Copper-Mediated Synthesis of Aryldifluoromethylphosphonates: A Sandmeyer Approach

Copper-Photocatalyzed Hydroboration of Alkynes and Alkenes

The photocatalytic hydroboration of alkenes and alkynes is reported. The use of newly-designed copper photocatalysts with B2 Pin2 permits the formation a boryl radical, which is used for hydroboration of a large panel of alkenes and alkynes. The hydroborated products were isolated in high yields, with excellent diastereoselectivities and a high functional group tolerance under mild conditions. The hydroboration reactions were developed under continuous flow conditions to demonstrate their synthetic utility. The reaction mechanism was studied and suggested an oxidation reaction between an in situ formed borate and the Cu-photocatalyst in its excited state for the boryl radical formation.

Copper-Photocatalyzed Contra-Thermodynamic Isomerization of Polarized Alkenes

The contra-thermodynamic isomerization of α- and β-substituted cinnamate derivatives catalyzed by the Cu(OAc)₂/rac-BINAP complex under blue light irradiation is reported. The use of an oxazolidinone template, which favored the complexation of the copper catalyst to the substrate, allowed the E → Z isomerization of the catalytically formed chromophore under simple and robust reaction conditions in good to excellent ratios. The mechanism of this process based on the transient formation of a chromophore was also studied.

Copper-based fluorinated reagents for the synthesis of CF2R-containing molecules (R ≠ F)

Over the years, the development of new methodologies for the introduction of various fluorinated motifs has gained a significant interest due to the importance of fluorine-containing molecules in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. In a world eager to eco-friendlier tools, the need for innovative methods has been growing. To address these two challenges, copper-based reagents were developed to introduce CF2H, CF2RF, CF2CH3, CF2PO(OEt)2 and CF2SO2Ph motifs on a broad range of substrates. Copper-based fluorinated reagents have the advantage of being inexpensive and generally in situ generated or prepared in a few steps, which make them convenient to use. In this review, an overview of the recent advances made for the synthesis of fluorinated molecules using copper-based fluorinated reagents will be given.

Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive Coupling for Transforming Unactivated Aryl Electrophiles into β-Fluoroethylarenes

We report herein a facile synthetic method for converting unactivated (hetero)aryl electrophiles into β-fluoroethylated (hetero)arenes via nickel-catalyzed reductive cross-couplings. This coupling reaction features the involvement of FCH₂ CH₂ radical intermediate rather than β-fluoroethyl manganese species which provides effective solutions to the problematic β-fluoride side eliminations. The practical value of this protocol is further demonstrated by the late-stage modification of several complex ArCl or ArOH-derived bioactive molecules.

Enantioselective Lewis base catalyzed phosphonyldifluoromethylation of allylic fluorides using a C-silyl latent pronucleophile

The first enantioselective phosphonyldifluoromethylation is enabled by the use of a latent silylated C-centered pronucleophile in the Lewis base catalyzed substitution of allylic fluorides.

Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of α,α-Difluoromethylated and α-Fluoromethylated Tertiary Alcohols

The catalytic asymmetric synthesis of α,α-difluoromethylated tertiary alcohols is described, using an asymmetric dihydroxylation reaction. This protocol using either the AD-mix-α or AD-mix-β allowed an easy access to these valuable fluorinated chiral building blocks, which have been obtained with excellent yields and er. In addition, the reaction was extended to the α-fluoromethylated analogues.

Copper-Promoted Cross-Coupling Reactions for the Synthesis of Aryl(difluoromethyl)phosphonates Using Trimethylsilyl(difluoromethyl)phosphonate

A convenient and effective route for the synthesis of aryl(difluoromethyl)phosphonates has been developed based on cross-coupling reactions. Upon treatment with a stoichiometric amount (or a catalytic amount in some cases) of CuI and CsF, aryl iodides reacted smoothly with (silyldifluoromethyl)phosphonates to give the corresponding aryl(difluoromethyl)phosphonates in good yields.

Bunte Salt CH2FSSO3Na: An Efficient and Odorless Reagent for Monofluoromethylthiolation

A practical and efficient monofluoromethylthiolation that employs the typical Bunte salt, sodium S-(fluoromethyl) sulfurothioate, as the sulfur source is described. This reagent reacts readily with a variety of aryl amines and aryl thiols. The high tolerance of functional groups demonstrates the potential of this reaction. In addition, this method is suitable for the late-stage monofluoromethylthiolation of complex bioactive molecules.

Photocatalyzed Intermolecular Aminodifluoromethylphosphonation of Alkenes: Facile Synthesis of α,α-Difluoro-γ-aminophosphonates

An efficient and practical method for the synthesis of α,α-difluoro-γ-aminophosphonates through photocatalyzed intermolecular aminodifluoromethylphosphonation of alkenes has been developed. In this reaction, difluoromethylphosphonate is used as an important fluorinated reagent. Furthermore, the mild reaction conditions, simple operation, and broad substrate scope make this protocol very practical and attractive. The derivatization reaction in the synthesis of difluoromethylphosphonated chiral binaphthylamine ligands and α,α-difluoro-γ-aminophosphoric acid highlight the applicability of this method.

Geminal difunctionalization of α-diazo arylmethylphosphonates: synthesis of fluorinated phosphonates

A general approach towards diverse fluorinated phosphonates via geminal difunctionalization reactions of α-diazo arylmethylphosphonates is reported.

Copper-Mediated Formation of Aryl, Heteroaryl, Vinyl and Alkynyl Difluoromethylphosphonates: A General Approach to Fluorinated Phosphate Mimics

A general and efficient access to aryl, heteroaryl, vinyl and alkynyl difluoromethylphosphonates is described. The developed methodology using TMSCF2PO(OEt)2, iodonium salts and a copper salt provided a straightforward manifold to reach these highly relevant products. The reaction proved to be highly functional group tolerant and proceeded under mild conditions, giving the corresponding products in good to excellent yields. This method represents the first general synthetic route to this important class of fluorinated scaffolds, which are well-recognized as in vivo stable phosphate surrogates.