A Nickel(II)-Mediated Thiocarbonylation Strategy for Carbon Isotope Labeling of Aliphatic Carboxamides

A series of pharmaceutically relevant small molecules and biopharmaceuticals bearing aliphatic carboxamides have been successfully labeled with carbon-13. Key to the success of this novel carbon isotope labeling technique is the observation that ¹³ C-labeled Ni^II -acyl complexes, formed from a ¹³ CO insertion step with Ni^II -alkyl intermediates, rapidly react in less than one minute with 2,2'-dipyridyl disulfide to quantitatively form the corresponding 2-pyridyl thioesters. Either the use of ¹³ C-SilaCOgen or ¹³ C-COgen allows for the stoichiometric addition of isotopically labeled carbon monoxide. Subsequent one-pot acylation of a series of structurally diverse amines provides the desired ¹³ C-labeled carboxamides in good yields. A single electron transfer pathway is proposed between the Ni^II -acyl complexes and the disulfide providing a reactive Ni^III -acyl sulfide intermediate, which rapidly undergoes reductive elimination to the desired thioester. By further optimization of the reaction parameters, reaction times down to only 11 min were identified, opening up the possibility of exploring this chemistry for carbon-11 isotope labeling. Finally, this isotope labeling strategy could be adapted to the synthesis of ¹³ C-labeled liraglutide and insulin degludec, representing two antidiabetic drugs.

Ligand-Controlled Copper-Catalyzed Regiodivergent Carbonylative Synthesis of α-Amino Ketones and α-Boryl Amides from Imines and Alkyl Iodides

Regioselective transformation is among the long-standing challenges in organic synthesis. In this communication, a copper-catalyzed selectivity controlled regiodivergent borocarbonylation of imines with alkyl iodides has been developed. Various α-amino ketones and α-boryl amides were produced in moderate to good yields from the same substrates. The choice of the ligand is key for the regioselectivity control: α-amino ketones were produced selectively in good yields with (p-CF₃ C₆ H₄ )₃ P as the ligand, whereas the corresponding α-boryl amides were obtained with high regioselectivities when using ^Me IMes as the ligand.

Synthesis of α,β-alkynyl ketones via the nickel catalysed carbonylative Sonogashira reaction using oxalic acid as a sustainable C1 source

An efficient and economic nickel-dppb catalyzed, carbonylative Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction was demonstrated to provide rapid access to various α,β-alkynyl ketones from aryl iodides and terminal alkynes using oxalic acid as the ex situ C1 source in a double vial (DV) system. Notably, the role of the ligand in combination with the Ni catalyst for the selective formation of carbonylative Sonogashira products was investigated and supported with control experiments. Yet, no reports are available for carbonylative Sonogashira coupling by using a CO-surrogate under Ni-catalyzed conditions. In this process, for the first time, oxalic acid is used as an ex situ solid, bench stable, easy to handle and efficient CO surrogate in a DV-system for the carbonylative Sonogashira coupling reaction with vast substrate scope.

Carbonylative Coupling of Alkyl Zinc Reagents with Benzyl Bromides Catalyzed by a Nickel/NN2 Pincer Ligand Complex

An efficient catalytic protocol for the three-component assembly of benzyl bromides, carbon monoxide, and alkyl zinc reagents to give benzyl alkyl ketones is described, and represents the first nickel-catalyzed carbonylative coupling of two sp³ -carbon fragments. The method, which relies on the application of nickel complexed with an NN₂ -type pincer ligand and a controlled release of CO gas from a solid precursor, works well with a range of benzylic bromides. Mechanistic studies suggest the intermediacy of carbon-centered radicals.

Reductive Coupling of Acrylates with Ketones and Ketimines by a Nickel-Catalyzed Transfer-Hydrogenative Strategy

Nickel-catalyzed coupling of benzyl acrylates with activated ketones and imines provides γ-butyrolactones and lactams, respectively. The benzyl alcohol byproduct released during the lactonization/lactamization event is relayed to the next cycle where it serves as the reductant for C-C bond formation. This strategy represents a conceptually unique approach to transfer-hydrogenative C-C bond formation, thus providing examples of reductive heterocyclizations where hydrogen embedded within an alcohol leaving group facilitates turnover.

Vortex Fluidic Chemical Transformations

Driving chemical transformations in dynamic thin films represents a rapidly thriving and diversifying research area. Dynamic thin films provide a number of benefits including large surface areas, high shearing rates, rapid heat and mass transfer, micromixing and fluidic pressure waves. Combinations of these effects provide an avant-garde style of conducting chemical reactions with surprising and unusual outcomes. The vortex fluidic device (VFD) has proved its capabilities in accelerating and increasing the efficiencies of numerous organic, materials and biochemical reactions. This Minireview surveys transformations that have benefited from VFD-mediated processing, and identifies concepts driving the effectiveness of vortex-based dynamic thin films.