Cross-coupling of arylboronic acids with terminal alkynes in air

Tetrabutylammonium Bromide (TBAB)-Promoted, Pd/Cu-Catalyzed Sonogashira Coupling of N-Tosyl Aryltriazenes

Sonogashira coupling of N-tosyl aryltriazenes is reported to offer arylalkynes in yields up to 92% with the aid of tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) as a dual activator for both the palladium catalyst and aryltriazenes. Common functional groups could be well tolerated, although large electronic effects from alkynes were observed. TBAB-assisted oxidative addition of palladium(0) to aryltriazene instead of in situ formed arylhalide has been proposed to initiate the catalytic cycle.

Polygonapholine: A Total Synthesis Questions the Identity for the Purported Structure of the Natural Product

Polygonapholine was isolated in 1997 from the Polygonatum alte-lobatum rhizome. Based on spectroscopic data, it was assigned a structure comprising an unusual cis-2,6-disubstituted bis-aryl morpholine ring to which is attached a (Z)-4-hydroxycinnamate as an amide and an (E)-4-hydroxycinnamate as an ester. Being a meso compound, polygonapholine should not exhibit an optical rotation as reported. A total synthesis of the purported morpholine alkaloid presented herein reveals discrepancies between the synthetic and the natural product casting doubt on the originally proposed structure.

Electro-Oxidative Coupling Reactions Leading to π-Conjugated Compounds

Electrochemical reactions are rapidly gaining attention today as a powerful and environmentally benign reaction processes for organic synthesis. We found that the electro-oxidation of palladium acetate afforded cationic palladium species and thus-generated cationic Pd species were efficient mediators for electro-oxidative coupling reactions. Homo-coupling of arylboronic acids and terminal alkynes proceeded efficiently to afford biaryls and butadiyne, respectively. Cross-coupling reactions between terminal alkynes and arylboronic acids were also achieved with the use of a Ag anode. As an advantage of electrochemical reactions, we developed a sequential reaction system switched between oxidative and neutral conditions by the on/off application of electricity, and several π-extended butadiynes were obtained in one-sequence by the system. Electrochemical intramolecular C-S coupling for the synthesis of thienoacene was also developed. The use of Bu₄ NBr as a halogen mediator was essential for the reaction.

Copper-Catalyzed Oxidative Cross-Coupling of Electron-Deficient Polyfluorophenylboronate Esters with Terminal Alkynes

We report herein a mild procedure for the copper-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling of electron-deficient polyfluorophenylboronate esters with terminal alkynes. This method displays good functional group tolerance and broad substrate scope, generating cross-coupled alkynyl(fluoro)arene products in moderate to excellent yields. Thus, it represents a simple alternative to the conventional Sonogashira reaction.

The Discovery of a Palladium(II)-Initiated Borono-Catellani Reaction

Reported is a novel palladium(II)-initiated Catellani-type reaction that utilizes widely accessible aryl boronic acids as the substrates instead of aryl halides, thereby greatly expanding the existing scope of this powerful transformation. This borono-Catellani reaction was promoted by cooperative catalysis between Pd(OAc)₂ and the inexpensive 5-norbornene-2-carbonitrile. Practicality is the striking feature of the reaction: it is run open to air at ambient temperature and no phosphine ligand is needed. This mild, chemoselective, and scalable protocol is compatible with a large range of readily available functionalized aryl boronic acids and bromides, as well as terminating olefins (50 examples, 39-97 % yields). Moreover, the orthogonal reactivity between the borono-Catellani and classical Catellani reaction was demonstrated. This work is expected to open new avenues for developing novel Catellani-type reactions.

Palladium-catalysed Hiyama Cross-coupling Reaction of Alkynyl Halides with Aryltrialkoxysilanes under Aerobic Conditions

A palladium-catalysed Hiyama cross-coupling reaction of alkynyl halides with aryltrialkoxysilanes has been developed. Catalysed by bis(dibenzylideneacetone)palladium and in the presence of silver fluoride and potassium bicarbonate, a variety of alkynyl halides (I, Br and Cl), whether electron-deficient or electron-rich, underwent the cross-coupling reaction with aryltrialkoxysilanes at room temperature to afford the corresponding alkynes in moderate to good yields.

Nickel-catalyzed oxidative coupling of alkynes and arylboronic acids using the metal–organic framework Ni2(BDC)2(DABCO) as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst

The first Ni-catalyzed oxidative coupling of alkynes and arylboronic acids.

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.