Palladium-Catalyzed Trans-Selective Synthesis of Spirocyclic Cyclobutanes Using α,α-Dialkylcrotyl- and Allylhydrazones

Herein, we demonstrate the use of E/Z mixtures of α,α-disubstituted crotylhydrazones to obtain spirocyclic vinylcyclobutanes in a diastereoselective fashion. We show 24 examples of a 1,1-insertion/4-exo-trig tandem process to produce these motifs. Additionally, spirocyclic alkylidene cyclobutanes can be obtained by using α,α-disubstituted allylated hydrazones (11 examples). In this study, we show that the aryl migrating group has a dramatic impact on the course of the reaction. Specifically, allylic C-H insertion products can be obtained in good yields using bromoenones as reaction partners. When Pd(0) is used with no aryl or alkenyl bromide, an intramolecular cyclopropanation reaction takes place to afford [2.1.0]-bicycles.

Recent advances in transition-metal-catalyzed carbene insertion to C-H bonds

C-H functionalization has been emerging as a powerful method to establish carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds. Many efforts have been devoted to transition-metal-catalyzed direct transformations of C-H bonds. Metal carbenes generated in situ from transition-metal compounds and diazo or its equivalents are usually applied as the transient reactive intermediates to furnish a catalytic cycle for new C-C and C-X bond formation. Using this strategy compounds from unactivated simple alkanes to complex molecules can be further functionalized or transformed to multi-functionalized compounds. In this area, transition-metal-catalyzed carbene insertion to C-H bonds has been paid continuous attention. Diverse catalyst design strategies, synthetic methods, and potential applications have been developed. This critical review will summarize the advance in transition-metal-catalyzed carbene insertion to C-H bonds dated up to July 2021, by the categories of C-H bonds from aliphatic C(sp³)-H, aryl (aromatic) C(sp²)-H, heteroaryl (heteroaromatic) C(sp²)-H bonds, alkenyl C(sp²)-H, and alkynyl C(sp)-H, as well as asymmetric carbene insertion to C-H bonds, and more coverage will be given to the recent work. Due to the rapid development of the C-H functionalization area, future directions in this topic are also discussed. This review will give the authors an overview of carbene insertion chemistry in C-H functionalization with focus on the catalytic systems and synthetic applications in C-C bond formation.

A Pd-catalyzed one-pot cascade consisting of C-C/C-O/N-N bond formation to access benzoxazine fused 1,2,3-triazoles

A Pd-catalyzed one-pot cascade consisting of C-C/C-O/N-N bond formation to access clinically important fused 1,2,3-triazoles using N-aryl-α-(tosylhydrazone)acetamides with isocyanide has been developed. Besides, various substitutions on the N-aryl part of acetamides along with different isocyanides show good compatibility in this protocol. Next, two plausible mechanistic routes were proposed; however, one of the routes was more favourable which involved the formation of a benzoxazine ring first followed by the realization of a triazole ring. Additionally, the more favourable mechanistic route was investigated using DFT studies which suggests that the formations of a Pd(II)-isocyanide complex and α-diazoimino intermediates were key steps in the catalytic cycle.

Iron-promoted dealkylative carbene aminocyclization of δ-arylamino-α-diazoesters

Herein, we report a novel methodology to access N-aryl proline derivatives using amino-tethered α-diazoesters and cheap, readily available iron salts. Mechanistically, the aminocyclization reaction involves the initial formation of an iron-carbene complex followed by a nucleophilic attack of the aniline nitrogen atom to give an ammonium ylide intermediate, which finally undergoes the iron-promoted dealkylation.

Site Selectivity in Pd-Catalyzed Reactions of α-Diazo-α-(methoxycarbonyl)acetamides: Effects of Catalysts and Substrate Substitution in the Synthesis of Oxindoles and β-Lactams

The Pd-catalyzed intramolecular carbene C–H insertion of α-diazo-α-(methoxycarbonyl)acetamides to prepare oxindoles as well as β-lactams was studied. In order to identify what factors influence the selectivity of the processes, we explored how the reactions are affected by the catalyst type, using two oxidation states of Pd and a variety of ligands. It was found that, in the synthesis of oxindoles, ((IMes)Pd(NQ))₂ can be used as an alternative to Pd₂(dba)₃ to catalyze the carbene C_Arsp²–H insertion, although it was less versatile. On the other hand, it was demonstrated that the Csp³–H insertion leading to β-lactams can be effectively promoted by both Pd(0) and Pd(II) catalysts, the latter being most efficient. Insight into the reaction mechanisms involved in these transformations was provided by DFT calculations.

Grubbs catalysts in intramolecular carbene C(sp3)-H insertion reactions from α-diazoesters

Grubbs catalysts are described as a useful alternative to promote intramolecular carbene C-H insertion from α-diazoesters. Moreover, no competition arises from the possible metathesis reactions on substrates bearing alkene and alkyne moieties. DFT calculations were also carried out to gain insight into the reaction mechanism involved in these transformations.

Recent advances in β-lactam synthesis

During the past century, β-lactams have been identified as the core of penicillin and since then several strategies have been developed for their synthesis.