Aza-fluorocyclization of nitrogen-containing unsaturated compounds

Unveiling the Selectivity of Ru(II)-Catalyzed C-H Activation for Defluorinative Cyclization of 2-Arylbenzimidazole and Trifluoromethyl Diazo: A DFT Study

The synthesis of monofluorinated heterocyclic compounds by C-H activation combined with defluorination is useful. Studies on the reaction mechanism and selectivity have shown that these processes play a positive role in promoting the development of monofluorinated reactions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to investigate the mechanism and selectivity of Ru(II)-catalyzed 2-arylbenzimidazole with trifluoromethyl diazo. DFT calculations showed that C-H activation occurs through a concerted metalation/deprotonation (CMD) mechanism. After that, deprotonation and defluorinative cyclization are assisted by acetate and trifluoroethanol (TFE). Further mechanistic insights through noncovalent interaction (NCI) analysis were also obtained to elucidate the origin of the selectivity in the defluorination process.

Chiral Anthranyl Trifluoromethyl Alcohols: Structures, Oxidative Dearomatization and Chiroptical Properties

Chiral trifluoromethyl alcohol groups were introduced at the hindered ortho positions of 9,10-diphenylanthracenes to investigate their effects on the physical properties and reactivity towards oxidative dearomatization. In such compact structures, the position in different quadrants and the preferred orientation of the -CH(OH)CF₃ groups were determined by the relative and absolute configurations of each stereoisomer, respectively. As a consequence, the stereochemistry governs the organization of the H-bonded molecules in single crystals (homochiral dimers vs ribbon), whereas in chlorinated solvents, they all behave as discrete compounds. Concerning their reactivity, the stereospecific dearomative oxidation of these molecules leads to 9,10-bis-spiro-isobenzofuran-anthracenes, when using organic single-electron transfer oxidants. The chiroptical properties of the alcohols and the corresponding dearomatized products were compared and showed an important modulation of the intensity.

Regio- and Enantioselective Intermolecular Aminofluorination of Alkenes via Iodine(I)/Iodine(III) Catalysis

The regio- and enantio-selective, intermolecular vicinal fluoroamination of α-trifluoromethyl styrenes has been achieved by enantioselective II /IIII catalysis. Leveraging C2 -symmetric resorcinol-based aryl iodide catalysts, it has been possible to intercept the transient iodonium intermediate using simple nitriles, which function as both the solvent and nucleophile. In situ Ritter reaction provides direct access to the corresponding amides (up to 89 % yield, e.r. 93 : 7). This main group catalysis paradigm inverts the intrinsic regioselectivity of the uncatalyzed process, thereby providing facile access to tertiary, benzylic stereocenters bearing both CF3 and F groups. Privileged phenethylamine pharmacophores can be generated in which there is complete local partial charge inversion (CF3δ- /Fδ- versus CH3δ+ /Hδ+ ). Crystallographic analyses of representative β-fluoroamide products reveal highly pre-organized conformations that manifest the stereoelectronic gauche effect.

α-Fluoroamine synthesis via P(III)-mediated deoxygenative geminal fluorosulfonimidation of 1,2-diketones

A deoxygenative geminal fluorosulfonimidation of 1,2-diketones was achieved for the synthesis of tetrasubstituted α-fluoroamines under mild conditions. In this study, a transition metal-free formal N-F insertion of N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide was enabled via the Kukhtin-Ramirez reaction employing a dealkylation-resistant P(III) reagent developed in our laboratory. Computational analysis was also performed to obtain a general mechanistic picture, which explained the reactivity and selectivity for this type of reaction.

Alkynyl triazenes enable divergent syntheses of 2-pyrones

The 2-pyrone motif occurs frequently in bioactive natural products and is appreciated as synthetic intermediates. However, only few methods allow for diversifying functional group modifications on this relevant heterocycle. The distinct properties of 1-alkynyl triazenes promote a smooth addition of propiolic acids across the triple bond. Addition of catalytic amounts of silver salt induces cyclization to 2-pyrones. Depending on the reaction temperature, either 6-triazenyl or 5-triazenyl 2-pyrones are selectively formed. The triazenyl unit is subsequently replaced by a variety of valuable groups in a one-pot process yielding for instance 2-fluoro pyrones. The substitution occurs with an intriguing 1,5-carbonyl transposition. Moreover, the triazenyl group serves as traceless activating group for subsequent Diels-Alder cycloadditions and as a constituting unit for rare fused aminopyrazole pyrone heterocycles.

A Pd-Catalyzed [4 + 2] Annulation Approach to Fluorinated N-Heterocycles

3-Fluoro- and trifluoromethylthio-piperidines represent important building blocks for discovery chemistry. We report a simple and efficient method to access analogs of these compounds that are armed with rich functionality allowing them to be chemoselectively derivatized with high diastereocontrol.

Catalyst-free regioselective hydroxyfluorination and aminofluorination of α,β-unsaturated ketones

The catalyst-free direct regioselective α-fluoro-β-hydroxylation and α-fluoro-β-amidation of α,β-unsaturated ketones has been developed. Various α,β-unsaturated ketones react with Selectfluor in water and acetonitrile to give α-fluorohydrins and α-fluoroamides respectively with moderate to good yields. The mechanistic studies revealed the possibility of a radical based pathway.

Selectfluor-mediated oxidative methylenation of amide with N,N-dimethylpropanamide for N,N′-methylenebisamide synthesis

A simple and efficient approach for the synthesis of N,N′-methylenebisamides through a Selectfluor-mediated oxidative reaction of aromatic amides and N,N-dimethylpropanamide (DMP) is described. Remarkable results clearly reveal that DMP plays a dual role in this reaction, as both a one-carbon source and an environment-friendly solvent. Moreover, the process provides new strategies for the synthesis of bisamides with advantages of operationally simple, insensitive to atmospheric conditions, and good to high yields.

Copper-mediated intramolecular aminofluorination of 1,3-dienes by using nucleophilic fluorine reagents

A copper-mediated intramolecular aminofluorination of 1,3-dienes is disclosed, in which both AgF and Et₃N·3HF can be used as the fluorine source.

Mechanism of Silver-Mediated Geminal Difluorination of Styrenes with a Fluoroiodane Reagent: Insights into Lewis-Acid-Activation Model

Fluorination mediated by the cyclic hypervalent fluoroiodane reagent (1) often requires an exogenous Lewis acid. The widely accepted Lewis-acid-activation model is that a given Lewis acid binds to the oxygen atom of 1 (O-coordination) to polarize the I-O bond. Computational studies of silver-mediated geminal difluorination of styrenes with 1 reveal a new "F-coordination" model that is energetically much preferred over the commonly accepted "O-coordination" model. The calculations rationalize the regioselective formation of the geminal difluorination product.

Mechanism and Origin of the Unexpected Chemoselectivity in Fluorocyclization of o-Styryl Benzamides with a Hypervalent Fluoroiodane Reagent

The mechanism and origin of the unexpected chemoselectivity in fluorocyclization of o-styryl benzamide with a cyclic hypervalent fluoroiodane reagent were explored with DFT calculations. The calculations suggested an alternative mechanism that is broadly similar to, but also critically different from, the previously proposed mechanism for the formation of an unexpected structurally novel seven-membered 4-fluoro-1,3-benzoxazepine. The amide group of o-styryl benzamide was revealed to be crucial for activating the fluoroiodane reagent and facilitating C-F bond formation. In contrast to the popular electrophilic N-F reagent Selectfluor, the F atom in the fluoroiodane reagent is nucleophilic, and the I(III) atom is the most electrophilic site, thus inducing a completely different reactivity pattern. The insights reported here will be valuable for the further development of new reactions based on the hypervalent fluoroiodane reagent.

Iron(II)-Catalyzed Intermolecular Aminofluorination of Unfunctionalized Olefins Using Fluoride Ion

We herein report a new catalytic method for intermolecular olefin aminofluorination using earth-abundant iron catalysts and nucleophilic fluoride ion. This method tolerates a broad range of unfunctionalized olefins, especially nonstyrenyl olefins that are incompatible with existing olefin aminofluorination methods. This new iron-catalyzed process directly converts readily available olefins to internal vicinal fluoro carbamates with high regioselectivity (N vs F), many of which are difficult to prepare using known methods. Preliminary mechanistic studies demonstrate that it is possible to exert asymmetric induction using chiral iron catalysts and that both an iron-nitrenoid and carbocation species may be reactive intermediates.

Recent advances in photoinduced trifluoromethylation and difluoroalkylation

Recent advances in photoinduced trifluoromethylation and difluoroalkylation under photocatalysis are summarized. Most of the photoredox reactions proceed efficiently under mild conditions with simple operation. Various fluorinated reagents are developed and applied in different transformations.

Synthesis of trifluoromethylated 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-ones via a photo-induced radical cyclization of benzene-tethered 1,7-enynes with Togni reagent

A photoinduced radical cyclization of benzene-tethered 1,7-enynes with Togni reagent in the presence of sodium iodide is developed. This transformation works well without any metals or photo-redox catalysts at room temperature.

Generation of benzosultams via trifluoromethylation of 2-ethynylbenzenesulfonamide under visible light

Under visible light irradiation, 2-ethynylbenzenesulfonamides react with Togni's reagent in the presence of a photocatalyst leading to 3-(2,2,2-trifluoroethylidene)-2,3-dihydrobenzo[d]isothiazole 1,1-dioxides in good yields. This transformation proceeds efficiently at room temperature through a photo-initiated trifluoromethylation.