Synthetic Applications of the Nickel-Catalyzed Cyclization of Alkynes Combined with Addition Reactions in a Domino Process

Nickel-Catalyzed Intramolecular Hydrosilylation of Alkynes: Embracing Conventional and Electrochemical Routes

Nickel-catalyzed intramolecular hydrosilylation can be efficiently achieved with high regio- and stereoselectivities through two distinct methodologies. The first approach utilizes a conventional method, involving the reduction of nickel salt (NiBr2-2,2'-bipyridine) using manganese metal. The second method employs a one-step electrochemical reaction, utilizing the sacrificial anode process and NiBr2bipy catalysis. Both methods yield silylated heterocycles in good to high yields through a syn-exo-dig cyclization process. Control experiments and molecular electrochemistry (cyclic voltammetry) provided further insights into the reaction mechanism.

Palladium-Catalyzed Three-Component Cascade Carbonylation Reaction to Construct Benzofuran Derivatives

A novel three-component cyclization carbonylation reaction of iodoarene-tethered propargyl ethers with amine and CO is reported. This palladium-catalyzed cascade reaction undergoes a sequence of oxidative addition, unsaturated bond migration, carbonyl insertion, and nucleophilic attack to deliver the benzofuran skeleton. Both aromatic amines and aliphatic amines could proceed smoothly in this transformation under one atm of CO.

Photocatalytic Radical Cascade Dehalogenation/Carbo-cyclization/Sulfonylation Leading to Indole- and Benzofuran-Based Benzylic Sulfones

This study presents a convenient approach to the synthesis of indole- and benzofuran-based benzylic sulfones using unactivated alkynes containing aryl iodides and sodium sulfinates under visible light irradiation. The procedure involves a sequential series of dehalogenation, carbo-cyclization, and radical sulfonylation. Plausible insights into the reaction mechanism are derived from control experiments, leading to the proposal of a radical cascade reaction pathway.

Enantioselective Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive anti-Arylative Annulation of Alkyne-Tethered Malononitriles to Construct Quaternary Stereocenters

A nickel-catalyzed reductive desymmetrizing annulation of alkyne-tethered malononitriles and (hetero)aryl iodides is reported for the access of cyclohexenones containing an α-all-carbon quaternary stereocenter. The use of a nickel catalyst derived from an electron-rich phosphinooxazoline ligand combined with iron powder as a reductant is crucial to the success of this transformation.

Palladium-Catalyzed Cyclization Coupling with Cyclobutanone-Derived N-Tosylhydrazones: Synthesis of Benzofuran-3-Cyclobutylidenes and Spirocyclobutanes

A palladium-catalyzed cyclization coupling of iodoarene-tethered alkynes with cyclobutanone-derived N-tosylhydrazones is reported, providing a convenient and efficient approach to benzofuran-3-cyclobutylidenes. On this basis, spirocyclobutanes can be generated smoothly in an efficient cascade manner by the addition of dienophiles. Good yields and scalability are demonstrated. Sequential intramolecular carbopalladation, palladium-carbene migratory insertion, δ-hydride elimination, and cycloaddition processes are involved.

Synthetic Applications of Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling and Cyclisation Reactions

Since the first studies about fifty years ago, the direct formation of C-C bonds, catalyzed by nickel complexes, has appeared as an important research topic, and has re-emerged recently as a renewal of nickel chemistry. This account provides a summary of the use of nickel complexes in catalysis, and highlights the evolution of our own research.

Nickel-Catalyzed Electrochemical Cyclization of Alkynyl Aryl Iodide and the Domino Reaction with Aldehydes

An intramolecular carbometallation of a triple bond promoted by electrochemistry and mediated by nickel catalysis is described. This domino process transforms various aryl halides bearing a propargyl chain into substituted heterocycles in one single operation, with high stereoselectivities and in good to high yields. This reaction, characterized by a cyclic voltammetry set of experiments, proceeds following a syn-exo-dig cyclization process. When run at 80 °C, vinylbenzofuranes that are suitable substrates for cycloaddition reactions are obtained.

Ni-Catalyzed stereoselective difunctionalization of alkynes

We summarize the progress of the nickel-catalyzed alkyne difunctionalization reaction for the synthesis of tri- and tetrasubstituted olefins, with an emphasis on the strategy and control of stereochemistry.

Ene reactions of 2-borylated α-methylstyrenes: a practical route to 4-methylenechromanes and derivatives

4-Methylenechromanes were prepared via a three-step process from 2-borylated α-methylstyrenes. This sequence is based on a key glyoxylate-ene reaction catalyzed by scandium(iii) triflate. The resulting γ-hydroxy boronates, which cyclise to seven-membered homologues of benzoxaborole on silica gel, were cleanly oxidized with sodium perborate, and then cyclised under Mitsunobu conditions. Additionally, several further functional transformations of 4-methylenechromanes or their precursors were carried out to illustrate the synthetic potential of these intermediates.

Palladium-Catalyzed Synthesis of 2,3-Disubstituted Benzofurans: An Approach Towards the Synthesis of Deuterium Labeled Compounds

Palladium-catalyzed oxidative annulations between phenols and alkenylcarboxylic acids produced a library of benzofuran compounds. Depending on the nature of the substitution of the phenol precursor, either 2,3-dialkylbenzofurans or 2-alkyl-3-methylene-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans can be synthesized with excellent regioselectivity. Reactions between conjugated 5-phenylpenta-2,4-dienoic acids and phenol gave 3-alkylidenedihydrobenzofuran alkaloid motifs while biologically active 7-arylbenzofuran derivatives were prepared by starting from 2-phenylphenols. More interestingly, selective incorporation of deuterium from D2O has been discovered, which offers an attractive one-step method to access deuterated compounds.

Intramolecular annulation of aromatic rings with N-sulfonyl 1,2,3-triazoles: divergent synthesis of 3-methylene-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans and 3-methylene-2,3-dihydroindoles

The controllable synthesis of 3-methylene-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans 2 and 3-methylene-2,3-dihydroindoles 5 has been developed via cycloisomerization of N/O-tethered aryltriazoles.

One-pot synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted dihydrobenzofurans and benzofurans via rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular C–H insertion reaction

Intramolecular sp³ C–H insertion of α-imino carbenoid. One pot synthesis of benzofuran derivatives.

Catalytic defluorinative [3 + 2] cycloaddition of trifluoromethylalkenes with alkynes via reduction of nickel(ii) fluoride species

A catalytic synthesis of 2-fluoro-1,3-cyclopentadienes was achieved via [3 + 2] cycloaddition of 2-trifluoromethyl-1-alkenes and alkynes using a nickel catalyst and a diboron-based ternary additive system.

Intramolecular carbonickelation of alkenes

The efficiency of the intramolecular carbonickelation of substituted allylic ethers and amines has been studied to evaluate the influence of the groups borne by the double bond on this cyclization. The results show that when this reaction takes place, it affords only the 5-exo-trig cyclization products, viz. dihydrobenzofurans or indoles. Depending on the tethered heteroatom (O or N), the outcome of the cyclization differs. While allylic ethers are relatively poor substrates that undergo a side elimination and need an intracyclic double bond to proceed, allylic amines react well and afford indoline and indole derivatives. Finally, the synthesis of the trinuclear ACE core of a morphine-like skeleton was achieved by using NiBr2bipy catalysis.