Mild Silver-Mediated Geminal Difluorination of Styrenes Using an Air- and Moisture-Stable Fluoroiodane Reagent

Decennary Update on Oxidative-Rearrangement Involving 1,2-Aryl C-C Migration Around Alkenes: Synthetic and Mechanistic Insights

In recent years, numerous methodologies on oxidative rearrangements of alkenes have been investigated, that produce multipurpose synthons and heterocyclic scaffolds of potential applications. The present review focused on recently established methodologies for oxidative transformation via 1,2-aryl migration in alkenes (2013-2023). Special emphasis has been placed on mechanistic pathways to understand the reactivity pattern of different substrates, challenges to enhance selectivity, the key role of different reagents, and effect of different substituents, and how they affect the rearrangement process. Moreover, synthetic limitations and future direction also have been discussed. We believe, this review offers new synthetic and mechanistic insight to develop elegant precursors and approaches to explore the utilization of alkene-based compounds for natural product synthesis and functional materials.

Catalytic Ring Expanding Difluorination: An Enantioselective Platform to Access β,β-Difluorinated Carbocycles

Cyclic β,β-difluoro-carbonyl compounds have a venerable history as drug discovery leads, but limitations in the synthesis arsenal continue to impede chemical space exploration. This challenge is particularly acute in the arena of fluorinated medium rings where installing the difluoromethylene unit subtly alters the ring conformation by expanding the internal angle (∠C-CF2-C>∠C-CH2-C): this provides a handle to modulate physicochemistry (e.g. pKa). To reconcile this disparity, a highly modular ring expansion has been devised that leverages simple α,β-unsaturated esters and amides, and processes them to one-carbon homologated rings with concomitant geminal difluorination (6 to 10 membered rings, up to 95 % yield). This process is a rare example of the formal difluorination of an internal alkene and is enabled by sequential I(III)-enabled O-activation. Validation of enantioselective catalysis in the generation of unprecedented medium ring scaffolds is reported (up to 93 : 7 e.r.) together with X-ray structural analyses and product derivatization.

Catalytic, Regioselective 1,4-Fluorodifunctionalization of Dienes

A catalysis-based regioselective 1,4-fluorofunctionalization of trifluoromethyl substituted 1,3-dienes has been developed to access compact, highly functionalized products. The process allows E,Z-mixed dienes to be processed to a single E-alkene isomer, and leverages an inexpensive and operationally convenient I(I)/I(III) catalysis platform. The first example of catalytic 1,4-difluorination is disclosed and subsequently evolved to enable 1,4-hetero-difunctionalization, which allows δ-fluoro-alcohol and amine derivatives to be forged in a single operation. The protocol is compatible with a variety of nucleophiles including fluoride, nitriles, carboxylic acids, alcohols and even water thereby allowing highly functionalized products, with a stereocenter bearing both C(sp³ )-F and C(sp³ )-CF₃ groups, to be generated rapidly. Scalability (up to 3 mmol), and facile post-reaction modifications are demonstrated to underscore the utility of the method in expanding organofluorine chemical space.

Electrophilic Fluorination of Alkenes via Bora-Wagner-Meerwein Rearrangement. Access to β-Difluoroalkyl Boronates

The electrophilic fluorination of geminal alkyl substituted vinyl‐Bmida derivatives proceeds via bora‐Wagner–Meerwein rearrangement. According to DFT modelling studies this rearrangement occurs with a low activation barrier via a bora‐cyclopropane shaped TS. The Bmida group has a larger migration aptitude than the alkyl moiety in the Wagner–Meerwein rearrangement of the presented electrophilic fluorination reactions.

Ring Expansion Fluorination of Unactivated Cyclopropanes Mediated by a New Monofluoroiodane(III) Reagent

Herein, we report a new strategy for carbon-carbon bond scission and intramolecular ring expansion fluorination of unactivated cyclopropanes, which was accomplished with a new hypervalent fluoroiodane(III) reagent 1. This novel method delivers medicinally relevant 4-fully substituted fluoropiperidines in moderate to high yields with excellent regio- and diastereoselectivity. Reagent 1, which has an N-acetylbenziodazole framework, was readily synthesized via three steps in 76 % overall yield and was characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Owing to the presence of a secondary I⋅⋅⋅O bonding interaction between the λ³ -iodane atom and the carbonyl oxygen of the acetyl group of the N-acetylbenziodazole framework, 1 has excellent stability and can be stored at ambient temperature for 6 months without any detectable decomposition. Density functional theory calculations and experimental studies showed that the reaction proceeds via a carbocation intermediate that readily combines with a fluoride ion to generate the product.

Trifluorinated Tetralins via I(I)/I(III)-Catalysed Ring Expansion: Programming Conformation by [CH2 CH2 ] → [CF2 CHF] Isosterism

Saturated, fluorinated carbocycles are emerging as important modules for contemporary drug discovery. To expand the current portfolio, the synthesis of novel trifluorinated tetralins has been achieved. Fluorinated methyleneindanes serve as convenient precursors and undergo efficient difluorinative ring expansion with in situ generated p-TolIF2 (>20 examples, up to >95 %). A range of diverse substituents are tolerated under standard catalysis conditions and this is interrogated by Hammett analysis. X-ray analysis indicates a preference for the CH-F bond to occupy a pseudo-axial orientation, consistent with stabilising σC-H →σC-F * interactions. The replacement of the symmetric [CH2 -CH2 ] motif by [CF2 -CHF] removes the conformational degeneracy intrinsic to the parent tetralin scaffold leading to a predictable half-chair. The conformational behavior of this novel structural balance has been investigated by computational analysis and is consistent with stereoelectronic theory.

A Chiral Pentafluorinated Isopropyl Group via Iodine(I)/(III) Catalysis

An I(I)/(III) catalysis strategy to construct an enantioenriched fluorinated isostere of the i Pr group is reported. The difluorination of readily accessible α-CF3 -styrenes is enabled by the in situ generation of a chiral ArIF2 species to forge a stereocentre with the substituents F, CH2 F and CF3 (up to 95 %, >20:1 vicinal:geminal difluorination). The replacement of the metabolically labile benzylic proton results in a highly preorganised scaffold as was determined by X-ray crystallography (π→σ* and stereoelectronic gauche σ→σ* interactions). A process of catalyst editing is disclosed in which preliminary validation of enantioselectivity is placed on a structural foundation.

Electrochemical Vicinal Difluorination of Alkenes: Scalable and Amenable to Electron-Rich Substrates

Fluorinated alkyl groups are important motifs in bioactive compounds, positively influencing pharmacokinetics, potency and conformation. The oxidative difluorination of alkenes represents an important strategy for their preparation, yet current methods are limited in their alkene‐types and tolerance of electron‐rich, readily oxidized functionalities, as well as in their safety and scalability. Herein, we report a method for the difluorination of a number of unactivated alkene‐types that is tolerant of electron‐rich functionality, giving products that are otherwise unattainable. Key to success is the electrochemical generation of a hypervalent iodine mediator using an “ex‐cell” approach, which avoids oxidative substrate decomposition. The more sustainable conditions give good to excellent yields in up to decagram scales.

Radical Hydroboration and Hydrosilylation of gem-Difluoroalkenes: Synthesis of α-Difluorinated Alkylborons and Alkylsilanes

A first example of radical hydroboration and hydrosilylation of gem-difluoroalkenes using ABIN as the radical initiator is described. This protocol features good functional group tolerance, operational simplicity, high atom economy, and easy scale-up, enabling efficient assembly of a wide range of α-difluorinated alkylborons and alkylsilanes in moderate to excellent yields. The synthetic utility of these products is demonstrated by further transformation of the C-B bond and C-Si bond into valuable CF₂-containing molecules.

Palladium-Catalyzed Intermolecular Arylcarbonylation of Unactivated Alkenes: Incorporation of Bulky Aryl Groups at Room Temperature

A palladium-catalyzed intermolecular arylcarbonylation of unactivated alkenes has been developed. Unsymmetrical diaryliodonium salts (DAISs) were used as arylation reagents, the bulky aryl group (Ar_L ) of which was exclusively incorporated into the arylcarbonylated products, which contained the Ar_L group and a carboxylic ester group at the α- and β-carbon position, respectively, of the original terminal C-C double bond. The reaction features excellent chemo- and regioselectivity, high functional-group tolerance, and very mild reaction conditions.

Enantioselective, Catalytic Vicinal Difluorination of Alkenes

The enantioselective, catalytic vicinal difluorination of alkenes is reported by I^I /I^III catalysis using a novel, C₂ -symmetric resorcinol derivative. Catalyst turnover via in situ generation of an ArI^III F₂ species is enabled by Selectfluor oxidation and addition of an inexpensive HF-amine complex. The HF:amine ratio employed in this process provides a handle for regioselective orthogonality as a function of Brønsted acidity. Selectivity reversal from the 1,1-difluorination pathway (geminal) to the desired 1,2-difluorination (vicinal) is disclosed (>20:1 in both directions). Validation with electron deficient styrenes facilitates generation of chiral bioisosteres of the venerable CF₃ unit that is pervasive in drug discovery (20 examples, up to 94:06 e.r.). An achiral variant of the reaction is also presented using p-TolI (up to >95 % yield).

Hypervalent Iodine(III)-Catalyzed Balz-Schiemann Fluorination under Mild Conditions

An unprecedented hypervalent iodine(III) catalyzed Balz-Schiemann reaction is described. In the presence of a hypervalent iodine compound, the fluorination reaction proceeds under mild conditions (25-60 °C), and features a wide substrate scope and good functional-group compatibility.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Geminal Oxyfluorination and Oxytrifluoro-Methylation of Diazocarbonyl Compounds

A new reaction for the rhodium-catalyzed geminal-difunctionalization-based fluorination is presented. The substrates are aromatic and aliphatic diazocarbonyl compounds. As the fluorine source a stable and easily accessible benziodoxole reagent was used. A variety of alcohol, phenol, and carboxylic acid reagents were employed to introduce the second functionality. The reaction was extended to trifluoromethylation using a benziodoxolon reagent. The fluorination and trifluoromethylation reactions probably proceed by a rhodium-containing onium ylide type intermediate, which is trapped by either the F or CF3 electrophiles.

A Fluorination/Aryl Migration/Cyclization Cascade for the Metal-Free Synthesis of Fluoro-Benzoxazepines

Fluorinated organic molecules are of high interest for many applications across chemical and medical disciplines. Efficient methods for the synthesis of such compounds are thus needed. Within this work, application of the bench-stable cyclic hypervalent iodine(III) fluoro reagent 1 facilitated the development of an efficient, metal-free method for the preparation of the novel class of 4-fluoro-1,3-benzoxazepines starting from readily available styrenes. The efficacy and broad applicability of this concept is demonstrated by the synthesis of 20 structurally diverse congeners in high yields, regio-, and diastereoselectivities. The presented method provides complementary chemoselectivity when compared to the common, commercially available electrophilic fluorination reagents, such as selectfluor. First mechanistic investigations with isotopically labeled substrates reveal a complex reaction mechanism, proceeding via an unusual fluorination/1,2-aryl migration/cyclization cascade.

A Versatile Organocatalytic Approach for the Synthesis of Enantioenriched gem-Difluorinated Compounds

The combination of a practical and highly enantioselective organocatalytic reaction, which allows the stereoselective introduction of a benzodithiol group, with a fluorination step, gives a new and effective strategy for the stereoselective synthesis of difluorinated building blocks. The benzodithiol group is a versatile and chameleonic group that can be further functionalized before fluorination, giving customized and tailored useful synthetic strategies. As an example of the application of this facile strategy, the effective enantioselective synthesis of difluoroarundic acid is described.

Catalytic Intramolecular Aminofluorination, Oxyfluorination, and Carbofluorination with a Stable and Versatile Hypervalent Fluoroiodine Reagent

Application of a fluoroiodine analogue of the Togni reagent was studied in fluorocyclization reactions. In the presence of a transition-metal catalyst the applied fluoroiodine reagent can be used for aminofluorination, oxyfluorination, and carbofluorination reactions. The described procedure has a very broad synthetic scope for preparation of functionalized hetero- and isocyclic compounds having a tertiary fluorine substituent.