Ortho-C-H methoxylation of aryl halides enabled by a polarity-reversed N-O reagent

Oxygen-substituted arenes widely exist in biologically important molecules and can serve as versatile handles to install other functional groups. However, direct and site-selective installation of oxygen groups to common aromatic compounds remains challenging, especially when additional arene functionalization is simultaneously required. Current arene C-H oxidation strategies generally require directing groups or precisely prefunctionalized substrates to control site-selectivity. While palladium/norbornene cooperative catalysis is promising for site-specific arene vicinal difunctionalization through simultaneous reactions with an electrophile and a nucleophile, the electrophile scope has been limited to species based on relatively 'soft' elements, such as carbon, nitrogen and sulfur. Here we report the development of an ortho oxygenation reaction with common aryl halides to rapidly deliver diverse aryl ethers. The coupling of the 'hard' oxygen electrophile is enabled by a stable, polarity-reversed, conformationally predistorted N-O reagent and facilitated by a C7-bromo-substituted norbornene mediator. Mechanistic studies reveal a unique SN2-type pathway between the N-O reagent as the oxygen electrophile and an electron-rich Pd(II) nucleophile.

Reactivity Umpolung of Tertiary Amide Enabled by Catalytic Reductive Stannylation

Reactivity umpolung is an important concept in organic chemistry. Established reactivity umpolung mainly focuses on the aldehyde and umpolung of amide carbonyl group is not known. In this report, we describe a process to obtain the umpolung reactivity of tertiary amide. This process hinges on the efficient reductive stannylation catalyzed by Ir/silane and facile Sn-Li exchange. By leveraging this umpolung reactivity, drug Fluoxetine was derivatized to 12 different analogues via reacting with various electrophiles and four biologically active molecules were prepared concisely. This unlocked umpolung reactivity of tertiary amide is expected to find applications to synthesize complex amines from amides.

Sequential KOtBu/FeCl3-catalyzed reductive phosphonylation of tertiary amides for the synthesis of α-amino phosphonates and phosphines

A simple, mild and efficient sequential KO^tBu/FeCl₃-catalyzed reductive phosphonylation of tertiary amides is herein described. This process first involved the KO^tBu-catalyzed selective semi-reduction of tertiary amides to hemiaminal intermediates by TMDS (1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane) and then the FeCl₃-catalyzed nucleophilic addition of the hemiaminal intermediates to phosphonates, which allowed the straightforward synthesis of α-amino phosphonates in moderate to good yields. This method applied well to amides and lactams that bear no strong acidic α-hydrogens, and various functional groups, including methoxy, methylthio, cyano, halogen, and heterocycles, could be tolerated.

Synthesis of α-Aminophosphonates by Umpolung-Enabled Cu-Catalyzed Regioselective Hydroamination

A copper-catalyzed regioselective hydroamination of α,β-unsaturated phosphonates has been developed to form corresponding α-aminophosphonates of interest in medicinal chemistry. The introduction of an umpolung, electrophilic amination strategy with the hydroxylamine derivative is the key to achieving the α-amination regioselectivity, which is otherwise difficult under the conventional nucleophilic hydroamination conditions with the parent amine. Asymmetric synthesis with a chiral bisphosphine ligand and application to a related silylamination reaction are also described.

Copper-Catalyzed Amino Radical Tandem Cyclization toward the Synthesis of Indolo-[2,1-a]isoquinolines

We report a convenient process to the synthesis of indolo-[2,1-a]isoquinoline tetracyclic skeletons in one-pot via a low-cost copper-catalyzed tandem amino radical cyclization, in which one C-C bond and one C-N...

Transition-Metal-Free Addition of Dialkyl Phosphites to Phthalazin-2-ium Bromide: Synthesis of α-Aminophosphonate Analogues

α-Aminophosphonate analogues containing a phthalazine skeleton were efficiently obtained by a new transition-metal-free addition of dialkyl phosphites to phthalazin-2-ium bromide under mild conditions. A mechanistic study using isotope labeling and radical inhibition experiment revealed that the present transformation passes through a nucleophilic addition of dialkyl phosphates, rather than an insertion of P-H to carbenes.

Facile synthesis of α-aminophosphine oxides from diarylphosphine oxides, arynes and formamides

The straightforward synthesis of α-amino phosphine oxides via three-component reactions involving arynes, formamides and diarylphosphine oxides is disclosed. This method employs the aryne to activate formamide, without an external activating reagent, which is operationally simple under mild conditions with high efficiency. Furthermore, mechanistic perception suggests a cascade sequence including formal [2 + 2] cycloaddition of the aryne with a CO bond, and a 1,4-addition of the H-P(O) compounds to the enamine intermediates.

Electro-Descriptors for the Performance Prediction of Electro-Organic Synthesis

Electrochemical organic synthesis has attracted increasing attentions as a sustainable and versatile synthetic platform. Quantitative assessment of the electro-organic reactions, including reaction thermodynamics, electro-kinetics, and coupled chemical processes, can lead to effective analytical tool to guide their future design. Herein, we demonstrate that electrochemical parameters such as onset potential, Tafel slope, and effective voltage can be utilized as electro-descriptors for the evaluation of reaction conditions and prediction of reactivities (yields). An "electro-descriptor-diagram" is generated, where reactive and non-reactive conditions/substances show distinct boundary. Successful predictions of reaction outcomes have been demonstrated using electro-descriptor diagram, or from machine learning algorithms with experimentally-derived electro-descriptors. This method represents a promising tool for data-acquisition, reaction prediction, mechanistic investigation, and high-throughput screening for general organic electro-synthesis.

Synthesis of Diverse Functionalized Quinoxalines by Oxidative Tandem Dual C-H Amination of Tetrahydroquinoxalines with Amines

The tandem dual C-H amination of tetrahydroquinoxalines with free amines under aerobic copper catalysis conditions has been demonstrated. The synthetic protocol proceeds with good substrate and functional group compatibility, mild reaction conditions, short reaction time, the use of the naturally abundant [Cu]/O₂ catalyst system, excellent chemoselectivity and synthetic efficiency, and with no need for the pre-installation of specific aminating agents, which offers a practical platform for the rapid and diverse synthesis of diaminoquinoxalines. Moreover, this work has shown the potential of single-electron-oxidation-induced C-H functionalization of N-heterocycles, and its application in the development of optoelectronic materials.

Electrochemical Approach for Direct C-H Phosphonylation of Unprotected Secondary Amine

Direct α-phosphonylation of an unprotected secondary amine in a single step is of practical importance to amino phophophates. However, this protocol is limited due to the high redox barrier of unprotected amine. In this paper, we report C-H phosphonylation of an unprotected secondary amine via an electrochemical approach in the presence of catalytic carboxylate salt. This metal-free and exogenous oxidant-free method furnishes diverse target molecules with satisfactory yield under mild reaction conditions. Successful application of the protocol in a gram-scale experiment demonstrates the potential utility for further functionalization.

Cross-Coupling of Heteroatomic Electrophiles

At the advent of cross-coupling chemistry, carbon electrophiles based on halides or pseudohalides were the only suitable electrophilic coupling partners. Almost two decades passed before the first cross-coupling reaction of heteroatom-based electrophiles was reported. Early work by Murai and Tanaka initiated investigations into silicon electrophiles. Narasaka and Johnson pioneered the way in the use of nitrogen electrophiles, while Suginome began the exploration of boron electrophiles. The chemistry reviewed within provides perspective on the use of heteroatomic electrophiles, specifically silicon-, nitrogen-, boron-, oxygen-, and phosphorus-based electrophiles in transition-metal catalyzed cross-coupling. For the purposes of this review, a loose definition of cross-coupling is utilized; all reactions minimally proceed via an oxidative addition event. Although not cross-coupling in a traditional sense, we have also included catalyzed reactions that join a heteroatomic electrophile with an in situ generated nucleophile. However, for brevity, those involving hydroamination or C-H activation as a key step are largely excluded. This work includes primary references published up to and including October 2018.

Copper-Catalyzed Electrophilic Ortho C(sp2)-H Amination of Aryl Amines: Dramatic Reactivity of Bicyclic System

A practical copper-catalyzed, 2-picolinamide-directed ortho C-H amination of anilines with benzoyl-protected hydroxylamines has been disclosed that proceeds smoothly without any external stoichiometric oxidant or additives. Remarkably, besides anilines, bicyclic naphthyl or heterocyclic amines furnished amination products with five- and six-membered cyclic and acyclic amines at the ortho position selectively. This electrophilic C-H amination also proceeds smoothly in water under slightly modified reaction conditions.

A Modified System for the Synthesis of Enantioenriched N-Arylamines through Copper-Catalyzed Hydroamination

Despite significant recent progress in copper-catalyzed enantioselective hydroamination chemistry, the synthesis of chiral N-arylamines, which are frequently found in natural products and pharmaceuticals, has not been realized. Initial experiments with N-arylhydroxylamine ester electrophiles were unsuccessful and, instead, their reduction in the presence of copper hydride (CuH) catalysts was observed. Herein, we report key modifications to our previously reported hydroamination methods that lead to broadly applicable conditions for the enantioselective net addition of secondary anilines across the double bond of styrenes, 1,1-disubstituted olefins, and terminal alkenes. NMR studies suggest that suppression of the undesired reduction pathway is the basis for the dramatic improvements in yield under the reported method.

Synthesis of α-Aminophosphines by Copper-Catalyzed Regioselective Hydroamination of Vinylphosphines

A copper-catalyzed net hydroamination of vinylphosphine boranes with hydrosilanes and O-benzoylhydroxylamines has been developed. The reaction proceeds regioselectively to form the corresponding α-aminophosphine boranes of potent interest in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry. This copper catalysis is based on an umpolung, electrophilic amination strategy and provides a new electrophilic amination approach to α-aminophosphine derivatives. Additionally, although still preliminary, asymmetric synthesis has also been achieved by judicious choice of a chiral bisphosphine-ligated copper complex.

Alkenylation of C(sp3 )-H Bonds by Zincation/Copper-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling with Iodonium Salts

α-Vinylation of phosphonates, phosphine oxides, sulfones, sulfonamides, and sulfoxides has been achieved by selective C-H zincation and copper-catalyzed C(sp³ )-C(sp² ) cross-coupling reaction using vinylphenyliodonium salts. The vinylation transformation proceeds in high efficiency and stereospecificity under mild reaction conditions. This zincative cross-coupling reaction represents a general alkenylation strategy, which is also applicable for α-alkenylation of esters, amides, and nitriles in the synthesis of β,γ-unsaturated carbonyl compounds.

Copper-catalysed dehydrogenative α-C(sp3)–H amination of tetrahydroquinolines with O-benzoyl hydroxylamines

A copper-catalysed dehydrogenative α-C(sp³)–H amination of tetrahydroquinolines with O-benzoyl hydroxylamines has been demonstrated, which enables direct access to 2-alkylaminoquinolines in efficient manner.

Iridium catalyzed fragmentation/cyclization of N-butynyl 4,4-dimethylisoxazolidine-3,5-diones: a unique access to multiply substituted pyrroles

A novel protocol for the synthesis of multiply substituted pyrroles has been developed through the iridium catalyzed fragmentation/cyclization of N-butynyl 4,4-dimethylisoxazolidine-3,5-diones in hot ethanol.

Site-Selective Copper-Catalyzed Amination and Azidation of Arenes and Heteroarenes via Deprotonative Zincation

Arene amination is achieved by site-selective C-H zincation followed by copper-catalyzed coupling with O-benzoylhydroxylamines under mild conditions. Key to this success is ortho-zincation mediated by lithium amidodiethylzincate base that is effective for a wide range of arenes, including nonactivated arenes bearing simple functionalities such as fluoride, chloride, ester, amide, ether, nitrile, and trifluoromethyl groups as well as heteroarenes including indole, thiophene, pyridine, and isoquinoline. An analogous C-H azidation is also accomplished using azidoiodinane for direct introduction of a useful azide group onto a broad scope of arenes and heteroarenes. These new transformations offer rapid access to valuable and diverse chemical space of aminoarenes. Their broad applications in organic synthesis and drug discovery are demonstrated in the synthesis of novel analogues of natural product (-)-nicotine and antidepressant sertraline by late-stage amination and azidation reactions.

Catalyst-free ultrasonic-promoted multicomponent synthesis of tertiary α-amino phosphonates

A highly efficient and green protocol has been developed for the synthesis of novel tertiary α-amino phosphonates via a catalyst-free multi-component Kabachnik–Fields reaction under ultrasound irradiation.

Synthesis of β-Boryl-α-Aminosilanes by Copper-Catalyzed Aminoboration of Vinylsilanes

A copper-catalyzed regioselective and stereospecific aminoboration of vinylsilanes with bis(pinacolato)diboron (pinB-Bpin) and hydroxylamines has been developed. In the presence of a CuCl/MeO-dppbz catalyst, the boryl group and amino group are incorporated at the β position and α position, respectively, and the corresponding β-boryl-α-aminosilanes are obtained with good diastereoselectivity. The boryl group is a good latent functional group, and subsequent manipulations provide a variety of β-functionalized α-aminosilanes of great potential in medicinal chemistry. Additionally, preliminary application to asymmetric catalysis is also described.

Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Electrophilic Amination: Application of O-Benzoylhydroxylamines in the Construction of the C-N Bond

Transition-metal-catalyzed electrophilic amination has been developed into a powerful tool for C-N bond construction. So far, O-benzoylhydroxylamines are the most widely used electrophilic aminating reagents. Herein, we summarize the recent advances of O-benzoylhydroxylamines involved in electrophilic amination catalyzed by transition metals. Several pioneering studies and some of the relevant mechanisms are discussed in this review.

Copper-catalyzed intermolecular oxyamination of olefins using carboxylic acids and O-benzoylhydroxylamines

This paper reports a novel approach for the direct and facile synthesis of 1,2-oxyamino moieties via an intermolecular copper-catalyzed oxyamination of olefins. This strategy utilizes O-benzoylhydroxylamines as an electrophilic amine source and carboxylic acids as a nucleophilic oxygen source to achieve a modular difunctionalization of olefins. The reaction proceeded in a regioselective manner with moderate to good yields, exhibiting a broad scope of carboxylic acid, amine, and olefin substrates.

Copper-catalyzed oxyamination of electron-deficient alkenes with N-acyloxyamines

An intermolecular version of copper-catalyzed oxyamination of electron-deficient alkenes by making use of N-acyloxyamines as both amino and oxygen donors was developed.

Design of Modified Amine Transfer Reagents Allows the Synthesis of α-Chiral Secondary Amines via CuH-Catalyzed Hydroamination

The CuH-catalyzed hydroamination of alkenes and alkynes using a silane and an amine transfer reagent represents a simple strategy to access chiral amine products. We have recently reported methods to prepare chiral amines with high efficiency and stereoselectivity using this approach. However, the current technology is limited to the synthesis of trialkylamines from dialkylamine transfer reagents (R2NOBz). When monoalkylamine transfer reagents [RN(H)OBz] were used for the synthesis of chiral secondary amines, competitive, nonproductive consumption of these reagents by the CuH species resulted in poor yields. In this paper, we report the design of a modified type of amine transfer reagent that addresses this limitation. This effort has enabled us to develop a CuH-catalyzed synthesis of chiral secondary amines using a variety of amine coupling partners, including those derived from amino acid esters, carbohydrates, and steroids. Mechanistic investigations indicated that the modified amine transfer reagents are less susceptible to direct reaction with CuH.

Copper-catalyzed diamination of unactivated alkenes with hydroxylamines

A copper-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective diamination of unactivated alkenes has been developed with O-acylhydroxylamines as electrophilic nitrogen sources and oxidants. This method provides the first example of metal-catalyzed alkene diamination for directly installing an electron-rich amino group and extends the diamination scope for the synthesis of diverse 1,2-diamines. It offers a rapid and efficient approach to construct a wide range of 1,2-diamines that are an important structural motif in organic synthesis, medicines, catalysts and ligands.

An Umpolung Strategy for the Synthesis of β-Aminoketones via Copper-Catalyzed Electrophilic Amination of Cyclopropanols

A novel copper-catalyzed electrophilic amination of cyclopropanols with O-benzoyl-N,N-dialkylhydroxylamines to synthesize various β-aminoketones via a sequence that includes C-C bond cleavage and Csp(3)-N bond formation is reported. The reaction conditions are mild and tolerate a wide range of functional groups including benzoate, tosylate, expoxide, and α,β-unsaturated carbonyls, which are incompatible in the traditional amine nucleophilic conjugate addition and the Mannich reaction conditions. Preliminary mechanistic studies and a proposed catalytic cycle of this umpolung β-aminoketone synthesis process have been described as well.

Efficient solvent free synthesis of tertiary α-aminophosphonates using H2Ti3O7 nanotubes as a reusable solid-acid catalyst

The Kabachnik–Fields reaction was applied for the synthesis of α-aminophosphonates from aldehydes, secondary amines and dialkyl phosphites in the presence of H₂Ti₃O₇ nanotubes as reusable solid-acid catalysts.

Recent progress in copper-catalyzed electrophilic amination

This perspective encompasses the recent trends and developments in copper-catalyzed electrophilic amination for the construction of various amines and their derivatives.