Continuous-Flow Synthesis of Biaryls Enabled by Multistep Solid-Handling in a Lithiation/Borylation/Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling Sequence

Cyanide-Free Cyanation of sp2 and sp-Carbons by Oxazole based Masked CN Source Using Flow Microreactors

We herein report a cyanide-free continuous-flow process for cyanation of sp 2 and sp carbons to synthesize aryl, vinyl and acetylenic nitriles from (5-methyl-2-phenyloxazol-4-yl) boronic acid [OxBA] reagent as a sole source of carbon-bound masked -CN source. Non-toxic and stable OxBA reagent is generated by lithiation-borylation of bromo-oxazole, and the consecutive Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling with aryl, vinyl, or acetylenic halides and demasking [4 + 2]/retro-[4 + 2] sequence were successfully accomplished to give the desired cyano compounds with reasonably good yields in a four-step flow manner. A unique feature of this cyanation protocol in flow enables to cyanate a variety of sp 2 and sp carbons to produce a broad spectrum of aryl acetonitrile. It is envisaged that the OxBA based cyanation would replace existing unstable and toxic approaches as well as non-toxic cyanation using two different sources of "C" and "N" to incorporate the -CN group.

"Snapshot" Trapping of Multiple Transient Azolyllithiums in Batch

Recent developments in flow microreactor technology have allowed the use of transient organolithium compounds that cannot be realized in a batch reactor. However, trapping the transient aryllithiums in a "halogen dance" is still challenging. Herein is reported the trapping of such short-lived azolyllithiums in a batch reactor by developing a finely tuned in situ zincation using zinc halide diamine complexes. The reaction rate is controlled by the appropriate choice of diamine ligand. The reaction is operationally simple and can be performed at 0 °C with high reproducibility on a multigram scale. This method was applicable to a wide range of brominated azoles allowing deprotonative functionalization, which was used for the concise divergent syntheses of both constitutional isomers of biologically active azoles.

Assessing the possibilities of designing a unified multistep continuous flow synthesis platform

The multistep flow synthesis of complex molecules has gained momentum over the last few years. A wide range of reaction types and conditions have been integrated seamlessly on a single platform including in-line separation as well as monitoring. Beyond merely getting considered as 'flow version' of conventional 'one-pot synthesis', multistep flow synthesis has become the next generation tool for creating libraries of new molecules. Here we give a more 'engineering' look at the possibility of developing a 'unified multistep flow synthesis platform'. A detailed analysis of various scenarios is presented considering 4 different classes of drugs already reported in the literature. The possible complexities that an automated and controlled platform needs to handle are also discussed in detail. Three different design approaches are proposed: (i) one molecule at a time, (ii) many molecules at a time and (iii) cybernetic approach. Each approach would lead to the effortless integration of different synthesis stages and also at different synthesis scales. While one may expect such a platform to operate like a 'driverless car' or a 'robo chemist' or a 'transformer', in reality, such an envisaged system would be much more complex than these examples.

Continuous-Flow Synthesis of Biaryls by Negishi Cross-Coupling of Fluoro- and Trifluoromethyl-Substituted (Hetero)arenes

A continuous-flow method for the regioselective arylation of fluoroarenes and fluoropyridines has been developed. The telescoped procedure reported here consists of a three-step metalation, zincation, and Negishi cross-coupling sequence, providing efficient access to a variety of functionalized 2-fluorobiaryl products. Precise temperature control of the metalation step, made possible by continuous-flow technology, allowed for the efficient preparation of the arylated products in high yields and short residence times. Additionally, several examples of the regioselective arylation of benzotrifluoride derivatives are also provided.

Highly functionalized biaryls via Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling catalyzed by Pd@MOF under batch and continuous flow regimes

A diverse set of more than 40 highly functionalized biaryls was synthesized successfully through the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction catalyzed by Pd nanoparticles supported in a functionalized mesoporous MOF (8 wt % Pd@MIL-101(Cr)-NH2 ). This could be achieved under some of the mildest conditions reported to date and a strong control over the leaching of metallic species could be maintained, despite the presence of diverse functional groups and/or several heteroatoms. Some of the targeted molecules are important intermediates in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and we clearly exemplify the versatility of this catalytic system, which affords better yields than currently existing commercial procedures. Most importantly, Pd@MIL-101-NH2 was packed in a micro-flow reactor, which represents the first report of metallic nanoparticles supported on MOFs employed in flow chemistry for catalytic applications. A small library of 11 isolated compounds was created in a continuous experiment without replacing the catalyst, demonstrating the potential of the catalyst for large-scale applications.

Continuous flow magnesiation of functionalized heterocycles and acrylates with TMPMgCl⋅LiCl

A flow procedure for the metalation of functionalized heterocycles (pyridines, pyrimidines, thiophenes, and thiazoles) and various acrylates using the strong, non-nucleophilic base TMPMgCl⋅LiCl is reported. The flow conditions allow the magnesiations to be performed under more convenient conditions than the comparable batch reactions, which often require cryogenic temperatures and long reaction times. Moreover, the flow reactions are directly scalable without further optimization. Metalation under flow conditions also allows magnesiations that did not produce the desired products under batch conditions, such as the magnesiation of sensitive acrylic derivatives. The magnesiated species are subsequently quenched with various electrophiles, thereby introducing a broad range of functionalities.

tBu3P-Coordinated 2-Phenylaniline-Based Palladacycle Complex As Precatalyst for Pd-Catalyzed Coupling Reactions of Aryl Halides with Polyfluoroarenes via C-H Activation Strategy

tBu3P-Coordinated 2-phenylaniline-based palladacycle complex was demonstrated to be an efficient precatalyst for Pd-catalyzed coupling reactions of aryl halides with polyfluoroarenes via C-H activation strategy. The readily accessibility and easy handling nature of tBu3P- coordinated 2-aminobiphenyl-based palladacycle complex and the high yields of the reaction makes tBu3P-coordinated 2-aminobiphenyl-based palladacycle complex an attractive precatalyst for the cross-coupling reaction of aryl halides with polyfluoroarenes.

Novel process windows for enabling, accelerating, and uplifting flow chemistry

Novel Process Windows make use of process conditions that are far from conventional practices. This involves the use of high temperatures, high pressures, high concentrations (solvent-free), new chemical transformations, explosive conditions, and process simplification and integration to boost synthetic chemistry on both the laboratory and production scale. Such harsh reaction conditions can be safely reached in microstructured reactors due to their excellent transport intensification properties. This Review discusses the different routes towards Novel Process Windows and provides several examples for each route grouped into different classes of chemical and process-design intensification.