Construction of vicinal 4°/3°-carbons via reductive Cope rearrangement

Herein reported is a strategy for constructing vicinal 4°/3° carbons via reductive Cope rearrangement. Substrates have been designed which exhibit Cope rearrangement kinetic barriers of ∼23 kcal mol⁻¹ with isoenergetic favorability (ΔG ∼ 0). These fluxional/shape-shifting molecules can be driven forward by chemoselective reduction to useful polyfunctionalized building blocks.

Herein reported is a strategy for constructing vicinal 4°/3° carbons via reductive Cope rearrangement.

Constructing sterically congested vicinal quaternary–tertiary carbons (4°/3° carbons) via Cope rearrangement is currently quite limited with only a handful of papers on the subject published over the past 40 years. This stands in stark contrast to the plethora of other methods for establishing sterically congested vicinal carbons.^1–5 Central to the challenge are kinetic and thermodynamic issues associated with the transformation. In the simplest sense, Cope rearrangements proceed in the direction that results in highest alkene substitution (Fig. 1).^6,7 To forge 4°/3° motifs by Cope rearrangement, additional driving forces must be introduced to reverse the [3,3] directionality and compensate for the energetic penalty associated with the steric and torsional strain of the targeted vicinal 4°/3° motif. With limited reports in all cases, oxy-Cope substrates (Scheme 1, eqn (1)),^8–14 divinylcyclopropanes (Scheme 1, eqn (2)),^15–20 and vinylidenecyclopropane-based 1,5-dienes²¹ (Scheme 1, eqn (3)) have demonstrated favourability for constructing vicinal 4°/3° carbons. Malachowski et al. put forth a series of studies on the construction of quaternary centers via Cope rearrangement driven forward by a conjugation event (Scheme 1, eqn (4)).^22–25 In their work, a single example related to the construction of vicinal 4°/3° centers was disclosed, though kinetic (180 °C) and thermodynamic (equilibrium mixtures) challenges are also observed.²³ And of particular relevance to this work, Wigfield et al. demonstrated that 3,3-dicyano-1,5-dienes with the potential to generate vicinal 4°/3° carbons instead react via an ionic mechanism yielding the less congested products (Scheme 1, eqn (5)).²⁶Open in a separate windowFig. 1Cope equilibrium of 1,1,6-trisubstituted 1,5-dienes.Open in a separate windowScheme 1(A) Cope rearrangements for constructing vicinal 4°/3°-centers (B) this report.Our group has been examining strategies to decrease kinetic barriers and increase the thermodynamic favourability of 3,3-dicyano-1,5-diene-based Cope substrates.^27–31 Beyond the simplest, unsubstituted variants, this class of 1,5-diene is not particularly reactive in both a kinetic and thermodynamic sense (e.g.Scheme 1, eqn (5)).^26,32 Reactivity issues aside, these substrates are attractive building blocks for two main reasons: (1) they have straightforward accessibility from alkylidenemalononitriles and allylic electrophiles by deconjugative allylic alkylation.³³ (2) The 1,5-diene termini are substantially different (malononitrile vs. simple alkene) thus allowing for orthogonal functional group interconversion facilitating target and analogue synthesis.³⁴ Herein we report that a combination of 1,5-diene structural engineering^28,31 and reductive conditions (the reductive Cope rearrangement^29,30) can result in the synthesis of building blocks containing vicinal gem-dimethyl 4°/3° carbons along with orthogonal malononitrile and styrene functional groups for interconversion (Scheme 1B). On this line, malononitrile can be directly converted to amides³⁴ yielding functionally dense β-gem-dimethylamides, important pharmaceutical scaffolds.³⁵This project began during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown (ca. March–May 2020). As such, we were not permitted to use our laboratory out of an abundance of caution. We took this opportunity to first computationally investigate a Cope rearrangement that could result in vicinal 4°/3° carbons (Scheme 2). Then, when permitted to safely return to the lab, we would experimentally validate our findings (vide infra). From our previous work, it is known that by adding either a 4-aromatic group²⁸ or a 4-methyl group³¹ to a 3,3-dicyano-1,5-diene, low barrier (rt – 80 °C) diastereoselective Cope rearrangements can occur. Notably, the 4-substituent was found to destabilize the starting material (weaken the C3–C4 bond, conformationally bias the substrate for [3,3]), and stabilize the product side of the equilibrium via resonance (phenyl group) or hyperconjugation (methyl group). In this study, we modelled substrates 1, 3, and 5 that have variable 4-substitution and would result in vicinal gem-dimethyl- and phenyl-containing 4°/3° carbons upon Cope rearrangement to 2, 4, or 6, respectively. We chose to target this motif due to likely synthetic accessibility from simple starting materials but also because of the important and profound impact that gem-dimethyl groups impart on pharmaceuticals.³⁵ Substrate 1 lacking 4-substitution had an extremely unfavourable kinetic and thermodynamic profile (ΔG^‡ = 31.6; ΔG = +5.3 kcal mol⁻¹). When a 4-methyl group was added, the kinetic barrier (ΔG^‡) dropped appreciably to 28.2 kcal mol; however, the thermodynamics were still quite endergonic (ΔG = +4.4 kcal mol⁻¹). Most excitingly, it was uncovered that the 4-phenyl group dramatically impacted the kinetics and thermodynamics: the [3,3] has a barrier of 22.9 kcal mol⁻¹ (ΔG^‡) and is ∼isoenergetic (ΔG = +0.17 kcal mol⁻¹). Thus, the reaction appears to be fluxional/shape-shifting at room temperature.^36–40 For this substrate, we also modelled the dissociative pathway (Scheme 2D). It was found that bond breakage to two allylic radical intermediates is a higher energy process than the concerted transition state (Scheme 2Cvs.Scheme 2D). Specifically, the dissociative pathway was found to be kinetically less favourable (ΔG^‡ ∼ 27.6 kcal mol; ΔG = 26.2 kcal mol⁻¹) than the concerted process (ΔG^‡ = 22.9 kcal mol⁻¹). While the dissociative pathway is less favourable than the concerted transformation, we surmised that the two-step process becomes accessible at elevated temperature (vide infra). Finally, the ionic pathway was calculated to be significantly higher for this substrate (see the ESI^†).Open in a separate windowScheme 2Computational analysis of 3,3-dicyano-1,5-diene that in theory could result in vicinal 4°/3° carbons. (A) 4-Unsubstituted 3,3-dicyano-1,5-diene. (B) 4-Methyl 3,3-dicyano-1,5-diene. (C) 4-Phenyl 3,3-dicyano-1,5-diene. (D) The dissociative mechanism for substrate 5 is higher than the closed transition state. (E) visualization of the kinetic- and thermodynamic differences of transformations (A–D).The class of substrate uncovered from our computational investigation could be accessed from γ,γ-dimethyl-alkylidenemalononitrile (7a) and 1,3-diarylallyl electrophiles (such as 8a) by Pd-catalyzed deconjugative allylic alkylation (Scheme 3A).³³ As such, model 1,5-diene 5a was prepared to verify the computational results. It was found that upon synthesis of 5a, an inseparable 21 : 79 mixture of 1,5-diene 5a and the 1,5-diene 6a was observed. The predicted ratio of 5a to 6a was 57 : 43 (Scheme 2C). These two results are within the error of the calculations (predicted; slightly endergonic, observed; slightly exergonic). To determine whether the transformation was progressing through the predicted concerted pathway (Scheme 2C) over the dissociative pathway (Scheme 2D), substrate 5b was prepared by an analogous deconjugative allylic alkylation reaction. Similarly, two Cope equilibrium isomers 5b and 6b are observed at room temperature in a 12 : 88 ratio. Upon heating at 100 °C for 3 h, the 1,5-dienes “scramble” (e.g. iso-6b is observed; 0.2 : 1.0 : 1.5 ratio of 5b : 6b : iso-6b) indicating that the dissociative pathway is only accessible at elevated temperature. This is all in good agreement with the calculated kinetics and thermodynamics of this system (Scheme 2).Open in a separate windowScheme 3(A) Observation of fluxional [3,3] and confirmation of calculated predictions. (B) Optimization of a reductive Cope rearrangement protocol for constructing vicinal 4°/3° centers. (C) The Pd-catalyzed deconjugative allylic alkylation must be regioselective.With respect to the synthetic methodology, we aimed to increase the overall efficiency and applicability of the sequence (Scheme 3B). Specifically, we wanted to avoid [3,3] equilibrium mixtures and sensitive/unstable substates and intermediates. It was found that the direct coupling of 7a with diphenylallyl alcohol 9a could take place in the presence of DMAP, Ac₂O, and Pd(PPh₃)₄. When the coupling was complete, methanol and NaBH₄ were added to drive the Cope equilibrium forward, yielding the reduced Cope rearrangement product 10a in 76% isolated yield. In terms of practicality and efficiency, this method utilizes diphenylallyl alcohols, which are more stable and synthetically accessible than their respective acetates, and the [3,3] equilibrium mixture can be directly converted dynamically to a single reduced product.With an efficient protocol in hand for constructing malononitrile–styrene-tethered building blocks featuring central vicinal 4°/3° carbons, we next examined the scope of the transformation (Scheme 4). We chose diarylallyl alcohols with the propensity to react regioselectively via an electronic bias (Scheme 3C).^41,42 The combination of p-nitrophenyl and phenyl (10b) or p-methoxyphenyl (10c) yielded regioselective outcomes with the electron-deficient arene at the allylic position. This is consistent with the expected regiochemical outcome where the nucleophile reacts preferentially at the α-position and the electrophile reacts at the allylic position bearing the donor-arene (Scheme 3C).^41,42 Then, reductive Cope rearrangement occurs to position the electron-deficient arene adjacent to the gem-dimethyl quaternary center. This is an exciting outcome as many pharmaceutically relevant (hetero)arenes are electron deficient. Thus, fluorinated arenes were installed at the allylic position of products 10d–10k. While the phenyl group resulted in poor regioselectivity (1 : 1–3 : 1), the p-methoxyphenyl group enhanced the regiomeric ratios in all cases (3 : 1–15 : 1). The degree of selectivity is correlated with the number and position of fluorine atoms. N-Heterocycles could be incorporated with excellent regioselectivity, generally speaking (10l–10q). For example, 3-chloro-4-pyridyl (10l/10m) groups were installed at the allylic position with >20 : 1 rr. 4-Chloro-3-pyridyl was poorly regioselective (10n), but the combination of 4-trifluomethyl-3-pyridyl/p-methoxyphenyl (10o) gave good regioselectivity of 11 : 1. 2-Pyridyl/p-methoxyphenyl (10q) was also a regioselective combination. We also examined a few other heterocycles including quinoline (10s) and thiazole (10t and 10u) with excellent and modest regioselectivity observed, respectively. As a general trend, when the arenes on the allylic electrophile become less polarized, poor regioselectivity is observed in the Pd-catalyzed allylic alkylation. For example, the combination of p-chlorophenyl and p-methoxyphenyl (10v) or phenyl (10w) yields regioisomeric mixtures of products. This can be circumvented by utilizing symmetric electrophiles (to 10x).Open in a separate windowScheme 4Scope of the 4°/3°-center-generating reductive Cope rearrangement.The phenyl or the p-methoxyphenyl group is necessary to achieve the 4°/3° carbon-generating Cope rearrangement: it functions as an “activator” by lowering the kinetic barrier and increasing thermodynamic favourability. These activating groups can be removed through alkene C C cleavage reactions (e.g. metathesis (Scheme 5) and ozonolysis (Scheme 6B)). In this regard, highly substituted cycloheptenes 11 were prepared by allylation and metathesis (Scheme 4).^28,43 The yields were modest to excellent over this two-step sequence. In many cases, where 10 exists as a mixture of regioisomers, the major allylation/RCM products 11 could be chromatographically separated from their minor constituents. As shown in Scheme 6A, the malononitrile can be transformed via oxidative amidation³⁴ to products 12 containing a dense array of pharmaceutically relevant functionalities (amides, gem-dimethyl, fluoroaromatics, and heteroaromatics). Following this transformation, ozonolysis terminated with a NaBH₄ quench installs an alcohol moiety on small molecule 13a.Open in a separate windowScheme 5Removal of the “activating group” by ring-closing metathesis.Open in a separate windowScheme 6(A) oxidative amidation of malononitrile. (B) Removal of “activating group” by ozonolysis.These first computational and experimental studies utilizing 3,3-dicyano-1,5-dienes as substrates for constructing vicinal 4°/3° centers sets the stage for much further examination and application. For example, while we focused our efforts on gem-dimethyl-based quaternary carbons, it is likely that other functionality can be installed at this position. For example, while unoptimized, it appears the protocol is reasonably effective at incorporating a piperidine moiety in addition to heteroarenes from the allylic electrophile (7b + 9f → 14a; Scheme 7A). Similar functional group interconversion chemistry as described in Schemes 5 and ​and66 can thus yield functionally dense building blocks 15 and 16 in good yields.Open in a separate windowScheme 7(A) The construction of 4/3° centres on piperidines. (B) Promoting endergonic [3,3] rearrangements is possible, assuming the [3,3] kinetic barrier is sufficiently low.While the 4,6-diaryl-3,3-dicyano-1,5-dienes offered the most attractive energetic profile (low kinetic barrier, isoenergetic [3,3] equillibrium; Scheme 2C), the 4-methyl analogue is also intriguing to consider as a viable substrate class for reductive Cope rearrangement (Scheme 2B). The challenge here is that the kinetics and thermodynamics are quite unfavourable (not observable by NMR), but potentially not prohibitively so. It is extremely exciting to find that Cope equilibria that are significantly endergonic in the desired, forward direction (e.g.3a to 4a) can be promoted by a related reductive protocol (Scheme 7B). While unoptimized, we were able to isolate product 17 in xx% yield by heating at 90 °C in the presence of Hantzsch ester in DMF.     

Modular allylation of C(sp3)–H bonds by combining decatungstate photocatalysis and HWE olefination in flow

The late-stage introduction of allyl groups provides an opportunity to synthetic organic chemists for subsequent diversification, furnishing a rapid access to new chemical space. Here, we report the development of a modular synthetic sequence for the allylation of strong aliphatic C(sp³)–H bonds. Our sequence features the merger of two distinct steps to accomplish this goal, including a photocatalytic Hydrogen Atom Transfer and an ensuing Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (HWE) reaction. This practical protocol enables the modular and scalable allylation of valuable building blocks and has been applied to structurally complex molecules.

We report a flow platform for the modular allylation of strong aliphatic C(sp³)–H bonds based on the merger of photocatalytic HAT and a HWE reaction. This approach enables both early- and late-stage diversification of various hydroalkanes.

Modern drug discovery programs capitalize increasingly on the application of late-stage functionalization methodologies to accelerate the lead optimization phase.^1,2 Such strategies allow for the rapid and cost-efficient^3,4 diversification of the parent molecule by exploiting native functionalities (e.g., C–H bonds), thus effectively avoiding the need to redesign its entire synthetic route to access new leads.^5–7 More specifically, the late-stage decoration of organic molecules with multipurpose functional groups would provide new points of entry for subsequent diversification.⁸ Such a strategy could be particularly convenient when it is realized via a chemo- and regioselective functionalization of C–H bonds in the absence of any proximal directing or activating groups.⁷ However, while C(sp²)–H activation has been extensively investigated, the direct functionalization of C(sp³)–H bonds remains challenging and is often narrow in scope.⁹ Recently, photocatalytic Hydrogen Atom Transfer (HAT) has been exploited to enable the late-stage functionalization of C(sp³)–H bonds, showing remarkable levels of regioselectivity even in complex molecules (Scheme 1A).¹⁰ In HAT photocatalysis, a catalyst converts light energy into chemical energy for the homolytic cleavage of strong aliphatic C–H bonds.Open in a separate windowScheme 1Allylation of C(sp³)–H bonds. (A) Photocatalytic HAT enables late-stage functionalization of structurally complex molecules. (B) Reported approaches for the photocatalyzed radical allylation of organic molecules. (C) A telescoped approach for the modular allylation of C(sp³)–H bonds (this work).Especially, the decatungstate anion ([W₁₀O₃₂]⁴⁻) has shown remarkable selectivity for specific C(sp³)–H bonds, governed by an intricate balance between steric and electronic interactions.^9,11,12We envisioned that the regioselective introduction of an allyl moiety onto hydrocarbon frameworks would be particularly useful as it provides a convenient branching point for further late-stage synthetic exploitation.¹³ To install such moieties, radical allylation has manifested itself as a valuable strategy. One approach relies on the use of transition metal complexes to activate a substrate containing an allylic leaving group to afford a π-allyl complex, which is then suited to trap a C-centered radical (Scheme 1B).¹⁴ This strategy can engage a diverse set of allyl coupling partners but typically requires purposely designed radical precursors, which prevents the direct allylation of unactivated C(sp³)–H bonds.Another tactic exploits radicofugal groups X (e.g., X = halide, SO₂R, SnR₃, etc) in the allylic position to afford the desired product via a radical addition–fragmentation process (Scheme 1B).^15–28 However, while synthetically useful, this transformation is not suitable for the synthesis of densely functionalized allylic functionalities.Seeking to address these challenges, we sought to develop a robust and versatile synthetic platform for the allylation of strong aliphatic C(sp³)–H bonds. Hereto, a modular synthetic sequence is preferred in which the allylic moiety is assembled in a stepwise fashion, enabling the rapid generation of structurally diverse analogues. Specifically, our sequence features the merger of two distinct synthetic steps to accomplish this goal (Scheme 1C). First, we planned to activate C(sp³)–H bonds via decatungstate-catalyzed Hydrogen Atom Transfer^29,30 and subsequently trap the resulting C-centered radical with a vinyl phosphonate.^31,32 The ensuing radical addition product serves as a suitable linchpin for the second step, in which a classical Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (HWE) olefination^33,34 is able to deliver the targeted allylated compounds. In order to streamline these two steps, we reasoned that a telescoped flow protocol where the reactions are performed in tandem without the need for tedious purification of intermediates would be indispensable not only to accelerate access to these valuable building blocks but also to ensure facile scalability.^35–37 Herein, we report the successful realization of a flow platform enabling the allylation of a wide range of unactivated hydrocarbons.Our investigations commenced with the decatungstate-enabled hydroalkylation of ethyl 2-(diethoxyphosphoryl)acrylate (2) using cyclohexane as the H-donor (see ESI, Table S1^†). Following a careful optimization of different reaction parameters, we found that the photocatalytic radical addition performed optimal in continuous-flow using a commercially available Vapourtec UV-150 photochemical reactor (PFA (perfluoroalkoxy) capillary, ID: 0.75 mm; V = 3.06 mL, flow rate = 0.612 mL min⁻¹, t_r = 5 min) equipped with a 60 W UV-A LED light source (λ = 365 nm), which matches the measured absorption spectrum of decatungstate. A 65% NMR yield (64% after isolation) was obtained for the targeted hydroalkylated compound when a CH₃CN solution of the acrylate (0.1 M), cyclohexane (20 equivalents) and tetrabutylammonium decatungstate (TBADT, (Bu₄N)₄[W₁₀O₃₂]) as the photocatalyst (1 mol%)^38–46 was irradiated for 5 minutes (see ESI, Table S1, Entry 9^†). Other HAT photocatalysts, such as Eosin Y,⁴⁷ anthraquinone,⁴⁸ 5,7,12,14-pentacenetetrone²⁸ and 9-fluorenone⁴⁹ were also evaluated, but failed to deliver the targeted product. Interestingly, benzophenone^50,51 showed a comparable activity to the decatungstate anion, although only when used at high catalyst loading (20 mol%, 68% NMR yield). Due to the lower extinction coefficient of benzophenone compared to TBADT (<200 vs. 13 500 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹),^52,53 and its known tendency to dimerize to form benzopinacol upon UV-A irradiation, we selected TBADT as the best photocatalyst for the targeted hydroalkylation reaction. Notably, this transformation is quite general and a diverse set of alkylphosphonates (3) could be readily isolated and characterized (see ESI, Section 7). A mechanistic study confirmed the radical nature of the process (see ESI, Section 5), where HAT is likely to occur during the rate-determining step (KIE = 1.9).Next, the obtained alkylphosphonates were subjected to the successive HWE olefination (Scheme 2). A telescoped flow approach was developed in which the two individual steps were connected in a single streamlined flow process without intermediate purification. We selected 1,3-benzodioxole (1a), a common moiety in many medicinally-relevant molecules, as the H-donor and exposed it to the photocatalytic reaction conditions. Upon exiting the photochemical reactor, the reaction mixture containing the alkylphosphonate is merged with a stream containing paraformaldehyde (3 equiv.) and lithium tert-butoxide (1.1 equiv.) in tetrahydrofuran. The combined reaction mixture is subsequently introduced into a second capillary microreactor (PFA, ID: 0.75 mm; V = 7.1 mL; t_r = 5 min; T = 40 °C) and, after only 5 minutes of residence time, the targeted C(sp³)–H allylated product 4 could be obtained in 80% overall NMR yield (70% after isolation). Interestingly, the reaction performed decently also with 1 equivalent of 1a (65% NMR yield). Notably, the tactical combination of these two steps in flow results in a very efficient and operationally simple protocol, delivering these coveted scaffolds in only 10 minutes overall reaction time. As another benefit, the flow process could be readily scaled to produce 10 mmol of the desired compound 4 (1.52 g, 65% isolated yield, Scheme 2) without the need for tedious reoptimization of the reaction conditions, which is typically associated with batch-type scale up procedures.Open in a separate windowScheme 2Scope of the modular allylation of strong aliphatic C–H bonds with (deuterated) paraformaldehyde. Yields are given over two steps. For further experimental details see the SI. ^a For (CH₂O)_n: 0.23 M aldehyde and 0.084 M LiOtBu solution in tetrahydrofuran; flow rate = 0.802 mL min⁻¹; t_R = 5 min. For (CD₂O)_n: 0.11 M aldehyde and 0.084 M LiOtBu solution in tetrahydrofuran; flow rate = 0.802 mL min⁻¹; t_R = 8 min. ^b TBADT was used 5 mol%.This telescoped strategy could be subsequently applied to a wide variety of hydrogen atom donors 1 (Scheme 2). Activated substrates, such as hydrocarbon scaffolds with α-to-O C(sp³)–H bonds (5–7), were regioselectively allylated in yields ranging from 49–66% over two steps. Similarly, substrates containing α-to-S (8 and 9) and α-to-N (10–13) C(sp³)–H bonds were functionalized without difficulty (52–70% overall yield). Allylic functional groups could also be appended to activated benzylic positions (14, 32% overall yield).Finally, even strong, non-activated aliphatic C–H bonds could be readily allylated using our approach (15–19, 44–53% overall yield).To further demonstrate the potential of this operationally facile approach to introduce allylic functional groups, we wondered whether paraformaldehyde-d₂ could be used in the HWE step. Such a straightforward, regioselective introduction of deuterium atoms in organic molecules would be of tremendous importance for mechanistic,^54,55 spectroscopic and tracer studies.⁵⁶ Using our two-step flow protocol, the analogous deutero-allylated compound 4-d₂ was isolated in 68% yield, perfectly matching the result obtained for the non-deuterated version 4. Similarly, N-Boc piperidinone and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone were competent substrates for this protocol affording the deuterated products 20 and 21 in 44% and 52% yield, respectively. Finally, in an effort to demonstrate the applicability of this method to the late-stage functionalization of medicinally relevant molecules, we subjected biologically active molecules to our two-step flow protocol: the terpenoid ambroxide (22, 40% yield) and the nootropic drug aniracetam (23, 21% yield) could be decorated with a deuterated allylic moiety.In a similar vein, we turned our attention to introduce aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes in the second step, yielding trisubstituted allylic moieties, which are particularly challenging to synthesize via traditional photocatalyzed radical allylation approaches (Scheme 1B). By exploiting our modular protocol, a virtually limitless array of substituents can be systematically introduced (Scheme 3). In most cases, prolonged reaction times were required to obtain full conversion. In particular, electron-deficient aldehydes were convenient substrates for a fully telescoped manifold, where the flow exiting the photoreactor was directly merged with a stream containing the aldehyde and the base (see e.g., 26–30, 35–40). The HWE step required 30 minutes residence time and the temperature was kept at 40 °C. We found that a range of pyridine-derived nicotinaldehydes and heteroaromatic aldehydes (35–41) were ideal substrates for this approach as well. As for electron-neutral and -rich carbonyl compounds, the HWE step required considerably longer reaction times and thus a fed-batch approach was found to be more practical (e.g., 25, 31). Here, the reaction stream exiting the photoreactor was directly dosed into a stirring solution of aldehyde and base. It is important to stress that a fully telescoped approach was still possible in these cases, however higher reaction temperature (60 °C) and a back-pressure regulator (BPR, 2.8 bar) were needed to obtain full conversion within 1 hour (e.g., 24, 33, 45). Another general observation that could be made is that the presence of ortho-substituents resulted in higher E : Z ratios (e.g., 28–31, 33 and 40).Open in a separate windowScheme 3Scope of the modular allylation of strong aliphatic C–H bonds with aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes. Yields are given over two steps. For the experimental details of the fed-batch procedure see GP4 in the ESI,^† while for fully telescoped approach see GP5. ^a Reactions were carried out on a 0.5 mmol scale and yields refer to isolated products, E : Z ratios were measured by ¹H-NMR. ^b Reaction performed according to GP5, but the HWE step required 60 °C, a BPR (2.8 bar) and 1 hour residence time. ^c Reaction time: 16 h. ^d Reaction performed via general procedure GP6 in the ESI.^†Next, we turned to investigate different classes of hydrogen donors, such as hydrocarbons (43, 43%), (thio)ethers (44–45, 47–68%), protected amines (46, 51%) and amides (47, 55%): all proved to be competent reaction partners. In all cases, the reaction performed well, delivering densely functionalized alkenes in good yields and stereoselectivity.It is important to note that it would be extremely challenging to access either of these motifs with the current radical allylation methodologies (Scheme 1B). Unfortunately, all attempts to engage ketones in the HWE step did not afford the desired fully-substituted olefins.Interestingly, our protocol was also amenable to aliphatic aldehydes containing enolizable positions (48–52, 57–71% yield). The use of protected piperidine-4-carboxaldehydes allowed to obtain the corresponding allylated products 51 and 52 in excellent yields (60–68%) and with good diastereomeric ratios. In addition, medicinal agents and natural products containing carbonyls, such as acetyl-protected helicin, citronellal and indomethacin aldehyde derivatives, were also reactive delivering the targeted olefins in synthetically useful yields (53–55, 20–63%). This proves the potential of this strategy to rapidly diversify double bonds.Next, the importance of the ester moiety as electron-withdrawing group (EWG) in the substrates to enable the targeted transformations was evaluated (Scheme 4A). Thus, we synthesized different vinyl phosphonates (2′–2′′′) and found that all of them performed well (40–68% ¹H-NMR yield) in the photocatalytic radical hydroalkylation. We then tested our streamlined process with benzaldehyde (GP4) to study the effect of the EWG on the diastereomeric ratio in the final allylated compound. The cyano group-bearing substrate furnished the targeted compound 56 with an excellent diasteroselectivity; however, a poor mass balance was observed (22% yield despite full conversion of 3′). In contrast, products 57 and 58 (EWG : COR) were not formed, with a complete recovery of 3′′ and 3′′′. Interestingly, we found that compound 2′′′′ could serve as a suitable radical trap as well (Scheme 4B). Using 1a as coupling partner, the targeted hydroalkylation product was obtained in excellent yield (3′′′′, 90% by ¹H-NMR). A solvent switch and a stronger base (nBuLi, n-butyl lithium) were however required to induce the subsequent HWE step yielding styrenes 59–61 in good yields after isolation (see GP7 in the ESI^†).^57,58Open in a separate windowScheme 4(A) Effect of the EWG on the diasteroselectivity in the final allylated product; (B) synthesis of densely functionalized styrenes by exploiting phenyl-substituted vinyl phosphonate 2′′′′; (C) examples of further diversification of compound 4, including olefin reduction, ester reduction, Giese-type radical addition and Mizoroki–Heck coupling. ^a Full conversion of 3′ was observed. ^b Full recovery of the alkyl phosphonates.The regioselective and late-stage installation of allylic groups opens up innumerable possibilities for further diversification.¹³ As an illustration of this synthetic potential, we explored diverse conditions for the conversion of 4 into functionalized derivatives (Scheme 4C). The olefin and the ester functionalities could be orthogonally reduced by exploiting different reduction conditions, yielding compounds 62 (70%) and 63 (62%), respectively.^59,60 Moreover, compound 4 was an ideal substrate for another Giese-type radical addition using decatungstate-photocatalyzed HAT (64, 62%). Finally, product 65 could be obtained via a classical Mizoroki–Heck-type coupling (60%).⁶¹     

Hydroxy-directed fluorination of remote unactivated C(sp3)–H bonds: a new age of diastereoselective radical fluorination

We report a photochemically induced, hydroxy-directed fluorination that addresses the prevailing challenge of high diastereoselectivity in this burgeoning field. Numerous simple and complex motifs showcase a spectrum of regio- and stereochemical outcomes based on the configuration of the hydroxy group. Notable examples include a long-sought switch in the selectivity of the refractory sclareolide core, an override of benzylic fluorination, and a rare case of 3,3′-difluorination. Furthermore, calculations illuminate a low barrier transition state for fluorination, supporting our notion that alcohols are engaged in coordinated reagent direction. A hydrogen bonding interaction between the innate hydroxy directing group and fluorine is also highlighted for several substrates with ¹⁹F–¹H HOESY experiments, calculations, and more.

We report a photochemical, hydroxy-directed fluorination that addresses the prevailing challenge of high diastereoselectivity. Numerous motifs showcase a range of regio- and stereochemical outcomes based on the configuration of the hydroxy group.

The hydroxy (OH) group is treasured and versatile in chemistry and biology.¹ Its ubiquity in nature and broad spectrum of chemical properties make it an attractive source as a potential directing group.² The exploitation of the mild Lewis basicity exhibited by alcohols has afforded several elegant pathways for selective functionalization (e.g., Sharpless epoxidation,³ homogeneous hydrogenation,⁴ cross-coupling reactions,⁵ among others⁶). Recently, we reported a photochemically promoted carbonyl-directed aliphatic fluorination, and most notably, established the key role that C–H⋯O hydrogen bonds play in the success of the reaction.⁷ Our detailed mechanistic investigations prompt us to postulate that other Lewis basic functional groups (such as –OH) can direct fluorination in highly complementary ways.⁸ In this communication, we report a hydroxy-directed aliphatic fluorination method that exhibits unique directing properties and greatly expands the domain of radical fluorination into the less established realm governing high diastereoselectivity.⁹Our first inclination that functional groups other than carbonyls may influence fluorination regiochemical outcomes was obtained while screening substrates for our published ketone-directed radical-based method (Scheme 1).^8a In this example, we surmised that oxidation of the tertiary hydroxy group on substrate 1 cannot occur and would demonstrate functional group tolerance (directing to C11, compound 2). Surprisingly, the two major regioisomers (products 3 and 4) are derivatized by Selectfluor (SF) on C12 and C16 – indicative of the freely rotating hydroxyl directing fluorination. Without an obvious explanation of how these groups could be involved in dictating regiochemistry, we continued the mechanistic study of carbonyl-directed fluorination (Scheme 2A). We established that the regioselective coordinated hydrogen atom abstraction occurs by hydrogen bonding between a strategically placed carbonyl and Selectfluor radical dication (SRD).⁷ However, we noted that the subsequent radical fluorination is not diastereoselective due to the locally planar nature of carbonyl groups. Thus, we posed the question: are there other directing groups that can provide both regio- and diastereoselectivity? Such a group would optimally be attached to a sp³ hybridized carbon; thus the “three dimensional” hydroxy carbon logically comes to mind as an attractive choice, and Scheme 1 illustrates the first positive hint.Open in a separate windowScheme 1Observed products for the fluorination of compound 1.Open in a separate windowScheme 2(A) Proposed mechanism, (B) β-caryophyllene alcohol hypochlorite derivative synthetic probe, (C) isodesmic relation of transition states showing the general importance of the hydroxy group to reactivity (ωB97xd/6-31+G*), and (D) ¹H NMR experiment with Selectfluor and various additives at different concentrations.We began our detailed study with a simple substrate that contains a tertiary hydroxyl group. Alcohol 5 was synthesized stereoselectively by the reaction of 3-methylcyclohexanone, FeCl₃, and 4-chlorophenylmagnesium bromide;¹⁰ the 4-chlorophenyl substituent allows for an uncomplicated product identification and isolation (aromatic chromophore). We sought to determine optimal reaction conditions by examination of numerous photosensitizers, bases, solvents, and light sources (7 Although we utilize cool blue LEDs (sharp cutoff ca. 400 nm), CFLs (small amount of UVB (280–315 nm) and UVA (315–400 nm)) are useable as well.¹¹ A mild base additive was also found to neutralize adventitious HF and improve yields in the substrates indicated (

Electrooxidative o-carborane chalcogenations without directing groups: cage activation by copper catalysis at room temperature

Copper-catalyzed electrochemical direct chalcogenations of o-carboranes was established at room temperature. Thereby, a series of cage C-sulfenylated and C-selenylated o-carboranes anchored with valuable functional groups was accessed with high levels of position- and chemo-selectivity control. The cupraelectrocatalysis provided efficient means to activate otherwise inert cage C–H bonds for the late-stage diversification of o-carboranes.

Copper-catalyzed electrochemical cage C–H chalcogenation of o-carboranes has been realized to enable the synthesis of various cage C-sulfenylated and C-selenylated o-carboranes.

Carboranes are polyhedral molecular boron–carbon clusters, which display unique properties, such as a boron enriched content, icosahedron geometry and three-dimensional electronic delocalization.¹ These features render carboranes as valuable building blocks for applications to optoelectronics,² as nanomaterials, in supramolecular design,³ organometallic coordination chemistry,⁴ and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) agents.⁵ As a consequence, considerable progress has been witnessed in transition metal-catalyzed regioselective cage B–H functionalization of o-carboranes⁶ and different functional motifs have been incorporated into the cage boron vertices.^7–10 However, progress in this research arena continues to be considerably limited by the shortage of robust and efficient methods to access carborane-functionalized molecules. While C–S bonds are important structural motifs in various biologically active molecules and functional materials,¹¹ strategies for the assembly of chalcogen-substituted carboranes continue to be scarce. A major challenge is hence represented by the strong coordination abilities of thiols to most transition metals, which often lead to catalyst deactivation.¹² While copper-catalyzed B(4,5)–H disulfenylation of o-carboranes was achieved,^7e elevated reaction temperature was required, and 8-aminoquinoline was necessary as bidentate directing group. The bidentate directing group¹³ needs to be installed and removed, which jeopardizes the overall efficacy. Likewise, an organometallic strategy was recently devised for cysteine borylation with a stoichiometric platinum(ii)-based carboranes.¹⁴ Meanwhile, oxidative cage B/C–H functionalizations largely call for noble transition metal catalysts¹⁵ and stoichiometric amounts of chemical oxidants, such as expensive silver(i) salts.¹⁶In recent years, electricity has been identified as an increasingly viable, sustainable redox equivalent for environmentally-benign molecular synthesis.^17,18 While significant advances have been realized by the merger of electrocatalysis with organometallic bond activation,¹⁹ electrochemical carborane functionalizations continue unfortunately to be underdevelopment. In sharp contrast, we have now devised a strategy for unprecedented copper-catalyzed electrochemical cage C–H chalcogenations of o-carboranes in a dehydrogenative manner, assembling a variety of C-sulfenylated and C-selenylated o-carboranes (Fig. 1a). It is noteworthy that our electrochemical cage C–S/Se modification approach is devoid of chemical oxidants, and does not need any directing groups, operative at room temperature.Open in a separate windowFig. 1Electrochemical diversification of o-carboranes and optimization of reaction conditions. ^aReaction conditions: procedure A: 1a (0.10 mmol), 2a (0.3 mmol), CuOAc (15 mol%), 2-PhPy (15 mol%), LiOtBu (0.2 mmol), TBAI (2.0 equiv.), solvent (3 mL), platinum cathode (10 mm × 15 mm × 0.25 mm), graphite felt (GF) anode (10 mm × 15 mm × 6 mm), 2 mA, under air, r.t., 16 h. ^bYield was determined by ¹H NMR with CH₂Br₂ as the internal standard. ^cIsolated yields in parenthesis. ^dKI (1.0 equiv.) as additive. ^eProcedure B: 2 (0.3 mmol), LiOtBu (0.2 mmol), TBAI (2.0 equiv.), solvent (3.0 mL), 2 mA, r.t., 3 h, then adding 1a (0.10 mmol), 2-PhPy (15 mol%), CuOAc (15 mol%), 2 mA, rt, 16 h. ^f2b (0.3 mmol), LiOtBu (0.2 mmol), KI (1.0 equiv.), TBAI (2.0 equiv.), solvent (3.0 mL), 2 mA, r.t., 3 h, then adding 1a (0.10 mmol), 2-PhPy (15 mol%), CuOAc (15 mol%), r.t., 16 h. TBAI = tetrabutylammonium iodide, TBAPF₆ = tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate. DCE = 1,2-dichloroethane, THF = tetrahydrofuran.We commenced our studies by probing various reaction conditions for the envisioned copper-catalyzed cage C–H thiolation of o-carborane in an operationally simple undivided cell setup equipped with a GF (graphite felt) anode and a Pt cathode (Fig. 1b and Table S1^†). After extensive experimentation, we observed that the thiolation of substrate 1 proceeded efficiently with catalytic amounts of CuOAc and 2-phenylpyridine, albeit in the presence of 2 equivalents LiOtBu as the base, and 2 equivalents n-Bu₄NI as the electrolyte at room temperature under a constant current of 2 mA (entry 1). The yield was reduced when other copper sources or additives were used (entries 2–5). Surprisingly, n-Bu₄NPF₆ as the electrolyte failed to facilitate the carborane modification, indicating that n-Bu₄NI operates not only as electrolyte, but also as a redox mediator (entry 6). Altering the stoichiometry of the electrolyte or using KI did not improve the performance (entries 7–8). Product formation was not observed, when the reaction was conducted with DCE as the solvent, while CH₃CN resulted in a drop of the catalytic performance (entries 9–10). Control experiments confirmed the essential role of the electricity and the catalyst (entries 11–12), while a sequential procedure was found to be beneficial (entries 13–15).With the optimized reaction conditions in hand, we explored the versatility of the cage C–H thiolation of o-carborane 1a with different thiols 2 (Scheme 1). Electron-rich as well as electron-deficient substituents on the arenes were found to be amenable to the electrocatalyzed C–H activation, providing the corresponding thiolation products 3aa–3ao in good to excellent yields. Thereby, a variety of synthetically useful functional groups, such as fluoro (3ae, 3am), chloro (3af, 3ak, 3an) and bromo (3ag, 3al), were fully tolerated, which should prove instrumental for further late-stage manipulations. Various disubstituted aromatic and heterocyclic thiols afforded the corresponding cage C–S modified products 3ap–3as. Notably, aliphatic thiols efficiently underwent the electrochemical transformation to provide the corresponding cage alkylthiolated products 3at–3au. Notably, the halogen-containing thiols (2e–2f, 2k–2n and 2q) reacted selectively with o-carboranes to deliver the desired products without halide coupling byproducts being observed. The connectivity of the products 3aa, 3am and 3ao was unambiguously verified by X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis.²²Open in a separate windowScheme 1Electrochemical C–H thiolation of o-carborane 1a. (a) Procedure B. (b) KI (1 equiv.). (c) Cul as the catalyst.Encouraged by the efficiency of the cupraelectro-oxidative cage C–H thiolation, we became intrigued to explore the chalcogenantion of differently-decorated o-carboranes 1 (Scheme 2). Electronically diverse carboranes 1 served as competent coupling partners, giving the corresponding thiolation products 4bo–4do with high levels of efficacy in position-selective manner. The strategy was not restricted to phenyl-substituted o-carboranes. Indeed, substrates bearing benzyl and even alkyl groups also performed well to deliver the desired products 4eo–4ga. It is noteworthy that the C–H activation approach was also compatible with selenols to give the o-carboranes 4av–4fv. The molecular structures of the carborane 4br and 4av were unambiguously verified by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.²²Open in a separate windowScheme 2Electrochemical cage C–H chalcogenation of o-carboranes. (a) Procedure B. (b) KI (1 equiv.).Scaffold functionalization of the thus obtained carborane 3ag provided the alkynylated derivative 5a and amine 5b (Scheme 3), giving access to carborane-based host materials of relevant to phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes.²⁰Open in a separate windowScheme 3Late-stage diversification.Next, we became attracted to delineating the mode of the cupraelectro-catalyzed cage C–H chalcogenation. To this end, control experiments were performed (Scheme 4a). First, electrocatalysis in the presence of TEMPO or Ph₂C CH₂ gave the desired product 3aa. EPR studies of thiol 2a, LiOtBu and THF under the electrochemical conditions showed a small radical signal, which might be attributed to a thiol radical.²¹ Second, the cupraelectrocatalysis occurred efficiently in the dark. Third, detailed cyclovoltammetric analysis of the thiol and iodide mediator (Scheme 4b and ESI^†)²¹ revealed an irreversible oxidation of the thiol anion at E_p = −0.62 V vs. Ag/Ag⁺ and two oxidation events for the iodide, including an irreversible oxidation at E_p = 0.12 V vs. Ag/Ag⁺ and a reversible oxidation at E_p = 0.44 V vs. Ag/Ag⁺, which is in good agreement with the literature reported iodide oxidation potentials,^18c,d and is suggestive of the preferential oxidation of the iodide as a redox mediator. In this context, the use of n-Bu₄NI as a redox mediator to achieve copper-catalyzed electrochemical arene C–H aminations had been documented.^18d Furthermore, we calculated the redox potential of complex C by means of DFT calculations at the PW6B95-D4/def2-TZVP + SMD(MeCN)//TPSS-D3BJ/def2-SVP level of theory.²¹ These studies revealed a calculated oxidation half-wave potential for complex C is E^o,calc_1/2 = −0.08 V vs. SCE. Hence, iodide is a competent redox mediator to achieve the transformation from complex C to complex D. Analysis of non-covalent interactions²¹ in complex C (Fig. 2) show the presence of a weak stabilization interaction between the chalcogen''s anisole group and the 2-phenylpyridine. In contrast, in complex D these interactions were found more relevant between the o-carborane phenyl group and the chalcogen aromatic motif.Open in a separate windowFig. 2Non-covalent interaction plots for the complexes C and D. Strong attractive interactions are shown in blue, weak attractive interactions are given in green, while red corresponds to repulsive interactions. Ar = 4-MeOC₆H₄.Open in a separate windowScheme 4Control experiments and cyclic voltammograms.On the basis of the aforementioned findings,¹⁸ a plausible reaction mechanism is proposed in Scheme 5, which commences with an anodic single electron-transfer (SET) oxidation of the thiol anion E to form the sulfur-centered radical F. Subsequently, the copper(i) species A reacts with the sulfur radical F to deliver copper(ii) complex B, which next reacts with o-carborane 1 in the presence of LiOtBu to generate a copper(ii)-o-carborane complex C. Thereafter, the complex C is oxidized by the anodically generated redox mediator I₂ to furnish the copper(iii) species D,^18d which subsequently undergoes reductive elimination, affording the final product and regenerating the catalytically active complex A. Alternatively, the direct oxidation of copper(ii) complex C by electricity to generate copper(iii) species D can not be excluded at this stage.^18a,bOpen in a separate windowScheme 5Proposed reaction mechanism.In conclusion, a sustainable electrocatalytic C–H chalcogenation of o-carboranes with thiols and selenols was realized at room temperature by earth abundant copper catalysis. The C–H activation was characterized by mild reaction conditions and high functional group tolerance, leading to the facile assembly of various o-carboranes. Thereby, a transformative platform for the design of cage C–S and C–Se o-carboranes was established that avoids chemical oxidants by environmentally-sound electricity in the absence of directing groups. A plausible mechanism of paired electrolysis was established by detailed mechanistic studies.     

Selective radical cascade (4+2) annulation with olefins towards the synthesis of chroman derivatives via organo-photoredox catalysis

Due to the importance of chroman frameworks in medicinal chemistry, the development of novel synthetic methods for these structures is gaining increasing interest of chemists. Reported here is a new (4 + 2) radical annulation approach for the construction of these functional six-membered frameworks via photocatalysis. Featuring mild reaction conditions, the protocol allows readily available N-hydroxyphthalimide esters and electron-deficient olefins to be converted into a wide range of valuable chromans in a highly selective manner. Moreover, the present strategy can be used in the late-stage functionalization of natural product derivatives and biologically active compounds, which demonstrated the potential application. This method is complementary to the traditional Diels–Alder [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of ortho-quinone methides and electron-rich dienophiles, since electron-deficient dienophiles were smoothly transformed into the desired chromans.

We have developed a (4 + 2) radical annulation approach for the synthesis of diverse chromans. This method is complementary to the traditional Diels–Alder [4 + 2] annulation of ortho-quinone methides and electron-rich dienophiles.

Chroman moieties frequently exist as the key subunit in a wide array of natural products, pharmaceuticals, and bioactive molecules.¹ For example, vitamin E,² centchroman,² cromakalim³ and rubioncolin B⁴ are well-known active pharmaceutical ingredients in various therapeutic areas (Scheme 1a). Due to their significant importance in medicinal chemistry, developing new methods towards the synthesis of chromans and the installation of a variety of the functional groups in chroman frameworks are gaining increasing attention of the chemical community.⁵Open in a separate windowScheme 1Selected bioactive molecules and the synthetic methods of chromans.In the past few decades, a great deal of methods have been developed for the assembly of substituted chromans, and among them, the Diels–Alder [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction provides a highly efficient synthetic platform in the construction of these functional six-membered frameworks.⁶ Extensive work has been done with this strategy, resulting in a lot of significant progress. The ortho-quinone methides (o-QMs) are generally essential dienes for the Diels–Alder reaction towards the synthesis of chromans, as they are highly reactive for rapid rearomatization via Michael addition of nucleophiles, cycloaddition with a dienophile of 2π partners or 6π-electrocyclization (Scheme 1b).⁷ Herein, although various valuable chromans have been successfully synthesized with the Diels–Alder [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction, the use of o-QMs may lead to several potential limitations in some cases. One of the potential limitations is that o-QMs are used mainly as Michael acceptor and electron-deficient dienes to react only with nucleophiles and electron-rich dienophiles. In these considerations, the evolution of synthetic methods for chromans is very important and highly desirable. In particular, novel (4 + 2) cycloaddition strategies capable of synthesizing chromans with the use of easily available materials and electron-deficient dienophiles are of utmost interest.On the basis of retrosynthetic analysis of chroman shown in Scheme 1c, (4 + 2) radical annulation of the corresponding carbon-centered radical R with olefin would be an alternative route, which is able to overcome the above-mentioned potential limitations. Considering that radical species R is normally nucleophilic, thus, it could react with electron-deficient olefins affording chroman products that generally can''t be synthesized by the traditional Diels–Alder [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction involving o-QMs. Herein, we reported a highly selective (4 + 2) radical–annulation reaction to construct the chroman framework with the use of easily available NHPI ester as the radical precursor and olefin as the radical acceptor under mild conditions.Compared with other alkyl radical precursors, the redox-active N-(acyloxy)phthalimides (NHPI esters) come to the fore, since they are cheap, stable, readily available, and non-toxic.⁸ Bearing above hypothesis in mind, we commenced to investigate the (4 + 2) annulation reaction by utilizing readily available N-hydroxyphthalimide ester A′ and commercially available ethyl acrylate as model substrates. After a great deal of screening on the reaction parameters, only a trace amount of the target product was detected by GC-MS. In contrast, the main product is anisole, which may result from a rapid hydrogen abstraction reaction of the unstable primary alkyl radical intermediate. To restrain the formation of this by-product, we designed N-hydroxyphthalimide esters A and A′′, which could produce more stable tertiary radicals, for the target (4 + 2) annulation reaction instead of A′ (9 74% yield of ethyl-2,2-dimethylchromane-4-carboxylate upon 1 was selectively obtained after irradiation of the reaction system under blue LEDs at room temperature for 12 h, despite a little by-product ( EntryVariation from standard conditionsYield/%1None742No lightn.d3No EYn.d44-CzIPNn.d5Ru(bpy)₃(PF₆)₂366MeCN347DCEn.d8Air39Open in a separate window^aStandard conditions: A (0.2 mmol), ethyl acrylate (0.5 mmol), Eosin Y (2 mol%), DMAc (2.0 mL), blue light, N₂, rt, 12 h, isolated yield; n.d. = not detected.In order to explore the substrate scope of the (4 + 2) annulation reaction, we commenced to scrutinize the generality and selectivity with respect to N-hydroxyphthalimide esters. The functional group applicability of N-hydroxyphthalimide esters was investigated by the examination of various electron donating/withdrawing substituents at the varying positions, as illustrated in Scheme 2. Gratifyingly, we found that substances bearing electron-donating substituents (Me, OMe, ^tBu, SMe, OPh, OBn, and Ph) at the para-position could smoothly be transformed into the corresponding chromans with satisfactory yields (2–8). N-Hydroxyphthalimide esters with halogen substituents, such as fluoride, chloride, bromide and iodide are suitable to produce the corresponding chromans in satisfactory yields, which enable potential application in further functionalization (9–12). Surprisingly, electron-withdrawing substituents, such as MeCO, OCF₃, and CF₃, were also tolerated under standard conditions (13–15). This reaction could proceed effectively with N-hydroxyphthalimide esters containing one group or multiple groups in different positions, which delivered a variety of chroman compounds in moderate to good yields (16–19, 21–23). The annulation reaction is not limited to the construction of benzene compounds, as ethyl-3,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[f]chromene-1-carboxylate was also obtained in 68% yield (20). After the simple esterification, drug molecules, such as clofibric acid, fenofibric acid and ciprofibrate, could be transformed into the corresponding N-hydroxyphthalimide esters, further engaging with ethyl acrylate (10 and 24–25), which highlighted the synthetic applicability of this protocol.Open in a separate windowScheme 2Reactions of NHPI esters with ethyl acrylate. Standard conditions: NHPI ester (0.2 mmol), ethyl acrylate (0.5 mmol), Eosin Y (2 mol%), DMAc (2.0 mL), blue light, N₂, rt, 12 h, isolated yield.Next, we shifted attention to the scope with respect to a wide range of acrylates, as shown in Scheme 3. Methyl acrylate and butyl acrylate were well amenable with N-hydroxyphthalimide esters (26–27). Other acrylates, such as cyclohexyl, tert-butyl and phenyl, were also competent reaction partners with a satisfactory efficiency (28–30). Ethyl (E)-but-2-enoate was tolerant to afford the desired chroman product, albeit in 29% yield (31). It is particularly noteworthy that dimethyl maleate was demonstrated to be a suitable substrate, leading to the formation of sterically hindered product (32). The sensitive benzylic C–H bond and the fragile furan and thiophene moieties could be retained in the radical cascade reaction, providing a series of functionalized chromans (33–35). Alkoxy and aligned alkoxy on substances did not reduce the reaction efficacy (36–37). Chromans possessing various subtle trimethylsilyl, hydroxyl, primary/secondary bromoalkene, cyano and thiomethylene were accessed in reasonable yields, which provided the basis for late-stage derivatization of products (38–41, 43). Owing to the superiority of lipophilicity, permeability and metabolism, we tried to introduce trifluoromethyl into chroman skeletons. To our delight, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl acrylate gave rise to the corresponding chromans with 52% yield (42). The unactivated alkynyl moiety and alkenyl moiety survived in the photoredox catalysis (44–46).Open in a separate windowScheme 3Reactions of A with various olefins. Standard conditions: A (0.2 mmol), olefin (0.5 mmol), Eosin Y (2 mol%), DMAc (2.0 mL), blue light, N₂, rt, 12 h, isolated yield.It is well-known notorious that compounds possessing nitrogen atoms are a very important class of biologically active and functional molecules. Thus, we turned our attention from acrylates to acrylamide derivatives. We were delighted to find that N,N-dimethylacrylamide was a suitable radical receptor to give the target molecule in moderate yield (47). Similarly, a series of chroman products were obtained with cyclic and acyclic acrylamides (48–51). Subsequently, we continued to investigate the reaction of different secondary acrylamides with N-hydroxyphthalimide ester A. These secondary acrylamides bearing NH-isopropyl, -cylopropyl, -benzyl, -phenylethyl and -aryl functionalities, could smoothly be transformed into the desired (4 + 2) annulation products under standard conditions (52–57). Besides acrylates and acrylamides, this method was successfully applied to other Michael acceptors resulting in the synthesis of various functionalized chromans (58–61). In order to demonstrate the potential applicability of this methodology, a variety of natural products, their derivatives and functional molecules, such as isoborneol (62), cedrol (63), citronellol (64), cholesterol (65), and dehydroabietylamine (66), were examined, and all these structures could be embedded into target products in 56–70% yields.The (4 + 2) annulation protocol is not limited to the synthesis of chromans. Under standard conditions, the thiochromane derivative could be formed, although less efficiently (Scheme 4a). With curiosity, we tried to use the commercially available pinacol vinylboronate instead of acrylates for this transformation because of the widespread use of organoboron compounds in organic synthesis. The target compound 2-(2,2-dimethylchroman-4-yl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolane, which is a versatile building block in functionalization of chromans, was obtained in 48% yield under the slightly revised conditions (Scheme 4b). It is noting that the reaction could be conducted smoothly to afford 60% yield under sunlight irradiation, showing the potential of industrial application (Scheme 4c). Furthermore, the versatility of chroman 1 was also explored. The oxidative dehydrogenation process of 1 led to the formation of value-added ethyl 2,2-dimethyl-2H-chromene-4-carboxylate 69 by using DDQ as the oxidant (Scheme 4d). 1 could also be reduced to (2,2-dimethylchroman-4-yl)methanol 70 with lithium aluminum hydride in ethyl ether (Scheme 4d).Open in a separate windowScheme 4The synthetic applications. (a) The synthesis of thiochromane. (b) Pinacol vinylboronate as a substrate. (c) Sunlight condition. (d) The derivatization of products.To further gain mechanistic insights into this process, a series of experiments were conducted. When the model reaction was performed under standard conditions but in the presence of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) as a radical scavenger, the target product was not detected (Scheme 5a). Notably, when butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) was added to this reaction system, the annulation reaction was significantly suppressed, meanwhile, a coupling product was detected by GC-MS and HRMS (Scheme 5b). These results indicated a radical-involved pathway for this transformation. Subsequently, the carbon radical was captured by an intramolecular aromatic ring, giving the cyclization product 69 in excellent yield (Scheme 5c). Moreover, the intermolecular kinetic isotope effect (KIE) experiment was carried out by using A and A-d5 as competitive substrates. Under standard conditions, a KIE value of 1.05 was observed, indicating that the cleavage of the aromatic C–H bond might not be the rate-determining step in the transformation (Scheme 5d).Open in a separate windowScheme 5The control experiments. (a) The addition of TEMPO. (b) The addition of BHT. (c) Intramolecular reaction. (d) KIE experiment.On the basis of the above experimental results, we proposed a possible mechanism cycle for the reaction, as shown in Scheme 6. Initially, the photocatalyst Eosin Y (EY) was transformed into the excited species EY* (E_1/2[EY˙⁺/EY*] = −1.1 V vs. SCE) under the irradiation with visible light. As a redox-active species, EY* was able to reduce N-hydroxyphthalimide ester (E_1/2[A/I] = −0.8 V, see the CV in the ESI^†) via a single-electron-transfer (SET) process, generating the EY˙⁺ radical cation and the corresponding N-hydroxyphthalimide ester radical anion I. The intermediate I underwent rapid homolytic fragmentation to generate carbon-centered nucleophilic radical II by releasing the phthalimide anion and carbon dioxide. Subsequently, the carbon radical II was captured by ethyl acrylate to form the electrophilic radical III, which underwent rapid intramolecular radical cyclization to afford aryl radical IV. Then, the intermediate IV was converted into cation Vvia a SET oxidation. On the other hand, the EY˙⁺ radical cation was transformed into Eosin Y to accomplish the photocatalytic cycle. The rapid deprotonation of V leads to the formation of the product 1.Open in a separate windowScheme 6Proposed reaction mechanism.     

Three-component 1,2-carboamination of vinyl boronic esters via amidyl radical induced 1,2-migration

Three-component 1,2-carboamination of vinyl boronic esters with alkyl/aryl lithium reagents and N-chloro-carbamates/carboxamides is presented. Vinylboron ate complexes generated in situ from the boronic ester and an organo lithium reagent are shown to react with readily available N-chloro-carbamates/carboxamides to give valuable 1,2-aminoboronic esters. These cascades proceed in the absence of any catalyst upon simple visible light irradiation. Amidyl radicals add to the vinylboron ate complexes followed by oxidation and 1,2-alkyl/aryl migration from boron to carbon to give the corresponding carboamination products. These practical cascades show high functional group tolerance and accordingly exhibit broad substrate scope. Gram-scale reaction and diverse follow-up transformations convincingly demonstrate the synthetic potential of this method.

Three-component 1,2-carboamination of vinyl boronic esters with alkyl/aryl lithium reagents and N-chloro-carbamates/carboxamides is presented.

Alkenes are important and versatile building blocks in organic synthesis. 1,2-Difunctionalization of alkenes offers a highly valuable synthetic strategy to access 1,2-difunctionalized alkanes by sequentially forming two vicinal σ-bonds.^1a–h Among these vicinal difunctionalizations, the 1,2-carboamination of alkenes, in which a C–N and a C–C bond are formed, provides an attractive route for the straightforward preparation of structurally diverse amine derivatives (Scheme 1a).^2a–c Along these lines, transition-metal-catalyzed or radical 1,2-carboaminations of activated and unactivated alkenes have been reported.^3a–p However, the 1,2-carboamination of vinylboron reagents, a privileged class of olefins,^4a–h to form valuable 1,2-aminoboron compounds which can be readily used in diverse downstream functionalizations,^{5a–c,6a–d} has been rarely investigated. To the best of our knowledge, there are only two reported examples, as shown in Schemes 1b and c. In 2013, Molander disclosed a Rh-catalyzed 1,2-aminoarylation of potassium vinyltrifluoroborate with benzhydroxamates via C–H activation (Scheme 1b).⁷ Thus, the 1,2-carboamination of vinylboron reagents is still underexplored but highly desirable.Open in a separate windowScheme 1Intermolecular 1,2-carboamination of alkenes.1,2-Alkyl/aryl migrations induced by β-addition to vinylboron ate complexes have been shown to be highly reliable for 1,2-difunctionalization of vinylboron reagents (Scheme 1c).^4d–h In 1967, Zweifel''s group developed 1,2-alkyl/aryl migrations of vinylboron ate complexes induced by an electrophilic halogenation.⁸ In 2016, the Morken group reported the electrophilic palladation-induced 1,2-alkyl/aryl migration of vinylboron ate complexes.^9a–k Shortly thereafter, we,^10a–c Aggarwal,^11a–c and Renaud¹² developed alkyl radical induced 1,2-alkyl/aryl migrations of vinylboron ate complexes. In these recent examples, the migration is induced by a C-based radical/electrophile, halogen and chalcogen electrophiles.^13a,bIn contrast, N-reagent-induced migration of vinylboron ate complexes proceeding via β-amination is not well investigated. To our knowledge, as the only example the Aggarwal laboratory described the reaction of a vinylboron ate complex with an aryldiazonium salt as the electrophile, but the desired β-aminated rearrangement product was formed in only 9% NMR yield (Scheme 1c).^13a No doubt, β-amino alkylboronic esters would be valuable intermediates in organic synthesis. Encouraged by our continuous work on amidyl radicals^14a–i and 1,2-migrations of boron ate complexes,^{10a–c,15a–f} we therefore decided to study the amidyl radical-induced carboamination of vinyl boronic esters for the preparation of 1,2-aminoboronic esters. N-chloroamides were chosen as N-radical precursors,^16a–c as these N-chloro compounds can be easily prepared from the corresponding N–H analogues.¹⁷ Herein, we present a catalyst-free three-component 1,2-carboamination of vinyl boronic esters with N-chloroamides and readily available alkyl/aryl lithium reagents (Scheme 1d).We commenced our study by exploring the reaction of the vinylboron ate complex 2a with tert-butyl chloro(methyl)carbamate 3a applying photoredox catalysis. Complex 2a was generated in situ by addition of n-butyllithium to the boronic ester 1a in diethyl ether at 0 °C. After solvent removal, the photocatalyst fac-Ir(ppy)₃ (1 mol%) and THF were added followed by the addition of 3a. Upon blue LED light irradiation, the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. To our delight, the desired 1,2-aminoboronic ester 4a was obtained, albeit with low yield (26%, EntryPhotocatalystSolventT (°C)Yield^b (%)1 fac-Ir(ppy)₃THFrt262 fac-Ir(ppy)₃DMSOrt23 fac-Ir(ppy)₃MeCNrt564Ru(bpy)₃Cl₂·6H₂OMeCNrt695Na₂Eosin YMeCNrt696^cNa₂Eosin YMeCNrt707^cNoneMeCNrt458^cNoneMeCN0789^cNoneMeCN−2088 (85)10^c,dNoneMeCN−202Open in a separate window^aReaction conditions: 1a (0.20 mmol), ⁿBuLi (0.22 mmol), in Et₂O (2 mL), 0 °C to rt, 1 h, under Ar. After vinylboron ate complex formation, solvent exchange to the selected solvent (2 mL) was performed.^bGC yield using n-C₁₄H₃₀ as an internal standard; yield of isolated product is given in parentheses.^c4 mL MeCN was used.^dReaction carried out in the dark.With optimal conditions in hand, we then investigated the scope of this new 1,2-carboamination protocol keeping 2a as the N-radical acceptor (Scheme 2). This transformation turned out to be compatible with various primary amine reaction partners bearing carbamate (4a, 4b and 4d–4g) or acyl protecting groups (4c) (20–85%). Notably, N-chlorolactams can be used as N-radical precursors, as shown by the successful preparation of 4h (71%). Moreover, Boc-protected ammonia was also tolerated, delivering 4i in an acceptable yield (55%).Open in a separate windowScheme 21,2-Carboamination of 1a with various amidyl radical precursors. Reaction conditions: 1a (0.20 mmol, 1.0 equiv.), ⁿBuLi (0.22 mmol, 1.1 equiv.), in Et₂O (2 mL), 0 °C to rt, 1 h, under Ar; then [N]-Cl (0.24 mmol, 1.2 equiv.), −20 °C, 16 h, in MeCN (4 mL). Yields given correspond to yields of isolated products. ^aA solution of [N]-Cl (0.30 mmol, 1.5 equiv.) in MeCN (1 mL) was used. See the ESI^† for experimental details.We continued the studies by testing a range of vinylboron ate complexes (Scheme 3). To this end, various vinylboron ate complexes were generated by reacting the vinyl boronic ester 1a with methyllithium, n-hexyllithium, isopropyllithium and tert-butyllithium. For the n-alkyl-substituted vinylboron ate complexes, the 1,2-carboamination worked smoothly to afford 4j and 4k in good yields. However, the vinylboron ate complex derived from isopropyllithium addition provided the desired products in much lower yield (4l, 18% yield). When tert-butyllithium was employed, only a trace of the targeted product was detected (see ESI^†). As expected, cascades comprising a 1,2-aryl migration from boron to carbon worked well. Thus, by using PhLi for vinylboron ate complex formation, the 1,2-aminoboronic esters 4m–4o were obtained in 69–73% yields with the Boc (t-BuOCONClMe), ethoxycarbonyl-(EtOCONClMe) and methoxycarbonyl (Moc)-(MeOCONClMe) protected N-chloromethylamines (for the structures of 3, see ESI^†) as radical amination reagents. Keeping 3b as the N-donor, other aryllithiums bearing various functional groups at the para position of the aryl moiety, such as methoxy (4p), trimethylsilyl (4q), methyl (4r), phenyl (4s), trifluoromethoxy (4t), trifluoromethyl (4u), and halides (4v–4x) all reacted well in this transformation. Aryl groups bearing meta substituents are also tolerated, as documented by the preparation of 4y (81%). To our delight, a boron ate complex generated with a 3-pyridyl lithium reagent engaged in the cascade and the carboamination product 4z was isolated in high yield (82%).Open in a separate windowScheme 3Scope of vinylboron ate complexes. Reaction conditions: 1 (0.20 mmol, 1.0 equiv.), R_MLi (0.22 mmol, 1.1 or 1.3 equiv.), Et₂O or THF, under Ar; then [N]-Cl (0.30 mmol, 1.5 equiv.), −20 °C, 16 h, in MeCN. Yields given correspond to yields for isolated products. See the ESI^† for experimental details.The reason for the dramatic reduction in yield when α-branched alkyllithium or electron-rich aryllithium reagents were used might be that the corresponding vinylboron ate complexes could be oxidized by N-chloroamides via a single-electron oxidation process.^18a–e Furthermore, the α-unsubstituted vinyl boronic ester and vinyl boronic ester bearing various α-substituents are suitable N-radical acceptors and the corresponding products 4aa–4ac were obtained in 48–70% yield.To gain insights into the mechanism of this 1,2-carboamination, a control experiment was conducted. The reaction could be nearly fully suppressed when the reaction was carried out in the presence of a typical radical scavenger (2,2-6,6-tetramethyl piperidine-N-oxyl, TEMPO), indicating a radical mechanism (Scheme 4a). Further, considering an ionic process, the N-chloroamides would react as Cl⁺-donors that would lead to Zweifel-type products, which were not observed under the applied conditions. The proposed mechanism is shown in Scheme 4b. As chloroamides have been recently proposed to undergo homolysis under visible light irradiation,^19a,b we propose that initiation proceeds via homolytic N–Cl cleavage generating the electrophilic amidyl radical A, which then adds to the electron-rich vinylboron ate complex 2a to give the adduct boronate radical B. The radical anion B then undergoes single electron transfer (SET) oxidation with 3a in an electron-catalyzed process^20a,b or chloride atom transfer with 3a to provide C or D along with the amidyl radical A, thereby sustaining the radical chain. Intermediates C or D can then react via a boronate 1,2-migration^10c,11c,21 to eventually give the isolated product 4a.Open in a separate windowScheme 4Control experiment and proposed mechanism.To document the synthetic utility of the method, a larger-scale reaction and various follow-up transformations were conducted. Gram-scale reaction of 2a with 3a afforded the desired product 4a in good yield, demonstrating the practicality of this transformation (Scheme 5a). Oxidation of 4a with NaBO₃ provided the β-amino alcohol 5 in 89% yield (Scheme 5b). The N-Boc homoallylic amine 6 was obtained by Zweifel-olefination with a commercially available vinyl Grignard reagent and elemental iodine in good yield (79%).²² Heteroarylation of the C–B bond in 4a was realized by oxidative coupling of 4a with 2-thienyl lithium to provide 7.²³Open in a separate windowScheme 5Gram-scale reaction and follow-up chemistry.In summary, we have described an efficient method for the preparation of 1,2-aminoboronic esters from vinyl boronic esters via catalyst-free three-component radical 1,2-carboamination. Readily available N-chloro-carbamates/carboxamides, which are used as the N-radical precursors, react efficiently with in situ generated vinylboron ate complexes to afford the corresponding valuable 1,2-aminoboronic esters in good yields. The reaction features broad substrate scope and high functional group tolerance. The value of the introduced method was documented by Gram-scale reaction and successful follow-up transformations.     

Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of benzocyclobutenols and cyclobutanols via a sequential reduction/C–H functionalization

We report here a sequential enantioselective reduction/C–H functionalization to install contiguous stereogenic carbon centers of benzocyclobutenols and cyclobutanols. This strategy features a practical enantioselective reduction of a ketone and a diastereospecific iridium-catalyzed C–H silylation. Further transformations have been explored, including controllable regioselective ring-opening reactions. In addition, this strategy has been utilized for the synthesis of three natural products, phyllostoxin (proposed structure), grandisol and fragranol.

We report here a sequential enantioselective reduction/C–H functionalization to install contiguous stereogenic carbon centers of benzocyclobutenols and cyclobutanols.

Molecules with inherent ring strain have gained considerable interest in the synthetic community.¹ Among them, four-membered ring molecules have been recognized as powerful building blocks in organic synthesis.² Driven by ring strain releasing, the reactions of carbon–carbon bond cleavage have been extensively studied in recent years.³ Meanwhile, cyclobutane motifs represent important structural units in natural product and bioactive molecules as well (Scheme 1).⁴ Therefore, a general and robust method to constitute four-membered ring derivatives is of great value, especially in an enantiomerically pure form.⁵Open in a separate windowScheme 1Representative cyclobutane-containing bioactive molecules.[2 + 2]-Cycloaddition⁶ and the skeleton rearrangement reaction⁷ are two primary methods to prepare chiral cyclobutane derivatives. Recently, the precision modification of four-membered ring skeletons to access enantioenriched cyclobutane derivatives has attracted emerging attention. Several strategies have been developed, including allylic alkylation,⁸ α-functionalization,⁹ conjugate addition¹⁰ and C–H functionalization¹¹ of prochiral or racemic cyclobutane derivatives (Scheme 2a).¹² However, the enantioselective synthesis of chiral benzocyclobutene derivatives is still underdeveloped.¹³ Although two efficient palladium-catalyzed C–H activation strategies have been developed by Baudoin¹⁴ and Martin¹⁵ groups via similar intermediate five-membered palladacycles, no enantioenriched benzocyclobutene derivative has been prepared by employing the above two methods. In 2017, Kawabata reported an elegant example of asymmetric intermolecular α-arylation of enantioenriched amino acid derivatives to afford benzocyclobutenones with tetrasubstituted carbon via memory of chirality (Scheme 2b).¹⁶ In 2018, Zhang reported an iridium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of α-alkylidene benzocyclobutenones in good enantioselectivities (3 examples, 83–88% ee).^12c To the best of our knowledge, there is no report on enantioselective synthesis of benzocyclobutene derivatives with all-carbon quaternary centers.Open in a separate windowScheme 2Asymmetric synthesis of cyclobutanes and their derivatives. (a) Enantioselective functionalization of four-membered ring substrates. (b) Synthesis of chiral benzocyclobutenone via memory of chirality. (c) This work: sequential enantioselective reduction/C–H functionalization.In line with our continued interest in precision modification of four-membered ring skeletons,^9d,10c,12a we initiated our studies on the synthesis of chiral benzocyclobutenes via enantioselective functionalization of highly strained benzocyclobutenones. It is well known that benzocyclobutene derivatives are labile to undergo a ring-opening reaction to release their inherent ring strains.¹⁷ Therefore, it is a challenging task to modify the benzocyclobutenone and preserve the four-membered ring skeleton at the same time. We envisioned that a carbonyl group directed C–H functionalization¹⁸ of the gem-dimethyl group could furnish enantioenriched α-quaternary benzocyclobutenones (Scheme 2c). This could be viewed as an alternative approach to achieve the alkylation of benzocyclobutenone, which was otherwise directly inaccessible using enolate chemistry through the unstable anti-aromatic intermediate.¹⁹ In addition, a highly regioselective C–H activation would be required to functionalize the methyl group instead of the aryl ring. Here we report our work on sequential enantioselective reduction and intramolecular C–H silylation to provide enantioenriched benzocyclobutenols and cyclobutanols with all-carbon quaternary centers. The excellent diastereoselectivity and regioselectivity of silylation were attributed to rigid structural organization of the 4/5 fused ring. Furthermore, this strategy has been utilized to accomplish the total synthesis of natural products phyllostoxin (proposed structure), grandisol and fragranol.We commenced our studies with enantioselective reduction of readily prepared dimethylbenzocyclobutenone 1a (Scheme 3).^15,20 Surprisingly, enantioselective reduction of the carbonyl group of cyclobutanone derivatives received little attention. The first reduction of parent benzocyclobutenone was studied in 1996 by Kündig using chlorodiisopinocamphenylborane²¹ or chiral oxazaborolidines (CBS reduction),²² and only moderate enantioselectivity (44–68% ee) was obtained.²³ Although copper-catalyzed asymmetric hydrosilylation of benzocyclobutenone 1a using CuCl/(R)-BINAP gave the benzocyclobutenol ent-2a in 88% ee, optimization of ligands gave no further improvement (Scheme 3a, see Tables S1–S4^† for details).²⁴ Gladly, excellent enantioselective reduction could be achieved in 94% yield and 97% ee under Noyori''s asymmetric transfer hydrogenation conditions (Scheme 3b, conditions A, RuCl[(S,S)-Tsdpen](p-cymene)).²⁵ The product 2a showed remarkable stability and no ring-opening byproduct 2a′ was observed. The reduction of parent benzocyclobutenone was examined under conditions A, and benzocyclobutenol was obtained in 90% yield and 81% ee. Apparently, the steric influence imposed by the α-dimethyl group enhanced the enantioselectivity of the reduction. Similarly, the CBS reduction ((S)-B–Me) of benzocyclobutenone 1a gave better results compared with parent benzocyclobutenone, affording the product 2a in 86% yield and 92% ee (Scheme 3c).Open in a separate windowScheme 3Enantioselective reduction of benzocyclobutenone 1a. (a) Copper hydride reduction. (b) Ru-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation. (c) CBS reduction.We then examined the substrate scope of the reduction reaction (26 was chosen to improve the yield and enantioselectivity. Besides, benzocyclobutenol 2g with nitro substitution could be obtained in 96% yield and 93% ee. Treatment of pyrrolidinyl substituted benzocycobutenone 1h with catalyst (S,S)-Ts-DENEB afforded desired product 2h in 49% yield and 89% ee, together with ring-opening product 2h′ (18%).Enantioselective reduction of benzocyclobutenones^a

Electrification of a Milstein-type catalyst for alcohol reformation

Novel energy and atom efficiency processes will be keys to develop the sustainable chemical industry of the future. Electrification could play an important role, by allowing to fine-tune energy input and using the ideal redox agent: the electron. Here we demonstrate that a commercially available Milstein ruthenium catalyst (1) can be used to promote the electrochemical oxidation of ethanol to ethyl acetate and acetate, thus demonstrating the four electron oxidation under preparative conditions. Cyclic voltammetry and DFT-calculations are used to devise a possible catalytic cycle based on a thermal chemical step generating the key hydride intermediate. Successful electrification of Milstein-type catalysts opens a pathway to use alcohols as a renewable feedstock for the generation of esters and other key building blocks in organic chemistry, thus contributing to increase energy efficiency in organic redox chemistry.

Electrification of the Milstein catalyst enabled successful molecular electrocatalytic oxidation of ethanol to the four-electron products acetate and ethyl acetate.

In order to achieve the goals of the Sustainable Development Scenario (SDS) of the International Energy Agency, the chemical industry''s emission should decline by around 10% before 2030.^1,2 This could be achieved by increasing energy efficiency and the usage of renewable feedstocks. In this respect, molecular electrocatalytic alcohol oxidation could be powerful tool by potentially providing energy and atom efficiency for organic synthesis and energy applications.^2–7 Besides the use of aminoxyl-derivatives,^8–13 especially the seminal work of Vizza, Bianchini and Grützmacher demonstrated that (transfer)-hydrogenation (TH) catalysts could be activated electrochemically and used in a so-called “organometallic fuel cell”.¹⁴ Other TH systems are however mostly limited to two electron oxidations of secondary or benzylic alcohols (Scheme 1A).^15–21Open in a separate windowScheme 1(A) Advantages/limitation of electrochemical homogeneous alcohol oxidation using well-defined catalysts. (B) Current efforts to electrify acceptor-less alcohol dehydrogenation (AAD) systems due to their large range of application in thermal catalysis.As an exception, Waymouth et al. recently reported an example of the intramolecular coupling of vicinal benzylic alcohols to the corresponding esters.^19,22 In order to extend the range of possible catalysts candidates, the Waymouth group recently also explored the possibility to use an iron-based acceptor-less alcohol dehydrogenation (AAD) catalysts²³ for electrocatalytic alcohol oxidation (Scheme 1B).²⁴ The stability under electrochemical conditions in this case is limited to <2 turnovers, but it opens the door to explore a wide range of AAD reactions under electrochemical conditions. Here, we demonstrate that a commercially available Milstein-type AAD catalyst (1)²⁵ is competent for the electrocatalytic alcohol oxidation of ethanol to ethyl acetate and acetate (Scheme 1B).The cyclic voltammogram (CV) of complex 1 (Fig. 1) shows a quasi-reversible diffusive one electron oxidation wave at 0.2 V (all potentials are referenced vs. Fc⁺/Fc⁰) in 0.2 M NaPF₆ THF/DFB (2 : 1) (DFB = 1,2 difluoro benzene) assigned to the Ru(ii)–Ru(iii) couple (see ESI, section 2.2^†). The addition of 1 to a 10 mM sodium ethoxide (NaOEt) solution in 200 mM ethanol (EtOH) in 0.1 M NaPF₆ (2 : 1 THF/DFB) gives rise to several waves at ca. −0.5, 0.0 and 0.2 V with currents significantly higher than in the absence of catalysts or substrate, indicative of possible catalytic turnover (Fig. 2). Gradual increase of the EtOH concentration from 200 mM to 1 M is accompanied by the disappearance of the first wave at −0.5 V, while a new oxidation wave appears at ca. −0.25 V (Fig. 2, light to dark green traces).Open in a separate windowFig. 1Scan rate dependence of a 1 mM solution of 1 in in 2 : 1 THF/DFB + 0.2 M NaPF6 (from light to dark green: 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 V s⁻¹, 3 mm GC electrode). Inset: evolution of the peak current as a function of the square root of the scan rate.Open in a separate windowFig. 2CVs of 10 mM NaOEt (grey) and of 5 mM 1 + 5 mM NaOEt with increasing concentrations of EtOH (from light to dark green: 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 mM) in 2 : 1 THF/DFB + 0.2 M NaPF₆. Scan rate 0.1 V s⁻¹, electrode: 3 mm diameter GC electrode.Increasing the base loading gradually from 5 to 20 mM yields a stark increase of current at this new wave at ca. −0.25 V (Fig. 3). Using (TBA)PF₆ instead of NaPF₆ (used to avoid Hofmann-elimination²⁶) gave similar results (see ESI, section 2.2–2.5 and section 4^†). In order to assess catalytic turnover under preparative conditions, controlled potential electrolysis (CPE) was performed. CPE experiments were run in pure ethanol (to reduce cell resistance) in the presence of 0.1 M electrolyte of well soluble bases (e.g. NaOEt, LiOH, see ESI section 4^†). CPE in 0.1 M LiOH with 1 mM 1 at E = 0 V vs. Fc^0/+ delivered ca. 15 mM of acetate and 6 mM of ethyl acetate, corresponding to 21 turnovers (per 4 electrons, or 42 turnovers per two electrons) and a faradaic efficiency (FE) of ca. 62% (see ESI section 4.3^†). In the absence of applied potential (OCP, open circuit potential), no ethyl acetate was formed (see ESI, section 4.4^†). Likewise, in the absence of catalyst, the passed charge was significantly lower (7C vs. 40C) with no detected formation of ethyl acetate. The low FE could be due to catalyst degradation, as Ru-nanoparticle formation is observed on the electrode post CPE (confirmed by SEM/Elemental mapping, see ESI section 5^†). Noteworthy, rinse-test CPE and a CPE using a simple Ru-precursor, RuCl₃, did not show any ethyl acetate formation and gave similar results to blank experiments, indicating that Ru-nanoparticles are probably not the active catalyst species and that catalyst instability could be responsible for low FE. Further studies are underway to fully understand catalyst speciation under preparative conditions (see ESI section 4.7^†) the observed catalytic activity of 1 compares well in terms of TON and product selectivity with other molecular homogeneous TH systems, with most systems being limited to the two-electron oxidation of secondary or benzylic alcohols. The Waymouth group reported a NNC ruthenium pincer for the oxidation of isopropanol to acetone with a TON of 4.¹⁸ The same group reported on the usage of phenoxy mediators with an iridium pincer complex, reaching a TON of 8 for the same reaction.²² Bonitatibus and co-workers demonstrated the activity of an iridium-based systems with a TON of 32 for the formation of p-benzaldehyde.¹⁷ Appel and co-workers reported on a nickel (TON = 3.1)¹⁵ and a cobalt triphos systems (TON = 19.9)¹⁶ for benzaldehyde formation from benzyl alcohol. To the best of our knowledge, there is only one acceptor-less alcohol dehydrogenation (AAD) catalyst that has been activated electrochemically so-far,²⁴ generating acetone with a TON <2. Only a handful of molecular systems are known to catalyze the electrochemical four electron alcohol reformation to esters, however at significantly higher potentials (1.15 V vs. Fc⁺/Fc⁰).^2,27,28 Thus, although not designed for electrochemical applications, 1 shows high activity for the challenging 4 electron oxidation of aliphatic substrates.Open in a separate windowFig. 3CV of 5 mM NaOEt (grey), 5 mM of 1 + 1 M EtOH with varying concentrations of base (5, 10, 15, and 20 mM NaOEt, light to dark green) in 2 : 1 THF/DFB + 0.2 M NaPF₆. Scan rate 0.1 V s⁻¹, electrode: 3 mm diameter GC electrode.To achieve the transposition from thermal to electrochemical TH, both Grützmacher et al. and Waymouth took advantage of a fast equilibrium between the alcohol substrate and a metal hydride intermediate that could be readily oxidized. The chemistry of ruthenium pincer AAD systems is well studied (Scheme 2)^25,29–33 and allows for a putative assignment of the observed CV-behavior. In the presence of excess base and alcohol (Fig. 2 and ​and3),3), 1 is expected to yield dearomatized complex 2,²⁵ as well as the alkoxide species 3.^25,32 We might therefore assign the first wave at −0.5 V to the oxidation of dearomatized complex 2 and the wave around 0 V to the oxidation of the alkoxide complex 3. Indeed, independently synthesized samples of 2 and 3 (in the presence of excess ethanol) give rise to oxidation half-waves at −0.45 V and −0.1 V respectively (see ESI, section 3 and 5.2^†). This is also in agreement with the observed behavior upon increasing the alcohol concentration with the expected consumption of dearomatized species 2 and concomitant disappearance of the first oxidation wave at −0.5 V. The equilibrium between 2, 3 and 4 has been reported³² and addition of excess ethanol to 2 is thus not only generating 3, but also is expected to deliver 4 (Scheme 2). The appearance of a new anodic wave at ca. −0.25 V (Fig. 2) is thus attributed to the increasing formation of 4 upon addition of larger amounts of EtOH. Complex 4 is relatively unstable in solution,^25,32,33 and decomposes in the presence of electrolyte (see ESI section 3.1^†). DFT calculations were thus used to predict its oxidation potential (see ESI, section 6^†), which was in reasonable agreement with the observed wave (−0.19 V). The DFT calculations also confirmed the assignment of the other waves related to the dearomatized complex 2 (−0.33 V) and the ethoxide species 3 (−0.1 V). A more detailed mechanistic analysis remains currently hampered by the chemical instability of 4 under the employed reaction conditions, as well as difficulties to isolate 3 in the solid state (limiting kinetic measurements). DFT calculations were thus used to get a better view on possible reaction pathways (Schemes 2, ​,33 and ESI section 6.3^†). The oxidation of 4 at −0.19 V (DFT) yields the radical cation 5, with a calculated pK_a in THF of 8.2. In the presence of NaOEt, 5 should thus deprotonate readily to give radical 6, which has an extremely negative oxidation potential of −2.1 V. At the potential it is generated, 6 should thus directly be oxidized to cationic complex 7. This cationic species 7 has a calculated pK_a of 22.7 in THF, which is in good agreement with experimental data from the Saouma group on a similar system.²⁶ The high pK_a of 7 in THF also validates the need for a strong base (e.g. NaOEt) to reform dearomatized 2. Both Grützmacher and co-workers,¹⁴ as well as Waymouth²⁴ have noted that the accelerating effect during electrocatalysis stems from the oxidation of a metal hydride intermediate that is generated by fast chemical steps. In order to verify this hypothesis and to exclude an electrochemical activation of this hydride formation step, transition state barriers were computed (Scheme 3). Taking the dearomatized complex 2 as a reference point, a first step will form the alkoxide species 3 (TS₀ = 21.2 kcal mol⁻¹). Oxidizing 2 to 8 slows down the formation of the alkoxide species (T_S0^ox = 27.5 kcal mol⁻¹), most-likely due to decreased basicity of the ligand. From the alkoxide species 3 dihydride 4 is formed via a linear, charge-separated transition state TS₁ (15.7 kcal mol⁻¹). The role of such linear transition states was highlighted recently in the case of ruthenium pincer catalysis for alcohol oxidation.^34–37 In principle, it might be envisioned that the oxidation of the metal center could be an additional driving force for this hydride abstraction step. However, after oxidation, the energy span^38,39 rises by about 11 kcal mol⁻¹ (TS₁^ox = 24.7 kcal mol⁻¹). Likewise, a beta-hydride elimination via side-arm opening is not accelerated either by oxidation (TS₂^ox = 37.5 kcal mol⁻¹, see ESI section 6.4^†). It thus seems that the generation of 4 is not accelerated by electron transfer steps and relies on a thermally activated chemical step. Importantly, alkoxide solutions were shown to be excellent hydride donors electrochemically, further corroborating that under the employed basic conditions, generation of 4 from 3 should be fast.⁴⁰ Oxidation of 4 to 5 also doesn''t accelerate thermal intramolecular release of H₂ (TS_3B^ox = 37.5 kcal mol⁻¹), which is significantly higher than neutral thermal H₂-releasing states (TS_3A and TS_3B). The experimentally observed acceleration via electron-transfer is thus proposed to follow a classical ECEC mechanism initiated by the oxidation of 4 to 5 (at roughly −0.19 V (DFT)), followed by deprotonation and re-oxidation as described above, finally delivering 2 at the electrode surface. Importantly, at the electrode surface 2 and 3 should be oxidized at the employed potentials, but based on DFT-calculations, these pathways are thought to be non-productive (Scheme 3) and could explain the low catalyst life-time and degradation under electrochemical conditions.Open in a separate windowScheme 2Reactivity of pyridine-based ruthenium complexes via dearomatization/aromatization, as well as DFT-based.Open in a separate windowScheme 3DFT-calculated energy landscape for the neutral (black dotted lines and bars) and cationic surface (blue dotted lines and bars) of ethanol dehydrogenation starting from 2 or its cationic analogue 8.     

Tuning through-space interactions via the secondary coordination sphere of an artificial metalloenzyme leads to enhanced Rh(iii)-catalysis

We report computationally-guided protein engineering of monomeric streptavidin Rh(iii) artificial metalloenzyme to enhance catalysis of the enantioselective coupling of acrylamide hydroxamate esters and styrenes. Increased TON correlates with calculated distances between the Rh(iii) metal and surrounding residues, underscoring an artificial metalloenzyme''s propensity for additional control in metal-catalyzed transformations by through-space interactions.

We report computationally-guided protein engineering of monomeric streptavidin Rh(iii) artificial metalloenzyme to enhance catalysis of the enantioselective coupling of acrylamide hydroxamate esters and styrenes.

Artificial metalloenzymes (ArMs) can be made by anchoring a non-natural (metal) cofactor into a protein scaffold, with the goal of imbuing new-to-nature reactivity.¹ One of the most common ArM platforms is the biotin-tetrameric(strept)avidin (biotin-tSav) system pioneered by Whitesides and Ward.^2,3 These ArMs utilize high-affinity (up to K_D ∼10⁻¹⁴ M) interactions between tSav and biotin–metal conjugates. tSav-based ArMs have appeared in an increasing number of transition-metal catalyzed transformations.^4–6 In collaboration with the Ward group, we have previously described a tetrameric streptavidin (tSav) system containing a biotinylated Rh(iii) cofactor for the asymmetric synthesis of dihydroisoquinolones using benzhydroxamate esters and acrylate partners.⁷ Monomeric streptavidin (mSav), a streptavidin/rhizavidin hybrid designed to resist tetramerization, retains its high affinity for biotin (K_D ∼10⁻⁹ M).^8,9 We recently described the use of mSav as a new ArM,¹⁰ whose simpler topology encourages protein engineering via a site-directed mutagenesis approach.Traditional manipulation of a metal''s reactivity has been accomplished by modification of the electronic and steric properties of the bound ligands (Fig. 1a).^11,12 For example, we have documented and parsed the impact of Cp electronics and sterics on a number of Rh(iii) catalyzed transformations, by structural changes to the ligand in the primary coordination sphere of Rh.¹³ On the other hand, ArMs have traditionally been used as modifiers of a metal''s steric environment largely focusing on inducing asymmetry in the bond-forming events. Less broadly appreciated is the fact that any mutations in residues proximal to the active site may also impact the metal''s electronic properties via changes to the secondary coordination sphere (Fig. 1b), with the prospect of delivering more active catalysts for a given transformation.Open in a separate windowFig. 1Methods to modify the (a) primary and (b) secondary coordination sphere of a Rh(iii) catalyst.Previously, we described a mSav·Rh(iii) catalyst and demonstrated its use in the direct enantioselective coupling of acrylamide hydroxamate esters and styrenes.¹⁰ The reaction allows rapid access to piperidines – the most common N-heterocycle found in FDA-approved pharmaceuticals.¹⁴ One of the most interesting aspects of this reaction was our observation of a 7-fold increase in turnover number (TON) by embedding the cofactor into mSav''s active site.¹⁵ It has been a long-standing goal of ArMs to not only enable new-to-nature reactivity, but also for them to achieve the stellar kinetics of a native metalloenzyme. As these systems lack the evolutionary privilege of a natural metalloenzyme, extensive mutation of the protein scaffold may be required to find the optimal environment of the metal cofactor.Predicting the effects of specific mutations can prove very challenging, as any alterations to the protein conformation and charge distribution can impact reactivity regardless of the mutation''s distance from the active site.^16–19 In order to design a better mutant, we embarked on a collaborative experimental and computational study to define the role of the protein scaffold and how single point mutations affect reactivity. We identified two key residues that play a pivotal role in mSav·Rh(iii) ArM''s secondary coordination sphere, and have used this insight to design a more active mutant.For the purposes of this study, we focused on the mSav·Rh(iii) ArM-catalyzed coupling of methacrylamide with 4-methoxystyrene as our model reaction (Fig. 2a). Using a small model of the catalyst, the lowest energy pathway of this reaction''s proposed mechanism was generated (Fig. S9^†). The calculations were performed in Turbomole^20–32 with the M06 density functional.³³ Geometries were optimized with the def2-SVP basis set, and final electronic energies were calculated with the def2-TZVP basis set.³⁴ The conductor-like screening model (COSMO)³⁵ was used as implicit solvent with a dielectric of 80 to simulate water. These calculations predicted similar barriers for the N–H activation, the C–H activation, and the migratory insertion (differences less than 3 kcal mol⁻¹). Isotope-exchange experiments revealed that the C–H activation step is reversible, implicating the migratory insertion step as turnover-limiting.¹⁰Open in a separate windowFig. 2(a) Model transformation. (b) Snapshot of the transition state for alkene insertion illustrating key nearby residues Y112 (red), E124 (blue), and S119 (purple). (c) Computed barrier to alkene insertion in the presence and absence of phenol and acetate (shown in blue).The Cp* moiety of the Cp*^biotinRhX₂ cofactor is non-covalently localized in the active site likely due to a π–π stacking interaction with Y112 (Fig. 2b). This assignment is supported by the observation that mutant Y112A leads to lower yield and enantioselectivity.¹⁰ We hypothesized that we could further manipulate both the sterics and electronics of the Cp* moiety by either directly mutating Y112 or indirectly by mutating other residues that affect the Y112-Cp* interaction.To generate a model of mSav''s protein scaffold and active-site we used QM/DMD³⁶ – a hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics method that simulates proteins piecewise. Discrete molecular dynamics (DMD) equilibrates the entire system except for the metal and part of the substrate.³⁶ After a trajectory of ∼0.5 ns, quantum mechanics (QM) is used to optimize the metal region plus sidechains and residues immediately surrounding it. This process is repeated, providing efficient sampling of the entire protein scaffold while treating the metal environment quantum-mechanically. For this study, the migratory insertion transition state was modeled in WT by freezing the coordinates of the rhodium atom and the two carbon atoms forming a bond. For each system, five replicate simulations were run for ∼20 ns each.Residues E124 and S119 both hydrogen bond to Y112 and are in close proximity to the RhCp* catalytic site (Fig. 2b).³⁷ To estimate the electronic effects of these three residues on the reaction, an acetate ion, methanol molecule, and 4-methylphenol (p-cresol) molecule were added to a small catalyst model without constraints but initially positioned to mimic the sidechains of these residues (Fig. 2c). The migratory insertion energy barrier decreases by 2 kcal mol⁻¹ with incorporation of the three residues. However, this energy barrier decreases by an additional 3 kcal mol⁻¹ upon the deletion of the methanol molecule representing S119. Not only does this imply that these amino acid sidechains may be the primary reason for the increased activity of the protein-installed catalyst, but also suggest that a longer Y112–S119 distance is favorable, so long as no water can insert in this region and replace S119 in its H-bond with Y112. We hypothesize that the carboxylate group of E124 acts as a hydrogen bond acceptor, donating electron density to the Y112 phenol ring, which in turn donates electron density to the catalyst via π–π charge transfer. This could enhance the electron donation of the metal and decrease the energy barrier to the migratory insertion step. On the other hand, S119 acts as a hydrogen bond donor which would remove electron density from Y112 and subsequently the Rh(iii) moiety.Unfortunately, mutation of Y112 (Y112F and Y112W) results in negligible protein yields. We thus identified three flanking residues (T111, E113, H87) that may be expected to have a significant impact on Y112''s position, and one distal (T32) residue, chosen as distal mutations sometimes have significant impact (Fig. 3). Through this subset of mutants, we attempted to increase TON and establish a correlation between the Y112–Rh distance and Y112–S119 distance of the mutants and their reactivities.Open in a separate windowFig. 3Structure of mSav from two different views highlighting some of the mutated residues including their TON and enantioselectivity.We used QM/DMD to simulate a representative set of these mutants spanning a wide range of TONs measured in the experiment. The Y112–Rh and Y112–S119 distances were measured every ∼0.5 ps for every simulation. The results can be represented by a 3-dimensional plot with Y112–Rh distance on the X axis, Y112–S119 distance on the Y axis, and probability density on the Z axis (Fig. 4). We find the best correlation between TON and probability density in the conformational region where the Y112–Rh distance is the shortest and the Y112–S119 interaction is not energetically relevant.³⁸Open in a separate windowFig. 4Three-dimensional probability distributions from select mutants by simultaneous sampling of Rh–Y112 and S119–Y112 distances. Probabilities for the outlined regions are also shown.To clarify this correlation, we calculated the probability of having a Y112–S119 distance between 3.5–6 Å and a Y112–Rh distance less than 5.65 Å. This Y112–S119 distance corresponds to negligible hydrogen bonding.³⁹ Additionally, we constrained the small model catalyst shown in Fig. 5b (ref. 40) and calculated the corresponding energy barriers at different Y112–Rh distances (Fig. 5a). Since rate increases exponentially as the barrier decreases,³⁵ differences in probabilities in the region where the Y112–Rh distance is between 5.4–5.65 Å have the greatest impact on the relative TONs of our model methacrylamide styrene coupling. We conclude that mutants with increasing probability in this region provide increasing TON.Open in a separate windowFig. 5a) Theoretical dependence of migratory insertion barrier on Rh-phenol distance. (b) Small-model catalyst.Theoretically, a shorter Y112–Rh distance relative to WT would result in increased reactivity. Residue G49 is located under the Rh(iii) moiety (Fig. 6). We hypothesize that by mutating the glycine into an alanine, steric congestion would force the biotinylated Rh(iii) cofactor to shift upwards closer to the electron donating phenol side chain of residue Y112. Analyzing the critical portions of the Y112–Rh and Y112–S119 distances in tandem reveals that G49A has the highest probability density in this region (Fig. 4). Indeed, experimentally, this mutant gives 97 TON and 91% ee (Fig. 6). The combination of a short Y112–Rh distance and long Y112–S119 distance leads to an increase in reactivity. This is an approximate 3-fold improvement in the TON relative to WT. The G49A mutant serves as an experimental proof of concept that a computational analysis of an ArMs secondary coordination sphere can lead to the design of a more efficient ArM.Open in a separate windowFig. 6Snapshot of the transition state for alkene insertion highlighting the position of G49 (purple) relative to Rh. Y112 is shown in red and E124 is shown in blue.In summary, we have identified three key residues that contribute to accelerating the rate of a Rh(iii)-catalyzed reaction by electronic communication to the metal via the secondary coordination sphere. E124 hydrogen bonds to Y112 transferring electron density via π–π charge transfer, an effect that is attenuated by hydrogen bonding from S119. Optimal interaction of these residues can be described computationally by finding mutants that have multiple conformations bearing short Y112–Rh distances coupled with negligible bonding between Y112 and S119. This hypothesis was experimentally verified by a mutant that enforces a closer Y112–Rh distance leading to improved TON. This result demonstrates the use of a hypothesis-based site-directed mutagenesis of the secondary sphere residues, to optimize the metal''s electronic environment within the protein scaffold and enhance an ArM''s activity.     

Oxindole synthesis via polar–radical crossover of ketene-derived amide enolates in a formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition

Herein we introduce a simple, efficient and transition-metal free method for the preparation of valuable and sterically hindered 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles via polar–radical crossover of ketene derived amide enolates. Various easily accessible N-alkyl and N-arylanilines are added to disubstituted ketenes and the resulting amide enolates undergo upon single electron transfer oxidation a homolytic aromatic substitution (HAS) to provide 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles in good to excellent yields. A variety of substituted anilines and a 3-amino pyridine engage in this oxidative formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition and cyclic ketenes provide spirooxindoles. Both substrates and reagents are readily available and tolerance to functional groups is broad.

Herein we introduce a simple, efficient and transition-metal free method for the preparation of valuable and sterically hindered 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles via polar–radical crossover of ketene derived amide enolates.

Oxindoles, in particular the 3,3-disubstituted congeners, are highly valuable substructures in medicinal chemistry. The oxindole core can be found in various biologically active compounds, that are for example used in the treatment of cancer or as antibacterial agents.¹ In addition, the oxindole moiety also occurs in several complex natural products.² The first oxindole synthesis was reported by Baeyer and Knop in 1866.³ That time, isatin was converted by sodium amalgam reduction to the corresponding oxindole. Since then, many methods for the preparation of 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles have been developed that proceed via functionalization of a pre-existing oxindole core.⁴ In addition, methods for the construction of 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles starting from acyclic precursors have also been introduced.^5,6 Along these lines, transition metal-mediated reactions^5,7 or homolytic aromatic substitutions (HAS)^8–14 have found to be highly efficient for the construction of the oxindole core. Focusing on the latter approach, the intramolecular HAS proceeds via α-carbonyl radicals derived from radical addition to N-arylacrylamides,⁸ reduction of α-haloarylamides⁹ or oxidation of the corresponding enolates^10–14 (Scheme 1a).Open in a separate windowScheme 1Selected strategies for the synthesis of oxindoles.In 2017, the group of Taylor developed a transition metal-free enolate oxidation-HAS-approach towards oxindoles at low temperature using elemental iodine as the oxidant and malonic acid derived N-aryl amides as substrates which are readily deprotonated.¹⁴The unique reactivity of ketenes¹⁵ has been explored extensively,¹⁶ especially in [2 + 2]-cycloadditions.¹⁷ Moreover, Staudinger,¹⁸ Lippman¹⁹ and Taylor²⁰ showed that ketenes react with aryl nitrones in a tandem [3 + 2]-cycloaddition-[3,3]-sigmatropic-rearrangement cascade²¹ followed by hydrolysis to provide oxindoles (Scheme 1b). The use of chiral nitrones leads to chirality transfer and enantiomerically enriched oxindoles can be obtained via this approach.^21,22 In contrast to the examples discussed in Scheme 1a, two σ-bonds are formed and the overall sequence can be regarded as a formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition. Despite good yields and high enantiomeric excess, nitrones have to be used as precursors and an aldehyde is formed as the byproduct diminishing reaction economy of these elegant cascades.To address these drawbacks, we decided to use the nucleophilic addition^23–26 of deprotonated anilines to ketenes for the generation of the corresponding amide enolates that should then be oxidized in a single electron transfer process to α-amide radicals which can undergo a homolytic aromatic substitution providing direct access to sterically challenging 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles in a straightforward one-pot sequence (Scheme 1c). This polar–radical crossover reaction shows high atom economy and as the reaction with the nitrones can also be regarded as a formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition.We initiated the optimization study with N-methylaniline 1a and ethyl phenyl ketene 2a, which was prepared in an easy and scalable one-pot protocol starting from the corresponding carboxylic acid, as model substrates. Deprotonation of 1a with n-BuLi in THF and subsequent addition to the ketene 2a led to desired Li-enolate which was confirmed by protonation with water and isolation of the amide 4aa (56%). Pleasingly, addition of ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate (FcPF₆, 2.2 equiv.) at room temperature to the Li-enolate afforded the desired oxindole 3aa in 29% yield (14 Light does not appear to play a crucial role in this transformation, as performing the reaction in the dark does not have a significant effect on the reaction outcome ( EntryBaseConc. (M)Oxidant (equiv.)Yield 3aa (%)^b1 n-BuLi0.1FcPF₆ (2.2)29 (18)^c2^d n-BuLi0.1CuCl₂ (2.2)34^c3 n-BuLi0.1I₂ (2.2)41^c4EtMgBr0.1I₂ (2.2)44^c5EtMgBr0.02I₂ (2.2)78 6 EtMgBr 0.01 I ₂ (2.2) 90 (82) ^c 7EtMgBr0.01I₂ (1.2)258EtMgBr0.01NIS^e (2.2)399EtMgBr0.01I₂ (1.2)^f8010EtMgBr0.01I₂ (2.2)^g8211EtMgBr0.01I₂ (2.2)^h7412EtMgBr0.01I₂ (2.2)ⁱ93Open in a separate window^aReactions (0.20 mmol) were conducted under argon atmosphere.^{b 1}H NMR yield using 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene as internal standard.^cIsolated yield.^dStep 1 and 2 were conducted at 0 °C.^e N-Iodosuccinimide.^fIodine addition at −78 °C, then slowly allowed to warm to room temperature.^14gIn the dark.^hIrradiation with blue LED (40 W, 467 nm, rt, 8 h).ⁱRefluxing THF for step 3, reaction completed within 2 h.With the optimized reaction conditions in hand, we investigated the scope by first varying the R¹-substituent at the N-atom using the ketene 2a as the reaction partner (Scheme 2). In general, increasing the steric bulk at the nitrogen leads to diminished yields of the targeted oxindoles. The lower yields go along with the formation of a larger amount of the corresponding α,β-unsaturated amide side product 5. Thus, as compared to the parent N-methyl derivative, all other N-alkyl derivatives were formed in lower yields (49%, 3ab; 35%, 3ac; 49%, 3ad). The N-benzyl protected oxindole 3af and the N-phenyl oxindole 3ae were isolated in 54% and 56% yield, respectively. Next, a diastereoselective oxindole synthesis was attempted using chiral anilines 1g and 1h. Surprisingly, despite the bulkiness of these nucleophiles containing styryl-type N-substituents, good yields were obtained for the oxindoles 3ag and 3ah (73–79%). Unfortunately, diastereocontrol was low in both cases (1.9 : 1 d.r. and 1.5 : 1 d.r.). Of note, addition of Mg-1g and Mg-1h to ketene 2a was rather slow under the standard reaction condition and a significant amount of unreacted aniline was recovered. That problem could be solved by prolonging the reaction time of both step 1 (deprotonation) and also step 2 (Mg-enolate formation).Open in a separate windowScheme 2Substrate scope – variation of substituents at the nitrogen. Reactions (0.20 mmol) were conducted under argon atmosphere. ^a For step 1 and 2 reaction time was 1 h.Next, the substrate scope was investigated by using different anilines in combination with the ketene 2a (Scheme 3). N-Methyl-p-toluidine 1i and N-methyl-p-haloanilines 1j–m could be successfully transformed to the corresponding oxindoles 3al–am in moderate to good yields (53–87%). Electron-withdrawing and also electron-donating substituents are tolerated and oxindoles derived from p-cyano- (3an, 92%), p-acetyl- (3ao, 30%), p-methoxycarbonyl- (3ap, 82%) and p-methoxy- (3aq, 71%) anilines were isolated in moderate to excellent yields documenting a high functional group tolerance of this reaction. The meta-methyl aniline afforded oxindole 3ar in 76% yield as a 1.8 : 1 mixture of the two regioisomers (only the major isomer drawn). For the pyridyl derivative 3as, a lower yield was obtained (39%), but reaction occurred with complete regiocontrol. Of note, ortho-methyl N-methylaniline provided the corresponding oxindole only in trace amounts (not shown).Open in a separate windowScheme 3Substrate Scope – variation of anilines and ketenes. Reactions (0.20 mmol) were conducted under argon atmosphere. ^a Isolated as an inseparable mixture (1 : 1.4) with the protonated enolate 4fa (56% combined yield).The ketene component was also varied using N-methylaniline 1a as the reaction partner. The transformation of methyl phenyl ketene 2b provided the oxindole 3ba in 58% yield. p-Bromophenyl ethyl ketene 2c and p-iodophenyl ethyl ketene 2d afforded the oxindoles 3ca and 3da in good yields (70% and 76%). For the ibuprofene-derived ketene 2e a lower yield was obtained (3ea, 40%) and the bulkier phenyl isopropyl congener 3fa was isolated in 27% yield as an inseparable mixture with the protonated enolate 4fa (56% combined yield). In the latter case, increasing the reaction time did neither lead to a higher yield of 3fa nor to a suppression of the formation of 4fa. The lower yield is likely caused by steric effects. Surprisingly, diphenyl ketene 2g delivered the targeted oxindole 3ga in acceptable 55% yield despite the steric demand of the two phenyl groups and the high stability of the corresponding α-amide radical. Spirocyclic oxindoles are of great interest due to their high pharmaceutical potential.²⁷ We were pleased to find that our method also works for the preparation of such spiro compounds as documented by the successful synthesis of 3ha (26%).Mechanistically, we propose initial formation of the enolate A by nucleophilic attack of the deprotonated aniline to the ketene 2, which is then oxidized by elemental iodine to the α-amide radical B (pathway b). The radical nature of the transformation is supported by the fact that electronic effects on the arene show no influence on the efficiency of the cyclization, as would be shown by a conceivable polar aromatic substitution. Radical B readily cyclizes onto the aniline ring to generate the cyclohexadienyl radical D which is oxidatively rearomatized via cationic intermediate E to finally give the oxindole 3 (Scheme 4).^10–14 Alternatively, enolate A can be iodinated with I₂ to give the unstable iodide C which then undergoes C–I bond homolysis to generate the radical B (pathway a). Indeed, Taylor and coworkers¹⁴ observed under similar reaction conditions the decay of α-iodinated compounds of type Cvia C–I homolysis^14,28 to give radicals of type B. Usually, we observed α,β-unsaturated amides analogous to 5aa as by-products. However, the corresponding protonated enolates were detected only in tiny amounts in most of these cases. This strongly suggests that those amides are not formed via disproportionation of radical B. HI-elimination seems more likely, pointing towards the presence of the iodinated species C and thus the contribution of pathway b to product formation. In addition, dimerization of radical B was also not observed.Open in a separate windowScheme 4Suggested mechanism.To further support pathway b, isolation of the iodinated intermediate C was attempted at low temperature. Upon addition of iodine (1.2 equiv.) to the preformed Mg-enolate A derived from aniline 1a and ketene 2a at −78 °C,¹⁴ TLC analysis showed a clean conversion to a single new compound, which was analyzed by rapid ESI-MS analysis and provided evidence for the formation of the iodinated intermediate C (Scheme 5). However, isolation of this highly unstable compound was not possible due to rapid HI-elimination to the amide 5aa. Note that oxindole formation worked well upon I₂-addition at −78 °C and subsequent warming to room temperature (see Scheme 5). This is consistent with the observation from our optimization studies that irradiation with blue light does not contribute to the yield of oxindole 3aa (Open in a separate windowScheme 5Mechanistic experiments. (a) (1) EtMgBr (1.1 equiv.), rt, 30 min, (2) 2a (1.5 equiv.), −78 °C, 30 min, (3) I₂ (1.2 equiv.), −78 °C, 15 min in THF (0.01 M). (b) Warm to room temperature in THF (0.01 M), 18 h. (c) NaI (1.2 equiv.) in acetone (0.77 M), rt, 18 h. (d) Irradiation with blue LED (40 W, 467 nm) in THF (0.01 M), rt, 8 h.     

Assembly of multicyclic isoquinoline scaffolds from pyridines: formal total synthesis of fredericamycin A

The construction of an isoquinoline skeleton typically starts with benzene derivatives as substrates with the assistance of acids or transition metals. Disclosed here is a concise approach to prepare isoquinoline analogues by starting with pyridines to react with β-ethoxy α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds under basic conditions. Multiple substitution patterns and a relatively large number of functional groups (including those sensitive to acidic conditions) can be tolerated in our method. In particular, our protocol allows for efficient access to tricyclic isoquinolines found in hundreds of natural products with interesting bioactivities. The efficiency and operational simplicity of introducing structural complexity into the isoquinoline frameworks can likely enable the collective synthesis of a large set of natural products. Here we show that fredericamycin A could be obtained via a short route by using our isoquinoline synthesis as a key step.

A concise approach for rapid assembly of multicyclic isoquinoline scaffolds from pyridines and β-ethoxy α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds was developed, which enabled the formal total synthesis of fredericamycin A.

Isoquinolines and their derivatives are common structural motifs in numerous natural products. Among them, the analogues of isoquinolines fused with rings from the benzene side such as 8-hydroxyisoquinolin-1[2H]-one (Fig. 1a) have been found in hundreds of natural products with interesting bioactivities.¹ For example, fredericamycin A and the related family members, isolated from Streptomyces griseus, show both antimicrobial and anti-tumor activities.² Ericamycin is a natural product isolated in the culture of Streptomyces varius n. sp. with anti-staphylococcal activities.³ Due to the widespread presence of isoquinolines in both natural and synthetic molecules, numerous approaches have been developed to assemble this class of scaffolds.⁴ The dominated strategies reported to date focus on forming the new pyridine ring of isoquinolines (Fig. 1b, left part). Classic methods include Bischler–Napieralski isoquinoline synthesis,^4a,b Pictet–Gams isoquinoline synthesis,^4a and Pomeranz–Fritsch reaction.^4a These reactions, proven to be useful since as early as 1893,⁵ have their own merits and limitations. For instance, high reaction temperature (e.g. reflux in toluene) and strong acids are typically required and thus functional group tolerance can become challenging. On the other side, the introduction of structural complexities and substitution patterns is constrained as the substrates have to be pre-settled to favor the formation of pyridine moieties. Here we report a new approach to prepare isoquinoline scaffolds by constructing a new benzene ring (Fig. 1b, right part).⁶ Our method starts with pyridine derivatives as the substrates to react with readily available β-ethoxy α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. The reaction cascade involves five main plausible mechanistic processes (Michael addition, Dieckmann condensation, elimination, aromatization and in situ methylation) to furnish isoquinoline-based products with medium to good yields. The tricyclic isoquinoline-containing products might serve as formal common starting points for rapid total synthesis of a large number of natural products, such as those exemplified in Fig. 1a. In the present study, we demonstrate that starting from the tricyclic isoquinoline adduct 6a prepared using our method, fredericamycin A can be synthesized in 8 steps (Fig. 1c). Our strategy for isoquinoline assembly offers complementary and in certain cases better solutions not readily provided by the classic methods. We expect our method to find impressive applications in concise modular synthesis of complex natural products and molecular libraries, especially those bearing isoquinoline units fused with additional cyclic structures.Open in a separate windowFig. 1Isoquinoline analogues and their synthesis.Our design and initial studies are illustrated in Scheme 1.⁷ We first used pyridine 1a to react with α-substituted cycloenones (2a–2d), in the hope of obtaining isoquinoline 3a as the target product (Scheme 1a). The use of 2a and 2b was inspired by studies from Tamura, in which α-Br in 1,4-naphthoquinone was used as a leaving group to form an aromatic ring.⁸ Unfortunately, no product was formed and most of the starting materials were recovered. When SPh (2c) or SOPh (2d) was incorporated at the α site of the cycloenone, side products 4a and 4b were isolated respectively in moderate yields. The Michael products 4a and 4b could not be further transformed into our desired cyclic product 3a under various conditions. We then studied the use of β-substituted cycloenones (2e–2g) to react with 1a (Scheme 1b). No reactions were observed when 2e or 2f was used. To our delight, when the halogen of 2e/2f was replaced with a methoxy unit (OCH₃, substrate 2g), an encouraging amount of annulation product 3a was detected (10% yield). A side product 5a was also obtained (5% yield) in this initial study and it couldn''t be further transformed into the annulation product 3a under various alkaline conditions. It is noteworthy that, while β-alkoxy cycloenones (specifically, only β-alkoxy cyclohexenones) have been used in Staunton–Weinreb annulation⁹ to prepare fused aromatic compounds, no examples for those containing a heterocyclic aromatic ring were reported.¹⁰ Even for the construction of an aromatic ring without any heteroatom, low yields (mostly ranging from 0 to 30%) often occurred for this type of annulation starting with β-alkoxy cycloenones,⁹ which severely hampered its usage in Staunton–Weinreb annulation for the total synthesis of natural products. Our initial results showcased the possibility of direct assembly of isoquinoline scaffolds from β-methoxy cyclopentenone for the first time, though also in a low yield of 10%.Open in a separate windowScheme 1Proposed routes and initial studies for isoquinoline synthesis.With the initial results in hand, we performed additional condition optimization (11 The β-methoxy cyclopentenone 2g could also react to give 6a in a lower yield of 65% (entry 3). Other bases [such as triethylenediamine (DABCO), diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (LiHMDS) and potassium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (KHMDS)] gave poorer results with yields ranging from 0 to 42% (entry 4). When THF was changed to other solvents, lower yields (<41%) were obtained (entry 5). Revising the ratio of 1a to 2h from 1 : 1.5 to 1.5 : 1 delivered 6a in 39% to 54% yields (entries 6–8). Lower reaction temperature (e.g. −78 °C) could not improve the outcome of this cascade transformation, but gave 23% yield of 6a together with 16% yield of recovered starting material 2h (entry 9). Long exposure to low temperature in step 1 could also lead to a considerable amount of the undesired elimination product 5a (ca. 29% yield), which was decomposed under the following methylation conditions (step 2). No product was observed in the absence of the methoxy group in 1a as it could stabilize the transition state via the formation of a metallate complex (entry 10).Screening of conditions^a

Chelation-assisted C–C bond activation of biphenylene by gold(i) halides

A chelation-assisted oxidative addition of gold(i) into the C–C bond of biphenylene is reported here. The presence of a coordinating group (pyridine, phosphine) in the biphenylene unit enabled the use of readily available gold(i) halide precursors providing a new, straightforward entry towards cyclometalated (N^C^C)- and (P^C)-gold(iii) complexes. Our study, combining spectroscopic and crystallographic data with DFT calculations, showcases the importance of neighboring, weakly coordinating groups towards the successful activation of strained C–C bonds by gold.

Pyridine and phosphine directing groups promote the C–C activation of biphenylene by readily available gold(i) halides rendering a new entry to (N^C^C)- and (P^C)-gold(iii) species.

Activation of C–C bonds by transition metals is challenging given their inertness and ubiquitous presence alongside competing C–H bonds.¹ Both the intrinsic steric hindrance as well as the highly directional character of the p orbitals involved in the σ_C–C bond impose a high kinetic barrier for this type of processes.^2,3 Biphenylene, a stable antiaromatic system featuring two benzene rings connected via a four-membered cycle, has found widespread application in the study of C–C bond activation. Since the seminal report from Eisch et al. on the oxidative addition of a nickel(0) complex into the C–C bond of biphenylene,⁴ several other late transition metals have been successfully applied in this context.⁵ Interestingly, despite the general reluctance of gold(i) to undergo oxidative addition,⁶ its oxidative insertion into the C–C bond of biphenylene was demonstrated in two consecutive reports by the groups of Toste^7a and Bourissou,^7b respectively. The high energy barrier associated with the oxidation of gold could be overcome by the utilization of gold(i) precursors bearing ligands that exhibit either a strongly electron-donating character (e.g. IPr = [1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazole-2-ylidene])^7a or small bite angles (e.g. DPCb = diphosphino-carborane).^7b,8 In line with these two approaches, more sophisticated bidentate (N^C)- and (P^N)-ligated gold(i) complexes have also been shown to aid the activation of biphenylene at ambient temperature (Scheme 1a).^7c,dOpen in a separate windowScheme 1(a) Previous reports on oxidative addition of ligated gold(i) precursors onto biphenylene. (b) This work: pyridine- and phosphine-directed C–C bond activation of biphenylene by commercially available gold(i) halides.In this context, we hypothesized that the oxidative insertion of gold(i) into the C–C bond of biphenylene could be facilitated by the presence of a neighboring chelating group.⁹ This approach would not only circumvent the need for gold(i) precursors featuring strong σ-donor or highly tailored bidentate ligands but also offer a de novo entry towards interesting, less explored ligand templates. However, recent work by Breher and co-workers showcased the difficulty of achieving such a transformation.¹⁰Herein, we report the oxidative insertion of readily available gold(i) halide precursors into the C–C bond of biphenylene. The appendage of both pyridine and phosphine donors in close proximity to the σ_C–C bond bridging the two aromatic rings provides additional stabilization to the metal center and results in a de novo entry to cyclometalated (N^C^C)- and (P^C)gold(iii) complexes (Scheme 1b).Our study commenced with the preparation of 5-chloro-1-pyridino-biphenylene system 2via Pd-catalyzed Suzuki cross coupling reaction between 2-bromo-3-methylpyridine and 2-(5-chlorobiphenylen-1-yl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolane 1 (Scheme 2).¹¹ To our delight, the reaction of 2 with gold(i) iodide in toluene at 130 °C furnished complex κ³-(N^C^C)Au(iii)–I 3 in 60% yield.^12,13 Complex 3 was isolated as yellow plate-type crystals from the reaction mixture and its molecular structure was unambiguously assigned by NMR spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) and crystallographic analysis. Complex 3 exhibits the expected square-planar geometry around the metal center, with a Au–I bond length of 2.6558(3) Å.¹⁴ The choice of a neutral weakly bound gold(i)-iodide precursor is key for a successful reaction outcome: similar reactions in the presence of [(NHC)AuCl + AgSbF₆] failed to deliver the desired biscyclometalation adducts, as reported by Breher et al. in ref. 10. The oxidative insertion of gold(i) iodide into the four-membered ring of pyridino-substituted biphenylene provides a novel and synthetically efficient entry to κ³-(N^C^C)gold(iii) halides. These species have recently found widespread application as precursors for the characterization of highly labile, catalytically relevant gold(iii) intermediates,^15a–d as well as for the preparation of highly efficient emitters in OLEDs.^15e–g Previous synthetic routes towards these attractive biscyclometalated gold(iii) systems involved microwave-assisted double C–H functionalization reactions that typically proceed with low to moderate yields.^15aOpen in a separate windowScheme 2Synthesis of complex 3via oxidative addition of Au(i) into the C–C bond of pyridine-substituted biphenylene. X-ray structures of complex 3 with atoms drawn using 50% probability ellipsoids. Hydrogen atoms have been omitted for clarity. Additional selected bond distances [Å]: N–Au = 2.126(2), C1–Au = 1.973(2), C2–Au = 2.025(2), Au–I = 2.6558(3) and bond angles [deg]: N–Au–I = 99.25(6), N–Au–C1 = 79.82(9), C1–Au–C2 = 81.2(1), C2–Au–I = 99.73(8). For experimental details, see ESI.^†Encouraged by the successful results obtained with the pyridine-substituted biphenylene and considering the prominent use of phosphines in gold chemistry,^6,16 we wondered whether the same reactivity would be observed for a P-containing system. To this end, both adamantyl- and tert-butyl-substituted phosphines were appended in C1 position of the biphenylene motif. Starting from 5-chlorobiphenylene-1-carbaldehyde 4, phosphine-substituted biphenylenes 5a and 5b could be accessed in 3 steps (aldehyde reduction to the corresponding alcohol, Appel reaction and nucleophilic displacement of the corresponding benzylic halide) in 64 and 57% overall yields, respectively.¹³ The reactions of 5a and 5b with commercially available gold(i) halides (Me₂SAuCl and AuI) furnished the corresponding mononuclear complexes 7a–b and 8a–b, respectively (Scheme 3).¹³ All these complexes were fully characterized and the structures of 7a, 7b and 8a were unambiguously characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis.¹³ Interestingly, the nature of the halide has a clear effect on the chemical shift of the phosphine ligand so that a Δδ of ca. 5 ppm can be observed in the ³¹P NMR spectra of 7a–b (Au–Cl) compared to 8a–b (Au–I), the latter being the more deshielded. The Au–X bond length is also impacted, with a longer Au–I distance (2.5608(1) Å for 8a) compared to that measured in the Au–Cl analogue (2.2941(7) Å for 7a) (Δd = 0.27 Å).¹³Open in a separate windowScheme 3Synthesis and reactivity of complexes 7a–b, 8a–b, 9 and 10. X-ray structure of complexes 11b, 12 and 14 with atoms drawn using 50% probability ellipsoids. Hydrogen atoms have been omitted for clarity. For experimental details and X-ray structures see ESI.^†Despite numerous attempts to promote the C–C activation in these complexes,^10,13 all reactions resulted in the formation of highly stable cationic species 11a–b and 12, which could be easily isolated from the reaction media. In the case of cationic mononuclear-gold(i) complexes 11, a ligand scrambling reaction in which the chloride ligand is replaced by a phosphine in the absence of a scavenger, a process previously described for gold(i) species, can be used to justify the reaction outcome.¹⁷ The formation of dinuclear gold complex 12 can be ascribed to the combination of a strong aurophilic interaction between the two gold centers (Au–Au = 2.8874(4) Å) and the stabilizing η²-coordination of the metal center to the aromatic ring of biphenylene. Similar η²-coordinated gold(i) complexes have been reported but, to the best of our knowledge, only as mononuclear species.¹⁸Taking into consideration the observed geometry of complexes 7a–b in the solid state,¹³ the facile formation of stable cationic species 11 and 12 and the lack of reactivity of the gold(i) iodides 8a–b, we hypothesized that the free rotation around the C–P bond was probably restricted, placing the gold(i) center away from the biphenylene system and thus preventing the desired oxidative insertion reaction. To overcome this problem, we set out to elongate the arm bearing the phosphine unit with an additional methylene group, introduced via a Wittig reaction from compound 4 to yield ligand 6, prepared in 4 steps in 27% overall yield. Coordination with Me₂SAuCl and AuI resulted in gold(i) complexes 9 and 10, respectively (Scheme 3). The structure of 9 was unambiguously assigned by X-ray diffraction analysis and a similar environment around the metal center to that determined for complex 7a was observed for this complex.¹³With complexes 9 and 10 in hand, we explored their reactivity towards C–C activation of the four-membered ring of biphenylene.¹⁹ After chloride abstraction and upon heating at 100 °C for 5 hours, ring opening of the biphenylene system was observed for complex 9. Interestingly, formation of mono-cyclometalated adduct 13 was exclusively observed (the structure of 13 was confirmed by ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P, ¹⁹F, ¹¹B and 2D NMR spectroscopy and HR-MS).¹³ The solvent appears to play a major role in this process, as performing the reaction in non-chlorinated solvents resulted in stable cationic complexes similar to 11.^13,20,21 The presence of adventitious water is likely responsible for the formation of the monocyclometalated (P^C)gold(iii) complex 13 as when the reaction was carried out in C₂H₄Cl₂ previously treated with D₂O, the corresponding deuterated adduct 13-d could be detected in the reaction media. These results showcase the difficulties associated with the biscyclometalation for P-based complexes as well as the labile nature of the expected biscyclometalated adducts. Interestingly though, these processes can be seen as a de novo entry towards relatively underexplored (P^C)gold(iii) species.²²The C–C activation was further confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis of the phosphonium salt 14, which arise from the reductive elimination at the gold(iii) center in 13 upon exchange of the BF₄⁻ counter-anion with the weakly coordinating sodium tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate (NaBAr^F).^13,23 The phosphorus atom is four-coordinate, with weak bonding observed to the distant counter-anion and a distorted tetrahedral geometry (C1–P–C2 = 95.05(17), C2–P–C3 = 112.1(1), C3–P–C4 = 116.6(1), C4–P–C1 = 107.4(2) deg). These results represent the third example in which the C(sp²)–P bond reductive elimination at gold(iii) has been reported.²⁴Further, it is important to note that, in contrast to the reactivity observed for the pyridine-substituted biphenylene, neither P-coordinated gold(i) iodo complexes 8a, 8b nor 10 reacted to give cyclometalated products despite prolonged heating, which highlights the need for highly reactive cationized gold(i) species to undergo oxidative addition when phosphine ligands are flanking the C–C bond.¹³To get a deeper understanding on the observed differences in reactivity for the N- vs. P-based directing groups, ground- and transition-state structures for the oxidative insertion of gold(i) halides in C1-substituted biphenylenes were computed by DFT calculations. The reactions of Py-substituted 2 with AuI to give 3 (I) and those of P-substituted 7a (II) and 9 (III) featuring the cationization of the gold(i) species were chosen as models for comparative purposes with the experimental conditions (Fig. 1 and S1–S10 in the ESI^†).^25–27 The computed activation energies for the three processes are in good agreement with the experimental data. The pyridine-substituted biphenylene I exhibits the lowest activation barrier for the oxidative insertion process (ΔG^‡ = 34.4 kcal mol⁻¹). The reaction on the phosphine-substituted derivatives II and III proved to be, after cationization of the corresponding gold(i) halide complexes (II-BF₄, III-BF₄) higher in energy (ΔG^‡ = 39.6 and 46.3 kcal mol⁻¹ respectively), although the obtained values do not rule out the feasibility of the C–C activation process. The transition state between I and I′ exhibits several interesting geometrical features: (a) the biphenylene is significantly bent, (b) the cleavage of the C–C bond is well advanced (d_C–C = 1.898 Å in TSIvs. d_C–C = 1.504 Å in I), and (c) the two C and the I atoms form a Y-shape around gold with minimal coordination from the pyridine (d_N–Au = 2.742 Å in TSIvs. d_N–Au = 2.093 Å in I and 2.157 Å in I′, respectively). The transition-state structures found for the P-based ligands (TSII and TSIII) also show an elongation of the C–C bond and display a bent biphenylene. However, much shorter P–Au distances (d_P–Au = 2.330 Å for TSII and 2.314 Å for TSIII) can be observed compared to the pyridine-based system, as expected due to the steric and electronic differences between these two coordinating groups. Analogously, longer C–Au distances were also found for the P-based systems (d_C1–Au = 2.152 Å for TSIvs. 2.235 Å and 2.204 Å for TSII and TSIII; d_C2–Au = 2.143 Å for TSIvs. 2.219 Å and 2.162 Å for TSII and TSIII), with a larger deviation of square planarity for Au in TSIII compared to TSII.^28,29 These results suggest that, provided the appropriate distance to the C–C bond is in place, the strong coordination of phosphorous to the gold(i) center does not prevent the C–C activation of biphenylene but other reactions (i.e. formation of diphosphine gold(i) cationic species, protodemetalation) can outcompete the expected biscyclometalation process. In contrast, a weaker donor such as pyridine offers a suitable balance bringing the gold in close proximity to the C–C bond and enables both the oxidative cleavage as well as the formation of the double metalation product.Open in a separate windowFig. 1Energy profile (ΔG and ΔG^‡ in kcal mol⁻¹), optimized structures, transition states computed at the IEFPCM (toluene/1,2-dichloroethane)-B3PW91/DEF2QZVPP(Au,I)/6-31++G(d,p)(other atoms) level of theory for the C–C activation of biphenylene with gold(i) iodide from I and gold(i) cationic from II and III. Computed structures of the transition states (TSI, TSII and TSIII) and table summarizing relevant distances.     

Palladium/GF-Phos-catalyzed asymmetric carbenylative amination to access chiral pyrrolidines and piperidines

The cross-coupling of N-tosylhydrazones has emerged as a powerful method for the construction of structurally diverse molecules, but the development of catalytic enantioselective versions still poses considerable challenges and only very limited examples have been reported. We herein report an asymmetric palladium/GF-Phos-catalyzed carbenylative amination reaction of N-tosylhydrazones and (E)-vinyl iodides pendent with amine, which allows facile access to a range of chiral pyrrolidines and piperidines in good yields (45–93%) with up to 96.5 : 3.5 er. Moreover, mild conditions, general substrate scope, scaled-up preparation, as well as the efficient synthesis of natural product (−)-norruspoline are practical features of this method.

An efficient asymmetric palladium/GF-Phos-catalyzed carbenylative amination reaction to access structurally diverse chiral pyrrolidines and piperidines in good yields with high chemo-, regio- and enantioselectivities has been developed.

N-tosylhydrazones, readily prepared from aldehydes or ketones, served as a safe source of carbene precursors and have attracted much attention of chemists.¹N-tosylhydrazone-mediated applications have been continuously developed, such as cyclopropanation or cyclopropenation, X–H insertion, ylide formation, cycloaddition, aza-Wacker-type cyclization, asymmetric allylic substitution, etc.² Among them, transition-metal-catalyzed cross-coupling is one of the powerful protocols for C–X or C C bond formation in organic synthesis involving versatile intermediates, of which in situ generation of diazo compounds and carbene migratory insertion are considered key steps.^3–5 Over the past decades, considerable progress has been made in the asymmetric cross-coupling reactions of N-tosylhydrazones with various coupling partners, including cyclobutanols, terminal alkynes, silacyclobutanes and so on.⁴ Relatively, only a few examples focus on the cross-coupling reactions of aryl halides with N-tosylhydrazones involving benzyl metal intermediates [Scheme 1A, eqn. (a)].⁶ For example, Gu,^6a Wu,^6b Lassaletta^6c and coworkers have developed a palladium-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of axial chiral compounds from aryl bromides and N-tosylhydrazones, ending with β-H elimination. Very recently, we realized palladium/GF-Phos catalyzed asymmetric three component cross-coupling reactions of aryl halides, N-tosylhydrazones, with terminal alkynes.^6f In contrast, much less progress has been made in N-tosylhydrazone-based carbenylative insertions from vinyl halides, which would generate a π-allylic metal intermediate followed by nucleophile attack, providing a unique approach for building C–X bonds, especially for N-heterocyclic compounds [Scheme 1A, eqn. (b)].⁷N-heterocycles are important structural motifs for the development of various types of valuable chemicals and materials.⁸ Importantly, optically active 2-substituted pyrrolidine and piperidine derivatives are privileged scaffolds in many natural products and pharmaceuticals with a wide range of biological activities,⁹ as well as the backbone of organocatalysts in asymmetric catalysis (Fig. 1).¹⁰Open in a separate windowScheme 1Asymmetric transition-metal-catalyzed carbenylative cross-coupling reactions.Open in a separate windowFig. 1Selected natural products and pharmaceuticals containing chiral 2-substituted pyrrolidine and piperidine units.Notably, Van Vranken and coworkers reported an elegant palladium-catalyzed carbenylative amination reaction of N-tosylhydrazones and (E)-vinyl iodides pendent with amine, providing facile access to pyrrolidine and piperidine ring systems that are common to alkaloid natural products (Scheme 1B).¹¹ Unfortunately, only up to 58.5 : 41.5 er was obtained after they made a lot of efforts to screen a series of chiral phosphine ligands, indicating that this asymmetric reaction indeed poses considerable challenges in addition to competitive side reactions such as the dimerization of vinyl iodides,¹² the formation of diene via the palladatropic rearrangement/β-H elimination or allene via β-H elimination from C_sp²,¹³ and the π-allylpalladium intermediate trapped by the byproduct sulfinic acid salt.¹⁴ Given the significance of chiral pyrrolidines and piperidines as core structures in alkaloid natural products, the development of an asymmetric version of this elegant carbenylative amination reaction is highly desirable. In recent years, our group has developed a series of chiral sulfinamide phosphine ligands (so-called Sadphos), which showed unique potential in asymmetric transition-metal catalysis,^6f,15 so we wondered whether Sadphos could address this challenging asymmetric carbenylative amination reaction (Scheme 1C).Initially, our study began with (E)-vinyl iodide 1a and N-tosylhydrazone 2a in the presence of Pd₂(dba)₃, t-BuOLi, Et₃N, and triethylbenzylammonium chloride (TEBAC) in THF at 30 °C. A series of commercially available chiral ligands were first screened (Fig. 2). Only (R, R)-DIOP (L1), (R)-DTBM-SegPhos (L3) and (R)-MOP (L4) provided the desired product 3aa with poor enantioselectivity and other ligands such as (R, R)-Ph-BPE (L2), (R, S)-Josiphos (L5) and (S, S)-ⁱPr-FOXAP (L6) showed low reactivity. We next turned to systematically investigate Sadphos, such as Wei-Phos,¹⁶ Xiao-Phos,^15d,17 Ming-Phos,^15a,18 Xu-Phos,^15b,19 Xiang-Phos²⁰ and PC-Phos^15c,21 (Fig. 2). To our delight, PC1 delivered 3aa in 32% yield and 85.5 : 14.5 er. Inspired by this result, we further screened PC2–PC5 which vary in the substituent of phenyl, but unfortunately none of them showed better results. Surprisingly, the reactivity of this reaction could be greatly improved with our recently developed GF-Phos GF1, delivering 71% yield. When steric hindered tert-butyl groups were introduced on the phenyl group (GF2), the product 3aa was obtained in 77% yield with 91.5 : 8.5 er. After screening different palladium catalysts and solvents (Open in a separate windowFig. 2Screened chiral ligands.Optimization of reaction conditions^a

Simplifying and expanding the scope of boron imidazolate framework (BIF) synthesis using mechanochemistry

Mechanochemistry enables rapid access to boron imidazolate frameworks (BIFs), including ultralight materials based on Li and Cu(i) nodes, as well as new, previously unexplored systems based on Ag(i) nodes. Compared to solution methods, mechanochemistry is faster, provides materials with improved porosity, and replaces harsh reactants (e.g. n-butylithium) with simpler and safer oxides, carbonates or hydroxides. Periodic density-functional theory (DFT) calculations on polymorphic pairs of BIFs based on Li⁺, Cu⁺ and Ag⁺ nodes reveals that heavy-atom nodes increase the stability of the open SOD-framework relative to the non-porous dia-polymorph.

Mechanochemistry enables rapid access to boron imidazolate frameworks (BIFs), including ultralight materials based on Li and Cu(i) nodes, as well as new, previously unexplored systems based on Ag(i) nodes.

Mechanochemistry^1–7 has emerged as a versatile methodology for the synthesis and discovery of advanced materials, including nanoparticle systems^8–10 and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs),^11–15 giving rise to materials that are challenging to obtain using conventional solution-based techniques.^16–18 Mechanochemical techniques such as ball milling, twin screw extrusion¹⁹ and acoustic mixing^20,21 have simplified and advanced the synthesis of a wide range of MOFs, permitting the use of simple starting materials such as metal oxides, hydroxides or carbonates,^22,23 at room temperature and without bulk solvents, yielding products of comparable stability and, after activation, higher surface areas than solution-generated counterparts.^24–29 The efficiency of mechanochemistry in MOF synthesis was recently highlighted by accessing zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs)^30,31 that were theoretically predicted, but not accessible under conventional solution-based conditions.¹⁷The advantages of mechanochemistry in MOF chemistry led us to address the possibility of synthesizing boron imidazolate frameworks (BIFs),^32–34 an intriguing but poorly developed class of microporous materials analogous to ZIFs, comprising equimolar combinations of tetrahedrally coordinated boron(iii) and monovalent Li⁺ or Cu⁺ cations as nodes (Fig. 1A–C). Although BIFs offer an attractive opportunity to access microporous MOFs with lower molecular weights, particularly in the case of “ultralight” systems based on Li⁺ and B(iii) centers, this family of materials has remained largely unexplored – potentially due to the need for harsh synthetic conditions, including the use of n-butyllithium in a solvothermal environment.^32–34Open in a separate windowFig. 1Structures of previously reported BIFs with: (A) zni-, (B) dia-, or (C) SOD-topology (M = Li, Cu); (D) tetrakis(imidazolyl)boric acids used herein for mechanochemical BIF synthesis; and (E) schematic representation of the herein developed mechanosynthesis of dia- and SOD BIF polymorphs based on Li, Cu or Ag metal nodes.We now show how switching to the mechanochemical environment enables lithium- and copper(i)-based BIFs to be prepared rapidly (i.e., within 60–90 minutes), without elevated temperatures or bulk solvents, and from readily accessible solid reactants, such as hydroxides and oxides (Fig. 1D and E). While the mechanochemically-prepared BIFs exhibit significantly higher surface areas than the solvothermally-prepared counterparts, mechanochemistry allows for expanding this class of materials towards previously not reported Ag⁺ nodes. The introduction of BIFs isostructural with those based on Li⁺ or Cu⁺ but comprising of Ag⁺ ions, enables a periodic density-functional theory (DFT) evaluation of their stability. This reveals that switching to heavier elements as tetrahedral nodes improves the stability of sodalite topology (SOD) open BIFs with respect to close-packed diamondoid (dia) topology polymorphs.As a first attempt at mechanochemically synthesis of BIFs, we targeted the synthesis of previously reported zni-topology LiB(Im)₄ and CuB(Im)₄ frameworks (Li-BIF-1 and Cu-BIF-1, respectively, Fig. 1A) using a salt exchange reaction between LiCl or CuCl with commercially available sodium tetrakis(imidazolyl)borate (Na[B(Im)₄]) (Fig. 2A). Milling of LiCl and Na[B(Im)₄] in a 1 : 1 stoichiometric ratio for up to 60 minutes led to the appearance of Bragg reflections consistent with the target Li-BIF-1 (CSD MOXJEP) and the anticipated NaCl byproduct. The reaction was, however, incomplete, as seen by X-ray reflections of Na[B(Im)₄] starting material. In order to improve reactant conversion, we explored liquid-assisted grinding (LAG), i.e. milling in the presence of a small amount of a liquid phase (measured by the liquid-to-solid ratio η³⁵ in the range of ca. 0–2 μL mg⁻¹). Using LAG conditions with acetonitrile (MeCN, 120 μL, η = 0.5 μL mg⁻¹) led to the complete disappearance of reactant X-ray reflections, concomitant with the formation of Li-BIF-1 alongside NaCl within 60 minutes.Open in a separate windowFig. 2(A) Reaction scheme for the mechanochemical synthesis of Li-BIF-1 by a salt metathesis strategy. Selected PXRD patterns for: (B) Na[B(Im)₄] (C) LiCl, (D) simulated Li-BIF-1 (CSD MOXJPEP) and (E) synthesized BIF-1-Li by LAG for 60 minutes with MeCN (η = 0.5 μL mg⁻¹), (F) CuCl, (G) simulated Cu-BIF-1 (CSD MOXJIT), and (H) synthesized BIF-1-Cu by LAG for 60 minutes with MeOH (η = 0.50 μL mg⁻¹). Asterisks denote NaCl, a byproduct of the metathesis reaction. (Fig. 2B–E, also see ESI^†). The copper-based zni-CuB(Im)₄ (Cu-BIF-1) was readily obtained from CuCl within 60 minutes using similar LAG conditions. We also explored LAG with methanol (MeOH), revealing that the exchange reaction to form NaCl took place with both LiCl and CuCl starting materials. With LiCl, however, the PXRD pattern of the product could not be matched to known phases involving Li⁺ and B(Im)₄⁻ (see ESI^†). With CuCl as a reactant, LAG with MeOH (η = 0.5 μL mg⁻¹) cleanly produced Cu-BIF-1 alongside NaCl (see ESI^†).Next, we explored an alternative synthesis approach, analogous to that previously used to form ZIFs and other MOFs: an acid–base reaction between a metal oxide or hydroxide and the acid form of the linker: tetrakis(imidazolato)boric acid, HB(Im)₄ (Fig. 3A).^36–40 Neat milling LiOH with one equivalent of HB(Im)₄ in a stainless steel milling assembly led to the partial formation of Li-BIF-1, as evidenced by PXRD analysis (see ESI^†). Complete conversion of reactants into Li-BIF-1 was achieved in 60 minutes by LAG with MeCN (η = 0.25 μL mg⁻¹), as indicated by PXRD analysis (Fig. 3B–E), Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in air, and analysis of metal content by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) (see ESI^†).Open in a separate windowFig. 3(A) Reaction scheme for the mechanochemical synthesis of Li-BIF-1 using the acid–base strategy. Selected PXRD patterns for: (B) H[B(Im)₄] (C) LiOH, (D) simulated Li-BIF-1 (CSD MOXJPEP), (E) synthesized BIF-1-Li by LAG for 60 minutes with MeCN (η = 0.25 μL mg⁻¹), (F) Cu₂O, (G) simulated Cu-BIF-1 (CSD MOXJIT), and (H) synthesized Cu-BIF-1 by ILAG for 60 minutes with MeOH (η = 0.50 μL mg⁻¹) and NH₄NO₃ additive (5% by weight).Neat milling of HB(Im)₄ with Cu₂O under similar conditions gave a largely non-crystalline material, as evidenced by PXRD (see ESI^†). Switching to the ion- and liquid-assisted grinding (ILAG) methodology, in which the reactivity of a metal oxide is enhanced by a small amount of a weakly acidic ammonium salt, and which was introduced to prepare zinc and cadmium ZIFs from respective oxides,^37–40 enabled the synthesis of Cu-BIF-1 from Cu₂O. Specifically, PXRD analysis revealed complete disappearance of the oxide in samples obtained by ILAG with either MeOH or MeCN (η = 0.5 μL mg⁻¹) in the presence of NH₄NO₃ additive (5% by weight, see ESI^†). Notably, achieving complete disappearance of Cu₂O reactant signals also required switching from stainless steel to a zirconia-based milling assembly, presumably due to more efficient energy delivery.⁴¹ After washing with MeOH, the material was characterized by FTIR-ATR, TGA in air, and analysis of metal content by ICP-MS (see ESI^†).Whereas both the metathesis and acid–base approaches can be used to mechanochemically generate Li- and Cu-BIF-1, the latter approach has a clear advantage of circumventing the formation of the NaCl byproduct. Consequently, in order to further the development of mechanochemical routes to other BIFs, we focused on the acid–base strategy. As next targets, we turned to MOFs based on tetrakis(2-methylimidazole)boric acid H[B(Meim)₄],³⁶ previously reported³² to adopt either a non-porous diamondoid (dia) topology (BIF-2) or a microporous sodalite (SOD) topology (BIF-3) with either Li⁺ or Cu⁺ as nodes (Fig. 4). Attempts to selectively synthesize either Li-BIF-2 or Li-BIF-3 by neat milling or LAG (using MeOH or MeCN as liquid additives) with LiOH and a stoichiometric amount of HB(Meim)₄ were not successful. Exploration of different milling times and η-values produced only mixtures of residual reactants with Li-BIF-2, Li-BIF-3, and/or not yet identified phases (see ESI^†). Consequently, we explored milling in the presence of 2-aminobutanol (amb), which is a ubiquitous component of solvent systems used in the solvothermal syntheses of BIFs.^32,33 Gratifyingly, using a mixture of amb and MeCN in a 1 : 3 ratio by volume as the milling liquid led to an effective strategy for the selective synthesis of both the dia-topology Li-BIF-2 (CSD code MOXKUG), and the SOD-topology Li-BIF-3 (CSD code MUCLOM).^‡ The selective formation of phase-pure samples of Li-BIF-2 and Li-BIF-3 was confirmed by PXRD analysis, which revealed an excellent match to diffractograms simulated based on the previously reported structures (Fig. 4B–G). Systematic exploration of reaction conditions, including time (between 15 and 60 minutes) and η value (between 0.25 and 1 μL mg⁻¹) revealed that the open framework Li-BIF-3 is readily obtained at η either 0.75 or 1 μL mg⁻¹ after milling for 45 minutes or longer (Fig. 4B–G, also see ESI^†).^§ Lower η-values of 0.25 and 0.5 μL mg⁻¹ preferred the formation of the dia-topology Li-BIF-2, which was obtained as a phase-pure material upon 60 minutes milling at η = 0.5 μL mg⁻¹, following the initial appearance of a yet unidentified intermediate. The preferred formation of Li-BIF-2 at lower η-values is consistent with our previous observations that lower amounts of liquid promote mechanochemical formation of denser MOF polymorphs.³⁷Open in a separate windowFig. 4(A) Reaction scheme for the mechanochemical synthesis of Li-BIF-3. Comparison of selected PXRD patterns for the synthesis of Li-BIF-2 and Li-BIF-3: (B) H[B(Meim)₄] reactant; (C) LiOH reactant; (D) simulated for Li-BIF-3 (CSD MUCLOM); (E) simulated for Li-BIF-2 (CSD MOXKUG); (F) Li-BIF-3 mechanochemically synthesized by LAG for 60 minutes with a 1 : 3 by volume mixture of amb and MeCN (η = 1 μL mg⁻¹); and (G) Li-BIF-2 mechanochemically synthesized by LAG for 60 minutes with a 1 : 3 by volume mixture of amb and MeCN (η = 0.5 μL mg⁻¹). Comparison of selected PXRD patterns for the synthesis of Cu-BIF-2 and Li-BIF-3: (H) Cu₂O; (I) Cu-BIF-3 (CSD MOXJOZ); (J) Cu-BIF-2 (CSD MUCLIG); (K) Cu-BIF-3 mechanochemically synthesised by ILAG for 60 minutes using NH₄NO₃ ionic additive (5% by weight) and MeOH (η = 1 μL mg⁻¹); and (L) mechanochemically synthesised Cu-BIF-2 by ILAG for 90 minutes using NH₄NO₃ ionic additive (5% by weight) and MeOH (η = 0.5 μL mg⁻¹).Samples of both Li-BIF-2 and Li-BIF-3 after washing with MeCN were further characterized by FTIR-ATR, TGA in air, and analysis of metal content by ICP-MS (see ESI^†). Nitrogen sorption measurement on the mechanochemically obtained Li-BIF-3, after washing with MeCN and evacuation at 85 °C, revealed a highly microporous material with a Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area of 1010 m² g⁻¹ (Fig. 5A), which is close to the value expected from the crystal structure of the material (1200 m² g⁻¹, 32 For direct comparison with previous work,³² we also calculated the Langmuir surface area, revealing an almost 40% increase (1060 m² g⁻¹) compared to samples made solvothermally (762.5 m² g⁻¹) (Fig. 5A, inset).Experimental Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and Langmuir surface area (in m² g⁻¹) of mechanochemically synthesized SOD-topology BIFs, compared to previously measured and theoretically calculated values, along with average particle sizes (in nm) established by SEM and calculated energies (in eV) for all Li-, Cu-, and Ag-BIF polymorphs. The difference between calculated energies for SOD- and dia-polymorphs in each system is given as ΔE (in kJ mol⁻¹)

Ligand-dependent,palladium-catalyzed stereodivergent synthesis of chiral tetrahydroquinolines

The most fundamental tasks in asymmetric synthesis are the development of fully stereodivergent strategies to access the full complement of stereoisomers of products bearing multiple stereocenters. Although great progress has been made in the past few decades, developing general and practical strategies that allow selective generation of any diastereomer of a reaction product bearing multiple stereocentres through switching distinct chiral catalysts is a significant challenge. Here, attaining precise switching of the product stereochemistry, we develop a novel P-chirogenic ligand, i.e.YuePhos, which can be easily derived from inexpensive and commercially available starting materials in four chemical operations. Through switching of three chiral ligands, an unprecedented ligand-dependent diastereodivergent Pd-catalyzed asymmetric intermolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of vinyl benzoxazinanone with α-arylidene succinimides was developed. This novel method provides an efficient route for the stereodivergent synthesis of six stereoisomers of pyrrolidines bearing up to three adjacent stereocenters (one quaternary center). Despite the anticipated challenges associated with controlling stereoselectivity in such a complex system, the products are obtained in enantiomeric excesses ranging up to 98% ee. In addition, the synthetic utilities of optically active hexahydrocarbazoles are also shown.

An unprecedented ligand-dependent stereodivergent Pd-catalyzed asymmetric intermolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of vinyl benzoxazinanone with α-aryliene succinimides was developed.

The chirality of a biologically active molecule can alter its physiological properties. Therefore, highly efficient access to and fully characterizing all possible stereoisomers of a chiral molecule is one of the fundamental challenges in organic synthesis, drug discovery and development processes. However, most asymmetric catalytic transformations afford products enantioselectively and diastereoselectively and only form one of the stereoisomers containing multiple stereocenters. Stereodivergent access to all possible stereoisomers of the products is incredibly difficult because diastereochemical preference is largely dominated by the inherent structural and stereoelectronic characteristics of substrates, while absolute conformation can be dictated by the choice of the chiral catalyst.¹ In 2013, Carreira and co-workers addressed this limitation by introducing the concept of stereodivergent dual-catalytic synthesis, reporting the allylation of aldehydes in a diastereodivergent fashion by the synergistic reactivity of iridium and amine catalysts under acidic conditions.² Soon after, Carreira,³ Zhang,⁴ Hartwig,⁵ Dong,⁶ Wang,⁷ Zi,⁸ Lee,⁹ and other groups¹⁰ reported using an appropriate combination of dual chiral catalysts in a series of elegant studies (Scheme 1A). Recently, chemists found, in some cases, that tuning non-chiral parameters, including solvents or additives, also controlled the stereochemical outcomes through subtle perturbation of the key diastereomeric transition states.¹¹ In 2018, You and co-workers reported a solvent-controlled palladium-catalyzed enantioselective dearomative formal [3 + 2] cycloaddition, affording stereodivergent synthesis of two diastereomeric tetrahydrofuroindoles.¹² However, a rapid and predictable way to access complete stereoisomers of products bearing multiple stereocentres (for example, three contiguous stereocentres) remains an unsolved challenge through switching of ligands. To the best of our knowledge, only two successful examples were reported by Buchwald and Zhang, in which eight stereoisomers were obtained through tuning catalysts and reactive substrates (Scheme 1B).^4a,13Open in a separate windowScheme 1Strategy for stereodivergent synthesis of different stereoisomers.In metal-catalyzed reactions, ligands can manipulate the reactivity and selectivity by affecting the steric and electronic properties of metal catalysts. Therefore, the design and development of new ligands to improve the utility, activity and selectivity of their related metal catalysts are greatly desired by organic chemists. Recently, our groups have synthesized a new and promising class of P-chiral ligands ZD-Phos (including Ganphos and Jiaphos), and their conformational rigidity and chemical robustness have endowed the structure and its variants with outstanding activity and selectivity as well as excellent stereocontrol features essential to asymmetric cycloaddition reactions.¹⁴ Inspired by these advances, we are interested in continuing the development of P-chiral ligands with new structural motifs in the search for new reactivity and selectivity to tackle current synthetic challenges. More recently, Sadphos has emerged as another superior chiral skeleton, owing to the pioneering contributions by Zhang.¹⁵ Thus its aminophosphine scaffold is envisaged to be introduced into our 1-phosphanorbornene framework (ZD-Phos).¹⁶ We aim to combine the advantages of the aforementioned two types of chiral motifs, thus developing a novel P,P-bidentate ligand. Thus the novel P-chiral ligands, called Yuephos, may show unique stereoselectivity in a metal-catalyzed asymmetric cycloaddition reaction (Fig. 1).Open in a separate windowFig. 1Design of the Yuephos framework.Tetrahydroquinolines are important molecular skeletons that widely occur in natural molecules, pharmaceuticals, and functional materials. For this reason, realizing stereodivergent synthesis of all stereoisomers of fully substituted tetrahydroquinolines has been an important and challenging task in organic synthesis. However, to date, full control of absolute and relative stereochemical configuration of these molecules has remained an unmet synthetic challenge. Considering the potentiality of fully substituted chiral tetrahydroquinolines in drug discovery and stereodivergent synthesis,¹⁷ we envisioned that using our new palladium/ZD-Phos catalytic system may offer an efficient strategy for overcoming the challenges related to regio-, enantio-, and diastereo-selectivity. Herein, we report our studies on the unexplored stereodivergent synthesis of fully substituted tetrahydroquinolines through ligand-controlled, metal-catalyzed asymmetric annulation. Six possible stereoisomers bearing two tertiary and one quaternary stereocenters were easily synthesized in good yields with high enantio- and diastereo-selectivities from the same starting materials (Scheme 1C).The new bisphosphorus ligands we report herein can be easily synthesized by a two-pot method with good yields (Scheme 2). Starting from the corresponding aldehyde¹⁸ and commercially available chiral amine, one-pot sequential reaction gave diastereomers Y1 and Y1′ with 1 : 1 dr, which could be straightforwardly separated by column chromatography. The subsequent reduction using Raney Ni produced the final Yuephos in good yields. The absolute configuration of Yue-1′ was established by single crystal X-ray diffraction.¹⁹ Importantly, the ligands Yuephos can remain stable in air and moisture for more than one year.Open in a separate windowScheme 2Synthesis of Yuephos ligands.With new Yuephos ligands in hand, we began our study by choosing vinyl benzoxazinanone 1a with α-phenylidene succinimide 2a as the model substrate, combined with the Pd₂dba₃·CHCl₃/L complex as the catalyst. Details of [Pd] source and solvent screening can be found in the ESI (Table S1 and S2^†). Notably, using Pd₂dba₃·CHCl₃/Yuephos as the catalyst in ethyl acetate, the reaction proceeded smoothly, affording the desired product 3a in 69% yield with 96% ee and >20 : 1 dr (entry 1). It should be noted that Yuephos ligands were found to be efficient for this reaction, and the product 3a was obtained in good enantioselectivity with seemingly irregular yields and diastereoselectivities (entries 2–6). Trost''s ligand (L1) and chiral diphosphine ligand (L2) promoted the reaction with good diastereoselectivity but in a low yield and poor enantioselectivity (entries 7–8). However, (R)-SegPhos (L3) failed to afford the desired product (entry 9). To our surprise, when the phosphoramidite ligand (L4) was used, the diastereoselectivity was reversed compared to that in Yuephos (entry 10). Thus, a diastereodivergent phenomenon induced by the chiral ligand was discovered. To further improve the yield and selectivity, various solvents and [Pd] sources were screened (Table S3 and S4 in the ESI^†), and an obvious improvement in the enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity was observed when using DCM as the solvent (entries 10 vs. 11). The reaction enantioselectivity was further increased to 92% with good yield (85%) when the reaction temperature was reduced to −20 °C (entries 12–14).With the optimal conditions established for (S, R, S)-3a (20Optimization of reaction conditions^a

Photoinduced inverse Sonogashira coupling reaction

Alkynes are widely used in chemistry, medicine and materials science. Here we demonstrate a transition-metal and photocatalyst-free inverse Sonogashira coupling reaction between iodoalkynes and (hetero)arenes or alkenes under visible-light irradiation. Mechanistic and computational studies suggest that iodoalkynes can be directly activated by visible light irradiation, and an excited state iodoalkyne acted as an “alkynyl radical synthetic equivalent”, reacting with a series of C(sp²)–H bonds for coupling products. This work should open new windows in radical chemistry and alkynylation method.

A transition-metal and photocatalyst-free, photoinduced inverse Sonogashira coupling reaction was developed. Under visible-light irradiation, the excited state iodoalkyne acted as an “alkynyl radical synthetic equivalent”.

Alkynes are among the most important class of compounds in organic chemistry. Because of their structural rigidity, special electronic properties and numerous methods available for the functionalization of the triple bond, alkynes are important tools and structural elements both in medicinal chemistry and materials sciences.¹ Therefore, the development of a new methodology to introduce carbon–carbon triple bonds is of great importance in organic chemistry. The Sonogashira coupling reaction is typically used for the formation of C(sp)–C(sp²) bonds starting from hetero(aryl) halides and terminal alkynes.² Recently, “inverse Sonogashira coupling” involving the direct alkynylation of unreactive C(sp²)–H bonds with readily available alkynyl halides has received growing interest in the development of a complementary strategy (Fig. 1a). Various main-group and transition metals have been developed to promote this transformation.³ In addition, a photomediated Sonogashira reaction without a photocatalyst was also developed by several groups (Fig. 1b).⁴Open in a separate windowFig. 1Models of alkynylation. (a) Conventional inverse Sonogashira reaction. (b) Photomediated Sonogashira reaction. (c) SOMOphilic alkynylation. (d) Photoinduced inverse Sonogashira reaction.In recent years, SOMOphilic alkylnylation (SOMO = singly occupied molecular orbital) has become an excellent method of introducing alkynyl groups (Fig. 1c).⁵ Based on photoredox and transition metal catalysis, numerous in situ generated radicals undergo α-addition and β-elimination to alkynyl reagents, like the broadly applicable ethynylbenziodoxolone (EBX) reagent. Various radical alkynylations were thus discovered by Li,⁶ Chen,⁷ Waser,⁸ and many other groups.⁹ However, extending the scope of radical precursors, more atom–economic reactions, and a deeper understanding of the mechanism in these transformations are still highly desirable.After the discovering of trityl radicals by Gomberg in 1900, the “rational” era of radical chemistry has since begun.¹⁰ Now, the development of radical reactions, especially those involving C(sp³) and C(sp²) radicals, enables rapid access to drug discovery, agrochemistry, materials science, and other disciplines.¹¹ However, the C(sp) radical remains a baffling species. Due to their very high energy, short life time, and limited and harsh preparation methods, alkynyl radicals remain an elusive species, which just exists in some extreme environments, like outer-space and the petrochemical industry.¹² Even though alkynyl radicals have been proposed as intermediates for some alkynylation methods, they were regarded as mysterious species and ignored by organic chemists for a long time.¹³ Recently, two approaches have been developed to aid the alkynyl radical generation step. In 2015, Hashmi and collaborators reported a [Au₂(μ-dppm)₂]²⁺ catalyzed free radical–radical C(sp)–C(sp³) bond coupling reaction between iodoalkynes and aliphatic amines.¹⁴ Under irradiation of sunlight, the dimeric gold complex was proposed to reduce the iodine acetylide to an alkynyl radical. In 2017, Li developed a transition-metal-free alkynylation reaction between iodoalkyne and 2-indolinone.¹⁵ Iodoalkynes could release alkynyl radicals under high temperature conditions. In 2019, we reported an Au(i) and Ir(iii) catalyzed alkynylative cyclization of o-alkylnylphenols with iodoalkynes, wherein the photosensitized energy transfer promoted the oxidative addition of a gold(i) complex with iodoalkynes.¹⁶ Based on our continuous interest in haloalkyne and photo-chemistry, we proposed that an iodoalkyne could be a potential “alkynyl radical precursor” under light irradiation. In this work, we uncovered a novel mode of transition-metal and photocatalyst-free, direct photoexcitation of iodoalkynes for the inverse Sonogashira coupling reaction with arenes, heteroarenes, and alkenes via an “alkynyl-radical type” transfer (Fig. 1d).     

Controlled monodefluorination and alkylation of C(sp3)–F bonds by lanthanide photocatalysts: importance of metal–ligand cooperativity

The controlled functionalization of a single fluorine in a CF₃ group is difficult and rare. Photochemical C–F bond functionalization of the sp³-C–H bond in trifluorotoluene, PhCF₃, is achieved using catalysts made from earth-abundant lanthanides, (Cp^Me4)₂Ln(2-O-3,5-^tBu₂-C₆H₂)(1-C{N(CH)₂N(ⁱPr)}) (Ln = La, Ce, Nd and Sm, Cp^Me4 = C₅Me₄H). The Ce complex is the most effective at mediating hydrodefluorination and defluoroalkylative coupling of PhCF₃ with alkenes; addition of magnesium dialkyls enables catalytic C–F bond cleavage and C–C bond formation by all the complexes. Mechanistic experiments confirm the essential role of the Lewis acidic metal and support an inner-sphere mechanism of C–F activation. Computational studies agree that coordination of the C–F substrate is essential for C–F bond cleavage. The unexpected catalytic activity for all members is made possible by the light-absorbing ability of the redox non-innocent ligands. The results described herein underscore the importance of metal–ligand cooperativity, specifically the synergy between the metal and ligand in both light absorption and redox reactivity, in organometallic photocatalysis.

The controlled functionalization of a single fluorine in a CF₃ group is difficult and rare. Photochemical C–F bond functionalization is achieved using catalysts made from a range of earth-abundant lanthanides by using a ligand that enables M–L cooperativity.

Photoredox catalysis is a powerful synthetic method for the functionalization of inert molecules using single electron transfer (SET) reactivity^1–3 under irradiation with visible light.⁴ This has enabled challenging transformations under mild conditions including C–H activation,^5–7 radical cross-coupling,^8–11 and the valorization of lignin.^12,13 However, detailed mechanistic studies of photoredox systems are difficult due to their inherent complexity and the short lifetimes of photoexcited intermediates.Many lanthanides are more abundant in the environment than copper and their salts are less toxic than those of iron, so their potential for applications in catalysis merits exploration.^14–17 In 1990, divalent Sm, Eu, and Yb complexes Ln(Cp*)₂ (Cp* = C₅Me₅), were shown to more efficiently cleave vinylic C–F bonds when photolyzed, stoichiometrically forming Ln(iii) halide complexes, and suggesting the value of increasing the reducing power of the Ln^II excited state.¹⁸ Subsequently, analogous reactions to cleave the weaker C–Cl and C–Br bonds could be made catalytic in Ln(ii) halide (Ln = Sm, Eu, Yb), under near UV-photolysis conditions, by the addition of sacrificial reductant such as Zn or Al.^19,20 The addition of simple donor ligands enabled benzylic C–Cl cleavage by Eu^II under blue light irradiation.²¹ The addition of an organic photocatalyst or a photo-absorbing substrate to Lewis acidic LnX₃ salts (X = halide, triflate) has also been used to enhance the catalysis.²² Ln centers (Ln = Nd, Dy, Lu) with light-absorbing ligands such as porphyrins or phthalocyanins have been used to stoichiometrically dechlorinate phenols.²³Few reports of lanthanide photoredox catalysis exist with Ce^III complexes receiving the most attention. Ce possesses both an accessible III/IV redox couple and an allowed excitation from the 4f¹ ground state to the 5d¹ excited state, which can give rise to luminescent behaviour. It is also the cheapest and most readily isolated of the rare earths, offering a promising alternative to current precious metal photocatalysts.Building on the pioneering work on stoichiometric photoluminescent Ce chemistry,^24,25 in 2015 Schelter and co-workers demonstrated the utility of Ce^III in photocatalysis.^26,27 Their Ce^III amido complexes were catalysts for chlorine atom abstraction from benzyl chloride (Fig. 1, top), with both NaN(SiMe₃)₂ and additional Ce⁰ required for turnover.²⁸Open in a separate windowFig. 1Previous examples of photocatalytic C–X (X = halide) bond cleavage, and this work.They proposed an inner-sphere mechanism involving Ce⋯ClCR₃ adduct formation that provides an additional thermodynamic driving force to a bond cleavage that was otherwise out of range of the reducing power of the Ce excited state. A more sterically congested Ce^III tris(guanidinate) operates via an outer-sphere single electron transfer (SET) mechanism to cleave aryl iodides,²⁸ highlighting the mechanistic diversity that is possible in these systems.²⁹To date, ligands that support lanthanide-centered photocatalysts have been limited to halides, pseudohalides, and simple N-donors.^30,31 No organometallic lanthanide photocatalyst has yet been reported that combines the photoexcitable Ce cation with multidentate, tunable ligands. We have developed organometallic lanthanide complexes as sustainable catalysts,^16,17,32,33 and considered that those capable of forming an inner-sphere adduct, and absorbing light, could achieve the unusual and difficult, selective catalytic conversion of strong sp³ C–F bonds.Fluorine forms the strongest single bond to carbon and the C–F bond is ca. 25 kcal mol⁻¹ stronger than the C–Cl bond in monohaloalkanes, and the C–H bond in alkanes.³⁴ The selective activation and functionalization of C–F bonds is important, both due to the high bioaccumulation and toxicity of many perfluorinated compounds,³⁵ and the utility of fluorinated pharmaceuticals.³⁶ However, stoichiometric C(sp³)–F bond activation reactions are rare.^37–40 In particular, it is difficult to facilitate the controlled cleavage of a single C–F bond as the C(sp³)–F bond strength decreases as each F is removed and the remaining C–F bonds lengthen.^41,42This obstacle makes a radical methodology more attractive.^43–49 Jui and co-workers have demonstrated that some common photocatalysts can selectively activate a single C–F bond to form the putative ArCF₂˙ radical, which can either be quenched directly via H atom transfer (HAT), or coupled with an alkene followed by HAT to generate difluoroalkanes (Fig. 1, middle).^50,51 Gschwind and König have shown the photochemical functionalization of electron-poor trifluoromethylarenes.⁵² Nishimoto and Yasuda have described related C–F coupling protocols of perfluoroalkylarenes using tin reagents and an iridium photocatalyst.⁵³Here we show how selective, catalytic C–F bond functionalization can be achieved using a new family of Ln^III compounds supported by a light-absorbing aryloxide-tethered N-heterocyclic carbene, Cp^Me4, and pseudohalide ligands (Fig. 1, lower). We show that visible light-irradiated Ce complexes can selectively abstract a single fluoride from PhCF₃ and catalyze its alkylation by MgR₂ to afford PhCF₂R. The PhCF₂˙ can also be quenched to selectively form PhCF₂H or further alkylated via coupling with an alkene or other metal alkyls. We use combined experiment and density functional theory (DFT) computations to show the importance of coordination of the fluorinated substrate to the Lewis acidic metal in C–F activation, and the utility of the ligand in enabling photoredox catalysis for other lanthanide congeners.     

Synthesis of phosphiranes via organoiron-catalyzed phosphinidene transfer to electron-deficient olefins

Herein is reported the structural characterization and scalable preparation of the elusive iron–phosphido complex FpP(^tBu)(F) (2-F, Fp = (Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)(CO)₂)) and its precursor FpP(^tBu)(Cl) (2-Cl) in 51% and 71% yields, respectively. These phosphide complexes are proposed to be relevant to an organoiron catalytic cycle for phosphinidene transfer to electron-deficient alkenes. Examination of their properties led to the discovery of a more efficient catalytic system involving the simple, commercially available organoiron catalyst Fp₂. This improved catalysis also enabled the preparation of new phosphiranes with high yields (^tBuPCH₂CHR; R = CO₂Me, 41%; R = CN, 83%; R = 4-biphenyl, 73%; R = SO₂Ph, 71%; R = POPh₂, 70%; R = 4-pyridyl, 82%; R = 2-pyridyl, 67%; R = PPh₃⁺, 64%) and good diastereoselectivity, demonstrating the feasibility of the phosphinidene group-transfer strategy in synthetic chemistry. Experimental and theoretical studies suggest that the original catalysis involves 2-X as the nucleophile, while for the new Fp₂-catalyzed reaction they implicate a diiron–phosphido complex Fp₂(P^tBu), 4, as the nucleophile which attacks the electron-deficient olefin in the key first P–C bond-forming step. In both systems, the initial nucleophilic attack may be accompanied by favorable five-membered ring formation involving a carbonyl ligand, a (reversible) pathway competitive with formation of the three-membered ring found in the phosphirane product. A novel radical mechanism is suggested for the new Fp₂-catalyzed system.

The iconic cyclopentadienyliron dicarbonyl dimer ([CpFe(CO)₂]₂ or Fp₂) catalyzes phosphinidene group transfer from anthracene to activated alkenes, forming new phosphiranes diastereoselectively and with good isolated yields.

Phosphiranes, the phosphorus analogues of aziridines, have been used as ligands,^1–8 as polymer precursors,^9,10 and more recently as precursors to P,N-bidentate ligands via ring-opening reactions using amide nucleophiles.¹¹ Given the possibility of chirality at both phosphorus and carbon in the three-membered ring,^7,12 such ring-opening reactions have the potential to enable preparation of enantiomerically pure ligands from phosphiranes.In contrast to the well-established alkene aziridination reactions that are facilitated by transition-metal catalysts,^13,14 only a handful of transition-metal promoted phosphirane syntheses, namely “phosphiranation” reactions, have been reported,^15–19 among which there are only two examples of catalytic alkene phosphiranation processes yielding free (unprotected) phosphiranes.^20,21 We recently reported a catalytic method for preparing phosphiranes using a phosphinidene group-transfer strategy, mirroring the analogous aziridination reactions.²⁰ The system consisted of dibenzo-7-phosphanorbornadienes (RPA, A = C₁₄H₁₀, anthracene), a class of compounds capable of transferring phosphinidene groups to unsaturated molecules upon loss of an aromatic moiety,^22–30 as the phosphinidene source and styrene as the receptor (Fig. 1A). In addition, both a source of the cyclopentadienyliron dicarbonyl cation ([CpFe(CO)₂]⁺, Fp⁺) and the fluoride anion were required as co-catalysts for phosphinidene group transfer. The reaction was postulated to proceed via an iron–phosphido intermediate (FpP(^tBu)(F), 2-F, Fig. 1A) based on evidence provided by stoichiometric reactions, deuterium labeling studies, and a Hammett analysis. However, the intermediate 2-F eluded isolation and full characterization due to its instability and high solubility in organic solvents.Open in a separate windowFig. 1(A) Organoiron- and fluoride-catalyzed synthesis of phosphiranes by phosphinidene transfer and the proposed intermediate. (B) This work: organoiron-catalyzed phosphinidene transfer to electron-deficient olefins (EWG = electron-withdrawing group).Herein, we report the isolation and structural characterization of 2-F, thus providing a more complete picture of the catalytic cycle. In addition, we report the discovery of a more efficient catalytic system involving a simple, commercially available organoiron catalyst, the iconic cyclopentadienyliron dicarbonyl dimer ([CpFe(CO)₂]₂ or Fp₂) for this phosphiranation reaction (Fig. 1B). This improved system was also used to prepare new phosphiranes bearing electron-withdrawing substituents, expanding the list of chemically accessible phosphiranes that may serve as useful ligands and synthetic building blocks.The iron–phosphido complex 2-F was identified in our previous work as a plausible intermediate in the catalytic cycle,²⁰ and therefore became the target of an independent synthesis. This species was previously generated in situ by treating [Fp(^tBuPA)][BF₄] with a source of fluoride to elicit anthracene elimination, though at the time it eluded purification and complete characterization. A new, scalable preparation of 2-F was achieved by utilizing the readily available ^tBuPCl₂ and K[Fp]³¹ which, when combined in an equimolar ratio in THF, afforded 2-Cl in 71% yield (Scheme 1). Such halide displacement reactions at phosphorus were previously used to prepare analogous metal–phosphido complexes.^32–34 In a subsequent step, halogen exchange with tetramethylammonium fluoride ([Me₄N]F) in CH₂Cl₂ led to the isolation of 2-F in 51% yield (Scheme 2). In addition to characterization by NMR spectroscopy, both 2-Cl and 2-F were structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography (Fig. 2). Both compounds exhibit a pyramidal geometry at the phosphorus atom, with the sum of bond angles being 316° and 314° for 2-Cl and 2-F, respectively. The Fe–P distances in 2-Cl and 2-F are in the range of a Fe–P single bond, similar to other reported Fp–phosphido complexes.^33,35,36Open in a separate windowScheme 1Synthesis of 2-Cl and 2-F starting from K[Fp] and ^tBuPCl₂.Open in a separate windowScheme 2Stoichiometric (top) and catalytic (bottom) synthesis of 1b.Open in a separate windowFig. 2Solid-state structures of 2-Cl (left) and 2-F (right), with thermal ellipsoids shown at the 50% probability level and hydrogen atoms omitted for clarity. Selected bond lengths (Å) for 2-Cl: Fe1–P1: 2.2935(3); P1–Cl1: 2.1315(3). 2-F: Fe1–P1: 2.2898(4); P1–F1: 1.6455(11).With proposed catalytic intermediate 2-F in hand, it was tested as a catalyst in the phosphiranation reaction of ^tBuPA with styrene resulting in isolation of 1a with a yield similar to that originally reported, supporting the relevance of 2-F to the catalytic cycle. The chloride analogue 2-Cl was also found to catalyze the phosphiranation reaction, albeit with a lower yield (33 while FpP(Ph)₂ could catalyze the isomerization of dimethyl maleate to dimethyl fumarate via reversible nucleophilic addition to the double bond.³⁷ Similar reactions have also been reported for an iridium phosphido complex.³⁸ When 2-Cl was treated with the electron-deficient olefin methyl acrylate, clean conversion to a single new compound 3 was observed (Fig. 3 top). Compound 3 features a five-membered organometallic ring, resulting from addition of methyl acrylate across the nucleophilic phosphorus center and into one carbonyl ligand of the Fp group. Two isomers were identified by NMR spectroscopy, and the major isomer was characterized by X-ray crystallography (Fig. 3 bottom). The formation of 3 from methyl acrylate raises the possibility that an analogous species may play a role in the catalytic cycle of the reaction employing styrene. Heating 2-Cl or 2-F in the presence of excess styrene, however, did not lead to any similar species, although it cannot be ruled out as a short-lived intermediate under the conditions of catalysis.Selected catalyst screening for styrene phosphiranation^a

Pyridylphosphonium salts as alternatives to cyanopyridines in radical–radical coupling reactions

Radical couplings of cyanopyridine radical anions represent a valuable technology for functionalizing pyridines, which are prevalent throughout pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials. Installing the cyano group, which facilitates the necessary radical anion formation and stabilization, is challenging and limits the use of this chemistry to simple cyanopyridines. We discovered that pyridylphosphonium salts, installed directly and regioselectively from C–H precursors, are useful alternatives to cyanopyridines in radical–radical coupling reactions, expanding the scope of this reaction manifold to complex pyridines. Methods for both alkylation and amination of pyridines mediated by photoredox catalysis are described. Additionally, we demonstrate late-stage functionalization of pharmaceuticals, highlighting an advantage of pyridylphosphonium salts over cyanopyridines.

Cyanopyridines form dearomatized radical anions upon single-electron reduction and participate in photoredox coupling reactions. Pyridylphosphonium salts replicate that reactivity with a broader scope and increase the utility of these processes.

Modern photoredox catalysis and electrochemistry have enabled new synthetic methods that proceed via open-shell intermediates.¹ Under this regime, pyridine functionalization strategies have been developed where 4-cyanopyridines undergo single-electron reduction to form dearomatized radical species that couple with other stabilized radicals (Scheme 1A).² The cyano group is critical for efficient reactivity via pyridyl radical anions; alternatives such as 4-halopyridines more readily undergo elimination to pyridyl radicals after single-electron reduction resulting in a distinct set of coupling processes.³ We aimed to show that pyridylphosphonium salts could replicate the reactivity of cyanopyridines and allow a broader set of inputs into dearomatized pyridyl radical coupling reactions.⁴Open in a separate windowScheme 1Expansion of radical coupling reactions to complex pyridines.Cyanopyridines have facilitated pyridine alkylation, allylation, and alkenylation reactions providing access to valuable building blocks for medicinal and agrochemical programs.⁵ The cyano group is essential for these methods, but a problem arises when applying this chemistry to complex pyridines, such as those found in pharmaceutical and agrochemical candidates. These structures are often devoid of pre-installed functional groups, and it is often challenging to install a cyano group from C–H precursors regioselectively.⁶ We envisioned pyridylphosphonium salts, regioselectively constructed from the C–H bonds of a diverse set of pyridines, could serve as alternatives to cyanopyridines.⁷ Herein, we report couplings between alkyl BF₃K salts and preliminary studies of carboxylic acids and amines with pyridylphosphonium salts, including late-stage functionalization of complex pyridine-containing pharmaceuticals using this strategy.Recently, we reported a radical coupling reaction between a boryl-stabilized cyanopyridyl radical and a boryl-stabilized pyridylphosphonium radical.^7a The intermediate radicals arose via an unusual inner-sphere process that would be difficult to extend to other coupling reactions. A significant advance would be to show that pyridylphosphonium salts could function more generally as radical anion precursors and mimic the reactivity of cyano-pyridines. In particular, showing their viability in photoredox and electrochemical processes would translate to numerous synthetic transformations. To demonstrate this principle, we envisioned a redox-neutral alkylation reaction (Scheme 1B) via a radical coupling between radical zwitterion I, formed through single-electron reduction of a pyridylphosphonium salt (E^red_p/2 = −1.51 V vs. SCE) and benzyl radical II, resulting from single-electron oxidation of a BF₃K salt (E^red = +1.10 V vs. SCE for a primary benzylic salt).⁸ Loss of triphenylphosphine from dearomatized intermediate (III) would furnish the alkylated pyridine product. Notably, the redox events could invert, where the photocatalyst oxidizes the BF₃K salt first and reduces the pyridylphosphonium salt second, broadening the scope of amenable photocatalysts.We began our investigation by examining a series of photocatalysts for the coupling reaction of phosphonium salt 1a, formed with complete regioselectivity for the 4-position from 2-phenylpyridine, and benzylic BF₃K salt 2a under irradiation from a 455 nm Kessil light (Scheme 1B are potentially interchangeable.^1b The Adachi-type photocatalyst 3DPAFIPN improved the yield to 77% with a further increase to 82% after increasing the reaction concentration (entries 3 and 4). Adding 2,6-lutidine, previously shown as an effective additive for photoredox cross-coupling reactions of BF₃K salts by the Molander group,⁹ had no impact on the yield of 2-phenylpyridine salt 1a (entry 5) and the [Ir(ppy)₂(dtbbpy)]PF₆ catalyst was marginally less efficient under the same conditions (entry 6). We observed that 2,6-lutidine did substantially improve the yield when isomeric 3-Ph salt 1b was employed (entries 7 and 8); without 2,6-lutidine, the crude ¹H NMR indicates significant amounts of decomposition occurred, including 3-phenylpyridine, and the 4- vs. 2-position product ratio was 3 : 1. This outcome suggests that protiodephosphination and non-selective Minisci-type pathways can occur under these conditions. With 2,6-lutidine, the crude reaction pathway is cleaner, and the 4- vs. 2-position ratio improved to 8 : 1. At this point, we have not established the role of 2,6-lutidine, although it is conceivable that it reacts with BF₃ produced as the reaction progresses. In 2-substituted systems, steric hindrance around the pyridine N-atom of the salt would deter BF₃-coordination, whereas, in 3-substituted systems, such as salt 1b, coordination is more likely and may have a deleterious effect on the reaction (vide infra). Given the structural variation of pyridines that we anticipated applying to this process and how those structures could impact boron speciation during the reaction, we elected to use 2,6-lutidine as an additive in all subsequent reactions.¹⁰Optimization of pyridine alkylation, photocatalyst data and effect of BF₃·OEt₂ as an additive^a

Hypervalent iodine-mediated β-difluoroalkylboron synthesis via an unusual 1,2-hydrogen shift enabled by boron substitution

β-Difluoroalkylborons, featuring functionally important CF₂ moiety and synthetically valuable boron group, have great synthetic potential while remaining synthetically challenging. Herein we report a hypervalent iodine-mediated oxidative gem-difluorination strategy to realize the construction of gem-difluorinated alkylborons via an unusual 1,2-hydrogen migration event, in which the (N-methyliminodiacetyl) boronate (BMIDA) motif is responsible for the high regio- and chemoselectivity. The protocol provides facile access to a broad range of β-difluoroalkylborons under rather mild conditions. The value of these products was demonstrated by further transformations of the boryl group into other valuable functional groups, providing a wide range of difluorine-containing molecules.

A hypervalent iodine-mediated gem-difluorination allows the facile synthesis of β-difluoroalkylborons. An unusual 1,2-hydrogen migration, triggered by boron substitution, is involved.

Organofluorine compounds have been widely applied in medicinal chemistry and materials science.^1a–d In particular, the gem-difluoro moiety featuring unique steric and electronic properties can act as a chemically inert isostere of a variety of polar functional groups.^2a–c Therefore, the construction of gem-difluoro-containing compounds has received considerable attention in recent years. Efficient methods including deoxyfluorination of carbonyl compounds,^3a,b photoredox difluorination,⁴ radical difluorination,⁵ and cross-coupling reactions with suitable CF₂ carriers^6a–f are well developed. Alternatively, iodoarene-mediated oxidative difluorination reactions provide valuable access to these motifs by using simple alkenes as starting materials.^7a–i Previously, these reactions were generally associated with a 1,2-aryl or 1,2-alkyl migration (Scheme 1a).^7a–f Recent developments also allowed the use of heteroatoms as migrating groups, thereby furnishing gem-difluoro compounds equipped with easily transformable functional groups (Scheme 1b). In this regard, Bi and coworkers reported an elegant 1,2-azide migrative gem-difluorination of α-vinyl azides, enabling the synthesis of a broad range of novel β-difluorinated alkyl azides.^7g Jacobsen developed an iodoarene-catalyzed synthesis of gem-difluorinated aliphatic bromides featuring 1,2-bromo migration with high enantioselectivity.^7h Almost at the same time, research work from our group demonstrated that not only bromo, but also chloro and iodo could serve as viable migrating groups.⁷ⁱOpen in a separate windowScheme 1Hypervalent iodine-mediated β-difluoroalkylboron synthesis.We have been devoted to developing new methodologies for the assembly of boron-containing building blocks by using easily accessible and stable MIDA (N-methyliminodiacetyl) boronates^8a–c as starting materials.^9a–e Recently, we realized a hypervalent iodine-mediated oxidative difluorination of aryl-substituted alkenyl MIDA boronates.^9d Depending on the substitution patterns, the reaction could lead to the synthesis of either α- or β-difluoroalkylborons via 1,2-aryl migration (Scheme 1c). Recently, with alkyl-substituted branched alkenyl MIDA boronates, Szabó and Himo observed an interesting bora-Wagner–Meerwein rearrangement, furnishing β-difluorinated alkylboronates with broader product diversity (Scheme 1d).¹⁰ While extending the scope of our previous work,^9d we found that the use of linear alkyl-substituted alkenyl MIDA boronates also delivers β-difluoroalkylboron products. Intriguingly, instead of an alkyl- or boryl-migration, an unusual 1,2-hydrogen shift takes place. It should be noted that internal inactivated alkenes typically deliver the 1,2-difluorinated products, with no rearrangement taking place.^11a–d Herein, we disclose our detailed study of our second generation of β-difluoroalkylborons synthesis (Scheme 1e). The starting linear 1,2-disubstituted alkyl-substituted alkenyl MIDA boronates, unlike the branched ones,¹⁰ could be readily prepared via a two-step sequence consisting of hydroborylation of the terminal alkyne and a subsequent ligand exchange with N-methyliminodiacetic acid. This intriguing 1,2-H shift was found to be closely related to the boron substitution, probably driven thermodynamically by the formation of the β-carbon cation stabilized by a σ(C–B) bond via hyperconjugation.^12a–dTo start, we employed benzyl-substituted alkenyl MIDA boronate 1a as a model substrate (9d the use of F sources such as CsF, AgF and Et₃N·HF in association with PhI(OAc)₂ (PIDA) as the oxidant and DCM as the solvent led to no reaction (entries 1 to 3). The use of Py·HF (20 equiv) successfully provided β-difluorinated alkylboronate 2a, derived from an unusual 1,2-hydrogen migration, in 39% yield (entry 4). By simply increasing the loading of Py·HF to 40 equivalents, a higher conversion and thus an improved yield of 61% was obtained (entry 5). No further improvement was observed by using a large excess of Py·HF (100 equiv) (entry 6). Other hypervalent iodine oxidants such as PhIO or PIFA were also effective but resulted in reduced yields (entries 7 and 8). A brief survey of other solvents revealed that the original DCM was the optimal one (entries 9 and 10).Optimization of reaction conditions