Electrochemical monofluoroalkylation cyclization of N-arylacrylamides to construct monofluorinated 2-oxindoles

An electrochemical monofluoroalkylation cyclization of N-arylacrylamides to synthesize monofluorinated 2-oxindoles has been developed, which employs common dimethyl 2-fluoromalonate as a monofluoroalkyl radical precursor and obviates the use of prefunctionalized monofluoroalkylation reagents and sacrificial oxidants. A variety of monofluorinated nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds were efficiently obtained with satisfactory yields from readily available materials.

Recent progress in aryltrifluoromethylation reactions of carbon-carbon multiple bonds

Due to the increasing relevance of fluorine-containing organic molecules in drug design, the synthesis of organofluorine compounds has gained high significance in synthetic organic chemistry. Trifluoromethylative difunctionalizations of carbon-carbon multiple bonds, with the simultaneous incorporation of a CF 3 group and another functional element, have considerable potential. Because of the high importance of carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions in organic synthesis, carbotrifluoromethylations and, in particular, aryltrifluoromethylations or heteroaryltrifluoromethylations are considered to be increasing fields of synthetic organic chemistry. The aim of the current review is to summarize recent developments of aryltrifluoromethylation or heteroaryltrifluoromethylation reactions.

Catalyst-Free, Direct Electrochemical Tri- and Difluoroalkylation/Cyclization: Access to Functionalized Oxindoles and Quinolinones

The catalyst-free electrochemical di- and trifluoromethylation/cyclization of N-substituted acrylamides was realized under external oxidant-free conditions. The strategy provides expedient access to fluoroalkylated oxindoles and 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2(1 H)-ones with ample scope and broad functional group tolerance by mild, direct electrolysis of sodium sulfinates in an undivided cell. Detailed mechanistic studies provided strong support for a SET-based reaction manifold.

Mn-Mediated Electrochemical Trifluoromethylation/C(sp2)-H Functionalization Cascade for the Synthesis of Azaheterocycles

A general electrohemical strategy for the combined trifluoromethylation/C(sp²)-H functionalization using Langlois' reagent as the CF₃ source under oxidant-free conditions was developed. Using Mn salts as the redox mediator, this method provides an efficient and sustainable means to access a variety of functionalized heterocycles bearing a CF₃ moiety. Detailed mechanistic studies are consistent with the formation of CF₃-bound high oxidation state Mn species, suggesting a transition-metal-mediated CF₃ transfer mechanism for this trifluoromethylation/C(sp²)-H functionalization process.

Transition metal-free synthesis of fluoroalkylated oxindoles via base-mediated fluoroalkylation of N-arylacrylamides with RFI

A novel method for synthesizing fluoroalkylated oxindoles by the cyclization of N-arylacrylamides with fluoroalkyl iodide initiated with K₂CO₃ is reported.

Synthesis of trifluoromethyl-containing isoindolinones from tertiary enamides via a cascade radical addition and cyclization process

A radical trifluoromethylation reaction of tertiary enamides was investigated and trifluoromethyl-containing isoindolinones were prepared under mild conditions. Using TMSCF₃ as a radical source, PhI(OAc)₂ as an oxidant and KHF₂ as an additive, tertiary enamides were converted to isoindolinones via a cascade addition and cyclization process in moderate to good yields.

Radical trifluoromethylation and cyclization of tertiary enamides was developed and trifluoromethyl-containing isoindolinones were obtained in moderate to good yields.

CF3SO2X (X = Na, Cl) as reagents for trifluoromethylation, trifluoromethylsulfenyl-, -sulfinyl- and -sulfonylation. Part 1: Use of CF3SO2Na

Sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate, CF3SO2Na, and trifluoromethanesulfonyl chloride, CF3SO2Cl, are two popular reagents that are widely used for the direct trifluoromethylation of a large range of substrates. Further, these two reagents are employed for the direct trifluoromethylsulfenylation and trifluoromethylsulfinylation, the introduction of the SCF3 and the S(O)CF3 group, respectively. In addition to the aforementioned reactions, the versatility of these two reagents is presented in other reactions such as sulfonylation and chlorination. This first part is dedicated to sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate.

Tandem radical cyclization to construct poly-brominated 2-oxindoles

A metal-free aerobic way to construct tribromomethylated poly-brominated 2-oxindoles from reaction of N-arylacrylamides with CBr₄via a tandem radical cyclization process was discovered. The formation of the 1,1-dibromoolefin derivatives was also realized at higher temperature.

Synthesis of isoxazoline-featured oxindoles by iminoxyl radical-promoted cascade oxyalkylation/alkylarylation of alkenes

Isoxazoline-featured oxindoles were synthesized by the reaction of β,γ-unsaturated ketoximes with N-arylacrylamides via iminoxyl radical-promoted cascade intra/intermolecular oxyalkylation/alkylarylation of alkenes.

Electrophilic trifluoromethylation of carbonyl compounds and their nitrogen derivatives under copper catalysis

Recent advances in copper-catalyzed electrophilic trifluoromethylation of carbonyl compounds and their nitrogen derivatives are highlighted with particular focus on C–CF₃ bond forming reactions.

Regioselective oxidative trifluoromethylation of imidazoheterocycles via C(sp2)-H bond functionalization

Catalytic oxidative trifluoromethylation of imidazopyridines has been carried out at room temperature through the functionalization of the sp(2) C-H bond employing Langlois reagent under ambient air. A library of 3-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with broad functionalities have been synthesized regioselectively. This methodology is also applicable to imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole and benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole.

Visible light induced radical cyclization of o-iodophenylacrylamides: a concise synthesis of indolin-2-one

Radical cyclization of o-iodophenylacrylamides afforded indolin-2-ones in good yields.

Recent advances of transition-metal catalyzed radical oxidative cross-couplings

CONSPECTUS: Oxidative cross-coupling reactions between two nucleophiles are a powerful synthetic strategy to synthesize various kinds of functional molecules. Along with the development of transition-metal-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling reactions, chemists are applying more and more first-row transition metal salts (Fe, Co, etc.) as catalysts. Since first-row transition metals often can go through multiple chemical valence changes, those oxidative cross-couplings can involve single electron transfer processes. In the meantime, chemists have developed diverse mechanistic hypotheses of these types of reactions. However, none of these hypotheses have led to conclusive reaction pathways until now. From studying both our own work and that of others in this field, we believe that radical oxidative cross-coupling reactions can be classified into four models based on the final bond formations. In this Account, we categorize and summarize these models. In model I, one of the starting nucleophiles initially loses one electron to generate its corresponding radical under oxidative conditions. Then, bond formations between this radical and another nucleophile create a new radical, [Nu(1)-Nu(2)](•), followed by a further radical oxidation step to generate the cross-coupling product. The radical oxidative alkenylation with olefin, radical oxidative arylative-annulation, and radical oxidative amidation are examples of this model. In model II, one of the starting nucleophiles loses its two electrons via two steps of single-electron-transfer to generate an electrophilic intermediate, followed by a direct bond formation with the other nucleophile. For example, the oxidative C-O coupling of benzylic sp(3) C-H bonds with carboxylic acids and oxidative C-N coupling of aldehydes with amides are members of this model group. For model III, both nucleophiles are oxidized to their corresponding radicals. Then, the radicals combine to form the final coupling product. The dioxygen-involved radical oxidative cross-couplings between sulfinic acids and olefins or alkynes belong to this bond formation model. Lastly, in model IV, one nucleophile loses two electrons to generate an electrophilic intermediate, while the other nucleophile loses one electron to generate a radical. Then, a bond forms between the cation and the radical to generate a cationic radical, followed by a one-electron reduction to afford the final coupling product. The oxidative coupling between arylboronic acids and simple ethers was classified in this model. At the current stage, there are only a few examples presented for models III and IV, but they represent two types of potentially important transformations. More and more examples of these two models will be developed in the future.

Addition of CF3 across unsaturated moieties: a powerful functionalization tool

This review summarizes recent methodologies for the simultaneous formation of C–CF₃ and C–C or C–heteroatom bonds by formal addition reactions to alkenes.

In the last few years, the efficient introduction of trifluoromethyl groups in organic molecules has become a major research focus. This review highlights the recent developments enabling the incorporation of CF₃ groups across unsaturated moieties, preferentially alkenes, and the mechanistic scenarios governing these transformations. We have specially focused on methods involving the simultaneous formation of C–CF₃ and C–C or C–heteroatom bonds by formal addition reactions across π-systems, as such difunctionalization processes hold valuable synthetic potential.

Iron-catalyzed radical aryldifluoromethylation of activated alkenes to difluoromethylated oxindoles

An iron-catalyzed aryldifluoromethylation of activated alkenes has been developed, which is a rare example where a cosolvent is used to improve the yield along with Fenton's reagent.