Enhanced Reactivity for Aromatic Bromination via Halogen Bonding with Lactic Acid Derivatives

Telluronium-Catalyzed Halogenation Reactions: Chalcogen-Bond Activation of N-Halosuccinimides and Catalysis

The ability of triaryltelluronium salts to interact with N-halosuccinimides (NXS) through chalcogen bonding (ChB) in the solid state and in solution is demonstrated herein. Cocrystals of the triaryltelluronium bearing two CF3 electron-withdrawing groups per aryl ring with N-chloro-, N-bromo- and N-iodosuccinimide (respectively NCS, NBS and NIS) were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, evidencing a ChB between tellurium and the carbonyl group of NXS. This ChB was confirmed in solution by NMR spectroscopy, especially by 125Te NMR titration experiment, which allowed the determination of the association constant (Ka) between the telluronium and NBS. The so-obtained Ka value of 17.3±0.6 M-1 indicated a moderate interaction in solution because of the competitive role of the solvent. The strength of the Te⋅⋅⋅O ChB was however sufficient enough to promote the catalytic halofunctionalization of aromatics and of alkenes such as the intra- and intermolecular haloalkoxylation and haloesterification of alkenes.

Elemental Sulfur-Mediated Aromatic Halogenation

A method for aromatic halogenation using a combination of elemental sulfur (S8) and N-halosuccinimide has been developed. A catalytic quantity of elemental sulfur (S8) with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) and N-chlorosuccinimide (NCS) effectively halogenated less-reactive aromatic compounds, such as ester-, cyano-, and nitro-substituted anisole derivatives. No reaction occurred in the absence of S8, underscoring its crucial role in the catalytic activity. This catalytic system was also applicable to aromatic iodination with 1,3-diiodo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin.

Preparation, Aromaticity, and Bromination of Spiro Iridafurans

Iridium centers of [Ir(μ-Cl)(C8H14)2]2 (1) activate the Cβ(sp2)-H bond of benzylideneacetone to give [Ir(μ-Cl){κ2-C,O-[C(Ph)CHC(Me)O]}2]2 (2), which is the starting point for the preparation of the spiro iridafurans IrCl{κ2-C,O-[C(Ph)CHC(Me)O]}2(PiPr3) (3), [Ir{κ2-C,O-[C(Ph)CHC(Me)O]}2(MeCN)2]BF4 (4), [Ir(μ-OH){κ2-C,O-[C(Ph)CHC(Me)O]}2]2 (5), Ir{κ2-C,O-[C(Ph)CHC(Me)O]}2{κ2-C,N-[C6MeH3-py]} (6), and Ir{κ2-C,O-[C(Ph)CHC(Me)O]}2{κ2-O,O-[acac]} (7). The five-membered rings are orthogonally arranged with the oxygen atoms in trans in an octahedral environment of the iridium atom. Spiro iridafurans are aromatic. The degree of aromaticity and the negative charge of the CH-carbon of the rings depend on ligand trans to the carbon directly attached to the metal. Aromaticity has been experimentally confirmed by bromination of iridafurans with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS). Reactions are sensitive to the degree of aromaticity of the ring and the negative charge of the attacked CH-carbon. Iridafurans can be selectively brominated, when different ligands lie trans to metalated carbons. Bromination of 3 occurs in the ring with the metalated carbon trans to chloride, whereas the bromination of 6 takes place in the ring with the metalated carbon trans to pyridyl. The first gives IrCl{κ2-C,O-[C(Ph)CBrC(Me)O]}{κ2-C,O-[C(Ph)CHC(Me)O]}(PiPr3) (8), which reacts with more NBS to form IrCl{κ2-C,O-[C(Ph)CBrC(Me)O]}2(PiPr3) (9). The second yields Ir{κ2-C,O-[C(Ph)CBrC(Me)O]}{κ2-C,O-[C(Ph)CHC(Me)O]}{κ2-C,N-[C6MeH3-py]} (10). The origin of the selectivity is kinetic, with the rate-determining step of the reaction being the NBS attack. The activation energy depends on the negative charge of the attacked atom; a higher negative charge allows for a lower activation energy. Accordingly, complex 7 undergoes bromination in the acetylacetonate ligand, giving Ir{κ2-C,O-[C(Ph)CHC(Me)O]}2{κ2-O,O-[acacBr]} (11).

One-Step Synthesis of 7-Bromobenzo[c]chromeno[4,3,2-gh]phenanthridines through a Sequential Bromination/Cyclization/Aromatization Reaction Using N-Bromosuccinimide (NBS)

Herein, metal- and oxidant-free synthesis of 7-bromobenzo[c]chromeno[4,3,2-gh]phenanthridines is reported using N-bromosuccinimide. Sequential regioselective bromination, intramolecular ring cyclization, and aromatization reactions occur in a single step through a successive radical-catalyzed pathway. The mechanistic pathway for the cyclization is supported by a DFT study. Selective bromination in the fully aromatic skeleton is accomplished without involving additional aromatic electrophilic ring bromination. As a synthetic application, the Suzuki coupling reaction of compound 5a with boronic acid is reported to get compound 8a. Aggregation-induced emission of one of the synthesized compounds (5h) is also investigated in THF/hexane solvent along with concentration-dependent emission spectroscopy.

K2S2O8-Promoted Consecutive Tandem Cyclization/Oxidative Halogenation: Access to 3-Halo-Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines

A one-pot methodology has been developed to synthesize 3-halo-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives through the three-component reaction of amino pyrazoles, enaminones (or chalcone), and sodium halides. The use of easily accessible 1,3-biselectrophilic reagents like enaminones and chalcone offers a straightforward approach for the synthesis of 3-halo-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines. The reaction proceeded through a cyclocondensation reaction between amino pyrazoles with enaminones/chalcone in the presence of K₂S₂O₈ followed by oxidative halogenations by NaX-K₂S₂O₈. Mild and environmentally benign reaction conditions, wide functional group tolerance, and scalability of the reaction are the attractive facet of this protocol. The combination of NaX-K₂S₂O₈ is also beneficial for the direct oxidative halogenations of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines in water.

NBS-induced intramolecular annulation reactions for the divergent synthesis of fused- and spirocyclic indolines

An NBS-induced intramolecular annulation of 3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-N-alkoxypropanamide is described. The reactions proceed well and quickly under mild conditions with the help of a base. It was found that C2-substituents on the indole ring in 3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-N-alkoxypropanamide have a great influence upon the reaction. By using C2-methyl- and C2-phenyl-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-N-alkoxypropanamide as templates, practical protocols for the divergent synthesis of fused- and spirocyclic indoline compounds were studied and established.