Iridium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Methoxy C−H Addition to Carbon-Carbon Triple Bonds: Direct Synthesis of 3-Substituted Benzofurans from o -Methoxyphenylalkynes

Access to Sulfur-Containing Bisheterocycles through Base-Promoted Consecutive Tandem Cyclization/Sulfenylation with Elemental Sulfur

A convenient and efficient tandem cyclization/sulfenylation of o-alkynyl-phenols/-anilines/enaminones for the synthesis of diverse sulfur-containing bisheterocycles has been developed using stable, odorless, and easy-to-handle elemental S₈ as a building block under green chemistry conditions. Notably, a one-step simple base-mediated organic transformation affords a benzofuran (indole or chromone) ring and two C-S bonds. Attractive features of this methodology include the absence of a metal catalyst, mild conditions, good functional group tolerance, and valuable product structures.

A Convenient Procedure for Sonogashira Reactions Using Propyne

A modified Sonogashira coupling of aryl iodides and propyne­ was achieved using only two equivalents of propyne in THF from –78 °C to room temperature.

Iridium-catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular hydroarylation of allylic aryl ethers devoid of a directing group on the aryl group

Although intramolecular hydroarylation is an attractive transformation of allylic aryl ethers, it has suffered from narrow substrate scope. We herein describe Ir/(S)-DTBM-SEGPHOS-catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation of allylic aryl ethers. The reaction eliminates the structural requirement from the aryl group, affording 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans bearing a stereogenic carbon center at the C3 position with up to 99% enantiomeric excess.

Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Annulations Involving the Activation of C(sp3 )-H Bonds

The selective functionalization of C(sp³)−H bonds using transition‐metal catalysis is among the more attractive transformations of modern synthetic chemistry. In addition to its inherent atom economy, such reactions open unconventional retrosynthetic pathways that can streamline synthetic processes. However, the activation of intrinsically inert C(sp³)−H bonds, and the selection among very similar C−H bonds, represent highly challenging goals. In recent years there has been notable progress tackling these issues, especially with regard to the development of intermolecular reactions entailing the formation of C−C and C−heteroatom bonds. Conversely, the assembly of cyclic products from simple acyclic precursors using metal‐catalyzed C(sp³)−H bond activations has been less explored. Only recently has the number of reports on such annulations started to grow. Herein we give an overview of some of the more relevant advances in this exciting topic.

Catalytic addition of C-H bonds across C-C unsaturated systems promoted by iridium(i) and its group IX congeners

Transition metal-catalyzed hydrocarbonations of unsaturated substrates have emerged as powerful synthetic tools for increasing molecular complexity in an atom-economical manner. Although this field was traditionally dominated by low valent rhodium and ruthenium catalysts, in recent years, there have been many reports based on the use of iridium complexes. In many cases, these reactions have a different course from those of their rhodium homologs, and even allow performing otherwise inviable transformations. In this review we aim to provide an informative journey, from the early pioneering examples in the field, most of them based on other metals than iridium, to the most recent transformations catalyzed by designed Ir(i) complexes. The review is organized by the type of C-H bond that is activated (with C sp², sp or sp³), as well as by the C-C unsaturated partner that is used as a hydrocarbonation partner (alkyne, allene or alkene). Importantly, we discuss the mechanistic foundations of the methods highlighting the differences from those previously proposed for processes catalyzed by related metals, particularly those of the same group (Co and Rh).

Synthesis of 3-(Methylsulfonyl)benzo[ b]thiophenes from Methyl(2-alkynylphenyl)sulfanes and Sodium Metabisulfite via a Radical Relay Strategy

A radical relay strategy for the generation of 3-(methylsulfonyl)benzo[ b]thiophenes through a reaction of methyl(2-alkynylphenyl)sulfanes with sodium metabisulfite in the presence of a photocatalyst under visible light irradiation is developed. This photoinduced sulfonylation proceeds efficiently under mild conditions by using a catalytic amount of sodium methylsulfinate as an initiator. During the reaction process, the methyl radical generated in situ is the key intermediate, which undergoes a radical relay with the combination of sulfur dioxide to afford methylsulfonyl-containing compounds.

Palladium-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Coupling of Alkynyl Carboxylic Acids with Aryl Tosylates

Decarboxylative coupling reactions of alkynyl carboxylic acids with aryl tosylates were developed in the presence of a palladium catalyst. Among the commercially available phosphine ligands, only 1-dicyclohexylphosphino-2-(di-tert-butylphosphino-ethyl)ferrocene (CyPF-tBu) showed good reactivity. The reaction took place smoothly and gave the decarboxylative coupled products in moderate to good yields. This demonstrates the excellent functional group tolerance toward alkyl, alkoxy, fluoro, thiophenyl, ester, and ketone groups. In addition, alkyl-substituted propiolic acids, such as octynoic and hexynoic acids, were coupled with phenyl tosylate to provide the desired products. We found that the electronic properties of the substituents on the phenyl ring in arylpropiolic acids are an important factor. The order of reactivity was found to be aryl iodide > aryl bromide > aryl tosylate > aryl chloride. However, aryl chloride-bearing electron-withdrawing groups showed higher reactivity than those bearing aryl tosylates.

Hydroxoiridium-Catalyzed Hydroalkylation of Terminal Alkenes with Ureas by C(sp3 )-H Bond Activation

Direct alkylation of a methyl group, on di- and trisubstituted ureas, with terminal alkenes by C(sp³ )-H bond activation proceeded in the presence of a hydroxoiridium/bisphosphine catalyst to give high yields of the corresponding addition products. The hydroxoiridium/bisphosphine complex generates an amidoiridium intermediate by reaction with ureas having an N-H bond.