Intramolecular Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Interrupted Click–Acylation Domino Reaction

Acyl substituted triazoles are valuable scaffolds, but the direct synthesis of these moieties from terminal alkynes by copper catalysis remains unexplored. We report a robust, general, and efficient method using a simple CuI/2,2′‐bipyridine catalytic system. This transformation involves a copper catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) followed by an intramolecular acylation onto a carbamoyl chloride. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions, tolerates several functional groups, and is readily scalable. This method represents a novel strategy towards the synthesis of complex heterocycles by a CuAAC/acylation domino process.     

Organocatalytic Strategy for the Enantioselective Cycloaddition to Trisubstituted Nitroolefins to Create Spirocyclohexene‐Oxetane Scaffolds

The first catalytic enantioselective cycloaddition reaction to α,β,β‐trisubstituted nitroolefins is reported. For this purpose, nitroolefin oxetanes were employed in the reaction with 2,4‐dienals promoted by trienamine catalysis. This methodology provides a facile and efficient strategy for the synthesis of highly functionalized chiral spirocyclohexene‐oxetanes with two adjacent tetrasubstituted carbon atoms in high yields and excellent selectivities. This strategy also enabled access to chiral spirocyclohexene‐cyclobutanes and ‐azetidines. Additionally, the obtained scaffolds can undergo diverse transformations leading to complex structures with up to four stereocenters, and we demonstrate that the nitro group, under nucleophilic conditions, can be applied for ring‐opening of the oxetane.     

N‐Heterocyclic‐Carbene‐Catalyzed Synthesis of 2‐Aryl Indoles

A convergent and efficient transition‐metal‐free catalytic synthesis of 2‐aryl‐indoles has been developed. The interception of a highly reactive and transient aza‐ortho‐quinone methide by an acyl anion equivalent generated through N‐hetereocyclic carbene catalysis is central to this successful strategy. High yields and a wide scope as well as the streamlined synthesis of a kinase inhibitor are reported.     

Concurrent Asymmetric Reactions Combining Photocatalysis and Enzyme Catalysis: Direct Enantioselective Synthesis of 2,2‐Disubstituted Indol‐3‐ones from 2‐Arylindoles

The combination of photoredox and enzymatic catalysis for the direct asymmetric one‐pot synthesis of 2,2‐disubstituted indol‐3‐ones from 2‐arylindoles through concurrent oxidization and alkylation reactions is described. 2‐Arylindoles can be photocatalytically oxidized to 2‐arylindol‐3‐one with subsequent enantioselective alkylation with ketones catalyzed by wheat germ lipase (WGL). The chiral quaternary carbon center at C2 of the indoles was directly constructed. This mode of concurrent photobiocatalysis provides a mild and powerful strategy for one‐pot enantioselective synthesis of complex compounds. The experiments proved that other lipases containing structurally analogous catalytic triad in the active site also can catalyze the reaction in the same way. This reaction is the first example of combining the non‐natural catalytic activity of hydrolases with visible‐light catalysis for enantioselective organic synthesis and it does not require any cofactors.     

A Capture‐and‐Release Catalytic Flow System

Supported transition‐metal catalysts offer the promise of catalyst reuse in order to make chemical transformations more environmentally friendly and less expensive; however, catalysts that are supported on insoluble scaffolds often exhibit significantly reduced selectivities and rates. A capture/release strategy that unites the benefits of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis would overcome these current shortcomings. Herein, we report on a novel capture‐and‐release flow system that takes advantage of a non‐covalent pyrene? single wall nanotube (SWNT) interaction. We demonstrate that a Pd complex containing one or two pyrene arms is captured and released from a SWNT column at different rates and can be utilized for the homogeneous catalysis of Suzuki and Heck reactions.     

Catalyst‐Dependent Selectivity in the Relay Catalytic Branching Cascade

The synthesis of small organic molecules as probes for discovering new therapeutic agents has been an important aspect of chemical biology. One of the best ways to access collections of small molecules is to use various techniques in diversity‐oriented synthesis (DOS). Recently, a new form of DOS, namely “relay catalytic branching cascades” (RCBCs), has been introduced, wherein a common type of starting material reacts with several scaffold‐building agents (SBAs) to obtain structurally diverse molecular scaffolds under the influence of catalysts. Herein, the RCBC reaction of a common type of substrate with SBAs is reported to give two different types of molecular scaffolds and their formation is essentially dependent on the type of catalyst used.     

Synthesis of Functionalized Hemi‐1,2,4‐triazinyl‐[2,2′]‐bipyridines via Telescoped Condensation of [2,2′]‐bipyridinyl‐6‐carbonitrile

Partitioning of neutron‐poisoning lanthanides from minor actinides in used nuclear fuel using liquid–liquid separation techniques with moderately soft Lewis basic heterocyclic scaffolds is an area of intense research focus. Nitrogen heterocycles have demonstrated potential for the selective separation of Am³⁺ from Eu³⁺ in separations processes. Improved synthetic strategies are required to access more diversified complexant scaffolds for further study. The present work describes an efficient synthetic strategy for the preparation of functionalized [2,2′]‐bipyridinyl scaffolds using Pd catalysis to prepare the requisite starting material and telescoped condensation to afford direct access to hemi‐1,2,4‐triazinyl‐[2,2′]‐bipyridines with aliphatic character and potentially greater solubility in less polar diluents. Synthetic method development, optimization, and substrate scope are reported herein.     

Cooperative Catalysis and Activation with N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes

N‐Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis has emerged as a powerful stratagem in organic synthesis to construct complex molecules primarily by polarity reversal (umpolung) approaches. These unique Lewis bases have been used to generate acyl anions, enolates, and homoenolates in catalytic fashion. Recently, a new strategy has emerged that dramatically expands the synthetic utility of carbene catalysis by leveraging additional activation modes: cooperative catalysis. The careful selection and balance of cocatalysts have led to enhanced reactivity, increased yields, and improved stereoselectivity. In certain cases, these catalytic additives have changed the regioselectivity or diastereoselectivity. This Minireview highlights new advances in NHC cooperative catalysis and surveys the evolution of this field.     

Asymmetric Ion‐Pairing Catalysis

Charged intermediates and reagents are ubiquitous in organic transformations. The interaction of these ionic species with chiral neutral, anionic, or cationic small molecules has emerged as a powerful strategy for catalytic, enantioselective synthesis. This review describes developments in the burgeoning field of asymmetric ion‐pairing catalysis with an emphasis on the insights that have been gleaned into the structural and mechanistic features that contribute to high asymmetric induction.     

Axially Chiral Aryl‐Alkene‐Indole Framework: A Nascent Member of the Atropisomeric Family and Its Catalytic Asymmetric Construction

A new class of axially chiral aryl‐alkene‐indole frameworks have been designed, and the first catalytic asymmetric construction of such scaffolds has been established by the strategy of organocatalytic (Z/E)‐selective and enantioselective (4+3) cyclization of 3‐alkynyl‐2‐indolylmethanols with 2‐naphthols or phenols (all >95 : 5 E/Z, up to 98% yield, 97% ee). This reaction also represents the first catalytic asymmetric construction of axially chiral alkene‐heteroaryl scaffolds, which will add a new member to the atropisomeric family. This approach has not only confronted the great challenges in constructing axially chiral alkene‐heteroaryl scaffolds but also provided a powerful strategy for the enantioselective construction of axially chiral aryl‐alkene‐indole frameworks.     

ZSM‐5 Zeolite Nanosheets with Improved Catalytic Activity Synthesized Using a New Class of Structure‐Directing Agents

A new series of multiquaternary ammonium structure‐directing agents, based on 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, was prepared. ZSM‐5 zeolites with nanosheet morphology (10 nm crystal thickness) were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions using multiquaternary ammonium surfactants as the zeolite structure‐generating agents. Both wide‐angle and small‐angle diffraction patterns were obtained using only a suitable structure‐directing agent under a specific zeolite synthesis composition. A mechanism of zeolite formation is proposed based on the results obtained from various physicochemical characterizations. ZSM‐5 materials were investigated in catalytic reactions requiring medium to strong acidity, which are important for the synthesis of a wide range of industrially important fine and specialty chemicals. The catalytic activity of ZSM‐5 materials was compared with that of the conventional ZSM‐5 and amorphous mesoporous aluminosilicate Al‐MCM‐41. The synthesis strategy of the present investigation using the new series of structure‐directing agents could be extended for the synthesis of other related zeolites or other porous materials in the future. Zeolite with a structural feature as small as the size of a unit cell (5–10 nm) with hierarchically ordered porous structure would be very promising for catalysis.     

Substrate‐Selective Catalysis

Substrate selectivity is an important output function for the validation of different enzyme models, catalytic cavity compounds, and reaction mechanisms as demonstrated in this review. In contrast to stereo‐, regio‐, and chemoselective catalysis, the field of substrate‐selective catalysis is under‐researched and has to date generated only a few, but important, industrial applications. This review points out the broad spectrum of different reaction types that have been investigated in substrate‐selective catalysis. The present review is the first one covering substrate‐selective catalysis and deals with reactions in which the substrates involved have the same reacting functionality and the catalysts is used in catalytic or in stoichiometric amounts. The review covers real substrate‐selective catalysis, thus only including cases in which substrate‐selective catalysis has been observed in competition between substrates.     

Acid‐Acid‐Catalyzed Tandem Reactions Driven by an Additive‐Like Component

Acid‐catalyzed tandem reactions with auto‐tandem catalysis are effective for simplifying organic synthesis. However, some of the reported reactions were established based on the use of well‐designed substrate with complex structure. In some cases, owing to the existence of a big gap between each catalytic cycle, it is hard to bind all the individual reaction steps to be a peaceful sequence. To enrich the diversity and also to strengthen the practical usefulness of the methodology developed by auto‐tandem catalysis, an additive‐like component was added to induce acid‐acid‐catalyzed tandem reaction. During the reaction, the additive‐like component acted either as an activator to increase the reactivity of the starting material or a hided reagent to enable successful transformation of the intermediate. Many novel tandem reactions were established in a one‐pot manner with the aid of this strategy. Importantly, this strategy not only allows the use of simple and commercially available chemicals as substrates, but also possesses multiple merits, such as simplifying operation, lowering waste generation and enhancing synthetic efficiency and atom‐economy. A summarization of the additive‐like component‐induced auto‐tandem catalysis with an acid catalyst was given in this review, in which many acid‐acid‐catalyzed tandem reactions were discussed. The reported additive‐like components were classified as three types: oxidative type, reductive type and neutral type depending on their mechanisms in assisting the establishment of acid‐acid‐catalyzed tandem reactions. Many examples were collected and analyzed from the viewpoints of simplifying the synthesis and manifesting their superior and distinct functionalities of the additives. A perspective of this concept was also given at the end of this review.     

A Modular Synthesis of Teraryl‐Based α‐Helix Mimetics,Part 2: Synthesis of 5‐Pyridine Boronic Acid Pinacol Ester Building Blocks with Amino Acid Side Chains in 3‐Position

One of the most common protein–protein interactions (PPI) is the interaction of the α‐helix of one protein with the surface of the second one. Terphenylic scaffolds are bioinspired motifs in the inhibition of PPIs and have been identified as suitable α‐helix mimetics. One of the challenging aspects of this strategy is the poor solubility of terphenyls under physiological conditions. In the literature pyrrolopyrimidine‐, pyrimidine‐ or pyridazine‐based mimetics have been reported to show improved solubility. We present a new convergent strategy for the synthesis of linear pyridine‐type teraryls based on a phenylic core unit. A general approach for the synthesis of 3,5‐disubstituted pyridine‐based boronic acid pinacol esters with amino acid side chains in the 3‐position (representing Phe, Leu, Ile, Lys, Asp, Asn) is presented and exploits the functional group tolerance of the Knochel–Grignard reagents. The building blocks have been used in a convergent in situ two‐step synthesis of teraryl α‐helix mimetics.     

Synthesis of Various Water Soluble and Stable Copper Complexes Bearing N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands and Their Activity in DNA Alkylation

We report here the synthesis and catalytic evaluation in DNA alkylation of a series of water‐soluble copper complexes bearing N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands. The NHC ligands were chosen to cover the gamut of commonly used scaffold variations, but in many cases, copper complexes could not be obtained or were unstable. Nevertheless, we identified several complexes that were both stable and catalytically active. Our studies provide guidance and starting scaffolds for any researchers interested in aqueous copper(I) catalysis. A key practical aspect of our findings is that azide‐bearing copper‐NHC complexes are excellent substrates for the azide‐alkyne cycloaddition, which allows late‐stage tailoring of the copper complexes.     

Carbene‐Catalyzed Desymmetrization and Direct Construction of Arenes with All‐Carbon Quaternary Chiral Center

Multisubstituted arenes such as indanes with attached all‐carbon quaternary centers are unique scaffolds in synthetic functional molecules and sophisticated natural products. A key challenge in preparing such molecules lies in the enantioselective installation of the quaternary carbon centers. Conventional methods in this direction include asymmetric substitution reactions and substrate‐controlled cyclization reactions. These reactions lead to poor stereoselectivities and/or require long and tedious synthetic steps. Disclosed here is a one‐step organic catalytic strategy for enantioselective access to this class of molecules. The reaction involves an N‐heterocyclic carbene catalyzed process for direct benzene construction, indane formation, remote‐carbon desymmetrization, and excellent chirality control. This approach will enable the concise synthesis of arene‐containing molecules, including those with complex structures and challenging chiral centers.     

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.     

Mixed‐Ligand Catalysts: A Powerful Tool in Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reactions

Transition‐metal‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions have fundamentally revolutionized organic synthesis, empowering the otherwise difficult to achieve products with rapid and convenient accesses alongside excellent yields. Within these reactions, ligands often play a critical role in specifically and effectively advocating the corresponding catalysis. Consequently, a myriad of ligands have been created and applied to make a fine tuning of electronic and steric effect of catalysts, remarkably promoting catalytic efficiency and applicability. The “mixed‐ligand” concept has recently emerged; by combining and capitalizing on the superiority of each individual ligand already available, an expedient way can be achieved to reach a larger extent of catalytic diversity and efficacy. Given the availability of a wealth of ligands, it is reasonable to have great expectations for the original application of mixed‐ligand catalytic systems and their important value in organic synthesis.     

Chalcogen‐Bonding Catalysis: From Neutral to Cationic Benzodiselenazole Scaffolds

Benzodiselenazoles (BDS) are emerging as privileged structures for chalcogen‐bonding catalysis in the focal point of conformationally immobilized σ holes on strong selenium donors in a neutral scaffold. Whereas much attention has been devoted to work out the advantages of selenium compared to the less polarizable sulfur donors, high expectations concerning bidentate, rigid, and neutral scaffolds have been generated with little experimental support. Here we report design, synthesis and evaluation of the necessary catalysts to confirm that i) bidentate BDS are more effective than their monodentate analogs, ii) conformationally immobilized scaffolds are more effective than more flexible ones, iii) cationic BDS scaffolds are more effective than neutral ones, and iv) in dicationic‐bidentate BDS, contributions from chalcogen‐bonding dominate possible contributions from ion‐pairing catalysis. These conclusions result from rate enhancements found for a Ritter‐type anion‐binding reaction and an X‐ray crystal structure of dicationic BDS with a triflate anion bound with highest precision in the focal point of the σ holes.     

Controlled Anisotropic Growth of Co‐Fe‐P from Co‐Fe‐O Nanoparticles

A facile approach to bimetallic phosphides, Co‐Fe‐P, by a high‐temperature (300 °C) reaction between Co‐Fe‐O nanoparticles and trioctylphosphine is presented. The growth of Co‐Fe‐P from the Co‐Fe‐O is anisotropic. As a result, Co‐Fe‐P nanorods (from the polyhedral Co‐Fe‐O nanoparticles) and sea‐urchin‐like Co‐Fe‐P (from the cubic Co‐Fe‐O nanoparticles) are synthesized with both the nanorod and the sea‐urchin‐arm dimensions controlled by Co/Fe ratios. The Co‐Fe‐P structure, especially the sea‐urchin‐like (Co_0.54Fe_0.46)₂P, shows enhanced catalysis for the oxygen evolution reaction in KOH with its catalytic efficiency surpassing the commercial Ir catalyst. Our synthesis is simple and may be readily extended to the preparation of other multimetallic phosphides for important catalysis and energy storage applications.