Functionalization of benzylic C(sp(3))-H bonds of heteroaryl aldehydes through N-heterocyclic carbene organocatalysis

Aryl aldehyde activation: Oxidative activation of 2-methylindole-3-carboxaldehyde (I) through N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) organocatalysis generates heterocyclic ortho-quinodimethane (II) as a key intermediate. This intermediate then undergoes formal [4+2] cycloaddition with trifluoromethyl ketones or isatins to form polycyclic lactones containing a quaternary carbon center.

Synthesis and characterization of new ruthenium N-heterocyclic carbene Hoveyda II-type complexes. Study of reactivity in ring closing metathesis reactions

This manuscript describes the synthesis and structural study of new second generation Hoveyda-Grubbs catalysts: 1,3-dimesityl-acenaphthylenyl-4,5-imidazolin-2-ylidene (BIAN-NHC) ruthenium isopropoxybenzylidene dichloride and 1,3-bis(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazole Cl(2)Ru(=CH-o-O-i-PrC(6)H(4)) . The electrochemical and catalytic behavior of these new complexes was compared with the conventional NHC carbene Hoveyda II IMes-type complexes and for ring closing metathesis reactions.

Direct α-functionalization of simple aldehydes via oxidative N-heterocyclic carbene catalysis

A direct α-functionalization of simple aldehydes under N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) catalysis and direct generation of ester enolate equivalents from nonfunctionalized aldehydes are disclosed. The catalysis involves selective enolate generation from an oxidatively generated NHC-bounded ester intermediate as a key step. The ester enolate intermediates undergo stereoselective reactions with enones and trifluoromethyl ketones.

Oxidative γ-addition of enals to trifluoromethyl ketones: enantioselectivity control via Lewis acid/N-heterocyclic carbene cooperative catalysis

An oxidative γ-functionalization of enals under N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis to give unsaturated δ-lactones is disclosed. Enantioselectivity control involving the relatively remote enal γ-carbon was achieved via Lewis acid [Sc(OTf)(3) or combined Sc(OTf)(3)/Mg(OTf)(2)] and NHC cooperative catalysis.

N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions: a facile synthesis of 3,5-di- and 3,4,5-trisubstituted isoxazoles

A first example of organo-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed click-type fast 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrile oxides with alkynes was developed for the regioselective synthesis of 3,5-di- and 3,4,5-trisubstituted isoxazoles. Triethylamine (Et(3)N) was employed as an effective base to generate both nitrile oxide and the organo-NHC catalyst in situ. This catalytic approach was used to attach a variety of substituents, including other biologically active fragments, onto the isoxazole ring to selectively design multinucleus structures. Further, we have also optimized the conditions for Cu(I)-free Sonogashira cross-coupling to obtain internal alkynes in high yields, which were subsequently used in cycloaddition. A catalytic cycle is proposed and the remarkable regiocontrol in the formation of isoxazoles was ascribed to a beneficial zwitterion intermediate developed by the interaction of the strongly nucleophilic organo-NHC catalyst with alkyne followed by nitrile oxide.

Highly diastereo- and enantioselective NHC-catalyzed [3+2] annulation of enals and isatins

The chiral N-heterocyclic carbene bearing a proximal hydroxy group derived from L-pyroglutamic acid was found to be an efficient catalyst for the [3+2] annulation of enals and isatins to give the corresponding spirocyclic oxindolo-γ-butyrolactones in good yield with good diastereo- and enantioselectivities.

N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [4 + 1] annulation of phthalaldehyde and imines

The diastereoselective synthesis of cis-2-amino-3-hydroxyindanones was realized by the N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [4 + 1] annulation of phthalaldehyde and imines, which may involve a tandem aza-benzoin reaction and aldol reaction.

Enantioselective [4+2] cycloaddition of ketenes and 1-azadienes catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbenes

Optically active highly functionalized 3,4-dihydropyridin-2-ones were synthesized by N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [4+2] enantioselective cycloaddition of ketenes and 1-azadienes.

Stable cyclic carbenes and related species beyond diaminocarbenes

The success of homogeneous catalysis can be attributed largely to the development of a diverse range of ligand frameworks that have been used to tune the behavior of various systems. Spectacular results in this area have been achieved using cyclic diaminocarbenes (NHCs) as a result of their strong σ-donor properties. Although it is possible to cursorily tune the structure of NHCs, any diversity is still far from matching their phosphorus-based counterparts, which is one of the great strengths of the latter. A variety of stable acyclic carbenes are known, but they are either reluctant to bind metals or they give rise to fragile metal complexes. During the last five years, new types of stable cyclic carbenes, as well as related carbon-based ligands (which are not NHCs), and which feature even stronger σ-donor properties have been developed. Their synthesis and characterization as well as the stability, electronic properties, coordination behavior, and catalytic activity of the ensuing complexes are discussed, and comparisons with their NHC cousins are made.

Synthesis and coordination compounds of a bis(imino)acenaphthene (BIAN)-supported N-heterocyclic carbene

The bis(imino)acenaphthene-supported N-heterocyclic carbene IPr(BIAN) has been prepared by deprotonation of the precursor imidazolium chloride. Treatment of IPr(BIAN) imidazolium chloride with Ag(2)O afforded the silver complex [IPr(BIAN)]AgCl which can be converted into the corresponding gold complex [IPr(BIAN)]AuCl by reaction with (tht)AuCl (tht = tetrahydrothiophene). The iridium complex [IPr(BIAN)]Ir(COD)Cl was prepared by reaction of the imidazolium chloride with KO(t)Bu and [Ir(COD)Cl](2) and subsequently converted to the carbonyl complex [IPr(BIAN)]Ir(CO)(2)Cl by exposure to an atmosphere of CO. All new compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, multinuclear NMR, MS and HRMS data.