Metal-free radical selenothiocyanation of terminal and internal alkynes

We report herein a synthetic strategy for the generation of direct selenothiocyanation from both terminal and internal alkynes via a radical process. Alkynes derived from bioactive molecules, such as L(-)-borneol and L-menthol, are suitable for selenothiocyanation reaction. This method features metal-free conditions and readily available reagents.

Reactions of alkynes with C-S bond formation: recent developments

Alkynes are important in organic synthesis. This review mainly focuses on recent advances (2013-2023) on alkynes with C-S bond formation, based on more than 30 types of sulfur reagents. The reactions of alkynes with various sulfur-containing compounds including RSSR (disulfides), RSH (thiols), S8 (elemental sulphur), alkynyl thioethers, RSCN, AgSCF3, K2S, Na2S, dithiane, RSCl, NFSI, RNCS, EtOCS2K, thiocarbamate, RSONH2, thiourea, sulfoxide, RSO2N3, CS2, RSO2NH2, RSO2NHNH2, RSO2Cl, RSO2Oar, RSO2SR', DABCO·(SO2)2, Na2S2O5, K2S2O5, RSO2H, RSO2Na and related compounds are discussed. Diverse mechanisms such as radical, electrophilic/nucleophilic addition, rearrangement, C-C bond cleavage, and CuAAC are discussed. The content is organized by substrates and reactivity patterns. We hope it will help in future research in this area.

Synthesis of 4-functionalized pyrazoles via oxidative thio- or selenocyanation mediated by PhICl2 and NH4SCN/KSeCN

A series of 4-thio/seleno-cyanated pyrazoles was conveniently synthesized from 4-unsubstituted pyrazoles using NH4SCN/KSeCN as thio/selenocyanogen sources and PhICl2 as the hypervalent iodine oxidant. This metal-free approach was postulated to involve the in situ generation of reactive thio/selenocyanogen chloride (Cl-SCN/SeCN) from the reaction of PhICl2 and NH4SCN/KSeCN, followed by an electrophilic thio/selenocyanation of the pyrazole skeleton.

Recent Advancement on the Indirect or Combined Alternative Thiocyanate Sources for the Construction of S-CN Bonds

The process of thiocyanation is a notable chemical conversion owing to the extensive range of applications associated with thiocyanate compounds in the field of organic chemistry. In past centuries, the thiocyanation reaction incorporated metal thiocyanates or thiocyanate salts as sources of thiocyanate, which are environmentally detrimental and undesirable. In recent literature, there have been numerous instances where combined or indirect alternative sources of thiocyanate have been employed as agents for thiocyanation, showcasing their noteworthy applications. The present literature review focuses on elucidating the ramifications associated with the utilization of indirect or combined alternative sources of thiocyanate in various thiocyanation reactions.

Recent advances in radical thiocyanation cyclization or spirocyclization reactions

Organic thiocyanates are valuable biological moities and drug-building blocks. They can also transform effectively into thioethers, thiols, alkynyl thioethers, and thiocarbamates in synthetic chemistry. With respect to the merits of thiocyanates, many chemists and our research team have developed diverse strategies to access SCN-revised heterocycles/spirocycles via an effective radical cyclization process. Hence, this review article first describes the importance/application of thiocyanates. Subsequently, it summarizes the reaction conditions, substrate scopes, and plausible mechanism, respectively, of the excellent work stated above.

Synthesis of 3-Thiocyanobenzothiophene via Difunctionalization of Active Alkyne Promoted by Electrochemical-Oxidation

A novel and green method for the synthesis of 3-thiocyanatobenzothiophenes via electrochemical-oxidation promoted difunctionalization of active alkyne has been developed. In this protocol, inexpensive and easily available potassium thiocyanate was chosen as the thiocyanation reagent, 2-alkynylthioanisoles as the substrates, a variety of 3-thiocyanatobenzothiophenes were obtained in moderate to good yields under oxidant- and catalyst-free conditions. Moreover, the continuous flow system has good applicability for this transformation, the use of continuous flow system has overcome the disadvantage of low efficiency in traditional electrochemical amplification, and realized the stable and excellent yields of target products in the scale-up reactions.

Palladium-Catalyzed Tandem Nucleophilic Addition/C-H Functionalization of Anilines and Bromoalkynes for the Synthesis of 2-Phenylindoles

A novel and efficient palladium-catalyzed annulation of anilines with bromoalkynes for the synthesis of 2-phenylindoles has been described. This approach features excellent regio- and stereoselectivities and good functional group tolerance. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that anilines undergo anti-nucleophilic addition to bromoalkynes to generate (Z)-N-(2-bromo-1-phenylvinyl) anilines, followed by sequential C-H functionalization to deliver different substituted 2-phenylindoles. This method provides potential applications for the construction of various biologically active compounds.

Transition-metal-free Synthesis of tetra-substituted Vinyl Iodides by Cascade Sequential Reaction of α-Keto Acids, 1-Iodoalkynes, and Alkyl Halides

The cascade sequential reaction of α-keto acids, 1-iodoalkynes, and alkyl halides are reported herein to synthesize tetra-substituted vinyl iodides. It represents an efficient protocol to access a diverse range of tetra-substituted vinyl iodides starting from simple materials in a one-pot fashion, featuring mild reaction conditions, ease of operation, and broad substrate scope.

Silver-catalyzed direct selanylation of indoles: synthesis and mechanistic insights

Herein we describe the Ag(i)-catalyzed direct selanylation of indoles with diorganoyl diselenides. The reaction gave 3-selanylindoles with high regioselectivity and also allowed direct access to 2-selanylindoles when the C3 position of the indole ring was blocked via a process similar to Plancher rearrangement. Experimental analyses and density functional theory calculations were carried out in order to picture the reaction mechanism. Among the pathways considered (via concerted metalation-deprotonation, Ag(iii), radical, and electrophilic aromatic substitution), our findings support a classic electrophilic aromatic substitution via Lewis adducts between Ag(i) and diorganoyl diselenides. The results also afforded new insights into the interactions between Ag(i) and diorganoyl diselenides.

Palladium-catalyzed oxidative C-H activation/annulation of N-alkylanilines with bromoalkynes: access to functionalized 3-bromoindoles

A straightforward approach to the synthesis of 3-bromoindoles via palladium-catalyzed oxidative C-H activation/annulation of N-alkylanilines with bromoalkynes has been described. This protocol features high atom economy, excellent chemo- and regioselectivities, and good functional group tolerance. Moreover, the resultant 3-bromoindoles can be transformed to various functionalized indole derivatives, which demonstrates the practicability of this method in organic synthesis.

PhICl2-Mediated Regioselective and Electrophilic Oxythio/Selenocyanation of o-(1-Alkynyl)benzoates: Access to Biologically Active S/SeCN-Containing Isocoumarins

The application of PhICl₂/NH₄SCN and PhICl₂/KSeCN reagent systems to the synthesis of the biologically active S/SeCN-containing isocoumarins via a process involving thio/selenocyanation, enabled by thio/selenocyanogen chloride generated in situ, followed with an intramolecular lactonization was realized. Gram-scale synthesis, further derivatization to access C4 thio/selenocyanated Xyridin A and anti-tumor activities of the obtained products highlight the potential use of this method.

Widely applicable (radio)dihalogenation of alkynes and alkenes using two different nucleophilic alkali metal halides

A hydrogen bond donor solvent-assisted highly regio- and stereoselective difunctionalization of alkynes and alkenes using two nucleophilic alkali metal salts as halogenation reagents.

Oxidative thiocyanation of allylic alcohols: an easy access to allylic thiocyanates with K2S2O8 and NH4SCN

A practical method for the synthesis of allylic thioacyanates from allylic alcohols was disclosed employing K2S2O8 as the oxidant and NH4SCN as the thiocyanate source.

Boron-doped TiO2 (B-TiO2): visible-light photocatalytic difunctionalization of alkenes and alkynes

Boron-doped TiO₂ (B-TiO₂) was prepared, characterized, and applied as a reusable, inexpensive, and available heterogeneous nanophotocatalyst under visible light for the synthesis of phenacyl thiocyanates.

Transition Metal-Catalyzed Reactions of Alkynyl Halides

BACKGROUND

Transition metal-catalyzed reactions of alkynyl halides are a versatile means of synthesizing a wide array of products. Their use is of particular interest in cycloaddition reactions and in constructing new carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds. Transition metal-catalyzed reactions of alkynyl halides have successfully been used in [4+2], [2+2], [2+2+2] and [3+2] cycloaddition reactions. Many carbon-carbon coupling reactions take advantage of metal-catalyzed reactions of alkynyl halides, including Cadiot-Chodkiewicz, Suzuki-Miyaura, Stille, Kumada-Corriu and Inverse Sonogashira reactions. All the methods of constructing carbon-nitrogen, carbon-oxygen, carbon-phosphorus, carbon-sulfur, carbon-silicon, carbon-selenium and carbon-tellurium bonds employed alkynyl halides.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this review is to highlight and summarize research conducted in transition metalcatalyzed reactions of alkynyl halides in recent years. The focus will be placed on cycloaddition and coupling reactions, and their scope and applicability to the synthesis of biologically important and industrially relevant compounds will be discussed.

CONCLUSION

It can be seen from the review that the work done on this topic has employed the use of many different transition metal catalysts to perform various cycloadditions, cyclizations, and couplings using alkynyl halides. The reactions involving alkynyl halides were efficient in generating both carbon-carbon and carbonheteroatom bonds. Proposed mechanisms were included to support the understanding of such reactions. Many of these reactions face retention of the halide moiety, allowing additional functionalization of the products, with some new products being inaccessible using their standard alkyne counterparts.

Efficient synthesis of 1-iodoalkynes via Al2O3 mediated reaction of terminal alkynes and N-iodosuccinimide

Iodination of terminal alkynes using N-iodosuccinimide (NIS) in the presence of γ-Al2O3 was developed to afford 1-iodoalkynes with good to excellent yields (up to 99%). This described approach featured excellent chemoselectivity, good functional group tolerance, and utilization of an inexpensive catalyst.

NCS-promoted thiocyanation and selenocyanation of pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines

An efficient NCS-promoted thiocyanation of pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines with NH₄SCN or KSCN was developed. Moreover, in the presence of KSeCN, the selenocyanation of pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines was also achieved.

Regio- and stereoselective thiocyanatothiolation of alkynes and alkenes by using NH4SCN and N-thiosuccinimides

A highly regioselective thiocyanatothiolation of alkynes and alkenes assisted by hydrogen bonding under simple and mild conditions is developed. Our thiocyanatothiolation reagents are readily available ammonium thiocyanate and N-thiosuccinimides. This metal-free system offers good chemical yields for a wide range of alkyne and alkene substrates with good functional group tolerance.

A highly regioselective thiocyanatothiolation of alkynes assisted by hydrogen bonding under simple and mild conditions is developed.

Lewis-Acid-Mediated Thiocyano Semipinacol Rearrangement of Allylic Alcohols for Construction of α-Quaternary Center β-Thiocyano Carbonyls

An electrophilic thiocyano semipinacol rearrangement of allylic alcohols has been achieved for the first time by using N-thiocyano-dibenzenesulfonimide (NTSI). This approach provides a direct, simple, and efficient strategy for the formation of thiocyano carbonyl compounds with moderate to excellent yields. Meanwhile, an all-carbon quaternary center was rapidly constructed. In addition, an asymmetric version of this tandem reaction was preliminarily investigated.

TMSCl-Catalyzed Electrophilic Thiocyano Oxyfunctionalization of Alkenes Using N-Thiocyano-dibenzenesulfonimide

Numerous electrophilic thiocyano oxyfunctionalization reactions of alkenes have been achieved using N-thiocyano-dibenzenesulfonimide, which is a new electrophilic thiocyanation reagent and could be easily prepared in two steps from dibenzenesulfonimide. This approach provides efficient, simple, and modular methods for the formation of SCN-containing heterocycles such as lactones, tetrahydrofurans, dihydrofurans, and dihydrobenzofurans in moderate to excellent yields. Meanwhile, diverse oxa-quaternary centers were rapidly constructed. Additionally, this protocol is free of transition metals and features broad substrate toleraance and mild reaction conditions.

Metal-free difunctionalization of alkynes leading to alkenyl dithiocyanates and alkenyl diselenocyanates at room temperature

A simple and practical method for the synthesis of alkenyl dithiocyanates and alkenyl diselenocyanates has been developed via stereoselective difunctionalization of alkynes with NaSCN or KSeCN at room temperature. Through this methodology, a series of alkenyl dithiocyanates and alkenyl diselenocyanates could be efficiently and conveniently obtained in moderate to good yields under mild and metal-free conditions by the simple use of oxone and PhI(OAc)2 as the oxidants.

N-Fluorobenzenesulfonimide as a highly effective Ag(i)-catalyst attenuator for tryptamine-derived ynesulfonamide cycloisomerization

N-Fluorobenzenesulfonimide was identified for the first time as a unique Ag(i)-catalyst attenuator in the annulation of a tryptamine-derived ynesulfonamide to an azepino[4,5-b]indole.

Employing thiocyanate salts as a nitrogen source via CN bond cleavage: divergent synthesis of α-ketoamides and 2-acyloxazoles

A switchable procedure for the synthesis of α-ketoamides and 2-acyloxazoles from aryl methyl ketones and thiocyanate salts is reported.

PIDA-mediated α-C–H functionalization of enaminones: the synthesis of thiocyano enaminones and chromones in water

Herein, an efficient, metal-free process for the α-C–H thiocyanation of enaminones was developed using PhI(OAc)₂ as an oxidant at room temperature in an aqueous medium.

N-Thiocyanato-dibenzenesulfonimide: a new electrophilic thiocyanating reagent with enhanced reactivity

N-Thiocyanato-dibenzenesulfonimide: a new electrophilic thiocyanating reagent was readily prepared and exhibited enhanced reactivity with a wide scope of substrates.

BiCl3-Mediated direct functionalization of unsaturated C–C bonds with an electrophilic SCF2PO(OEt)2 reagent

A general access to challenging and unprecedented C(sp)–, C(sp²)– and C(sp³)–SCF₂PO(OEt)₂ bonds via a BiCl₃ mediated transformation.

Palladium-catalyzed primary amine-directed regioselective mono- and di-alkynylation of biaryl-2-amines

Palladium-catalyzed primary amine-directed controlled alkynylation of biaryl-2-amines has been developed by using haloalkynes as an alkynylating reagent.

Photocatalytic difunctionalisations of alkenes with N-SCN sulfoximines

Reacting N-Br sulfoximines with ammonium thiocyanate leads to unprecedented sulfur reagents, which add to vinyl arenes under photocatalysis via N-centered sulfoximidoyl radicals.

Iodine-mediated regio- and stereoselective iodothiocyanation of alkynes in aqueous ethanol

Iodothiocyanation of alkynes with ammonium thiocyanate (NH₄SCN) and molecular iodine (I₂) has been described under transition-metal-free conditions in green aqueous ethanol. A series of β-iodo vinylthiocyanates were obtained from functional alkynes in good to excellent isolated yields. The synthetic protocol has the advantages of operational simplicity, broad substrate scope, good stereo-selectivity, the use of easily available starting materials.

Nucleophilic trifluoromethylthiolation of bromoalkynones with AgSCF3: C(sp)–SCF3 bond formation towards ynonyl trifluoromethyl sulfides

C(sp)–SCF₃ bond formation via the AgSCF₃ mediated nucleophilic trifluoromethylthiolation of bromoalkynones, delivering various ynonyl trifluoromethyl sulfides in high yields.