Reactivity of mixed organozinc and mixed organocopper reagents: 11. Nickel‐catalyzed atom‐economic aryl–allyl coupling of mixed (n‐alkyl)(aryl)zincs

Group selectivity in the allylation of mixed (n‐butyl)(phenyl)zinc reagent can be controlled by changing reaction parameters. CuCN‐catalyzed allylation in tetrahydrofuran (THF)–hexamethylphosphoric triamide is n‐butyl selective and also γ‐selective in the presence of MgCl₂, whereas CuI‐catalyzed allylation in THF in the presence of n‐Bu₃P takes place with a n‐butyl transfer:phenyl transfer ratio of 23:77 and an α:γ transfer ratio of phenyl of 76:24. NiCl₂(Ph₃P)₂‐catalyzed allylation in the presence of LiCl is phenyl selective with an α:γ ratio of 65:35. The reaction of methyl‐ or n‐butyl(aryl)zinc reagents with an allylic electrophile in THF at room temperature in the presence of NiCl₂(Ph₃P)₂ catalyst and LiCl as an additive provides an atom‐economic alternative to aryl–allyl coupling using diarylzincs. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Oxidative Cyclization Reaction of 2‐Aryl‐Substituted Cinnamates To Form Phenanthrene Carboxylates by Using MoCl5

The oxidative cyclization reaction of 2‐aryl cinnamates and derivatives thereof can be easily performed with MoCl₅ as the oxidant. This powerful reagent allows oxidative coupling reactions for which other reagents fail. The best results are obtained when the 2‐phenyl substituent of the cinnamate is equipped with two methoxy groups. Even iodo moieties in the bay region of phenanthrene are tolerated under the reaction conditions. If naphthalene moieties are involved, a rearrangement of the skeleton occurs, providing an elegant route to highly functionalized angular arenes. The cyclization is demonstrated for 15 example substrates with isolated yields of up to 99 % for the phenanthrene derivative. The broad scope of the reaction underlines the usefulness of MoCl₅ and MoCl₅/TiCl₄ in the oxidative coupling reaction.     

An Unexpected and Green Synthetic Protocol for Ethyl 1‐Aroyl/Aroylmethyl‐5‐methyl‐3‐methylthiopyrazole‐4‐carboxylates: High Regioselectivity in Alkylation and Acylation Reactions between N‐1 and N‐2 of a Pyrazole Ring

Two series, totaling twelve, of new compounds, ethyl 1‐aroyl/(aroylmethyl)‐5‐methyl‐3‐methylthiopyrazole‐4‐carboxylates ( 5 / 6 ), have been synthesized via highly regioselectively acylation and alkylation reactions of ethyl 3‐methyl‐5‐methylthio‐1 H‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxylate ( 2a ) with aroyl chloride ( 3 ) and eco‐friendly reagents alpha‐tosyloxysubstituted acetophenones ( 4 ), respectively, and a green protocol has been developed. The acylation reactions were carried out under ultrasound irradiation, and the alkylation reactions were under microwave irradiation and ultrasound irradiation, respectively. Conventional reaction conditions, as well as the use of alpha‐bromosubstituted acetophenone ( 4 ′) have also been applied in the synthesis of some randomly selected compounds in both series and have generated identical compounds correspondingly. Unexpected structures of compounds were unambiguously determined by X‐ray crystallographic analysis.     

Synthesis of Functionalized o‐, m‐, and p‐Terphenyl Derivatives by Consecutive Cross‐Coupling Reactions of Triazene‐Substituted Arylboronic Esters

Triazene‐substituted arylboronic esters were prepared readily from the corresponding aryl magnesium derivatives and shown to function as a new class of donor–acceptor‐substituted coupling reagents. The selective functionalization of these aromatic derivatives led to a wide variety of terphenyl derivatives in which the original bifunctional unit (often further substituted with another functional group) formed the central aromatic ring. The functionalized terphenyl derivatives were formed in two efficient cross‐coupling steps from the triazene‐substituted boronic esters: Suzuki cross‐coupling with an aryl halide was followed by BF₃?OEt₂‐induced palladium‐catalyzed coupling of the diazonium salt generated in situ from the triazene with an arylboronic acid.     

Anionic synthesis and detection of fluorescence‐labeled polymers with a terminal anhydride group

To monitor polymer–polymer coupling reactions between two different monofunctional polymers in dilute polymer blends, fluorescence‐labeled anhydride‐functional polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were prepared by conventional anionic polymerization. Sequential trapping of lithiopolystyrene by 1‐(2‐anthryl)‐1‐phenylethylene (APE) and then di‐t‐butyl maleate (4) provided, after pyrolysis, anhydride‐functional fluorescent PS. Fluorescent PMMA anhydride (8) was synthesized with sec‐butyllithium/APE as an initiator for the anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate, trapping by 4, and pyrolysis. These polymers could be reacted with amine‐functional polymers by melt blending, and the reaction progress could be monitored by gel permeation chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection. This technique not only allows monitoring of the coupling reaction with high sensitivity (ca. 100 times more sensitive than refractive index detection) but also permits selective detection because unlabeled polymers are invisible to fluorescence detection. This highly sensitive and selective detection methodology was also used to monitor the coupling reaction of 8 with PS‐NH₂ at a thin‐film interface, which was otherwise difficult to detect by conventional methods. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2177–2185, 2000     

Radical‐Based C−C Bond‐Forming Processes Enabled by the Photoexcitation of 4‐Alkyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridines

We report herein that 4‐alkyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridines (alkyl‐DHPs) can directly reach an electronically excited state upon light absorption and trigger the generation of C(sp³)‐centered radicals without the need for an external photocatalyst. Selective excitation with a violet‐light‐emitting diode turns alkyl‐DHPs into strong reducing agents that can activate reagents through single‐electron transfer manifolds while undergoing homolytic cleavage to generate radicals. We used this photochemical dual‐reactivity profile to trigger radical‐based carbon–carbon bond‐forming processes, including nickel‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions.     

Synthesis and NMR characteristics of N‐acetyl‐4‐nitro,N‐acetyl‐5‐nitro,N‐acetyl‐6‐nitro and N‐acetyl‐7‐nitrotryptophan methyl esters

N‐acetyl‐4‐nitrotryptophan methyl ester (2), N‐acetyl‐5‐nitrotryptophan methyl ester (3), N‐acetyl‐6‐nitrotryptophan methyl ester (4) and N‐acetyl‐7‐nitrotryptophan methyl ester (5) were synthesized through a modified malonic ester reaction of the appropriate nitrogramine analogs followed by methylation with BF₃‐methanol. Assignments of the ¹H and ¹³C NMR chemical shifts were made using a combination of ¹H–¹H COSY, ¹H–¹³C HETCOR and ¹H–¹³C selective INEPT experiments. Copyright © 2008 Crown in the right of Canada. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of Unactivated Aryl Sulfides with Arylzinc Reagents under Mild Conditions

Cross‐coupling of general aryl alkyl sulfides with arylzinc reagents proceeds smoothly, even at room temperature or below, with a palladium–N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyst. When combined with reactions that are unique to organosulfurs, that is, the S_NAr sulfanylation or Pummerer reaction, the cross‐coupling offers interesting transformations that are otherwise difficult to achieve. An alkylsulfanyl group is preferentially converted whilst leaving the tosyloxy and chloro intact, which expands the variety of orthogonal cross‐coupling.     

Cycloaromatization Reaction of 4‐Alkoxy‐1,1,1‐trifluoroalk‐3‐en‐2‐ones with 2,6‐Diaminotoluene: The Unexpected Regioselective Synthesis of 2,4,7,8‐Tetrasubstituted Quinolines

This article reports a convenient and general method for the regioselective synthesis of a new series of 2‐alkyl(aryl)‐8‐methyl‐4‐trifluoromethyl‐7‐aminoquinolines in 86–93% yields, from cycloaromatization reactions of N‐(oxotrifluoroalkenyl)‐2,6‐diaminotoluenes in a strongly acidic medium polyphosphoric acid and absence of solvent. The enaminoketone intermediates were easily isolated from the reaction of 4‐alkoxy‐4‐alkyl(aryl)‐1,1,1‐trifluoroalk‐3‐en‐2‐ones [CF₃C(O)CH═C(R)OR¹, where R = H, Me, Ph, 4‐FPh, 4‐BrPh, 4‐MePh, and R¹ = Me, Et] with 2,6‐diaminotoluene (2,6‐DAT) in methanol under mild conditions, in 46–70% yields. Another synthetic route also allowed the regioselective synthesis of 2‐aryl(heteroaryl)‐4‐methyl‐4‐trifluoromethyl‐7‐aminoquinolines from direct cyclocondensation reactions of 4‐alkoxy‐4‐aryl(heteroaryl)‐1,1,1‐trifluoroalk‐3‐en‐2‐ones with 2,6‐diaminotoluene in methanol under mild conditions, in 21–36% yields.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of Organolithium Reagents with (Hetero)Aryl Electrophiles

Nickel‐catalyzed selective cross‐coupling of aromatic electrophiles (bromides, chlorides, fluorides and methyl ethers) with organolithium reagents is presented. The use of a commercially available nickel N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complex allows the reaction with a variety of (hetero)aryllithium compounds, including those prepared via metal‐halogen exchange or direct metallation, whereas a commercially available electron‐rich nickel‐bisphosphine complex smoothly converts alkyllithium species into the corresponding coupled product. These reactions proceed rapidly (1 h) under mild conditions (room temperature) while avoiding the undesired formation of reduced or homocoupled products.     

Theoretical study on the reaction mechanisms and stereoselectivities of DABCO‐catalyzed Rauhut–Currier/cyclization reaction of methyl acrylate with 2‐benzoyl‐3‐phenyl‐acrylonitrile

With the aid of density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we have investigated the mechanisms and stereoselectivities of the tandem cross Rauhut–Currier/cyclization reaction of methyl acrylate R₁ with (E)‐2‐benzoyl‐3‐phenyl‐acrylonitrile R₂ catalyzed by a tertiary amine DABCO. The results of the DFT calculations indicate that the favorable mechanism (mechanism A) includes three steps: the first step is the nucleophilic attack of DABCO on R₁ to form intermediates Int1 and Int1‐1, the second step is the reaction of Int1 and Int1‐1 with R₂ to generate intermediate Int2(SS,RR,SR&RS), and the last step is an intramolecular S_N2 process to give the final product P(SS,RR,SR&RS) and release catalyst DABCO. The S_N2 substitution is computed to be the rate‐determining step, whereas the second step is the stereoselectivity‐determining step. The present study may be helpful for understanding the reaction mechanism of similar tandem reactions.     

Silicon‐Based Cross‐Coupling Reactions in the Total Synthesis of Natural Products

Unlike other variants of transition‐metal‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions, those based on organosilicon donors have not been used extensively in natural product synthesis. However, recent advances such as: 1) the development of mild reaction conditions, 2) the expansion of substrate scope, 3) the development of methods to stereoselectively and efficiently introduce the silicon‐containing moiety, 4) the development of a large number of sequential processes, and 5) the advent of bifunctional bis(silyl) linchpin reagents, signify the coming of age of silicon‐based cross‐coupling reactions. The following case studies illustrate how silicon‐based cross‐coupling reactions play a strategic role in constructing carbon–carbon bonds in selected target molecules.     

Organochromium(II) and Organonitridochromium(V) N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes: Synthesis and Structural Characterization

The N‐heterocyclic carbene‐stabilized chromium(II) alkyl, aryl, and alkynyl complexes (IPM)₂CrR₂ [R = Me ( 2 ), Ph ( 3 ), C≡CPh ( 3 ); IPM = 1,3‐diisopropyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazole‐2‐ylidene] were prepared by metathesis reactions of (IPM)₂CrCl₂ ( 1 ) with the corresponding organolithium reagents. Further reaction of 3 with an organic azide, 1‐azidoadamantane, yielded an organonitridochromium(V) compound (IPM)₂Ph₂Cr≡N ( 5 ). Compounds 2 – 5 are fully characterized by ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopy, X‐ray crystallography as well as by elemental analysis. The structural analysis shows that the metal atom adopts a nearly square‐planar arrangement in the respective 2 , 3 , and 4 and a square‐pyramidal one in 5 . The reaction of 3 with the organic azide to 5 appears a novel way to the organonitridochromium compound.     

Nickel‐ and Photoredox‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reactions of Aryl Halides with 4‐Alkyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridines as Formal Nucleophilic Alkylation Reagents

A combination of nickel and photoredox catalysts promoted novel cross‐coupling reactions of aryl halides with 4‐alkyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridines. 4‐Alkyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridines act as formal nucleophilic alkylation reagents through a photoredox‐catalyzed carbon–carbon (C?C) bond‐cleavage process. The present strategy provides an alternative to classical carbon‐centered nucleophiles, such as organometallic reagents.     

Reaction of Optically Active Oxiranes with Thiofenchone and 1‐Methylpyrrolidine‐2‐thione: Formation of 1,3‐Oxathiolanes and Thiiranes

The SnCl₄‐catalyzed reaction of (?)‐thiofenchone (=1,3,3‐trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane‐2‐thione; 10 ) with (R)‐2‐phenyloxirane ((R)‐ 11 ) in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ at ?60° led to two spirocyclic, stereoisomeric 4‐phenyl‐1,3‐oxathiolanes 12 and 13 via a regioselective ring enlargement, in accordance with previously reported reactions of oxiranes with thioketones (Scheme 3). The structure and configuration of the major isomer 12 were determined by X‐ray crystallography. On the other hand, the reaction of 1‐methylpyrrolidine‐2‐thione ( 14a ) with (R)‐ 11 yielded stereoselectively (S)‐2‐phenylthiirane ((S)‐ 15 ) in 56% yield and 87–93% ee, together with 1‐methylpyrrolidin‐2‐one ( 14b ). This transformation occurs via an S_N2‐type attack of the S‐atom at C(2) of the aryl‐substituted oxirane and, therefore, with inversion of the configuration (Scheme 4). The analogous reaction of 14a with (R)‐2‐{[(triphenylmethyl)oxy]methyl}oxirane ((R)‐ 16b ) led to the corresponding (R)‐configured thiirane (R)‐ 17b (Scheme 5); its structure and configuration were also determined by X‐ray crystallography. A mechanism via initial ring opening by attack at C(3) of the alkyl‐substituted oxirane, with retention of the configuration, and subsequent decomposition of the formed 1,3‐oxathiolane with inversion of the configuration is proposed (Scheme 5).     

The N‐Methylpyrrolidone (NMP) Effect in Iron‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling with Simple Ferric Salts and MeMgBr

The use of N‐methylpyrrolidone (NMP) as a co‐solvent in ferric salt catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions is crucial for achieving the highly selective, preparative scale formation of cross‐coupled product in reactions utilizing alkyl Grignard reagents. Despite the critical importance of NMP, the molecular level effect of NMP on in situ formed and reactive iron species that enables effective catalysis remains undefined. Herein, we report the isolation and characterization of a novel trimethyliron(II) ferrate species, [Mg(NMP)₆][FeMe₃]₂ ( 1 ), which forms as the major iron species in situ in reactions of Fe(acac)₃ and MeMgBr under catalytically relevant conditions where NMP is employed as a co‐solvent. Importantly, combined GC analysis and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopic studies identified 1 as a highly reactive iron species for the selective formation generating cross‐coupled product. These studies demonstrate that NMP does not directly interact with iron as a ligand in catalysis but, alternatively, interacts with the magnesium cations to preferentially stabilize the formation of 1 over [Fe₈Me₁₂]^? cluster generation, which occurs in the absence of NMP.     

Palladium on magnetic Irish moss: A new nano‐biocatalyst for suzuki type cross‐coupling reactions

A novel heterogeneous magnetic palladium nano‐biocatalyst was designed by utilizing Irish moss, a family of sulfated polysaccharides extracted from algae, as a natural biopolymer. This magnetic Irish moss decorated with palladium (Pd–Fe₃O₄@IM) to form a biomagnetic catalytic system was synthesized and well characterized by FT–IR analysis, X‐ray powder diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The catalyst was stable to air and moisture and displayed high catalytic activity in ligand‐free Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions conducted under green chemistry reaction conditions. The aromatic ketones are produced by the cross‐coupling reaction between acid chlorides and aryl boronic acid derivatives in high yields.     

Green synthesis of new pyrimido[4,5‐d]pyrimidine derivatives using 7‐aminonaphthalene‐1,3‐disulfonic acid‐functionalized magnetic Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles as catalyst

We, herein, describe a novel, simple, efficient and one‐pot multi‐component procedure for the synthesis of substituted pyrimido[4,5‐d]pyrimidines via reaction of N,N‐dimethyl‐6‐amino uracil, isothiocyanate and aromatic aldehydes promoted by 7‐aminonaphthalene‐1,3‐disulfonic acid (ANDSA)‐functionalized magnetic Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ in water as solvent and without using any other harmful organic reagents. Compared with other reactions, using these organic–inorganic hybrid heterogeneous catalysts can help us to achieve a green procedure, high catalytic activity, easy recovery with an external magnetic field, and short reaction times.     

Source of Selectivity in Oxidative Cross‐Coupling of Aryls by Solvent Effect of 1,1,1,3,3,3‐Hexafluoropropan‐2‐ol

Solvents such as 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) with a high capacity for donating hydrogen bonds generate solvates that enter into selective cross‐coupling reactions of aryls upon oxidation. When electric current is employed for oxidation, reagent effects can be excluded and a decoupling of nucleophilicity from oxidation potential can be achieved. The addition of water or methanol to the electrolyte allows a shift of oxidation potentials in a specific range, creating suitable systems for selective anodic cross‐coupling reactions. The shift in the redox potentials depends on the substitution pattern of the substrate employed. The concept has been expanded from arene–phenol to phenol–phenol as well as phenol–aniline cross‐coupling. This driving force for selectivity in oxidative coupling might also explain previous findings using HFIP and hypervalent iodine reagents.     

Facile synthesis of alkynyl‐, aryl‐ and ferrocenyl‐substituted pyrazoles via Sonogashira and Suzuki–Miyaura approaches

A concise and efficient synthesis of densely substituted novel pyrazoles with alkynyl, aryl and ferrocenyl functionalities is reported, providing a platform for biological studies. The general strategy involves Sonogashira and Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions of easily obtainable 5‐ferrocenyl/phenyl‐4‐iodo‐1‐phenylpyrazoles with terminal alkynes and boronic acids, respectively. The starting 4‐iodopyrazoles were synthesized by electrophilic cyclization of α,β‐alkynic hydrazones with molecular iodine. Sonogashira reactions have been achieved by employing 5 mol% PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂, 5 mol% CuI, excess Et₃N and 1.2 equiv. of terminal alkyne, relative to 4‐iodopyrazole, in tetrahydrofuran at 65 °C, while Suzuki–Miyaura reactions have been accomplished using 5 mol% PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂ and 1.4 equiv. of both boronic acid/ester and KHCO₃, with respect to 4‐iodopyrazole, in 4:1 dimethylformamide–H₂O solution at 110 °C. Both Sonogashira and Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions have proven effective for the synthesis of alkynyl‐, aryl‐ and ferrocenyl‐substituted pyrazoles and demonstrated good tolerance to a diverse range of substituents, including electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing groups. These coupling approaches could allow for the rapid construction of a library of functionalized pyrazoles of pharmacological interest. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.