- and disubstituted alkynes with CH₂I₂-R₃Al (R = Me, Et, i-Bu) was studied. It was found that the reaction of alkynes with CH₂I₂ in the presence of Me₃Al gives β-iodoethyl-substituted cyclopropanes. The use of Et₃Al or i-Bu₃Al affords exclusively cyclopropylic organoaluminum compounds.     

RhCl3/amine-catalyzed [2+2+2] cyclization of alkynes

The RhCl₃·3H₂O/i-Pr₂NEt-catalyzed [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization of alkynes has been achieved. The reaction can be widely used for various alkynes and provides tri- or hexa-substituted benzenes regioselectively in high yields. The [2+2+2] cycloaddition of diynes and alkynes is also developed, and it affords benzene derivatives in moderate to high yields.     

Preparation, characterization and application of KNH2/Al2O3 and KF/Al2O3 as strong solid bases

This review describes the preparation, characterization and application of KNH₂ loaded on alumina and KF loaded on alumina. These strong solid bases catalyze a variety of organic reactions in a very selective manner. The reactions include isomerizations of alkenes and alkynes, dimerization of alkynes, Tishchenko reaction, and the reaction of silanes to form of Si–C, Si–N and Si–O bonds.     

On the catalytic duo PdCl2(PPh3)2/AuCl(PPh3) that cannot effect a Sonogashira-type reaction: a correction

In contrast to the observation made by the Laguna group, we report that the combination of PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂ and AuCl(PPh₃) makes a unique catalytic system that allows Sonogashira-type cross-coupling of both aryl and alkyl alkynes with aryl halides in excellent yields.     

A simple,efficient thermally promoted protocol for Huisgen-click reaction catalyzed by CuSO4·5H2O in water

A thermally promoted and CuSO₄-catalyzed new version of the Huisgen-click reaction is presented in this Letter. Notably, this protocol was suitable not only for the reactions between organic azides and alkynes, but also for one-pot three-component reactions among alkyl halides, NaN₃, and alkynes.     

Silica-supported HgSO4/H2SO4: a convenient reagent for the hydration of alkynes under mild conditions

The silica-supported aqueous-phase catalyst (SAPC) approach has proven convenient for efficiently performing the hydration of alkynes with HgSO₄/H₂SO₄ to give the corresponding carbonyl compounds in dichloromethane under mild conditions. The use of this solid reagent significantly improves the reaction work-up as it merely involves filtering and evaporating the solvent.     

InCl3 and ZrCl4 catalyzed regioselective reaction of 2,2′-dihydroxybiphenyl with terminal alkynes: synthesis of new dibenzo[d,f][1,3]dioxepines

The regioselective reaction of 2,2′-dihydroxybiphenyl with terminal alkynes was found to be rapidly catalyzed by InCl₃ and ZrCl₄. The chemoselectivity of catalysts and alkynes for biphenol over water, together with the reaction mechanism are discussed in details.     

Free radical (phenylsulfonyl)difluoromethylation of alkynes with PhSO2CF2I reagent: stereoselective preparation of PhSO2CF2- and CF2H-substituted alkenes

Stereoselective free radical (phenylsulfonyl)difluoromethylation of terminal alkynes with iododifluoromethyl phenyl sulfone (PhSO₂CF₂I) has been accomplished by using Et₃B/air as an initiator. The obtained PhSO₂CF₂-substituted vinyl iodides, which can be further subjected to Suzuki coupling and Sonogashira coupling reactions, are useful precursors for the preparation of many structurally diverse PhSO₂CF₂- and CF₂H-substituted alkenes.     

Photochemically induced insertion of alkynes into the metal-metal bond of [FeX(CO)3]2 complexes (X = SCH3, SC6H5, P(CH3)2)

It is shown that alkynes, such as CF₃C≡CCF₃ and CH₃OOCC≡CCOOCH₃, which contain strongly electron-attracting groups, undergo insertion into the metal-metal bond of [FeX(CO)₃]₂ complexes (X = SCH₃, SC₆H₅, P(CH₃)₂) under UV irradiation. The reactions of the products with trimethylphosphine are also described.     

A simple PdCl2/O2/DMF catalytic system for highly regioselective cyclotrimerization of olefins with electron-withdrawing groups

A highly regioselective cyclotrimerization of olefins with electron-withdrawing groups in a PdCl₂/O₂/DMF catalytic system is disclosed, and a possible mechanism has also been proposed, which reveals the PdCl₂-catalyzed cyclotrimerization of olefins with electron-withdrawing groups goes through a quite different pathway from that of alkynes.     

Homogeneous hydrogenation of alk-1-enes and alkynes catalyzed by the 1-[Ir(CO)(PhCN)(PPh3)]-7-C6H5-1,7-(σ-C2B10H10) complex

The complex [Ir(σ-carb)(CO)(PhCN)(PPh₃)], where carb = -7-C₆H₅-1,2C₂B₁₀H₁₀, was found to be an effective catalyst for homogeneous hydrogenation of terminal olefins and acetylenes at room temperature and atmospheric or subatmospheric hydrogen pressure. Internal olefins are not hydrogenated, but simple alk-1-enes are readily converted into the corresponding alkanes. Isomerization of the double bond catalyzed by the metal complex occurs at very small extent. Catalytic hydrogenation of olefins having carboxylate substituents on the unsaturated carbon atoms is prevented by the formation of thermally stable chelate hydridoalkyl complexes of the type I$\text{(H)}$(σ-CHRCHR′C(O)OR″) (σ-carb)(CO)(PPh₃)]. Acetylenes are hydrogenated to alkenes. The alk-1-enes formed in the hydrogenation of the alkynes HCCR in turn undergo the more slow reactions either of hydrogenation to alkanes or isomerization to internal olefins which cannot be further hydrogenated. Hydrogenation of alkynes of the type RCCR′ is stereospecifically cis, yielding cis- olefins. Catalyzed cis → trans isomerization reaction of these internal olefins occurs only to a negligeable extent.     

Rh2(S-PTAD)4-catalyzed asymmetric cyclopropenation of aryl alkynes

Rh₂(S-PTAD)₄ is an effective catalyst for the asymmetric cyclopropenation of aryl alkynes using a siloxyvinyldiazoacetate as the carbenoid precursor. Upon deprotection of the silyl protecting group, highly enantioenriched cyclopropenes bearing geminal acceptor groups can be accessed. These cyclopropenes undergo regioselective rhodium(II)-catalyzed ring expansion to furans.     

Mechanistic study of the addition reaction of TeCl4 to alkynes: Participation of TeCl3 centered-radical

The mechanism of the addition reaction of TeCl₄ to alkynes was indirectly established by the detection of TeCl₃ centered radicals using EPR spin trapping, ESI-MS and ESI-MS/MS characterization.     

Regioselective Re(I)-catalyzed coupling of terminal alkynes, Et2NH, and CO2 leading to anti-Markovnikov adducts

ReBr(CO)₅-catalyzed addition of Et₂NH and CO₂ to terminal alkynes afforded anti-Markovnikov adducts of alkenyl carbamates in good to excellent yield and high regioselectivity.     

“Olefin metathesis” reactions of (η5-C5H5)NiRu3(μ-H)(CO)9-(μ4-η2)-(CCHBut) and related complexes

The complex (η⁵-C₅H₅)NiRu₃(μ-H)(CO)₉(μ₄-η²-CCHBu^t) (1a) reacts with olefins to give several organic products, including species derived from the coupling of the vinylidene ligand with an olefin-derived =CRR′ fragment, representing the first example of a (non catalytic) olefin metathesis reaction involving a metal cluster; other complexes structurally or chemically related to the compound 1a have also been treated with olefins and alkynes.     

The versatility of molecular ruthenium catalyst RuCl(COD)(C5Me5)

This review reports the contribution of the catalyst precursor RuCl(COD)C₅Me₅, and of the Rennes team, for the selective transformation of alkynes to generate high value chemicals with atom economy reactions. Ruthenium activation processes are discussed. Are successively presented (i) the cross-oxidative coupling of alkyne and allyl alcohol to generate γ,δ-unsaturated aldehydes, (ii) the head-to-head dimerisation of alkynes in the presence of carboxylic acids, via a mixed Fischer-Schrock type biscarbene-ruthenium complex, to give functional dienes, and that of propargyl alcohols, via cyclobutadienyl-ruthenium intermediate, to produce cyclobutene derivatives, (iii) the addition of diazoalkanes to alkynes leading to functional dienes via double carbene addition and (iv) the reaction of diazoalkanes to enynes leading to new bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane compounds. Most of the above catalytic reactions involve carbene-ruthenium catalytic species of type Cp*(Cl)Ru(biscarbene) or Cp*(Cl)RuCHR.