Photo-induced difluoroalkylation/cyclization of alkyne ketones: a novel strategy to access difluoroalkyl thiofavones

A photo-induced electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complex enabled tandem reaction of alkyne ketones via a radical difluoroalkylation/cyclization cascade sequence is reported. The EDA complex plays a key role, and the C-Br bond homolysis process may also be involved for this transformation. Varieties of difluoroalkyl-substituted thiofavones can be smoothly assembled in moderate to good yields under photocatalyst-, metal- and oxidant-free conditions, thus offering potential applications for pharmaceutical research.

1,6-Nucleophilic Di- and Trifluoromethylation of para-Quinone Methides with Me3SiCF2H/Me3SiCF3 Facilitated by CsF/18-Crown-6

The direct 1,6-nucleophilic difluoromethylation, trifluoromethylation, and difluoroalkylation of para-quinone methides (p-QMs) with Me3SiRf (Rf = CF2H, CF3, CF2CF3, CF2COOEt, and CF2SPh) under mild conditions are described. Although Me3SiCF2H shows lower reactivity than Me3SiCF3, it can react with p-QMs promoted by CsF/18-Crown-6 to give structurally diverse difluoromethyl products in good yields. The products can then be further converted into fluoroalkylated para-quinone methides and α-fluoroalkylated diarylmethanes.

Synthesis of Fluoromethylated Chromones and Their Heteroatom Analogues via Sodium Fluoromethanesulfinate-Enabled Direct Fluoromethylation

An array of biologically interesting tri/difluoromethylated chromones and their heteroatom analogues were conveniently synthesized from the reaction of chromones and their heteroatom analogues with CF3SO2Na or HCF2SO2Na in the presence of tert-butyl hydroperoxide under mild conditions. A mechanistic pathway involving the generation of the electrophilic tri/difluoromethyl radical, followed with the radical substitution of chromones and their heteroatom analogues, was postulated.

C(21)-Di- and monofluorinated scaffold for thevinol/orvinol-based opioid receptor ligands

Defluorination of the readily available 21,21,21-trifluorothevinone (7) with Mg + Me3SiCl allows the preparation of 21,21-difluorothevinone (10) and 21-fluorothevinone (11), which can be used as the starting compounds for syntheses of 21,21-difluoro- and 21-fluoro-substituted relatives of thevinols and orvinols. Taken together, thevinols and orvinols are well known to constitute a family of the highly potent 4,5α-epoxy-18,19-endo-(etheno/ethano)morphinan-type opioid receptor ligands. Alternatively, 10 and 18,19-dihydro-21,21-difluorothevinone (13) have been synthesized by the addition of Me3SiCHF2 to the carbonyl function of thevinal (12) and dihydrothevinal (18) followed by oxidation of the intermediate C(21)-difluorinated secondary alcohols. 21,21-Difluorothevinols were obtained both by the addition of RMgX or RLi to the 21,21-difluoroketones and by the addition of Me3SiCHF2 to the carbonyl function of the non-fluorinated 18,19-endo-(etheno/ethano)morphinan ketones. In general, these addition reactions have been shown to result in mixtures of the C(21)-epimeric alcohols. However, in some cases, the reactions proceeded with high stereoselectivity allowing the isolation of one of the epimeric alcohols by conventional crystallization. Preparations of the 21,21-difluorothevinols bearing an allyl, cyclopropylmethyl, or cyclobutylmethyl group at the N(17) nitrogen are also reported.

Organoselenium Compounds: Chemistry and Applications in Organic Synthesis

Selenium, originally described as a toxin, turns out to be a crucial trace element for life that appears as selenocysteine and its dimer, selenocystine. From the point of view of drug developments, selenium-containing drugs are isosteres of sulfur and oxygen with the advantage that the presence of the selenium atom confers antioxidant properties and high lipophilicity, which would increase cell membrane permeation leading to better oral bioavailability. In this article, we have focused on the relevant features of the selenium atom, above all, the corresponding synthetic approaches to access a variety of organoselenium molecules along with the proposed reaction mechanisms. The preparation and biological properties of selenosugars, including selenoglycosides, selenonucleosides, selenopeptides, and other selenium-containing compounds will be treated. We have attempted to condense the most important aspects and interesting examples of the chemistry of selenium into a single article.

Synthesis of Difluoromethylated Carbinols via a HFIP-Promoted Hydroxydifluoromethylation of Aniline, Indole, and Pyrrole Derivatives with Difluoroacetaldehyde Ethyl Hemiacetal

A hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP)-promoted hydroxydifluoromethylation of aniline, indole, and pyrrole derivatives with difluoroacetaldehyde ethyl hemiacetal has been developed. This protocol provides a facile and straightforward approach to access diverse difluoromethylated carbinols in good to excellent yields under mild conditions. Furthermore, gram-scale and synthetic derivatization experiments have also been demonstrated.

Tandem Reaction of Azide with Isonitrile and TMSCnFm(H): Access to N-Functionalized C-Fluoroalkyl Amidine

N-Functionalized C-fluoroalkyl amidines are attracting great attention due to their potential in pharmaceuticals. Herein, we report a Pd-catalyzed tandem reaction of azide with isonitrile and fluoroalkylsilane via a carbodiimide intermediate, providing facile access to N-functionalized C-fluoroalkyl amidines. This protocol offers an approach toward not only N-sulphonyl, N-phosphoryl, N-acyl, and N-aryl but also C-CF₃, C₂F₅, and CF₂H amidines with a broad substrate scope. The accomplishment of further transformations and Celebrex derivatization in gram scale and biological evaluation reveals the important utility of this strategy.

Regio- and Enantioselective Allylic Cyanomethylation by Synergistic Rhodium and Silane Catalysis

Rh/silane-cocatalyzed regio- and enantioselctive allylic cyanomethylation with inert acetonitrile directly has been developed. Addition of a catalytic amount neutral silane reagent as an acetonitrile anion carrier is essential for the success of this reaction. The synthesis of mono- and bis-allylation products can be switched by adjusting the size of substituents on the silane, ligands, and temperature. Chiral homoallylic nitriles could be synthesized in above 20:1 branch/linear ratio, up to 98% yield and >99% ee.

Difluoromethylsulfonyl Imidazolium Salt for Difluoromethylation of Alkenes

Herein, we describe the design and synthesis of a difluoromethylsulfonyl imidazolium salt, which can act as a radical difluoromethylation reagent to achieve the challenging amino- and oxy-difluoromethylation of alkenes. Notably, the three steps for the synthesis of the imidazolium salt do not require any tedious distillation or column chromatography purification process, and the amino- and oxy-difluoromethylation paths are simply determined by the selection of reaction solvents.

Visible-Light-Promoted bis(Difluoromethylation)/Cyclization of 2-Vinyloxy Arylalkynes to Prepare Benzofuran Derivatives

A visible-light-promoted difluoromethylation/cyclization of 2-vinyloxy arylalkynes was developed, providing a variety of bis(difluoromethyl)-substituted benzofurans in moderate to good yields. A plausible mechanism involving difluoromethyl radical cascade cyclization and solvent-promoted ionic addition was proposed. This protocol has the advantages of having mild reaction conditions, simple operation, and good functional group tolerance.

Radical hydrodifluoromethylation of unsaturated C-C bonds via an electroreductively triggered two-pronged approach

Due to its superior ability in controlling pharmaceutical activity, the installation of difluoromethyl (CF₂H) functionality into organic molecules has been an area of intensive research. In this context, difluoromethylation of C-C π bonds mediated by a CF₂H radical have been pursued as a central strategy to grant access to difluoromethylated hydrocarbons. However, early precedents necessitate the generation of oxidative chemical species that can limit the generality and utility of the reaction. We report here the successful implementation of radical hydrodifluoromethylation of unsaturated C-C bonds via an electroreductively triggered two-pronged approach. Preliminary mechanistic investigations suggest that the key distinction of the present strategy originates from the reconciliation of multiple redox processes under highly reducing electrochemical conditions. The reaction conditions can be chosen based on the electronic properties of the alkenes of interest, highlighting the hydrodifluoromethylation of both unactivated and activated alkenes. Notably, the reaction delivers geminal (bis)difluoromethylated products from alkynes in a single step by consecutive hydrodifluoromethylation, granting access to an underutilized 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoropropan-2-yl functional group. The late-stage hydrodifluoromethylation of densely functionalized pharmaceutical agents is also presented.

Synthesis and Characterization of Hypercoordinated Silicon Anions: Catching Intermediates of Lewis Base Catalysis

Anionic hypercoordinated silicates with weak donors were proposed as key intermediates in numerous silicon-based reactions. However, their short-lived nature rendered even spectroscopic observations highly challenging. Here, we characterize hypercoordinated silicon anions, including the first bromido-, iodido-, formato-, acetato-, triflato- and sulfato-silicates. This is enabled by a new, donor-free polymeric form of Lewis superacidic bis(perchlorocatecholato)silane 1. Spectroscopic, structural, and computational insights allow a reassessment of Gutmann's empirical rules for the role of silicon hypercoordination in synthesis and catalysis. The electronic perturbations of 1 exerted on the bound anions indicate pronounced substrate activation.

Repurposing of F-gases: challenges and opportunities in fluorine chemistry

Fluorinated gases (F-gases) are routinely employed as refrigerants, blowing agents, and electrical insulators. These volatile compounds are potent greenhouse gases and consequently their release to the environment creates a significant contribution to global warming. This review article seeks to summarise: (i) the current applications of F-gases, (ii) the environmental issues caused by F-gases, (iii) current methods of destruction of F-gases and (iv) recent work in the field towards the chemical repurposing of F-gases. There is a great opportunity to tackle the environmental and sustainability issues created by F-gases by developing reactions that repurpose these molecules.

Oxidative Additions of C-F Bonds to the Silanide Anion [Si(C2 F5 )3 ]. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022;61:e202116468. [PMID: 35107847 PMCID: PMC9310575 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202116468]

Compounds exhibiting main group elements in low oxidation states were found to mimic the reactivity of transition metal complexes. Like the latter, such main group species show a proclivity of changing their oxidation state as well as their coordination number by +2, therefore fulfilling the requirements for oxidative additions. Prominent examples of such main group compounds that undergo oxidative additions with organohalides R-X (R=alkyl, aryl, X=F, Cl, Br, I) are carbenes and their higher congeners. Aluminyl anions, which like carbenes and silylenes oxidatively add to strong σ-bonds in R-X species, have been recently discovered. We present the first anion based upon a Group 14 element, namely the tris(pentafluoroethyl)silanide anion, [Si(C2 F5 )3 ]- , which is capable of oxidative additions towards C-F bonds. This enables the isolation of non-chelated tetraorganofluorosilicate salts, which to the best of our knowledge had only been observed as reactive intermediates before.

Innovative Strategies for the Construction of Diverse 1'-Modified C-Nucleoside Derivatives

Modified C-nucleosides have proven to be enormously successful as chemical probes to understand fundamental biological processes and as small-molecule drugs for cancer and infectious diseases. Historically, the modification of the glycosyl unit has focused on the 2'-, 3'-, and 4'-positions as well as the ribofuranosyl ring oxygen. By contrast, the 1'-position has rarely been studied due to the labile nature of the anomeric position. However, the improved chemical stability of C-nucleosides allows the modification of the 1'-position with substituents not found in conventional N-nucleosides. Herein, we disclose new chemistry for the installation of diverse substituents at the 1'-position of C-nucleosides, including alkyl, alkenyl, difluoromethyl, and fluoromethyl substituents, using the 4-amino-7-(1'-hydroxy-d-ribofuranosyl)pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine scaffold as a representative purine nucleoside mimetic.

Carbonyl 1,2-transposition through triflate-mediated α-amination

[Figure: see text].

Divergent S- and C-Difluoromethylation of 2-Substituted Benzothiazoles

Two unprecedented and complementary synthetic strategies for S- and C-difluoromethylation of 2-substituted benzothiazoles have been developed by taking advantage of the remarkably different reactivity of CF₂H^- and 2-PySO₂CF₂^- nucleophiles. A variety of structurally diverse difluoromethyl 2-isocyanophenyl sulfides and 2-difluoromethylated benzothiazoles were synthesized with these two new synthetic protocols.

Difluoromethylation of Alkyl Bromides and Iodides with TMSCF2H

We describe, for the first time, two protocols for direct difluoromethylation of unactivated alkyl bromides and iodides. Reactions of alkyl iodides with TMSCF₂H were mediated by a copper catalyst using CsF as the activator, while reactions of less reactive alkyl bromides required a combination of palladium and a stoichiometric amount of CuI as the catalysts. Preliminary mechanistic studies of the synergistic Pd/Cu-catalyzed difluoromethylation of alkyl bromides suggest that it proceeds likely via a Pd(I)/Pd(III) catalytic cycle.

Late-stage difluoromethylation: concepts, developments and perspective

This review describes the conceptual advances that have led to the multiple difluoromethylation processes making use of well-defined CF₂H sources.

(Difluoromethyl)trimethylsilane (TMSCHF2): A Useful Difluoromethylating Nucleophilic Source

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Convenient Preparation and Structure Determination of Air- and Moisture-Tolerant Difluoromethylborates

Convenient and reliable synthetic methods for difluoromethylborates have been established. The intermediary generated difluoromethylsilicate species from TMSCF₂ H (TMS=trimethylsilyl) and potassium tert-butoxide were allowed to react with pinBPh (Me₄ C₂ O₂ BPh) in the presence of 18-crown-6 to give the corresponding borate compound [pinB(Ph)CF₂ H]^- K⁺ (18-crown-6) as an air- and moisture-tolerant solid. The unambiguously determined crystal structure of [pinB(Ph)CF₂ H]^- K⁺ (18-crown-6) revealed that the difluoromethylborate unit partially coordinated on the potassium ion. Reaction of [pinB(Ph)CF₂ H]^- K⁺ (18-crown-6) with potassium difluoride (KHF₂ ) in acetic acid enabled substitution of the pinacol unit and phenyl group with fluorides, and gave (difluoromethyl)trifluoroborate [F₃ BCF₂ H]^- K⁺ (18-crown-6) in a good yield. The crystal structure of air- and moisture-tolerant [F₃ BCF₂ H]^- K⁺ (18-crown-6), which would be a promising reagent for synthesis of various difluoromethylboron species, showed a polyrotaxane-like polymeric structure based on the K⋅⋅⋅F interactions between the K⁺ (18-crown-6), CF₂ H, and BF₃ units.

Slicing and Splicing of Bromodifluoro-N-arylacetamides: Dearomatization and Difunctionalization of Pyridines

Copper-catalyzed dearomatization and difunctionalization of pyridines have been disclosed, in which bromodifluoro-N-arylacetamide was sliced into five fragments and three or four of them were transferred to pyridine partners. Through this reaction, novel N-difluoromethyl-2-imine dihydropyridine derivatives can be conveniently accessed from commercially available 4-amino substituted pyridines. This strategy demonstrates a novel fluorination method featuring high atom economy, environmental friendliness, an easily available catalyst, and simple operation.

Practical fluorothiolation and difluorothiolation of alkenes using pyridine-HF and N-thiosuccinimides

Fluorothiolation and difluorothiolation of alkenes using pyridine-HF and N-thiosuccinimides.

Difluoromethane as a precursor to difluoromethyl borates

Difluoromethane (CF2H2) is an ecologically-friendly refrigerant which holds promise as a source of CF2H-. However, the weak acidity (pKa = 35-41) and low stability of the conjugate base have prevented its utilization as a chemical feedstock. In this manuscript, we use a Lewis pair approach to deprotonate CF2H2 and capture CF2H- as R3B-CF2H- adducts. One reagent can be used as a base-free Suzuki reagent in palladium-mediated difluoromethylation, where CF2H- transfer is templated by precoordination to an azaborine derived R3B-CF2H- reagent.

Visible-light-induced radical hydrodifluoromethylation of alkenes

Visible-light-induced radical hydrodifluoromethylation of alkenes with the phosphonium salt [Ph₃P⁺CF₂H Br⁻] under transition-metal-free conditions is described.

Anion-Initiated Trifluoromethylation by TMSCF3: Deconvolution of the Siliconate-Carbanion Dichotomy by Stopped-Flow NMR/IR

The mechanism of CF3 transfer from R3SiCF3 (R = Me, Et, iPr) to ketones and aldehydes, initiated by M+X- (<0.004 to 10 mol %), has been investigated by analysis of kinetics (variable-ratio stopped-flow NMR and IR), 13C/2H KIEs, LFER, addition of ligands (18-c-6, crypt-222), and density functional theory calculations. The kinetics, reaction orders, and selectivity vary substantially with reagent (R3SiCF3) and initiator (M+X-). Traces of exogenous inhibitors present in the R3SiCF3 reagents, which vary substantially in proportion and identity between batches and suppliers, also affect the kinetics. Some reactions are complete in milliseconds, others take hours, and others stall before completion. Despite these differences, a general mechanism has been elucidated in which the product alkoxide and CF3- anion act as chain carriers in an anionic chain reaction. Silyl enol ether generation competes with 1,2-addition and involves protonation of CF3- by the α-C-H of the ketone and the OH of the enol. The overarching mechanism for trifluoromethylation by R3SiCF3, in which pentacoordinate siliconate intermediates are unable to directly transfer CF3- as a nucleophile or base, rationalizes why the turnover rate (per M+X- initiator) depends on the initial concentration (but not identity) of X-, the identity (but not concentration) of M+, the identity of the R3SiCF3 reagent, and the carbonyl/R3SiCF3 ratio. It also rationalizes which R3SiCF3 reagent effects the most rapid trifluoromethylation, for a specific M+X- initiator.

Difluoromethylcarbene for iron-catalyzed cyclopropanation

Difluoroethylsulfonium salt, Ph₂S⁺CH₂CF₂H OTf^-, was developed into a convenient difluoromethylcarbene reagent for the iron-catalyzed cyclopropanation of terminal olefins, giving various difluoromethyl-cyclopropanes with excellent diastereoselectivities and in high yields.

China's flourishing synthetic organofluorine chemistry: innovations in the new millennium

The new millennium has witnessed the rapid development of synthetic organofluorine chemistry all over the world, and chemists in China have made significant contributions in this field. This review aims to provide a brief introduction to China's primary innovations from 2000 to early 2017, covering fluorination, fluoroalkylation, fluoromethylthiolation, fluoroolefination and polyfluoroarylation, as well as synthesis with fluorinated building blocks. Recent advances in the chemistry of difluorocarbene and the chemistry of carbon–fluorine bond activation are also discussed. As a conclusion, the review ends with some personal perspectives on the future development of China's synthetic organofluorine chemistry.