Robust Cobalt Catalyst for Nitrile/Alkyne [2+2+2] Cycloaddition: Synthesis of Polyarylpyridines and Their Mechanochemical Cyclodehydrogenation to Nitrogen‐Containing Polyaromatics**

Mechanochemical Scholl Reaction on Phenylated Cyclopentadiene Core: One-Step Synthesis of Fluoreno[5]helicenes

In this study, we explore feasibility of the mechanochemical approach in the synthesis of tetrabenzofluorenes (fluoreno[5]helicenes). For this, commercially available phenylated cyclopentadiene precursors are subjected to the Scholl reaction in the solid state using FeCl3 as an oxidant and sodium chloride as the solid reaction medium. This ball milling process gave access to the 5-membered ring containing-helicenes in one synthetic step in high (95-96 %) isolated yields. The solution-phase reactions, however, were found to be moderate to low yielding in this regard (10-40 %).

Mechanochemical Synthesis of Corannulene: Scalable and Efficient Preparation of A Curved Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon under Ball Milling Conditions

Corannulene, a curved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, is prepared in a multigram scale through mechanochemical synthesis. Initially, a mixer mill approach is examined and found to be suitable for a gram scale synthesis. For larger scales, planetary mills are used. For instance, 15 g of corannulene could be obtained in a single milling cycle with an isolated yield of 90 %. The yields are lower when the jar rotation rate is lower or higher than 400 revolutions per minute (rpm). Cumulatively, 98 g of corannulene is produced through the ball milling-based grinding techniques. These results indicate the future potential of mechanochemistry in the rational chemical synthesis of highly curved nanocarbons such as fullerenes and carbon nanotubes.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Pyridines with All-Carbon Quaternary Carbon Centers via Cobalt-Catalyzed Desymmetric [2+2+2] Cycloaddition

A Co-catalyzed enantioselective desymmetric [2+2+2] cycloaddition for synthesis of pyridines with all-carbon quaternary carbon centers has been developed. The regio- and enantioselectivities are controlled by the inherent nature of terminal alkynes and the substituents on the bisoxazolinephosphine ligands. Pyridines with 5-substitutents could be obtained with >20:1 regioselectivity and up to 94 % ee when terminal alkyl, alkenyl or silyl alkynes and DTBM/Ph-based NPN* ligand L6 were used. Terminal aryl alkynes and Ph/Bn-based ligand L4 leads to formation of pyridines with 6-substitutents in up to 99 % ee.