Rapid Access to β-Trifluoromethyl-Substituted Ketones: Harnessing Inductive Effects in Wacker-Type Oxidations of Internal Alkenes

Palladium/Iron-Catalyzed Wacker-Type Oxidation of Aliphatic Terminal and Internal Alkenes Using O2

The Wacker-type oxidation of aliphatic terminal alkenes proceeds using a Pd/Fe catalyst system under mild reaction conditions using 1 atm O2 without other additives. The use of 1,2-dimethoxyethane/H2O as a mixed solvent was effective. The slow addition of alkenes is also important for improving product yields. Fe(III) citrate was the most efficient cocatalyst among the iron complexes examined, whereas other complexes such as FeSO4, Fe2(SO4)3, Fe(NO3)3, and Fe2O3 were also operative. This method is also applicable to aliphatic internal alkenes, which are generally difficult to oxidize using conventional Pd/Cu catalyst systems. The gram-scale synthesis and reuse of the Pd catalysts were also demonstrated.

Copper-Catalyzed Visible-Light-Induced Allylic Difluoromethylation of Unactivated Alkenes Using Difluoroacetic Acid

We herein describe a straightforward allylic difluoromethylation reaction of unactivated alkenes. Compared to cross-couplings of prefunctionalized allylic substrates for the construction of allylic CF₂H bonds, this reaction employs readily available alkenes as substrates under mild conditions. Difluoroacetic acid is used as an inexpensive and easy-to-handle source of CF₂H radical under visible light irradiation with PIDA. The copper catalyst plays an important role of diverting the reaction pathway toward allylic difluoromethylation as opposed to previously found hydrodifluoromethylation.

Synthesis of 2-hydroxytetrahydrofurans by Wacker-type oxidation of 1,1-disubstituted alkenes

1,1-Disubstituted alkenes feature high steric hindrance, which renders their Wacker-type oxidation difficult. We demonstrate the stereoselective synthesis of 2-hydroxytetrahydrofurans via the Wacker-type oxidation of 3-methyl-3-buten-1-ols by using a PdCl₂(MeCN)₂/NO/BQ catalyst system under 1 atm O₂ in H₂O or H₂O/DMF.

Realization of Anti-Markovnikov Selectivity in Pd-Catalyzed Oxidative Acetalization and Wacker-Type Oxidation of Terminal Alkenes

Catalytic oxidative acetalization and Wacker-type oxidation of terminal alkenes normally proceed with Markovnikov selectivity to afford internally oxyfunctionalized compounds, such as internal acetals and ketones. Thus, the realization of anti-Markovnikov (AM) selectivity in these reactions is challenging. This account focuses on our recent development of Pd-catalyzed AM oxidation of terminal alkenes (mainly styrenes and aliphatic alkenes), that is, oxidative acetalization (oxidation to terminal acetals) and Wacker-type oxidation (oxidation to aldehydes). The key factors that enhance the yield and AM selectivity of the products found in our studies are: 1) the steric bulkiness of the oxygen nucleophiles that attack on the coordinated alkenes, 2) the electron-deficient cyclic alkenes as additives that withdraw electrons from Pd, 3) the slow addition of substrates in the case of the aliphatic alkenes, which suppresses the isomerization of the terminal alkenes into internal alkenes, and 4) the halogen directing groups in the case of aliphatic alkenes.

Palladium-Catalyzed Anti-Markovnikov Oxidation of Aromatic and Aliphatic Alkenes to Terminal Acetals and Aldehydes

Catalytic anti-Markovnikov (AM) oxidation of terminal alkenes can provide terminally oxyfunctionalized organic compounds. This short review mainly summarizes our recent progress on the Pd-catalyzed AM oxidations of aromatic and aliphatic terminal alkenes to give terminal acetals (oxidative acetalization) and aldehydes (Wacker-type oxidation), along with related reports. These reactions demonstrate the efficacy of the PdCl2(MeCN)2/CuCl/electron-deficient cyclic alkenes/O2 catalytic system. Notably, electron-deficient cyclic alkenes such as p-benzoquinones (BQs) and maleimides are key additives that facilitate nucleophilic attack of oxygen nucleophiles on coordinated terminal alkenes and enhance the AM selectivity. BQs also function to oxidize Pd(0) depending on the reaction conditions. Several other factors that improve the AM selectivity, such as the steric demand of the nucleo­philes, slow substrate addition, and halogen-directing groups, are also discussed.

1 Introduction

2 Anti-Markovnikov Oxidation of Aromatic Alkenes to Terminal Acetals­

3 Anti-Markovnikov Oxidation of Aromatic Alkenes to Aldehydes

4 Anti-Markovnikov Oxidation of Aliphatic Alkenes to Terminal Acetals­

5 Anti-Markovnikov Oxidation of Aliphatic Alkenes to Aldehydes

6 Conclusion

Photoredox-Catalyzed Selective Synthesis of Allylic Perfluoroalkanes from Alkenes

We report herein a novel photoredox-catalyzed synthesis of allylic trifluoromethanes. The use of sulfilimino iminium as a source of trifluoromethyl radicals proves crucial to achieving high selectivity. Importantly, both styrene derivatives and unactivated alkenes are for the first time suitable partners for this process. The mild reaction conditions are compatible with a variety of functional groups. Remarkably, this method is readily broadened to other perfluoroalkyl groups (R_F =CFCl₂ , CF₂ Br, C₄ F₉ ). An extensive mechanistic study is also provided.

Radical Pentafluoroethylation of Unactivated Alkenes Using CuCF2CF3

We have found that the CuCF₂CF₃ complex generated from low-cost pentafluoroethane is a convenient and practical source for the CF₂CF₃ radical under aerobic conditions at room temperature. Using this system, readily available unactivated alkenes can be pentafluoroethylated to provide novel allylic CF₂CF₃ compounds with excellent E-selectivity and functional group tolerability. Mechanistic studies including TEMPO-CF₂CF₃ trapping and radical clock experiments provided strong evidence for radical pathways, offering a new opportunity for copper-mediated radical perfluoroalkylation.

Synthesis of 5-Thio-α-GalCer Analogues with Fluorinated Acyl Chain on Lipid Residue and Their Biological Evaluation

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a subclass of T cells that initiates the secretion of T helper 1 and 2 cytokines after recognizing CD1d protein presented glycolipid antigens. In this Letter, we designed and synthesized a novel series of CD1d ligand α-galactosylceramides (α-GalCers) in which the acyl chain backbone of the lipid was incorporated with fluorine atoms. The in vivo evaluation of immunostimulatory activities revealed that the synthesized α-5-thio-galactopyranosyl-N-perfluorooctanoyl phytosphingosine exhibited a remarkable potency toward selectively enhancing T_H1 cytokine production with the IFN γ/IL-4 ratio of 9/1, while its perfluorotetradecanoyl counterpart showed T_H2 profile with an IFN γ/IL-4 ratio of 0.59/1. The analogues synthesized here would be used as probes to study lipid-protein interactions in α-GalCer/CD1d complexes.

Dative Directing Group Effects in Ti-Catalyzed [2+2+1] Pyrrole Synthesis: Chemo- and Regioselective Alkyne Heterocoupling

Transient dative substrate-Ti interactions have been found to play a key role in controlling the regioselectivity of alkyne insertion and [2+2] cycloaddition in Ti-catalyzed [2+2+1] pyrrole synthesis and Ti-catalyzed alkyne hydroamination. TMS-protected alkynes with pendent Lewis basic groups can invert the regioselectivity of TMS-protected alkyne insertion, leading to the selective formation of highly substituted 3-TMS pyrroles. The competency of various potential directing groups was investigated, and it was found that the directing-group effect can be tuned by modifying the catalyst Lewis acidity, the directing-group basicity, or the directing-group tether length. Dative directing-group effects are unexplored with Ti catalysts, and this study demonstrates the potential power of dative substrate-Ti interactions in tuning selectivity.

Regiocontrolled Wacker Oxidation of Cinnamyl Azides

A highly regioselective Wacker oxidation has been developed for the oxidation of cinnamyl azides. The catalytic oxidation tolerates the azide functionality, and more than 15 β-azido ketones were isolated (25-92% yield). High regioselectivity for the aryl ketone is observed in all cases. A robustness screen was conducted to determine functional group tolerance. The products of the oxidaiton can be readily diversified.

Two-step conversion of carboxylic esters into distally fluorinated ketones via ring cleavage of cyclopropanol intermediates: application of sulfinate salts as fluoroalkylating reagents

Tertiary cyclopropanols easily available from carboxylic esters have been used in the synthesis of distally fluorinated ketones. Cyclopropane ring cleavage reactions in methanol with aqueous tert-butyl hydroperoxide in the presence of a copper(ii) acetate catalyst and sodium triflinate (Langlois reagent) afford β-trifluoromethyl ketones in 16-74% isolated yields. Sodium triflinate serves as a precursor of reactive trifluoromethyl copper species, enabling ring-opening trifluoromethylation, as evidenced by mechanistic studies. We also demonstrate here that other sulfinate salts, such as sodium 1,1-difluoroethanesulfinate, sodium 2-(4-bromophenyl)-1,1-difluoroethanesulfinate and sodium 1-(trifluoromethyl)cyclopropanesulfinate, can be used as fluoroalkylation reagents, resulting in the corresponding fluorinated ketones.

Direct Access to β-Fluorinated Aldehydes by Nitrite-Modified Wacker Oxidation

An aldehyde-selective Wacker-type oxidation of allylic fluorides proceeds with a nitrite catalyst. The method represents a direct route to prepare β-fluorinated aldehydes. Allylic fluorides bearing a variety of functional groups are transformed in high yield and very high regioselectivity. Additionally, the unpurified aldehyde products serve as versatile intermediates, thus enabling access to a diverse array of fluorinated building blocks. Preliminary mechanistic investigations suggest that inductive effects have a strong influence on the rate and regioselectivity of the oxidation.

Simple access to β-trifluoromethyl-substituted ketones via copper-catalyzed ring-opening trifluoromethylation of substituted cyclopropanols

Tertiary cyclopropanols react rapidly with Togni reagent in methanol at room temperature in the presence of catalytic amounts (3 mol%) of CuCl affording β-trifluoromethyl ketones in 65-73% isolated yields. Ring opening in 1,2-dialkylsubstituted cyclopropanols gives a mixture of isomeric β-trifluoromethyl ketones in about 50% combined yield.

Efficient Synthesis of β-CF3/SCF3-Substituted Carbonyls via Copper-Catalyzed Electrophilic Ring-Opening Cross-Coupling of Cyclopropanols

The first copper-catalyzed ring-opening electrophilic trifluoromethylation and trifluoromethylthiolation of cyclopropanols to form Csp3-CF3 and Csp3-SCF3 bonds have been realized. These transformations are efficient for the synthesis of β-CF3- and β-SCF3-substituted carbonyl compounds that are otherwise challenging to access. The reaction conditions are mild and tolerate a wide range of functional groups. Application to a concise synthesis of LY2409021, a glucagon receptor antagonist that is used in clinical trials for type 2 diabetes mellitus, is reported as well.