Carbon-Halogen Bond Formation by the Reductive Elimination of PdII Species

Aggregation‐enabled alkene insertion into carbon–halogen bonds

Molecular aggregation affects the electronic interactions between molecules and has emerged as a powerful tool in material science. Aggregate effect finds wide applications in the research of new physical phenomena; however, its value for chemical reaction development has been far less explored. Herein, we report the development of aggregation‐enabled alkene insertion into carbon–halogen bonds. The spontaneous cleavage of C–X (X = Cl, Br, or I) bonds generates an intimate ion pair, which can be quickly captured by alkenes in an aggregated state. Additional catalysts or promoters are not necessary under such circumstances, and solvent quenching experiments indicate that the aggregated state is critical for achieving such sequences. The ionic insertion mode is supported by mechanistic studies, density functional theory calculations, and symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory analysis. Results also show that the non‐aggregated state may quench the transition state and terminate the insertion process.

Palladium-catalyzed 1,1-alkynylbromination of alkenes with alkynyl bromides

The palladium-catalyzed 1,1-alkynylbromination of terminal alkenes with a silyl-protected alkynyl bromide is reported. The method tolerates a diverse range of alkenes including vinylarenes, acrylates, and even electronically unbiased alkene derivatives to afford propargylic bromides regioselectively. Mechanistic studies and DFT calculations indicate that the 1,1-alkynylbromination reaction proceeds via the migration of the Pd center followed by the formation of a π-allenyl Pd intermediate, leading to the stereoselective reductive elimination of the C(sp³)–Br bond at the propargylic positon.

The first Pd-catalyzed 1,1-alkynylbromination of terminal alkenes using alkynyl bromides, which provides direct access to a variety of functionalized propargylic bromides without the need for an external brominating reagent, is reported.

Photo-induced 1,2-carbohalofunctionalization of C–C multiple bonds via ATRA pathway

Carbohalofunctionalization of C–C multiple bonds via atom transfer radical processes constitutes an efficient method for the construction of halogenated building blocks with complete atom economy. This review summarizes the recent advancements.

Enantioselective Cross-Exchange between C-I and C-C σ Bonds

A palladium-catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular σ-bond cross-exchange between C-I and C-C bonds is realized, providing chiral indanones bearing an alkyl iodide group and an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter. Pd/TADDOL-derived phosphoramidite is found to be an efficient catalytic system for both C-C bond cleavage and alkyl iodide reductive elimination. In addition to aryl iodides, aryl bromides can also be used for this transformation in the presence of KI. Density-functional theory (DFT) calculation studies support the ring-opening of cyclobutanones occuring through an oxidative addition/reductive elimination process involving Pd^IV species.

Mechanistic insights on the Pd-catalyzed addition of C-X bonds across alkynes - a combined experimental and computational study

The Pd-catalyzed intramolecular addition of carbamoyl chlorides and aryl halides across alkynes is investigated by means of DFT calculations and mechanistic test experiments. The data suggest a mechanistic pathway that involves oxidative addition, alkyne insertion, cis → trans isomerization and reductive elimination. Our data indicate that oxidative addition is the reactivity limiting step in the addition of aryl chlorides and bromides across alkynes. However, for the corresponding addition of carbamoyl chlorides, alkyne insertion is found to be limiting. Full energetic reaction pathways for the intramolecular additions across alkynes are presented herein and the role of ligands, alkyne substituents and tether moieties are discussed. Notably, the calculations could rationalize a pronounced effect of the alkyne substituent, which accounts for the exceptional reactivity of TIPS-substituted alkynes. In particular, the bulky silyl moiety is shown to significantly destabilize the formed Pd(ii)-intermediates, thus facilitating both cis → trans isomerization and reductive elimination, which overall results in a flatter energetic landscape and a therefore increased catalytic efficiency.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Methylene Oxindoles via Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Intramolecular Cross-Coupling of Carbamoyl Chlorides

We report a highly robust, general and stereoselective method for the synthesis of 3-(chloromethylene)oxindoles from alkyne-tethered carbamoyl chlorides using PdCl₂(PhCN)₂ as the catalyst. The transformation involves a stereo- and regioselective chloropalladation of an internal alkyne to generate a nucleophilic vinyl Pd^II species, which then undergoes an intramolecular cross-coupling with a carbamoyl chloride. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions, is insensitive to the presence of moisture and air, and is readily scalable. The products obtained from this reaction are formed with >95:5 Z:E selectivity in nearly all cases and can be used to access biologically relevant oxindole cores. Through combined experimental and computational studies, we provide insight into stereo- and regioselectivity of the chloropalladation step, as well as the mechanism for the C-C bond forming process. Calculations provide support for a mechanism involving oxidative addition into the carbamoyl chloride bond to generate a high valent Pd^IV species, which then undergoes facile C-C reductive elimination to form the final product. Overall, the transformation constitutes a formal Pd^II-catalyzed intramolecular alkyne chlorocarbamoylation reaction.

Methyl Complexes of the Transition Metals

Organometallic chemistry can be considered as a wide area of knowledge that combines concepts of classic organic chemistry, that is, based essentially on carbon, with molecular inorganic chemistry, especially with coordination compounds. Transition-metal methyl complexes probably represent the simplest and most fundamental way to view how these two major areas of chemistry combine and merge into novel species with intriguing features in terms of reactivity, structure, and bonding. Citing more than 500 bibliographic references, this review aims to offer a concise view of recent advances in the field of transition-metal complexes containing M-CH3 fragments. Taking into account the impressive amount of data that are continuously provided by organometallic chemists in this area, this review is mainly focused on results of the last five years. After a panoramic overview on M-CH3 compounds of Groups 3 to 11, which includes the most recent landmark findings in this area, two further sections are dedicated to methyl-bridged complexes and reactivity.

Palladium(0)-Catalyzed Methylcyclopropanation of Norbornenes with Vinyl Bromides and Mechanism Study

An unusual methylcyclopropanation from [2 + 1] cycloadditions of vinyl bromides to norbornenes catalyzed by Pd(OAc)2/PPh3 in the presence of CH3ONa and CH3OH has been established. A methylcyclopropane subunit was installed by a 3-fold domino procedure involving a key protonation course. Preliminary deuterium-labeling studies revealed that the proton came from methyl of CH3OH and also exposed an additional hydrogen/deuterium exchange process. These two proton-concerned reactions were fully chemoselective.

Late-stage fluorination: fancy novelty or useful tool?

Charming fluorine: This Essay examines the recent surge in late-stage fluorination reactions and outlines challenges that need to be overcome to increase the impact of modern fluorination methods on the synthesis of complex organofluorine compounds. It is outlined how an improved understanding of the bonding interactions of fluoride could lead to a new class of mild fluorinating reagents and a range of functional-group-tolerant reactions.

Combining Pd(π-allyl)Cp and PPh3 as a unique catalyst for efficient synthesis of alkyliodo indoles via C(sp3)–I reductive elimination

Alkyl iodides were formed via reductive elimination of alkylpalladium iodides possessing syn-β-hydrogens.