Chemoselectivity in the Kosugi-Migita-Stille coupling of bromophenyl triflates and bromo-nitrophenyl triflates with (ethenyl)tributyltin

Chemodivergence between Electrophiles in Cross-Coupling Reactions

Chemodivergent cross-couplings are those in which either one of two (or more) potentially reactive functional groups can be made to react based on choice of conditions. In particular, this review focuses on cross-couplings involving two different (pseudo)halides that can compete for the role of the electrophilic coupling partner. The discussion is primarily organized by pairs of electrophiles including chloride vs. triflate, bromide vs. triflate, chloride vs. tosylate, and halide vs. halide. Some common themes emerge regarding the origin of selectivity control. These include catalyst ligation state and solvent polarity or coordinating ability. However, in many cases, further systematic studies will be necessary to deconvolute the influences of metal identity, ligand, solvent, additives, nucleophilic coupling partner, and other factors on chemoselectivity.

Small Phosphine Ligands Enable Selective Oxidative Addition of Ar-O over Ar-Cl Bonds at Nickel(0)

Current methods for Suzuki-Miyaura couplings of nontriflate phenol derivatives are limited by their intolerance of halides including aryl chlorides. This is because Ni(0) and Pd(0) often undergo oxidative addition of organohalides at a similar or faster rate than most Ar-O bonds. DFT and stoichiometric oxidative addition studies demonstrate that small phosphines, in particular PMe3, are unique in promoting preferential reaction of Ni(0) with aryl tosylates and other C-O bonds in the presence of aryl chlorides. This selectivity was exploited in the first Ni-catalyzed C-O-selective Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of chlorinated phenol derivatives where the oxygen-containing leaving group is not a fluorinated sulfonate such as triflate. Computational studies suggest that the origin of divergent selectivity between PMe3 and other phosphines differs from prior examples of ligand-controlled chemodivergent cross-couplings. PMe3 effects selective reaction at tosylate due to both electronic and steric factors. A close interaction between nickel and a sulfonyl oxygen of tosylate during oxidative addition is critical to the observed selectivity.

Sulfonate Versus Sulfonate: Nickel and Palladium Multimetallic Cross-Electrophile Coupling of Aryl Triflates with Aryl Tosylates

While phenols are frequent and convenient aryl sources in cross-coupling, typically as sulfonate esters, the direct cross-Ullmann coupling of two different sulfonate esters is unknown. We report here a general solution to this challenge catalyzed by a combination of Ni and Pd with Zn reductant and LiBr as an additive. The reaction has broad scope, as demonstrated in 33 examples (65% ± 11% average yield). Mechanistic studies show that Pd strongly prefers the aryl triflate, the Ni catalyst has a small preference for the aryl tosylate, aryl transfer between catalysts is mediated by Zn, and Pd improves yields by consuming arylzinc intermediates.

Palladium-Catalyzed Double Reductive Cyclization of 2,3-Dinitro-1,4-dialkenylbenzenes. Synthesis of 1H,8H-Pyrrolo[3,2-g]indoles

A flexible route to both symmetrical and unsymmetrical 1H,8H-pyrrolo[3,2-g]indole has been developed. The key and ultimate step is a double palladium-catalyzed, carbon monoxide mediated reductive cyclization of 1,4-dialkenyl-2,3-dinitrobenzenes. The cyclization precursors were prepared by a double Kosugi-Migita-Stille cross coupling of 1,4-dibromo-2,3-dinitrobenzene with an alkenyltin reagent to give symmetrical products. Unsymetrical cyclization precursors were prepared by two sequential cross couplings using 4-iodo-2,3-dinitrophenyl trifluoromethanesulfonate as the starting material.

Ligand-Promoted Iridium-Catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenation of Terminal Alkynes with Ethanol and Its Application

A ligand-promoted iridium-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of terminal alkynes with ethanol and its application has been developed. Highly chemical selectivity control is achieved based on ligand regulation. 1,2-Bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane was found to be critical for the transfer hydrogenation of alkynes. The general applicability of this procedure is highlighted by the synthesis of 30 terminal alkenes with a good yield. In addition, we conducted drug effect studies of phenelzine using zebrafish as the vertebrate model. Phenelzine shows a significant effect on promoting vascular proliferation and inhibiting nerve growth. The results of these studies have an important reference value for promoting drug research in cerebrovascular diseases, epilepsy, mania, and psychosis.