Recent progress and current applications of Sonogashira coupling reaction in water

The use of aqueous media in palladium‐catalyzed reactions has become popular because water‐based synthetic processes are inherently safer as well as being inexpensive. Moreover, it does not require dry solvents, and the products may easily be isolated by extraction, which greatly facilitates the operation. Thus the use of water in palladium‐catalyzed reactions represents one of the most economically and environmentally viable options for many organic transformations. In this review, recent developments of Sonogashira reaction in water or aqueous media will be disclosed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Metal‐Free Reaction of ortho‐Carbonylated Alkynyl‐Substituted Arylaldehydes with Common Amines: Selective Access to Functionalized Isoindolinone and Indenamine Derivatives

Herein we describe a reaction of ortho‐carbonylated alkynyl‐substituted arylaldehydes with common primary amines that can provide functionalized isoindolinone and 3‐hydroxylindenamine products in high yields. Depending on the substituent size of primary amines, two distinct reaction pathways were exploited selectively, that are, an initial aza‐conjugate addition followed by hydrogen transfer to access isoindolinone framework and a unique oxa‐conjugate addition followed by Petasis–Ferrier rearrangement to afford indenamine derivatives. In the presence of Et₃N, the reaction property of small primary amines was changed, proceeding to afford 3‐hydroxylindenamine derivatives efficiently. These products contain interesting substructures that exist in many natural products and bioactive molecules. The reaction features contain the use of transition‐metal‐free catalysts, simple operation, broad substrate scope, and product diversity.     

DBU-promoted tandem Michael-addition/cyclization for the synthesis of polysubstituted pyrroles

An efficient and transition-metal-free method for the synthesis of the structurally diversified pyrroles is described. Various α,β-unsaturated ynones reacted with N-substituted ethyl glycine ethyl ester hydrochlorides in the presence of DBU to form the corresponding products in good yields. This protocol has the advantages of readily available starting materials, mild reaction conditions and a wide scope of substrates, which provides a practical route for the synthesis of polysubstituted pyrroles.     

Reduced graphene oxide supported copper oxide nanocomposites: An efficient heterogeneous and reusable catalyst for the synthesis of ynones, 1,3-diynes and 1,5-benzodiazepines in one-pot under sustainable reaction conditions

A greener and efficient method for the synthesis of ynones and 1,3-diynes using copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) doped reduced graphene oxide (CuO@rGO) catalyst under palladium, ligand and solvent free conditions have been developed. The catalyst was subsequently utilized for the synthesis of biologically active 1,5-benzodiazepines in one pot via sequential addition of acyl chlorides, terminal alkynes and o-phenylenediamines. The methodology initially involves in situ formation of ynones which react with o-phenylenediamines in presence of ethanol to afford a wide variety of benzodiazepines. Mild reaction conditions, good to an excellent yield of the products, cheap and recyclable catalyst make this methodology environmentally benign and sustainable.     

Simple and Efficient One‐Pot,Three‐Component,Solvent‐Free Synthesis of β‐Enaminones via Sonogashira Coupling–Michael Addition Sequences

A simple, efficient, and environmentally friendly one‐pot, three‐component synthesis of β‐enaminones via Sonogashira coupling–Michael addition sequences under solvent‐free conditions has been reported. Also the synthesis of β‐enaminones has been achieved in high yields by the direct reaction of amines with ynones under solvent‐free conditions.     

Aluminium trichloride-promoted tandem hydroarylation–ionic hydrogenation of 3-arylpropynoic acid derivatives and 4-phenylbut-3-yn-2-one

Reactions of 3-arylpropynoic acid derivatives and conjugated acetylene ketones with arenes and cyclohexane under the action of AlCl₃ at room temperature for 15 h afford the corresponding products of one-pot tandem hydroarylation–ionic hydrogenation of the acetylene bond of the starting compounds in 42–98% yields. This reaction is accompanied by aryl group exchange process under acidic conditions.     

Cyclopenta[b]annulation of Heteroarenes by Organocatalytic γ′[C(sp3)−H] Functionalization of Ynones

A new approach for the cyclopenta[b]annulation of heteroarenes through metal‐free and directing‐group‐free γ′[C(sp³)?H] functionalization and intramolecular hydroalkylation of ynones has been developed. In an unprecedented event, nucleophilic addition of an organophosphine to the designed ynones triggers γ′[C(sp³)?H] functionalization, leading to the formation of heteroaryl‐based ortho‐quinodimethane (oQDM) intermediates that undergo carbocyclization to provide cyclopentannulated heteroarenes in good yields and excellent stereoselectivities. Deuterium‐labeling experiments substantiated the proposed reaction mechanism as well as the speculated epimerization.