Iron-Catalyzed Cyclotrimerization of Terminal Alkynes by Dual Catalyst Activation in the Absence of Reductants

Mechanistic Investigation on the Regioselectivity of Electrochemical Co(II)-Catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] Cycloaddition of Terminal Acetylenes

In this paper, the regioselectivity of electrochemical Co(II)-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of terminal alkynes was investigated using density functional theory. We explored in detail the energy profiles for both 1,2,4- and 1,3,5-regioselectivity pathways and revealed the origin of the regioselectivity. Two kinds of conformational isomers derived from the different coordination modes of alkynes with cobaltacyclopentadiene have been found, which were formed through electrochemically mediated redox processes. The regioselectivity of the reaction depends on the two coordination modes. When the Co(II) center attacks α-C of the third alkyne, while β2-C in cyclopentadiene bonds to β-C of the alkyne, the reaction favors the formation of 1,2,4-products. In contrast, when the Co(II) center connects to β-C of the alkyne, it forms only the 1,3,5-products via [4 + 2] cycloaddition because of the steric repulsion between the bulky ligand on Co(II) and the phenyl group in the alkyne.

A Versatile, Functional Group-Tolerant, and Bench-Stable Iron Precatalyst for Building Arene and Triazine Rings by [2+2+2] Cycloadditions

We report an efficient iron-catalyzed cycloaddition procedure leading to the construction of (hetero)aromatic rings by alkyne [2+2+2] cycloisomerization. This method relies on the use of an air-stable (N,N)Fe(II) precursor easily prepared from a commercially available ligand derived from 1,10-phenanthroline, reduced in situ into a catalytically active non-innocent (N,N ⋅-)2Fe(II) species. This system displays a large scope application, operates under mild conditions and at low catalytic charges (25 cycloadducts formed, up to 1.5 mol% catalyst). Moreover, this method also enables access to 29 cycloadducts by cross-cycloisomerization between 1,6- or 1,7-diynes and alkynes in near-equimolar conditions. 1,3,5-Triazines can also be prepared with this procedure starting from the corresponding cyanamides. Scale-up reactions and post-functionalization of several cycloadducts also show that this [2+2+2] cycloaddition can be used in multistep sequences.

Homotropic Cooperativity in Iron-Catalyzed Alkyne Cyclotrimerizations

Enhancing catalytic activity through synergic effects is a current challenge in homogeneous catalysis. In addition to the well-established metal-metal and metal-ligand cooperation, we showcase here an example of self-activation by the substrate in controlling the catalytic activity of the two-coordinate iron complex [Fe(2,6-Xyl₂C₆H₃)₂] (1, Xyl = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃). This behavior was observed for aryl acetylenes in their regioselective cyclotrimerization to 1,2,4-(aryl)-benzenes. Two kinetically distinct regimes are observed dependent upon the substrate-to-catalyst ratio ([RC≡CH]₀/[1]₀), referred to as the low ([RC≡CH]₀/[1]₀ < 40) and high ([RC≡CH]₀/[1]₀ > 40) regimes. Both showed sigmoidal kinetic response, with positive Hill indices of 1.85 and 3.62, respectively, and nonlinear Lineweaver-Burk replots with an upward curvature, which supports positive substrate cooperativity. Moreover, two alkyne molecules participate in the low regime, whereas up to four are involved in the high regime. The second-order rate dependence on 1 indicates that binuclear complexes are the catalytically competent species in both regimes, with that in the high one being 6 times faster than that involved in the low one. Moreover, Eyring plot analyses revealed two different catalytic cycles, with a rate-determining step more endergonic in the low regime than in the high one, but with a more ordered transition state in the high regime than in the low one.

Iron/Photosensitizer Hybrid System Enables the Synthesis of Polyaryl-Substituted Azafluoranthenes

Photosensitization of organometallics is a privileged strategy that enables challenging transformations in transition-metal catalysis. However, the usefulness of such photocatalyst-induced energy transfer has remained opaque in iron-catalyzed reactions despite the intriguing prospects of iron catalysis in synthetic chemistry. Herein, we demonstrate the use of iron/photosensitizer-cocatalyzed cycloaddition to synthesize polyarylpyridines and azafluoranthenes, which have been scarcely accessible using the established iron-catalyzed protocols. Mechanistic studies indicate that triplet energy transfer from the photocatalyst to a ferracyclic intermediate facilitates the thermally demanding nitrile insertion and accounts for the distinct reactivity of the hybrid system. This study thus provides the first demonstration of the role of photosensitization in overcoming the limitations of iron catalysis.

Regioselectively switchable alkyne cyclotrimerization catalyzed by the system of Ni(II)/bidentate P-ligand/Zn with ZnI2 as additive

A simple catalyst system of Ni(PPh3)2Cl2/dppb or dppm/Zn can effect an efficient and regioselectively controlled alkyne cyclotrimerization to form 1,2,4- (with no additive) or 1,3,5-regioisomers (with the use of ZnI2...

Reversible C-C Bond Formation, Halide Abstraction, and Electromers in Complexes of Iron Containing Redox-Noninnocent Pyridine-imine Ligands

The exploration of pyridine-imine (PI) iron complexes that exhibit redox noninnocence (RNI) led to several interesting discoveries. The reduction of (PI)FeX₂ species afforded disproportionation products such as (dmpPI)₂FeX (dmp = 2,6-Me₂-C₆H₃, X = Cl, Br; 8-X) and (dippPI)₂FeX (dipp = 2,6-ⁱPr₂-C₆H₃, X = Cl, Br; 9-X), which were independently prepared by reductions of (PI)FeX₂ in the presence of PI. The crystal structure of 8-Br possessed an asymmetric unit with two distinct electromers, species with different electronic GSs: a low-spin (S = 1/2) configuration derived from an intermediate-spin S = 1 core antiferromagnetically (AF) coupled to an S = 1/2 PI ligand, and an S = 3/2 center resulting from a high-spin S = 2 core AF-coupled to an S = 1/2 PI ligand. Calculations were used to energetically compare plausible ground states. Polydentate diazepane-PI (DHPI) ligands were applied to the synthesis of monomeric dihalides (DHPI)FeX₂ (X = Cl, 1-Cl₂; X = Br, 1-Br₂); reduction generated the highly distorted bioctahedral dimers (DHPA)₂Fe₂X₂ ((3-X)₂) containing a C-C bond formed from imine coupling; the monomers 1-X₂ could be regenerated upon Ph₃CX oxidation. Dihalides and their reduced counterparts were subjected to various alkyl halides and methyl methacrylate (MMA), generating polymers with little to no molecular weight control, indicative of simple radical-initiated polymerization.

Polymer-Supported-Cobalt-Catalyzed Regioselective Cyclotrimerization of Aryl Alkynes

A convoluted poly(4-vinylpyridine) cobalt(II) (P4VP-CoCl₂) system was developed as a stable and reusable heterogeneous catalyst. The local structure near the Co atom was determined on the basis of experimental data and theoretical calculations. This immobilized cobalt catalyst showed high selectivity and catalytic activity in the [2 + 2 + 2] cyclotrimerization of terminal aryl alkynes. With 0.033 mol % P4VP-CoCl₂, the regioselective formation of 1,3,5-triarylbenzene was realized without 1,2,4-triarylbenzene formation. Further, a multigram-scale (11 g) reaction proceeded efficiently. In addition, the polymer-supported catalyst was successfully recovered and used three times. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of the recovered catalyst suggested that cobalt was in the +2 oxidation state. The 1,3,5-triarylbenzene derivatives were applied to the synthesis of a molecular beam electron resist and a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon.

Recent Progress in Metal-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition Reactions

Metal-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition is a powerful tool that allows rapid construction of functionalized 6-membered carbo- and heterocycles in a single step through an atom-economical process with high functional group tolerance. The reaction is usually regio- and chemoselective although selectivity issues can still be challenging for intermolecular reactions involving the cross-[2+2+2] cycloaddition of two or three different alkynes and various strategies have been developed to attain high selectivities. Furthermore, enantioselective [2+2+2] cycloaddition is an efficient means to create central, axial, and planar chirality and a variety of chiral organometallic complexes can be used for asymmetric transition-metal-catalyzed inter- and intramolecular reactions. This review summarizes the recent advances in the field of [2+2+2] cycloaddition.

1 Introduction

2 Formation of Carbocycles

2.1 Intermolecular Reactions

2.1.1 Cyclotrimerization of Alkynes

2.1.2 [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of Two Different Alkynes

2.1.3 [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of Alkynes/Alkenes with Alkenes/Enamides

2.2 Partially Intramolecular [2+2+2] Cycloaddition Reactions

2.2.1 Rhodium-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition

2.2.2 Molybdenum-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition

2.2.3 Cobalt-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition

2.2.4 Ruthenium-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition

2.2.5 Other Metal-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition

2.3 Totally Intramolecular [2+2+2] Cycloaddition Reactions

3 Formation of Heterocycles

3.1 Cycloaddition of Alkynes with Nitriles

3.2 Cycloaddition of 1,6-Diynes with Cyanamides

3.3 Cycloaddition of 1,6-Diynes with Selenocyanates

3.4 Cycloaddition of Imines with Allenes or Alkenes

3.5 Cycloaddition of (Thio)Cyanates and Isocyanates

3.6 Cycloaddition of 1,3,5-Triazines with Allenes

3.7 Cycloaddition of Aldehydes with Enynes or Allenes/Alkenes

3.8 Totally Intramolecular [2+2+2] Cycloaddition Reactions

4 Conclusion

H-BPin/KOtBu Promoted Activation of Cobalt Salt to a Heterotopic Catalyst for Highly Selective Cyclotrimerization of Alkynes

A mixture of HBPin with KO^tBu was found to activate cobalt salt to form a heterotopic cobalt species that is highly active for catalytic intermolecular trimerization of alkynes. This protocol affords 1,2,4-regioisomers in good yields with high regioselectivities under mild conditions. These salient features, together with the operational simplicity and high efficiency, as well as obviating the use of any costly and/or air sensitive ligands, renders the protocol promising for practical applications.

Combined Photoredox and Iron Catalysis for the Cyclotrimerization of Alkynes

Successful combinations of visible-light photocatalysis with metal catalysis have recently enabled the development of hitherto unknown chemical reactions. Dual mechanisms from merging metal-free photocatalysts and earth-abundant metal catalysts are still in their infancy. We report a photo-organo-iron-catalyzed cyclotrimerization of alkynes by photoredox activation of a ligand-free Fe catalyst. The reaction operates under very mild conditions (visible light, 20 °C, 1 h) with 1-2 mol % loading of the three catalysts (dye, amine, FeCl2 ).

On the Use of Iron in Organic Chemistry

Transition metal catalysis in modern organic synthesis has largely focused on noble transition metals like palladium, platinum and ruthenium. The toxicity and low abundance of these metals, however, has led to a rising focus on the development of the more sustainable base metals like iron, copper and nickel for use in catalysis. Iron is a particularly good candidate for this purpose due to its abundance, wide redox potential range, and the ease with which its properties can be tuned through the exploitation of its multiple oxidation states, electron spin states and redox potential. This is a fact made clear by all life on Earth, where iron is used as a cornerstone in the chemistry of living processes. In this mini review, we report on the general advancements in the field of iron catalysis in organic chemistry covering addition reactions, C-H activation, cross-coupling reactions, cycloadditions, isomerization and redox reactions.

Three-Coordinate Iron(0) Complexes with N-Heterocyclic Carbene and Vinyltrimethylsilane Ligation: Synthesis, Characterization, and Ligand Substitution Reactions

Low-coordinate iron(0) species are implicated as intermediates in a range of iron-catalyzed organic transformations. Isolable iron(0) complexes with coordination numbers of less than four, however, are rarely known. In continuing with our interests in three-coordinate iron(0) complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) and alkene ligation, we report herein the synthesis and ligand substitution reactivity of three-coordinate iron(0) complexes featuring monodentate alkene ligands, [(NHC)Fe(η²-vtms)₂] (vtms = vinyltrimethylsilane, NHC = 1,3-bis(2',6'-diisopropylphenyl)-imidazol-2-ylidene (IPr), 1; 1,3-bis(2',6'-diisopropylphenyl)-4,5-tetramethylene-imidazol-2-ylidene (cyIPr), 2; 1,3-bis(2',6'-diisopropylphenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1,3-diazepin-2-ylidene (7-IPr), 3). Complexes 1-3 were synthesized from the one-pot reactions of ferrous dihalides with the N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-substituted NHC ligands, vtms, and KC₈. Reactivity study of 1 revealed its facile ligand substitution reactions with terminal aryl alkynes, ketones, isocyanides, and CO, by which iron(0) complexes [(IPr)Fe(η²-HCCAr)] (Ar = Ph, 5; p-CH₃C₆H₄, 6; 3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃, 7), [(IPr)Fe(η²-OCPh₂)₂] (8), [(IPr)Fe(CNR)₄] (R = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃, 9; Bu^t, 10), and (IPr)Fe(CO)₄ (11) were prepared in good yields. These iron(0) complexes have been characterized by ¹H NMR, solution magnetic susceptibility measurement, single-crystal X-ray diffraction study, ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Characterization data and computational studies suggest S = 1 ground-spin states for three-coordinate iron(0) complexes 1-3 and 5-8 and S = 0 ground states for 9-11. Theoretical studies on the three-coordinate complexes 1, 6, and 8 indicated pronounced metal-to-ligand backdonation from occupied Fe 3d orbitals to the π* orbitals of the C═C, C≡C, and C═O moieties of the π ligands. In addition, 1 proved an effective precatalyst for the cyclotrimerization reaction of alkynes.

Stereoselective Alkyne Hydrogenation by using a Simple Iron Catalyst

The stereoselective hydrogenation of alkynes constitutes one of the key approaches for the construction of stereodefined alkenes. The majority of conventional methods utilize noble and toxic metal catalysts. This study concerns a simple catalyst comprised of the commercial chemicals iron(II) acetylacetonate and diisobutylaluminum hydride, which enables the Z-selective semihydrogenation of alkynes under near ambient conditions (1-3 bar H₂ , 30 °C, 5 mol % [Fe]). Neither an elaborate catalyst preparation nor addition of ligands is required. Mechanistic studies (kinetic poisoning, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, TEM) strongly indicate the operation of small iron clusters and particle catalysts.

PtCl2-Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of 1,8-Enynes: Synthesis of Tetrahydropyridine Species

The cycloisomerization of 1,8-enynes in the presence of platinum(II) chloride was developed to generate bicyclic nitrogen-containing heterocycle species via 6- endo-dig cyclization and [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement in acceptable to good yields. The related control experiments and preliminary mechanistic studies indicate a plausible mechanism involving 1,6- endo-dig aminoplatination of the alkyne and allylic [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement with total inversion of the allylic moiety.

Synthesis and Reactivity of an Early-Transition-Metal Alkynyl Cubane Mn4 C4 Cluster

While the coordination chemistry of monometallic complexes and the surface properties of extended metal particles are well understood, the control of metal nanocluster formation has remained challenging. The isolation of discrete metal clusters provides an especially rare snapshot at the nanoscale of cluster growth. The synthesis and full characterization of the first early-transition-metal alkynyl cubane and the first μ³ -alkynyl Mn₃ motif are reported.

Enhanced Catalytic Activity of Nickel Complexes of an Adaptive Diphosphine-Benzophenone Ligand in Alkyne Cyclotrimerization

Adaptive ligands, which can adapt their coordination mode to the electronic structure of various catalytic intermediates, offer the potential to develop improved homogeneous catalysts in terms of activity and selectivity. 2,2'-Diphosphinobenzophenones have previously been shown to act as adaptive ligands, the central ketone moiety preferentially coordinating reduced metal centers. Herein, the utility of this scaffold in nickel-catalyzed alkyne cyclotrimerization is investigated. The complex [( p-tolL1)Ni(BPI)] ( p-tolL1 = 2,2'-bis(di(para-tolyl)phosphino)-benzophenone; BPI = benzophenone imine) is an active catalyst in the [2 + 2 + 2] cyclotrimerization of terminal alkynes, selectively affording 1,2,4-substituted benzenes from terminal alkynes. In particular, this catalyst outperforms closely related bi- and tridentate phosphine-based Ni catalysts. This suggests a reaction pathway involving a hemilabile interaction of the C=O unit with the nickel center. This is further borne out by a comparative study of the observed resting states and DFT calculations.

Benzene construction via Pd-catalyzed cyclization of 2,7-alkadiynylic carbonates in the presence of alkynes

A palladium-catalyzed highly regio- and chemo-selective cyclization of 2,7-alkadiynylic carbonates with functionalized alkynes to construct 1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran and isoindoline derivatives under mild conditions has been developed. Functional groups such as alcohol, sulfonamide, and indoles could be well tolerated. After careful mechanistic studies, a mechanism involving oxidative addition and regioselectivity-defined double alkyne insertions has been proposed.

Cyclotrimerization of alkynes catalyzed by a self-supported cyclic tri-nuclear nickel(0) complex with α-diimine ligands

The cyclic tri-nickel(0) complex [{Ni(μ-L^Me-2,4)}₃] (L^Me-2,4 = [(2,4-Me₂C₆H₃)NC(Me)]₂) self-supported by the α-diimines catalyzes cyclotrimerization of alkynes to form substituted benzenes.

Synthesis and Utility of 2,2-Dimethyl-2 H-pyrans: Dienes for Sequential Diels-Alder/Retro-Diels-Alder Reactions

The practical use of 2,2-dimethyl-2 H-pyrans as electron-rich dienes in sequential Diels-Alder/retro-Diels-Alder (DA/rDA) domino processes to generate aromatic platforms has been demonstrated. Different polysubstituted alkyl 2-naphthoates have been synthesized by the DA/rDA reaction of benzynes and 2,2-dimethyl-2 H-pyrans. The use of other activated alkynes allows the access of substituted alkyl benzoate derivatives.

A Manganese Nanosheet: New Cluster Topology and Catalysis

While the coordination chemistry of monometallic complexes and the surface characteristics of larger metal particles are well understood, preparations of molecular metallic nanoclusters remain a great challenge. Discrete planar metal clusters constitute nanoscale snapshots of cluster growth but are especially rare owing to the strong preference for three-dimensional structures and rapid aggregation or decomposition. A simple ligand-exchange procedure has led to the formation of a novel heteroleptic Mn6 nanocluster that crystallized in an unprecedented flat-chair topology and exhibited unique magnetic and catalytic properties. Magnetic susceptibility studies documented strong electronic communication between the manganese ions. Reductive activation of the molecular Mn6 cluster enabled catalytic hydrogenations of alkenes, alkynes, and imines.

A high-activity cobalt-based MOF catalyst for [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of diynes and alkynes: insights into alkyne affinity and selectivity control

This work develops a highly efficient metal–organic framework (MOF) catalyst for the straightforward synthesis of functionalized benzenes via [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition. As efficient cooperative catalyst for such reactions, Co-MOF-1, shows great sustainability and efficiency. This new catalytic system can lead to the generation of a series of structurally diverse benzenes in good to excellent yields (up to 95%).

Heterogenous catalysis of [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition was firstly achieved by a low-cost, air-stable and reusable Co-MOF catalyst, affording structurally diverse functionalized benzenes under mild conditions with high efficiency and selectivity.

Can the Ti(OiPr)4/nBuLi combination of reagents function as a catalyst for [2+2+2] alkyne cyclotrimerisation reactions?

Catalysis of the cyclotrimerisation of alkynes with the Ti(OiPr)₄/nBuLi system was studied, leading to the development of a particularly convenient and reliable protocol.