Facile Synthesis of Single α-tert-Alkylated Acetaldehydes by Hydroxyalkylation of Enamides in Aqueous Solution

Synergistic Copper-Aminocatalysis for Direct Tertiary α-Alkylation of Ketones with Electron-Deficient Alkanes

In this study, a novel approach for the tertiary α-alkylation of ketones using alkanes with electron-deficient C─H bonds is presented, employing a synergistic catalytic system combining inexpensive copper salts with aminocatalysis. This methodology addresses the limitations of traditional alkylation methods, such as the need for strong metallic bases, regioselectivity issues, and the risk of over alkylation, by providing a high reactivity and chemoselectivity without the necessity for pre-functionalized substrates. The dual catalytic strategy enables the direct functionalization of C(sp3)─H bonds, demonstrating remarkable selectivity in the presence of conventional C(sp3)─H bonds that are adjacent to heteroatoms or π systems, which are typically susceptible to single-electron transfer processes. The findings contribute to the advancement of alkylation techniques, offering a practical and efficient route for the construction of C(sp3)─C(sp3) bonds, and paving the way for further developments in the synthesis of complex organic molecules.

α-Halocarbonyls as a Valuable Functionalized Tertiary Alkyl Source

This review introduces the synthetic organic chemical value of α-bromocarbonyl compounds with tertiary carbons. This α-bromocarbonyl compound with a tertiary carbon has been used primarily only as a radical initiator in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) reactions. However, with the recent development of photo-radical reactions (around 2010), research on the use of α-bromocarbonyl compounds as tertiary alkyl radical precursors became popular (around 2012). As more examples were reported, α-bromocarbonyl compounds were studied not only as radicals but also for their applications in organometallic and ionic reactions. That is, α-bromocarbonyl compounds act as nucleophiles as well as electrophiles. The carbonyl group of α-bromocarbonyl compounds is also attractive because it allows the skeleton to be converted after the reaction, and it is being applied to total synthesis. In our survey until 2022, α-bromocarbonyl compounds can be used to perform a full range of reactions necessary for organic synthesis, including multi-component reactions, cross-coupling, substitution, cyclization, rearrangement, stereospecific reactions, asymmetric reactions. α-Bromocarbonyl compounds have created a new trend in tertiary alkylation, which until then had limited reaction patterns in organic synthesis. This review focuses on how α-bromocarbonyl compounds can be used in synthetic organic chemistry.

Alkyltin fluorides as alkylating reagent in aminoalkylation of maleimides

Alkyltin fluoride is a frequently used electrophilic stannylation reagent via the cleavage of the Sn-F bond in traditional organic synthetic chemistry. Herein, we report the unprecedented copper-catalyzed aminoalkylation of maleimides using alkyltin fluoride as alkylating reagent through cleavage of the C-Sn bond via a radical pathway. Excellent functional group tolerance, use of O₂ as green oxidant and late-stage modification of some drug intermediates are the standout features of the current toolbox. Mechanistic studies reveal that alkyltin fluorides are capable of producing alkyl radicals in a Cu/O₂ catalytic system.

Di-, tetra-, and perhydropyrrolo[1,2-a]imidazoles: The Methods of Synthesis and Some Aspects of Application

The review summarizes and systematizes the literature data on the synthesis and some aspects of application of pyrrolo[1,2-a]imidazoles. Synthetic approaches are grouped according to the degree of saturation of the product pyrroloimidazole ring. The bibliography of the review includes 110 sources over the last 15 years.

Direct α-Tertiary Alkylations of Ketones in a Combined Copper-Organocatalyst System

Herein, we report an efficient method for the tertiary alkylation of a ketone by using an α-bromocarbonyl compound as the tertiary alkyl source in a combined Cu-organocatalyst system. This dual catalyst system enables the addition of a tertiary alkyl radical to an enamine. Mechanistic studies revealed that the catalytically generated enamine is a key intermediate in the catalytic cycle. The developed method can be used to synthesize substituted 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds containing quaternary carbons bearing various alkyl chains.

Synthesis of Spiro[cycloalkane-pyridazinones] with High Fsp3 Character Part 2*

Abstract:

An extended compound library of spiro[cycloalkane-pyridazinones] with a high Fsp3 character is targeted. There are two possibilities to improve the physicochemical parameters of a drug candidate molecules or building blocks, either to replace the aromatic systems with bioisoster heteroaromatic moieties, e.g. with one or two nitrogen containing ring systems (pyridines, pyridazines, pyrimidines, etc.), or to increase the Fsp3 character of the compounds. Using a new synthetic approach, the Grignard reaction of 2-oxaspiro[4.5]decane-1,3-dione and 2-oxaspiro[4.4]nonane-1,3-dione with p-halophenyl- or p-alkylphenyl-magnesium bromide resulted in the formation of the corresponding 2-oxoethyl-cycloalkanecarboxylic acids, which served as starting materials for the pyridazinones by reaction with hydrazine or phenylhydrazine. The pyridazinones obtained were alkylated with methyliodide or benzylbromide. 16 Novel 4-tolyl- or 4-halophenyl-2,3-diazaspiro[5.5]undec-3-en-1-one and 4-tolyl- or 4-halopyhenyl-7,8-diazaspiro[4.5]dec-8-en-6-one, and their N-methyl, N-benzyl, and N-phenyl derivatives were synthetized. The physicochemical parameters and the Fsp3 character of the novel compounds obtained were studied. A few of them showed excellent logP and clogP values, but the introduction of a further phenyl group seemed to be disadvantageous.

Cu-Catalysed synthesis of benzo[f]indole-2,4,9(3H)-triones by the reaction of 2-amino-1,4-napthoquinones with α-bromocarboxylates

A copper-catalysed cascade ester amidation/radical cyclization of 2-amino-1,4-naphthoquinones with α-bromocarboxylates to afford benzo[f]indole-2,4,9(3H)-triones is described, and the reaction has a broad substrate scope and the desired products are obtained in mostly moderate to good yields. Mechanism-probing experiments indicate that the otherwise challenging radical coupling reaction of α-bromocarboxylates with 2-amino-1,4-naphthoquinones is facilitated by a 5-endo radical cyclization.

Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of Hindered Ethers from α-Bromo Carbonyl Compounds

A catalytic method for the synthesis of sterically hindered ethers and thioethers from α-bromo carbonyl compounds and the corresponding nucleophiles using an inexpensive Cu(I) catalytic system is reported. This facile transformation takes place at ambient temperature and does not require the exclusion of air or moisture; thus, it is well-suited for the functionalization and derivatization of complex organic molecules.