A convenient hydroiodination of alkynes using I2/PPh3/H2O and its application to the one-pot synthesis of trisubstituted alkenes via iodoalkenes using Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions

A facile hydroiodination of alkynes using readily-available reagents such as I₂, PPh₃, and H₂O has been developed. This is extended to the one-pot synthesis of trisubstituted alkenes from alkynes via iodoalkenes using Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling and related methods such as the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling, Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction, and Mizoroki–Heck reaction.     

An Alkene‐Promoted Borane‐Catalyzed Highly Stereoselective Hydrogenation of Alkynes to Give Z‐ and E‐Alkenes

The stereoselective hydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes is an extremely useful transformation in synthetic chemistry. Despite numerous reports for the synthesis of Z‐alkenes, the hydrogenation of alkynes to give E‐alkenes is still not well resolved. In particular, selective preparation of both Z‐ and E‐alkenes by the same catalytic hydrogenation system using molecular H₂ has rarely been reported. In this paper, a novel strategy of using simple alkenes as promoters for the HB(C₆F₅)₂‐catalyzed metal‐free hydrogenation of alkynes was adopted. Significantly, both Z‐ and E‐alkenes can be furnished by hydrogenation with molecular H₂ in high yields with excellent stereoselectivities. Further experimental and theoretical mechanistic studies suggest that interactions between H and F atoms of the alkene promoter, borane intermediate, and H₂ play an essential role in promoting the hydrogenolysis reaction.     

Selective 1,2-dihalogenation and oxy-1,1-dihalogenation of alkynes by N-halosuccinimides

1,2-Dihalogenation and oxy-1,1-dihalogenation of alkynes by N-halosuccinimides can be selectively realized through using different reaction conditions. α,β-Dihalo alkenes were obtained exclusively using THF as solvent without using any catalyst, while α,α-dihalo ketones were synthesized using a mixed solvent of THF and H₂O in the presence of FeCl₃·6H₂O. Terminal aromatic alkynes are smoothly transformed into α,α-dihalo ketones on water without a catalyst.     

Palladium-based bimetallic catalysts for highly selective semihydrogenation of alkynes using ex situ generated hydrogen

Semihydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes is an important and fundamental reaction in many industrial and synthetic applications and often suffers low selectivity because of the overhydrogenation. Here, highly selective semihydrogenation of alkynes is achieved by using H₂ ex situ generated from formic acid dehydrogenation with palladium (Pd)-based bimetallic catalysts through a two-chamber reactor in this work, realizing efficient utilization of H₂ and selective production of alkenes under mild reaction conditions. The Pd-based bimetallic catalysts show excellent catalytic performances for semihydrogenation of alkynes (PdZn bimetallic catalyst) and dehydrogenation of formic acid (PdAg bimetallic catalyst) in the two-chamber reactor.     

Oxidant promoted 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of benzimidazolium ylides to alkenes for preparation of 4H‐pyrrolo[1,2‐a]benzimidazole

An oxidant promoted 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of benzimidazolium ylides to alkenes was developed for the preparation of 4H‐pyrrolo[1,2‐a]benzimidazole derivatives in moderate yields under mild conditions. In the presence of a suitable oxidant, the most commercially available “normal” alkenes, instead of alkynes or “abnormal” alkenes, could be used as dipolarophiles successfully. Moreover, CrO₃/Et₃N has been proved to be a more effective dehydrogenating reagent than MnO₂ or tetrakispyridine cobalt (II) dichromate (TPCD) in this procedure.     

Synthesis of trans‐Disubstituted Alkenes by Cobalt‐Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Terminal Alkynes with Activated Alkenes

A cobalt‐catalyzed reductive coupling of terminal alkynes, RC?CH, with activated alkenes, R′CH?CH₂, in the presence of zinc and water to give functionalized trans‐disubstituted alkenes, RCH?CHCH₂CH₂R′, is described. A variety of aromatic terminal alkynes underwent reductive coupling with activated alkenes including enones, acrylates, acrylonitrile, and vinyl sulfones in the presence of a CoCl₂/P(OMe)₃/Zn catalyst system to afford 1,2‐trans‐disubstituted alkenes with high regio‐ and stereoselectivity. Similarly, aliphatic terminal alkynes also efficiently participated in the coupling reaction with acrylates, enones, and vinyl sulfone, in the presence of the CoCl₂/P(OPh)₃/Zn system providing a mixture of 1,2‐trans‐ and 1,1‐disubstituted functionalized terminal alkene products in high yields. The scope of the reaction was also extended by the coupling of 1,3‐enynes and acetylene gas with alkenes. Furthermore, a phosphine‐free cobalt‐catalyzed reductive coupling of terminal alkynes with enones, affording 1,2‐trans‐disubstituted alkenes as the major products in a high regioisomeric ratio, is demonstrated. In the reactions, less expensive and air‐stable cobalt complexes, a mild reducing agent (Zn) and a simple hydrogen source (water) were used. A possible reaction mechanism involving a cobaltacyclopentene as the key intermediate is proposed.     

Metal–Support Cooperative Catalysts for Environmentally Benign Molecular Transformations

Metal–support cooperative catalysts have been developed for sustainable and environmentally benign molecular transformations. The active metal centers and supports in these catalysts could cooperatively activate substrates, resulting in high catalytic performance for liquid‐phase reactions under mild conditions. These catalysts involved hydrotalcite‐supported gold and silver nanoparticles with high catalytic activity for organic reactions such as aerobic oxidation, oxidative carbonylation, and chemoselective reduction of epoxides to alkenes and nitrostyrenes to aminostyrenes using alcohols and CO/H₂O as reducing reagents. This high catalytic performance was due to cooperative catalysis between the metal nanoparticles and basic sites of the hydrotalcite support. To increase the metal–support cooperative effect, core–shell nanostructured catalysts consisting of gold or silver nanoparticles in the core and ceria supports in the shell were designed. These core–shell nanocomposite catalysts were effective for the chemoselective hydrogenation of nitrostyrenes to aminostyrenes, unsaturated aldehydes to allyl alcohols, and alkynes to alkenes using H₂ as a clean reductant. In addition, these solid catalysts could be recovered easily from the reaction mixture by simple filtration, and were reusable with high catalytic activity.     

The Addition of tert-Butyl (Me3Ċ) and (tert-Butoxy)carbonylmethyl (Me3CO2CĊH2) radicals to alkynes in solution studied by ESR spectroscopy

Absolute rate constants and their temperature dependence are determined by time-resolved electron spin resonance for the addition of Me₃? to 20 and of Me₃CO₂C?H₂ to six mono- and disubstituted alkynes in solution. For Me₃? the rate constants show polar alkyne-substituent effects which are, however, weaker than for the corresponding alkenes. For Me₃CO₂?H₂, the rate constants do not vary strongly with alkyne substitution and probably increase with increasing reaction exothermicity. Both radicals react generally slower with alkynes than with alkenes which is discussed in terms of the state correlations. Several vinyl-type radical adducts of Me₃? to alkenes are characterized by electron spin resonance, and their spectral data indicate linear or bent configurations of the radical carbon depending on the substitution.     

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.     

Electrophilic Bromination of Alkenes,Alkynes, and Aromatic Amines with Iodic Acid/Potassium Bromide Under Mild Conditions

Bromination of alkenes, alkynes, and aromatic amines has efficiently been carried out at room temperature in short reaction times using HIO₃/KBr in CH₂Cl₂/H₂O (1:1) to prepare corresponding brominated compounds in excellent yields.     

A Simple Nickel Catalyst Enabling an E-Selective Alkyne Semihydrogenation

Stereoselective alkyne semihydrogenations are attractive approaches to alkenes, which are key building blocks for synthesis. With regards to the most atom-economic reducing agent dihydrogen (H₂), only few catalysts for the challenging E-selective alkyne semihydrogenation have been disclosed, each with a unique substrate scope profile. Here, we show that a commercially available nickel catalyst facilitates the E-selective alkyne semihydrogenation of a wide variety of substituted internal alkynes. This results in a simple and broadly applicable overall protocol to stereoselectively access E-alkenes employing H₂, which could serve as a general method for synthesis.     

Reaction of CBrF2-CBrF2 with hydrazones of aromatic aldehydes: Novel efficient synthesis of fluorocontaining alkanes, alkenes and alkynes

An olefination of hydrazones of aromatic aldehydes by CBrF₂-CBrF₂ under copper catalysis was investigated. In situ prepared aldehydes hydrazones were converted to (3-bromo-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl)arenes by reaction with CBrF₂-CBrF₂ in the presence of CuCl. Subsequent elimination of HF by sodium hydroxide resulted in stereospecific formation of fluorocontaining alkenes. Elimination proceeds stereoselectively, only Z-isomers of alkenes are formed. Elimination of two molecules of HF from (3-bromo-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl)arenes by treatment with potassium tert-butoxide leads to formation of (bromodifluoromethyl)alkynes. As a result a simple and efficient transformation of aromatic aldehydes to range of various fluorinated alkanes, alkenes and alkynes was elaborated.     

Logic design and synthesis of quinoxalines via the integration of iodination/oxidation/cyclization sequences from ketones and 1,2-diamines

A novel protocol for the synthesis of quinoxalines has been developed from simple ketones and 1,2-diamines. This process underwent a logic approach to bis-substituted quinoxalines via a consecutive iodination/Kornblum oxidation/cyclization in the presence of I₂/CuO/DMSO and to mono-substituted quinoxalines via an iodination/cyclization/aromatization in the presence of I₂/CuO/K₃PO₄·3H₂O.     

An efficient vanadium-catalyzed bromination reaction

An efficient catalytic oxidative bromination of arenes, alkenes, and alkynes in aqueous media was achieved under relatively mild conditions by using NH₄VO₃ catalyst combined with H₂O₂, HBr, and KBr. Dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide was found to serve as an efficient surfactant to facilitate the NH₄VO₃-catalyzed bromination in aqueous media.     

Selective Transfer Semihydrogenation of Alkynes with H2O (D2O) as the H (D) Source over a Pd-P Cathode

We reported a selective semihydrogenation (deuteration) of numerous terminal and internal alkynes using H₂O (D₂O) as the H (D) source over a Pd-P alloy cathode at a lower potential. P-doping caused the enhanced specific adsorption of alkynes and the promoted intrinsic activity for producing adsorbed atomic hydrogen (H*_ads) from water electrolysis. The semihydrogenation of alkynes could be accomplished at a lower potential with up to 99 % selectivity and 78 % Faraday efficiency of alkene products, outperforming pure Pd and commercial Pd/C. This electrochemical semihydrogenation of alkynes might proceed via a H*_ads addition pathway rather than a proton-coupled electron transfer process. The decreased amount of H*_ads at a lower potential and the more preferential adsorption of the Pd-P to C≡C π bond than C=C moiety resulted in the excellent alkene selectivity. This method was capable of producing mono-, di-, and tri-deuterated alkenes with up to 99 % deuterium incorporation.     

A reusable CuSO4 · 5H2O/cationic 2,2′‐bipyridyl system catalyzed homocoupling of terminal alkynes in water

A reusable CuSO₄ · 5H₂O/cationic 2,2′‐bipyridyl system catalyzed the homocoupling reaction of terminal alkynes in water using I₂ as the additive in the presence or absence of tetrabutylammonium bromide, giving the 1,3‐diynes in good to high yields. After reaction, the residual aqueous solution could be reused several times. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Recent advances in the synthetic and mechanistic aspects of the ruthenium-catalyzed carbon-heteroatom bond forming reactions of alkenes and alkynes

The group’s recent advances in catalytic carbon-to-heteroatom bond forming reactions of alkenes and alkynes are described. For the C-O bond formation reaction, a well-defined bifunctional ruthenium-amido catalyst has been successfully employed for the conjugate addition of alcohols to acrylic compounds. The ruthenium-hydride complex (PCy₃)₂(CO)RuHCl was found to be a highly effective catalyst for the regioselective alkyne-to-carboxylic acid coupling reaction in yielding synthetically useful enol ester products. Cationic ruthenium-hydride catalyst generated in-situ from (PCy₃)₂(CO)RuHCl/HBF₄·OEt₂ was successfully utilized for both the hydroamination and related C-N bond forming reactions of alkenes. For the C-Si bond formation reaction, regio- and stereoselective dehydrosilylation of alkenes and hydrosilylation of alkynes have been developed by using a well-defined ruthenium-hydride catalyst. Scope and mechanistic aspects of these carbon-to-heteroatom bond forming reactions are discussed.     

Ion–molecule reactions of [ketene]+˙ as a diagnostic probe for distinguishing isomeric alkenes,alkynes and dienes: A study of the C4H8 and C5H8 isomeric hydrocarbons

The gas-phase ion–molecular reactions of [ketene]^+˙ with a number of isomeric alkenes, alkynes and dienes were studied by using tandem mass spectrometry. Ketene was reacted with C₄H₈ (but-1- and ?2-ene and 2-methylpropene) and C₅H₈ unsaturated hydrocarbons (isoprene, penta-1,3- and ?1,4-diene, pent-1- and ?2-yne, cyclopentene and methylenecyclobutane) in a high-pressure chemical ionization source of a tandem mass spectrometer. The collisionally stabilized ion–molecule adducts were analyzed by use of collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) spectra. The three C₄H₈ alkenes were distinguishable on the basis of the distinct CAD spectra of their adducts with ketene. Similarly, the CAD data for the corresponding adducts derived from the C₅H₈ hydrocarbons point to different structures for the C₅H₈ compounds.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and structural characterization of two new reduced phosphomolybdates based on an organoamine template and copper ion

Two new compounds, (H₂en)₃(H₂enMe)₄(H₃O){Cu^I[Mo^V ₆O₁₂(OH)₃(HPO₄)(PO₄)₃]₂}?·?6H₂O (1) and (H₂enMe)₄{Cu^ICu^II[Mo^V ₆O₁₂(OH)₃(PO₄)(HPO₄)₂(H₂PO₄)]₂}?·?3H₂O (2), were hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, TGA, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Crystallographic analysis reveals that 1 is constructed from cluster anions {Cu^I[Mo^V ₆O₁₂(OH)₃(HPO₄)(PO₄)₃]₂}^15?, protonated organic amines, and water molecules. Each cluster is bridged through hydrogen bonds to form a 3-D supermolecular structure. For 2, {Cu^I[Mo^V ₆O₁₂(OH)₃(PO₄)(HPO₄)₂(H₂PO₄)]₂}^11? are connected by Cu^II cations to form an infinite chain. The formation of 1 and 2 reveals that organoamines influence the structures of the crystals.     

Metal cluster catalysis: III. Selective homogeneous hydrogenations catalyzed by [n5-C5H5)Fe(u3-CO)l4

The iron cluster, [(n⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(μ₃-CO)]₄, 1, catalyzes the selective hydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes at 100–130° and 100–1000 psig and the selective reduction of terminal alkynes to olefins in the presence of alkenes or internal alkynes. Internal alkynes are slowly reduced to $\text{cis}$ olefins, aryl nitro groups to aniline derivatives, and terminal activated carbon-carbon double bonds (methyl acrylate, acrylonitrile) are hydrogenated. The cluster concentration, monitored by high pressure liquid chromatography, was unchanged after 1148 and 1410 turnovers. Cluster 1 was isolated in 95–97% yields after catalytic reduction (1000 turnovers) and no other iron-containing species were detected. After 280 turnovers, the catalyst solution was filtered through an ultrafiltration membrane into a second vessel where hydrogenation of 1-pentyne continued. Fragmentation of 1 tc