Selective [5,5]‐Sigmatropic Rearrangement by Assembly of Aryl Sulfoxides with Allyl Nitriles

From perfluoroalkyl aryl sulfoxides to ortho thioethers

Access to original ortho thioether derivatives was achieved through a [3,3]-rearrangement in a one-pot two-step protocol. Several aryl-SCF3 compounds are reported by variation of the nitrile or of the trifluoroalkyl sulfoxide starting material. The variation of the perfluoroalkyl chain was also possible.

Arylation of benzazoles at the 4 positions by activation of their 2-methylsulfinyl groups

Treatment of 2-methylsulfinylbenzazoles with triflic anhydride in the presence of phenols yields the corresponding 4-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-methylsulfanylbenzazoles. This regioselective dehydrative C-H/C-H coupling arylation represents a rare example of functionalizations on the benzene rings of benzo-fused azoles.

ortho-Cyanomethylation of aryl fluoroalkyl sulfoxides via a sulfonium-Claisen rearrangement

We hereby report the ortho-cyanomethylation of aryl fluoroalkyl sulfoxides with acetonitrile through a sulfonium-Claisen-type rearrangement. This reaction enables the incorporation of two valuable functional groups, such as the cyanomethyl group and the fluoroalkylthio group, into arenes. Remarkably, fluoroalkylthio groups, such as SCFH2 and SCF2H, bearing active hydrogen, are well tolerated by the reaction. The success of the reaction relies on the use of an excess amount of acetonitrile and the electronegative effect of fluoroalkyl substituents, both of which promote the electrophilic assembly of sulfoxides with acetonitrile. Consequently, the sulfonium-Claisen rearrangement reaction tolerates a wide variety of fluoroalkyl sulfoxides bearing functional groups including halides, nitriles, ketones, sulfones, and amides, which are appealing for subsequent elaboration and exploration.

Carpe diene! Europium-catalyzed [3,3] and [5,5] rearrangements of aryl-pentadienyl ethers

A general protocol for the europium-catalyzed rearrangement of aryl-pentadienyl-ethers is described. The mode of rearrangement and product formation in this reaction was solely determined by the aryl substituent para to the phenol. If the para-position is occupied by a substituent, the substrate undergoes a [3,3] rearrangement to the ortho-position to form a prochiral branched diene. In turn, a free para-position in the starting material allows the reaction to proceed via a [5,5] rearrangement and leads to a linear conjugated diene product. The severely underdeveloped and synthetically valuable [5,5] rearrangement was investigated in terms of scope and mechanism.

Tf2O-Promoted Regioselective Heteronucleophilic Ring-Opening Approaches of Tetrahydrofuran

The ring-opening functionalization strategy in tetrahydrofuran (THF) represents an ideal approach to access different valuable structures. Herein, we report different operationally simple, efficient, unique, and practical regioselective heteronucleophilic ring-opening strategies for the THF system. Tf2O, which is a strong electrophilic activator, was found to generate a THF triflate intermediate that triggers the nucleophilicity of nitriles (Nu1) and led to regioselective ring opening in the presence of different nucleophiles (Nu2). Furthermore, the synthesis of different heteronucleophilic ring-opening dimerization products was attributed to the nucleophilicity of Nu2. We also demonstrated that use of borane-tetrahydrofuran (BTHF) can achieve challenging hydride addition in a similar manner.

Catalytic Enantioselective Construction of Chiral γ-Azido Nitriles through Nitrile Group-Promoted Electrophilic Reaction of Alkenes

An efficient approach for the construction of enantioenriched γ-azido nitriles through the chiral sulfide-catalyzed asymmetric electrophilic thioazidation of allylic nitriles is disclosed. A wide range of electron-deficient and -rich aryl, heterocyclic aryl, and alkyl substituents are suitable on the substrates of allylic nitriles. The regio-, enantio-, and diastereoselectivities of the reactions are excellent. As versatile platform molecules, the obtained chiral γ-azido nitriles can be easily converted into high-value-added chiral molecules that are not easily accessed by other methods. Control experiments revealed that the allylic nitrile group is important for control of the reactivity and enantioselectivity of the reaction leading to a broad substrate scope.

Defluorinative Multi-Functionalization of Fluoroaryl Sulfoxides Enabled by Fluorine-Assisted Temporary Dearomatization

Owing to its unique physical properties, fluorine is often used to open up new reaction channels. In this report, we establish a cooperation of [5,5]-rearrangement and fluorine-assisted temporary dearomatization for arene multi-functionalization. Specifically, the [5,5]-rearrangement of fluoroaryl sulfoxides with β,γ-unsaturated nitriles generates an intriguing dearomatized sulfonium species which is short-lived but exhibits unusually high electrophilicity and thus can be instantly trapped by nucleophiles and dienes at a remarkably low temperature (-95 °C) to produce four types of valuable multi-functionalized benzenes, respectively, involving appealing processes of defluorination, desulfurization, and sulfur shift. Mechanistic studies indicate that the use of fluorine on arenes not only circumvents the generally inevitable [3,3]-rearrangement but also impedes the undesired rearomatization process, thus provides a precious space for constructing and elaborating the temporarily dearomatized fluorinated sulfonium species.

Metal-Free Arylation of Benzothiophenes at C4 by Activation as their Benzothiophene S-Oxides

Benzothiophenes, activated by oxidation to the corresponding S-oxides, undergo C-H/C-H-type coupling with phenols to give C4 arylation products. While an electron-withdrawing group at C3 of the benzothiophene is important, the process operates without a directing group and a metal catalyst, thus rendering it compatible with sensitive functionalities-e.g. halides and formyl groups. Quantum chemical calculations suggest a formal stepwise mechanism involving heterolytic cleavage of an aryloxysulfur species to give a π-complex of the corresponding benzothiophene and a phenoxonium cation. Subsequent addition of the phenoxonium cation to the C4 position of the benzothiophene is favored over the addition to C3; Fukui functions predict that the major regioisomer is formed at the more electron-rich position between C3 and C4. Varied selective manipulation of the benzothiophene products showcase the synthetic utility of the metal-free arylation process.

[3,3]-Sigmatropic Rearrangements of Naphthyl 1-Propargyl Ethers: para-Propargylation and Catalytic Asymmetric Dearomatization

The para-Claisen rearrangement of aryl 1-propargyl ethers involves two-step [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangements and dearomatization process, which has high activation barriers and is of challenge. Here we discovered thermal para-Claisen rearrangement of naphthyl 1-propargyl ethers, and it enabled the formation of formal para-C-H propargylation products upon rearomatization. Chirality transfer occurred if optically active propargyl ethers were employed, leading to the construction of aryl/propargyl-containing stereogenic centers. Moreover, catalytic asymmetric dearomatization of naphthyl 1-propargyl ethers with different substitution at para-position gave access to benzocyclohexenones bearing all-carbon quaternary stereocenters. The reaction was accelerated by a chiral N,N'-dioxide/Co(OTf)₂ complex catalyst to achieve high yields (up to 98 %) and high enantioselectivities (up to 93 % ee). The DFT calculations and experimental results provided important clues to clarify the para-Claisen rearrangement process as well as the chiral induction and remote delivery.

Synthesis of 3-SCF2H-/3-SCF3-chromones via Interrupted Pummerer Reaction/Intramolecular Cyclization Mediated by Difluoromethyl or Trifluoromethyl Sulfoxide and Tf2O

The reaction of alkynyl aryl ketones bearing an o-methoxy group with difluoromethyl sulfoxide in the presence of Tf₂O was found to conveniently afford the corresponding 3-SCF₂H-substituted chromones. The combining use of difluoromethyl sulfoxide/Tf₂O could represent the first reagents system that can introduce the biologically important SCF₂H moiety under base-free conditions via an interrupted Pummerer reaction. The same protocol could also be applied to the synthesis of 3-SCF₃-substituted chromones by replacing difluoromethyl sulfoxide with trifluoromethyl sulfoxide and CH₃CN with toluene.

Dearomative di- and trifunctionalization of aryl sulfoxides via [5,5]-rearrangement

Aromatic [5,5]-rearrangement can in principle be an ideal protocol to access dearomative compounds. However, the lack of competent [5,5]-rearrangement impedes the advance of the protocol. In this Article, we showcase the power of [5,5]-rearrangement recently developed in our laboratory for constructing an intriguing dearomative sulfonium specie which features versatile and unique reactivities to perform nucleophilic 1,2- and 1,4-addition and cyclization, thus achieving dearomative di- and trifunctionalization of easily accessible aryl sulfoxides. Impressively, the dearomatization products can be readily converted to sulfur-removed cyclohexenones, naphthalenones, bicyclic cyclohexadienones, and multi-substituted benzenes. Mechanistic studies shed light on the key intermediates and the remarkable chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivities of the reactions.

Revisiting Aromatic Claisen Rearrangement Using Unstable Aryl Sulfonium/Iodonium Species: The Strategy of Breaking Up the Whole into Parts

ConspectusSince Ludwig Claisen's discovery of the sigmatropic rearrangement of allyl aryl ethers in 1912, aromatic Claisen rearrangement has continuously attracted the attention of both experimental and theoretical chemists. Over more than a century of growth, this protocol has proven to be a practical and powerful synthetic tool in many aspects. However, the reaction scope has long been limited to aryl ethers and their S or N analogs until the serendipitous discovery of aromatic iodonium-Claisen rearrangement by Oh et al. in 1988 and the development of aromatic sulfonium-Claisen rearrangement by Kita et al. in 2004. Unlike traditional Claisen rearrangements, these hypervalent-bonding-based Claisen-type rearrangements can be performed by simply mixing electrophilically activated aryl sulfoxides/iodanes with certain nucleophiles to directly deliver rearrangement products. In addition to the simple operation, remarkable features, such as readily available substrates, valuable products and intriguing rearrangement patterns, have led to a dramatic resurgence of this rearrangement chemistry.In this Account, we summarize our recent works on developing new aromatic rearrangement modes using sulfonium/iodonium reagents. Interestingly, the program started with an accidental discovery that aryl sulfoxides could be coupled with alkyl nitriles in the presence of Tf₂O and base. Mechanistic studies reveal that the reaction proceeds in three major steps, including the Tf₂O-triggered assembly of both coupling partners, base-promoted deprotonation of in situ-generated aryl sulfonium-imine species leading to a key rearrangement precursor called aryl sulfonium-ketenimine species, and subsequent facile and rapid [3,3]-rearrangement. On the basis of the mechanistic underpinning, we divided the one-step operation into two steps called the "assembly/deprotonation" protocol for constructing unstable rearrangement precursors. Most notably, the switch from the commonly used one-step to mechanism-based multiple-step manipulation, which can be termed "breaking up the whole into parts", not only enables the independent control of each step of the reaction, thus significantly expanding the accessible synthetic scope, but also raises opportunities for developing new rearrangement patterns. For example, the "assembly/deprotonation" protocol has also been applied to the development of [5,5]-rearrangement of aryl sulfoxides and the asymmetric rearrangement of aryl iodanes, thus enabling the unprecedented regio- and stereocontrol of the rearrangement process. Furthermore, the "breaking up the whole into parts" thinking triggered us to merge the Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) reaction into the rearrangement process to accomplish Z-selective MBH-type [3,3]-rearrangement of α,β-unsaturated nitriles and E-selective MBH-type [3,3]-rearrangement of α,β-unsaturated 2-oxazolines, which expands the scope of rearrangement partners to include α,β-unsaturated carbonyls. In addition, the impressive rapidity of the rearrangement process found in our initial discovery has also been recognized as a congestion-acceleration effect, which was further utilized to forge the rapid ortho-cyanoalkylative rearrangement of aryl iodanes, and thus leading to the first dearomatization of aryl iodanes. We anticipate that our protocols and ideas behind the methods will be complementary to the traditional thinking of the aromatic Claisen rearrangement.

Sulfur(iv)-mediated umpolung α-heterofunctionalization of 2-oxazolines

The α-umpolung of carbonyl compounds significantly expands the boundaries of traditional carbonyl chemistry. Despite various umpolung methods available today, reversing the inherent reactivity of carbonyls still remains a substantial challenge. In this article, we report the first use of sulfonium salts, in lieu of well-established hypervalent iodines, for the carbonyl umpolung event. The protocol enables the incorporation of a wide variety of heteroatom nucleophiles into the α-carbon of 2-oxazolines. The success of this investigation hinges on the following factors: (1) the use of sulfoxides, which are abundant, structurally diverse and tunable, and easily accessible, ensures the identification of a superior oxidant namely phenoxathiin sulfoxide for the umpolung reaction; (2) the "assembly/deprotonation" protocol previously developed for rearrangement reactions in our laboratory was successfully applied here for the construction of α-umpoled 2-oxazolines.

Triflic Anhydride (Tf2O)-Activated Transformations of Amides, Sulfoxides and Phosphorus Oxides via Nucleophilic Trapping

Trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride (Tf2O) is utilized as a strong electrophilic activator in a wide range of applications in synthetic organic chemistry, leading to the transient generation of a triflate intermediate. This versatile triflate intermediate undergoes nucleophilic trapping with diverse nucleophiles to yield novel compounds. In this review, we describe the features and applications of triflic anhydride in organic synthesis reported in the past decade, especially in amide, sulfoxide, and phosphorus oxide chemistry through electrophilic activation. A plausible mechanistic pathway for each important reaction is also discussed.

1 Introduction

2 Amide Chemistry

2.1 Carbon Nucleophiles

2.2 Hydrogen Nucleophiles

2.3 Nitrogen Nucleophiles

2.4 Oxygen and Sulfur Nucleophiles

2.5 hosphorus Nucleophiles

2.6 A Vilsmeier-Type Reagent

2.7 Umpolung Reactivity in Amides

3 Sulfoxide Chemistry

3.1 Oxygen Nucleophiles

3.2 Carbon Nucleophiles

3.3 Nitrogen Nucleophiles

3.4 Thionium Reagents

4 Phosphorus Chemistry

4.1 Hendrickson’s Reagent

4.2 Diaryl Phosphine Oxides

4.3 Phosphonates, Phosphates and Phosphinates

5 Conclusion and Outlook

Switchable Synthesis of Sulfoxides and α-Alkoxy-β-ketothioethers Regulated by Temperature in a Selectfluor-Methanol System

A switchable and benign protocol for chemoselective synthesis of sulfoxides and α-alkoxy-β-ketothioethers has been developed. It was determined that various thiophenols and alkenes/alkynes are compatible to realize the target compounds from a medium to a high yield by regulating the reaction temperature. In particular, methanol not only served as a solvent but also participated in the reaction process as a hydrogen donor. In this study, Selectfluor has been proved to be an efficient multifunctional reagent in the reaction system.

Morita-Baylis-Hillman-Type [3,3]-Rearrangement: Switching from Z- to E-Selective α-Arylation by New Rearrangement Partners

α-aryl α,β-unsaturated carbonyls represent an important class of derivatizable synthetic intermediates, however, the synthesis of such compounds still remains a challenge. Recently, we showcased a novel Z-selective α-arylation of α,β-unsaturated nitriles with aryl sulfoxides via [3,3]-rearrangement involving an Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) process. Herein, we demonstrate the feasibility of reversing the stereoselectivity of such MBH-type [3,3]-rearrangement by switching to a new pair of rearrangement partners consisting of aryl iodanes and α,β-unsaturated oxazolines. As a result, the two protocols complement each other in approaching E- or Z-α-aryl α,β-unsaturated carbonyl derivatives. Mechanistic studies reveal a possible reaction pathway and provide an explanation for the opposite stereoselectivities.

Benzene-Free Synthesis of Multisubstituted Catechol via Oxidative Dearomatic Reorganization

A benzene-free synthesis of multisubstituted catechol via an oxidative dearomatic reorganization is reported. This reaction tolerated a wide spectrum of functionalities, which could be applied in the synthesis of an electron-deficient arene-conjugated catechol that is difficult to access via biomimetic oxidative coupling. In addition, a diversification-oriented transformation that leveraged the versatile catechol afforded a series of functionality-rich products.

Z-Selective α-Arylation of α,β-Unsaturated Nitriles via [3,3]-Sigmatropic Rearrangement

The Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) reaction and [3, 3]-sigmatropic rearrangement are two paradigms in organic synthesis. We have merged the two types of reactions to achieve [3,3]-rearrangement of aryl sulfoxides with α,β-unsaturated nitriles. The reaction was achieved by sequentially treating both coupling partners with electrophilic activator (Tf₂ O) and base, offering an effective approach to prepare synthetically versatile α-aryl α,β-unsaturated nitriles with Z-selectivity through direct α-C-H arylation of unmodified α,β-unsaturated nitriles. The control experiments and DFT calculations support a four-stage reaction sequence, including the assembly of Tf₂ O activated aryl sulfoxide with α,β-unsaturated nitrile, MBH-like Lewis base addition, [3,3]-rearrangement, and E1cB-elimination. Among these stages, the Lewis base addition is diastereoselective and E1cB-elimination is cis-selective, which could account for the remarkable Z-selectivity of the reaction.

Sulfoxide synthesis from sulfinate esters under Pummerer-like conditions

A facile synthetic method for the preparation of allyl sulfoxides by S-allylation of sulfinate esters proceeds through sulfonium intermediates without [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement and further Pummerer-type reactions of the resulting allyl sulfoxides. On the basis of the plausible reaction mechanism involving sulfonium salt intermediates, S-alkynylation and S-arylation were also accomplished.

Dearomatization of aryl sulfoxides: a switch between mono- and dual-difluoroalkylation

Herein we describe the dearomatization of aryl sulfoxides with difluoroenol silyl ether (DFESE) using a rearrangement/addition protocol. The selection of the sulfoxide activator determines whether one or two difluoroalkyl groups are incorporated into dearomatized products. Using TFAA can deliberately halt the reaction at the mono-difluoroalkylated dearomatized intermediate formed via a [3,3]-rearrangement, which can be further trapped by external nucleophiles to give mono-difluoroalkylated alicycles. In contrast, switching to Tf₂O enhances the electrophilicity of dearomatized intermediates, thus allowing for the adoption of a second DFESE to produce dual-difluoroalkylated alicycles.

Herein we describe the dearomatization of aryl sulfoxides with difluoroenol silyl ether (DFESE) using a rearrangement/addition protocol.

Sulfoxide-mediated oxidative cross-coupling of phenols

A metal-free, oxidative coupling of phenols with various nucleophiles, including arenes, 1,3-diketones and other phenols, is reported. Cross-coupling is mediated by a sulfoxide which inverts the reactivity of the phenol partner. Crucially, the process shows high selectivity for cross-versus homo-coupling and allows efficient access to a variety of aromatic scaffolds including biaryls, benzofurans and, through an iterative procedure, aromatic oligomers.

A metal-free, oxidative coupling of phenols with various nucleophiles, including arenes, 1,3-diketones and other phenols, is reported.