Copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative dehydrogenative coupling of anilines leading to aromatic azo compounds using dioxygen as an oxidant

Ni-Pd bimetallic nanoparticle stabilized polymer membrane as an efficient dip-catalyst for oxidative coupling of aromatic amines to access symmetrical and unsymmetrical azo compounds

The azo linkage is an important chemical motif with wide applications in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, textile, paint, and food industries. The development of effective dip-catalysts that would convert aromatic amines to symmetric or asymmetric azobenzenes in the presence of aerobic molecular oxygen under mild conditions is really challenging. Here, we have developed a dip-catalyst by immobilizing poly(vinylpyrrolidone)(PVP) stabilized Ni-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles on a nylon-6 membrane through UV-crosslinking for performing such reactions. The catalyst was highly efficient for the oxidative coupling of aromatic amines to the corresponding aromatic azo compounds under aerobic conditions without employing hazardous substances or ecologically harmful nitrites. Notable reaction features include a broad substrate range (aromatic, heterocyclic, and polyaromatic amines), a high yield (∼98%), low catalyst loading, and a simple work-up method. The dip-catalyst exhibits exceptional reusability for multiple catalytic cycles while retaining its high performance and structural characteristics. The gram-scale synthesis of high-value compounds like azobenzene provided additional evidence of the practical utility of the proposed catalyst.

Transition Metals Coordination by Bis-imidazole-calix[4]arene Ligands with and Without Pyrene Units Grafted at the Large Rim

Herein, the presented results show that previously studied DNA/RNA-interacting bis-imidazole-calix[4]arene systems can, in aqueous solutions, efficiently bind a series of biorelevant transition metal cations by coordination with the two imidazole arms at the small rim of their macrocyclic basket. The SCXRD and NMR results structurally characterised the complexes formed by referent bis-imidazole-calix[4]arene with Cu2+ and Zn2+. In solid-state (crystal), the bis-anilino derivative/Cu2+ complex, only upon exposure to the air, undergoes intramolecular dehydrogenative coupling of two neighbouring aniline units, yielding an azo bridge at the large rim of the calix[4]arene basket. In the biorelevant aqueous solution, the comparison of fluorometric titrations of referent calix[4]arene, with its analogues having one or two pyrene units grafted at the opposite (large) rim, revealed moderate-to-strong affinity towards transition metal cations, and, more importantly, a strong impact of pyrene on the binding affinity towards some cations. The pyrene arm(s) significantly diminished the affinity of the calix[4]arene-imidazole ligand towards Cu+ and strongly increased the affinity towards divalent Co2+ and Cd2+ cations. Moreover, the fluorometric response of some studied derivatives was strappingly sensitive to cation type. Since the counter-anion plays only a marginal role, such a change in selectivity is attributed to the intramolecular interaction of pyrene(s) with the calix[4]arene-imidazole system, sterically controlling the metal cation binding site.

para-Aminoazobenzenes-Bipolar Redox-Active Molecules

Azobenzenes (ABs) are versatile compounds featured in numerous applications for energy storage systems, such as solar thermal storages or phase change materials. Additionally, the reversible one-electron reduction of these diazenes to the nitrogen-based radical anion has been used in battery applications. Although the oxidation of ABs is normally irreversible, 4,4'-diamino substitution allows a reversible 2e- oxidation, which is attributed to the formation of a stable bis-quinoidal structure. Herein, we present a system that shows a bipolar redox behaviour. In this way, ABs can serve not only as anolytes, but also as catholytes. The resulting redox potentials can be tailored by suitable amine- and ring-substitution. For the first time, the solid-state structure of the oxidized form could be characterized by X-ray diffraction.

Copper-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Dehydrogenative Coupling to Access Benzo[c]cinnolines

In this paper, a highly efficient copper-catalyzed oxidative dehydrogenative coupling to obtain benzo[c]cinnolines (up to 100% yield) was developed. It was found that DMAP was a highly efficient ligand for copper-catalyzed oxidation, and molecular oxygen was a green oxidizing agent. In this simple process, various functional groups were tolerated under mild reaction conditions, and the practicality of the process was demonstrated by the preparation of benzo[c]cinnolines on a gram scale and later derivatization.

Photosensitizer-free singlet oxygen generation via a charge transfer transition involving molecular O2 toward highly efficient oxidative coupling of arylamines to azoaromatics

Photosensitizer (PS)-mediated generation of singlet oxygen, O2 (a1Δg) is a well-explored phenomenon in chemistry and biology. However, the requirement of appropriate PSs with optimum excited state properties is a prerequisite for this approach which limits its widespread application. Herein, we report the generation of O2 (a1Δg) via direct charge-transfer (CT) excitation of the solvent-O2 (X3Σg -) collision complex without any PS and utilize it for the catalyst-free oxidative coupling of arylamines to azoaromatics under ambient conditions in aqueous medium. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy revealed the formation of O2 (a1Δg) upon direct excitation with 370 nm light. The present approach shows broad substrate scope, remarkably fast reaction kinetics (90 and 40 min under an open and O2 atm, respectively), high selectivity (100%), and excellent yields (up to 100%), and works well for both homo- and hetero-coupling of arylamines. The oxidative coupling of arylamines was found to proceed through the generation of amine radicals via electron transfer (ET) from amines to O2 (a1Δg). Notably, electron-rich amines show higher yields of azo products compared to electron-deficient amines. Detailed mechanistic investigations using various spectroscopic tools revealed the formation of hydrazobenzene as an intermediate along with superoxide radicals which subsequently transform to hydrogen peroxide. The present study is unique in the way that molecular O2 simultaneously acts as a light-absorbing chromophore (solvent-O2 complex) as well as an efficient oxidant (O2 (a1Δg)) in the same reaction. This is the first report on the efficient, selective, and sustainable synthesis of azo compounds in aqueous medium under an ambient atmosphere without any PCs/PSs and paves the way for further in-depth understanding of the chemical reactivity of O2 (a1Δg) generated directly via CT excitation of the solvent-O2 complex toward various photochemical and photobiological transformations.

Accelerated Dynamic Reconstruction in Metal-Organic Frameworks with Ligand Defects for Selective Electrooxidation of Amines to Azos Coupling with Hydrogen Production

Electrosynthesis coupled hydrogen production (ESHP) mostly involves catalyst reconstruction in aqueous phase, but accurately identifying and controlling the process is still a challenge. Herein, we modulated the electronic structure and exposed unsaturated sites of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) via ligand defect to promote the reconstruction of catalyst for azo electrosynthesis (ESA) coupled with hydrogen production overall reaction. The monolayer Ni-MOFs achieved 89.8 % Faraday efficiency and 90.8 % selectivity for the electrooxidation of 1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-amine (Pyr-NH2) to azo, and an 18.5-fold increase in H2 production compared to overall water splitting. Operando X-ray absorption fine spectroscopy (XAFS) and various in situ spectroscopy confirm that the ligand defect promotes the potential dependent dynamic reconstruction of Ni(OH)2 and NiOOH, and the reabsorption of ligand significantly lowers the energy barrier of rate-determining step (*Pyr-NH to *Pyr-N). This work provides theoretical guidance for modulation of electrocatalyst reconstruction to achieve highly selective ESHP.

In-situ Oxidation and Coupling of Anilines towards Unsymmetric Azobenzenes Using Flow Chemistry

Molecular switches, especially azobenzenes, are used in numerous applications, such as molecular solar thermal storage (MOST) systems and photopharmacology. The Baeyer-Mills reaction of anilines and nitrosobenzenes has been established as an efficient synthetic method for non-symmetric azobenzenes. However, nitrosobenzenes are not stable, depending on their substitution pattern and pose a health risk. An in-situ oxidation of anilines with Oxone® was optimized under continuous flow conditions avoiding isolation and contact. The in-situ generated nitrosobenzene derivatives were subjected to a telescoped Baeyer-Mills reaction in flow. That way azobenzenes with a broad substituent spectrum were made accessible.

Study of Molecular Dimer Morphology Based on Organic Spin Centers: Nitronyl Nitroxide Radicals

In this work, in order to investigate the short-range interactions between molecules, the spin-magnetic unit nitronyl nitroxide (NN) was introduced to synthesize self-assembly single radical molecules with hydrogen bond donors and acceptors. The structures and magnetic properties were extensively investigated and characterized by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs). Interestingly, it was observed that the single molecules can form two different dimers (ring-closed dimer and "L"-type dimer) in different solvents, due to hydrogen bonding, when using EPR to track the molecular spin interactions. Both dimers exhibit ferromagnetic properties (for ring-closed dimer, J/kB = 0.18 K and ΔES-T = 0.0071 kcal/mol; for "L"-type dimer, the values were J/kB = 9.26 K and ΔES-T = 0.037 kcal/mol). In addition, the morphologies of the fibers formed by the two dimers were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM).

Metal free cross-dehydrogenative N-N coupling of primary amides with Lewis basic amines

Hydrazides, N-N containing structural motifs, are important due to their presence in a wide variety of biologically significant compounds. While the homo N-N coupling of two NH moieties to form the hydrazide N-N bond is well developed, the cross-dehydrogenative hetero N-N coupling remains very unevolved. Here we present an efficient intermolecular N-N cross-coupling of a series of primary benzamides with broad range of Lewis basic primary and secondary amines using PhI(OAc)2 as both a terminal oxidant and a cross-coupling mediator, without the need for metal catalysts, high temperatures, and inert atmospheres, and with substantial potential for use in the late-stage functionalization of drugs.

Mechanochemical Oxidative Coupling of Amine to Azo-based Polymers by Hypervalent Iodine Oxidant

Among porous organic polymers (POPs), azo-linked POPs represent a crucial class of materials, making them the focus of numerous catalytic systems proposed for their synthesis. However, the synthetic process is limited to metal-catalyzed, high-temperature, and liquid-phase reactions. In this study, we employ mechanochemical oxidative metal-free systems to encompass various syntheses of azo-based polymers. Drawing inspiration from the "rule of six" principle (six or more carbons on an azide group render the organic compound relatively safe), an azo compound featuring significant steric hindrance is obtained using the hypervalent iodine oxidation strategy. Furthermore, during the polymerization process, steric hindrance is enhanced in monomers to effectively prevent explosions resulting from direct contact between hypervalent iodine oxidants and primary amines. Indeed, this approach provides a facile and innovative solid-phase synthesis method for synthesizing azo-based materials.

Copper-catalysed dehydrogenative self-coupling/cyclization of 5-aminopyrazoles: synthesis and photophysical study of pyridazines

An interesting self-coupling/cyclization of 5-aminopyrazoles is revealed, which provides a variety of pyridazine cores in reasonable yields. In this reaction, C(sp²)-C(sp²) and N-N bond formation occurs simultaneously in one reaction vessel. The photophysical properties of the synthesized compounds were also studied and some of them exhibited fluorescence properties with good quantum yields. A radical mediated reaction mechanism is proposed with the help of control experiments.

(CAAC)Pd(py) Catalysts Disproportionate to Pd(CAAC)2

Palladium complexes with one N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) and a pyridine ancillary ligand are powerful cross-coupling precatalysts. Herein, we report such complexes with a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) ligand replacing the NHC. We find that the alleged reduced form, (CAAC)Pd(py), disproportionates to the (CAAC)2Pd0 complex and palladium nanoparticles. This notwithstanding, they are potent catalysts in the Buchwald-Hartwig amination with aryl chlorides under mild conditions (60 °C). In the presence of dioxygen, these complexes catalyze the formation of diazenes from anilines. The catalytic activities of the NHC- and CAAC-supported palladium(0) and palladium(II) complexes are similar in the cross-coupling reaction, yet the CAAC complexes are superior for diazene formation.

Visible-Light-Promoted Hydrogenation of Azobenzenes to Hydrazobenzenes with Thioacetic Acid as the Reductant

A catalyst- and metal-free hydrogenation of azobenzenes to hydrazobenzenes in the presence of thioacetic acid was achieved under visible light irradiation. The transformation was carried out under mild conditions in an air atmosphere at ambient temperature, generating a variety of hydrazobenzenes with yields up to 99%. The current process is compatible with a variety of substituents and is highly chemoselective for azo reduction when other unsaturated functionalities (carbonyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, etc.) are contained. Preliminary mechanistic study indicated that the transformation could be a radical process.

Low-Valent Tungsten-Catalyzed Controllable Oxidative Dehydrogenative Coupling of Anilines

Herein, we have developed an efficient tungsten-catalyzed homogeneous system for oxidative dehydrogenative coupling of anilines to selectively produce various azoaromatics and azoxyaromatics as well as 2-substituted indolone N-oxides by simply regulating the reaction solvent with peroxide as a terminal oxidant under additive-free conditions. These findings provide an experimental framework for exploring tungsten catalysis in organic synthesis and offer an efficient and convenient tactic for the selective oxidation of anilines.

Sustainable synthesis of azobenzenes, quinolines and quinoxalines via oxidative dehydrogenative couplings catalysed by reusable transition metal oxide–Bi(iii) cooperative catalysts

Heterogeneous catalytic oxidative dehydrogenative processes for N-heterocycles are presented, which enable waste-minimized (additive-, oxidant-, base-free), efficient cyclisations/couplings via transition metal oxide–Bi(iii) cooperative catalysis.

Synthesis and Antitrypanosomal and Mechanistic Studies of a Series of 2-Arylquinazolin-4-hydrazines: A Hydrazine Moiety as a Selective, Safe, and Specific Pharmacophore to Design Antitrypanosomal Agents Targeting NO Release

Nitric oxide (NO) represents a valuable target to design antitrypanosomal agents by its high toxicity against trypanosomatids and minimal side effects on host macrophages. The progress of NO-donors as antitrypanosomal has been restricted by the high toxicity of their agents, which usually is based on NO-heterocycles and metallic NO-complexes. Herein, we carried out the design of a new class of NO-donors based on the susceptibility of the hydrazine moiety connected to an electron-deficient ring to be reduced to the amine moiety with release of NO. Then, a series of novel 2-arylquinazolin-4-hydrazine, with the potential ability to disrupt the parasite folate metabolism, were synthesized. Their in vitro evaluation against Leishmania and Trypanosoma cruzi parasites and mechanistic aspects were investigated. The compounds displayed significant leishmanicidal activity, identifying three potential candidates, that is, 3b, 3c, and 3f, for further assays by their good antiamastigote activities against Leishmania braziliensis, low toxicity, non-mutagenicity, and good ADME profile. Against T. cruzi parasites, derivatives 3b, 3c, and 3e displayed interesting levels of activities and selectivities. Mechanistic studies revealed that the 2-arylquinazolin-4-hydrazines act as either antifolate or NO-donor agents. NMR, fluorescence, and theoretical studies supported the fact that the quinazolin-hydrazine decomposed easily in an oxidative environment via cleavage of the N-N bond to release the corresponding heterocyclic-amine and NO. Generation of NO from axenic parasites was confirmed by the Griess test. All the evidence showed the potential of hydrazine connected to the electron-deficient ring to design effective and safe NO-donors against trypanosomatids.

Protocol for microwave-assisted synthesis of unsymmetrical azo dyes

Aromatic azo dyes bear immense commercial significance because of their extensive usage in the textile, paint, and food industries. With growing environmental concerns, developing alternative greener approaches for the synthesis of azo dyes is crucial. Herein, we describe a metal-free, microwave (MW)-assisted protocol for rapid access to a large variety of unsymmetrical azo dyes by coupling nitroarenes and aromatic amines. After MW-assisted coupling, the azo dyes are then isolated by precipitation followed by recrystallization to obtain pure azo dyes. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Thakuri et al. (2022).¹.

N,N-Diisopropylethylamine-Mediated Electrochemical Reduction of Azobenzenes in Dichloromethane

We report a cathodic reduction-dominated electrochemical approach for the hydrogenation of azobenzenes in dichloromethane. With cheap and readily available N,N-diisopropylethylamine as a catalytic mediator, the reaction proceeded smoothly in a simple undivided cell under constant-current electrolysis. A series of azobenzenes were successfully reduced to the corresponding hydrazobenzenes in moderate to high yields at room temperature. Preliminarily mechanistic studies indicate that solvent dichloromethane acts as a hydrogen source. The use of a common solvent as a hydrogen source, no need for stoichiometric mediators or metallic reductants, and mild conditions make this work a more straightforward and sustainable protocol for hydrogenation of azobenzenes.

Synthesis of Non-Symmetric Azoarenes by Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Silicon-Masked Diazenyl Anions and (Hetero)Aryl Halides

The photoswitchable motif of azobenzenes is of great importance across the life and materials sciences. This maintains a constant demand for their efficient synthesis, especially that of non-symmetric derivatives. We disclose here a general strategy for their synthesis through an unprecedented C(sp2 )-N(sp2 ) cross-coupling where functionalized aryl-substituted diazenes masked with a silyl group are employed as diazenyl pronucleophiles. These equivalents of fragile diazenyl anions couple with a diverse set of (hetero)aryl bromides under palladium catalysis with no loss of dinitrogen. The competing denitrogenative biaryl formation is fully suppressed. The reaction requires only a minimal excess, that is 1.2 equivalents, of the diazenyl component. By this, a broad range of azoarenes decorated with two electron-rich/deficient aryl groups can be accessed in a predictable way with superb functional-group tolerance.

Photo-induced metal-free dehydrogenative N-N homo-coupling

We report a photo-induced dehydrogenative N-N coupling of diarylimines, diarylamines, carbazoles, and anilines. These homo-coupling reactions require only the combination of readily available di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP) and light irradition. The operationally simple protocol works under catalyst- and metal-free conditions and exhibits a good substrate scope. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction proceeds via photo-induced homolytic cleavage of the peroxide followed by hydrogen atom transfer leading to the formation of N-centered radicals.

Microwave-Assisted, Metal- and Azide-Free Synthesis of Functionalized Heteroaryl-1,2,3-triazoles via Oxidative Cyclization of N-Tosylhydrazones and Anilines

As the search for competent soft-Lewis basic complexants for separations continues to evolve toward identification of a chemoselective moiety for speciation of the minor actinides from the electronically similar lanthanides, synthetic methods must congruently evolve. Synthetic options to convergently construct unsymmetric heteroaryl donor complexants incorporating a 1,2,3-triazole from accessible starting materials for evaluation in separation assays necessitated the development of the described methodology. In this report, metal- and azide-free synthesis of diversely functionalized pyridyl-1,2,3-triazole derivatives facilitated by microwave irradiation was leveraged to prepare a novel class of tridentate ligands. The described work negates the incorporation of thermally sensitive and toxic organoazides by using N-tosylhydrazones and anilines as viable synthetic equivalents in an efficient 12 min reaction time. Adaptation to alternative synthons useful for drug discovery was also realized. Method discovery, optimization, N-tosylhydrazone and aniline substrate scope, as well as a preliminary mechanistic hypotheses supported by DFT calculations are reported herein.

Electrochemical Site-Selective Alkylation of Azobenzenes with (Thio)Xanthenes

Herein, we first report an electrochemical methodology for the site-selective alkylation of azobenzenes with (thio)xanthenes in the absence of any transition metal catalyst or external oxidant. A variety of groups are compatible with this electrochemical alkylation, which furnishes the products in moderate to good yields.

Continuous flow synthesis of azobenzenes via Baeyer–Mills reaction

Azobenzene, as one of the most prominent molecular switches, is featured in many applications ranging from photopharmacology to information or energy storage. In order to easily and reproducibly synthesize non-symmetric substituted azobenzenes in an efficient way, especially on a large scale, the commonly used Baeyer–Mills coupling reaction was adopted to a continuous flow setup. The versatility was demonstrated with a scope of 20 substances and the scalability of this method exemplified by the synthesis of >70 g of an azobenzene derivative applied in molecular solar thermal storage (MOST) systems.

Formation of Stilbene Azo-Dimer by Direct Irradiation of p-Azidostilbene

Triplet arylnitrenes may provide direct access to aryl azo-dimers, which have broad commercial applicability. Herein, the photolysis of p-azidostilbene (1) in argon-saturated methanol yielded stilbene azo-dimer (2) through the dimerization of triplet p-nitrenostilbene (³ 1N). The formation of ³ 1N was verified by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and absorption spectroscopy (λ_max ~ 375 nm) in cryogenic 2-methyltetrahydrofuran matrices. At ambient temperature, laser flash photolysis of 1 in methanol formed ³ 1N (λ_max ~ 370 nm, 2.85 × 10⁷ s^-1 ). On shorter timescales, a transient absorption (λ_max ~ 390 nm) that decayed with a similar rate constant (3.11 × 10⁷ s^-1 ) was assigned to a triplet excited state (T) of 1. Density functional theory calculations yielded three configurations for T of 1, with the unpaired electrons on the azido (T_A ) or stilbene moiety (T_Tw , twisted and T_Fl , flat). The transient was assigned to T_Tw based on its calculated spectrum. CASPT2 calculations gave a singlet-triplet energy gap of 16.6 kcal/mol for 1N; thus, intersystem crossing of ¹ 1N to ³ 1N is unlikely at ambient temperature, supporting the formation of ³ 1N from T of 1. Thus, sustainable synthetic methods for aryl azo-dimers can be developed using the visible-light irradiation of aryl azides to form triplet arylnitrenes.

Copper-Catalyzed Selective Oxidative Cross-Coupling of Tryptophols and Tryptamines To Access Heterocyclic 3a,3a'-Bisindolines

The first example of cyclization cross-coupling of tryptophols and tryptamines has been realized by copper catalysis with air or oxone as the terminal oxidant, resulting in the direct construction of a new class of heterocyclic 3a,3a'-bisindolines in moderate to good yields with high chemoselectivities. A series of mechanistic control experiments were also conducted, indicating that the copper catalyst selectively coordinates with the nitrogen moiety of the tryptamine to initiate the oxidation, and a nucleophilic-alkylation process is proposed for the carbon-carbon bond-forming in the reaction. The novel synthetic strategies and molecular skeletons outlined in this work provide new ideas and concepts for the design of other useful reaction and potential drugs.

Accessing Grignard Reluctant Aldehyde in 2-Oxoaldehyde by Organocuprates to Give [1,2] Addition and Oxidative Coupling Reactions

Novel finding of aldehyde in 2-oxoaldehyde (2OA) is presented as it unprecedentedly disinclines to react with Grignard reagents but reacts with moderate organocuprate reagents in anaerobic condition to give [1,2] addition (α-hydroxyketones) reaction. In the presence of air, the reaction produces an efficient protocol for the synthesis of 1,2-diones through a copper-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling reaction at room temperature. Mechanistic studies indicate that α-hydroxy ketone perhaps is generated before the hydrolysis step/acid work-up process. The α-keto group of 2OA causes to exhibit this peculiar aldehyde behavior toward these organometallic reagents.

The copper-catalyzed radical aminophosphinoylation of maleimides with anilines and diarylphosphine oxides

The radical aminophosphinoylation of maleimides with anilines and diarylphosphine oxides.

Divergent Aminocarbonylations of Alkynes Enabled by Photoredox/Nickel Dual Catalysis

A metallaphotoredox-catalyzed strategy for the selective and divergent aminocarbonylation of alkynes with amines and 1 atm of CO is reported. This synergistic protocol not only enables the Markovnikov-selective hydroaminocarbonylation of alkynes to afford α,β-unsaturated amides, but also facilitates a sequential four-component hydroaminocarbonylation/radical alkylation in the presence of tertiary and secondary alkyl boronate esters, which allows for straightforward conversion of alkynes into corresponding amides. Preliminary mechanistic studies disclose that a photoinduced oxidative insertion of aniline and CO into nickel followed by a migratory insertion of (carbamoyl)nickel species could be involved.

Copper-Catalyzed Cyclization/Dimerization of Tryptamines with O2/Air as the Sole Oxidant: Direct Access to Complex Bispyrrolidino[2,3-b]indoline

The first transition metal catalytic one-step synthesis of the 3a, 3a'-bispyrrolidino [2,3-b] indoline scaffold via tandem cyclization/dimerization of tryptamines has been realized with the environmentally friendly O₂/air as the sole oxidant. Different from the traditional direct oxidation of indole "N-H" group by excess amount of metal salts, a copper-catalyzed oxidative cyclization reaction is developed for the formation of the radical pyrrolidinoindoline intermediate in the current strategy. The robustness and practicality of this methodology is demonstrated by the step-economic, divergent total synthesis of natural products (±)-folicanthine and meso-folicanthine.

Zr(OH)4 Catalyzed Controllable Selective Oxidation of Anilines to Azoxybenzenes, Azobenzenes and Nitrosobenzenes

The selective oxidation of aniline to metastable and valuable azoxybenzene, azobenzene or nitrosobenzene has important practical significance in organic synthesis. However, uncontrollable selectivity and laborious synthesis of the expensive required catalysts severely hinder the uptake of these reactions in industrial settings. Herein, we have pioneered the discovery of Zr(OH) 4 as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst capable of the selective oxidation of aniline, using either peroxide or O 2 as oxidant, to selectively obtain various azoxybenzenes, symmetric/unsymmetric azobenzenes, as well as nitrosobenzenes, by simply regulating the reaction solvent, without the need for additives. Mechanistic experiments and DFT calculations demonstrate that the activation of H 2 O 2 and O 2 is primarily achieved by the bridging hydroxyl and terminal hydroxyl groups of Zr(OH) 4 respectively. The present work provides an economical and environmentally friendly strategy for the selective oxidation of aniline in industrial applications.

Electrooxidation Is a Promising Approach to Functionalization of Pyrazole-Type Compounds

The review summarizes for the first time the poorly studied electrooxidative functionalization of pyrazole derivatives leading to the C-Cl, C-Br, C-I, C-S and N-N coupling products with applied properties. The introduction discusses some aspects of aromatic hydrogen substitution. Further, we mainly consider our works on effective synthesis of the corresponding halogeno, thiocyanato and azo compounds using cheap, affordable and environmentally promising electric currents.

A Nanocrystal Catalyst Incorporating a Surface Bound Transition Metal to Induce Photocatalytic Sequential Electron Transfer Events

Heterogeneous photocatalysis is less common but can provide unique avenues for inducing novel chemical transformations and can also be utilized for energy transductions, i.e., the energy in the photons can be captured in chemical bonds. Here, we developed a novel heterogeneous photocatalytic system that employs a lead-halide perovskite nanocrystal (NC) to capture photons and direct photogenerated holes to a surface bound transition metal Cu-site, resulting in a N-N heterocyclization reaction. The reaction starts from surface coordinated diamine substrates and requires two subsequent photo-oxidation events per reaction cycle. We establish a photocatalytic pathway that incorporates sequential inner sphere electron transfer events, photons absorbed by the NC generate holes that are sequentially funneled to the Cu-surface site to perform the reaction. The photocatalyst is readily prepared via a controlled cation-exchange reaction and provides new opportunities in photodriven heterogeneous catalysis.

Ultralong π-Conjugated Bis(terpyridine)metal Polymer Wires Covalently Bound to a Carbon Electrode: Fast Redox Conduction and Redox Diode Characteristics

We developed an efficient and convenient electrochemical method to synthesize π-conjugated redox metal-complex linear polymer wires composed of azobenzene-bridged bis(terpyridine)metal (2-M, M = Fe, Ru) units covalently immobilized on glassy carbon (GC). Polymerization proceeds by electrochemical oxidation of bis(4′-(4-anilino)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine)metal (1-M) in a water–acetonitrile–HClO₄ solution, affording ultralong wires up to 7400 mers (corresponding to ca. 15 μm). Both 2-Fe and 2-Ru undergo reversible redox reactions, and their redox behaviors indicate remarkably fast redox conduction. Anisotropic hetero-metal-complex polymer wires with Fe and Ru centers are constructed via stepwise electropolymerization. The cyclic voltammograms of two hetero-metal-complex polymer wires, GC/[2-Fe]–[2-Ru] (3) and GC/[2-Ru]–[2-Fe] (4), show irreversible redox reactions with opposite electron transfer characteristics, indicating redox diodelike behavior. In short, the present electrochemical method is useful to synthesize polymer wire arrays and to integrate functional molecules on carbon.

Azo-Dyes-Grafted Oligosaccharides-From Synthesis to Applications

Azobenzenes are photochromic molecules that possess a large range of applications. Their syntheses are usually simple and fast, and their purifications can be easy to perform. Oligosaccharide is also a wide family of biopolymer constituted of linear chain of saccharides. It can be extracted from biomass, as for cellulose, being the principal constituent of plant cell wall, or it can be enzymatically produced as for cyclodextrins, having properties not far from cellulose. Combining these two materials families can afford interesting applications such as controlled drug-release systems, photochromic liquid crystals, photoresponsive films or even fluorescent indicators. This review will compile the different syntheses of azo-dyes-grafted oligosaccharides, and will show their various applications.

Copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative radical alkoxycyclization of tryptamines to access 3-alkoxypyrroloindolines

We report a copper-catalyzed alkoxycyclization of tryptamine derivatives with O₂ as the sole oxidant, leading to a variety of C3a-alkoxypyrroloindolines in good yields with high diastereoselectivities. This reaction involves an interesting double catalytic cycle in which copper-catalyzed carboamination cyclization is favored to form the C-3 radical pyrrolidinoindoline intermediate, then a copper-catalytic radical alkoxylation reaction proceeds smoothly.

Heteroditopic Macrobicyclic Molecular Vessels for Single Step Aerial Oxidative Transformation of Primary Alcohol Appended Cross Azobenzenes

A series of oxy-ether tris-amino heteroditopic macrobicycles (L1-L4) with various cavity dimensions have been synthesized and explored for their Cu(II) catalyzed selective single step aerial oxidative cross-coupling of primary alcohol based anilines with several aromatic amines toward the formation of primary alcohol appended cross azobenzenes (POCABs). The beauty of this transformation is that the easily oxidizable benzyl/primary alcohol group remains unhampered during the course of this oxidation due to the protective oxy-ether pocket of this series of macrobicyclic vessels. Various dimensionalities of the molecular vessels have shown specific size complementary selection for substrates toward efficient syntheses of regioselective POCAB products. To establish the requirement of the three-dimensional cavity based additives, a particular catalytic reaction has been examined in the presence of macrobicycles (L2 and L3) versus macrocycles (MC1 and MC2) and tripodal acyclic (AC1 and AC2) analogous components, respectively. Subsequently, L1-L4 have been extensively utilized toward the syntheses of as many as 44 POCABs and are characterized by different spectroscopic techniques and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.

Palladium-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Carbonylation of Amines Enables the Synthesis of Unsymmetrical N,N′-Disubstituted Ureas

A ligand-free palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidative carbonylation of amines for the synthesis of ureas, particular unsymmetrically N,N′-disubstituted ureas, which cannot be accessed by any other palladium-catalyzed oxidative carbonylation of amines to date, is presented. An array of symmetrical and unsymmetrical ureas were straightforwardly synthesized by using inexpensive, readily available, stable, and safe amines with good to excellent yields under a pressure of 1 atm. This novel method employs oxygen as the sole oxidant and offers an attractive alternative to transition-metal-based oxidant systems