Photo-Cross-Coupling Reaction of Electron-Rich Aryl Chlorides and Aryl Esters with Alkynes: A Metal-Free Alkynylation

Photo- and electro-chemical strategies for the activations of strong chemical bonds

The employment of light and/or electricity - alternatively to conventional thermal energy - unlocks new reactivity paradigms as tools for chemical substrate activations. This leads to the development of new synthetic reactions and a vast expansion of chemical spaces. This review summarizes recent developments in photo- and/or electrochemical activation strategies for the functionalization of strong bonds - particularly carbon-heteroatom (C-X) bonds - via: (1) direct photoexcitation by high energy UV light; (2) activation via photoredox catalysis under irradiation with relatively lower energy UVA or blue light; (3) electrochemical reduction; (4) combination of photocatalysis and electrochemistry. Based on the types of the targeted C-X bonds, various transformations ranging from hydrodefunctionalization to cross-coupling are covered with detailed discussions of their reaction mechanisms.

Photochemical Sonogashira coupling reactions: beyond traditional palladium-copper catalysis

Sonogashira coupling is one of the Nobel reactions discovered in 1975 to form a C-C bond using palladium and copper as co-catalysts. Incorporating alkyne functionalities either in macro or micro molecules by using this Sonogashira reaction has already proven its viability and relevance in the sphere of synthetic chemistry. While aiming for sustainable chemistry, in recent years, visible light photoredox catalysts have appeared as an advanced tool in this regard. In this review, we aim to portray a comprehensive summary of modern visible light photo redox catalyzed Sonogashira reaction, which will leave space for the readers to rethink alternative strategies to conduct the Sonogashira reaction. This review briefly describes the implementation of various metal-based nanomaterial photocatalysts, developing either copper or palladium-free photocatalytic methods, and organo-photolytic and bioinspired photocatalysts for the Sonogashira coupling reactions. Besides, this review also gives a concise overview of the mechanistic aspects and highlights selective examples for substrate scope.

Aryl-aryl cross-coupling reactions without reagents or catalysts: photocyclization of ortho-iodoaryl ethers and related compounds via triplet aryl cation intermediates

Cyclisations of benzyl ortho-iodoaryl ethers to benzo[c]chromenes can be effected without reagents or catalysts by irradiation with UVC under flow. Reactions proceed via triplet aryl cation generation, 5-exo and 3-exo-cyclisations, and rearomatisation. They have wide scope, are easy to effect and extend to a myriad of related ring systems.

Photogenerated aryl mesylate and aryl diethyl phosphate radical cations: a time-resolved spectroscopy investigation

The photoinduced electron transfer reaction of selected aryl sulfonates and phosphates with K2S2O8 in a MeCN water (9 : 1) mixture has been investigated by LFP experiments.

Photoinduced transition-metal and external photosensitizer free cross-coupling of aryl triflates with trialkyl phosphites

Photoinduced phosphonation of aryl triflates with trialkyl phosphites via a tandem single-electron-transfer, C-O bond cleavage and Arbuzov rearrangement process in the absence of transition-metal and external photosensitizer is reported herein. The protocol features good functional group compatibility and mild reaction conditions, providing various aryl phosphates in good to high yields. Furthermore, this strategy allows the late-stage phosphonation of complex and biologically active compounds.

Organozinc-mediated direct cross-coupling under microwave irradiation

We report a direct cross-coupling reaction between (het)aryl pivalates/tosylates and di(het)arylzinc species in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran/ N-methyl pyrrolidone (1:1), which occurs via C–O bond cleavage under microwave irradiation. The reaction takes place smoothly in short reaction times without the addition of any catalyst or ligand. The reaction is suitable for a broad scope of substrates and exhibits good functional group compatibility, utilizes a simple work-up procedure, and gives the desired products in high purity.

Photohomolysis and Photoheterolysis in Aryl Sulfonates and Aryl Phosphates

The photochemical behaviour of selected aryl sulfonates and phosphates (ArOX) in polar and nonpolar media has been investigated by laser flash photolysis (LFP) experiments. Two main pathways have been identified, namely the photohomolysis of the ArO-X bond or the photoheterolysis of the Ar-OX bond depending on the nature of the leaving group (OX) and on the nature of the substituents on the aromatic ring. In nonpolar solvents the esters are quite photostable due to an efficient triplet deactivation. In polar solvents, the homolytic fragmentation of the ArO-S bond from the exited singlets was found in aryl sulfonates bearing moderately electron-donating groups as well as electron-withdrawing groups. In electron-rich aryl phosphates and sulfonates photoheterolysis of the Ar-OP/Ar-OS bond took place as the exclusive pathway.

Photoinduced Cross-Coupling of Aryl Iodides with Alkenes

A protocol for photoinduced cross-coupling of aryl iodides having polar π-functional groups or elongated π-conjugation with alkenes has been developed. The radical cascade mechanism involving generation of aryl radicals via C-I bond homolysis of photoexcited aryl iodides and their subsequent addition to alkenes is proposed. The method enables iodide-selective cross-coupling over other halogen leaving groups with functional group compatibility on both arene and alkene motifs.

Facile one-pot synthesis of diarylacetylenes from arylaldehydes via an addition-double elimination process

A practical one-pot protocol has been developed to synthesize diarylacetylenes from arylaldehydes by treatment with 1-(arylmethyl)benzotriazoles and LiN(SiMe3)2. The reaction proceeded through imine formation, Mannich-type addition and double elimination to deliver products in up to 99% yields with broad substrate scope. In addition, gram-scale synthesis of 1-bromo-4-(phenylethynyl)benzene has been demonstrated.

A Palladium-Free Sonogashira Coupling Protocol Employing an In Situ Prepared Copper/Chelating 1,2,3-Triazolylidene System

A new, palladium-free Sonogashira coupling reaction protocol using a catalytic system that comprises a simple, cheap, widely available copper salt and a chelating 1,2,3-triazolylidene ligand precursor is reported. This protocol provides the desired coupling products in moderate to very good yields.

Halogen bonding matters: visible light-induced photoredox catalyst-free aryl radical formation and its applications

Halogen bonding facilitated aryl halide activation for photoredox catalyst-free visible light-driven reactions.

Aromatic Chemistry in the Excited State: Facilitating Metal-Free Substitutions and Cross-Couplings

Transition-metal-catalyzed cross-couplings between aromatic electrophiles and nucleophiles have revolutionized modern chemical syntheses. Nevertheless, transition-metal-free approaches are preferable, considering the various issues caused by metal catalysts. This Minireview summarizes the recent progress in the light-enabled transition-metal-free formation of carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds in aromatics, which opens a new avenue in aromatic reactions. From the mechanistic perspective, it classifies different reaction types of aryl electrophiles in an excited state with various nucleophiles. We believe this will provide more rationales for metal-free aromatic substitutions and cross-couplings with light, and guide the development of novel transformations of aromatic compounds facilitated by light.

Visible-light-initiated Sonogashira coupling reactions over CuO/TiO2 nanocomposites

CuO/TiO₂ nanocomposites with different weight ratios of CuO were obtained by immersing TiO₂ in aqueous solution of Cu(NO₃)₂, followed by heat treatment at 400 °C.

Pd-Catalyzed cycloisomerization/nucleophilic addition/reduction: an efficient method for the synthesis of spiro-pseudoindoxyls containing N,N′-ketal

An efficient method for the synthesis of C2-spiropseudoindoxyls was developed and a possible mechanism was given.

Light-Induced Direct Arylation in the Solid Crystalline State as a Strategy Towards π-Expanded Imidazoles

π-Expanded imidazoles bearing the 2-iodophenyl substituent at position 2 undergo direct photoinduced intramolecular arylation in the solid, crystalline state leading to large non-planar heterocycles. An analogous reaction employing 2-bromophenyl and 2-chlorophenyl substituents is considerably slower. Such processes have never before been demonstrated to occur in crystals and have allowed the efficient synthesizes of structurally unique compounds containing either the phenanthro[9',10':4,5]imidazo[1,2-f]phenanthridine moiety or structurally related skeletons. The reaction occurs in the thin crystalline layers irradiated with UV photons in an almost quantitative manner over 48-72 h. Several previously unknown architectures have been prepared using this methodology. Furthermore, the optical properties of these π-expanded imidazoles can be altered with the addition of heteroatoms and/or electron-donating groups.

Metal-free borylation of electron-rich aryl (pseudo)halides under continuous-flow photolytic conditions

A photochemical borylation of electron-rich aryl (pseudo)halides via a triplet aryl cation mechanism has been described.

Synthesis of 3-substituted isoindolin-1-ones via a tandem desilylation, cross-coupling, hydroamidation sequence under aqueous phase-transfer conditions

Reports the synthesis of 3-methylene-isoindolin-1-ones 4 under aqueous phase-transfer conditions.

3,6-Di(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine capped Pd(0) nanoparticles: a catalyst for copper-free Sonogashira coupling of aryl halides in aqueous medium

3,6-Di(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (pytz) capped Pd(0) nanoparticles (TzPdNPs) act as a catalyst in Sonogashira coupling under copper- and ligand-free conditions in aqueous medium.

Synthesis of 7a-phenyl-1a,7a-dihydro-benzopyrano[2,3-b]azirin-7-ones via photoisomerization reaction

An environmentally friendly and novel protocol has been developed for the synthesis of 7a-phenyl-1a,7a-phenyl-benzopyrano[2,3-b]azirin-7-ones in moderate to high yieldsviathe photoisomerization of 4-phenyl-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)isoxazoles.

Competing pathways in the photogeneration of didehydrotoluenes from (Trimethylsilylmethyl)aryl sulfonates and phosphates

The scope of the photochemical generation of α,n-didehydrotoluene diradicals from aryl sulfonates and phosphates and their chemistry are explored. The thermally inaccessible α,2- and α,4- intermediates are efficiently obtained by irradiation of ortho- and para-(trimethylsilylmethyl)phenyl triflates through heterolytic splitting of the ester anion from the substrate in the triplet state. Triplet phenyl cations are formed and the loss of trimethylsilyl cation from them affords the desired diradicals ((3) Me3 SiCH2 C6 H4 -OZ→(3) Me3 SiCH2 C6 H4 (+) →(⋅) CH2 C6 H4 (⋅)). Triplet sensitization is required, for which acetone is used throughout. Direct irradiation leads, on the contrary, to photo-Fries fragmentation ((1) Me3 SiCH2 C6 H4 O-Z→Me3 SiCH2 C6 H4 O(⋅) +Z(⋅)). With mesylates, where ester cleavage is less convenient, a further competition from the triplet is direct desilylation. Didehydrotoluenes are also obtained from the corresponding phosphates, although with poor efficiency.

To be or not to be metal-free: trends and advances in coupling chemistries

Coupling reactions have been part of several extensive studies in order to develop innovative and greener protocols that can generate a wide range of compounds with applications in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and biologically active compounds. Metal-free couplings are an important and increasingly trendy field that has attracted a significant deal of interest in recent years, generating a lot of controversy on the issue of whether metal free is really free. Aside from focusing on such a controversial topic itself, this contribution aims to provide a brief introduction on coupling chemistry to point out the transition of this technology from metal-catalyzed to metal-free. This is followed by a range of key selected synthetically useful metal-free processes and a brief commentary on the current debate of whether metal-free reactions are really metal-free and the required experiments for a full understanding of a metal-free coupling process.