Cross-Dehydrogenative N-N Coupling of Aromatic and Aliphatic Methoxyamides with Benzotriazoles

Iridium-catalyzed tandem olefination/aza-Michael reaction: rapid access to N-N functionalized hydrazides

An Ir-catalyzed tandem olefination/aza-Michael reaction of protected benzoylhydrazine derivatives with olefins under mild conditions has been developed. This method can be successfully applied to the construction of various structurally N-N-functionalized hydrazide derivatives bearing the α,β-unsaturated side chain in good to excellent yields. In particular, the deaminoprotected products can be used as potential precursors for the construction of N-N axially chiral compounds.

Recent Developments and Challenges in the Enzymatic Formation of Nitrogen-Nitrogen Bonds

The biological formation of nitrogen-nitrogen (N-N) bonds represents intriguing reactions that have attracted much attention in the past decade. This interest has led to an increasing number of N-N bond-containing natural products (NPs) and related enzymes that catalyze their formation (referred to in this review as NNzymes) being elucidated and studied in greater detail. While more detailed information on the biosynthesis of N-N bond-containing NPs, which has only become available in recent years, provides an unprecedented source of biosynthetic enzymes, their potential for biocatalytic applications has been minimally explored. With this review, we aim not only to provide a comprehensive overview of both characterized NNzymes and hypothetical biocatalysts with putative N-N bond forming activity, but also to highlight the potential of NNzymes from a biocatalytic perspective. We also present and compare conventional synthetic approaches to linear and cyclic hydrazines, hydrazides, diazo- and nitroso-groups, triazenes, and triazoles to allow comparison with enzymatic routes via NNzymes to these N-N bond-containing functional groups. Moreover, the biosynthetic pathways as well as the diversity and reaction mechanisms of NNzymes are presented according to the direct functional groups currently accessible to these enzymes.

Recent Progress in Synthetic Applications of Hypervalent Iodine(III) Reagents

Hypervalent iodine(III) compounds have found wide application in modern organic chemistry as environmentally friendly reagents and catalysts. Hypervalent iodine reagents are commonly used in synthetically important halogenations, oxidations, aminations, heterocyclizations, and various oxidative functionalizations of organic substrates. Iodonium salts are important arylating reagents, while iodonium ylides and imides are excellent carbene and nitrene precursors. Various derivatives of benziodoxoles, such as azidobenziodoxoles, trifluoromethylbenziodoxoles, alkynylbenziodoxoles, and alkenylbenziodoxoles have found wide application as group transfer reagents in the presence of transition metal catalysts, under metal-free conditions, or using photocatalysts under photoirradiation conditions. Development of hypervalent iodine catalytic systems and discovery of highly enantioselective reactions using chiral hypervalent iodine compounds represent a particularly important recent achievement in the field of hypervalent iodine chemistry. Chemical transformations promoted by hypervalent iodine in many cases are unique and cannot be performed by using any other common, non-iodine-based reagent. This review covers literature published mainly in the last 7-8 years, between 2016 and 2024.

Oxidative N-N Bond Formation Versus the Curtius Rearrangement

The oxidative formation of N-N bonds from primary amides has been recently reported and then retracted in the journal Nature Communications by Kathiravan, Nicholls, and co-authors, utilizing a hypervalent iodane reagent. Unfortunately, the authors failed to recognize the Curtius reaction taking place under the described reaction conditions. Thus, the claimed N-N coupling products were not formed. Instead, the Curtius rearrangement urea coupling products were obtained. We demonstrate this herein by means of NMR and x-ray analysis, as well as with the support of an alternative synthetic route.

PIFA-mediated intramolecular N-arylation of 2-aminoquinoxalines to afford indolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline derivatives

We present the PIFA-mediated intramolecular N-arylation of 2-aminoquinoxalines at room temperature for the first time. This method provides a wide range of indolo[2,3-b]quinoxalines in good to excellent yields within a short time. The C-H bond functionalization occurs without the need for an inert atmosphere or additives. Additionally, a double C-H bond functionalization was observed, where the first reaction forms a C-N bond (N-arylation) and the second forms a C-O bond, yielding an acetal-functionalized product. Mechanistic investigations suggest that the C-H bond functionalization proceeds through an ionic mechanism, whereas acetal functionalization follows a radical pathway. This method extends to the derivation of indoloquinoxalines, including the target compound BIQMCz.

Desulfurdioxidative N-N Coupling of N-Arylhydroxylamines and N-Sulfinylanilines: Reaction Development and Mechanism

A highly efficient and chemoselective approach for the divergent assembling of unsymmetrical hydrazines through an unprecedented intermolecular desulfurdioxidative N-N coupling is developed. This metal free protocol employs readily accessible N-arylhydroxylamines and N-sulfinylanilines to provide highly valuable hydrazine products with good reaction yields and excellent functional group tolerance under simple conditions. Computational studies suggest that the in situ generated O-sulfenylated arylhydroxylamine intermediate undergoes a retro-[2π+2σ] cycloaddition via a stepwise diradical mechanism to form the N-N bond and release SO2.

Metal free cross-dehydrogenative N-N coupling of primary amides with Lewis basic amines

Hydrazides, N-N containing structural motifs, are important due to their presence in a wide variety of biologically significant compounds. While the homo N-N coupling of two NH moieties to form the hydrazide N-N bond is well developed, the cross-dehydrogenative hetero N-N coupling remains very unevolved. Here we present an efficient intermolecular N-N cross-coupling of a series of primary benzamides with broad range of Lewis basic primary and secondary amines using PhI(OAc)2 as both a terminal oxidant and a cross-coupling mediator, without the need for metal catalysts, high temperatures, and inert atmospheres, and with substantial potential for use in the late-stage functionalization of drugs.

Photoredox-Catalyzed Hydroacylation of Azobenzenes with Carboxylic Acids

Acyl hydrazides are widely found in bioactive compounds and have important applications as versatile synthetic intermediates. In the current report, a photoredox-catalyzed hydroacylation of azobenzenes was disclosed with carboxylic acids as the acylation reagent, affording a variety of N,N'-disubstituted hydrazides. The process possesses the advantages of mild reaction conditions, broad substrate scope, and high efficiency. Preliminary mechanistic investigation indicated that the addition of an acyl radical to the azo compound should be involved.

Rhodium-catalyzed annulation of hydrazines with vinylene carbonate to synthesize unsubstituted 1-aminoindole derivatives

Herein, we describe rhodium-catalysed C-H bond activation for [3 + 2] annulation using hydrazide and vinylene carbonate, providing an efficient method for synthesising unsubstituted 1-aminoindole compounds. Characterised by high yields, mild reaction conditions, and no need for external oxidants, this transformation demonstrates excellent regioselectivity and a wide tolerance for various functional groups.

Photoinduced Difunctionalization of Diazenes Enabled by N-N Radical Coupling

In this study, a metal-free difunctionalization strategy for diazenes was developed using a range of bifunctionalization reagents. This strategy involves a unique N(sp3)-N(sp2) radical coupling between the hydrazine radical and the imine radical. More than 30 triazane core motifs were constructed by installing imines and various functional groups, including alkyl, phenyl, cyanoalkyl, and sulfonyl groups, on both ends of the nitrogen-nitrogen bond of diazenes in an efficient manner.

Metal-free C-3 selective C(sp2)-C(sp3) heteroarylation of anilines with imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives via cross-dehydrogenative coupling

A general and straightforward method for the regioselective construction of C-3 heteroaryl-containing imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines via cross-dehydrogenative coupling under transition-metal-free conditions has been reported, utilizing N,N-dimethylaniline as the methylenation source and furnishing the C(sp²)-C(sp³) functionalized products in good to excellent yields. Mechanism studies indicate that a radical pathway is responsible for this transformation.

Development of a Nickel-Catalyzed N-N Coupling for the Synthesis of Hydrazides

A nickel-catalyzed N-N cross-coupling for the synthesis of hydrazides is reported. O-Benzoylated hydroxamates were efficiently coupled with a broad range of aryl and aliphatic amines via nickel catalysis to form hydrazides in an up to 81% yield. Experimental evidence implicates the intermediacy of electrophilic Ni-stabilized acyl nitrenoids and the formation of a Ni(I) catalyst via silane-mediated reduction. This report constitutes the first example of an intermolecular N-N coupling compatible with secondary aliphatic amines.

Emerging trends in the sustainable synthesis of N-N bond bearing organic scaffolds

N-N bond bearing organic frameworks such as azos, hydrazines, indazoles, triazoles and their structural moieties have piqued the interest of organic chemists due to the intrinsic nitrogen electronegativity. Recent methodologies with atom efficacy and a greener approach have overcome the synthetic obstacles of N-N bond construction from N-H. As a result, a wide range of amine oxidation methods have been reported early on. This review's vision emphasizes the emerging methods of N-N bond formation, particularly photo, electro, organo and transition metal free chemical methods.

N2-Selective β-Thioalkylation of Benzotriazoles with Alkenes

Herein, N²-selective β-thioalkylation of benzotriazoles with unactivated alkenes and styrenes is reported. The N²-selective β-thioalkylation of benzotriazoles is highly stereospecific and works under simple and mild conditions, exhibiting excellent functional group tolerance. The high N²-selectivity is a consequence of the combination of hydrogen bonding and Lewis acid/base activation, which reverses the N²-position to be favored for alkylation.

Domino Aza-Annulations of Enynyl-/(Alkynyl)aryl-acetonitriles to Access Nitrogen-Enriched Heterocycles

Unprecedented domino aza-annulations of (E)-2-en-4-ynyl-acetonitriles (generated from the Morita-Baylis-Hillman acetates of propiolaldehydes for the first time) with sodium azide under metal- and oxidant-free conditions for the assembly of triazolo-pyridines are accomplished. The developed strategy offers broad substrate scope, extending to (2-alkynyl)aryl and indolyl-acetonitriles to provide the corresponding triazolo-fused isoquinolines and β-carbolines, respectively, in good yields. Additionally, the synthetic utility of the products is demonstrated via denitrogenative coupling of fused triazoles with different nucleophiles.

Visible Light-Promoted Diazoacetates and Nitriles Generating Nitrilium Ions Trapped by Benzotriazoles and Carboxylic Acids

A visible light-promoted generation of nitrilium ions from diazoacetates and nitriles has been developed. The reaction utilized visible light transformation of diazoacetates to the free carbene that could be trapped by nitriles to generate nitrilium ions, followed by nucleophilic attack on the benzotriazoles and carboxylic acids. This protocol provides an efficient and practical approach to N-imidoylbenzotriazoles and diacylglycine esters in good to excellent yields.

Updates on hypervalent-iodine reagents in metal-free organic synthesis

Hypervalent iodine (HVI) chemistry is a rapidly growing subdomain of contemporary organic chemistry because of its enormous synthetic applications. The high nucleofugality of the phenyliodonio group (I+Ph) and their radical...

Cross-dehydrogenative N-N couplings

The relatively high electronegativity of nitrogen makes N-N bond forming cross-coupling reactions particularly difficult, especially in an intermolecular fashion. The challenge increases even further when considering the case of dehydrogenative N-N coupling reactions, which are advantageous in terms of step and atom economy, but introduce the problem of the oxidant in order to become thermodynamically feasible. Indeed, the oxidizing system must be designed to activate the target N-H bonds, while at the same time avoid undesired N-N homocoupling as well as C-N and C-C coupled side products. Thus, preciously few intermolecular hetero N-N cross-dehydrogenative couplings exist, in spite of the central importance of N-N bonds in organic chemistry. This review aims at analyzing these few rare cases and provides a perspective for future developments.

Photo-Induced N-N Coupling of o-Nitrobenzyl Alcohols and Indolines To Give N-Aryl-1-amino Indoles

A novel method to synthesize N-aryl-1-amino indoles was established by the photoinduced N-N coupling reaction. This protocol is by treatment of o-nitrobenzyl alcohols and indolines in the presence of TEAI and acetic acid with a 24 W ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diode (LED) (385-405 nm) irradiation. The products bearing an aldehyde group can be further transformed to fluorescent probes based on Rhodamine 6G derivative 11, which shows a high specificity and sensitivity for Fe³⁺.