Ligand-Controlled Cross-Dimerization and -Trimerization of Alkynes under Nickel Catalysis

Chemo-, regio- and stereoselective access to polysubstituted 1,3-dienes via Nickel-catalyzed four-component reactions

1,2-Difunctionalization of alkynes offers a straightforward approach to access polysubstituted alkenes. However, simultaneous multi-component cascade transformations including difunctionalization of two alkynes with both syn- and anti-selectivity in one catalyst system is undeveloped and proves to be a significant challenge. Herein, we report a Nickel-catalyzed four-component reaction to access polysubstituted 1,3-dienes using two terminal alkynes, aryl boroxines, and perfluoroalkyl iodides, wherein the reaction forms three new C-C bonds in a single vessel and serve as a modular strategy to access polysubstituted 1,3-dienes with excellent chemoselectivity, good regioselectivity and exclusive stereoselectivity. Control experiments reveal the plausible reaction mechanism and DFT calculations explain the cause for the formation of this unusual four-component reaction. Furthermore, we successfully incorporate two biologically active units into 1,2,3,4-tetrasubstituted 1,3-dienes, which greatly increases the diversity of molecular scaffolds and brings more potential values to medicinal chemistry, the synthetic utility of our protocol is further demonstrated by the late-stage transformations.

trans-Hydroalkynylation of Internal 1,3-Enynes Enabled by Cooperative Catalysis

A cooperative catalyst system involving a Pd(0)/Senphos complex, tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane, copper bromide, and an amine base, is demonstrated to catalyze trans-hydroalkynylation of internal 1,3-enynes. For the first time, a Lewis acid catalyst is shown to promote the reaction involving the emerging outer-sphere oxidative reaction step. The resulting cross-conjugated dieneynes are versatile synthons for organic synthesis, and their characterization reveals distinct photophysical properties depending on the positioning of the donor/acceptor substituents along the conjugation path.

Regioselectively switchable alkyne cyclotrimerization catalyzed by the system of Ni(II)/bidentate P-ligand/Zn with ZnI2 as additive

A simple catalyst system of Ni(PPh3)2Cl2/dppb or dppm/Zn can effect an efficient and regioselectively controlled alkyne cyclotrimerization to form 1,2,4- (with no additive) or 1,3,5-regioisomers (with the use of ZnI2...

Regio-divergent nickel catalysis: intramolecular [4+2] and [2+2] cycloaddition reactions between vinylallenes and alkynes

Vinylallenes have been recognized as versatile C2 and C4 components for nickel-catalyzed intramolecular [4+2] and [2+2] cycloadditions. The former reaction was promoted by a Ni(0) complex (up to quantitative yield), and a Ni(II) salt was a key species for the latter reaction to give the corresponding regio- and stereocontrolled cycloadducts (up to 88% yield). DFT studies revealed that both reaction pathways involve a concerted mechanism through the activation of different C-C multiple bonds in the substrates.

Late 3d Metal-Catalyzed (Cross-) Dimerization of Terminal and Internal Alkynes

This review will outline the recent advances in chemo-, regio-, and stereoselective (cross-) dimerization of terminal alkynes to generate 1,3-enynes using different types of iron and cobalt catalysts with altering oxidation states of the active species. In general, the used ligands have a crucial effect on the stereoselectivity of the reaction; e.g., bidentate phosphine ligands in cobalt catalysts can generate the E-configured head-to-head dimerization product, while tridentate phosphine ligands can generate either the Z-configured head-to-head dimerization product or the branched head-to-tail isomer. Furthermore, the hydroalkynylation of silyl-substituted acetylenes as donors to internal alkynes as acceptors will be discussed using cobalt and nickel catalysts.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed trans-Hydroalkynylation and trans-Chloroalkynylation of Internal Alkynes

[Cp*RuCl]4 catalyzes the addition of iPr3SiC≡CX (X = H, Cl) across internal alkynes with formation of 1,3-enyne or 1-chloro-1,3-enyne derivatives, respectively; the reaction follows an unorthodox trans-addition mode. The well-balanced affinities of the different reaction partners to the ruthenium catalyst ensure that crossed addition prevails over homodimerization of the individual components, as can be deduced from spectroscopic and crystallographic data of various intermediates; this includes a dinuclear complex in which an internal alkyne bridges two [Cp*RuCl] fragments.

Palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative gem-selective addition of alkynoic acids to terminal alkynes

Alkynoic acids added to terminal alkynes to give gem-1,3-enynes with high selectivity and good yields. In addition, the reaction of alkynoic acids with propiolic acid provided the corresponding gem-1,3-enynes via double decarboxylation.

Ni/Cu-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Addition of Alkynoic Acids to Terminal Alkynes for the Synthesis of gem-1,3-Enynes

The synthesis of gem-1,3-enynes via Ni/Cu-catalyzed decarboxylative addition of alkynoic acids to terminal alkynes has been developed. It was found that the decarboxylation of an alkynoic acid led predominantly to gem-1,3-enynes instead of 1,3-diynes, which have been known to be formed through the coupling of terminal alkynes. A variety of gem-1,3-enynes were obtained in good yields. This catalytic system exhibited excellent regioselectivity and high functional group tolerance.

Synthesis of functionalized unsymmetrical 1,3-butadiene-3-yne derivatives from β-halo styrene derivatives and their application in the synthesis of trisubstituted pyridines

An approach for the synthesis of functionalized unsymmetrical 1,3-butadiene-3-yne derivatives is reported starting from β-halo styrene and phenyl acetylene derivatives in the presence of PdCl₂ and CuI catalysts.

N-Substitution dependent stereoselectivity switch in palladium catalyzed hydroalkynylation of ynamides: a regio and stereoselective synthesis of ynenamides

A palladium catalysed regioselective hydroalkynylation of ynamides for ynenamides is achieved with an N-substitution dependent stereoselectivity switch.

Pyridine-enhanced head-to-tail dimerization of terminal alkynes by a rhodium-N-heterocyclic-carbene catalyst

A general regioselective rhodium-catalyzed head-to-tail dimerization of terminal alkynes is presented. The presence of a pyridine ligand (py) in a Rh-N-heterocyclic-carbene (NHC) catalytic system not only dramatically switches the chemoselectivity from alkyne cyclotrimerization to dimerization but also enhances the catalytic activity. Several intermediates have been detected in the catalytic process, including the π-alkyne-coordinated Rh(I) species [RhCl(NHC)(η(2)-HC≡CCH2Ph)(py)] (3) and [RhCl(NHC){η(2)-C(tBu)≡C(E)CH=CHtBu}(py)] (4) and the Rh(III)-hydride-alkynyl species [RhClH{-C≡CSi(Me)3}(IPr)(py)2] (5). Computational DFT studies reveal an operational mechanism consisting of sequential alkyne C-H oxidative addition, alkyne insertion, and reductive elimination. A 2,1-hydrometalation of the alkyne is the more favorable pathway in accordance with a head-to-tail selectivity.

Rhodium-catalyzed chemo- and regioselective cross-dimerization of two terminal alkynes

Cross-dimerization of terminal arylacetylenes and terminal propargylic alcohols/amides has been achieved in the presence of a rhodium catalyst. This method features high chemo- and regioselectivities rendering convenient and atom economical access to functionalized enynes.

Nickel- and rhodium-catalyzed addition of terminal silylacetylenes to propargyl amines: catalyst-dependent complementary regioselectivity

The cross-addition of terminal silylacetylenes to gamma-arylated propargyl amines occurs efficiently via C-H cleavage by using either a nickel or rhodium catalyst. Taking advantage of the catalyst-controlled switching of regioselectivity in the reaction, both the 2- and 3-alkynylallylamines are readily accessible from the same starting materials.

Nickel-catalyzed, regio- and stereoselective hydroalkynylation of methylenecyclopropanes with retention of the cyclopropane ring, leading to the synthesis of 1-methyl-1-alkynylcyclopropanes

The C-H bond of triisopropylsilylacetylene adds to the C=C bond of substituted methylenecyclopropanes in a regio- and stereoselective manner at room temperature in the presence of nickel catalysts bearing PMePh(2). The C-C bond formation takes place at the internal sp(2) carbon atom with high regioselectivity from the pi face opposite the substituents located in the three-membered rings.