Pd-catalyzed regioselective hydroarylation of α-(2-aminoaryl)-α,β-ynones with organoboron derivatives as a tool for the synthesis of quinolines: experimental evidence and quantum-chemical calculations

Direct Regioselective Hydro(hetero)arylation/Cyclocondensation Reactions of β-(2-Aminophenyl)-α,β-ynones by Means of Transition-Metal Catalysis/Brønsted Acid Synergism: Experimental Results and Computational Insights

Experimental results and computational insights explain the key role of transition-metal catalysis/Brønsted acid synergism in the achievement of the sequential regioselective direct heteroarylation/cyclocondensation reactions of β-(2-aminophenyl)-α,β-ynones with a variety of electron-rich aromatic heterocyclic/arenes to afford quinoline-(hetero)aromatic hybrids. The first approach to the synthesis of 4-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)quinolines is described. The effectiveness of various transition metals is compared.

Soft Heteroleptic N-Heterocyclic Carbene Palladium(II) Species for Efficient Catalytic Routes to Alkynones via Carbonylative Sonogashira Coupling

N,N'-Substituted di-isopropyl (NHC-1), benzyl-isopropyl (NHC-2), and adamantyl-isopropyl (NHC-3) benzimidazolium salts react with palladium(II) bromide in pyridine to afford the corresponding trans-dibromidopyridinepalladium(II) complexes Pd-C1, Pd-C2, and Pd-C3 in high yields. A distorted square planar geometry for Pd-C2 and Pd-C3 was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The palladium(II) complexes show a remarkably higher catalytic activity and selectivity, compared to the literature data, in carbonylative Sonogashira coupling reactions of aryl iodides and aryl diiodides with aryl alkynes, alkyl alkynes, and dialkynes. Excellent yields with as low as 0.03 mol % loading of the catalyst were obtained. In the series of benzimidazolium (NHC) precursors, the ¹H NMR signals of the α hydrogen show a consistent probing of the N-substituent donor strength. The density functional theory (DFT) quantum mechanical descriptors of the frontier orbitals were calculated. A linear correlation of the calculated absolute softness of the complexes versus the calculated percent buried volume (%V _bur) of their corresponding ligands was obtained. The catalytic activity experimental data are consistent with the hard soft acid base (HSAB)-predicted high affinity of the softest Pd-C3 complex for soft substrates, such as aryl iodides.

anti-Hydroarylation of Activated Internal Alkynes: Merging Pd and Energy Transfer Catalysis

A general catalytic anti-hydroarylation of electron-deficient internal alkynes compatible with both electron-poor and electron-rich aryl reagents is reported. This selectivity is achieved through a sequential syn-carbopalladation of the alkyne by an Ar-Pd species, followed by a tandem, Ir-photocatalyzed, counter-thermodynamic E → Z isomerization. The use of ortho-substituted boronic acids enables direct access to pharmaceutically relevant heterocyclic cores via a cascade process. Mechanistic insight into the involvement of Ar-Pd versus Pd-H as an active species is provided.

Palladium-catalyzed oxidative carbonylative coupling of arylboronic acids with terminal alkynes to alkynones

The first example of palladium-catalyzed oxidative carbonylation of arylboronic acids with terminal alkynes has been developed. By an appropriate combination of a palladium salt, a ligand, and an oxidant, the desired alkynones were isolated in moderate to good yields.