Decarboxylative Cross-Electrophile Coupling of N-Hydroxyphthalimide Esters with Aryl Iodides

A General Amino Acid Synthesis Enabled by Innate Radical Cross-Coupling

The direct union of primary, secondary, and tertiary carboxylic acids with a chiral glyoxylate-derived sulfinimine provides rapid access into a variety of enantiomerically pure α-amino acids (>85 examples). Characterized by operational simplicity, this radical-based reaction enables the modular assembly of exotic α-amino acids, including both unprecedented structures and those of established industrial value. The described method performs well in high-throughput library synthesis, and has already been implemented in three distinct medicinal chemistry campaigns.

Synthesis of Elongated Esters from Alkenes

A convenient method for synthesizing elongated aliphatic esters from alkenes is reported. An (alkoxycarbonyl)methyl radical species is generated upon visible-light irradiation of an ester-stabilized phosphorus ylide in the presence of a photoredox catalyst. This radical species adds onto the carbon-carbon double bond of an alkene to produce an elongated aliphatic ester.

Cu-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Borylation

A simple method for the conversion of carboxylic acids to boronic esters via redox-active esters (RAEs) is reported using copper catalysis. The scope of this transformation is broad, and compared with the known protocols available, it represents the most inexpensive, rapid, and operationally simple option. In addition to a full exploration of the scope, a kinetic study was performed to elucidate substrate and reagent concentration dependences.

Mechanistic Interrogation of Co/Ni-Dual Catalyzed Hydroarylation

Cobalt/nickel-dual catalyzed hydroarylation of terminal olefins with iodoarenes builds complexity from readily available starting materials, with a high preference for the Markovnikov (branched) product. Here, we advance a mechanistic model of this reaction through the use of reaction progress kinetic analysis (RPKA), radical clock experiments, and stoichiometric studies. Through exclusion of competing hypotheses, we conclude that the reaction proceeds through an unprecedented alkylcobalt to nickel direct transmetalation. Demonstration of catalytic alkene prefunctionalization, via spectroscopic observation of an organocobalt species, distinguishes this Csp2-Csp3 cross-coupling method from a conventional transmetalation process, which employs a stoichiometric organometallic nucleophile, and from a bimetallic oxidative addition of an organohalide across nickel, described by radical scission and subsequent alkyl radical capture at a second nickel center. A refined understanding of the reaction leads to an optimized hydroarylation procedure that excludes exogenous oxidant, demonstrating that the transmetalation is net redox neutral. Catalytic alkene prefunctionalization by cobalt and engagement with nickel catalytic cycles through direct transmetalation provides a new platform to merge these two rich areas of chemistry in preparatively useful ways.

Iron-Nickel Dual-Catalysis: A New Engine for Olefin Functionalization and the Formation of Quaternary Centers

Alkene hydroarylation forms carbon-carbon bonds between two foundational building blocks of organic chemistry: olefins and aromatic rings. In the absence of electronic bias or directing groups, only the Friedel-Crafts reaction allows arenes to engage alkenes with Markovnikov selectivity to generate quaternary carbons. However, the intermediacy of carbocations precludes the use of electron-deficient arenes, including Lewis basic heterocycles. Here we report a highly Markovnikov-selective, dual-catalytic olefin hydroarylation that tolerates arenes and heteroarenes of any electronic character. Hydrogen atom transfer controls the formation of branched products and arene halogenation specifies attachment points on the aromatic ring. Mono-, di-, tri-, and tetra-substituted alkenes yield Markovnikov products including quaternary carbons within nonstrained rings.

Iron-Catalyzed Vinylic C-H Alkylation with Alkyl Peroxides

A variety of alkyl peresters and alkyl diacyl peroxides, which are readily accessible from carboxylic acids, are utilized as general primary, secondary, and tertiary alkylating reagents for iron-catalyzed vinylic C-H alkylation of vinyl arenes, dienes, and 1,3-enynes. This transformation affords olefinic products in up to 98 % yield with high E/Z values. A broad range of functionalities, including carboxyl, boronic acid, methoxy, ester, amino, and halides, are tolerated. This protocol provides a facile approach to some olefins that are difficult to access, and hence, offers an alternative to existing systems. The synthetic utility of this method is demonstrated by late-stage functionalization of selected natural-product derivatives.

Access to Alkyl-Substituted Lactone via Photoredox-Catalyzed Alkylation/Lactonization of Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids

An efficient photoredox-catalyzed alkylation/lactonization reaction of unsaturated carboxylic acids by using alkyl N-hydroxyphthalimide esters as alkylation reagents has been developed. Varieties of redox-active esters derived from aliphatic carboxylic acids were proved viable in this method, affording alkyl substituted lactones in moderate to good yields. This redox-neutral procedure features mild conditions and operational simplicity, which provides a new strategy for the synthesis of alkyl substituted lactones.

Switchable Decarboxylative Heck-Type Reaction and Oxo-alkylation of Styrenes with N-Hydroxyphthalimide Esters under Photocatalysis

The switchable visible-light-mediated decarboxylative Heck-type reaction and oxo-alkylation reaction of N-hydroxyphthalimide esters under photocatalysis were developed. Disubstituted or trisubstituted alkenes were obtained in good yield with high E-selectivity in the presence of Brønsted acid as the additive, while ketones resulted in the absence of the acidic additive.

Iron-Catalyzed Dehydrative Alkylation of Propargyl Alcohol with Alkyl Peroxides To Form Substituted 1,3-Enynes

This paper reports a new method for the generation of substituted 1,3-enynes, whose synthesis by other methods could be a challenge. The dehydrative decarboxylative cascade coupling reaction of propargyl alcohol with alkyl peroxides is enabled by an iron catalyst and alkylating reagents. Primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl groups can be introduced into 1,3-enynes, affording various substituted 1,3-enynes in moderate to good yields. Mechanistic studies suggest the involvement of a radical-polar crossover pathway.

Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive Cross-Coupling of Aryl Halides with Monofluoroalkyl Halides for Late-Stage Monofluoroalkylation

A combinatorial nickel-catalyzed monofluoroalkylation of aryl halides with unactivated fluoroalkyl halides by reductive cross-coupling has been developed. This method demonstrated high efficiency, mild conditions, and excellent functional-group tolerance, thus enabling the late-stage monofluoroalkylation of diverse drugs. The key to success was the combination of diverse readily available bidentate and monodentate pyridine-type nitrogen ligands with nickel, which in situ generated a variety of readily tunable catalysts to promote fluoroalkylation with broad scope with respect to both coupling partners. This combinatorial catalysis strategy offers a solution for nickel-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling reactions and provides an efficient way to synthesize fluoroalkylated druglike molecules for drug discovery.

A Visible Light-Driven Minisci-Type Reaction with N-Hydroxyphthalimide Esters

A visible light-promoted protocol for the redox-neutral coupling of N-hydroxyphthalimide esters with different N-heterocyclic compounds is described. The reaction proceeds through an alkyl radical intermediate generated by reductive decarboxylation of N-hydroxyphthalimide esters. In contrast to the original Minisci protocol, polyalkylation can largely be avoided. Mechanistic investigations revealed a radical chain mechanism which in some cases can proceed even if no photocatalyst is added. This valuable and functional group-tolerant reaction produces substituted heterocycles in moderate to excellent yield. The use of inexpensive starting materials and LEDs as the light source are key features of this C–C bond formation.

Total synthesis of complex terpenoids employing radical cascade processes

Covering: 2011-2017Radical cyclizations have a rich history in organic chemistry and have been particularly generous to the field of natural product synthesis. Owing to their ability to operate in highly congested molecular quarters, and with significant functional group compatibility, these transformations have enabled the synthesis of numerous polycyclic terpenoid natural products over the past several decades. Moreover, when programmed accordingly into a synthetic plan, radical cascade processes can be used to rapidly assemble molecular complexity, much in the same way nature rapidly constructs terpene frameworks through cationic cyclization pathways. This review highlights recent total syntheses of complex terpenoids (from 2011-2017) employing C-C bond-forming radical cascade sequences.

A redox-economical synthesis of trifluoromethylated enamides with the Langlois reagent

A redox-economical strategy for the synthesis of trifluoromethylated enamides using copper catalysis is reported. The reaction employs the inexpensive Langlois reagent (CF₃SO₂Na) and takes place without the need of an external oxidant. The trifluoromethylated enamide products can easily be converted into the corresponding ketone, saturated amide or oxazole.

Ni-Catalyzed Electrochemical Decarboxylative C-C Couplings in Batch and Continuous Flow

An electrochemically driven, nickel-catalyzed reductive coupling of N-hydroxyphthalimide esters with aryl halides is reported. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions in a divided electrochemical cell and employs a tertiary amine as the reductant. This decarboxylative C(sp³)-C(sp²) bond-forming transformation exhibits excellent substrate generality and functional group compatibility. An operationally simple continuous-flow version of this transformation using a commercial electrochemical flow reactor represents a robust and scalable synthesis of value added coupling process.