Gold(I)-catalyzed direct C–H arylation of pyrazine and pyridine with aryl bromides

An assay for aryl radicals using BHAS coupling

Aryl radicals are intermediates in many reactions, but determining their presence unambiguously is often challenging. As we recently reported, reaction of 2-iodo-1,3-dimethylbenzene (7) in benzene with KOtBu and a suitable organic additive, leads to a base-induced homolytic aromatic substitution (BHAS) coupling reaction giving 2,6-dimethylbiphenyl (12) and biphenyl (3) as coupled products, together with xylene (13). In this case, biphenyl arises from a radical translocation and is the major coupling product. This paper now quantitatively investigates that reaction, which shows a very similar ratio for 3 : 12 [ca. 4 : 1] when using different sources of radical initiation. Deuterium isotope studies provide detailed mechanistic support for the proposed mechanism; when carried out in C6D6vs. C6H6, the reaction is characterised by a strong isotope effect for formation of 3-d10vs. 3, but not for formation of 12-d5vs. 12. These distinctive properties mean that the transformation can act as an assay for aryl radicals. An advantage of such a BHAS process is its sensitivity, since it involves a chain reaction that can amplify radical activity.

Metal-free visible-induced C(sp2)-C(sp2) coupling of quinoxalin-2(H)-ones via oxidative cleavage of the C-N bond

A C(sp²)-C(sp²) reaction between aromatic hydrazines and quinoxalines has been developed through a photocatalytic system. The protocol is established for C(sp²)-N bond cleavage and direct C(sp²)-H functionalization for the coupling of C(sp²)-C(sp²) via photocatalysis under mild and ideal air conditions without the presence of a strong base and metal. The mechanistic studies reveal that the generation of a benzene radical via the oxidative cleavage of aromatic hydrazines for the cross-coupling of C(sp²)-C(sp²) with the assistance of a photocatalyst is essential. The process exhibits excellent compatibility with functional groups and provides convenient access to various 3-arylquinoxalin-2(1H)-ones in good to excellent yields.

De Novo Synthesis of Polysubstituted 3-Hydroxypyridines Via “Anti-Wacker”-Type Cyclization

We report an efficient method to prepare polysubstituted 3-hydroxypyridines from amino acids, propargyl alcohols, and arylboronic acids. The process involves Pd(0)-catalyzed anti-selective arylative cyclizations of N-propargyl-N-tosyl-aminoaldehydes with arylboronic acids (“anti-Wacker”-type cyclization), oxidation of the resulting 5-substituted-3-hydroxy-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridines to 3-oxo derivatives, and elimination of p-toluenesulfinic acid. This method provides diverse polysubstituted 3-hydroxypyridines, whose hydroxy group can be further substituted by a cross-coupling reaction via a triflate.

Cooperative C-H activation of pyridine by PBP complexes of Rh and Ir can lead to bridging 2-pyridyls with different connectivity to the B-M unit

Pyridine and quinoline undergo selective C–H activation in the 2-position with Rh and Ir complexes of a boryl/bis(phosphine) PBP pincer ligand, resulting in a 2-pyridyl bridging the transition metal and the boron center. Examination of this reactivity with Rh and Ir complexes carrying different non-pincer ligands on the transition metal led to the realization of the possible isomerism derived from the 2-pyridyl fragment connecting either via B–N/C–M bonds or via B–C/N–M bonds. This M–C/M–N isomerism was systematically examined for four structural types. Each of these types has a defined set of ligands on Rh/Ir besides 2-pyridyl and PBP. A pair of M–C/M–N isomers for each type was computationally examined for Rh and for Ir, totaling 16 compounds. Several of these compounds were isolated or observed in solution by experimental methods, in addition to a few 2-quinolyl variants. The DFT predictions concerning the thermodynamic preference within each M–C/M–N isomeric match the experimental findings very well. In two cases where DFT predicts <2 kcal mol⁻¹ difference in free energy, both isomers were experimentally observed in solution. Analysis of the structural data, of the relevant Wiberg bond indices, and of the ETS-NOCV partitioning of the interaction of the 2-pyridyl fragment with the rest of the molecule points to the strength of the M–C(pyridyl) bond as the dominant parameter determining the relative M–C/M–N isomer favorability. This M–C bond is always stronger for the analogous Ir vs. Rh compounds, but the nature of the ligand trans to it has a significant influence, as well. DFT calculations were used to evaluate the mechanism of isomerization for one of the molecule types.

The thermodynamic preference between two isomeric products of C–H activation of pyridine, with 2-pyridyl bridging boron and iridium or rhodium, primarily depends on the M–C bond strength.

Biaryl Formation via Base-Promoted Direct Coupling Reactions of Arenes with Aryl Halides

In the absence of ligand, Cs2CO3-promoted cross-coupling reaction of arenes with cyano-/nitro-substituted aryl halides in DMSO affording biaryls is reported. The cyano/nitro group in biaryls is useful and convenient for further transformation. The formation of dibenzofurans resulting from the reactions between arenes and 1-bromo-2-iodobenzene is also reported. On the basis of control experiments and theoretical studies, a radical mechanism is proposed for the formation of biaryls.

Direct C-H photoarylation of diazines using aryldiazonium salts and visible-light

In this study, direct C–H photoarylation of pyrazine with aryldiazonium salts under visible-light irradiation (blue-LEDs) is described, and additional examples including photoarylations of pyrimidine and pyridazine are also covered. The corresponding aryl-diazines were prepared in yields up to 84% only by mixing and irradiating the reaction with no need for an additional photocatalyst. We demonstrate the efficacy of this protocol by the scope with electron-donor, -neutral, and -withdrawing groups attached at the ortho, meta, and para positions of the aryldiazonium salts; the results are better than those reported for ruthenium-complex mediated photoarylations. Additionally, we demonstrate the robustness of this methodology with a 5 mmol scaled-up experiment. Mechanistic studies were carried out giving support to the proposal of a photocatalyzed approach by an electron donor–acceptor (EDA) complex, also highlighting the crucial role that solvents play in the formation of the EDA complex.

An electron donor–acceptor (EDA) approach for the direct C–H photoarylation of diazines using aryldiazonium salts and visible-light is described.

Radical Arylation of Anilines and Pyrroles via Aryldiazotates

The radical arylation of anilines and pyrroles can be achieved under transition-metal- and catalyst-free conditions by using aryldiazotates in strongly alkaline aqueous solutions. The aryldiazotates act as protected diazonium ions, which do not undergo azo coupling with electron-rich aromatic substrates, but can still serve as an aryl radical source at slightly elevated temperatures. Based on an improved preparation of aryldiazotates in aqueous solution, homolytic aromatic substitutions of anilines and pyrroles were conducted with good overall yields and high regioselectivity. Moreover, DFT calculations provided further mechanistic insights.

C-H Functionalization of Azines

Azines, which are six-membered aromatic compounds containing one or more nitrogen atoms, serve as ubiquitous structural cores of aromatic species with important applications in biological and materials sciences. Among a variety of synthetic approaches toward azines, C-H functionalization represents the most rapid and atom-economical transformation, and it is advantageous for the late-stage functionalization of azine-containing functional molecules. Since azines have several C-H bonds with different reactivities, the development of new reactions that allow for the functionalization of azines in a regioselective fashion has comprised a central issue. This review describes recent advances in the C-H functionalization of azines categorized as follows: (1) S_NAr reactions, (2) radical reactions, (3) deprotonation/functionalization, and (4) metal-catalyzed reactions.

Pd-Catalyzed Ligand-Free Synthesis of Arylated Heteroaromatics by Coupling of N-Heteroaromatic Bromides with Iodobenzene Diacetate, Iodosobenzene, or Diphenyliodonium Salts

An efficient method for synthesizing arylated heteroaromatics has been reported via Pd-catalyzed ligand-free cross-coupling of N-heteroaromatic bromides with iodine(III) reagents under mild conditions. Iodobenzene diacetate, iodosobenzene, and diphenyliodonium salts act as ideal arylated sources in this reaction, producing bioactive aromatic-substituted pyridines and quinolines in moderate to high yields.

Copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative coupling: From ketone and diamine to pyrazine

Copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative C-H/N-H coupling between simple ketones and diamines was developed toward the synthesis of a variety of pyrazines. Various substituted ketones were compatible for this transformation. Preliminary mechanistic investigations indicated that radical species were involved. X-ray absorption fine structure experiments elucidated that the Cu(II) species 5 coordinated by two N atoms at a distance of 2.04 Å and two O atoms at a shorter distance of 1.98 Å was a reactive one for this aerobic oxidative coupling reaction. Density functional theory calculations suggested that the intramolecular coupling of cationic radicals was favorable in this transformation.

Direct arylation of pyridines without the use of a transition metal catalyst

This new reaction proceeds readily at room temperature without the use of any transition metal catalyst.

Transition metal-catalyzed functionalization of pyrazines

Transition metal-catalyzed reactions are generally used for carbon-carbon bond formation on pyrazines and include, but are not limited to, classical palladium-catalyzed reactions like Sonogashira, Heck, Suzuki, and Stille reactions. Also a few examples of carbon-heteroatom bond formation in pyrazines are known. This perspective reviews recent progress in the field of transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions on pyrazine systems. It deals with the most important C-C- and C-X-bond formation methodologies.

TMEDA-assisted effective direct ortho arylation of electron-deficient N-heteroarenes with aromatic Grignard reagents

In the addition of TMEDA in toluene, aryl Grignards could effectively and site-specifically ortho-arylate electron-deficient heteroarenes under mild conditions. This endeavor successfully changed the old low-yielding reaction, aryl Grignard addition to N-heteroarenes, into an efficient procedure for heterobiaryls. The combination of the inexpensive aryl Grignards, TMEDA, the cost-free air, no use of any transition-metal catalyst, the mild reaction conditions, and the high-yielding gram-scale results enables this new procedure to be cost-effective and potentially utilizable in industry.

Catalytic arylation of a C-H bond in pyridine and related six-membered N-heteroarenes using organozinc reagents

Despite significant advances in the catalytic direct arylation of heteroarenes, the application of this reaction to pyridines has been met with limited success. An oxidative nucleophilic arylation strategy has been developed to overcome this problem. Pyridine, pyrazine, quinolone, and related electron-deficient N-heteroarenes can be arylated at the most electrophilic site using the developed nickel-catalyzed reaction. This protocol serves as a complementary method to catalytic direct arylation reactions.

Recent advance in heterocyclic organozinc and organomanganese compounds; direct synthetic routes and application in organic synthesis

A practical synthetic route for the preparation of 2-pyridyl and 3-pyridyl derivatives has been accomplished by utilizing a simple coupling reaction of stable 2-pyridylzinc bromides and 3-pyridylzinc bromides. The organozincs used in this study were easily prepared via the direct insertion of active zinc into the corresponding bromopyridines. The subsequent coupling reactions with a variety of different electrophiles have afforded the corresponding coupling products. Using highly active manganese, a variety of Grignard-type organomanganese reagents have been obtained. The subsequent coupling reactions of the resulting organomanganese reagents with several electrophiles have also been accomplished under mild conditions.