Directed Metalation of Pi-Deficient Azaaromatics: Strategies of Functionalization of Pyridines, Quinolines, and Diazines

Direct C-H Hydroxylation of N-Heteroarenes and Benzenes via Base-Catalyzed Halogen Transfer

Hydroxylated (hetero)arenes are valued in many industries as both key constituents of end products and diversifiable synthetic building blocks. Accordingly, the development of reactions that complement and address the limitations of existing methods for the introduction of aromatic hydroxyl groups is an important goal. To this end, we apply base-catalyzed halogen transfer (X-transfer) to enable the direct C-H hydroxylation of mildly acidic N-heteroarenes and benzenes. This protocol employs an alkoxide base to catalyze X-transfer from sacrificial 2-halothiophene oxidants to aryl substrates, forming SNAr-active intermediates that undergo nucleophilic hydroxylation. Key to this process is the use of 2-phenylethanol as an inexpensive hydroxide surrogate that, after aromatic substitution and rapid elimination, provides the hydroxylated arene and styrene byproduct. Use of simple 2-halothiophenes allows for C-H hydroxylation of 6-membered N-heteroarenes and 1,3-azole derivatives, while a rationally designed 2-halobenzothiophene oxidant extends the scope to electron-deficient benzene substrates. Mechanistic studies indicate that aromatic X-transfer is reversible, suggesting that the deprotonation, halogenation, and substitution steps operate in synergy, manifesting in unique selectivity trends that are not necessarily dependent on the most acidic aryl position. The utility of this method is further demonstrated through streamlined target molecule syntheses, examples of regioselectivity that contrast alternative C-H hydroxylation methods, and the scalable recycling of the thiophene oxidants.

Late-Stage C-H Functionalization of Azines

Azines, such as pyridines, quinolines, pyrimidines, and pyridazines, are widespread components of pharmaceuticals. Their occurrence derives from a suite of physiochemical properties that match key criteria in drug design and is tunable by varying their substituents. Developments in synthetic chemistry, therefore, directly impact these efforts, and methods that can install various groups from azine C-H bonds are particularly valuable. Furthermore, there is a growing interest in late-stage functionalization (LSF) reactions that focus on advanced candidate compounds that are often complex structures with multiple heterocycles, functional groups, and reactive sites. Because of factors such as their electron-deficient nature and the effects of the Lewis basic N atom, azine C-H functionalization reactions are often distinct from their arene counterparts, and the application of these reactions in LSF contexts is difficult. However, there have been many significant advances in azine LSF reactions, and this review will describe this progress, much of which has occurred over the past decade. It is possible to categorize these reactions as radical addition processes, metal-catalyzed C-H activation reactions, and transformations occurring via dearomatized intermediates. Substantial variation in reaction design within each category indicates both the rich reactivity of these heterocycles and the creativity of the approaches involved.

Synthesis of Polysubstituted Ferrocenesulfoxides

The purpose of the study is to design synthetic methodologies, especially directed deprotometalation using polar organometallic reagents, to access polysubstituted ferrocenesulfoxides. From enantiopure 2-substituted (SiMe3, PPh2) S-tert-butylferrocenesulfoxides, a third substituent was first introduced at the 5 position (SiMe3, I, D, C(OH)Ph2, Me, PPh2, CH2NMe2, F) and removal of the trimethylsilyl group then afforded 2-substituted ferrocenesulfoxides unreachable otherwise. Attempts to apply the "halogen dance" reaction to the ferrocenesulfoxide series led to unexpected results although rationalized in light of calculated pKa values. Further functionalizations were also possible. Thus, new enantiopure, planar chiral di- and trisubstituted ferrocenes have been obtained, in addition to several original 2-substituted, 2,3- and 2,5-disubstituted, 2,3,5-trisubstituted and even 2,3,4,5-tetrasubstituted ferrocenesulfoxides, also enantiopure.

Nucleophilic C-H Etherification of Heteroarenes Enabled by Base-Catalyzed Halogen Transfer

We report a general protocol for the direct C-H etherification of N-heteroarenes. Potassium tert-butoxide catalyzes halogen transfer from 2-halothiophenes to N-heteroarenes to form N-heteroaryl halide intermediates that undergo tandem base-promoted alcohol substitution. Thus, the simple inclusion of inexpensive 2-halothiophenes enables regioselective oxidative coupling of alcohols with 1,3-azoles, pyridines, diazines, and polyazines under basic reaction conditions.

"Snapshot" Trapping of Multiple Transient Azolyllithiums in Batch

Recent developments in flow microreactor technology have allowed the use of transient organolithium compounds that cannot be realized in a batch reactor. However, trapping the transient aryllithiums in a "halogen dance" is still challenging. Herein is reported the trapping of such short-lived azolyllithiums in a batch reactor by developing a finely tuned in situ zincation using zinc halide diamine complexes. The reaction rate is controlled by the appropriate choice of diamine ligand. The reaction is operationally simple and can be performed at 0 °C with high reproducibility on a multigram scale. This method was applicable to a wide range of brominated azoles allowing deprotonative functionalization, which was used for the concise divergent syntheses of both constitutional isomers of biologically active azoles.

From ferrocene to fluorine-containing penta-substituted derivatives and all points in-between; or, how to increase the available chemical space

In spite of the growing interest in fluorine-containing compounds, and the improvements in materials, optical and biological properties that can arise from substitution of a phenyl ring by ferrocene within a molecular scaffold, synthetic strategies that allow the efficient preparation of fluoroferrocene derivatives are scarce. Following conversion of ferrocene to fluoroferrocene, we have developed routes to fluorine-containing di-, tri-, tetra- and penta-substituted ferrocene derivatives to extend the available chemical space. Our approach is based on the identification of suitable reagents and conditions to achieve fluorine-directed deprotometalation, and exploitation of the halogen 'dance' rearrangement in the ferrocene series.

Selective Carbanion-Pyridine Coordination of a Reactive P,N Ligand to RhI

Ligands with reactive carbon sites in the periphery of a metal center have emerged as a powerful approach for metal-ligand bond activation. These reactive carbon sites are commonly generated by deprotonation strategies. Carbon-silicon bond cleavage is a potential alternative to access such constructs. Herein, the monodesilylation of bis-silyl-substituted P,N scaffold PNSi2 in the coordination sphere of [RhI (Cl)(CO)(PNSi2 )] (1) with sodium azide is disclosed. This affords a unique dinucleating anionic κ2 -C,N-κ1 -P ligand with a carbanionic methine carbon atom directly bound to rhodium as part of a four-membered Rh-N-C-C rhodacycle. This dimer undergoes meta-pyridine C-H activation facilitated by weak bases, which leads to a desymmetrization of the system and provides a σ,π-bridging 3-pyridyl fragment bound to RhI . The facile Si-C cleavage strategy may pave the way to studying the reactivity and functionalization of a variety of κ2 -C,N-coordinated pyridine scaffolds for selective transformations.

From Quinoxaline, Pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine and Pyrido[3,4-b]pyrazine to Pyrazino-Fused Carbazoles and Carbolines

2,3-Diphenylated quinoxaline, pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine and 8-bromopyrido[3,4-b]pyrazine were halogenated in deprotometalation-trapping reactions using mixed 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidino-based lithium-zinc combinations in tetrahydrofuran. The 2,3-diphenylated 5-iodo- quinoxaline, 8-iodopyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine and 8-bromo-7-iodopyrido[3,4-b]pyrazine thus obtained were subjected to palladium-catalyzed couplings with arylboronic acids or anilines, and possible subsequent cyclizations to afford the corresponding pyrazino[2,3-a]carbazole, pyrazino[2',3':5,6] pyrido[4,3-b]indole and pyrazino[2',3':4,5]pyrido[2,3-d]indole, respectively. 8-Iodopyrido[2,3-b] pyrazine was subjected either to a copper-catalyzed C-N bond formation with azoles, or to direct substitution to introduce alkylamino, benzylamino, hydrazine and aryloxy groups at the 8 position. The 8-hydrazino product was converted into aryl hydrazones. Most of the compounds were evaluated for their biological properties (antiproliferative activity in A2058 melanoma cells and disease-relevant kinase inhibition).

Assessing the reactivity of sodium alkyl-magnesiates towards quinoxaline: single electron transfer (SET) vs. nucleophilic alkylation processes

Structurally tracking the reaction of a sodium butylmagnesiate supported by a bulky silyl(bisamide) ligand towards quinoxaline, SET reactivity.

Functionalization of pyridyl ketones using deprotolithiation-in situ zincation

Metallation of aryl ketones was achieved by using LiTMP in the presence of ZnCl₂·TMEDA, as evidenced by subsequent interception with iodine or by palladium-catalysed cross-coupling reaction.

Mechanism of Lithium Diisopropylamide-Mediated Ortholithiation of 1,4-Bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene under Nonequilibrium Conditions: Condition-Dependent Rate Limitation and Lithium Chloride-Catalyzed Inhibition

Lithiation of 1,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene with lithium diisopropylamide in tetrahydrofuran at -78 °C occurs under conditions at which the rates of aggregate exchanges are comparable to the rates of metalation. Under such nonequilibrium conditions, a substantial number of barriers compete to be rate limiting, making the reaction sensitive to trace impurities (LiCl), reactant concentrations, and isotopic substitution. Rate studies using the perdeuterated arene reveal odd effects of LiCl, including catalyzed rate acceleration at lower temperature and catalyzed rate inhibition at higher temperatures. The catalytic effects are accompanied by corresponding changes in the rate law. A kinetic model is presented that captures the critical features of the LiCl catalysis, focusing on the influence of LiCl-catalyzed re-aggregation of the fleeting monomer that can reside above, at, or below the equilibrium population without catalyst.

New avenues in the directed deprotometallation of aromatics: recent advances in directed cupration

Advances in directed aromatic deprotometallation are reported in the context of recent developments in our understanding of lithium cuprates.

Radical-based regioselective C-H functionalization of electron-deficient heteroarenes: scope, tunability, and predictability

Radical addition processes can be ideally suited for the direct functionalization of heteroaromatic bases, yet these processes are only sparsely used due to the perception of poor or unreliable control of regiochemistry. A systematic investigation of factors affecting the regiochemistry of radical functionalization of heterocycles using alkylsulfinate salts revealed that certain types of substituents exert consistent and additive effects on the regioselectivity of substitution. This allowed us to establish guidelines for predicting regioselectivity on complex π-deficient heteroarenes, including pyridines, pyrimidines, pyridazines, and pyrazines. Since the relative contribution from opposing directing factors was dependent on solvent and pH, it was sometimes possible to tune the regiochemistry to a desired result by modifying reaction conditions. This methodology was applied to the direct, regioselective introduction of isopropyl groups into complex, biologically active molecules, such as diflufenican (44) and nevirapine (45).

Lithium diisopropylamide-mediated ortholithiation of 2-fluoropyridines: rates, mechanisms, and the role of autocatalysis

Lithium diisopropylamide (LDA)-mediated ortholithiations of 2-fluoropyridine and 2,6-difluoropyridine in tetrahydrofuran at -78 °C were studied using a combination of IR and NMR spectroscopic and computational methods. Rate studies show that a substrate-assisted deaggregation of LDA dimer occurs parallel to an unprecedented tetramer-based pathway. Standard and competitive isotope effects confirm post-rate-limiting proton transfer. Autocatalysis stems from ArLi-catalyzed deaggregation of LDA proceeding via 2:2 LDA-ArLi mixed tetramers. A hypersensitivity of the ortholithiation rates to traces of LiCl derives from LiCl-catalyzed LDA dimer-monomer exchange and a subsequent monomer-based ortholithiation. Fleeting 2:2 LDA-LiCl mixed tetramers are suggested to be key intermediates. The mechanisms of both the uncatalyzed and catalyzed deaggregations are discussed. A general mechanistic paradigm is delineated to explain a number of seemingly disparate LDA-mediated reactions, all of which occur in tetrahydrofuran at -78 °C.

Generation and Reactions of Pyridyllithiums via Br/Li Exchange Reactions Using Continuous Flow Microreactor Systems

A continuous flow microreactor method for generating and carrying out reactions on pyridyllithiums has been developed based on Br/Li exchange reactions of bromopyridines and dibromopyridines. The reactions can be carried out without using cryogenic conditions by virtue of short residence times and efficient heat transfer, while very low temperatures such as –78 or –110°C are required for conventional batch macro methods. Moreover, sequential introduction of two different electrophiles has been successfully achieved using dibromopyridines in an integrated flow microreactor system composed of four micromixers and four microtube reactors.

New lithium-zincate approaches for the selective functionalisation of pyrazine: direct dideprotozincation vs. nucleophilic alkylation

Comparing the reactivity of the related lithium zincates [(THF)LiZn(TMP)(t)Bu(2)] (1) and [(PMDETA)LiZn(t)Bu(3)] (2) towards pyrazine discloses two new bimetallic approaches for the selective 2,5-dideprotonation and room temperature C-H alkylation of this sensitive heterocycle.

Regioselective lithium diisopropylamide-mediated ortholithiation of 1-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)benzene: role of autocatalysis, lithium chloride catalysis, and reversibility

Ortholithiation of 1-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)benzene with lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) in tetrahydrofuran at -78 °C displays characteristics of reactions in which aggregation events are rate limiting. Metalation with lithium-chloride-free LDA involves a rate-limiting deaggregation via dimer-based transition structures. The post-rate-limiting proton transfers are suggested to involve highly solvated triple ions. Autocatalysis by the resulting aryllithiums or catalysis by traces (<100 ppm) of LiCl diverts the reaction through di- and trisolvated monomer-based pathways for metalation at the 2 and 6 positions, respectively. The regiochemistry is dictated by a combination of kinetically controlled metalations overlaid by an equilibration involving diisopropylamine that is shown to occur by the microscopic reverse of the monomer-based metalations.

Synthesis of fused-ring nicotine derivatives from (S)-nicotine

The synthesis of novel fused-ring bicyclic (4-6) and tricyclic (7-10) nicotine derivatives from natural (S)-nicotine are described. Enantiopure bicyclic dioxino, dihydrofuro, and dihydropyranol nicotine derivatives as well as tricylic benzofuro and benzopyran derivatives were synthesized from simple alkoxy or halonicotine intermediates. Attempts to synthesize furonicotines (11, 12) resulted in formation of the furonicotine dimers 42 and 49.