Synthesis of Pd Complexes Bearing an Enantiomerically-Resolved Seven-Membered N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands and Initial Studies of their Use in Asymmetric Wacker-Type Oxidative Cyclization Reactions

Palladium-Catalyzed Benzodiazepines Synthesis

This review is focused on palladium-catalyzed reactions as efficient strategies aimed at the synthesis of different classes of benzodiazepines. Several reaction typologies are reported including hydroamination, amination, C–H arylation, N-arylation, and the Buchwald–Hartwig reaction, depending on the different substrates identified as halogenated starting materials (activated substrates) or unactivated unsaturated systems, which then exploit Pd(0)- or Pd(II)-catalytic species. In particular, the use of the domino reactions, as intra- or intermolecular processes, are reported as an efficient and eco-compatible tool to obtain differently functionalized benzodiazepines. Different domino reaction typologies are the carboamination, aminoarylation, aminoacethoxylation, aminohalogenation, and aminoazidation.

Synthesis of Indolines and Derivatives by Aza-Heck Cyclization

For the first time, an aza-Heck cyclization that allows the preparation of indoline scaffolds is described. Using N-hydroxy anilines as electrophiles, which can be easily accessed from the corresponding nitroarenes, this method provides indolines bearing pendant functionality and complex ring topologies. Synthesis of challenging indolines, such as those bearing fully substituted carbon atoms at C2, is also possible using this method.

Stereoelectronic Profiling of Expanded-Ring N-Heterocyclic Carbenes

Heterobis(carbene) complexes of palladium(II) and gold(I) containing expanded-ring N-heterocyclic carbenes (erNHCs) have been prepared in order to study their electronic properties. erNHCs with mesityl substituents were found to exhibit anisotropic interferences, which hampered ranking of their donicities by ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The anisotropy effects were found to be stronger in the linear gold complexes, where a smaller coordination number allows the wingtips to spread out more. erNHCs with flexible N-benzyl groups are more suitable, and their donor strengths were found to gradually increase from five- to seven-membered heterocycles. The same trend can also be obtained by comparing the ¹ J(C-H) coupling constants of the respective salts, although significant differences between seven- and eight-membered erNHCs could not be detected. The % V_bur values of erNHCs obtained from structures of their palladium and gold complexes revealed that the anisotropic interferences increase with overall steric bulk.

Asymmetric Aza-Wacker-Type Cyclization of N-Ts Hydrazine-Tethered Tetrasubstituted Olefins: Synthesis of Pyrazolines Bearing One Quaternary or Two Vicinal Stereocenters

We have developed an asymmetric aza-Wacker-type cyclization of N-Ts hydrazine-tethered tetrasubstituted olefins, affording optically active pyrazolines bearing chiral tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters. This reaction is tolerant to a broad range of substrates under mild reaction conditions, giving the desired chiral products with high enantioselectivities. Generation of two vicinal stereocenters on the C═C double bonds was also achieved with high selectivities, a process which has been rarely studied for Wacker-type reactions. A mechanistic study revealed that this aza-Wacker-type cyclization undergoes a syn-aminopalladation process. It was also found that for substrates bearing two linear alkyl substituents on the outer carbon atom of the olefin, both of which are larger than a methyl group, the alkyl substituent that is cis to the intranucleophilic group participates more readily in β-hydride elimination. When one of the two alkyl substituents on the outer carbon atom of the olefin is a methyl group, β-hydride elimination proceeds selectively at the methylene side, thus both diastereomers can be prepared via switching the configuration of the olefin. Furthermore, the product can be converted to a pharmaceutical compound in high yields over three steps.

Renaissance of pyridine-oxazolines as chiral ligands for asymmetric catalysis

Oxazoline-containing ligands have been widely employed in numerous asymmetric catalytic reactions. Pyridine-oxazoline-type ligands, a class of hybrid ligands, were designed earlier than bisoxazoline and phosphine-oxazoline ligands; however, their unique properties have only been discovered recently. Pyridine-oxazoline-type chiral ligands are rapidly becoming popular for use in asymmetric catalysis, especially for several new and efficient asymmetric methodologies. Several types of challenging asymmetric reactions have been discovered recently using pyridine-oxazoline-type ligands showing their special properties and potential for future application in a wide range of new catalytic methodologies. This review provides an overview of this field, with the aim of highlighting both ligand design and synthetic methodology development.

Mechanisms for C(sp2)-Si activation of aryltrimethylsilyl groups in palladium-catalysed couplings

Silyl-substituted aromatic compounds can participate as the electrophilic component in palladium-catalysed cross-couplings, and reactivity is enhanced by a neighbouring silyl-group. Products analogous to those obtained from C-H activation chemistry are accessible by this means with the additional benefit of regiochemistry defined by the site of silyl substitution. DFT studies described here show that the mechanism of C-Si cleavage is distinct from previously recognised mechanisms for C-H cleavage, with a cascade of silyl intermediates en route to a stable product. The amide directing-groups are involved only in the stabilisation of palladacyclic intermediates, and are never disposed to activate silicon directly. 5-Membered and 6-membered palladacycles are known to behave differently in coupling reactions and the calculations reveal underlying reasons in the cationic pathways studied here.

Ligand-Promoted Palladium-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidation Reactions

Palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidation reactions have been the focus of industrial application and extensive research efforts for nearly 60 years. A significant transition occurred in this field approximately 20 years ago, with the introduction of catalysts supported by ancillary ligands. The ligands play crucial roles in the reactions, including promotion of direct oxidation of palladium(0) by O₂, bypassing the typical requirement for Cu salts or related redox cocatalysts to facilitate oxidation of the reduced Pd catalyst; facilitation of key bond-breaking and bond-forming steps during substrate oxidation; and modulation of chemo-, regio-, or stereoselectivity of a reaction. The use of ligands has contributed to significant expansion of the scope of accessible aerobic oxidation reactions. Increased understanding of the role of ancillary ligands should promote the development of new synthetic transformations, enable improved control over the reaction selectivity, and improve catalyst activity and stability. This review surveys the different ligands that have been used to support palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidation reactions and, where possible, describes mechanistic insights into the role played by the ancillary ligand.

Pd-Catalyzed Intramolecular Aminoalkylation of Unactivated Alkenes: Access to Diverse N-Heterocycles

A highly efficient palladium-catalyzed intramolecular aminoalkylation of unactivated alkenes in the absence of an external ligand and oxidant is described. New C-N and C(sp³)-C(sp³) bonds are formed simultaneously. This general transformation allows for construction of diverse N-heterocycles. Mechanistic studies show that the process may involve a four-membered Pd(alkyl)amido intermediate.

Polymer [Pd(CH2SO2C6H4Me)2]n, a precursor to remarkably stable Pd organometallics

Stable (arylsulfonyl)alkylpalladium complexes obtained from the polymer [Pd(CH₂SO₂C₆H₄Me)₂]_n undergo cis-to-trans isomerization in order to produce systems with stronger hydrogen bonds.

Light induced catalytic intramolecular hydrofunctionalization of allylphenols mediated by porphyrin rhodium(iii) complexes

Catalytic intramolecular hydrofunctionalization of allylphenols to heterocyclic compounds mediated by rhodium(iii) porphyrin complexes was described. The Wacker-type intermediate β-heterocyclic alkyl rhodium complex was independently synthesized and crystallized.

Asymmetric borylation of α,β-unsaturated esters catalyzed by novel ring expanded N-heterocyclic carbenes based on chiral 3,4-dihydro-quinazolinium compounds

A series of chiral 6-membered ring N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors based on 3,4-dihydro-quinazoline were synthesized with overall yields of 54-62%. NHCs generated from these precursors show excellent asymmetric catalytic properties for borylation of α,β-unsaturated esters with enantioselectivity of up to 93% with a catalyst content of only 1 mol%.

Alkaline earth guests in polyoxopalladate chemistry: from nanocube to nanostar via an open-shell structure

The three novel, discrete palladium(II)-oxo clusters [CaPd12O8(PhAsO3)8](6-) (CaPd12), [SrPd12O6(OH)3(PhAsO3)6(OAc)3](4-) (SrPd12), and [BaPd15O10(PhAsO3)10](8-) (BaPd15) encapsulating alkaline earth metal ions were prepared and fully characterized by a multitude of solution and solid-state physicochemical techniques. We have discovered a structure-directing template effect induced by the respective size of the alkaline earth guest ion, which determines the detailed condensation arrangement of the peripheral Pd(II)-oxo shell. The unprecedented SrPd12 with an open-shell type structure is of particular importance and reflects a successful strategy for deliberate design of new structural classes of polyoxo-noble-metalates. Furthermore, the unusual acetate-water ligand exchange phenomenon renders SrPd12 as a promising candidate for noble-metal-based catalysis.

Stereoselective synthesis of indoline, tetrahydroquinoline, and tetrahydrobenzazepine derivatives from o-bromophenyl N-tert-butylsulfinyl aldimines

The diastereoselective addition of an allylic indium intermediate to chiral o-bromophenyl sulfinyl imine 4 proceeded with good levels of diastereoselectivity. The resulting homoallylic amine derivatives were transformed into lactams 7 and 12, which upon copper-mediated intramolecular N-arylation led to the formation of benzo-fused 1-azabicyclo[j.k.0]alkanes 8 and 13. Benzo-fused 2-allyl-substituted heterocycles 14 could also be prepared by means of a palladium-catalyzed N-arylation of the corresponding free amines. The synthesis of the alkaloid (−)-angustureine was easily accomplished from (S)-2-allyltetrahydroquinoline (14b).

N-alkyl functionalised expanded ring N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of rhodium(I) and iridium(I): structural investigations and preliminary catalytic evaluation

A series of new N-alkyl functionalised 6- and 7-membered expanded ring N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) pro-ligands 3-6 and their corresponding complexes of rhodium(I) and iridium(I), [M(NHC)(COD)Cl] 7-14 and [M(NHC)(CO)2Cl] 15-22 are described. The complexes have been characterised by (1)H and (13)C{(1)H} NMR, mass spectrometry, IR and X-ray diffraction. It is noted from X-ray diffraction studies that the N-alkyl substituents are found to orientate themselves away from the metal centre due to unfavourable steric interactions resulting in low percent buried volume (%V(bur)) values in the solid state. The heterocycle ring size is also found to dictate the spatial orientation of the N-alkyl substituents in the neopentyl functionalised derivatives 10 and 14. The 7-membered derivative 14 allows for a conformational 'twist' of the heterocycle ring with the N-alkyl substituents adopting a mutually trans configuration with respect to each other, while the more rigid 6-membered system 10 does not allow for this conformational 'twist' and consequently the N-alkyl substituents adopt a mutually cis configuration. The σ-donor function of this new class of expanded ring NHC ligand has also been probed by measured IR stretching frequencies of the [M(NHC)(CO)2Cl] complexes 15-22. A preliminary catalytic survey of the hydrogenation of functionalised alkenes with molecular hydrogen under mild conditions has also been undertaken with complex , affording an insight into the application of large ring NHC ancillary ligands bearing N-alkyl substituents in hydrogenation transformations.

Highly enantioselective oxidative tandem cyclization reaction: a chiral ligand and an anion cooperatively control stereoselectivity

The unprecedented combination of a palladium(ii) complex with a chiral Bu-QUOX ligand and a chiral phosphoric acid enables the highly efficient asymmetric oxidative tandem cyclization reaction, providing a straightforward method to access chiral 6,5-bicyclic aza-heterocycles in moderate to good yields and with excellent enantioselectivities.

Mechanistic studies of Wacker-type amidocyclization of alkenes catalyzed by (IMes)Pd(TFA)2(H2O): kinetic and stereochemical implications of proton transfer

The stereochemical course of the amidopalladation of alkenes has important implications for the development of enantioselective Pd-catalyzed "Wacker-type" oxidative amidation of alkenes. We have recently shown that the addition of base (Na2CO3) can alter the stereochemical course of amidopalladation in the (IMes)Pd(TFA)2(H2O)-catalyzed aerobic oxidative amidation of alkene. In this study, the mechanism of (IMes)Pd(TFA)2(H2O)-catalyzed oxidative heterocyclization of (Z)-4-hexenyltosylamide was investigated in the presence and absence of exogenous base Na2CO3. The results reveal two parallel pathways in the absence of base: a cis-amidopalladation pathway with turnover-limiting deprotonation of the sulfonamide nucleophile and a trans-amidopalladation pathway with turnover-limiting nucleophilic attack of sulfonamide on the coordinated alkene. The addition of base (Na2CO3) lowers the energy barrier associated with the proton transfer, leading to an overall faster turnover rate and exclusive cis-amidopalladation of alkene.

Stereoselective synthesis of cis-2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidines via Wacker-type aerobic oxidative cyclization of alkenes with tert-butanesulfinamide nucleophiles

Palladium(II)-catalyzed aerobic oxidative cyclization of alkenes with tethered tert-butanesulfinamides furnishes enantiopure 2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidines, originating from readily available and easily diversified starting materials. These reactions are the first reported examples of metal-catalyzed addition of sulfinamide nucleophiles to alkenes.

Reversible alkene insertion into the Pd-N bond of Pd(II)-sulfonamidates and implications for catalytic amidation reactions

Alkene insertion into Pd-N bonds is a key step in Pd-catalyzed oxidative amidation of alkenes. A series of well-defined Pd(II)-sulfonamidate complexes have been prepared and shown to react via insertion of a tethered alkene. The Pd-amidate and resulting Pd-alkyl species have been crystallographically characterized. The alkene insertion reaction is found to be reversible, but complete conversion to oxidative amination products is observed in the presence of O(2). Electronic-effect studies reveal that alkene insertion into the Pd-N bond is favored kinetically and thermodynamically with electron-rich amidates.

Expanded ring N-heterocyclic carbenes: a comparative study of ring size in palladium (0) catalysed Mizoroki-Heck coupling

The synthesis and characterisation of a range of new 6- and 7-membered expanded ring N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes of zero valent palladium dvtms (divinyltetramethyldisiloxane) 8-14 is reported, with the first comparative catalytic study probing the effects of large ring N-heterocyclic carbene ligands (6-Mes and 7-Mes) with their analogous 5-membered derivative (IMes) on catalytic performance. The catalytic performances of the [Pd(NHC)(dvtms)] complexes are evaluated in the Mizoroki-Heck coupling of 4-bromoacetophenone and n-butyl acrylate, providing a ready and effective comparison into the influence of ring size and steric congestion on catalytic activity in carbon-carbon cross coupling reactions.