Recognition of N‐Alkyl and N‐Aryl Acetamides by N‐Alkyl Ammonium Resorcinarene Chlorides

N‐Alkyl ammonium resorcinarene chlorides are stabilized by an intricate array of intra‐ and intermolecular hydrogen bonds that leads to cavitand‐like structures. Depending on the upper‐rim substituents, self‐inclusion was observed in solution and in the solid state. The self‐inclusion can be disrupted at higher temperatures, whereas in the presence of small guests the self‐included dimers spontaneously reorganize to 1:1 host–guest complexes. These host compounds show an interesting ability to bind a series of N‐alkyl acetamide guests through intermolecular hydrogen bonds involving the carbonyl oxygen (C?O) atoms and the amide (NH) groups of the guests, the chloride anions (Cl^?) and ammonium (NH₂⁺) cations of the hosts, and also through CH ??? π interactions between the hosts and guests. The self‐included and host–guest complexes were studied by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, NMR titration, and mass spectrometry.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of Non‐activated and Functionalized Alkyl Halides with Alkyl Grignard Reagents

Reacting in the 'Ni'ck of time : The title reaction is realized by using an isolated Ni^II complex ( 1 ). The catalysis tolerates a wide range of important functional groups that are often incompatible with Grignard reagents in cross‐coupling reactions.

     

Copper‐Catalyzed Reductive Cross‐Coupling of Nonactivated Alkyl Tosylates and Mesylates with Alkyl and Aryl Bromides

A copper‐catalyzed reductive cross‐coupling reaction of nonactivated alkyl tosylates and mesylates with alkyl and aryl bromides was developed. It provides a practical method for efficient and cost‐effective construction of aryl–alkyl and alkyl–alkyl C?C bonds with stereocontrol from readily available substrates. When used in an intramolecular fashion, the reaction enables convenient access to various substituted carbo‐ or heterocycles, such as 2,3‐dihydrobenzofuran and benzochromene derivatives.     

Lutetium‐Methanediide‐Alkyl Complexes: Synthesis and Chemistry

The first four‐coordinate methanediide/alkyl lutetium complex (BODDI)Lu₂(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(μ₂‐CHSiMe₃)(THF)₂ (BODDI=ArNC(Me)CHCOCHC(Me)NAr, Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) ( 1 ) was synthesized by a thermolysis methodology through α‐H abstraction from a Lu–CH₂SiMe₃ group. Complex 1 reacted with equimolar 2,6‐iPrC₆H₃NH₂ and Ph₂C?O to give the corresponding lutetium bridging imido and oxo complexes (BODDI)Lu₂(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(μ₂‐N‐2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)(THF)₂ ( 2 ) and (BODDI)Lu₂(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(μ₂‐O)(THF)₂ ( 3 ). Treatment of 3 with Ph₂C?O (4 equiv) caused a rare insertion of Lu–μ₂‐O bond into the C?O group to afford a diphenylmethyl diolate complex 4 . Reaction of 1 with PhN=C?O (2 equiv) led to the migration of SiMe₃ to the amido nitrogen atom to give complex (BODDI)Lu₂(CH₂SiMe₃)₂‐μ‐{PhNC(O)CHC(O)NPh(SiMe₃)‐κ³N,O,O}(THF) ( 5 ). Reaction of 1 with tBuN?C formed an unprecedented product (BODDI)Lu₂(CH₂SiMe₃){μ₂‐[η²:η²‐tBuNC(=CH₂)SiMe₂CHC?NtBu‐κ¹N]}(tBuN?C)₂ ( 6 ) through a cascade reaction of N?C bond insertion, sequential cyclometalative γ‐(sp³)‐H activation, C?C bond formation, and rearrangement of the newly formed carbene intermediate. The possible mechanistic pathways between 1 , PhN?C?O, and tBuN?C were elucidated by DFT calculations.     

Visible‐Light‐Photosensitized Aryl and Alkyl Decarboxylative Functionalization Reactions

Despite significant progress in aliphatic decarboxylation, an efficient and general protocol for radical aromatic decarboxylation has lagged far behind. Herein, we describe a general strategy for rapid access to both aryl and alkyl radicals by photosensitized decarboxylation of the corresponding carboxylic acids esters followed by their successive use in divergent carbon–heteroatom and carbon–carbon bond‐forming reactions. Identification of a suitable activator for carboxylic acids is the key to bypass a competing single‐electron‐transfer mechanism and “switch on” an energy‐transfer‐mediated homolysis of unsymmetrical σ‐bonds for a concerted fragmentation/decarboxylation process.     

Disulfonimide‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Reduction of N‐Alkyl Imines

A chiral disulfonimide (DSI)‐catalyzed asymmetric reduction of N‐alkyl imines with Hantzsch esters as a hydrogen source in the presence of Boc₂O has been developed. The reaction delivers Boc‐protected N‐alkyl amines with excellent yields and enantioselectivity. The method tolerates a large variety of alkyl amines, thus illustrating potential for a general reductive cross‐coupling of ketones with diverse amines, and it was applied in the synthesis of the pharmaceuticals (S)‐Rivastigmine, NPS R‐568 Hydrochloride, and (R)‐Fendiline.     

Secondary Alkyl Halides in Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reactions

Secondary, but second to none : The use of secondary alkyl halides in transition‐metal‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions (see scheme) has advanced significantly over the last five years. Selected examples of these transformations are examined, including mechanistic and stereochemical aspects.

     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Heck‐Type Cross‐Couplings of Unactivated Alkyl Iodides

A palladium‐catalyzed, intermolecular Heck‐type coupling of alkyl iodides and alkenes is described. This process is successful with a variety of primary and secondary unactivated alkyl iodides as reaction partners, including those with hydrogen atoms in the β position. The mild catalytic conditions enable intermolecular C? C bond formations with a diverse set of alkyl iodides and alkenes, including substrates containing base‐ or nucleophile‐sensitive functionality.     

Visible Light‐Promoted Decarboxylative Di‐ and Trifluoromethylthiolation of Alkyl Carboxylic Acids

Described herein is a new and straightforward decarboxylative di‐ and trifluoromethylthiolation of alkyl carboxylic acids promoted by visible light. This approach enables the synthesis of biologically relevant alkyl SCF₂H and SCF₃ compounds from cheap and abundant carboxylic acids. The method is operationally simple, using irradiation from household light sources, and its mild reaction conditions make it tolerant of a range of functional groups. The strategy employs electrophilic phthalimide‐derived di‐ and trifluoromethylthiolation reagents and exploits the ability of the imidyl radical to carry a radical chain.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of Tetraalkyl Benzene‐1,2,3,5‐tetracarboxylates from a Four‐Component Reaction of Alkyl Propiolates and Alkyl 2‐Nitroethanoates Promoted by Ph3P

Alkyl 2‐nitroethanoates react with alkyl propiolates in the presence of triphenylphosphine (Ph₃P) in a mechanistically unprecedented reaction to afford tetraalkyl benzene‐1,2,3,5‐tetracarboxylates in moderate yields (36–42%).     

Metal‐ and Base‐Free Room‐Temperature Amination of Organoboronic Acids with N‐Alkyl Hydroxylamines

We have found that readily available N‐alkyl hydroxylamines are effective reagents for the amination of organoboronic acids in the presence of trichloroacetonitrile. This amination reaction proceeds rapidly at room temperature and in the absence of added metal or base, it tolerates a remarkable range of functional groups, and it can be used in the late‐stage assembly of two complex units.     

Aryl Radical‐Mediated Alkenylation of Alkyl Halides

The free‐radical alkenylation of a range of alkyl iodides with a vinyldisulfones has been carried out, leading to the desired vinylsulfones in moderate to good yields under mild conditions. The process is initiated by an aryl radical which abstracts the iodine atom from the alkyl iodide to form a C‐centered radical intermediate, the addition of which onto the vinyldisulfone providing the final vinylsulfone. The aryl radical is generated in situ through a single‐electron transfer from an electron donor‐acceptor complex (EDA) formed between a diaryliodonium salt (Ph₂I⁺ PF₆^?) and triethylamine.     

Terminal‐Selective Functionalization of Alkyl Chains by Regioconvergent Cross‐Coupling

Hydrocarbons are still the most important precursors of functionalized organic molecules, which has stirred interest in the discovery of new C?H bond functionalization methods. We describe herein a new step‐economical approach that enables C?C bonds to be constructed at the terminal position of linear alkanes. First, we show that secondary alkyl bromides can undergo in situ conversion into alkyl zinc bromides and regioconvergent Negishi coupling with aryl or alkenyl triflates. The use of a suitable phosphine ligand favoring Pd migration enabled the selective formation of the linear cross‐coupling product. Subsequently, mixtures of secondary alkyl bromides were prepared from linear alkanes by standard bromination, and regioconvergent cross‐coupling then provided access to the corresponding linear arylation product in only two steps.     

Catalytic Reduction of Alkyl and Aryl Bromides Using Propan‐2‐ol

Milstein's complex, (PNN)RuHCl(CO), catalyzes the efficient reduction of aryl and alkyl halides under relatively mild conditions by using propan‐2‐ol and a base. Sterically hindered tertiary and neopentyl substrates are reduced efficiently, as well as more functionalized aryl and alkyl bromides. The reduction process is proposed to occur by radical abstraction/hydrodehalogenation steps at ruthenium. Our research represents a safer and more sustainable alternative to typical silane, lithium aluminium hydride, and tin‐based conditions for these reductions.     

Iron‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative Alkyl Etherification of Vinylarenes with Aliphatic Acids as the Alkyl Source

Because of the lack of effective alkylating reagents, alkyl etherification of olefins with general alkyl groups has not been previously reported. In this work, a variety of alkyl diacyl peroxides and peresters generated from aliphatic acids have been found to enable the first iron‐catalyzed alkyl etherification of olefins with general alkyl groups. Primary, secondary and tertiary aliphatic acids are suitable for this reaction, delivering products with yields up to 97 %. Primary and secondary alcohols react well, affording products in up to 91 % yield.