Metal-Free Regioselective Cross Dehydrogenative Coupling of Cyclic Ethers and Aryl Carbonyls

Copper- and Visible-Light-Catalyzed Cascade Radical Cyclization of N-Propargylindoles with Cyclic Ethers

An efficient visible-light-assisted, copper-catalyzed tandem radical cyclization of N-propargylindoles with cyclic ethers is established. A series of 2-oxoalkyl-9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indol-9-ones with potential biological activities were synthesized in moderate yields by using a dual catalytic system with copper acetate as a transition metal catalyst and eosin Y as a visible light catalyst. The investigation of reaction mechanism shows that it goes through a cascade oxoalkyl radical addition, cyclization, and oxidation process.

Acetic Acid-Catalyzed Regioselective C(sp2)-H Bond Functionalization of Indolizines: Concomitant Involvement of Synthetic and Theoretical Studies

An atom economical and environmentally benign protocol has been developed for the regioselective C(sp²)-H bond functionalization of indolizines. The acetic acid-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction proceeds under metal-free conditions, producing a wide range of synthetically useful indolizine derivatives. The present protocol showed good functional group tolerance and broad substrate scope in good to excellent yields. Quantum mechanical investigation using density functional theory (DFT) has played a crucial role in understanding that acetic acid is the key player in determining the actual pathway as the catalyst and its ultrafast nature. Different pathways involving inter- and intramolecular proton transfer, with or without acetic acid, were investigated. Calculated results revealed that a proton shuttle mechanism is involved for the least energetic, most favorable acetic acid-catalyzed pathway. Furthermore, regioselectivity has also been explained theoretically.

Discovery of an Oxidative System for Radical Generation from Csp3-H Bonds: A Synthesis of Functionalized Oxindoles

A facile and versatile method for generating radicals from Csp³-H bonds under metal-free and organic-peroxide-free conditions was developed. By combining safe persulfate and low-toxic quaternary ammonium salt, a wide variety of Csp³-H compounds including ethers, (hetero)aromatic/aliphatic ketones, alkylbenzenes, alkylheterocycles, cycloalkanes, and haloalkanes were selectively activated to generate the corresponding C-centered radicals, which could be further captured by N-arylacrylamides to deliver the valuable functionalized oxindoles. Good functional group tolerance was demonstrated. The useful polycarbonyl compound and esters were also modified with the strategy. Moreover, the combination can also be applied to the practical coupling between simple haloalkanes and N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI).

Metal-Free, Acid-Catalyzed 1,6-Conjugate Addition of NH-Sulfoximines to para-Quinone Methides: Accessing to Diarylmethine Imino Sulfanone

We have reported an efficient and metal-free method for the construction of α-diarylmethine imino sulfanone using acid-catalyzed 1,6-conjugate addition of sulfoximines on para-quinine methides (p-QMs). This method showed broad functional group tolerance and a wide range of substrate scope with good to excellent yield. The excellent protocol exhibits mild reaction conditions with high atom economy. The practicability of the present method was supported by a Gram-scale reaction.

Metal-Free Direct C-H Functionalization of Quinoxalin-2(1H)-Ones to Produce 3-Vinylated Quinoxalin-2(1H)-Ones in the Presence of Alkenes

A novel and efficient C 3-H vinylation reaction with quinoxalin-2(1H)-one as the substrate, in the presence of alkenes, under metal-free conditions, is reported herein. The reaction leads to the formation of new carbon-carbon bonds that exhibit moderate to good reactivities. The vinylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones, in the presence of alkenes, is an attractive process that can be potentially utilized to produce biologically active 3-vinylated quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones.

Palladium-catalyzed remote para-C-H activation of arenes assisted by a recyclable pyridine-based template

Direct para-selective C-H functionalization of arenes remains a daunting challenge and is still significantly restricted to a few scaffolds. Herein, we report an unprecedented pyridine-based para-directing template (DT) assisted, Pd-catalyzed para-C-H alkenylation of three classes of arenes, i.e. phenylpropanoic acids, 2-phenyl benzoic acids and benzyl alcohols, with a series of alkenes including perfluoroalkenes. Notably, the pyridine-based para-DT could be easily synthesized and readily recycled under mild conditions. These results may find application in rapid construction of para-substituted arenes and stimulate the exploration of novel methods for para-C-H functionalization of arenes.

I2-Catalyzed oxidative dehydrogenative tandem cyclization of 2-methylquinolines, arylamines and 1,4-dioxane

A novel I2-catalyst oxidative dehydrogenative tandem cyclization of 2-methylquinolines, arylamines and 1,4-dioxane for the construction of 2-([2,2′-biquinolin]-3-yloxy)ethan-1-ol derivatives has been developed under metal-free conditions.

DFT investigation on the mechanisms of Csp3–H functionalization of glycine derivatives induced by radical cation salt

The mechanism of Csp³–H functionalization between ethyl 2-(p-tolylamino)acetate and phenylethylene initiated by tris(4-bromophenyl)aminium hexachloroantimonate was elaborated based on DFT calculations.

The recent advances in K2S2O8-mediated cyclization/coupling reactions via an oxidative transformation

Recently the K₂S₂O₈ mediated cyclization/coupling reactions to construct carbon–carbon/carbon–heteroatom bond via oxidative transformation is became much interesting in organic synthesis.

Synthetic Strategy for Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine and Pyrido[1,2-b]indazole Derivatives through AcOH and O2-Promoted Cross-dehydrogenative Coupling Reactions between 1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds and N-Amino-2-iminopyridines

An efficient method has been developed for the synthesis of uniquely substituted pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine and pyrido[1,2-b]indazole derivatives, which involves acetic acid and molecular oxygen promoted cross-dehydrogenative coupling reactions of respective β-ketoesters and β-diketones (like ethyl acetoacetate, ethyl benzoylacetate, methyl propionylacetate, acetylacetone, dimedone, 1,3-cyclohexanedione, and 1,3-cyclopentanedione) with N-amino-2-iminopyridines. The proposed tentative mechanism involves formal acetic acid-promoted oxidative C(sp3)-C(sp2) dehydrogenative coupling followed by dehydrative cyclization under a catalyst-free condition within high atom economy processes.

Sustainable Synthetic Approach for (Pyrazol-4-ylidene)pyridines By Metal Catalyst-Free Aerobic C(sp2)-C(sp3) Coupling Reactions between 1-Amino-2-imino-pyridines and 1-Aryl-5-pyrazolones

A novel, metal catalyst-free, and efficient method has been developed for the synthesis of (pyrazol-4-ylidene)pyridine derivatives. The process involves dehydrogenative coupling of 1-amino-2-imino-pyridines with 1-aryl-5-pyrazolone derivatives utilizing O2 as the sole oxidant. The new method benefits from a high atom economy, efficiency, and substrate scope, as well as the simplicity of reaction and product purification procedures.

Metal-free regioselective direct thiolation of 2-pyridones

A highly regioselective metal-free direct C-H thiolation of 2-pyridones with disulfides or thiols has been developed. A combination of persulfate and a commercially available halide source such as LiCl, NCS or I₂ enables the successful direct incorporation of a sulfide moiety into the 5-position of pyridone under mild conditions, providing a useful and convenient approach for the preparation of a diverse array of 5-thio-substituted pyridones in moderate to excellent yields.

Iodine-Mediated Oxidative Rearrangement of α,β-Unsaturated Diaryl Ketones: A Facile Access to 1,2-Diaryl Diketones

A metal-free oxidative rearrangement was explored for the synthesis of 1,2-diaryl diketones by utilizing α,β-unsaturated diaryl ketones and I2/TBHP in good to high yields. The reaction proceeds via oxidative aryl migration, followed by C-C bond cleavage. A simple and high-yielding protocol was developed for the synthesis of a wide range of 1,2-diaryl diketones, which are the backbone for a variety of medicinally important molecules.

A visible light mediated, metal and oxidant free highly efficient cross dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction between quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones and ethers

The white light mediated, 3C alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones via a cross dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction with cyclic ethers using eosin Y as a photocatalyst is described. The reaction proceeds via a hydrogen abstraction and transfer process.

Metal-free, radical 1,6-conjugated addition of cyclic ethers with para-quinone methides (p-QMs)

An efficient method for metal-free C–C bond formation between p-quinone methides (p-QMs) and cyclic ethers via a radical pathway to afford substituted diarylmethanes and triarylmethanes or to effect the α-alkylation of the cyclic ethers has been developed.