Synthesis of stable α-fluoromethyl putative carbanions via a chemoselective reduction-monofluoromethylation sequence of diselenides under sustainable conditions

The synthetic versatility of fluoroiodomethane: recent applications as monofluoromethylation platform

In recent years, fluoroiodomethane (CH₂FI) has emerged as an easy-to-handle, non-ozone depleting agent and readily available platform for monofluoromethylation strategies. Recent applications in nucleophilic substitutions, lithiation reactions, transition-metal catalyzed transformations, radical processes, and ¹⁸F-radiolabelling chemistry showcase the potential of this reagent for the preparation of organofluorine compounds. In this minireview, we provide an update to the field covering the recent relevant literature on the use of CH₂FI.

Replacement of Less-Preferred Dipolar Aprotic and Ethereal Solvents in Synthetic Organic Chemistry with More Sustainable Alternatives

Dipolar aprotic and ethereal solvents comprise just over 40% of all organic solvents utilized in synthetic organic, medicinal, and process chemistry. Unfortunately, many of the common "go-to" solvents are considered to be "less-preferable" for a number of environmental, health, and safety (EHS) reasons such as toxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, or for practical handling reasons such as flammability and volatility. Recent legislative changes have initiated the implementation of restrictions on the use of many of the commonly employed dipolar aprotic solvents such as dimethylformamide (DMF) and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP), and for ethers such as 1,4-dioxane. Thus, with growing legislative, EHS, and societal pressures, the need to identify and implement the use of alternative solvents that are greener, safer, and more sustainable has never been greater. Within this review, the ubiquitous nature of dipolar aprotic and ethereal solvents is discussed with respect to the physicochemical properties that have made them so appealing to synthetic chemists. An overview of the current legislative restrictions being imposed on the use of dipolar aprotic and ethereal solvents is discussed. A variety of alternative, safer, and more sustainable solvents that have garnered attention over the past decade are then examined, and case studies and examples where less-preferable solvents have been successfully replaced with a safer and more sustainable alternative are highlighted. Finally, a general overview and guidance for solvent selection and replacement are included in the Supporting Information of this review.

Direct and straightforward transfer of C1 functionalized synthons to phosphorous electrophiles for accessing gem-P-containing methanes

The direct transfer of different α-substituted methyllithium reagents to chlorinated phosphorous electrophiles of diverse oxidation state (phosphates, phosphine oxides and phosphines) is proposed as an effective strategy to synthesize geminal P-containing methanes. The methodology relies on the efficient nucleophilic substitution conducted on the P-chlorine linkage. Uniformly high yields are observed regardless the specific nature of the carbanion employed: once established the conditions for generating the competent nucleophile (LiCH₂Hal, LiCHHal₂, LiCH₂CN, LiCH₂SeR etc.) the homologated compounds are obtained via a single operation. Some P-containing formal carbanions have been evaluated in transferring processes, including the carbonyl-difluoromethylation of the opioid agent Hydrocodone.

Taking advantage of lithium monohalocarbenoid intrinsic α-elimination in 2-MeTHF: controlled epoxide ring-opening en route to halohydrins

The intrinsic degradative α-elimination of Li carbenoids somehow complicates their use in synthesis as C1-synthons. Nevertheless, we herein report how boosting such an α-elimination is a straightforward strategy for accomplishing controlled ring-opening of epoxides to furnish the corresponding β-halohydrins. Crucial for the development of the method is the use of the eco-friendly solvent 2-MeTHF, which forces the degradation of the incipient monohalolithium, due to the very limited stabilizing effect of this solvent on the chemical integrity of the carbenoid. With this approach, high yields of the targeted compounds are consistently obtained under very high regiocontrol and, despite the basic nature of the reagents, no racemization of enantiopure materials is observed.