Vinylbenziodoxol(on)es: Synthetic Methods and Applications

Organohypervalent heterocycles

This review summarizes the structural and synthetic aspects of heterocyclic molecules incorporating an atom of a hypervalent main-group element. The term "hypervalent" has been suggested for derivatives of main-group elements with more than eight valence electrons, and the concept of hypervalency is commonly used despite some criticism from theoretical chemists. The significantly higher thermal stability of hypervalent heterocycles compared to their acyclic analogs adds special features to their chemistry, particularly for bromine and iodine. Heterocyclic compounds of elements with double bonds are not categorized as hypervalent molecules owing to the zwitterionic nature of these bonds, resulting in the conventional 8-electron species. This review is focused on hypervalent heterocyclic derivatives of nonmetal main-group elements, such as boron, silicon, nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus, sulfur, selenium, bromine, chlorine, iodine(III) and iodine(V).

Three-component N-alkenylation of azoles with alkynes and iodine(III) electrophile: synthesis of multisubstituted N-vinylazoles

A stereoselective N-alkenylation of azoles with alkynes and iodine(III) electrophile is reported. The reaction between various azoles and internal alkynes is mediated by benziodoxole triflate as the electrophile in a trans-fashion, affording azole-bearing vinylbenziodoxoles in moderate to good yields. The tolerable azole nuclei include pyrazole, indazole, 1,2,3-triazole, benzotriazole, and tetrazole. The iodanyl group in the product can be leveraged as a versatile synthetic handle, allowing for the preparation of hitherto inaccessible types of densely functionalized N-vinylazoles.

Structure-reactivity analysis of novel hypervalent iodine reagents in S-vinylation of thiols

The transition-metal free S-vinylation of thiophenols by vinylbenziodoxolones (VBX) constituted an important step forward in hypervalent iodine-mediated vinylations, highlighting the difference to vinyliodonium salts and that the reaction outcome was influenced by the substitution pattern of the benziodoxolone core. In this study, we report several new classes of hypervalent iodine vinylation reagents; vinylbenziodazolones, vinylbenziodoxolonimine and vinyliodoxathiole dioxides. Their synthesis, structural and electronic properties are described and correlated to the S-vinylation outcome, shedding light on some interesting facets of these reagents.

Carboiodanation of Arynes: Organoiodine(III) Compounds as Nucleophilic Organometalloids

Organic iodine(III) compounds represent the most widely used hypervalent halogen compounds in organic synthesis, where they typically perform the role of an electrophile or oxidant to functionalize electron-rich or -nucleophilic organic compounds. In contrast to this convention, we discovered their unique reactivity as organometallic-like nucleophiles toward arynes. Equipped with diverse transferable ligands and supported by a tethered spectator ligand, the organoiodine(III) compounds undergo addition across the electrophilic C-C triple bond of arynes while retaining the trivalency of the iodine center. This carboiodanation reaction can forge a variety of aryl-alkynyl, aryl-alkenyl, and aryl-(hetero)aryl bonds along with the concurrent formation of an aryl-iodine(III) bond under mild conditions. The newly formed aryl-iodine(III) bond serves as a versatile linchpin for downstream transformations, particularly as an electrophilic reaction site. The amphoteric nature of the iodine(III) group as a metalloid and a leaving group in this sequence enables the flexible and expedient synthesis of extended π-conjugated molecules and privileged biarylphosphine ligands, where all of the iodine(III)-containing compounds can be handled as air- and thermally stable materials.

Stereoselective Approach to Multisubstituted Enolates from Unactivated Alkynes: Oxyalkylidenation of Alkynyl Ketone Enolates with Aldehydes

The preparation of multisubstituted enolates with precise regio- and stereocontrol is a nontrivial task when conventional deprotonation methods are used on the corresponding carbonyl compounds. We describe herein an approach to preparing stereodefined enolates by leveraging the stereoselective oxyfunctionalization of unactivated alkynes, particularly in the context of the alkynylogous aldol reaction. trans-Iodo(III)acetoxylation of alkynes and subsequent Sonogashira coupling allow for the facile preparation of multisubstituted enynyl acetates, which can be deacetylated by MeLi into the corresponding enolates. The alkynyl enolates react with aldehydes to afford γ,δ-unsaturated β-diketones through a cascade of alkynylogous aldol addition, intramolecular Michael addition, and ring opening of the oxetene intermediate.

Aryl-, Akynyl-, and Alkenylbenziodoxoles: Synthesis and Synthetic Applications

Hypervalent iodine reagents are in high current demand due to their exceptional reactivity in oxidative transformations, as well as in diverse umpolung functionalization reactions. Cyclic hypervalent iodine compounds, known under the general name of benziodoxoles, possess improved thermal stability and synthetic versatility in comparison with their acyclic analogs. Aryl-, alkenyl-, and alkynylbenziodoxoles have recently received wide synthetic applications as efficient reagents for direct arylation, alkenylation, and alkynylation under mild reaction conditions, including transition metal-free conditions as well as photoredox and transition metal catalysis. Using these reagents, a plethora of valuable, hard-to-reach, and structurally diverse complex products can be synthesized by convenient procedures. The review covers the main aspects of the chemistry of benziodoxole-based aryl-, alkynyl-, and alkenyl- transfer reagents, including preparation and synthetic applications.

Transition-Metal-Free Difunctionalization of Sulfur Nucleophiles

Efficient protocols for accessing iodo-substituted diaryl and aryl(vinyl) sulfides have been developed using iodonium salts as reactive electrophilic arylation and vinylation reagents. The reactions take place under transition-metal-free conditions, employing odorless and convenient sulfur reagents. A wide variety of functional groups are tolerated in the S-diarylation, enabling the regioselective late-stage application of several heterocycles and drug molecules under mild reaction conditions. A novel S-difunctionalization pathway was discovered using vinyliodonium salts, which proceeds under additive-free reaction conditions and grants excellent stereoselectivity in the synthesis of aryl(vinyl) sulfides. A one-pot strategy combining transition-metal-free diarylation and subsequent reduction provided facile access to electron-rich thioanilines and a direct synthesis of a potential drug candidate derivative. The retained iodo group allows a wide array of further synthetic transformations. Mechanistic insights were elucidated by isolating the key intermediate, and the relevant energy profile was substantiated by DFT calculations.

Recent progress in alkynylation with hypervalent iodine reagents

Although alkynes are one of the smallest functional groups, they are among the most versatile building blocks for organic chemistry, with applications ranging from biochemistry to material sciences. Alkynylation reactions have traditionally relied on the use of acetylenes as nucleophiles. The discovery and development of ethynyl hypervalent iodine reagents have allowed to greatly expand the transfer of alkynes as electrophilic synthons. In this feature article the progress in the field since 2018 will be presented. After a short introduction on alkynylation reactions and hypervalent iodine reagents, the developments in the synthesis of alkynyl hypervalent iodine reagents will be discussed. Their recent use in base-mediated and transition-metal catalyzed alkynylations will be described. Progress in radical-based alkynylations and atom-economical transformations will then be presented.

Stereoselective Synthesis of β-Alkoxy-β-amido Vinylbenziodoxoles via Iodo(III)etherification of Ynamides

A trans-iodo(III)etherification reaction of ynamides with benziodoxole triflate and alcohols is reported. Despite the sensitivity of ynamides and enamides toward Brønsted acid, the reaction could be successfully performed under carefully controlled conditions to afford β-alkoxy-β-amido vinylbenziodoxoles in moderate to good yields. The products could be subjected to a sequence of cross-coupling via C-I(III) bond cleavage and electrophilic halogenation of the resulting α-alkoxyenamides, allowing for the preparation of densely functionalized esters.

Explaining Regiodivergent Vinylations with Vinylbenziodoxolones**

Vinylbenziodoxolones have recently been identified as efficient hypervalent iodine(III) reagents for electrophilic vinylations under transition metal‐free conditions. Their unique reactivity allows synthesis of either internal or terminal alkenes, depending on the nucleophile class. This paper constitutes the first mechanistic investigation of VBX vinylations, and makes use of NMR studies, deuterium labelling and computations to rationalize the observed regio‐ and stereochemical outcome. Internal alkene formation in S‐vinylation was found to proceed through the ligand coupling mechanism typical of diaryliodonium salts, whereas terminal alkene formation in P‐vinylations took place via a phosphinous acid‐coordinated VBX complex, which underwent concerted deprotonation and Michael‐type addition. Subsequent base‐assisted protonation and E2 elimination delivered the terminal alkene. The findings can be used to predict the regioselectivity in vinylations of other nucleophile classes.

Regio- and Stereoselective Synthesis of Enol Carboxylate, Phosphate, and Sulfonate Esters via Iodo(III)functionalization of Alkynes

β-Iodo(III)enol carboxylates, phosphates, and tosylates can be efficiently synthesized through regio- and stereoselective iodo(III)functionalization of alkynes. The combination of chlorobenziodoxole and silver salt has proven to generate a versatile cationic iodine(III) electrophile to activate alkynes and engage various carboxylic acids, triethyl phosphate, and p-toluenesulfonic acid as nucleophiles. The β-iodo(III)enol esters serve as starting materials for the synthesis of multisubstituted alkenes through sequential cross-coupling of the C-I(III) and C-O bonds.

Convenient Synthesis of Benziodazolone: New Reagents for Direct Esterification of Alcohols and Amidation of Amines

Hypervalent iodine heterocycles represent one of the important classes of hypervalent iodine reagents with many applications in organic synthesis. This paper reports a simple and convenient synthesis of benziodazolones by the reaction of readily available iodobenzamides with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid in acetonitrile at room temperature. The structure of one of these new iodine heterocycles was confirmed by X-ray analysis. In combination with PPh₃ and pyridine, these benziodazolones can smoothly react with alcohols or amines to produce the corresponding esters or amides of 3-chlorobenzoic acid, respectively. It was found that the novel benziodazolone reagent reacts more efficiently than the analogous benziodoxolone reagent in this esterification.

Ritter-type iodo(iii)amidation of unactivated alkynes for the stereoselective synthesis of multisubstituted enamides

The Ritter reaction, Brønsted- or Lewis acid-mediated amidation of alkene or alcohol with nitrile via a carbocation, represents a classical method for the synthesis of tertiary amides. Although analogous reactions through a vinyl cation or a species alike may offer a route to enamide, an important synthetic building block as well as a common functionality in bioactive compounds, such transformations remain largely elusive. Herein, we report a Ritter-type trans-difunctionalization of alkynes with a trivalent iodine electrophile and nitrile, which affords β-iodanyl enamides in moderate to good yields. Mediated by benziodoxole triflate (BXT), the reaction proves applicable to a variety of internal alkynes as well as to various alkyl- and arylnitriles. The benziodoxole group in the product serves as a versatile handle for further transformations, thus allowing for the preparation of various tri- and tetrasubstituted enamides that are not readily accessible by other means.

Hypervalent Iodine-Mediated Late-Stage Peptide and Protein Functionalization

Hypervalent iodine compounds are powerful reagents for the development of novel transformations. As they exhibit low toxicity, high functional group tolerance, and stability in biocompatible media, they have been used for the functionalization of biomolecules. Herein, we report recent advances up to June 2021 in peptide and protein modification using hypervalent iodine reagents. Their use as group transfer or oxidizing reagents is discussed in this Minireview, including methods targeting polar, aromatic, or aliphatic amino acids and peptide termini.

Structure and Reactivity of N-Heterocyclic Alkynyl Hypervalent Iodine Reagents

Ethynylbenziodoxol(on)e (EBX) cyclic hypervalent iodine reagents have become popular reagents for the alkynylation of radicals and nucleophiles, but only offer limited possibilities for further structure and reactivity fine-tuning. Herein, the synthesis of new N-heterocyclic hypervalent iodine reagents with increased structural flexibility based on amide, amidine and sulfoximine scaffolds is reported. Solid-state structures of the reagents are reported and the analysis of the I-Calkyne bond lengths allowed assessing the trans-effect of the different substituents. Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) maps of the reagents, derived from DFT computations, revealed less pronounced σ-hole regions for sulfonamide-based compounds. Most reagents reacted well in the alkynylation of β-ketoesters. The alkynylation of thiols afforded more variable yields, with compounds with a stronger σ-hole reacting better. In metal-mediated transformations, the N-heterocyclic hypervalent iodine reagents gave inferior results when compared to the O-based EBX reagents.

N-Alkenylation of hydroxamic acid derivatives with ethynyl benziodoxolone to synthesize cis-enamides through vinyl benziodoxolones

The stereoselective synthesis of cis-β-N-alkoxyamidevinyl benziodoxolones (cis-β-N-RO-amide-VBXs) from O-alkyl hydroxamic acids in the presence of an ethynyl benziodoxolone-acetonitrile complex (EBX-MeCN) is reported herein. The reaction was performed under mild conditions including an aqueous solvent, a mild base, and room temperature. The reaction tolerated various O-alkyl hydroxamic acids derived from carboxylic acids, such as amino acids, pharmaceuticals, and natural products. Vinyl dideuterated cis-β-N-MeO-amide-VBXs were also synthesized using deuterium oxide as the deuterium source. Valine-derived cis-β-N-MeO-amide-VBX was stereospecifically derivatized to hydroxamic acid-derived cis-enamides without the loss of stereoselectivity or reduction in the deuterium/hydrogen ratio.

Iodo(III)-Meyer-Schuster Rearrangement of Propargylic Alcohols Promoted by Benziodoxole Triflate

Benziodoxole triflate (BXT), a cyclic iodine(III) electrophile, has been found to promote a rearrangement of propargylic alcohols into α,β-unsaturated ketones bearing an α-λ³-iodanyl group. This iodo(III)-Meyer-Schuster rearrangement proceeds under mild conditions and tolerates a variety of functionalized propargylic alcohols, thus complementing previously reported halogen-intercepted Meyer-Schuster rearrangement. The α-λ³-iodanylenones can be utilized for facile Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling for the synthesis of multisubstituted enones.

2-Iodosylbenzoic acid activated by trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride: efficient oxidant and electrophilic reagent for preparation of iodonium salts

2-Iodosylbenzoic acid in the presence of trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride is an efficient oxidant and electrophilic reagent useful for preparation of the corresponding alkenyl and aryliodonium salts.