Mild silver-mediated geminal difluorination of styrenes using an air- and moisture-stable fluoroiodane reagent

Kitamura Electrophilic Fluorination Using HF as a Source of Fluorine

This review article focused on the innovative procedure for electrophilic fluorination using HF and in situ generation of the required electrophilic species derived from hypervalent iodine compounds. The areas of synthetic application of this approach include fluorination of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, aryl-alkyl ketones, styrene derivatives, α,β-unsaturated ketones and alcohols, homoallyl amine and homoallyl alcohol derivatives, 3-butenoic acids and alkynes.

Electrophilic Hypervalent Trifluoromethylthio-Iodine(III) Reagent

Herein we report the design and synthesis of hypervalent trifluoromethylthio-iodine(III) reagent 1 and the elucidation of its structure by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The trifluoromethylthiolation reactions of 1 with various nucleophiles were explored, and this compound was found to be a versatile electrophilic reagent for the transfer of a trifluoromethylthio group (-SCF₃). The hydrogen-bonding mode responsible for the activation of 1 by the solvent 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol was investigated both experimentally and computationally.

Synthesis of difluoromethylated allenes through trifunctionalization of 1,3-enynes

Organofluorine compounds have shown their great value in many aspects. Moreover, allenes are also a class of important compounds. Fluorinated or fluoroalkylated allenes might provide an option as candidates for drug and material developments, as allenes allow a great number of valuable transformations. Herein, we report a metal-free synthesis of difluoromethylated allenes via regioselective trifunctionalization of 1,3-enynes. This method proceeds through double C–F bond formation with concomitant introduction of an amino group to the allene. Synthetic applications are conducted and preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that a two-step pathway is involved. DFT calculations revealed an unusual dibenzenesulfonimide-assisted fluorination/fluoroamination with NFSI. In addition, kinetic reaction study revealed the induction period of both major and side products to support the proposed reaction mechanism. This work offers a convenient approach for the synthesis of a range of difluoromethylated allenes and is also a rare example of trifunctionalization of 1,3-enynes.

Fluorinated or fluoroalkylated allenes are versatile building blocks for medicinal and material chemistry. Here, the authors show a regioselective trifunctionalization of 1,3-enynes proceeding through double C-F bond formation and concomitant installation of a -NSO₂Ph group to the allene moiety.

Recent progress of 1,1-difunctionalization of olefins

Olefins are a very important class of compounds and broadly used in the construction of various synthetic building blocks and practical industrial production. The difunctionalization of olefins provides one of the most powerful methods for the C-C or C-X bond formation with a rapid increase of the molecular complexity and synthetic value economically and effectively. Compared with the vigorous growth and abundant achievements of 1,2-difunctionalization of olefins, 1,1-difunctionalization is a relatively emerging and inadequately exploited research direction, despite being tremendously attractive from synthetic perspectives. In this minireview, we provide a brief overview of the advancements of 1,1-difunctionalization of olefins in the past twenty years, and prospects of future developments.

Electrochemical Vicinal Difluorination of Alkenes: Scalable and Amenable to Electron-Rich Substrates

Fluorinated alkyl groups are important motifs in bioactive compounds, positively influencing pharmacokinetics, potency and conformation. The oxidative difluorination of alkenes represents an important strategy for their preparation, yet current methods are limited in their alkene‐types and tolerance of electron‐rich, readily oxidized functionalities, as well as in their safety and scalability. Herein, we report a method for the difluorination of a number of unactivated alkene‐types that is tolerant of electron‐rich functionality, giving products that are otherwise unattainable. Key to success is the electrochemical generation of a hypervalent iodine mediator using an “ex‐cell” approach, which avoids oxidative substrate decomposition. The more sustainable conditions give good to excellent yields in up to decagram scales.

Hypervalent iodane mediated reactions of N-acetyl enamines for the synthesis of oxazoles and imidazoles

A hypervalent iodane reagent used for the intramolecular cyclization of N-acetyl enamines and intermolecular cyclocondensation of enamines and nitriles was investigated. The reaction was performed under mild conditions and gave oxazoles and imidazoles, respectively, in moderate to excellent yields. This transformation exhibits good reactivity, selectivity and functional group tolerance. The selectivity of the intra- or intermolecular reaction is dependent on the structure of N-acetyl enamines.

Radical Hydroboration and Hydrosilylation of gem-Difluoroalkenes: Synthesis of α-Difluorinated Alkylborons and Alkylsilanes

A first example of radical hydroboration and hydrosilylation of gem-difluoroalkenes using ABIN as the radical initiator is described. This protocol features good functional group tolerance, operational simplicity, high atom economy, and easy scale-up, enabling efficient assembly of a wide range of α-difluorinated alkylborons and alkylsilanes in moderate to excellent yields. The synthetic utility of these products is demonstrated by further transformation of the C-B bond and C-Si bond into valuable CF₂-containing molecules.

Silver-promoted decarboxylative radical addition/annulation of oxamic acids with gem-difluoroolefins: concise access to CF2-containing 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2-ones

Described is a silver-promoted decarboxylative radical addition/annulation of oxamic acids with gem-difluoroalkenes. This reaction proceeded under mild reaction conditions with broad functional group compatibility, enabling the convenient synthesis of various structurally diverse CF2-containing 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2-ones that might find applications in medical chemistry.

Trifluoromethylthiolation-arylation of diazocarbonyl compounds by modified Hooz multicomponent coupling

A new Zn-mediated trifluoromethylthiolation-based bifunctionalization reaction is developed. In this process, simultaneous C-SCF3 and C-C bond formation takes place in a multicomponent reaction, in which an aryl and a SCF3 group arise from different reagents. Our studies show that the reaction mechanism is similar to the Hooz multicomponent coupling. The process involves in situ generation of BAr3, which reacts with a diazocarbonyl compound, and the reaction is terminated by an electrophilic SCF3 transfer. The reaction can also be extended to fluorination based bifunctionalization which proceeds with somewhat lower yield than the analogous trifluoromethylthiolation reaction.

Catalytic, Enantioselective 1,2-Difluorination of Cinnamamides

The enantio- and diastereoselective synthesis of 1,2-difluorides via chiral aryl iodide-catalyzed difluorination of cinnamamides is reported. The method uses HF-pyridine as a fluoride source and mCPBA as a stoichiometric oxidant to turn over catalyst, and affords compounds containing vicinal, fluoride-bearing stereocenters. Selectivity for 1,2-difluorination versus a rearrangement pathway resulting in 1,1-difluorination is enforced through anchimeric assistance from a N- tert-butyl amide substituent.

On the activation of hypercoordinate iodine(iii) compounds for reactions of current interest

Central to the reactivity of hypercoordinate iodine as a continually emerging compound for organic transformation is its activation by various additives. We wish to present the current understanding on bonding and activation modes under different reaction conditions involving hypercoordinate iodine(iii) compounds.

Recent Advances for the Direct Introduction of the CF2Me Moiety

Fluorine-containing molecules are compounds of interest in materials as well as in pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. Therefore, developments in that research field are tremendous and a special focus was dedicated to the design and the study of emergent fluorinated groups. In particular, the CF2Me residue is attractive as it could be used for example as a bioisostere of the methoxy group. Despite the clear asset that represents this fluorinated moiety and in complement to the traditional approaches used to construct the CF2Me residue from existing functional groups, the quest for direct methodologies for the 1,1-difluoroethylation reaction of molecules has triggered a strong interest from the scientific community. This Mini-review will focus on the recent advances toward the design of reagents and their applications for the direct 1,1-difluoroethylation of various classes of compounds.

Palladium-Catalyzed Difluoromethylation of Aryl Chlorides and Bromides with TMSCF2H

A palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of aryl chlorides/bromides with TMSCF₂H is described. Two different catalysts, Pd(dba)₂/BrettPhos and Pd(P ^tBu₃)₂, are demonstrated and provide a variety of difluoromethylated arenes in good yields.

Rhodium-mediated 18F-oxyfluorination of diazoketones using a fluorine-18-containing hypervalent iodine reagent

α-[¹⁸F]Fluoro ethers were obtained from diazocarbonyl compounds using a hypervalent iodine based fluorine-18 reagent.

Difluorinative ring expansions of benzo-fused carbocycles and heterocycles are achieved withp-(difluoroiodo)toluene

Fluorination of exocyclic alkenes and allenes withp-TolIF₂gives ring-expanded β,β-difluoridesviaa 1,2-phenyl shift.

Difluorination of Functionalized Aromatic Olefins Using Hypervalent Iodine/HF Reagents

The hypervalent iodine/HF reagent consisting of PhIO and HF·py was found to be effective for fluorination of functionalized aromatic olefins bearing synthetically important carbonyl and hydroxyl groups. Fluorination of 1,3-diphenyl-2-propen-1-one with PhIO/HF·py reagent in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature gave 3,3-difluoro-1,2-diphenyl-1-propanone in high yield. Other α-aryl-α,β-unsaturated ketones underwent the fluorination to yield aryl 2,2-difluoroethyl ketone derivatives in good to high yields. Catalytic fluorination of α-aryl-α,β-unsaturated ketones using a p-TolI/HF·py/mCPBA reagent system also worked well. Moreover, the fluorination of cinnamyl alcohol derivatives by PhIO/HF·py reagent proceeded smoothly to afford 2-aryl-3,3-difluoro-1-propanols in moderate yields.

Catalytic Geminal Difluorination of Styrenes for the Construction of Fluorine-rich Bioisosteres

A geminal difluorination of alkenes based on I(I)/I(III) catalysis is disclosed, which is compatible with a range of electronically and substitutionally diverse styrenes (27 examples, up to 89% yield). Employing inexpensive p-TolI as the organocatalyst, turnover is enabled by Selectfluor-mediated oxidation to generate the ArIF₂ species in situ. Extension to include α-substituted styrenes bearing fluorine-containing groups is disclosed and provides an expansive platform for the generation of fluorine-rich architectures.

Palladium-Catalyzed Intermolecular Arylcarbonylation of Unactivated Alkenes: Incorporation of Bulky Aryl Groups at Room Temperature

A palladium-catalyzed intermolecular arylcarbonylation of unactivated alkenes has been developed. Unsymmetrical diaryliodonium salts (DAISs) were used as arylation reagents, the bulky aryl group (Ar_L ) of which was exclusively incorporated into the arylcarbonylated products, which contained the Ar_L group and a carboxylic ester group at the α- and β-carbon position, respectively, of the original terminal C-C double bond. The reaction features excellent chemo- and regioselectivity, high functional-group tolerance, and very mild reaction conditions.

Enantioselective, Catalytic Vicinal Difluorination of Alkenes

The enantioselective, catalytic vicinal difluorination of alkenes is reported by I^I /I^III catalysis using a novel, C₂ -symmetric resorcinol derivative. Catalyst turnover via in situ generation of an ArI^III F₂ species is enabled by Selectfluor oxidation and addition of an inexpensive HF-amine complex. The HF:amine ratio employed in this process provides a handle for regioselective orthogonality as a function of Brønsted acidity. Selectivity reversal from the 1,1-difluorination pathway (geminal) to the desired 1,2-difluorination (vicinal) is disclosed (>20:1 in both directions). Validation with electron deficient styrenes facilitates generation of chiral bioisosteres of the venerable CF₃ unit that is pervasive in drug discovery (20 examples, up to 94:06 e.r.). An achiral variant of the reaction is also presented using p-TolI (up to >95 % yield).

Catalyst-free geminal aminofluorination of ortho-sulfonamide-tethered alkylidenecyclopropanes via a Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement

A catalyst-free intramolecular geminal aminofluorination of ortho-sulfonamide-tethered alkylidenecyclopropanes has been developed. The reaction proceeded through two SET processes with Selectfluor to give a fluorinated cyclopropylcarbinyl cation and a further Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement to generate a cyclobutyl carbocation, which undergoes intramolecular nucleophilic capture by amide to forge fluorinated cyclobuta[b]indoline derivatives. A polycyclic multi-fluorinated byproduct was also formed through a Ritter-type reaction in some cases.

Hypervalent Iodine(III)-Catalyzed Balz-Schiemann Fluorination under Mild Conditions

An unprecedented hypervalent iodine(III) catalyzed Balz-Schiemann reaction is described. In the presence of a hypervalent iodine compound, the fluorination reaction proceeds under mild conditions (25-60 °C), and features a wide substrate scope and good functional-group compatibility.

Probing the hydrolytic reactivity of 2-difluoromethyl pyrroles

α-Difluoromethyl pyrroles were found to be stable while N-protected with an electron-withdrawing group. Due to the propensity of pyrroles to access azafulvenium-like intermediates, the C-F bonds of an α-difluoromethyl substituent are labile under hydrolytic conditions. The presence of certain electron-withdrawing substituents about the pyrrolic ring can accelerate this process, as determined through a kinetic comparison of the deprotection and subsequent hydrolysis reactions of N-protected β-aryl α-difluoromethyl pyrroles.

Hypervalent iodine(iii) fluorinations of alkenes and diazo compounds: new opportunities in fluorination chemistry

The fluorination of organic molecules is a rapidly evolving and exciting field in synthesis, which still poses huge challenges despite the advances made in the past decades. Hypervalent iodine(iii) reagents, which have already proven their versatility as synthetic tools in organic chemistry, are currently on the rise in fluorination chemistry. With their ability to break new mechanistic grounds, they grant access to completely new reactivities and thus also to novel fluorinated structural scaffolds. This review aims to provide an overview of the achievements made in the iodine(iii) mediated fluorinations of aliphatic Csp²-carbon atoms with special focus on the opportunities provided by this exciting class of hypervalent substances.

[18F]fluoro-benziodoxole: a no-carrier-added electrophilic fluorinating reagent. Rapid, simple radiosynthesis, purification and application for fluorine-18 labelling

An electrophilic ¹⁸F transfer reagent was synthetized by rapid, operationally simple ligand exchange from a hypervalent iodine and [¹⁸F]TBAF.

Recent advances in the synthesis of functionalised monofluorinated compounds

Over the past few years, we have tackled the synthesis of interesting monofluorinated organic molecules, such as: dihydronaphthalene derivatives, β-fluoro sulfones and related carbonyl compounds, fluorohydrins and allylic alcohols.

Activation of the hypervalent fluoroiodane reagent by hydrogen bonding to hexafluoroisopropanol

Hexafluoroisopropan-2-ol is an excellent solvent for promoting fluorinations with the stable hypervalent fluoroiodane reagent without any transition metals or TREAT-HF activators.

Highly selective nickel-catalyzed gem-difluoropropargylation of unactivated alkylzinc reagents

In spite of the important applications of difluoroalkylated molecules in medicinal chemistry, to date, the reaction of difluoroalkylating reagents with unactivated, aliphatic substrates through a controllable manner remains challenging and has not been reported. Here we describe an efficient nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of unactivated alkylzinc reagen\ts with gem-difluoropropargyl bromides. The reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions with high efficiency and excellent regiochemical selectivity. Transformations of the resulting difluoroalkylated alkanes lead to a variety of biologically active molecules, providing a facile route for applications in drug discovery and development. Preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that an alkyl nickel intermediate [Ni(tpy)alkyl] (tpy, terpyridine) is involved in the catalytic cycle.

Difluoroalkylated compounds find wide application in medicinal chemistry. Here, the authors describe the mild nickel-catalyzed difluoroalkylation of aliphatic alkylzinc reagents with gem-difluoropropargylbromides and show its utility in a number of post-synthetic transformations.

Peptidomimetic Synthesis by Way of Diastereoselective Iodoacetoxylation and Transannular Amidation of 7-9-Membered Lactams

Azacyclo- and azabicycloalkanone peptidomimetics were synthesized regio- and diastereoselectively by iodoacetoxylation and transannular amidation reactions on unsaturated lactam precursors contingent on ring size, olefin position, solvent, and hypervalent iodine(III) reagent. 4-Iodopyrrolizidinone 1, 7-iodoindolizidinone 2, and 4-iodo-5-acetoxylactams (e.g., 6 and 7) were made stereospecifically from 7-9-membered olefins 16, iodine, and hypervalent iodine(III) in acetonitrile or toluene, respectively. X-ray crystallography demonstrated potential for mimicry of natural peptide turn side chain and backbone conformations.