Transition metal-catalyzed branch-selective hydroformylation of olefins in organic synthesis

A Resorcin[4]arene-Based Phosphite-Phosphine Ligand for the Branched-Selective Hydroformylation of Alkyl Alkenes

Synthesis of a chelating phosphite-phosphine ligand from a tris(quinoxaline) extended resorcin[4]arene and its application in the rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation of terminal alkyl alkenes are reported. Rhodium complexes are formed within the cavity of the macrocycle and branched-selective hydroformylation of 1-octene with a b/l ratio of 5.9 has been achieved at 60 °C under 1:1 H2/CO (20 bar).

Chemo-, regio- and enantioselective hydroformylation of trisubstituted cyclopropenes: access to chiral quaternary cyclopropanes

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of polysubstituted chiral cyclopropane presents a significant challenge in organic synthesis due to the difficulty in enantioselective control. Here we report a rhodium-catalyzed highly chemo-, regio- and enantioselective hydroformylation of trisubstituted cyclopropenes affording chiral quaternary cyclopropanes. Importantly, the easy made sterically bulky ligand L1 can effectively suppress hydrogenation and decomposition reactions and give quaternary cyclopropanes with high regio- and enantioselectivities for both aryl and alkyl functionalized substrates. Control experiments and computational studies reveal the sterically hindered well-defined chiral pocket instead of the substrates bearing electron-withdrawing diester groups is important for controlling the enantioselectivity and regioselectivity. Scale-up reaction and follow-up diverse transformations are also presented. Density Functional theory (DFT) computations suggest that the regio- and enantio-selectivities originate from the cyclopropene insertion to the Rh-H bond. The high regioselectivity is found to benefit from the presence of more efficient noncovalent interactions (NCIs) manifesting in the form of C-H···Cl, C-H···N, and l.p(Cl)···π contacts.

Regio- and Enantioselective Hydromethylation of 3-Pyrrolines and Glycals Enabled by Cobalt Catalysis

Enantioenriched 3-methylpyrrolidine, with its unique chiral nitrogen-containing core skeleton, exists widely in various functional molecules, including natural products, bioactive compounds, and pharmaceuticals. Traditional methods for synthesizing these valuable methyl-substituted heterocycles often involve enzymatic processes or complex procedures with chiral auxiliaries, limiting the substrate scope and efficiency. Efficient catalytic methylation, especially in an enantioselective manner, has been a long-standing challenge in chemical synthesis. Herein, we present a novel approach for the remote and stereoselective installation of a methyl group onto N-heterocycles, leveraging a CoH-catalyzed asymmetric hydromethylation strategy. By effectively combining a commercial cobalt precursor with a modified bisoxazoline (BOX) ligand, a variety of easily accessible 3-pyrrolines can be converted to valuable enantiopure 3-(isotopic labeling)methylpyrrolidine compounds with outstanding enantioselectivity. This efficient protocol streamlines the two-step synthesis of enantioenriched 3-methylpyrrolidine, which previously required up to five or six steps under harsh conditions or expensive starting materials.

CoH-catalyzed asymmetric remote hydroalkylation of heterocyclic alkenes: a rapid approach to chiral five-membered S- and O-heterocycles

Saturated heterocycles, which incorporate S and O heteroatoms, serve as fundamental frameworks in a diverse array of natural products, bioactive compounds, and pharmaceuticals. Herein, we describe a unique cobalt-catalyzed approach integrated with a desymmetrization strategy, facilitating precise and enantioselective remote hydroalkylation of unactivated heterocyclic alkenes. This method delivers hydroalkylation products with high yields and excellent stereoselectivity, representing good efficiency in constructing alkyl chiral centers at remote C3-positions within five-membered S/O-heterocycles. Notably, the broad scope and good functional group tolerance of this asymmetric C(sp3)-C(sp3) coupling enhance its applicability.

Low-temperature hydroformylation of ethylene by phosphorous stabilized Rh sites in a one-pot synthesized Rh-(O)-P-MFI zeolite

Zeolites containing Rh single sites stabilized by phosphorous were prepared through a one-pot synthesis method and are shown to have superior activity and selectivity for ethylene hydroformylation at low temperature (50 °C). Catalytic activity is ascribed to confined Rh2O3 clusters in the zeolite which evolve under reaction conditions into single Rh3+ sites. These Rh3+ sites are effectively stabilized in a Rh-(O)-P structure by using tetraethylphosphonium hydroxide as a template, which generates in situ phosphate species after H2 activation. In contrast to Rh2O3, confined Rh0 clusters appear less active in propanal production and ultimately transform into Rh(I)(CO)2 under similar reaction conditions. As a result, we show that it is possible to reduce the temperature of ethylene hydroformylation with a solid catalyst down to 50 °C, with good activity and high selectivity, by controlling the electronic and morphological properties of Rh species and the reaction conditions.

Three-Component Tandem Amidosulfenylation of Alkenes for the Synthesis of β-Succinimide Sulfides

An environmentally benign multicomponent strategy for the amidosulfenylation of alkenes for the synthesis of β-succinimide sulfides is disclosed. In this process, common disulfides smoothly act as a sulfur-based source, and N-iodosuccinimide (NIS) is used not only as a free radical initiator but also as an N-nucleophile. A broad range of functional groups are tolerated in this reaction system.

Recent Advances On Direct Formylation Reactions

Aldehydes serve as the key functional group in organic synthesis and are valuable intermediates. The various advanced methods of direct formylation reactions have been reviewed in this article. Overcoming the drawbacks of the traditional methods of formylation, newer methods involving homo and heterogenous catalysts, one pot reactions, solvent free techniques are elaborated, which can be performed under mild conditions and using inexpensive resources.

Stabilization of propene molybdenum and tungsten half-sandwich complexes by intramolecular coordination of a thioether function

This study reports the stabilizing effect of an intramolecularly coordinated thioether function in propene complexes of the general formula [{η⁵:κS-C₅H₄(CH₂)₂SR}M(CO)₂(η²-C₂H₃Me)][BF₄] (M = Mo, W; R = Et, Ph). They are formed by protonation of allyl analogues [{η⁵-C₅H₄(CH₂)₂SR}M(CO)₂(η³-C₃H₅)] by tetrafluoroboric acid in non-coordinating solvents. In contrast to analogues with unsubstituted Cp ligands, these propene complexes are isolable in a pure form and characterized by NMR spectroscopy. The molybdenum compounds are stable at low temperature and the propene ligand can easily be exchanged by thioethers or acetonitrile. Several representatives of the reaction products were characterized by X-ray structure analysis. The stabilization effect in tungsten complexes [{η⁵:κS-C₅H₄(CH₂)₂SR}W(CO)₂(η²-C₂H₃Me)][BF₄] (R = Et, Ph) was unusually high. The compounds are long-term stable at room temperature and do not undergo ligand exchange reactions even with strong chelators such as 1,10-phenanthroline. The molecular structure of the tungsten propene complex was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis on a single crystal.

Divergent Access to Chiral C2- and C3-Alkylated Pyrrolidines by Catalyst-Tuned Regio- and Enantioselective C(sp3)-C(sp3) Coupling

Novel-substituted pyrrolidine derivatives are widely used in drugs and bioactive molecules. The efficient synthesis of these valuable skeletons, especially enantiopure derivatives, is still recognized as a key bottleneck to overcome in chemical synthesis. Herein, we report a highly efficient catalyst-tuned regio- and enantioselective hydroalkylation reaction for the divergent synthesis of chiral C2- and C3-alkylated pyrrolidines through desymmetrization of the readily available 3-pyrrolines. The catalytic system consists of CoBr₂ with a modified bisoxazoline (BOX) ligand, which can achieve the asymmetric C(sp³)-C(sp³) coupling via the distal stereocontrol, providing a series of C3-alkylated pyrrolidines in high efficiency. Moreover, the nickel catalytic system allows the enantioselective hydroalkylation to synthesize the C2-alkylated pyrrolidines through the tandem alkene isomerization/hydroalkylation reaction. This divergent method uses readily available catalysts, chiral BOX ligands, and reagents, delivering enantioenriched 2-/3-alkyl substituted pyrrolidines with excellent regio- and enantioselectivity (up to 97% ee). We also demonstrate the compatibility of this transformation with complex substrates derived from a series of drugs and bioactive molecules in good efficiency, which offers a distinct entry to more functionalized chiral N-heterocycles.

Hydrogen-free palladium-catalyzed intramolecular anti-Markovnikov hydroaminocarbonylation of 2-(1-methylvinyl)anilines

The palladium-catalyzed intramolecular hydroaminocarbonylation of 2-(1-methylvinyl)aniline derivatives has been achieved using dppp (1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane) as a ligand under hydrogen-free conditions. The reaction involves the generation of an active palladium hydride species with a catalytic amount of TsOH. This amide bond formation reaction was applied to the synthesis of various 4-substituted 3,4-dihydroquinolone derivatives with both high yield and regioselectivity.

Recent Advances in Alkenyl sp2 C-H and C-F Bond Functionalizations: Scope, Mechanism, and Applications

Alkenes and their derivatives are featured widely in a variety of natural products, pharmaceuticals, and advanced materials. Significant efforts have been made toward the development of new and practical methods to access this important class of compounds by selectively activating the alkenyl C(sp²)-H bonds in recent years. In this comprehensive review, we describe the state-of-the-art strategies for the direct functionalization of alkenyl sp² C-H and C-F bonds until June 2022. Moreover, metal-free, photoredox, and electrochemical strategies are also covered. For clarity, this review has been divided into two parts; the first part focuses on currently available alkenyl sp² C-H functionalization methods using different alkene derivatives as the starting materials, and the second part describes the alkenyl sp² C-F bond functionalization using easily accessible gem-difluoroalkenes as the starting material. This review includes the scope, limitations, mechanistic studies, stereoselective control (using directing groups as well as metal-migration strategies), and their applications to complex molecule synthesis where appropriate. Overall, this comprehensive review aims to document the considerable advancements, current status, and emerging work by critically summarizing the contributions of researchers working in this fascinating area and is expected to stimulate novel, innovative, and broadly applicable strategies for alkenyl sp² C-H and C-F bond functionalizations in the coming years.

Three-component carboformylation: α-quaternary aldehyde synthesis via Co(iii)-catalysed sequential C-H bond addition to dienes and acetic formic anhydride

All carbon α-quaternary aldehydes are prepared via Co(iii)-catalysed sequential C-H bond addition to dienes and acetic formic anhydride, representing a rare example of intermolecular carboformylation. A wide range of internally substituted dienes containing diverse functionality can be employed in this reaction, affording complex α-quaternary aldehydes that would not be accessible via hydroformylation approaches. Mechanistic investigations, including control reactions and deuterium labeling studies, establish a catalytic cycle that accounts for formyl group introduction with an uncommon 1,3-addition selectivity to the conjugated diene. Investigations into the role of the uniquely effective additive Proton Sponge® were also conducted, leading to the observation of a putative, intermediate Co(i) tetramethylfulvene complex at low temperatures via NMR spectroscopy. The synthetic utility of the aldehyde products is demonstrated by various transformations, including proline-catalysed asymmetric aldol addition, reductive amination, and the asymmetric synthesis of amines using tert-butanesulfinamide technology.

Highly Active Rh Catalysts with Strong π-Acceptor Phosphine-Containing Porous Organic Polymers for Alkene Hydroformylation

Phosphine-containing porous organic polymers (phosphine-POPs) are a kind of potential catalyst support for alkene hydroformylation. However, the synthesis of phosphine-POPs with strong π-acceptor is still a challenge. Herein, we report the synthesis of phosphine-POPs with different π-acceptor properties [POL-P(Pyr)₃, CPOL-BPa&PPh₃-15, and CPOL-BP&PPh₃-15] and evaluated their performances as ligands to coordinate with Rh(acac)(CO)₂ for hydroformylation of alkenes. We found that the Rh center with stronger π-acceptor phosphine-POPs showed better catalytic performance. Rh/CPOL-BPa&PPh₃-15 with strong π-acceptor bidentate phosphoramidites showed obviously higher activity and regioselectivity (TON = 7.5 × 10³, l/b = 26.1) than Rh/CPOL-BP&PPh₃-15 (TON = 5.3 × 10³, l/b = 5.0) with weaker π-acceptor bidentate phosphonites. Particularly, the TON of the hydroformylation reached 27.7 × 10³ upon using Rh/POL-P(Pyr)₃ which possessed tris(1-pyrrolyl)phosphane coordination sites. Overall, our study provides an orientation to design phosphine-POPs for hydroformylation reactions.

Iridium-Catalyzed Regioselective Hydroalkynylation of Internal Alkenes Directed by an Oxime

We report here an iridium-catalyzed hydroalkynylation of allylic alcohols protected by an oxime group. Catalytic alkynylation occurs exclusively at the distal position of the alkene. This method generates γ-alkynyl alcohol oximes directly from internal alkenes and terminal alkynes. The oxime group can be readily removed to afford a free alcohol, thus providing an indirect route for the catalytic hydroalkynylation of allylic alcohols.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Desymmetric Isomerization of Exocyclic Olefins

Chiral cyclic olefins, 1-methylcyclohexenes, are versatile building blocks for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and natural products. Despite the prevalence of these structural motifs, the development of efficient synthetic methods remains an unmet challenge. Herein we report a novel desymmetric isomerization of exocyclic olefins using a series of newly designed chiral cobalt catalysts, which enables a straightforward construction of chiral 1-methylcyclohexenes with diversified functionalities. The synthetic utility of this methodology is highlighted by a concise and enantioselective synthesis of a natural product, β-bisabolene. The versatility of the reaction products is further demonstrated by multifarious derivatizations.

The first one-pot metathesis–hydroformylation procedure: a straight synthesis of 2-arylpropanals from renewable 1-propenylbenzenes

2-Arylpropanals are synthesised from renewable 1-propenylbenzenes via a two-step, one-pot procedure.