Improved Catalysts for the Palladium-Catalyzed Synthesis of Oxindoles by Amide α-Arylation. Rate Acceleration, Use of Aryl Chloride Substrates, and a New Carbene Ligand for Asymmetric Transformations

Palladium Complexes of N-Heterocyclic Carbenes as Catalysts for Cross-Coupling Reactions—A Synthetic Chemist's Perspective

Palladium-catalyzed C-C and C-N bond-forming reactions are among the most versatile and powerful synthetic methods. For the last 15 years, N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have enjoyed increasing popularity as ligands in Pd-mediated cross-coupling and related transformations because of their superior performance compared to the more traditional tertiary phosphanes. The strong sigma-electron-donating ability of NHCs renders oxidative insertion even in challenging substrates facile, while their steric bulk and particular topology is responsible for fast reductive elimination. The strong Pd-NHC bonds contribute to the high stability of the active species, even at low ligand/Pd ratios and high temperatures. With a number of commercially available, stable, user-friendly, and powerful NHC-Pd precatalysts, the goal of a universal cross-coupling catalyst is within reach. This Review discusses the basics of Pd-NHC chemistry to understand the peculiarities of these catalysts and then gives a critical discussion on their application in C-C and C-N cross-coupling as well as carbopalladation reactions.

Alkynylation of α-halocarbonyl compounds—a Stille-type cross-coupling for the formation of C(sp)–C(sp3) bonds under neutral conditions

A direct alkynylation of readily available alpha-halo esters and amides with high yields is described herein; a distinct switch from diyne formation to alkynylation products was attained under neutral conditions.

Assembly of 3-Acyloxindoles via CuI/l-Proline-Catalyzed Intramolecular Arylation of β-Keto Amides

[Structure: see text] Intramolecular coupling of beta-keto 2-iodoanilides catalyzed by CuI/L-proline in DMSO occurs at room temperature, affording substituted 3-acyloxindoles in good yield. Electronic effects on the aromatic ring have little influence on this reaction. Variations at the 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 positions of the oxindoles were achieved by employing the corresponding amides.

Unexpected Ring Expansion of an Enantiopure Imidazoline Carbene Ligand

[reaction: see text] We report an unexpected ring expansion reaction of an enantiopure fenchone-derived imidazolinium salt during attempts to form copper complexes of the corresponding imidazoline carbene ligand. A N,N'-difenchyl piperazinone was formed in low yield together with the difenchyl-substituted five-membered urea.

N,N′-Dialkyl- andN-Alkyl-N-mesityl-SubstitutedN-Heterocyclic Carbenes as Ligands in Grubbs Catalysts

Various symmetrically and asymmetrically substituted N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands bearing aliphatic nitrogen-containing side groups have been synthesised. In our attempts to isolate the corresponding second-generation Grubbs catalysts, we were unsuccessful when using the symmetrical aliphatic NHC ligands. For the asymmetrical ligands bearing an aliphatic moiety on one side and an aromatic mesityl group on the other side, substitution of a phosphine ligand was achieved. The performance of a so-formed series of Ru-based metathesis initiators has been evaluated for the ring-opening metathesis polymerisation (ROMP) of cycloocta-1,5-diene and the ring-closing metathesis (RCM) of diethyl diallylmalonate.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Addition of Arylboronic Acids to Isatins: An Entry to Diversity in 3-Aryl-3-Hydroxyoxindoles

[reaction: see text] A general method for the catalytic 1,2-addition of aryl and alkenyl boronic acids to isatins is described using a rhodium(I)/triphenylphosphite catalyst. The application of this transformation allows the synthesis of a variety of 3-aryl-3-hydroxyoxindole building blocks in high yields. An enantioselective version of this reaction using a rhodium(I)/phosphoramidite system is also presented.

Palladium-Catalyzed Intermolecular α-Arylation of Zinc Amide Enolates under Mild Conditions

The intermolecular alpha-arylation and vinylation of amides by palladium-catalyzed coupling of aryl bromides and vinyl bromides with zinc enolates of amides is reported. Reactions of three different types of zinc enolates have been developed. The reactions of aryl halides occur in high yields with isolated Reformatsky reagents generated from alpha-bromo amides, with Reformatsky reagents generated in situ from alpha-bromo amides, and with zinc enolates generated by quenching lithium enolates of amides with zinc chloride. This use of zinc enolates, instead of alkali metal enolates, greatly expands the scope of amide arylation. The reactions occur at room temperature or 70 degrees C with bromoarenes containing cyano, nitro, ester, keto, fluoro, hydroxyl, or amino functionality and with bromopyridines. Moreover, the reaction has been developed with morpholine amides, the products of which are precursors to ketones and aldehydes. The arylation of zinc enolates of amides was conducted with catalysts bearing the hindered pentaphenylferrocenyl di-tert-butylphosphine (Q-phos) or the highly reactive, dimeric, Pd(I) complex [[P(t-Bu)3]PdBr]2.

Efficient Entry to Diversely Functionalized Spirocyclic Oxindoles from Isatins through Carbonyl-Addition/Cyclization Reaction Sequences

A novel approach to diversely functionalized spirocyclic oxindoles has been developed by using different metal-mediated carbonyl-addition/cyclization reaction sequences. Spirocyclization precursors, 2-indolinone-tethered homoallylic alcohols, (buta-1,3-dien-2-yl)methanols, and alpha-allenols have been obtained by regioselective addition of stabilized organoindium reagents to isatins in aqueous environment. Ruthenium-, silver-, and palladium-catalyzed reactions of the above unsaturated alcohol derivatives provided oxaspiro oxindoles.

Asymmetric Construction of Quaternary Carbon Stereocenter by Pd-Catalyzed Intramolecular .ALPHA.-Arylation

The catalyst comprised of Pd(OAc)(2) and H(8)-BINAP provides good reaction conversions for a catalytic enantioselective intramolecular alpha-arylation of N-(2-bromophenyl)-N-methyl-2-arylpropanamide to form the quaternary carbon with up to 68% enantioselectivity.

The influence of N-substitution on the reductive elimination behaviour of hydrocarbyl–palladium–carbene complexes—a DFT study

The reductive elimination of 2-hydrocarbyl-imidazolium salts from hydrocarbyl-palladium complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands represents an important deactivation route for catalysts of this type. We have explored the influence that carbene N-substituents have on both the activation energy and the overall thermodynamics of the reductive elimination reaction using density functional theory (DFT). Given the proximity of the N-substituent to the three-centred transition structure, steric bulk has little influence on the activation barrier and it is electronic factors that dominate the barriers' magnitude. Increased electron donation from the departing NHC ligand acts to stabilise the associated complex against reductive elimination, with stability following the trend: Cl < H < Ph < Me < Cy < iPr < neopentyl < tBu. The intimate involvement of the carbene p pi-orbital in determining the barrier to reductive elimination means N-substituents that are capable of removing pi-density (e.g. phenyl) act to promote a more facile reductive elimination.

Function of an N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligand Based on Concept of Chiral Mimetic

Function of a new N-heterocyclic carbene ligand based on the concept of a chiral mimetic is described. With (4R,5R)-4,5-diphenyl-1,3-dialkyl-4,5-dihydro-3H-imidazol-1-ium tetrafluoroborates as N-heterocyclic carbene precursors, Rh-catalyzed enantioselective arylation (up to 27% ee) of aromatic aldehydes with arylboronic acids and Pd-catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular alpha-arylation (up to 66% ee) of N-(2-bromoaryl)-N-alkyl-2-arylpropanamides are investigated.

Microwave-assisted sequential amide bond formation and intramolecular amidation: a rapid entry to functionalized oxindoles

A general method has been developed for the synthesis of N-substituted oxindoles. The two-step process involves initial microwave-assisted amide bond formation between 2-halo-arylacetic acids and various alkylamines and anilines, followed by a palladium-catalyzed intramolecular amidation under aqueous conditions. In the case of alkylamines, the procedure can be carried out as a one-pot process without isolation of the intermediate amide. [structure: see text]

Preparation of 3-spirocyclic indolin-2-ones as ligands for the ORL-1 receptor

A novel series of indolin-2-ones having a spirocyclic piperidine ring at the 3-position was synthesized and found to bind with high affinity to the ORL-1 receptor. Structure-activity relationships at the piperidine nitrogen were investigated. Substitution on the phenyl ring and nitrogen atom of the indolin-2-one core generated several selective high-affinity ligands that were antagonists of the ORL-1 receptor.

Dichloroketene-Induced Cyclizations of Vinyl Sulfilimines: Application of the Method in the Synthesis of (±)-Desoxyeseroline

The reactions of several aryl-, furanyl-, and vinyl-substituted sulfilimines with dichloroketene proceeded at 25 degrees C to yield thioalkyl-substituted gamma-lactams. The overall process involves nucleophilic addition of the nitrogen atom of the sulfilimine onto the highly electrophilic dichloroketene to first generate a zwitterionic intermediate. A subsequent [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement is followed by intramolecular trapping of the Pummerer cation by the amido anion to furnish the observed gamma-lactam product. Incorporation of donor groups on the aromatic ring of the sulfonyl functionality had little effect when aryl-substituted sulfilimines were used but exhibited a major effect on the efficiency of the reaction with furanyl-substituted systems. The placement of an electron donor group (i.e., OMe) on the sulfonyl aryl group enhances the nucleophilicity of the amido anion contained within the sulfonium ion intermediate and facilitates the rate of the 3,3-sigmatropic rearrangement. Styryl-substituted sulfilimines cyclize in a stereospecific manner and produce a 3:2-mixture of gamma-lactams and the isomeric imino-lactone system. The heavily functionalized gamma-lactams are easily converted to a variety of nitrogen containing substrates. The vinyl sulfilimine cyclization method was applied to the total synthesis of the Calabar alkaloid (+/-)-desoxyeseroline.

Palladium-catalyzed intramolecular O-arylation of enolates: application to benzo[b]furan synthesis

[reaction: see text] A catalyst generated from Pd2(dba)3 and the ligand DPEphos effects intramolecular C-O bond formation between enolates and aryl halides in the conversion of 1-(2-haloaryl)ketones directly into the corresponding benzofurans. Both cyclic and acyclic ketones are efficient substrates. Thio ketones can also be employed allowing the preparation of the corresponding benzothiophenes.

A New Synthesis of γ-Lactams Based on the Reaction of Vinyl Sulfilimines with Dichloroketene

The reactions of several aryl-, furanyl-, and vinyl substituted sulfilimines with dichloroketene proceeded at 25 degrees C to yield thioalkyl substituted gamma-lactams which, in turn, were converted to a variety of nitrogen-containing substrates. [reaction: see text]