Mechanochemical Activation of Zinc and Application to Negishi Cross-Coupling

Elemental Germanium Activation and Catalysis Enabled by Mechanical Force

In the realm of materials science and chemical industry, germanium emerges as a strategic resource with distinctive properties that extend its applicability beyond traditional electronics and optics into the promising field of chemical catalysis. Despite its significant role in advanced technological applications, the potential of elemental germanium as a catalyst remains unexplored. Leveraging recent developments in mechanochemistry, this study introduces a groundbreaking approach to activate elemental germanium via mechanical force, facilitating the Reformatsky reaction without the reliance on external reducing agents. Meanwhile, we have also demonstrated, for the first time, the catalytic activity of elemental germanium, successfully achieving this through the bromoalkylation of alkenes. These achievements mark a significant advancement in the field of catalysis and open up a new promising avenue for both academic research and industrial applications.

Cross-Electrophile Coupling: Principles, Methods, and Applications in Synthesis

Cross-electrophile coupling (XEC), defined by us as the cross-coupling of two different σ-electrophiles that is driven by catalyst reduction, has seen rapid progression in recent years. As such, this review aims to summarize the field from its beginnings up until mid-2023 and to provide comprehensive coverage on synthetic methods and current state of mechanistic understanding. Chapters are split by type of bond formed, which include C(sp3)-C(sp3), C(sp2)-C(sp2), C(sp2)-C(sp3), and C(sp2)-C(sp) bond formation. Additional chapters include alkene difunctionalization, alkyne difunctionalization, and formation of carbon-heteroatom bonds. Each chapter is generally organized with an initial summary of mechanisms followed by detailed figures and notes on methodological developments and ending with application notes in synthesis. While XEC is becoming an increasingly utilized approach in synthesis, its early stage of development means that optimal catalysts, ligands, additives, and reductants are still in flux. This review has collected data on these and various other aspects of the reactions to capture the state of the field. Finally, the data collected on the papers in this review is offered as Supporting Information for readers.

Mechanochemical generation of aryl barium nucleophiles from unactivated barium metal

Organobarium reagents are of interest as homologues of the Grignard reagents based on organomagnesium compounds due to their unique reactivity as well as regio- and stereoselectivity. However, reactions involving organobarium reagents are less developed in comparison to reactions involving Grignard reagents due to the lack of a simple and economical synthetic method and their high reactivity. To the best of our knowledge, there is no established method for the direct synthesis of organobarium compounds from commercially available bulk barium metal and organic halides. So far, the generation of organobarium compounds usually requires the use of activated barium (Rieke barium), which significantly reduces the practical utility of organobarium reagents and hinders the development of new organobarium-mediated transformations. Here, we present a mechanochemical strategy based on ball-milling that facilitates the direct generation of various aryl barium nucleophiles from commercially available unactivated barium metal and aryl halides without complicated pre-activation processes. Our simple mechanochemical protocol allows the rapid development of novel carbon-silicon-bond-forming reactions with hydrosilanes mediated by aryl barium nucleophiles; importantly, these reactions are difficult to achieve using other Grignard-type carbon nucleophiles. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of a nucleophilic substitution reaction involving an aryl barium species. Furthermore, this mechanochemical strategy established the first example of a nucleophilic addition to a carbonyl compound involving an aryl barium nucleophile. Preliminary theoretical calculations using the artificial force-induced reaction (AFIR) method to reveal the reaction mechanism of the hydrosilane arylation are also described.

Ball-Milling-Enabled Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive 1,4-Alkylarylation of 1,3-Enynes under an Air Atmosphere

A ball-mill-enabled nickel-catalyzed 1,4-alkylarylation of 1,3-enynes with organic bromides has been developed, offering a versatile method for assembling tetrasubstituted allenes. This approach, the first of ball-milling-based remote radical coupling, overcomes the limitations of traditional solution-phase methods, such as the need for air- and moisture-sensitive reagents, the use of bulk solvents, and prolonged reaction times. Given the outstanding performance of ball-milling-based radical reduction coupling reactions, we anticipate further advancements in sustainable and efficient synthetic methodologies.

Mechanochemical Synthesis of Silylcyclopentenes via Ball Milling

The development of innovative methods for synthesizing silylcyclopentene compounds is particularly important for enriching and improving the synthetical toolbox of organosilicon compounds. Herein, a facile approach has been developed for the synthesis of silylcyclopentenes promoted by mechanochemically generated organolithium species as silicon nucleophiles under ball milling conditions, avoiding the requirement of large amounts of bulk solvent. This operationally simple method demonstrates good functional group compatibility, which provides a great opportunity for further exploration of the synthetic applications of silylcyclopentenes. Density functional theory calculations indicated that the transient lithiosilole intermediates undergo a stepwise nucleophilic addition process, which governs this mechanic-force-promoted [4+1] cycloaddition reaction.

Mechanochemical C-H Arylation and Alkylation of Indoles Using 3 d Transition Metal and Zero-Valent Magnesium

Although the 3 d transition-metal catalyzed C-H functionalization have been extensively employed to promote the formation of valuable carbon-carbon bonds, the persistent problems, including the use of sensitive Grignard reagents and the rigorous operations (solvent-drying, inert gas protection, metal pre-activation and RMgX addition rate control), still leave great room for further development of sustainable methodologies. Herein, we report a mechanochemical technology toward in-situ preparation of highly sensitive organomagnesium reagents, and thus building two general 3 d transition-metal catalytic platforms that enables regioselective arylation and alkylation of indoles with a wide variety of halides (including those containing post transformable functionalities and heteroaromatic rings). This mechanochemical strategy also brings unique reactivity and high step-economy in producing functionalized N-free indole products.

Synthesis of Quinazolinones and Benzothiazoles Using α-Keto Acids under Ball Milling

Mechanochemistry refers to the initiation of chemical reactions via mechanical forces such as milling, grinding, or shearing to achieve the chemical transformations. As a manifestation of mechanocatalysis, herein, an oxidant-free and solvent-free approach for the synthesis of quinazolinones (23 derivatives) and benzothiazoles (23 derivatives) has been developed through stainless-steel-driven decarboxylative acyl radical generation from α-keto acids. A library of 2-arylquinazolinones and 2-arylbenzothiazoles has been prepared in moderate to good yields at room temperature. Moreover, control experiments and XPS studies supported the reduction (by zerovalent iron) of molecular oxygen through the moderate abrasion of balls, which promoted the generation of a superoxide radical anion via a SET process.

Mechanochemistry enabling highly efficient Birch reduction using sodium lumps and d-(+)-glucose

In this study, a mechanochemical protocol for highly efficient and ammonia-free sodium-based Birch reduction was developed, leveraging the use of cheap and easy-to-handle sodium lumps. The key to achieving this transformation is the use of d-(+)-glucose as a proton source, which solidifies the reaction mixture in bulk state, enhancing the efficiency of the in situ mechanical activation of sodium lumps through the ball-milling process. Under the developed conditions, a diverse array of aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds were selectively reduced to produce the corresponding 1,4-cyclohexadiene derivatives in high yields within 30 min. Notably, all synthetic operations can be carried out without inert gases or the need for dry or bulk organic solvents. Furthermore, a scaled-up synthesis can be conducted without any yield losses. These results suggest that the present mechanochemical approach offers a more convenient, economically attractive, and sustainable alternative to previously established Birch reduction protocols.

Metal Activation Produces Different Reaction Environments for Intermediates during Oxidative Addition

Commercial zinc metal powder requires activation for consistent and reliable use as a reductant in the formation of organozinc reagents from organohalides, and for the avoidance of supplier and batch-to-batch variability. However, the impact of activation methods on the reaction environments of subsequent intermediates has been unknown. Herein, a fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) method is developed to bridge this knowledge gap, by imaging and examining reaction intermediates on zinc metal that has been activated by pretreatment through different common methods (i. e., by chemical activation with TMSCl, dibromoethane, or HCl; or by mechanical activation). The group of chemical activating agents, previously thought to act similarly by removing oxide layers, are here shown to produce markedly different reaction environments experienced by subsequent oxidative-addition intermediates from organohalides - data uniquely available through FLIM's ability to detect small quantities of intermediates in situ coupled with its microenvironmental sensitivity. These different microenvironments potentially give rise to different rates of formation, subsequent solubilization, and reactivity, despite the shared "[RZnX]" molecular structure of these intermediates. This information revises models for methods development for oxidative addition to currently sluggish metals beyond zinc by establishing diverse outcomes for pretreatment activation methods that were previously considered similar.

Allylation of C-, N-, and O-Nucleophiles via a Mechanochemically-Driven Tsuji-Trost Reaction Suitable for Late-Stage Modification of Bioactive Molecules

We present the first solvent-free, mechanochemical protocol for a palladium-catalyzed Tsuji-Trost allylation. This approach features exceptionally low catalyst loadings (0.5 mol %), short reaction times (<90 min), and a simple setup, eliminating the need for air or moisture precautions, making the process highly efficient and environmentally benign. We introduce solid, nontoxic, and easy-to-handle allyl trimethylammonium salts as valuable alternative to volatile or hazardous reagents. Our approach enables the allylation of various O-, N-, and C-nucleophiles in yields up to 99 % even for structurally complex bioactive compounds, owing to its mild conditions and exceptional functional group tolerance.

Allylation of C-, N-, and O-Nucleophiles via a Mechanochemically-Driven Tsuji-Trost Reaction Suitable for Late-Stage Modification of Bioactive Molecules

We present the first solvent-free, mechanochemical protocol for a palladium-catalyzed Tsuji-Trost allylation. This approach features exceptionally low catalyst loadings (0.5 mol %), short reaction times (<90 min), and a simple setup, eliminating the need for air or moisture precautions, making the process highly efficient and environmentally benign. We introduce solid, nontoxic, and easy-to-handle allyl trimethylammonium salts as valuable alternative to volatile or hazardous reagents. Our approach enables the allylation of various O-, N-, and C-nucleophiles in yields up to 99 % even for structurally complex bioactive compounds, owing to its mild conditions and exceptional functional group tolerance.

Mechanochemical Pd-Catalyzed Amino- and Oxycarbonylations using FeBr2(CO)4 as a CO Source

Herein, we describe the development of mechanochemical amino- and oxycarbonylation employing FeBr2(CO)4 as a solid CO source. This Pd/XantPhos-catalyzed reaction affords a range of carboxamides and esters from aryl iodides and various amines or phenols. Both primary and secondary amines, including amino acids, can be employed as N-nucleophiles.

Mechanoredox/Nickel Co-Catalyzed Cross Electrophile Coupling of Benzotriazinones with Alkyl (Pseudo)halides

An air-tolerant mechanoredox/nickel cocatalyzed cross electrophile coupling of benzotriazinones with alkyl (pseudo)halides is developed by liquid-assisting grinding in the presence of manganese powders and strontium titanate as a reductant and a cocatalyst, respectively. Mechanical activation of metal surfaces via ball milling eliminates the chemical activator for manganese, while mechanoredox cocatalysis of strontium titanate remarkably improves the aryl/alkyl cross electrophile coupling via piezoelectricity-mediated radical generation from alkyl halides. Both benzotriazinones and alkyl (pseudo)halides display reactivities in the mechanoredox/nickel cocatalysis different from those of conventional thermal chemistry in solution. The scope of the reaction is demonstrated with 26 examples, showing a high chemoselectivity of bromides vs chlorides.

Palladium-catalyzed coupling of amides and cyclopropanols for the synthesis of γ-diketones

A palladium catalytic method has been developed for the coupling of amides and cyclopropanols to γ-diketones, through simultaneous C-N and C-C activation. Heteroatom ligand exchange and heteroatom-to-carbon ligation mode switching enable the achievement of molecular cross-coupling in an amide N-atom structural context-dependent manner, avoiding any stoichiometric organometallic reagent or base.

Mechanochemistry-Directed Ligand Design: Development of a High-Performance Phosphine Ligand for Palladium-Catalyzed Mechanochemical Organoboron Cross-Coupling

Mechanochemical synthesis that uses transition-metal catalysts has attracted significant attention due to its numerous advantages, including low solvent waste, short reaction times, and the avoidance of problems associated with the low solubility of starting materials. However, even though the mechanochemical reaction environment is largely different from that of homogeneous solution systems, transition-metal catalysts, which were originally developed for use in solution, have been used directly in mechanochemical reactions without any molecular-level modifications to ensure their suitability for mechanochemistry. Alas, this has limited the development of more efficient mechanochemical cross-coupling processes. Here, we report a conceptually distinct approach, whereby a mechanochemistry-directed design is used to develop ligands for mechanochemical Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions. The ligand development was guided by the experimental observation of catalyst deactivation via the aggregation of palladium species, a problem that is particularly prominent in solid-state reactions. By embedding the ligand into a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) polymer, we found that phosphine-ligated palladium(0) species could be immobilized in the fluid phase created by the PEG chains, preventing the physical mixing of the catalyst into the crystalline solid phase and thus undesired catalyst deactivation. This catalytic system showed high catalytic activity in reactions of polyaromatic substrates close to room temperature. These substrates usually require elevated temperatures to be reactive in the presence of catalyst systems with conventional ligands such as SPhos. The present study hence provides important insights for the design of high-performance catalysts for solid-state reactions and has the potential to inspire the development of industrially attractive, almost solvent-free mechanochemical cross-coupling technologies.

Mechanochemical protocol facilitates the generation of arylmanganese nucleophiles from unactivated manganese metal

The direct synthesis of organomanganese reagents from organic halides and manganese metal remains a challenge. Current solution-based approaches require the preparation of activated manganese (Rieke manganese) or the use of multiple metal additives to promote the insertion of manganese metal into a carbon-halogen bond. Here, we show that a mechanochemical ball-milling protocol facilitates the generation of various arylmanganese nucleophiles from aryl halides and commercially available, unactivated manganese metal without the need for complicated pre-activation processes and metal additives. These manganese-based carbon nucleophiles can be used directly for one-pot addition reactions with various electrophiles and palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions under bulk-solvent-free mechanochemical conditions. Importantly, all experimental operations can be conducted under atmospheric conditions.

From Inert to Catalytically Active Milling Media: Galvanostatic Coating for Direct Mechanocatalysis

The inert milling balls, commonly utilized in mechanochemical reactions, were coated with a layer of Pd and utilized as catalyst in the direct mechanocatalytic Suzuki reaction. With high yields (>80 %), the milling balls can be recycled multiple times in the absence of any solvents, ligands, catalyst-molecules and -powders, while utilizing as little as 0.8 mg of Pd per coated milling ball. The coating sequence, the support material, and the layer thickness were examined towards archiving high catalyst retention, low abrasion and high conversion. The approach was transferred to the coating of milling vessels revealing the interplay between catalytically available surface area and the mechanical energy impact in direct mechanocatalysis.

Mechanical Activation of Zero-Valent Metal Reductants for Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Electrophile Coupling

The cross-electrophile coupling of either twisted-amides or heteroaryl halides with alkyl halides, enabled by ball-milling, is herein described. The operationally simple nickel-catalyzed process has no requirement for inert atmosphere or dry solvents and delivers the corresponding acylated or heteroarylated products across a broad range of substrates. Key to negating the necessity of inert reaction conditions is the mechanical activation of the raw metal terminal reductant: manganese in the case of twisted amides and zinc for heteroaryl halides.

Temperature‐Controlled Mechanochemistry for the Nickel‐Catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura‐Type Coupling of Aryl Sulfamates via Ball Milling and Twin‐Screw Extrusion.**

The nickel catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura-type coupling of aryl sulfamates and boronic acid derivatives enabled by temperature-controlled mechanochemistry via the development of a programmable PID-controlled jar heater is reported. This base-metal-catalyzed, solvent-free, all-under-air protocol was also scaled 200-fold using twin-screw extrusion technology affording decagram quantities of material.

Cu(II)-Catalyzed Multicomponent Reaction of Pyridine Derivatives/Isoquinolines with Iodonium Ylide and 1,4-Quinones Using Mechanochemistry

An efficient copper-catalyzed solvent-free multicomponent reaction for pyridine derivatives, iodonium ylides, and 1,4-quinones is developed via a room-temperature ball milling technique. The reported protocol provides a sustainable synthesis of isoindolo[2,1-a]pyridine/isoquinoline class of molecules in good to excellent yield in a mixer mill (RETSCH MM400) engaging the commercially available copper acetate (Cu(OAc)₂) as a catalyst without the use of organic solvents. It tolerates a myriad of electron-rich and electron-deficient functionalities on the pyridine moiety. The scalability of the protocol was illustrated by successfully performing the reaction in the gram scale. The photoluminescence and related cellular study revealed that these can be used as a fluorescent chromophore-based cellular probe. A clean reaction profile and a facile experimental setup that is devoid of anhydrous reaction conditions and toxic organic solvents have established the advantages of this strategy over the reported process.

Electron Diffraction Enables the Mapping of Coke in ZSM-5 Micropores Formed during Methanol-to-Hydrocarbons Conversion

Unveiling the coke formation in zeolites is an essential prerequisite for tackling the deactivation of these catalysts in the transformations of hydrocarbons. Herein, we present the direct mapping of coke in the micropores of ZSM-5 catalysts used in methanol-to-hydrocarbons conversion by single-crystal electron diffraction analysis. The latter technique revealed a polycyclic aromatic structure along the straight channel, wherein the high-quality data permit refinement of its occupancy to about 40 %. These findings were exploited to analyze the evolution of micropore coke during the reaction. Herein, coke-associated signals, which correlate with the activity loss, indicate that the nucleation of coke commences in the intersections of sinusoidal and straight channels, while the formation of coke in the straight pores occurs in the late stages of deactivation. The findings uncover an attractive method for analyzing coke deposition in the micropore domain.

Palladium-catalyzed solid-state borylation of aryl halides using mechanochemistry

This study describes the solid-state palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling between aryl halides and bis(pinacolato)diboron using ball milling. The reactions were completed within 10 min for most aryl halides to afford a variety of synthetically useful arylboronates in high yields. Notably, all experimental operations could be performed in air, and did not require the use of large amounts of dry and degassed organic solvents. The utility of this method was further demonstrated by gram-scale synthesis under solvent-free, mechanochemical conditions.

Pd-Catalyzed Cross-Couplings: On the Importance of the Catalyst Quantity Descriptors, mol % and ppm

This Review examines parts per million (ppm) palladium concentrations in catalytic cross-coupling reactions and their relationship with mole percentage (mol %). Most studies in catalytic cross-coupling chemistry have historically focused on the concentration ratio between (pre)catalyst and the limiting reagent (substrate), expressed as mol %. Several recent papers have outlined the use of “ppm level” palladium as an alternative means of describing catalytic cross-coupling reaction systems. This led us to delve deeper into the literature to assess whether “ppm level” palladium is a practically useful descriptor of catalyst quantities in palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. Indeed, we conjectured that many reactions could, unknowingly, have employed low “ppm levels” of palladium (pre)catalyst, and generally, what would the spread of ppm palladium look like across a selection of studies reported across the vast array of the cross-coupling chemistry literature. In a few selected examples, we have examined other metal catalyst systems for comparison with palladium.

Nickel-catalysed cross-electrophile coupling of aryl bromides and primary alkyl bromides

The structure of primary alkylated arenes plays an important role in the molecular action of drugs and natural products. The nickel/spiro-bidentate-pyox catalysed cross-electrophile coupling of aryl bromides and primary alkyl bromides was developed for the formation of the Csp2-Csp3 bond, which provided an efficient method for the synthesis of primary alkylated arenes. The reactions could tolerate functional groups such as ester, aldehyde, ketone, ether, benzyl, and imide.

Mechanochemical Organocatalysis: Do High Enantioselectivities Contradict What We Might Expect?

Ball mills input energy to samples by pulverising the contents of the jar. Each impact on the sample or wall of the jar results in an instantaneous transmission of energy in the form of a temperature and pressure increase (volume reduction). Conversely, enantioselective organocatalytic reactions proceed through perceived delicate and well-organised transition states. Does there exist a dichotomy in the idea of enantioselective mechanochemical organocatalysis? This Review provides a survey of the literature reporting the combination of organocatalytic reactions with mechanochemical ball milling conditions. Where possible, direct comparisons of stirred in solution, stirred neat and ball milled processes are drawn with a particular focus on control of stereoselectivity.

Mechanochemical synthesis of magnesium-based carbon nucleophiles in air and their use in organic synthesis

Since the discovery of Grignard reagents in 1900, the nucleophilic addition of magnesium-based carbon nucleophiles to various electrophiles has become one of the most powerful, versatile, and well-established methods for the formation of carbon-carbon bonds in organic synthesis. Grignard reagents are typically prepared via reactions between organic halides and magnesium metal in a solvent. However, this method usually requires the use of dry organic solvents, long reaction times, strict control of the reaction temperature, and inert-gas-line techniques. Despite the utility of Grignard reagents, these requirements still represent major drawbacks from both an environmental and an economic perspective, and often cause reproducibility problems. Here, we report the general mechanochemical synthesis of magnesium-based carbon nucleophiles (Grignard reagents in paste form) in air using a ball milling technique. These nucleophiles can be used directly for one-pot nucleophilic addition reactions with various electrophiles and nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions under solvent-free conditions.

Ball-Milling-Enabled Reactivity of Manganese Metal*

Efforts to generate organomanganese reagents under ball-milling conditions have led to the serendipitous discovery that manganese metal can mediate the reductive dimerization of arylidene malonates. The newly uncovered process has been optimized and its mechanism explored using CV measurements, radical trapping experiments, EPR spectroscopy, and solution control reactions. This unique reactivity can also be translated to solution whereupon pre-milling of the manganese is required.

Solvent-Minimized Synthesis of 4CzIPN and Related Organic Fluorophores via Ball Milling

The mechanochemical synthesis of 2,4,5,6-tetra(9H-carbazol-9-yl)isophthalonitrile and related organic fluorophores/photocatalysts via a solvent-minimized four-fold S_NAr pathway is herein described. Employing sodium tert-butoxide as base, and negating the need for any air/moisture-sensitive reaction set-ups, a selection of organic dyes was synthesized in just 1 h using this ball-milling technique. Furthermore, the transformation was then showcased on a multigram scale.

Mechanochemical Magnesium-Mediated Minisci C-H Alkylation of Pyrimidines with Alkyl Bromides and Chlorides

A novel method to synthesize 4-alkylpyrimidines by the mechanochemical magnesium-mediated Minisci reaction of pyrimidine derivatives and alkyl halides has been reported. The reaction process operates with a broad substrate scope and excellent regioselectivity under mild conditions with no requirement of transition-metal catalysts, solvents, and inert gas protection. The practicality of this protocol has been demonstrated by the up-scale synthesis, mechanochemical product derivatization, and antimalarial drug pyrimethamine preparation.

A Ball-Milling-Enabled Cross-Electrophile Coupling

The nickel-catalyzed cross-electrophile coupling of aryl halides and alkyl halides enabled by ball-milling is herein described. Under a mechanochemical manifold, the reductive C-C bond formation was achieved in the absence of bulk solvent and air/moisture sensitive setups, in reaction times of 2 h. The mechanical action provided by ball milling permits the use of a range of zinc sources to turnover the nickel catalytic cycle, enabling the synthesis of 28 cross-electrophile coupled products.

Acenaphthene-Based N-Heterocyclic Carbene Metal Complexes: Synthesis and Application in Catalysis

N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have become a privileged structural motif in modern homogenous and heterogeneous catalysis. The last two decades have brought a plethora of structurally and electronically diversified carbene ligands, enabling the development of cutting-edge transformations, especially in the area of carbon-carbon bond formation. Although most of these were accomplished with common imidazolylidene and imidazolinylidene ligands, the most challenging ones were only accessible with the acenaphthylene-derived N-heterocyclic carbene ligands bearing a π-extended system. Their superior σ-donor capabilities with simultaneous ease of modification of the rigid backbone enhance the catalytic activity and stability of their transition metal complexes, which makes BIAN-NHC (BIAN—bis(imino)acenaphthene) ligands an attractive tool for the development of challenging reactions. The present review summarizes synthetic efforts towards BIAN-NHC metal complexes bearing acenaphthylene subunits and their applications in modern catalysis, with special emphasis put on recently developed enantioselective processes.

Mechanochemical Process to Construct Porous Ionic Polymers by Menshutkin Reaction

The synthesis of porous ionic polymers (PIPs) via the Menshutkin reaction is intriguing because the reaction works smoothly in catalyst-free condition with 100 % atom utilization. However, the rotation of methane site, nonrigid knots, and charge interaction all may cause collapses of the channel, which is detrimental to the synthesis PIP in solid-state conditions. In this work, an inorganic salt (NaBr, NaCl: pollution-free and easy to recycle) was rationally chosen as the hard template and effectively prevented the intermolecular packing. Moreover, the increased surface area dramatically promoted the catalytic activity of PIP for cyclic carbonate synthesis. This work provides a green and efficient strategy to construct PIPs via the Menshutkin reaction.

Direct Amidation of Esters by Ball Milling*

The direct mechanochemical amidation of esters by ball milling is described. The operationally simple procedure requires an ester, an amine, and substoichiometric KOtBu and was used to prepare a large and diverse library of 78 amide structures with modest to excellent efficiency. Heteroaromatic and heterocyclic components are specifically shown to be amenable to this mechanochemical protocol. This direct synthesis platform has been applied to the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and agrochemicals as well as the gram-scale synthesis of an active pharmaceutical, all in the absence of a reaction solvent.

Mechanoredox Chemistry as an Emerging Strategy in Synthesis

Recent research endeavors have established that the mechanochemical activation of piezoelectric materials can open new avenues in redox chemistry. Impact forces, such as those imparted by a ball mill, have been shown to transform piezoelectric materials such as barium titanate (BaTiO₃) into a highly polarized state, which can then donate an electron to a suitable oxidant and receive an electron from a suitable reductant, mimicking established photoredox catalytic cycles. Proof‐of‐concept studies have elucidated that mechanoredox chemistry holds great potential in sustainable and efficient radical‐based synthesis.

Bicyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene stabilized zinc(0) complex with singlet biradicaloid ground state

A storable bicyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (BICAAC) stabilized two coordinate zinc(0) complex [(BICAAC)2Zn] (2) was synthesized. DFT calculations reveal that BICAAC plays a decisive role in imparting the stability to 2. This complex activates the C(sp3)-Cl bond of trityl chloride generating the Gomberg's free radical with greater efficiency than metallic Zn powder.

Sustainability Assessment of Mechanochemistry by Using the Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry

In recent years, mechanochemistry has been growing into a widely accepted alternative for chemical synthesis. In addition to their efficiency and practicality, mechanochemical reactions are also recognized for their sustainability. The association between mechanochemistry and Green Chemistry often originates from the solvent-free nature of most mechanochemical protocols, which can reduce waste production. However, mechanochemistry satisfies more than one of the Principles of Green Chemistry. In this Review we will present a series of examples that will clearly illustrate how mechanochemistry can significantly contribute to the fulfillment of Green Chemistry in a more holistic manner.

Multicomponent Synthesis of Unsymmetrical 4,5-Disubstituted Imidazolium Salts as N-Heterocyclic Carbene Precursors: Applications in Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions

Various novel (a)chiral 4,5-disubstituted 1-aryl-3-alkyl-imidazolium salts were synthesized via the multicomponent reaction of diketone derivatives, sterically congested arylamines, and alkylamines. Moreover, two novel unsymmetrical bulky cycloalkyl-based NHC-Pd complexes proved highly active as catalysts for Suzuki-Miyaura and Negishi cross-coupling reactions.

Mechanochemical Solvent-Free Catalytic C-H Methylation

The mechanochemical, solvent-free, highly regioselective, rhodium-catalyzed C-H methylation of (hetero)arenes is reported. The reaction shows excellent functional-group compatibility and is demonstrated to work for the late-stage C-H methylation of biologically active compounds. The method requires no external heating and benefits from considerably shorter reaction times than previous solution-based C-H methylation protocols. Additionally, the mechanochemical approach is shown to enable the efficient synthesis of organometallic complexes that are difficult to generate conventionally.

BIAN-NHC Ligands in Transition-Metal-Catalysis: A Perfect Union of Sterically Encumbered, Electronically Tunable N-Heterocyclic Carbenes?

The discovery of NHCs (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbenes) as ancillary ligands in transition-metal-catalysis ranks as one of the most important developments in synthesis and catalysis. It is now well-recognized that the strong σ-donating properties of NHCs along with the ease of scaffold modification and a steric shielding of the N-wingtip substituents around the metal center enable dramatic improvements in catalytic processes, including the discovery of reactions that are not possible using other ancillary ligands. In this context, although the classical NHCs based on imidazolylidene and imidazolinylidene ring systems are now well-established, recently tremendous progress has been made in the development and catalytic applications of BIAN-NHC (BIAN = bis(imino)acenaphthene) class of ligands. The enhanced reactivity of BIAN-NHCs is a direct result of the combination of electronic and steric properties that collectively allow for a major expansion of the scope of catalytic processes that can be accomplished using NHCs. BIAN-NHC ligands take advantage of (1) the stronger σ-donation, (2) lower lying LUMO orbitals, (3) the presence of an extended π-system, (4) the rigid backbone that pushes the N-wingtip substituents closer to the metal center by buttressing effect, thus resulting in a significantly improved control of the catalytic center and enhanced air-stability of BIAN-NHC-metal complexes at low oxidation state. Acenaphthoquinone as a precursor enables facile scaffold modification, including for the first time the high yielding synthesis of unsymmetrical NHCs with unique catalytic properties. Overall, this results in a highly attractive, easily accessible class of ligands that bring major advances and emerge as a leading practical alternative to classical NHCs in various aspects of catalysis, cross-coupling and C-H activation endeavors.

Mechanical metal activation for Ni-catalyzed, Mn-mediated cross-electrophile coupling between aryl and alkyl bromides

Liquid-assisted grinding enables nickel-catalyzed, manganese-mediated cross-electrophile coupling between aryl and alkyl bromides under chemical activator-free and non-anhydrous conditions.

Halogenated salt assisted Cu-catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-borylstannation of 1,3-enynes: enantioselective synthesis of allenylstannes

An enantioselective 1,4-borylstannation of 1,3-enynes employed a chiral sulfoxide phosphine (SOP)/Cu complex as a catalyst, and the desired products, chiral allenylstannes, were first synthesized by asymmetric catalysis with satisfactory yields and enantioselectivies. In this protocol, a catalytic amount of additive, a halogenated salt, plays a crucial role in the success. Control experiments and theoretical studies disclosed that the four-membered ring transmetallation transition states which were stabilized by a halide anion are the key to yields and stereochemical outcomes.