Cobalt-Catalyzed Intermolecular [2+2] Cycloaddition between Alkynes and Allenes

Unveiling the Use of 1,1-Bis(triflyl)ethylene as CF3SO2CH═CH2 Source with the Assistance of (n-Bu)4NF: Synthesis of 3-[(Trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]cyclobut-1-enes

Allylic sulfone-embedded cyclobutenes have been prepared in one pot from alkynes. The carbocycle and the alkenyl sulfone moieties were installed through consecutive bis(triflyl)cyclobutenylation of a triple bond and tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride (TBAF)-assisted hydrodesulfonylation of an allylic bis(sulfone). It is noteworthy that 1,1-bis(triflyl)ethylene acts as a CF3SO2CH═CH2 source for the first time.

Experimental and Computational Studies on Cobalt(I)-Catalyzed Regioselective Allylic Alkylation Reactions

Here, we report the development of cobalt(I)-catalyzed regioselective allylic alkylation reactions of tertiary allyl carbonates with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds. A family of well-defined tetrahedral cobalt(I) complexes bearing commercially available bidentate bis(phosphine) ligands [(P,P)Co(PPh3 )Cl] are synthesized and explored as catalysts in allylic alkylation reactions. The catalyst [(dppp)Co(PPh3 )Cl] (dppp=1,3-Bis(diphenylphosphino)propane) enables the alkylation of a large variety of tertiary allyl carbonates with high yields and excellent regioselectivity for the branched product. Remarkably, this methodology is selective for the activation of tertiary allyl carbonates even in the presence of secondary allyl carbonates. This contrasts with the selectivity observed in cobalt-catalyzed allylic alkylations enabled by visible light photocatalysis. Mechanistic insights by means of experimental and computational investigations support a Co(I)/Co(III) catalytic cycle.

Transition-metal-catalyzed synthesis of quinazolines: A review

Quinazolines are a class of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds with broad-spectrum of pharmacological activities. Transition-metal-catalyzed reactions have emerged as reliable and indispensable tools for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals. These reactions provide new entries into pharmaceutical ingredients of continuously increasing complexity, and catalysis with these metals has streamlined the synthesis of several marketed drugs. The last few decades have witnessed a tremendous outburst of transition-metal-catalyzed reactions for the construction of quinazoline scaffolds. In this review, the progress achieved in the synthesis of quinazolines under transition metal-catalyzed conditions are summarized and reports from 2010 to date are covered. This is presented along with the mechanistic insights of each representative methodology. The advantages, limitations, and future perspectives of synthesis of quinazolines through such reactions are also discussed.

Precise Synthesis of Chiral Z-Allylamides by Cobalt-Catalyzed Asymmetric Sequential Hydrogenations

Asymmetric sequential hydrogenations of conjugated enynes have been developed using a Ph-BPE-Co^I catalyst for the precise synthesis of chiral Z-allylamides in high activity (up to 1000 substrate/catalyst (S/C)) and with excellent enantioselectivity (up to >99 % enantiomeric excess (ee)). Mechanism experiments and theoretical calculations support a cationic Co^I /Co^III redox catalytic cycle. The catalytic activity difference between cobalt complexes of Ph-BPE and QuinoxP* was explained by the process decomposition of rate-determining step in the second hydrogenation.

Activator-free single-component Co(I)-catalysts for regio- and enantioselective heterodimerization and hydroacylation reactions of 1,3-dienes. New reduction procedures for synthesis of [L]Co(I)-complexes and comparison to in situ generated catalysts

Although cobalt(I) bis-phosphine complexes have been implicated in many selective C-C bond-forming reactions, until recently relatively few of these compounds have been fully characterized or have been shown to be intermediates in catalytic reactions. In this paper we present a new practical method for the synthesis and isolation of several cobalt(I)-bis-phosphine complexes and their use in Co(I)-catalyzed reactions. We find that easily prepared (in situ generated or isolated) bis-phosphine and (2,6-N-aryliminoethyl)pyridine (PDI) cobalt(II) halide complexes are readily reduced by 1,4-bis-trimethylsilyl-1,4-dihydropyrazine or commercially available lithium nitride (Li₃N), leaving behind only innocuous volatile byproducts. Depending on the structures of the bis-phosphines, the cobalt(I) complex crystallizes as a phosphine-bridged species [(P∼P)(X)Co^I[μ-(P∼P)]Co^I(X)(P∼P)] or a halide-bridged species [(P∼P)Co^I[μ-(X)]₂Co^I(P∼P)]. Because the side-products are innocuous, these methods can be used for the in situ generation of catalytically competent Co(I) complexes for a variety of low-valent cobalt-catalyzed reactions of even sensitive substrates. These complexes are also useful for the synthesis of rare cationic [(P∼P)Co^I-η⁴-diene]⁺ X^- or [(P∼P)Co^I-η⁶-arene]⁺ X^- complexes, which are shown to be excellent single-component catalysts for the following regioselective reactions of dienes: heterodimerizations with ethylene or methyl acrylate, hydroacylation and hydroboration. The reactivity of the single-component catalysts with the in situ generated species are also documented.

Three-Component Coupling of Arenes, Ethylene, and Alkynes Catalyzed by a Cationic Bis(phosphine) Cobalt Complex: Intercepting Metallacyclopentenes for C-H Functionalization

A cobalt-catalyzed intermolecular three-component coupling of arenes, ethylene, and alkynes was developed using the well-defined air-stable cationic bis(phosphine) cobalt(I) complex, [(dcype)Co(η⁶-C₇H₈)][BAr^F₄] (dcype = 1,2-bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)ethane; BAr^F₄ = B[(3,5-(CF₃)₂)C₆H₃]₄), as the precatalyst. All three components were required for turnover and formation of ortho-homoallylated arene products. A range of directing groups including amide, ketone, and 2-pyridyl substituents on the arene promoted the reaction. The cobalt-catalyzed method exhibited broad functional group tolerance allowing for the late-stage functionalization of two drug molecules, fenofibrate and haloperidol. A series of control reactions, deuterium labeling studies, resting state analysis, as well as synthesis of substrate- and product-bound η⁶-arene complexes supported a pathway involving C(sp²)–H activation from a cobalt(III) metallacycle.

Steric- and Electronic-Controlled Intramolecular [2 + 2]-Cycloaddition of Cyclohexadienone-Containing 1,7-Enynes

Herein we have developed the silver-catalyzed electronic- and steric-controlled intramolecular formal [2 + 2]-cycloaddition of alkyne-tethered cyclohexadienones. Substrates with electron-rich alkynes and a less hindered quaternary carbon center afford tricyclic fused cyclobutenes through 1,7-enyne cyclization. In contrast, the formation of dihydrofurans was observed from electron-deficient alkynes via proton abstraction/C-O bond cleavage. The synthetic potential of this method was also broadened with a gram-scale reaction and various transformations on cyclobutene.

Regio-divergent nickel catalysis: intramolecular [4+2] and [2+2] cycloaddition reactions between vinylallenes and alkynes

Vinylallenes have been recognized as versatile C2 and C4 components for nickel-catalyzed intramolecular [4+2] and [2+2] cycloadditions. The former reaction was promoted by a Ni(0) complex (up to quantitative yield), and a Ni(II) salt was a key species for the latter reaction to give the corresponding regio- and stereocontrolled cycloadducts (up to 88% yield). DFT studies revealed that both reaction pathways involve a concerted mechanism through the activation of different C-C multiple bonds in the substrates.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Chemo- and Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Conjugated Enynes

Asymmetric hydrogenation is one of the most powerful methods for the preparation of single enantiomer compounds. However, the chemo- and enantioselective hydrogenation of the relatively inert unsaturated group in substrates possessing multiple unsaturated bonds remains a challenge. We herein report a protocol for the highly chemo- and enantioselective hydrogenation of conjugated enynes while keeping the alkynyl bond intact. Mechanism studies indicate that the accompanying Zn²⁺ generated from zinc reduction of the Co^II complex plays a critical role to initiate a plausible Co^I /Co^III catalytic cycle. This approach allows for the highly efficient generation of chiral propargylamines (up to 99.9 % ee and 2000 S/C) and further useful chemical transformations.

Robust Cobalt Catalyst for Nitrile/Alkyne [2+2+2] Cycloaddition: Synthesis of Polyarylpyridines and Their Mechanochemical Cyclodehydrogenation to Nitrogen-Containing Polyaromatics*

The transition-metal-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of nitriles and alkynes is an established synthetic approach to pyridines; however, these cycloadditions often rely on the use of tethered diynes or cyanoalkynes as one of the reactants. Thus, examples of efficient, fully intermolecular catalytic [2+2+2] pyridine synthesis, especially those employing unactivated nitriles and internal alkynes leading to pentasubstituted pyridines, remain scarce. Herein, we report on simple and inexpensive catalytic systems based on cobalt(II) iodide, 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane, and Zn that promote [2+2+2] cycloaddition of various nitriles and diarylacetylenes for the synthesis of a broad range of polyarylated pyridines. DFT studies support a reaction pathway involving oxidative coupling of two alkynes, insertion of the nitrile into a cobaltacyclopentadiene, and C-N reductive elimination. The resulting tetra- and pentaarylpyridines serve as precursors to hitherto unprecedented nitrogen-containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons via mechanochemically assisted multifold reductive cyclodehydrogenation.

Iron-Catalyzed Vinylsilane Dimerization and Cross-Cycloadditions with 1,3-Dienes: Probing the Origins of Chemo- and Regioselectivity

The selective, intermolecular, homodimerization and cross-cycloaddition of vinylsilanes with unbiased 1,3-dienes, catalyzed by a pyridine-2,6-diimine (PDI) iron complex is described. In the absence of a diene coupling partner, vinylsilane hydroalkenylation products were obtained chemoselectively with unusual head-to-head regioselectivity (up to >98% purity, 98:2 E/Z). In the presence of a 4- or 2-substituted diene coupling partner, under otherwise identical reaction conditions, formation of value-added [2+2]- and [4+2]-cycloadducts, respectively, was observed. The chemoselectivity profile was distinct from that observed for analogous α-olefin dimerization and cross-reactions with 1,3-dienes. Mechanistic studies conducted with well-defined, single-component precatalysts (MePDI)Fe(L2) (where MePDI = 2,6-(2,6-Me2-C6H3N═CMe)2C5H3N; L2 = butadiene or 2(N2)) provided insights into the kinetic and thermodynamic factors contributing to the substrate-controlled regioselectivity for both the homodimerization and cross cycloadditions. Diamagnetic iron diene and paramagnetic iron olefin complexes were identified as catalyst resting states, were characterized by in situ NMR and Mössbauer spectroscopic studies, and were corroborated with DFT calculations. Stoichiometric reactions and computational models provided evidence for a common mechanistic regime where competing steric and orbital-symmetry requirements dictate the regioselectivity of oxidative cyclization. Although distinct chemoselectivity profiles were observed in cross-cycloadditions with the vinylsilane congeners of α-olefins, these products arose from metallacycles with the same connectivity. The silyl substituents ultimately governed the relative rates of β-H elimination and C-C reductive elimination to dictate final product formation.

Selectivity between an Alder–ene reaction and a [2 + 2] cycloaddition in the intramolecular reactions of allene-tethered arynes

Substituent-dependent reactivity and selectivity in the intramolecular reactions of arynes tethered with an allene are described.

Hetero-Diels–Alder reactions of 2H-phospholes with allenes: synthesis and functionalization of 6-methylene-1-phosphanorbornenes

The phospha-Diels–Alder reaction between 2H-phospholes and arylallenes affords 6-methylene-1-phosphanorbornenes in high yields with excellent regioselectivity. Further functionalization provides a 1-phosphanorbornene modified PCH₂CH₂P skeleton.

Recent advances in the transition metal catalyzed synthesis of quinoxalines: a review

This review summarizes the recent developments in the synthesis of a variety of substituted quinoxalines using transition metal catalysts.

Access to substituted cyclobutenes by tandem [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement/[2 + 2] cycloaddition of dipropargylphosphonates under Ag/Co relay catalysis

We present herein an unconventional tandem [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement/[2 + 2] cycloaddition of simple dipropargylphosphonates to deliver a range of bicyclic polysubstituted cyclobutenes and cyclobutanes under Ag/Co relay catalysis. An interesting switch from allene-allene to allene-alkyne cycloaddition was observed based on the substitution of the substrates, which further diversified the range of compounds accessible from this practical method. Significantly, preliminary biological screening of these new compounds identified promising candidates as suppressors of cellular proliferation.

Cobalt/Lewis Acid Catalysis for Hydrocarbofunctionalization of Alkynes via Cooperative C-H Activation

A catalytic system comprising a cobalt-diphosphine complex and a Lewis acid (LA) such as AlMe₃ has been found to promote hydrocarbofunctionalization reactions of alkynes with Lewis basic and electron-deficient substrates such as formamides, pyridones, pyridines and related azines, imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines, and azole derivatives through site-selective C-H activation. Compared with known Ni/LA catalytic systems for analogous transformations, the present catalytic systems not only feature convenient setup using inexpensive and bench-stable precatalyst and ligand such as Co(acac)₃ and 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (dppp) but also display distinct site-selectivity toward C-H activation of pyridone and pyridine derivatives. In particular, a completely C4-selective alkenylation of pyridine has been achieved for the first time. Meanwhile, the present catalytic system proved to promote exclusively C5-selective alkenylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives. Mechanistic studies including DFT calculations on the Co/Al-catalyzed addition of formamide to alkyne have suggested that the reaction involves cleavage of the carbamoyl C-H bond as the rate-limiting step, which proceeds through a ligand-to-ligand hydrogen transfer (LLHT) mechanism leading to an alkenyl(carbamoyl)cobalt intermediate.

Palladium-catalyzed enol/enolate directed oxidative annulation: functionalized naphthofuroquinone synthesis and bioactivity evaluation

A palladium-promoted oxidative annulation reaction for the synthesis of structurally diverse naphthoquinone-containing heterocycles has been developed, providing switchable access to 1,2-naphthofuroquinones and densely functionalized cyclobutene-fused 1,4-naphthofuroquinones by selective enol/enolate-directed processes. The synthetic application was extended by late-stage functionalization of an anti-HIV drug. The practical value of 1,2-naphthofuroquinone synthesis was highlighted in endothelial protective lead compound development.

Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Cyclobutenes from Alkynes and Alkenyl Derivatives

Discovery of enantioselective catalytic reactions for the preparation of chiral compounds from readily available precursors, using scalable and environmentally benign chemistry, can greatly impact their design, synthesis, and eventually manufacture on scale. Functionalized cyclobutanes and cyclobutenes are important structural motifs seen in many bioactive natural products and pharmaceutically relevant small molecules. They are also useful precursors for other classes of organic compounds such as other cycloalkane derivatives, heterocyclic compounds, stereodefined 1,3-dienes, and ligands for catalytic asymmetric synthesis. The simplest approach to make cyclobutenes is through an enantioselective [2 + 2]-cycloaddition between an alkyne and an alkenyl derivative, a reaction which has a long history. Yet known reactions of this class that give acceptable enantioselectivities are of very narrow scope and are strictly limited to activated alkynes and highly reactive alkenes. Here, we disclose a broadly applicable enantioselective [2 + 2]-cycloaddition between wide variety of alkynes and alkenyl derivatives, two of the most abundant classes of organic precursors. The key cycloaddition reaction employs catalysts derived from readily synthesized ligands and an earth-abundant metal, cobalt. Over 50 different cyclobutenes with enantioselectivities in the range of 86-97% ee are documented. With the diverse functional groups present in these compounds, further diastereoselective transformations are easily envisaged for synthesis of highly functionalized cyclobutanes and cyclobutenes. Some of the novel observations made during these studies including a key role of a cationic Co(I)-intermediate, ligand and counterion effects on the reactions, can be expected to have broad implications in homogeneous catalysis beyond the highly valuable synthetic intermediates that are accessible by this route.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Hydroacylative Dimerization of Allenes Leading to Skipped Dienes

A cobalt-diphosphine catalyst has been found to promote a selective 1:2 coupling reaction between aldehydes and allenes to form β,δ-dialkylidene ketones, featuring skipped diene moieties, with high regioselectivities and stereoselectivities. The reaction is distinct from previously reported, rhodium-catalyzed aldehyde-allene 1:2 coupling to afford β,γ-dialkylidene ketones bearing 1,3-diene moieties. The present hydroacylative dimerization involves a unique allene/allene oxidative cyclization mode to form a C1-C2 linkage between the allene molecules.

Gold-catalyzed heterocyclic syntheses through α-imino gold carbene complexes as intermediates

This review reports a comprehensive compilation of gold-catalyzed heterocyclic synthesis by using α-imino gold carbene complexes as the proposed intermediates.