Copper-Catalyzed Semihydrogenation of Internal Alkynes with Molecular Hydrogen

Catalytic, Z-Selective, Semi-Hydrogenation of Alkynes with a Zinc-Anilide Complex

The reversible activation of dihydrogen with a molecular zinc anilide complex is reported. The mechanism of this reaction has been probed through stoichiometric experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The combined evidence suggests that H₂ activation occurs by addition across the Zn-N bond via a four-membered transition state in which the Zn and N atoms play a dual role of Lewis acid and Lewis base. The zinc hydride complex that results from H₂ addition has been shown to be remarkably effective for the hydrozincation of C═C bonds at modest temperatures. The scope of hydrozincation includes alkynes, alkenes, and a 1,3-butadiyne. For alkynes, the hydrozincation step is stereospecific leading exclusively to the syn-isomer. Competition experiments show that the hydrozincation of alkynes is faster than the equivalent alkene substrates. These new discoveries have been used to develop a catalytic system for the semi-hydrogenation of alkynes. The catalytic scope includes both aryl- and alkyl-substituted internal alkynes and proceeds with high alkene: alkane, Z:E ratios, and modest functional group tolerance. This work offers a first example of selective hydrogenation catalysis using zinc complexes.

Chromium-catalyzed stereodivergent E- and Z-selective alkyne hydrogenation controlled by cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene ligands

The hydrogenation of alkynes allows the synthesis of olefins, which are important feedstock for the materials, pharmaceutical, and petrochemical industry. Thus, methods that enable this transformation via low-cost metal catalysis are desirable. However, achieving stereochemical control in this reaction is a long-standing challenge. Here, we report on the chromium-catalyzed E- and Z-selective olefin synthesis via hydrogenation of alkynes, controlled by two carbene ligands. A cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene ligand that contains a phosphino anchor enables the hydrogenation of alkynes in a trans-addition manner, selectively forming E-olefins. With an imino anchor-incorporated carbene ligand, the stereoselectivity can be switched, giving mainly Z-isomers. This ligand-enabled geometrical stereoinversion strategy by one metal catalysis overrides common methods in control of the E- and Z-selectivity with two different metal catalysis, allowing for highly efficient and on-demand access to both E- and Z-olefins in a stereo-complementary fashion. Mechanistic studies indicate that the different steric effect between these two carbene ligands may mainly dominate the selective forming E- or Z-olefins in control of the stereochemistry.

Mechanochemical solid state synthesis of copper(I)/NHC complexes with K3PO4

A protocol for the mechanochemical synthesis of copper(I)/N-heterocyclic carbene complexes using cheap and readily available K₃PO₄ as base has been developed. This method employing a ball mill is amenable to typical simple copper(I)/NHC complexes but also to a sophisticated copper(I)/N-heterocyclic carbene complex bearing a guanidine moiety. In this way, the present approach circumvents commonly employed silver(I) complexes which are associated with significant and undesired waste formation and the excessive use of solvents. The resulting bifunctional catalyst has been shown to be active in a variety of reduction/hydrogenation transformations employing dihydrogen as terminal reducing agent.

A Review on The Medicinal And Industrial Applications of N-Containing Heterocycles

Nitrogen-containing heterocycles constitute an important division of organic chemistry. The structural and functional diversity in nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds emanates from the presence and nature of the heteroatom that optimizes the compound for a specific application. Nitrogen heterocycles have been found to mimic various endogenous metabolites and natural products, highlighting their pivotal role in current drug design. Their applications are manifold and are predominantly used as pharmaceuticals, corrosion inhibitors, polymers, agrochemicals, dyes, developers, etc. Additionally, their catalytic behavior has rendered these compounds notable precursors in synthesizing various important organic compounds. The rate at which nitrogen heterocycles are synthesized explains this organic chemistry domain's vitality and usefulness. The present review article focuses on nitrogen-containing heterocycles as a versatile scaffold for current applications of organic chemistry.

Stereoselective Semi-Hydrogenations of Alkynes by First-Row (3d) Transition Metal Catalysts

The chemo- and stereoselective semi-hydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes is a fundamental transformation in synthetic chemistry, for which the use of precious 4d or 5d metal catalysts is well-established. In mankind's unwavering quest for sustainability, research focus has considerably veered towards the 3d metals. Given their high abundancy and availability as well as lower toxicity and noxiousness, they are undoubtedly attractive from both an economic and an environmental perspective. Herein, we wish to present noteworthy and groundbreaking examples for the use of 3d metal catalysts for diastereoselective alkyne semi-hydrogenation as we embark on a journey through the first-row transition metals.

Room temperature Z-selective hydrogenation of alkynes by hemilabile and non-innocent (NNN)Co(ii) catalysts

Room temperature chemo- and stereoselective hydrogenation of alkynes is described using a well-defined and phosphine-free hemilabile cobalt catalyst.

Recent advances in Cu-catalyzed transformations of internal alkynes to alkenes and heterocycles

Numerous metal-catalyzed reactions involving internal alkynes and aimed towards synthetically and pharmacologically important alkenes and heterocycles have appeared in the literature. Among these, Cu-catalyzed reactions have a special place, which has prompted the investigation and development of carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond-forming reactions. These reactions possess wide scope, and during the paths of these reactions, either stable or in situ intermediates are formed via the addition of Cu as a core catalyst or synergistic catalyst. In this review, we aim to report different contributions relating to Cu-catalyzed reactions of internal alkynes for the synthesis of different valuable alkenes and heterocycles which have appeared in the literature in the last decade. We anticipate that this appraisal will deliver basic insights for the further advancement of Cu-catalyzed reactions in organic chemistry.

A Bifunctional Copper Catalyst Enables Ester Reduction with H2: Expanding the Reactivity Space of Nucleophilic Copper Hydrides

Employing a bifunctional catalyst based on a copper(I)/NHC complex and a guanidine organocatalyst, catalytic ester reductions to alcohols with H₂ as terminal reducing agent are facilitated. The approach taken here enables the simultaneous activation of esters through hydrogen bonding and formation of nucleophilic copper(I) hydrides from H₂, resulting in a catalytic hydride transfer to esters. The reduction step is further facilitated by a proton shuttle mediated by the guanidinium subunit. This bifunctional approach to ester reductions for the first time shifts the reactivity of generally considered "soft" copper(I) hydrides to previously unreactive "hard" ester electrophiles and paves the way for a replacement of stoichiometric reducing agents by a catalyst and H₂.

Converting copper sulfide to copper with surface sulfur for electrocatalytic alkyne semi-hydrogenation with water

Electrocatalytic alkyne semi-hydrogenation to alkenes with water as the hydrogen source using a low-cost noble-metal-free catalyst is highly desirable but challenging because of their over-hydrogenation to undesired alkanes. Here, we propose that an ideal catalyst should have the appropriate binding energy with active atomic hydrogen (H*) from water electrolysis and a weaker adsorption with an alkene, thus promoting alkyne semi-hydrogenation and avoiding over-hydrogenation. So, surface sulfur-doped and -adsorbed low-coordinated copper nanowire sponges are designedly synthesized via in situ electroreduction of copper sulfide and enable electrocatalytic alkyne semi-hydrogenation with over 99% selectivity using water as the hydrogen source, outperforming a copper counterpart without surface sulfur. Sulfur anion-hydrated cation (S²⁻-K⁺(H₂O)_n) networks between the surface adsorbed S²⁻ and K⁺ in the KOH electrolyte boost the production of active H* from water electrolysis. And the trace doping of sulfur weakens the alkene adsorption, avoiding over-hydrogenation. Our catalyst also shows wide substrate scopes, up to 99% alkenes selectivity, good reducible groups compatibility, and easily synthesized deuterated alkenes, highlighting the promising potential of this method.

Highly selective electrocatalytic semi-hydrogenation of alkynes over a noble-metal-free catalyst is highly desirable. Here, authors synthesize sulfur-containing copper nanowire sponges for selective electrocatalytic alkyne semi-hydrogenation using water as the hydrogen source.

CuCl2-catalyzed highly stereoselective and chemoselective reduction of alkynyl amides into α,β-unsaturated amides using silanes as hydrogen donors

A CuH-catalyzed Z-selective partial reduction of alkynyl amides to afford α,β-unsaturated amides using silane as the hydrogen donor is developed. This reaction is carried out under mild conditions and able to accommodate a broad scope of alkynyl amides including those bearing a terminal carbon-carbon double bond or triple bond, affording alkenyl amides with high stereoselectivity and excellent yields.

A simple and efficient in situ generated copper nanocatalyst for stereoselective semihydrogenation of alkynes

Development of a simple, effective, and practical method for (Z)-selective semihydrogenation of alkynes has been considered necessary for easy-to-access applications at organic laboratory scales. Herein, (Z)-selective semihydrogenation of alkynes was achieved using a copper nanocatalyst which was generated in situ simply by adding ammonia borane to an ethanol solution of copper sulfate. Different types of alkynes including aryl-aryl, aryl-alkyl, and aliphatic alkynes were selectively reduced to (Z)-alkenes affording up to 99% isolated yield. The semihydrogenation of terminal alkynes to alkenes and gram-scale applications were also reported. In addition to eliminating catalyst preparation, the proposed approach is simple and practical and serves as a suitable alternative method to the conventional Lindlar catalyst.

Catch It If You Can: Copper-Catalyzed (Transfer) Hydrogenation Reactions and Coupling Reactions by Intercepting Reactive Intermediates Thereof

The key reactive intermediate of copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne semihydrogenations is a vinylcopper(I) complex. This intermediate can be exploited as a starting point for a variety of trapping reactions. In this manner, an alkyne semihydrogenation can be turned into a dihydrogen­-mediated coupling reaction. Therefore, the development of copper-catalyzed (transfer) hydrogenation reactions is closely intertwined with the corresponding reductive trapping reactions. This short review highlights and conceptualizes the results in this area so far, with H2-mediated carbon–carbon and carbon–heteroatom bond-forming reactions emerging under both a transfer hydrogenation setting as well as with the direct use of H2. In all cases, highly selective catalysts are required that give rise to atom-economic multicomponent coupling reactions with rapidly rising molecular complexity. The coupling reactions are put into perspective by presenting the corresponding (transfer) hydrogenation processes first.

1 Introduction: H2-Mediated C–C Bond-Forming Reactions

2 Accessing Copper(I) Hydride Complexes as Key Reagents for Coupling Reactions; Requirements for Successful Trapping Reactions

3 Homogeneous Copper-Catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenations

4 Trapping of Reactive Intermediates of Alkyne Transfer Semi­hydrogenation Reactions: First Steps Towards Hydrogenative Alkyne Functionalizations

5 Copper(I)-Catalyzed Alkyne Semihydrogenations

6 Copper(I)-Catalyzed H2-Mediated Alkyne Functionalizations; Trapping of Reactive Intermediates from Catalytic Hydrogenations

6.1 A Detour: Copper(I)-Catalyzed Allylic Reductions, Catalytic Generation of Hydride Nucleophiles from H2

6.2 Trapping with Allylic Electrophiles: A Copper(I)-Catalyzed Hydro­allylation Reaction of Alkynes

6.3 Trapping with Aryl Iodides

7 Conclusion

Chemoselective Hydrogenation of Alkynes to (Z)-Alkenes Using an Air-Stable Base Metal Catalyst

A highly selective hydrogenation of alkynes using an air-stable and readily available manganese catalyst has been achieved. The reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions and tolerates various functional groups, resulting in (Z)-alkenes and allylic alcohols in high yields. Mechanistic experiments suggest that the reaction proceeds via a bifunctional activation involving metal-ligand cooperativity.

Mononuclear Cu Complexes Based on Nitrogen Heterocyclic Carbene: A Comprehensive Review

During the last decade, organometallic, coordination, and catalytic chemistry of the three-dimensional metals such as copper (Cu) has been greatly affected by the emergence of nitrogen heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes. The NHCs, and in particular the mononuclear Cu^I-based ones, have been proven vastly useful in several applications such as in biosynthesis, catalysis, photochemistry, etc. This review tries to thoroughly describe a series of mononuclear Cu^I NHC complexes and their subcategories such as heteroleptics, and bidentate and tridentate heteroatom complexes, and give some detailed insights on their development, emergence, and applications. A brief outlook is also disclosed to enable other researchers to further develop a platform for future advances and studies in the field of Cu^I-based NHCs.

Sterically Demanding AgI and CuI N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes: Synthesis, Structures, Steric Parameters, and Catalytic Activity

The synthesis and full characterization of new air-stable AgI and CuI complexes bearing structurally bulky expanded-ring N-heterocyclic carbene (erNHC) ligands is presented. The condensation of protonated NHC salts with Ag2 O afforded a collection of AgI complexes, and their first use as ligand transfer reagents led to novel isostructural CuI or AuI complexes. In situ deprotonation of the NHC salts in the presence of a copper(I) source, provides a library of new CuI complexes. The solid-state structures feature large N-CNHC -N angles (118-128°) and almost identical angles between the aryl groups on the nitrogen atoms and the plane of the N-C-N unit of the carbene (i.e. torsion angles close to 0°). Among the steric parameters, the percent buried volume (%Vbur ) values span easily in the 50-57 % range, and that one of (9-Dipp)CuBr complex (%Vbur =57.5) overcomes to other known erNHC-metal complexes reported to date. Preliminary catalytic experiments in the copper-catalyzed coupling between N-tosylhydrazone and phenylacetylene, afforded 76-93 % product at the 0.5-2.5 mol % catalyst loading, proving the stability of CuI erNHC complexes at elevated temperatures (100 °C).

Ammonia borane as a reducing agent in organic synthesis

Ammonia borane is gaining increasing attention as a sustainable and atom-economical winning reagent for the reduction of several substrates.

Chemoselective semihydrogenation of alkynes catalyzed by manganese(i)-PNP pincer complexes

A first homogeneous manganese catalyzed chemoselective semihydrogenation of alkynes to Z-olefins in the presence of molecular hydrogen is described.

Using alcohols as simple H2-equivalents for copper-catalysed transfer semihydrogenations of alkynes

Copper(i)/N-heterocyclic carbene complexes enable a transfer semihydrogenation of alkynes employing simple and readily available alcohols such as isopropanol. The practical overall protocol circumvents the use of commonly employed high pressure equipment when using dihydrogen (H₂) on the one hand, and avoids the generation of stoichiometric silicon-based waste on the other hand, when hydrosilanes are used as terminal reductants.

Nickel-Catalyzed Stereodivergent Synthesis of E- and Z-Alkenes by Hydrogenation of Alkynes

A convenient protocol for stereodivergent hydrogenation of alkynes to E- and Z-alkenes by using nickel catalysts was developed. Simple Ni(NO3 )2 ⋅6 H2 O as a catalyst precursor formed active nanoparticles, which were effective for the semihydrogenation of several alkynes with high selectivity for the Z-alkene (Z/E>99:1). Upon addition of specific multidentate ligands (triphos, tetraphos), the resulting molecular catalysts were highly selective for the E-alkene products (E/Z>99:1). Mechanistic studies revealed that the Z-alkene-selective catalyst was heterogeneous whereas the E-alkene-selective catalyst was homogeneous. In the latter case, the alkyne was first hydrogenated to a Z-alkene, which was subsequently isomerized to the E-alkene. This proposal was supported by density functional theory calculations. This synthetic methodology was shown to be generally applicable in >40 examples and scalable to multigram-scale experiments.

N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes of Copper, Nickel, and Cobalt

The emergence of N-heterocyclic carbenes as ligands across the Periodic Table had an impact on various aspects of the coordination, organometallic, and catalytic chemistry of the 3d metals, including Cu, Ni, and Co, both from the fundamental viewpoint but also in applications, including catalysis, photophysics, bioorganometallic chemistry, materials, etc. In this review, the emergence, development, and state of the art in these three areas are described in detail.

Catalytic hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives using copper(i)/N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

A simple and air-stable copper(i)/N-heterocyclic carbene complex enables the catalytic hydrogenation of enoates and enamides, hitherto unreactive substrates employing homogeneous copper catalysis and H₂ as a terminal reducing agent.

Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Biomass-Derived Hierarchical Porous Heteroatom-Doped Carbon from Bamboo Shoots: Design, Synthesis and Applications

Heteroatom-doped porous carbon derived from biomass have recently received increasing attention due to their unique properties such as high electrical conductivity, large specific surface area, high porosity, and easy availability, which are appealing materials for versatile applications in catalysis, energy, separation and adsorption, and life sciences as well. On the basis of our previous work in this field, we summarized in this account our recent progress on design, synthesis of metal (e. g., Pd, Co) nanoparticles supported heteroatom-doped hierarchical porous carbon material derived from bamboo shoots and their applications for important organic transformations, including chemoselective semihydrogenation of alkynes, hydrosilylation of alkynes, cascade synthesis of benzofurans from terminal alkynes and iodophenols, selective hydrogenation of functionalized nitroarenes to form anilines, imines, and formamides. Finally, the current state and future challenges in this field are discussed. We hope this account could shed light on the rational design of novel non-noble metal based heterogeneous catalysts derived from biomass for efficient and sustainable organic transformations.

Mechanistic Insight Facilitates Discovery of a Mild and Efficient Copper-Catalyzed Dehydration of Primary Amides to Nitriles Using Hydrosilanes

Metal-catalyzed silylative dehydration of primary amides is an economical approach to the synthesis of nitriles. We report a copper-hydride(CuH)-catalyzed process that avoids a typically challenging 1,2-siloxane elimination step, thereby dramatically increasing the rate of the overall transformation relative to alternative metal-catalyzed systems. This new reaction proceeds at ambient temperature, tolerates a variety of metal-, acid-, or base-sensitive functional groups, and can be performed using a simple ligand, inexpensive siloxanes, and low catalyst loading.

Selective Semihydrogenation of Alkynes Catalyzed by Pd Nanoparticles Immobilized on Heteroatom-Doped Hierarchical Porous Carbon Derived from Bamboo Shoots

Highly dispersed palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) immobilized on heteroatom-doped hierarchical porous carbon supports (N,O-carbon) with large specific surface areas are synthesized by a wet chemical reduction method. The N,O-carbon derived from naturally abundant bamboo shoots is fabricated by a tandem hydrothermal-carbonization process without assistance of any templates, chemical activation reagents, or exogenous N or O sources in a simple and ecofriendly manner. The prepared Pd/N,O-carbon catalyst shows extremely high activity and excellent chemoselectivity for semihydrogenation of a broad range of alkynes to versatile and valuable alkenes under ambient conditions. The catalyst can be readily recovered for successive reuse with negligible loss in activity and selectivity, and is also applicable for practical gram-scale reactions.

Copper(i)-catalysed transfer hydrogenations with ammonia borane

Highly Z-selective alkyne transfer semihydrogenations and conjugate transfer hydrogenations of enoates can be effected by employing a readily available copper(i)/N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complex, [IPrCuOH], in combination with ammonia borane as a H₂ equivalent.

Ligand-free nickel-catalyzed semihydrogenation of alkynes with sodium borohydride: a highly efficient and selective process for cis-alkenes under ambient conditions

Highly efficient and selective semihydrogenation of alkynes has been achieved using ligand-free Ni nanoparticles and sodium borohydride under ambient conditions.

Coinage Metal Hydrides: Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity

Hydride complexes of copper, silver, and gold encompass a broad array of structures, and their distinctive reactivity has enabled dramatic recent advances in synthesis and catalysis. This Review summarizes the synthesis, characterization, and key stoichiometric reactions of isolable or observable coinage metal hydrides. It discusses catalytic processes in which coinage metal hydrides are known or probable intermediates, and presents mechanistic studies of selected catalytic reactions. The purpose of this Review is to convey how developments in coinage metal hydride chemistry have led to new organic transformations, and how developments in catalysis have in turn inspired the synthesis of reactive new complexes.