Metallinsertion in C-C-Bindungen in Lösung

Electrochemical C-H/C-C Bond Oxygenation: A Potential Technology for Plastic Depolymerization

Herein, we provide eco-friendly and safely operated electrocatalytic methods for the selective oxidation directly or with water, air, light, metal catalyst or other mediators serving as the only oxygen supply. Heavy metals, stoichiometric chemical oxidants, or harsh conditions were drawbacks of earlier oxidative cleavage techniques. It has recently come to light that a crucial stage in the deconstruction of plastic waste and the utilization of biomass is the selective activation of inert C(sp3 )-C/H(sp3 ) bonds, which continues to be a significant obstacle in the chemical upcycling of resistant polyolefin waste. An appealing alternative to chemical oxidations using oxygen and catalysts is direct or indirect electrochemical conversion. An essential transition in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries is the electrochemical oxidation of C-H/C-C bonds. In this review, we discuss cutting-edge approaches to chemically recycle commercial plastics and feasible C-C/C-H bonds oxygenation routes for industrial scale-up.

Isolation of an Elusive Phosphametallacyclobutadiene and Its Role in Reversible Carbon−Carbon Bond Cleavage

The reactivity of phosphaalkynes, the isolobal and isoelectronic congeners to alkynes, with metal alkylidyne complexes is explored in this work. Treating the tungsten alkylidyne [^t BuOCO]W≡C^t Bu(THF)₂ (1) with phosphaalkyne (10) results in the formation of [O₂ C(^t BuC=)W{η² -(P,C)-P≡C-Ad}(THF)] (13-^t Bu_THF ) and [O₂ C(AdC=)W{η² -(P,C)-P≡C-^t Bu}(THF)] (13-Ad_THF ); derived from the formal reductive migratory insertion of the alkylidyne moiety into a W-C_arene bond. Analogous to alkyne metathesis, a stable phosphametallacyclobutadiene complex [^t BuOCO]W[κ² -C(^t Bu)PC(Ad)] (14) forms upon loss of THF from the coordination sphere of either 13-^t Bu_THF or 13-Ad_THF . Remarkably, the C-C bonds reversibly form/cleave with the addition or removal of THF from the coordination sphere of the formal tungsten(VI) metal center, permitting unprecedented control over the transformation of a tetraanionic pincer to a trianionic pincer and back. Computational analysis offers thermodynamic and electronic reasoning for the reversible equilibrium between 13-^t Bu/Ad_THF and 14.

Palladium-Catalyzed Stagewise Strain-Release-Driven C-C Activation of Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanyl Alcohols

A palladium-catalyzed chemoselective coupling of readily available bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanyl alcohols (BCP-OH) with various halides is reported, which offers expedient approaches to a wide range of cyclobutanone and β,γ-enone skeletons via single or double C-C activation. The chemistry shows a broad substrate scope in terms of both the range of BCP-OH and halides including a series of natural product derivatives. Moreover, dependency of reaction chemodivergence on base additive has been investigated through experimental and density functional theory (DFT) studies, which is expected to significantly enrich the reaction modes and increase the synthetic potential of BCP-OH in preparing more complex molecules.

Rhodium-Catalyzed (4+1) Cycloaddition between Benzocyclobutenones and Styrene-Type Alkenes

Herein, we describe a unique one-carbon ring-expansion strategy to access multi-substituted 2-indanones from benzocyclobutenones and styrene-type olefins. The use of a cationic "ligandless" rhodium catalyst was the key for both high reactivity and selectivity towards the (4+1) product. Broad functional group tolerance, a good substrate scope, and scalability have been demonstrated. Computation studies reveal that the origin of the (4+1) selectivity is due to a facile β-H elimination pathway that reduces the overall barrier of the turnover-limiting C-C reductive elimination step.

Electrochemical Activation of C-C Bonds through Mediated Hydrogen Atom Transfer Reactions

Activating inert sp³ -sp³ carbon-carbon (C-C) bonds remains a major bottleneck in the chemical upcycling of recalcitrant polyolefin waste. In this study, redox mediators are used to activate the inert C-C bonds. Specifically, N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) is used as the redox mediator, which is oxidized to phthalimide-N-oxyl (PINO) radical to initiate hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) reactions with benzylic C-H bonds. The resulting carbon radical is readily captured by molecular oxygen to form a peroxide that decomposes into oxygenated C-C bond-scission fragments. This indirect approach reduces the oxidation potential by >1.2 V compared to the direct oxidation of the substrate. Studies with model compounds reveal that the selectivity of C-C bond cleavage increases with decreasing C-C bond dissociation energy. With NHPI-mediated oxidation, oligomeric styrene (OS₅₁₀ ; M_n =510 Da) and polystyrene (PS; M_n ≈10 000 Da) are converted into oxygenated monomers, dimers, and oligomers.

Palladium-Catalyzed Cascade Carbonylation to α,β-Unsaturated Piperidones via Selective Cleavage of Carbon-Carbon Triple Bonds

A direct and selective synthesis of α,β-unsaturated piperidones by a new palladium-catalyzed cascade carbonylation is described. In the presented protocol, easily available propargylic alcohols react with aliphatic amines to provide a broad variety of interesting heterocycles. Key to the success of this transformation is a remarkable catalytic cleavage of the present carbon-carbon triple bond by using a specific catalyst with 2-diphenylphosphinopyridine as ligand and appropriate reaction conditions. Mechanistic studies and control experiments revealed branched unsaturated acid 11 as crucial intermediate.

Intermolecular [5+2] Annulation between 1-Indanones and Internal Alkynes by Rhodium-Catalyzed C-C Activation

Herein, we report a [5+2] cycloaddition between readily accessible 1-indanones and internal alkynes through Rh-catalyzed activation of less strained C-C bonds. The reaction is enabled by a strongly σ-donating NHC ligand and a carefully modified temporary directing group. A wide range of functional groups is tolerated, and the method provides straightforward access to diverse benzocycloheptenones that are hard to access otherwise. DFT studies of the reaction mechanism imply the migration insertion as the turnover-limiting step and suggest beneficial π-π interactions in the transition states.

Oxidative Coordination versus C3 -C(O)Me Bond Cleavage in Acetylacetonate Iridium Complexes

Iridabicycles [Ir{κ³ -N,C,O-(pyC(H)=C(C(O)Me)₂ }(Cl)(L-L)](L-L=cod (cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene), 1 a; bipy (bipy=2,2'-bipyridine), 1 b) have been obtained by oxidative coordination of 3-(pyridine-2-yl-methylene)pentane-2,4-dione L1, to the complexes [{Ir(μ-Cl)(cod)}₂ ] and [{Ir(μ-Cl)(coe)₂ }₂ ] (coe=cis-cyclooctene), the latter in the presence of bipy. Remarkably, cleavage of the C³ -C(O)Me bond of L1 has instead been achieved in the reaction with [Ir(Cl)(dmb)₂ ] (dmb=2,3-dimethylbutadiene), yielding a compound formulated as [Ir{κ² -N,C-(pyC(H)C(C(O)Me))}(CO)(μ-Cl)(Me)]₂ , 2. Treatment of dimer 2 with DMSO or PMe₃ produced the complexes[Ir{κ² -N,C-(pyC(H)C(C(O)Me)}(CO)Cl(Me)L] (L=DMSO, 3 a; PMe₃ , 3 b). Plausible mechanisms for the reactions leading to complexes 1 and 2 are proposed by means of DFT calculations.

Oxidative Addition of a Mechanically Entrapped C(sp)-C(sp) Bond to a Rhodium(I) Pincer Complex

By use of a macrocyclic phosphinite pincer ligand and bulky substrate substituents, we demonstrate how the mechanical bond can be leveraged to promote the oxidative addition of an interlocked 1,3-diyne to a rhodium(I) center. The resulting rhodium(III) bis(alkynyl) product can be trapped out by reaction with carbon monoxide or intercepted through irreversible reaction with dihydrogen, resulting in selective hydrogenolysis of the C-C σ-bond.

Oxidative Addition of Biphenylene and Chlorobenzene to a Rh(CNC) Complex

The synthesis and organometallic chemistry of rhodium(I) complex [Rh(CNC-Me)(SOMe2)][BArF 4], featuring NHC-based pincer and labile dimethyl sulfoxide ligands, is reported. This complex reacts with biphenylene and chlorobenzene to afford products resulting from selective C-C and C-Cl bond activation, [Rh(CNC-Me)(2,2'-biphenyl)(OSMe2)][BArF 4] and [Rh(CNC-Me)(Ph)Cl(OSMe2)][BArF 4], respectively. A detailed DFT-based computational analysis indicates that C-H bond oxidative addition of these substrates is kinetically competitive, but in all cases endergonic: contrasting the large thermodynamic driving force calculated for insertion of the metal into the C-C and C-Cl bonds, respectively. Under equivalent conditions the substrates are not activated by the phosphine-based pincer complex [Rh(PNP-iPr)(SOMe2)][BArF 4].

Cobalt Nanoparticles-Catalyzed Widely Applicable Successive C-C Bond Cleavage in Alcohols to Access Esters

Selective cleavage and functionalization of C-C bonds have important applications in organic synthesis and biomass utilization. However, functionalization of C-C bonds by controlled cleavage remains difficult and challenging because they are inert. Herein, we describe an unprecedented efficient protocol for the breaking of successive C-C bonds in alcohols to form esters with one or multiple carbon atoms less using heterogeneous cobalt nanoparticles as catalyst with dioxygen as the oxidant. A wide range of alcohols including inactive long-chain alkyl aryl alcohols undergo smoothly successive cleavage of adjacent -(C-C)_n - bonds to afford the corresponding esters. The catalyst was used for seven times without any decrease in activity. Characterization and control experiments disclose that cobalt nanoparticles are responsible for the successive cleavage of C-C bonds to achieve excellent catalytic activity, while the presence of Co-N_x has just the opposite effect. Preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that a tandem sequence reaction is involved in this process.

Deconstructive Oxygenation of Unstrained Cycloalkanamines

A deconstructive oxygenation of unstrained primary cycloalkanamines has been developed for the first time using an auto-oxidative aromatization promoted C(sp³ )-C(sp³ ) bond cleavage strategy. This metal-free method involves the substitution reaction of cycloalkanamines with hydrazonyl chlorides and subsequent auto-oxidative annulation to in situ generate pre-aromatics, followed by N-radical-promoted ring-opening and further oxygenation by 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) and m-cholorperoxybenzoic acid (mCPBA). Consequently, a series of 1,2,4-triazole-containing acyclic carbonyl compounds were efficiently produced. This protocol features a one-pot operation, mild reaction conditions, high regioselectivity and ring-opening efficiency, broad substrate scope, and is compatible with alkaloids, osamines, and peptides, as well as steroids.

Acetonitrile Activation: An Effective Two-Carbon Unit for Cyclization

A novel activation of acetonitrile for the construction of cyclobutenones by [2+2] cyclization was developed. Acetonitrile is utilized for the first time as two-carbon (C2) cyclization building block. The present protocol successfully inhibits the competitive cycloaddition with the C≡N bond of acetonitrile, but enables the in situ formation of an unsaturated carbon-carbon bond and the subsequent cycloaddition as a C2 unit. This chemistry features simple reaction conditions, high chemoselectivities, wide substrate scope, and offers a new and practical approach to cyclobutenones and cyclobuteneimines.

Versatility in the Brook Rearrangement for the Selective Ring-Opening of Three-Membered Rings

From a single α-silylated carbinol intermediate, easily accessible by carbometallation of cyclopropenes, various scaffolds featuring a quaternary carbon stereocenter could be obtained selectively. The selectivity towards these different products was achieved by either changing the experimental conditions or the nature of the organometallic species involved.

Dismantling of Vinyl Ethers by Pentanuclear [(iPr3 P)Ni]5 H6 : Facile Cooperative C-O, C-C and C-H Activation Pathways

The [(iPr₃ P)Ni]₅ H₆ cluster (1) and H₂ C=CHOtBu react at room temperature to form the new pentanuclear NiH carbide [(iPr₃ P)Ni]₅ H₄ (C)(CO) (3), along with an equivalent of isobutylene. This transformation requires the activation of multiple unreactive bonds, including C-H, C-C, and C(sp³ )-O bond cleavage. Analysis of the reaction mixture by ¹ H NMR revealed the production of two additional paramagnetic species, assigned as [(iPr₃ P)Ni]₄ H₄ (C-CH₃ )NiOtBu (4 a) and [(iPr₃ P)Ni]₄ H₄ (C-CH₂ OtBu)NiOtBu (5 a), which arise from C(sp² )-O bond cleavage and CH bond rearrangements. The reaction of 1 with H₂ C=CHOSiMe₂ CH₂ Ph produced the isolable 4 a analogue [(iPr₃ P)₄ Ni₅ ]H₄ (CCH₃ )(OSiMe₂ CH₂ Ph) (4 c). An isolable analogue of 5 a was obtained from the reaction of 1 with H₂ C=CHOAd (Ad=1-admantyl), which produced [(iPr₃ P)₄ Ni₅ ]H₄ (CCH₂ OAd)(OAd) (5 d). The utilization of both cluster faces and vertices for bonding substrate fragments in these transformations demonstrates the remarkable flexibility of the robust Ni₅ H₄ core in the cooperative activation of multiple C-O, C-C and C-H bonds.

Fused-Ring Formation by an Intramolecular "Cut-and-Sew" Reaction between Cyclobutanones and Alkynes

The development of a catalytic intramolecular "cut-and-sew" transformation between cyclobutanones and alkynes to construct cyclohexenone-fused rings is described herein. The challenge arises from the need for selective coupling at the more sterically hindered proximal position, and can be addressed by using an electron-rich, but less bulky, phosphine ligand. The control experiment and 13 C-labelling study suggest that the reaction may start with cleavage of the less hindered distal C-C bond of cyclobutanones, followed by decarbonylation and CO reinsertion to enable Rh insertion at the more hindered proximal position.

Rhodium(I)-Catalyzed Carboacylation/Aromatization Cascade Initiated by Regioselective C-C Activation of Benzocyclobutenones

Described here is the first example of a rhodium-catalyzed carboacylation/aromatization cascade of a C=O bond by C-C activation. In this transformation, a reactive rhodaindanone complex is regioselectively generated and adds across a C=O bond with subsequent elimination, thus providing a unique strategy to access a multisubstituted benzofuran scaffold. A diverse range of benzofuran analogues were obtained in good yields. Mechanistic studies show a tricyclic lactone was a viable intermediate. Application of this methodology to the total synthesis of C13-deOH-viniferifuran and C13-deOH-diptoindonesin G was achieved.

Intramolecular Acetyl Transfer to Olefins by Catalytic C-C Bond Activation of Unstrained Ketones

A rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular acetyl-group transfer has been achieved through a "cut and sew" process. The challenge arises from the existence of different competitive pathways. Preliminary success has been achieved with unstrained enones that contain a biaryl linker. The use of an electron-rich N-heterocycilc carbene (NHC) ligand is effective to inhibit undesired β-hydrogen elimination. Various 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene derivatives can be prepared with excellent functional-group compatibility. The 13 C-labelling study suggests that the reaction begins with cleavage of the unstrained C-C bond, followed by migratory insertion and reductive elimination.