Nickel-catalyzed, base-mediated amination/hydroamination reaction sequence for a modular synthesis of indoles

One-Pot Synthesis of 1,2-Disubstituted Indoles from 2-Ethynylanilines and Benzaldehydes

An efficient synthesis of a variety of 1,2-disubstituted indoles from 2-ethynylanilines was developed. Using 2-ethynylanilines and benzaldehydes as starting materials, the target products (1,2-disubstituted indoles) were obtained smoothly through condensation, reduction, and subsequent cyclization. Various functional groups attached to the aryl ring of 1,2-disubstituted indoles were well tolerated. The protocol features easy performance, easily available starting materials, good yield, and a broad substrate scope, showing potential synthetic value for the preparation of a variety of biologically or pharmaceutically active compounds.

Using JPP to Identify Ni Bidentate Phosphine Complexes In Situ

Identifying intermediates of Ni-containing reactions can be challenging due to the high reactivity of Ni complexes and their sensitivity toward air and moisture. Many Ni bidentate phosphine complexes are diamagnetic and can be analyzed in situ via ³¹P NMR spectroscopy, but the oxidation state of Ni is difficult to determine using ³¹P chemical shift analysis alone. The J-coupling between P atoms, J_PP, has been proposed to correlate with oxidation state, but few investigations have looked at how J_PP is affected by parameters such as length of the linker or identity of the phosphine or other ligands. The present investigation into the J_PP values of Ni bidentate phosphine complexes with two-carbon and three-carbon linkers shows that the J_PP values observed in ³¹P NMR spectra, |J_PP|, are competent indicators of the oxidation state at Ni. For complexes with two-carbon linkers, |J_PP| > 40 Hz is typical of Ni⁰ while |J_PP| < 30 Hz is typical of Ni^II; this trend is reversed for complexes with three-carbon linkers. Additionally, the Lewis acidity of the Ni and Lewis basicity of the phosphine ligand affect J_PP predictably. For example, increased P-to-Ni donation arising from more-donating phosphines or more-withdrawing ligands trans to the P atoms causes a more negative J_PP. These results should enable the oxidation state of Ni and properties of ligands in Ni bidentate phosphine complexes to be determined in situ during reactions containing these species.

Copper-catalysed three-component carboiodination of arynes: expeditious synthesis ofo-alkynyl aryl iodides

A copper-catalysed three-component reaction of arynes, terminal alkynes, and NIS provides an expeditious approach too-alkynyl aryl iodides.

Regioselective three-component synthesis of 1,2-diarylindoles from cyclohexanones, α-hydroxyketones and anilines under transition-metal-free conditions

A facile method for the one-pot synthesis of 1,2-diarylindoles under transition-metal-free conditions is described.

Substrate-Controlled Regio- and Stereoselective Synthesis of ( Z)- and ( E)- N-Styrylated Carbazoles, Aza-carbazoles, and γ-Carbolines via Hydroamination of Alkynes

We report herein the substrate-controlled regio- and stereoselective hydroamination of carbazoles, aza-carbazoles, and γ-carbolines with functionalized aromatic as well as aliphatic alkynes in a KOH/DMSO system in good yields. The electronic effect of the substrates governs the stereochemistry of the product. Electron-donating alkynes provided ( Z)-stereoselective products, and electron-withdrawing alkynes provided ( E)-stereoselective products. This approach also provides an easy route for the synthesis of mono- and bis-hydroaminated product. The deuterium-labeling studies were also conducted to support the mechanistic pathway.

Chemo-, Regio-, and Stereoselective N-Alkenylation of Pyrazoles/Benzpyrazoles Using Activated and Unactivated Alkynes

Transition-metal-free chemo-, regio-, and stereoselective synthesis of (Z) and (E) styryl pyrazoles and benzpyrazoles by the addition of N-heterocycles onto functionalized terminal and internal alkynes using a super basic solution of KOH/DMSO has been described. The stereochemical outcome of the reaction was governed by time and quantity of the base. The reaction of pyrazoles and benzpyrazoles onto alkynes takes place chemoselectively without affecting the free -NH₂ group of pyrazoles and -OH group of alkynes. The designed protocol was well implemented on alkynes bearing long alkyl chain, an alicyclic ring, hydroxy, ether, and ester functionality, which offer the N-alkenylated products in good yields. This developed methodology also provides easy access for the synthesis of bis-vinylated heterocycles. The presence of free -NH₂, -OH, -COOR, and halo group in styryl pyrazoles, could be further utilized for synthetic elaboration, which is advantageous for biological evaluation. For the first time, we have disclosed the base-mediated conversion of (Z)-styryl pyrazoles to (E)-styryl pyrazoles in KOH/DMSO system. The cis-trans isomerization was supported by the control experiments and deuterium labeling studies.

Synthesis of indoles, benzofurans, and related heterocycles via an acetylene-activated SNAr/intramolecular cyclization cascade sequence in water or DMSO

The synthesis of 2-substituted indoles and benzofurans was achieved by nucleophilic aromatic substitution, followed by subsequent 5-endo-dig cyclization between the nucleophile and an ortho acetylene.

Bond and small-molecule activation with low-valent nickel complexes

The use of nickel compounds in low oxidation states allowed a variety of useful transformations of interest for academia, industry and in the solution of environmental issues.

Development of an air-stable nickel precatalyst for the amination of aryl chlorides, sulfamates, mesylates, and triflates

A new air-stable nickel precatalyst for C-N cross-coupling is reported. The developed catalyst system displays a greatly improved substrate scope for C-N bond formation to include both a wide range of aryl and heteroaryl electrophiles and aryl, heteroaryl, and alkylamines. The catalyst system is also compatible with a weak base, allowing the amination of substrates containing base-sensitive functional groups.

Formation of dispersed palladium–nickel bimetallic nanoparticles in microemulsions: synthesis, characterization, and their use as efficient heterogeneous recyclable catalysts for the amination reactions of aryl chlorides under mild conditions

The amination cross-coupling reaction by Pd–Ni (1 : 1) bimetallic nanoparticles in water solvent.

Palladium- and nickel-catalyzed aminations of aryl imidazolylsulfonates and sulfamates

A nickel complex derived from dppf, along with NaOt-Bu as the base, allowed for challenging aminations of aryl sulfamates. An improved functional group tolerance is observed in novel palladium-catalyzed aminations of imidazolylsulfonates with rac-BINAP as the ligand.