Modular and Diverse Synthesis of Acrylamides by Palladium-Catalyzed Hydroaminocarbonylation of Acetylene

The development of all kinds of covalent drugs had a major impact on the improvement of the human health system. Covalent binding to target proteins is achieved by so-called electrophilic warheads, which are incorporated in the respective drug molecule. In the last decade, specifically acrylamides emerged as attractive warheads in covalent drug design. Herein, a straightforward palladium-catalyzed hydroaminocarbonylation of acetylene has been developed, allowing a modular and diverse synthesis of bio-active acrylamides. This general protocol features high atom efficiency, wide functional group compatibility, high chemoselectivity and proceeds additive free under mild reaction conditions. The synthetic utility of this protocol is showcased in the synthesis of ibrutinib, osimertinib, and other bio-active compound derivatives.

Divergent Aminocarbonylations of Alkynes Enabled by Photoredox/Nickel Dual Catalysis

A metallaphotoredox-catalyzed strategy for the selective and divergent aminocarbonylation of alkynes with amines and 1 atm of CO is reported. This synergistic protocol not only enables the Markovnikov-selective hydroaminocarbonylation of alkynes to afford α,β-unsaturated amides, but also facilitates a sequential four-component hydroaminocarbonylation/radical alkylation in the presence of tertiary and secondary alkyl boronate esters, which allows for straightforward conversion of alkynes into corresponding amides. Preliminary mechanistic studies disclose that a photoinduced oxidative insertion of aniline and CO into nickel followed by a migratory insertion of (carbamoyl)nickel species could be involved.

Carbonylation of C-N Bonds in Tertiary Amines Catalyzed by Low-Valent Iron Catalysts

The first iron catalysts able to promote the formal insertion of CO into the C-N bond of amines are reported. Using low-valent iron complexes, including K₂ [Fe(CO)₄ ], amides are formed from aromatic and aliphatic amines, in the presence of an iodoalkane promoter. Inorganic Lewis acids, such as AlCl₃ and Nd(OTf)₃ , have a positive influence on the catalytic activity of the iron salts, enabling the carbonylation at a low pressure of CO (6 to 8 bars).

Pd-catalyzed synthesis of α,β-unsaturated ketones by carbonylation of vinyl triflates and nonaflates

A general and highly chemoselective Pd-catalyzed protocol for the synthesis of α,β-unsaturated ketones by carbonylation of vinyl triflates and nonaflates is presented. Applying the specific monophosphine ligand cataCXium® A, the synthesis of various vinyl ketones as well as carbonylated natural product derivatives proceeds in good yields.

Direct oxidative amidation of aldehydes with amines catalyzed by heteropolyanion-based ionic liquids under solvent-free conditions via a dual-catalysis process

A heteropolyanion-based ionic liquid catalyzed oxidative amidation of aldehydes with amines via a dual-catalysis pathway has been reported.

Discrete iron complexes for the selective catalytic reduction of aromatic, aliphatic, and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes under water-gas shift conditions

Iron-catalyzed reductions: Selective iron-catalyzed reduction of aldehydes with hydrogen generated in situ by the water-gas shift reaction is presented (see scheme). The generality and selectivity of this mild procedure are demonstrated by the efficient reduction of various aromatic, aliphatic and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes.

Benign catalysis with iron: unique selectivity in catalytic isomerization reactions of olefins

The use of noble metal catalysts in homogeneous catalysis has been well established. Due to their price and limited availability, there is growing interest in the substitution of such precious metal complexes with readily available and bio-relevant catalysts. In particular, iron is a "rising star" in catalysis. Herein, we present a general and selective iron-catalyzed monoisomerization of olefins, which allows for the selective generation of 2-olefins. Typically, common metal complexes give mixtures of various internal olefins. Both bulk-scale terminal olefins and functionalized terminal olefins give the corresponding products under mild conditions in good to excellent yields. The proposed reaction mechanism was elucidated by in situ NMR studies and supported by DFT calculations and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements.

Efficient copper(II)-catalyzed transamidation of non-activated primary carboxamides and ureas with amines

Amid(e) them all: primary carboxamides and ureas react with aromatic and aliphatic amines in the presence of a copper catalyst to give a wide range of functionalized amides.