Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Electrophilic Amination: Application of O-Benzoylhydroxylamines in the Construction of the C-N Bond

Copper-Catalyzed Electrophilic Etherification of Arylboronic Esters with Isoxazolidines

A copper-catalyzed electrophilic etherification of arylboronic esters is reported. Isoxazolidines are utilized as easily available and stable [RO]⁺ surrogates to give 1,3-amino aryl ethers. The O-selective arylation of isoxazolidines takes place without causing competitive N-arylation. In contrast to previously reported anionic conditions, our copper-catalyzed conditions are mild enough to achieve high functional group tolerance. Preliminary mechanistic studies and DFT calculations support that the reaction proceeds via a transmetalation/oxidative addition pathway, followed by a Lewis acid-promoted reductive elimination to induce the crucial O-selectivity.

Preparation of Tertiary Amines from Tris(2-cyanoethyl)amine Using Three Successive Cobalt-Catalyzed Electrophilic Aminations with Organozinc Halides

We report a stepwise preparation of triple alkylated or arylated tertiary amines, starting from commercially available tris(2-cyanoethyl)amine using three successive reaction sequences involving a selective oxidation (formation of an N-oxide followed by a Cope elimination) leading to an intermediate hydroxylamine, a benzoylation, and a cobalt-catalyzed electrophilic amination with organozinc halides.

Iron-Mediated Electrophilic Amination of Organozinc Halides using Organic Azides

A wide range of alkyl‐, aryl‐ and heteroarylzinc halides were aminated with highly functionalized alkyl, aryl, and heterocyclic azides. The reaction proceeds smoothly at 50 °C within 1 h in the presence of FeCl₃ (0.5 equiv) to furnish the corresponding secondary amines in good yields. This method was extended to peptidic azides and provided the arylated substrates with full retention of configuration. To demonstrate the utility of this reaction, we prepared two amine derivatives of pharmaceutical relevance using this iron‐mediated electrophilic amination as the key step.

Theoretical studies on the N–X (X = Cl, O) bond activation mechanism in catalytic C–H amination

A favorable S_N2-type N–Cl bond cleavage mechanism are proposed for Rh-catalysed C–H amination, which also works for N–O bond cleavage in Rh, Ru, and Pd analogous systems. These results could provide new understanding of C–H amination.

Traceless Electrophilic Amination for the Synthesis of Unprotected Cyclic β-Amino Acids

Electrophilic aminations involve an umpolung of a nitrogen atom, providing an alternate, distinctive synthetic strategy. The recent advent of various designed O-substituted hydroxylamines has significantly advanced this research field. An underappreciated issue is atom economy of the transformations: The necessary activating group on the oxygen atom is left in coproduced waste. Herein, we describe Rh-catalyzed electrophilic amination of substituted isoxazolidin-5-ones for the synthesis of unprotected, cyclic β-amino acids featuring either benzo-fused or spirocyclic scaffolds. Using the cyclic hydroxylamines allows for retaining both nitrogen and oxygen functionalities in the product. The traceless, redox neutral process proceeds on a gram scale with as little as 0.1 mol % catalyst loading. In contrast to related electrophilic aminations in the literature, a series of mechanistic experiments suggests a unique pathway involving spirocyclization, followed by the skeletal rearrangement. The insights provided herein shed light on a nuanced reactivity of the active species, Rh-nitrenoid generated from the activated hydroxylamine, and extend the knowledge on electrophilic aromatic substitutions.

Cross-Coupling of Heteroatomic Electrophiles

At the advent of cross-coupling chemistry, carbon electrophiles based on halides or pseudohalides were the only suitable electrophilic coupling partners. Almost two decades passed before the first cross-coupling reaction of heteroatom-based electrophiles was reported. Early work by Murai and Tanaka initiated investigations into silicon electrophiles. Narasaka and Johnson pioneered the way in the use of nitrogen electrophiles, while Suginome began the exploration of boron electrophiles. The chemistry reviewed within provides perspective on the use of heteroatomic electrophiles, specifically silicon-, nitrogen-, boron-, oxygen-, and phosphorus-based electrophiles in transition-metal catalyzed cross-coupling. For the purposes of this review, a loose definition of cross-coupling is utilized; all reactions minimally proceed via an oxidative addition event. Although not cross-coupling in a traditional sense, we have also included catalyzed reactions that join a heteroatomic electrophile with an in situ generated nucleophile. However, for brevity, those involving hydroamination or C-H activation as a key step are largely excluded. This work includes primary references published up to and including October 2018.

Copper-Catalyzed Electrophilic Ortho C(sp2)-H Amination of Aryl Amines: Dramatic Reactivity of Bicyclic System

A practical copper-catalyzed, 2-picolinamide-directed ortho C-H amination of anilines with benzoyl-protected hydroxylamines has been disclosed that proceeds smoothly without any external stoichiometric oxidant or additives. Remarkably, besides anilines, bicyclic naphthyl or heterocyclic amines furnished amination products with five- and six-membered cyclic and acyclic amines at the ortho position selectively. This electrophilic C-H amination also proceeds smoothly in water under slightly modified reaction conditions.

Cu(II)-Mediated N-H and N-Alkyl Aryl Amination and Olefin Aziridination

Cu(II)-mediated direct NH₂ and NH alkyl aryl aminations and olefin aziridinations are described. These room-temperature, one-pot, environmentally friendly procedures replace costly Rh₂ catalysts and, in some instances, display important differences with comparable Rh₂- and Fe-supported reactions.

Cobalt-catalysed unactivated C(sp3)–H amination: two-state reactivity and multi-reference electronic character

A remarkable two-state reactivity scenario and an unusual multi-reference character have been computationally found in Co-catalysed C(sp³)–H amination. In addition, the investigation on the additive, aminating reagent, metal center, and auxiliary ligand provides implications for development of new catalytic C–H functionalization systems.

Late Stage Functionalization of Secondary Amines via a Cobalt-Catalyzed Electrophilic Amination of Organozinc Reagents

A general preparation of polyfunctional hydroxylamine benzoates from the corresponding secondary amines is reported. This convenient synthesis allows the setup of a late-stage functionalization of various secondary amines, including pharmaceuticals and peptidic derivatives. Thus, a cross-coupling of hydroxylamine benzoates with various alkyl-, aryl-, and heteroaryl-zinc chlorides in the presence of 5 mol % CoCl₂ (25 °C, 2 h) provides a range of polyfunctional tertiary amines. This method was used to prepare penfluridol and gepirone.

Amination of Phosphorodiamidate-Substituted Pyridines and Related N-Heterocycles with Magnesium Amides

The amination of various phosphorodiamidate-substituted pyridines, quinolines, and quinoxaline with magnesium amides R₂NMgCl·LiCl proceeds at room temperature within 8 h. Several pharmaceutically active amines were suitable substrates for this amination procedure, and also the antihistaminic tripelennamine was prepared. Additionally, several heterocyclic phosphorodiamidates underwent directed ortho-metalation (D oM) using TMPMgCl·LiCl (TMP = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl) or TMP₂Mg·2LiCl, followed by electrophilic functionalization prior to the amination step, which led to ortho-functionalized aminated N-heterocycles.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Electrophilic Aminations with Anthranils: An Expedient Route to Condensed Quinolines

The reaction of various organozinc pivalates with anthranils provides anilines derivatives, which cyclize under acidic conditions providing condensed quinolines. Using alkenylzinc pivalates, electron-rich arylzinc pivalates or heterocyclic zinc pivalates produces directly the condensed quinolines of which several structures belong to new heterocyclic scaffolds. These N-heterocycles are of particular interest for organic light emitting diodes with their high photoluminescence quantum yields and long exciton lifetimes as well as for hole-transporting materials in methylammonium lead iodide perovskites solar cells due to an optimal band alignment for holes and a large bandgap.

Transition-Metal-Free N-Arylation of Amines by Triarylsulfonium Triflates

A simple and efficient method for transition-metal-free N-arylation of various amines by triarylsulfonium triflates is described. Both aliphatic and aromatic amines were smoothly converted at 80 °C in the presence of tBuOK or KOH to give the corresponding mono N-arylated products in good to high yields. The molar ratios of the reactants and the choice of bases had a big effect on the reaction. When a large excess of [Ph₃ S][OTf] and tBuOK were employed for primary amines under the standard conditions, the bis(N-phenyl) products were predominantly formed. This method was also applicable to the synthesis of bioactive N-phenyl amino acid derivatives. The control experiments, the deuterium labelling study, and the presence of regioisomers of N-arylated products when using 4-substituted triarylsulfonium triflates suggested that the reaction might proceed through an aryne intermediate. The present protocol demonstrated that triarylsulfonium salts are versatile arylation reagents in the construction of C_Ar -N bonds.

A Modified System for the Synthesis of Enantioenriched N-Arylamines through Copper-Catalyzed Hydroamination

Despite significant recent progress in copper-catalyzed enantioselective hydroamination chemistry, the synthesis of chiral N-arylamines, which are frequently found in natural products and pharmaceuticals, has not been realized. Initial experiments with N-arylhydroxylamine ester electrophiles were unsuccessful and, instead, their reduction in the presence of copper hydride (CuH) catalysts was observed. Herein, we report key modifications to our previously reported hydroamination methods that lead to broadly applicable conditions for the enantioselective net addition of secondary anilines across the double bond of styrenes, 1,1-disubstituted olefins, and terminal alkenes. NMR studies suggest that suppression of the undesired reduction pathway is the basis for the dramatic improvements in yield under the reported method.

Synthesis of α-Aminophosphines by Copper-Catalyzed Regioselective Hydroamination of Vinylphosphines

A copper-catalyzed net hydroamination of vinylphosphine boranes with hydrosilanes and O-benzoylhydroxylamines has been developed. The reaction proceeds regioselectively to form the corresponding α-aminophosphine boranes of potent interest in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry. This copper catalysis is based on an umpolung, electrophilic amination strategy and provides a new electrophilic amination approach to α-aminophosphine derivatives. Additionally, although still preliminary, asymmetric synthesis has also been achieved by judicious choice of a chiral bisphosphine-ligated copper complex.

Pd-Catalyzed Alkene Diamination Reactions of Nitrogen Electrophiles: Synthesis of Cyclic Guanidines and Ureas Bearing Dialkylaminomethyl Groups

The Pd-catalyzed coupling of N-allylguanidines or N-allylureas with O-benzoylhydroxylamine derivatives affords cyclic guanidines or cyclic ureas bearing dialkylaminomethyl groups. The desired products are obtained in good yield, and substrates bearing substituents at the allylic position are transformed with moderate diastereoselectivity. The mechanism of these reactions appears to involve anti-aminopalladation of the alkene, followed by a rare sp3C-sp3N bond-forming reductive elimination from an alkylpalladium complex that contains β-hydrogen atoms.

Direct Reductive N-Functionalization of Aliphatic Nitro Compounds

The first general protocol for the direct reductive N-functionalization of aliphatic nitro compounds is presented. The nitro group is partially reduced to a nitrenoid, with a mild and readily available combination of B₂ pin₂ and zinc organyls. Thereby, the formation of an unstable nitroso intermediate is avoided, which has so far severely limited reductive transformations of aliphatic nitro compounds. The reaction is concluded by an electrophilic amination of zinc organyls.

Multifunctionalization of Unactivated Cyclic Ketones via Synergistic Catalysis of Copper and Diarylamine: Access to Cyclic α-Enaminone

A multifunctionalization of unactivated cyclic ketones via synergistic catalysis of copper and diarylamine for the direct synthesis of cyclic α-enaminone is reported for the first time. This reaction goes through oxidative α-amination, followed by a desaturation, and features mild reaction conditions, a broad substrate scope, and great functional group tolerance.

Experimental and computational studies on H2O-promoted, Rh-catalyzed transient-ligand-free ortho-C(sp2)–H amidation of benzaldehydes with dioxazolones

We develop an efficient and convenient ligand-free, rhodium-catalyzed ortho-C(sp²)–H amidation of benzaldehydes with dioxazolones using H₂O as the key promoter.

Iridium catalyzed fragmentation/cyclization of N-butynyl 4,4-dimethylisoxazolidine-3,5-diones: a unique access to multiply substituted pyrroles

A novel protocol for the synthesis of multiply substituted pyrroles has been developed through the iridium catalyzed fragmentation/cyclization of N-butynyl 4,4-dimethylisoxazolidine-3,5-diones in hot ethanol.

Cp2TiCl2-catalyzed highly regioselective hydroamination of styrenes with hydroxylamines

An efficient Cp₂TiCl₂-catalyzed one-pot two-step hydroamination procedure that allows the direct formation of tertiary amines from styrenes and an electrophilic nitrogen source has been reported with high regioselectivity.

First-Row Late Transition Metals for Catalytic Alkene Hydrofunctionalisation: Recent Advances in C-N, C-O and C-P Bond Formation

This review provides an outline of the most noteworthy achievements in the area of C-N, C-O and C-P bond formation by hydroamination, hydroalkoxylation, hydrophosphination, hydrophosphonylation or hydrophosphinylation reaction on unactivated alkenes (including 1,2- and 1,3-dienes) promoted by first-row late transition metal catalytic systems based on manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper and zinc. The relevant literature from 2009 until mid-2017 has been covered.