A Single‐Molecule‐Level Mechanistic Study of Pd‐Catalyzed and Cu‐Catalyzed Homocoupling of Aryl Bromide on an Au(111) Surface

On‐surface Pd‐ and Cu‐catalyzed C?C coupling reactions between phenyl bromide functionalized porphyrin derivatives on an Au(111) surface have been investigated under ultra‐high vacuum conditions by using scanning tunneling microscopy and kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. We monitored the isothermal reaction kinetics by allowing the reaction to proceed at different temperatures. We discovered that the reactions catalyzed by Pd or Cu can be described as a two‐phase process that involves an initial activation followed by C?C bond formation. However, the distinctive reaction kinetics and the C?C bond‐formation yield associated with the two catalysts account for the different reaction mechanisms: the initial activation phase is the rate‐limiting step for the Cu‐catalyzed reaction at all temperatures tested, whereas the later phase of C?C formation is the rate‐limiting step for the Pd‐catalyzed reaction at high temperature. Analysis of rate constants of the Pd‐catalyzed reactions allowed us to determine its activation energy as (0.41±0.03) eV.     

Origins of Large Rate Enhancements in the Nazarov Cyclization Catalyzed by Supramolecular Encapsulation

The self‐assembled supramolecular host [Ga₄L₆]^12? ( 1 ; L=N,N‐bis(2,3‐dihydroxybenzoyl)‐1,5‐diaminonaphthalene) catalyzes the Nazarov cyclization of 1,3‐pentadienols with extremely high levels of efficiency. The catalyzed reaction proceeds at a rate over a million times faster than that of the background reaction, an increase comparable to those observed in some enzymatic systems. A detailed study was conducted to elucidate the reaction mechanism of both the catalyzed and uncatalyzed Nazarov cyclization of pentadienols. Kinetic analysis and ¹⁸O‐exchange experiments implicate a mechanism, in which encapsulation, protonation, and water loss from substrate are reversible, followed by irreversible electrocyclization. Although electrocyclization is rate determining in the uncatalyzed reaction, the barrier for water loss and for electrocyclization are nearly equal in the assembly‐catalyzed reaction. Analysis of the energetics of the catalyzed and uncatalyzed reaction revealed that transition‐state stabilization contributes significantly to the dramatically enhanced rate of the catalyzed reaction.     

Nickel(0)‐Catalyzed Hydroarylation of Styrenes and 1,3‐Dienes with Organoboron Compounds

A Ni‐catalyzed hydroarylation of styrenes and 1,3‐dienes with organoboron compounds has been developed. The reaction offers a highly selective approach to diarylalkanes and allylarenes under redox‐neutral conditions. In this hydroarylation reaction, a new strategy that uses the proton of methanol to generate the active catalyst species Ni?H was developed. The Ni‐catalyzed hydroarylation, combined with a Ir‐catalyzed C?H borylation, affords a very efficient and straightforward access to a retinoic acid receptor agonist.     

Synthesis of Polycyclic Indole Skeletons by a Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Cascade Reaction

The conversion of simple, easily available urea‐substituted 3‐phenylpropargyl alcohols catalyzed by a simple IPr–gold(I) catalyst in a gold(I)‐catalyzed cascade reaction composing of a gold‐catalyzed nucleophilic addition and a subsequent gold‐catalyzed substitution reaction delivers 1H‐imidazo[1, 5?a]indol‐3(2 H)‐ones. Other gold(I) catalysts or silver catalysts gave lower yields and often gave other side products. Gold(III) and copper(II) catalysts decomposed the starting material. Twelve examples, including donor and acceptor substituents on the distal nitrogen of the urea substructure, are provided. An X‐ray crystal structure analysis confirmed the structural assignment. The mechanistic investigation including isolation and further conversion of intermediates and reactions with enantiopure starting materials indicated that after the nucleophilic‐addition step, the substrate undergoes an S_N1‐type benzylic substitution reaction at the indolyl alcohol intermediate or an intramolecular hydroamination reaction of the 2‐vinylindole intermediate.     

Gold‐Catalyzed Formal C−C Bond Insertion Reaction of 2‐Aryl‐2‐diazoesters with 1,3‐Diketones

The transition‐metal‐catalyzed formal C−C bond insertion reaction of diazo compounds with monocarbonyl compounds is well established, but the related reaction of 1,3‐diketones instead gives C−H bond insertion products. Herein, we report a protocol for a gold‐catalyzed formal C−C bond insertion reaction of 2‐aryl‐2‐diazoesters with 1,3‐diketones, which provides efficient access to polycarbonyl compounds with an all‐carbon quaternary center. The aryl ester moiety plays a crucial role in the unusual chemoselectivity, and the addition of a Brønsted acid to the reaction mixture improves the yield of the C−C bond insertion product. A reaction mechanism involving cyclopropanation of a gold carbenoid with an enolate and ring‐opening of the resulting donor–acceptor‐type cyclopropane intermediate is proposed. This mechanism differs from that of the traditional Lewis‐acid‐catalyzed C−C bond insertion reaction of diazo compounds with monocarbonyl compounds, which involves a rearrangement of a zwitterion intermediate as a key step.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Remote Aryldifluoroalkylation of Alkenyl Aldehydes

A palladium‐catalyzed three‐component reaction between fluoroalkyl bromides, arylboronic acids, and alkenyl aldehydes has been developed and provides facile access to 5‐, 6‐, or 7‐difluoroalkylated ketones under very mild reaction conditions. The resultant products can be smoothly converted into CF₂‐containing tetrahydronaphthalenes by a novel silver‐catalyzed intramolecular decarboxylative cyclization of 5‐aryl‐2,2‐difluoropentanoic acids.     

Gold/Acid‐Co‐catalyzed Direct Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of Fused Azaheterocycles from Propargylic Hydroperoxides

The gold–acid‐co‐catalyzed synthesis of nine series of fused azaheterocycles with structural diversity starting from the same synthons as readily available propargylic hydroperoxides and aromatic amines has been achieved. The overall tandem process consists in a gold‐catalyzed hydroperoxide rearrangement/Michael reaction followed by a final acid‐catalyzed cyclization.     

Development of a concise synthesis of (-)-oseltamivir (Tamiflu)

We report a full account of our work towards the development of an eight‐step synthesis of anti‐influenza drug (?)‐oseltamivir (Tamiflu) from commercially available starting materials. The final synthetic route proceeds with an overall yield of 30 %. Key transformations include a novel palladium‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation reaction (Pd‐AAA) as well as a rhodium‐catalyzed chemo‐, regio‐, and stereoselective aziridination reaction.     

Efficient Synthesis of Pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline and Pyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoline Derivatives via One‐pot Two‐step Metal‐catalyzed Three‐component Reactions

A sequential one‐pot two‐step reaction for efficient synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline and pyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoline derivatives in good yields has been successfully developed. The reaction included firstly Cu‐catalyzed three‐component reaction of isoquinoline (quinoline), acetylenedicarboxylate and alkynylbenzene and then Pd‐catalyzed intramolecular C(sp)‐C(sp²) coupling reaction of initially formed 1‐alkenyl‐2‐alkynyl‐1,2‐dihydroisoquinoline (1,2‐dihydroquinoline).     

Enantioselective and Regiodivergent Functionalization of N‐Allylcarbamates by Mechanistically Divergent Multicatalysis

A pair of mechanistically divergent multicatalytic reaction sequences has been developed consisting of nickel‐catalyzed isomerization of N‐allylcarbamates and subsequent phosphoric‐acid‐catalyzed enantioselective functionalization of the resulting intermediates. By appropriate selection of reaction partners, in situ generated imines and ene‐carbamates are mechanistically partitioned to yield opposing functionalized products. Formal α‐functionalization to give protected α‐arylamines is achieved upon enantioselective Friedel–Crafts reaction with arene nucleophiles, whereas formal β‐functionalization is achieved upon reaction with diarylimine electrophiles in an enantioselective Povarov‐[4+2] cycloaddition.     

Manganese‐Catalyzed Dehydrogenative [4+2] Annulation of NH Imines and Alkynes by CH/NH Activation

Described herein is a manganese‐catalyzed dehydrogenative [4+2] annulation of N? H imines and alkynes, a reaction providing highly atom‐economical access to diverse isoquinolines. This transformation represents the first example of manganese‐catalyzed C? H activation of imines; the stoichiometric variant of the cyclomanganation was reported in 1971. The redox neutral reaction produces H₂ as the major byproduct and eliminates the need for any oxidants, external ligands, or additives, thus standing out from known isoquinoline synthesis by transition‐metal‐catalyzed C? H activation. Mechanistic studies revealed the five‐membered manganacycle and manganese hydride species as key reaction intermediates in the catalytic cycle.     

The Isolation and Characterization of a Rhodacycle Intermediate Implicated in Metal‐Catalyzed Reactions of Alkylidenecyclopropanes

The isolation and characterization of a rhodacycle intermediate implicated in rhodium‐catalyzed reactions of alkylidenecyclopropanes (ACPs) is described. The structure of the metallacycle was unambiguously determined by X‐ray crystallography and is catalytically competent in the rhodium‐catalyzed carbocyclization and ene‐cycloisomerization reactions of ACPs. This work represents a rare example of the isolation of a metallacycle in a metal‐catalyzed higher‐order carbocyclization reaction and thereby provides important insight into the ligand requirements for the insertion of π‐components. Furthermore, it serves as a convenient synthon for the development of challenging higher‐order carbocyclization reactions, as exemplified by the reaction with an activated allene.     

Direct Synthesis of Pyrroles by Dehydrogenative Coupling of Diols and Amines Catalyzed by Cobalt Pincer Complexes

Herein, the first example of base‐metal‐catalyzed dehydrogenative coupling of diols and amines to selectively form functionalized 1,2,5‐substituted pyrroles liberating water and hydrogen gas as the sole by‐products is presented. The reaction is catalyzed by pincer complexes of earth‐abundant cobalt.     

Synthesis of Biaryls through Nickel‐Catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura Coupling of Amides by Carbon–Nitrogen Bond Cleavage

The first Ni‐catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura coupling of amides for the synthesis of widely occurring biaryl compounds through N?C amide bond activation is reported. The reaction tolerates a wide range of electron‐withdrawing, electron‐neutral, and electron‐donating substituents on both coupling partners. The reaction constitutes the first example of the Ni‐catalyzed generation of aryl electrophiles from bench‐stable amides with potential applications for a broad range of organometallic reactions.     

Kinetic Analysis of the Divergence of Reaction Pathways in the Chiral Lewis Base Promoted Aldol Additions of Trichlorosilyl Enol Ethers: A Rapid‐Injection NMR Study

The aldol addition reaction of trichlorosilyl enol ethers and aldehydes with and without chiral Lewis base catalysts has been kinetically analyzed. The uncatalyzed reactions display classic first‐order dependence on each component. The reactions catalyzed by bulky chiral phosphoramide 5 were examined by ReactIR and exhibited first‐order dependence on the catalyst. To examine the kinetic behavior of the reaction catalyzed by phosphoramide 4 , a Rapid‐Injection (RI) NMR apparatus was constructed and employed to allow rapid in‐situ mixing and monitoring of the reaction course. The aldol addition catalyzed by 4 displayed second‐order dependence on phosphoramide, thus providing direct evidence that two catalyzed pathways (with complimentary stereochemical consequences) exist that depend on phosphoramide structure and concentration. Arrhenius activation parameters for all three reactions showed striking characteristics of negligible enthalpies and extremely high entropies of activation. Comparison of these values was precluded by the existence of complex preequilibria in the catalyzed process.     

Ruthenium(II)‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Spirobenzofuranones by a Decarbonylative Annulation Reaction

The first decarbonylative insertion of an alkyne through C?H/C?C activation of six‐membered compounds is reported. The Ru‐catalyzed reaction of 3‐hydroxy‐2‐phenyl‐chromones with alkynes works most efficiently in the presence of the ligand PPh₃ to provide spiro‐indenebenzofuranones. Unlike previously reported metal‐catalyzed decarbonylative annulation reactions, in the present decarbonylative annulation reaction, the annulation occurs before extrusion of carbon monoxide.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed/Norbornene‐Mediated CH Activation/ N‐Tosylhydrazone Insertion Reaction: A Route to Highly Functionalized Vinylarenes

A straightforward method for the synthesis of highly functionalized vinylarenes through palladium‐catalyzed, norbornene‐mediated C?H activation/carbene migratory insertion is described. Extension to a one‐pot procedure is also developed. Furthermore, this method can also be used to generate polysubstituted bicyclic molecules. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions to give the products in satisfactory yields using readily available starting materials. This is a Catellani–Lautens reaction that incorporates different types of coupling partners. Additionally, this reaction is the first to demonstrate the possibility of combining Pd‐catalyzed insertion of diazo compounds and Pd‐catalyzed C?H activation.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Thiolation of Aryl Halides and Heteroaryl Halides through Electrochemistry

Transition‐metal‐catalyzed coupling reactions are useful tools for synthesizing aryl sulfur compounds. However, conventional transition‐metal‐catalyzed thiolation of aryl bromides and chlorides typically requires the use of strong base under elevated reaction temperature. Herein, we report the first examples of nickel‐catalyzed electrochemical thiolation of aryl bromides and chlorides in the absence of an external base at room temperature using undivided electrochemical cells.     

An Efficient Synthesis of Benzazocines by Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Tandem 1,2‐Acyloxy Shift/[3+2] Cycloaddition of Terminal 1,9‐Enynyl Esters

An effective synthesis of structurally diverse benzazocines was accomplished in good to excellent chemical yields (55–82 %) through a gold(I)‐catalyzed cascade reaction involving tandem 1,2‐acyloxy shift/[3+2] cycloaddition of terminal 1,9‐enynyl esters. The reaction proceeds under extremely mild conditions and represents one of the relatively few transition‐metal‐catalyzed intramolecular cycloaddition reactions for the synthesis of benzazocines.     

Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Interrupted Click/Sulfenylation Cascade: One‐Pot Synthesis of Sulfur Cycle Fused 1,2,3‐Triazoles

Herein, we report a practical protocol for the synthesis of sulfur cycle fused 1,2,3‐triazoles through a copper(I)‐catalyzed tandem click/intramolecular sulfenylation reaction. The reaction proceeded via a copper‐catalyzed alkyne azide cycloaddition, followed by interception of the in situ formed cuprate‐triazole intermediate with p‐toluenesulfonothioate. This reaction shows broad substrate scope, complete regioselectivity, and excellent functional group tolerance under mild reaction conditions.