The Benzyne Aza-Claisen Reaction

Amino- and Alkoxybenziodoxoles: Facile Preparation and Use as Arynophiles

We report here on the facile synthesis of amino- and alkoxy-λ3-iodanes supported by a benziodoxole (BX) template and their use as arynophiles. The amino- and alkoxy-BX derivatives can be readily synthesized by reacting the respective amines or alcohols with chlorobenziodoxole in the presence of a suitable base. Unlike previously known nitrogen- and oxygen-bound iodane compounds, which have primarily been employed as electrophilic group transfer agents or oxidants, the present amino- and alkoxy-BX reagents manifest themselves as nucleophilic amino and alkoxy transfer agents toward arynes. This reactivity leads to the aryne insertion into the N-I(III) or O-I(III) bond to afford ortho-amino- and ortho-alkoxy-arylbenziodoxoles, iodane compounds nontrivial to procure by existing methods. The BX group in these insertion products exhibits excellent leaving group ability, enabling diverse downstream transformations.

Advances in disilylation reactions to access cis/trans-1,2-disilylated and gem-disilylated alkenes

Organosilane compounds are widely used in both organic synthesis and materials science. Particularly, 1,2-disilylated and gem-disilylated alkenes, characterized by a carbon-carbon double bond and multiple silyl groups, exhibit significant potential for subsequently diverse transformations. The versatility of these compounds renders them highly promising for applications in materials, enabling them to be valuable and versatile building blocks in organic synthesis. This review provides a comprehensive summary of methods for the preparation of cis/trans-1,2-disilylated and gem-disilylated alkenes. Despite notable advancements in this field, certain limitations persist, including challenges related to regioselectivity in the incorporation and chemoselectivity in the transformation of two nearly identical silyl groups. The primary objective of this review is to outline synthetic methodologies for the generation of these alkenes through disilylation reactions, employing silicon reagents, specifically disilanes, hydrosilanes, and silylborane reagents. The review places particular emphasis on investigating the practical applications of the C-Si bond of disilylalkenes and delves into an in-depth discussion of reaction mechanisms, particularly those reactions involving the activation of Si-Si, Si-H, and Si-B bonds, as well as the C-Si bond formation.

Synthesis of Complex Diarylamines through a Ring-Opening Difunctionalization Strategy

The diarylation and skeletal diversification of unstrained cyclic amines was exploited to expand and modify the favorable properties of this important substrate class with pivotal roles in drug discovery. Cyclic amines were employed in the synthesis of a novel class of amino-substituted diaryliodonium salts, which were converted to highly functionalized diarylamines through an atom-efficient one-pot N-arylation/ring opening reaction with external nucleophiles. The reaction proceeds through in situ formation of a diarylammonium intermediate that undergoes a nucleophilic ring opening by cleavage of the strong C-N bond. A wide variety of diarylamines was obtained through introduction of two different aryl groups of varied electronics, and the retained iodo-substituent enables downfield diversifications of the products. More than 20 nucleophiles, including amines, phenols, carboxylic acids, thiols and halides, were alkylated with high functional group tolerance, and the strategy proved efficient also in in late-stage functionalization of natural products and pharmaceuticals.

Synthesis of Fused Tricyclic Amines Bearing Tetrasubstituted Carbons Using an Alkylation-Cyclization-Isomerization-3-aza-Cope Cascade Reaction

A new cascade reaction sequence that involves alkylation, cyclization, isomerization, and 3-aza-Cope rearrangement was discovered. The stereogenic centers of the starting piperidines were transferred to the bicyclic enamine products, and a range of electron-withdrawing groups on the alkyne moieties, from ketones to amides, were tolerated under the reaction conditions. The bicyclic enamines underwent trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)-mediated cyclization to form tricyclic amines bearing tetrasubstituted carbons.

Synthesis of Trisubstituted Oxazoles via Aryne Induced [2,3] Sigmatropic Rearrangement-Annulation Cascade

A transition-metal-free, [2,3] sigmatropic rearrangement-annulation cascade of 2-substituted thio/amino acetonitriles with arynes allowing the synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted oxazoles under mild conditions has been demonstrated. The key sulfur/nitrogen ylides were generated by the initial S/N arylation followed by proton transfer, which was followed by the selective [2,3] sigmatropic rearrangement involving the -CN moiety and a subsequent annulation to afford the desired products in reasonable yields.

Benzyne 1,2,4-Trisubstitution and Dearomative 1,2,4-Trifunctionalization

Both 1,2,4-trisubstitution and dearomative 1,2,4-trifunctionalization of benzyne have been accomplished from sulfoxides bearing a penta-2,4-dien-1-yl moiety. These cascade transformations proceed through a benzyne insertion into the S═O bond and an uncommon regiospecific anionic [4,5]-sigmatropic rearrangement, furnishing a C-O, C-S, and C-C bond on the C1-, C2-, and C4-position of a benzene ring, respectively. This study showcases new cascade benzyne reaction modes involving both distal C-H bond functionalization and dearomatization.

Synthesis of Stannylated Aryl Imines and Amines via Aryne Insertion Reactions into Sn-N Bonds

The reaction of in situ generated arynes with stannylated imines to provide ortho-stannyl-aniline derivatives is reported. The readily prepared trimethylstannyl benzophenone imine is introduced as an efficient reagent to realize the aryne σ-insertion reaction. The imine functionality is an established N-protecting group and insertions proceed with good yields and good to excellent regioselectivities. The product anilines are valuable starting materials for follow-up chemistry thanks to the rich chemistry offered by the trimethylstannyl moiety.

Aryne-mediated [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of tertiary 2,3-allenylamines bearing an electron-withdrawing group at the α-position

An unprecedented [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement reaction of quaternary 2,3-allenylammonium ylides, generated in situ from tertiary 2,3-allenylamines and arynes, has been established. With 2-(trimethylsilyl)aryl triflates as aryne precursors, a range of tertiary 2,3-allenylamines bearing an electron-withdrawing group at the α-position smoothly participated in the aryne-mediated [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement at room temperature, delivering structurally diverse 2-vinylallyamines or 1-amino-1,3-dienes in moderate to excellent yields. The reaction proceeds in the absence of strong bases and transition metals, is compatible with moisture and air, and tolerates a wide variety of functional groups.

An Umpolung Oxa-[2,3] Sigmatropic Rearrangement Employing Arynes for the Synthesis of Functionalized Enol Ethers

An oxa-[2,3] sigmatropic rearrangement involving arynes is reported featuring the umpolung of ketones, where the C═O bond polarity is reversed. The in situ-generated sulfur ylides from β-keto thioethers and arynes undergo efficient rearrangement allowing the facile and robust synthesis of functionalized enol ethers in high yields and excellent functional group compatibility. Preliminary mechanistic studies rule out the possibility of Pummerer-type rearrangement operating in this case.

Aryne Precursors for Selective Generation of 3-Haloarynes: Preparation and Application to Synthetic Reactions

The synthesis and reaction of new 3-haloaryne precursors 2a-2h were studied. The ortho-(trimethylsilyl)aryl triflate precursors 2a-2h were prepared by a simple procedure involving O-trimethylsilylation and migration of a trimethylsilyl group followed by triflation. The remarkable feature of new precursors is the selective generation of 3-haloarynes by suppressing the competitive thia-Fries rearrangement, which is the problem in the reaction using the well-known 3-haloaryne precursors. The advantage of new precursor 2a over a typical precursor 1 was confirmed by the direct comparisons in several reactions. The application of precursors 2a-2h to the syntheses of heterocycles was also reported.

Reaction of Vinyl Aziridines with Arynes: Synthesis of Benzazepines and Branched Allyl Fluorides

We report the cycloaddition between vinyl aziridines and arynes. Depending on the reaction conditions and the choice of the aryne precursor, the aziridinium intermediate can be trapped through two distinct mechanistic pathways. The first one proceeds through a formal [5+2] cycloaddition to furnish valuable multi-substituted benzazepines. In the second pathway, the aziridinium is intercepted by a fluoride ion to afford allylic fluorides in good yields. Both reactions proceed stereospecifically and furnish enantiopure benzazepines and allylic fluorides.

1,2-Aminohalogenation of arynes with amines and organohalides

An unprecedented use of inexpensive organohalides as halogen electrophiles to trap the zwitterion intermediates generated from amines and arynes has been developed to access structurally diverse tertiary 2-haloanilines. Effective organohalides include carbon tetrachloride, hexachloroethane, N-chlorosuccinimide, carbon tetrabromide, fluorotribromomethane, N-bromosuccinimide, carbon tetraiodide, and N-iodosuccinimide.

The aryne Sommelet–Hauser rearrangement

An aryne induced transition-metal-free and mild Sommelet–Hauser rearrangement of tertiary benzylamines for the synthesis of α-aryl amino acid derivatives in moderate to good yields and with broad substrate scope is presented.

Construction of N-Heterocycles through Cyclization of Tertiary Amines

N-Heterocycles have been found in a large number of natural products, drug molecules, and bioactive compounds, and they thereby play a vital role in diverse research disciplines including drug discovery, organic synthesis, chemical biology, and material science. To this end, the development of new methods and strategies for the construction of N-heterocyclic frameworks is arguably one of the most dynamic and significant research areas in organic synthesis. One of these powerful approaches to the synthesis of N-heterocycles is to establish cyclization reactions based on the transformation of tertiary amines, which has emerged as an attractive research topic. In this Minireview, the significant achievements in the construction of N-heterocycles through cyclization of tertiary amines are highlighted and a comprehensive overview of the rational design, development, and application of these synthetic methods is presented.

Transition-Metal-Free Cyclization of Propargylic Alcohols with Aryne: Synthesis of 3-Benzofuranyl-2-oxindole and 3-Spirooxindole Benzofuran Derivatives ⊥

An unprecedented base-mediated cyclization of propargylic alcohols with aryne is reported, providing a novel method for the synthesis of 3-benzofuranyl-2-oxindole and 3-spirooxindole benzofuran scaffolds via a propargyl Claisen rearrangement/cycloaddition pathway. The nature of the substituent on acetylene group of propargylic alcohol influences the outcome of the reaction. The protocol offers a transition-metal-free and operationally simple methodology with broad substrate scope as a ready access to complex oxindole-linked heterocyclic compounds.

Mild synthesis of triarylsulfonium salts with arynes

Reactions between arynes and alkyl sulfides have been extensively studied over the past few decades. These reactions commonly end with a dealkylation process and thus deliver thioethers as final products. In contrast, the transformation described furnishes valuable triarylsulfonium salts, in lieu of thioethers, from arynes and diarylsulfides. The reaction features mild conditions and a broad substrate scope. A suite of functional groups such as ketones, esters, nitriles, aryl ethers and aryl halides is tolerated, which can be issues faced by traditional synthetic methods. The practicality of the reaction and its extension to the synthesis of triphenyl selenonium salt are also exhibited herein.

Multiheterocyclic Motifs via Three-Component Reactions of Benzynes, Cyclic Amines, and Protic Nucleophiles

A broadly general, three-component reaction strategy for the construction of compounds containing multiple heterocycles is described. Thermal benzyne formation (by the hexadehydro-Diels-Alder (HDDA) reaction) in the presence of tertiary cyclic amines and a protic nucleophile (HNu) gives, via ring-opening of intermediate ammonium ion/Nu- ion pairs, heterocyclic products. Many reactions are efficient even when the stoichiometric loading of the three reactants approaches unity. Use of HOSO2CF3 as the HNu gives ammonium triflate intermediates, which can then be ring opened by an even wider variety of nucleophiles.

Reactivity of arynes toward functionalized alkenes: intermolecular Alder-ene vs. addition reactions

The selectivity between two different manifolds of reactions of arynes reacting with functionalized alkenes is described.

Nucleophilic addition of tertiary propargylic amines to arynes followed by a [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement

Treatment of tertiary propargylic amines with 2-(trimethylsilyl)aryl triflates under mild conditions provides convenient access to amino-substituted allenes or conjugated dienes.

A domino reaction of 2-isocyanophenyloxyacrylate and aryne to synthesize arenes with vicinal olefin and benzoxazole

An unusual domino reaction of 2-isocyanophenyloxyacrylate and aryne has been disclosed. The present strategy experiences nucleophilic addition, Michael addition, carbon–oxygen cleavage, and cyclization, thus enabling the quick aryne vicinal difunctionalization by the installation of a benzoxazole and an olefin.

Synthesis of medium-sized aryl-fused nitrogenous heterocycles via sequential aryne aza-Claisen rearrangement/ring-closing metathesis

The reaction of arynes and secondary allylamines furnished ortho-allyl-substituted N-arylanilines via an aza-Claisen rearrangement. In this transformation, the sequential formation of C–C and C–N bonds occurred by involving two aryne molecules under metal-free reaction conditions to provide moderate to good yields of the products.

Recent advances in molecular rearrangements involving aryne intermediates

A concise account on the recent developments in molecular rearrangements proceeding via the aryne intermediate is presented thereby shedding light on the synthetic potential of this versatile intermediate.

Mechanistic Duality in Tertiary Amine Additions to Thermally Generated Hexadehydro-Diels-Alder Benzynes

Reported here are studies directed at understanding the mechanism of tertiary amine addition to hexadehydro-Diels-Alder (HDDA)-generated benzynes. Tertiary amines are presumed to engage benzynes by generation of a zwitterionic intermediate. Simple trialkylamines undergo intermolecular protonation by a protic nucleophile to give an aryl ammonium intermediate that is then dealkylated. Amines containing acidified β-protons undergo an intramolecular elimination to give the aniline and an alkene. Finally, amino alcohols react at either of their N- or O atoms, depending upon the extent of internal hydrogen bonding.

Synthesis of Functionalized β-Keto Arylthioethers by the Aryne Induced [2,3] Stevens Rearrangement of Allylthioethers

A mild and transition-metal-free synthesis of β-keto arylthioethers has been developed by the aryne triggered [2,3] Stevens rearrangement of allylthioethers. The key sulfur ylide intermediate for the rearrangement was formed by the S-arylation of allylthioethers with arynes generated from 2-(trimethylsilyl)aryl triflates using CsF. Later, the reaction products are converted into valuable heterocycles in two steps.

N-Arylation of Tertiary Amines under Mild Conditions

A transition-metal-free procedure for the N-arylation of tertiary amines to sp(3) quaternary ammonium salts is described. The presented conditions allow for the isolation of trialkylaryl, dialkyldiaryl, and novel triarylalkyl ammonium salts, including N-chiral quaternary ammonium salts. The reaction works at room temperature, open to air with electron-rich or -poor benzyne precursors and different tertiary amines, allowing the synthesis of a broad range of N-aryl ammonium salts that have applications in a variety of fields.

Transition metal-free N-arylation of secondary amides through iodonium salts as aryne precursors

A transition metal-free approach for N-arylation of secondary amides was developed via diaryliodonium salts as aryne precursors.