Copper(II)-Catalyzed Benzylic C(sp3)–H Aerobic Oxidation of (Hetero)Aryl Acetimidates: Synthesis of Aryl-α-ketoesters

Organic Base-Promoted C-N- and C-O-Coupled Domino Cyclization Strategy: Syntheses of Oxazine-6-ones and 4-Pyrimidinols

Oxazine-6-one and 4-pyrimidinol are two important frameworks in pharmaceutical production. Herein, we disclosed a simple, efficient, inexpensive organic base-promoted and additive-stimulated protocol for the syntheses of variably functionalized oxazine-6-ones and 4-pyrimidinols employing acetonitrile solvent under conventional heating conditions using an oil bath through C-N and C-O coupled domino steps. This simple practicable productive protocol utilizes easily producible cheap precursors, namely, benzimidates or benzamidines, with differently substituted dicyano-olefins, and it comprises step economy, robustness, and moisture insensitive conditions affording high yield that avoids the use of transition-metal catalysts, multistep with multicomponent strategy, and harsh reaction conditions involving hazardous chemicals. This method is scalable into gram-scale production with good yield.

CuI-Catalyzed Radical Reaction of Benzimidates to Form Valuable 4,5-Dihydrooxazoles through Regioselective Aerobic Oxidative Cross-Coupling

A straightforward Cu(I)-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupled organic transformation has been developed under mild conditions for the construction of functionalized 4,5-dihydrooxazoles through a four-bond-forming regiocontrolled C-C/C-N/C-O coupling strategy emerging benzimidates, paraformaldehyde, and 1,3-diketo analogues using eco-friendly O2 as the sole oxidant. The fundamental features of these designed approaches involve operational simplicity, selectivity, generality, and a broad substrate scope with high yields under the same reaction conditions.

Catalytic I2-moist DMSO-mediated synthesis of valuable α-amidohydroxyketones and unsymmetrical gem-bisamides from benzimidates

We developed an efficient and straightforward I₂-catalyzed strategy for the synthesis of functionalized α-amidohydroxyketones and symmetrical and unsymmetrical bisamides using incipient benzimidate scaffolds as starting materials and moist-DMSO as a reagent and solvent. The developed method proceeds through chemoselective intermolecular N-C-bond formation of benzimidates and the α-C(sp³)-H bond of acetophenone moieties. The key advantages of these design approaches include broad substrate scope and moderate yields. High-resolution mass spectrometry of the reaction progress and labeling experiments provided suitable evidence regarding the possible mechanism. ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance titration revealed notable interaction between the synthesized α-amidohydroxyketones and some anions as well as biologically important molecules, which revealed a promising recognition property of these valuable motifs.

B(C6F5)3-catalyzed oxidation of α-diazoesters using DMF and molecular oxygen as oxygen sources

A metal-free catalytic oxidation of α-diazoesters via a green environmental-friendly route was developed. The α-diazoesters were converted to α-ketoesters using DMF and molecular oxygen as oxygen sources and B(C₆F₅)₃ as the catalyst, without any additives. This protocol has a broad adaptability of substrates and good compatibility with a range of functional groups, and it offers new insight into reactions catalyzed by B(C₆F₅)₃.

Electrochemical two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) induced aerobic oxidation of α-diazoesters

Electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a powerful tool for introducing oxygen functional groups in synthetic chemistry. However, compared with the well-developed one-electron oxygen reduction process, the applications of two-electron oxygen reduction in electrochemical synthesis have been seldom studied. We present herein our recent progress in the oxidation of α-diazoesters to α-ketoesters by in situ generated hydrogen peroxide via a two-electron oxygen reduction approach. A diverse collection of valuable α-ketoester products was obtained with moderate to high yields under an exogenous-oxidant-free and metal catalyst-free electrochemical conditions.

Aerobic oxygenation of α-methylene ketones under visible-light catalysed by a CeNi3 complex with a macrocyclic tris(salen)-ligand

A hetero-tetranuclear CeNi₃ complex with a macrocyclic ligand catalysed the aerobic oxygenation of a methylene group adjacent to a carbonyl group under visible-light radiation to produce the corresponding α-diketones. The visible-light induced homolysis of the Ce-O bond of a bis(enolate) intermediate is proposed prior to aerobic oxygenation.

Molecular oxygen-mediated oxygenation reactions involving radicals

Molecular oxygen as a green, non-toxic and inexpensive oxidant has displayed lots of advantages compared with other oxidants towards more selective, sustainable, and environmentally benign organic transformations. The oxygenation reactions which employ molecular oxygen or ambient air as both an oxidant and an oxygen source provide an efficient route to the synthesis of oxygen-containing compounds, and have been demonstrated in practical applications such as pharmaceutical synthesis and late-stage functionalization of complex molecules. This review article introduces the recent advances of radical processes in molecular oxygen-mediated oxygenation reactions. Reaction scopes, limitations and mechanisms are discussed based on reaction types and catalytic systems. Conclusions and perspectives are also given in the end.

Recent advances in the copper-catalyzed aerobic Csp3-H oxidation strategy

The interplay between copper catalysts and molecular oxygen provides the opportunity to control the promiscuous catalytic behaviors in aerobic Csp3-H bond oxidations without using stoichiometric amounts of oxidants. This mini-review aims to cover the Cu-catalyzed aerobic benzylic and α-carbonyl Csp3-H oxidations and that of the carbon next to an amine group in the past five years. The development of tandem multicomponent reactions employing aerobic Csp3-H bond oxidations will be discussed to highlight the controlled catalyst behaviors and the catalyst interactions between multiple reaction components.

Metal-free visible-light-induced aerobic oxidation of α-diazoesters leading to α-ketoesters in air

A metal-free and visible-light-induced strategy has been established for the construction of α-ketoesters via aerobic oxidation of α-diazoesters with dioxygen in air at room temperature.

Copper(I)-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidation of α-Diazoesters

A practical Cu-catalyzed oxidation of α-diazoesters to α-ketoesters using molecular oxygen as an oxidant has been developed. Both electron-poor and electron-rich aryl α-diazoesters are suitable substrates and provide the α-ketoesters in good yields. In this oxidative system, α-diazo-β-ketoesters are also compatible as substrates but unexpectedly furnish α-ketoesters via C-C bond cleavage, rather than the vicinal tricarbonyl products.

4-Dimethylaminopyridine-Catalyzed Metal-Free Aerobic Oxidation of Aryl α-Halo Esters to Aryl α-Keto Esters

A novel, metal-free aerobic oxidation method is described. 4-Dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) successfully catalyzed the oxidation of aryl α-halo esters to corresponding aryl α-keto esters (up to 95% yield) under mild reaction conditions (Li₂CO₃, dimethylacetamide, air, and room temperature). A mechanism has been proposed where the oxidation proceeds through a [3 + 2] cycloaddition between O₂ in an air atmosphere and pyridinium ylides. The ylides are supposedly generated from aryl α-halo esters and DMAP in the presence of carbonates. Based on the plausible mechanism, the potential of DMAP as a catalyst in oxidation reactions was extended.

Benzimidates as gem-Diamidation and Amidoindolyzation Cascade Synthons with a Hydrated NiII Catalyst

We contributed a new benzimidate chemistry through moisture-insensitive Ni^II/Ni^II-Fe^III combo-catalysis for a simultaneous 2-3 bond-forming gem-diamidation and amidoindolyzation cascade reaction to construct symmetrical and unsymmetrical gem-(arylmethylene)amides and indolo(arylmethylene)amides, using emerging benzimidate synthons. The operational simplicity, mild nature, generality, and robustness of the strategy were validated through syntheses of a wide range of new molecules, labile sugar-based chiral compounds, and pharmaceuticals with high yields under the same reaction conditions.

Catalytic Aerobic Oxidation of C(sp3 )-H Bonds

Oxidation reactions are a key technology to transform hydrocarbons from petroleum feedstock into chemicals of a higher oxidation state, allowing further chemical transformations. These bulk-scale oxidation processes usually employ molecular oxygen as the terminal oxidant as at this scale it is typically the only economically viable oxidant. The produced commodity chemicals possess limited functionality and usually show a high degree of symmetry thereby avoiding selectivity issues. In sharp contrast, in the production of fine chemicals preference is still given to classical oxidants. Considering the strive for greener production processes, the use of O₂ , the most abundant and greenest oxidant, is a logical choice. Given the rich functionality and complexity of fine chemicals, achieving regio/chemoselectivity is a major challenge. This review presents an overview of the most important catalytic systems recently described for aerobic oxidation, and the current insight in their reaction mechanism.

Selective benzylic C-H monooxygenation mediated by iodine oxides

A method for the selective monooxdiation of secondary benzylic C–H bonds is described using an N-oxyl catalyst and a hypervalent iodine species as a terminal oxidant. Combinations of ammonium iodate and catalytic N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) were shown to be effective in the selective oxidation of n-butylbenzene directly to 1-phenylbutyl acetate in high yield (86%). This method shows moderate substrate tolerance in the oxygenation of substrates containing secondary benzylic C–H bonds, yielding the corresponding benzylic acetates in good to moderate yield. Tertiary benzylic C–H bonds were shown to be unreactive under similar conditions, despite the weaker C–H bond. A preliminary mechanistic analysis suggests that this NHPI-iodate system is functioning by a radical-based mechanism where iodine generated in situ captures formed benzylic radicals. The benzylic iodide intermediate then solvolyzes to yield the product ester.

Copper catalyzed photoredox synthesis of α-keto esters, quinoxaline, and naphthoquinone: controlled oxidation of terminal alkynes to glyoxals

Controlled oxidation of the terminal C Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> C triple bond using O₂ (1 atm) as an oxidant and reagent.

Herein, we report a facile visible light induced copper catalyzed controlled oxidation of terminal C Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> C alkynes to α-keto esters and quinoxalines via formation of phenylglyoxals as stable intermediates, under mild conditions by using molecular O₂ as a sustainable oxidant. The current copper catalysed photoredox method is simple, highly functional group compatible with a broad range of electron rich and electron poor aromatic alkynes as well as aliphatic alcohols (1°, 2° and 3° alcohols), providing an efficient route for the preparation of α-keto esters (43 examples), quinoxaline and naphthoquinone with higher yields than those in the literature reported thermal processes. Furthermore, the synthetic utility of the products has been demonstrated in the synthesis of two biologically active molecules, an E. coli DHPS inhibitor and CFTR activator, using the current photoredox process. In addition, we applied this methodology to the one-pot synthesis of a heterocyclic compound (quinoxaline, an FLT3 inhibitor) by trapping the intermediate phenylglyoxal with O-phenylenediamine. The intermediate phenylglyoxal can also be isolated and further reacted with an internal alkyne to form naphthoquinone. This process can be readily scaled up to the gram scale.

Solvent-Dependent Copper-Catalyzed Indolyl C3-Oxygenation and N1-Cyclization Reactions: Selective Synthesis of 3 H-Indol-3-ones and Indolo[1,2- c]quinazolines

A simple and practical procedure for the selective preparation of 3 H-indol-3-one and indolo[1,2- c]quinazoline derivatives through copper-catalyzed aerobic oxygenation and intramolecular cyclization reactions of 2-(2-amidoaryl)-1 H-indoles in the presence of acid has been disclosed. Interestingly, the reaction outcomes are exclusively dependent on the reaction medium employed. With DMF as the solvent, the amide moiety of indole substrates could act as an auxiliary to enable the indole's oxygenation reaction with molecular oxygen from air as the oxidant to give 3 H-indol-3-one derivatives in a highly selective manner. On the other hand, when the reactions were performed in 1,4-dioxane, the amide moiety switched to participate in an intramolecular indolyl N1-cyclization to afford indolo[1,2- c]quinazolines as the predominating products.

Palladium-Catalyzed Regioselective C-H Alkenylation of Arylacetamides via Distal Weakly Coordinating Primary Amides as Directing Groups

Herein we disclose the efficient Pd(II)-catalyzed and regioselective ortho C-H alkenylation of arylacetamide derivatives, viz. weakly coordinating aliphatic primary amides. This protocol utilizes ubiquitous free primary amides as the directing group and circumvents two troublesome steps of installation and removal of an external auxiliary. This strategy directly enables the incorporation of a synthetically versatile olefin in the products in moderate to good yields with regio- and distereoselectivity. The alkenylated acetamides can be easily manipulated and further transformed into a variety of useful derivatives.

Rapid synthesis of polysubstituted phenanthridines from simple aliphatic/aromatic nitriles and iodo arenes via Pd(ii) catalyzed domino C–C/C–C/C–N bond formation

An efficient method has been developed for the synthesis of polysubstituted phenanthridiene via palladium catalyzed nucleophilic addition of aryl iodides to nitriles followed by dual C–H activation.