Metal-Free C-Arylation of Nitro Compounds with Diaryliodonium Salts

Reductive Homologation of Nitroalkanes via Denitrative Aminoalkylation

We present the reductive homologation of nitroalkanes through the utilization of the denitrative aminoalkylation reaction. This transformation is accomplished by the radical-radical coupling of alkyl radicals derived from nitroalkanes and persistent aminoalkyl radicals. By capitalizing on the diverse α-functionalization of nitroalkanes, α,β-multifunctionalized amines can be readily accessed.

Transition-Metal-Free C-Diarylations to Reach All-Carbon Quaternary Centers

Herein, we disclose a convenient protocol for the α-diarylation of carbon nucleophiles to yield heavily functionalized quaternary products. Diaryliodonium salts are utilized to transfer both aryl groups under transition-metal-free conditions, which enables an atom-efficient and high-yielding method with broad functional group tolerance. The methodology is amenable to a wide variety of carbon nucleophiles and can be utilized in late-stage functionalization of complex arenes. Furthermore, it is compatible with a new class of zwitterionic iodonium reagents, which gives access to phenols with an ortho-quaternary center. The diarylated products bear an ortho-iodo substituent that can be utilized in further transformations, including the formation of novel, functionalized six-membered cyclic iodonium salts.

Arylation of Diethyl Acetamidomalonate with Diaryliodonium Salts En Route to α-Arylglycines

Diethyl acetamidomalonate (DEAM) has been widely used for the synthesis of α-amino acids via C-alkylation under basic conditions followed by hydrolysis/decarboxylation. In contrast, the C-arylation of this reagent remains undeveloped. Herein, we report a novel strategy for the synthesis of racemic α-arylglycines based on the selective arylation of DEAM with diaryliodonium salts under mild, transition metal-free conditions. The reaction features good functional group tolerance and easy scalability and is applicable to the chemoselective C-H-modification of arenes including approved drugs, thus enabling a straightforward approach to complex α-arylglycines that would be challenging to make otherwise.

BODIPY(aryl)iodonium salts in the efficient synthesis of diversely functionalized BODIPYs and selective detection of serum albumin

BODIPY(aryl)iodonium salts were readily accessible from the high-yielding reaction of BODIPY with iodoarenes or hydroxyl(tosyloxy)iodoarenes in the presence of m-CPBA. The prepared BODIPY(aryl)iodonium salts bearing substituents of varied electronic nature were utilized for the direct syntheses of thiocyanate, azide, amine and acrylate functionalized BODIPYs and β,β'-bis-BODIPYs. The regioselective syntheses of α-piperidinyl and β-piperidinyl substituted BODIPYs were achieved through the reaction of BODIPY(aryl)iodonium salts with piperidine in the absence and presence of copper(I). Expeditious and high yielding (79-82%) synthesis of β,β'-bis-BODIPYs was also developed through the palladium-catalyzed reductive coupling of the easily accessible BODIPY(aryl)iodonium salts. Some of the indole-appended BODIPYs and bis-BODIPYs displayed strong absorption in the visible region (∼610 nm). The BODIPY(aryl)iodonium salts also showed significant binding with serum albumin and were observed to be selective serum protein sensors with estimated limits of detection as low as 7 μg mL-1 in some cases.

Copper-Catalyzed α-Arylation of Nitroalkanes with (Hetero)aryl Bromides/Iodides

α-Aryl substituted nitroalkanes are valuable synthetic building blocks that can be easily converted into α-aryl substituted aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, as well as amines. Herein, an efficient Cu/oxalamide-catalyzed coupling between nitroalkanes and (hetero)aryl halides (Br, I) was developed to direct access highly diverse α-aryl substituted nitroalkanes. Compared with the current state of art, this protocol is more environmentally friendly and practical for synthetic chemists. This approach is characterized by a broad substrate scope on both nitroalkane part (primary nitroalkanes and nitromethane) and sp2 halide part ((hetero)aryl bromides/iodides and alkenyl bromides/iodides). The excellent functional group tolerance was observed, which would enable real world synthetic applications. More importantly, TON of current transformation reached to 3640, when some aryl iodides were used as coupling partners. This represents currently the highest catalyst turnover for transition-metal catalyzed α-arylation of nitroalkanes. Furthermore, the successful application in late-stage modification of complex molecules and synthesis of a known retinoid X receptor (RXR) antagonist exemplified its synthetic potential.

Utilization of Aryl(TMP)iodonium Salts for Copper-Catalyzed N-Arylation of Isatoic Anhydrides: An Avenue to Fenamic Acid Derivatives and N,N'-Diarylindazol-3-ones

Herein, we report a general method for copper-catalyzed N-arylation of isatoic anhydrides with unsymmetrical iodonium salts at room temperature. The developed catalytic protocol is mild and operationally simple, and aryl(TMP)iodonium trifluoroacetate is employed as the arylating partner. The methodology offers the broad applicability of both structurally and electronically diverse aryl groups from aryl(TMP)iodonium salts to access N-arylated isatoic anhydrides in moderate to excellent yields (53-92%). Moreover, the substituted isatoic anhydrides are equally compatible with the protocol too. To demonstrate the synthetic utilities of the N-arylation process, we also report an alternative approach for biologically relevant fenamic acid derivatives and N,N'-diarylindazol-3-ones in a one-pot step economical system. In addition, the scale-up synthesis of flufenamic acid is also illustrated.

Synthesis of Cyclic and Acyclic ortho-Aryloxy Diaryliodonium Salts for Chemoselective Functionalizations

Two regioselective, high-yielding one-pot routes to oxygen-bridged cyclic diaryliodonium salts and ortho-aryloxy-substituted acyclic diaryliodonium salts are presented. Starting from easily available ortho-iodo diaryl ethers, complete selectivity in formation of either the cyclic or acyclic product could be achieved by varying the reaction conditions. The complimentary reactivities of these novel ortho-oxygenated iodonium salts were demonstrated through a series of chemoselective arylations under metal-catalyzed and metal-free conditions, to deliver a range of novel, ortho-functionalized diaryl ether derivatives.

Metal-Free Regioselective N2-Arylation of 1H-Tetrazoles with Diaryliodonium Salts

We describe a simple, metal-free regioselective N²-arylation strategy for 5-substituted-1H-tetrazoles with diaryliodonium salts to access 2-aryl-5-substituted-tetrazoles. Diaryliodonium salts with a wide range of both electron-rich and previously challenged electron-deficient aryl groups are applicable in this method. Diversely functionalized tetrazoles are tolerable also. We have devised a one-pot system to synthesize 2,5-diaryl-tetrazoles directly from nitriles. The synthetic utility of this method is furthered extended to late-stage arylation of two biologically active molecules.

Diaryliodonium(III) Salts in One-Pot Double Functionalization of C–IIII and ortho C–H Bonds

Since the 1950s, diaryliodonium(III) salts have been demonstrated to participate in various arylation reactions, forming aryl–heteroatom and aryl–carbon bonds. Incorporating the arylation step into sequential transformations would provide access to...

Utilization of Unsymmetric Diaryliodonium Salts in α-Arylation of α-Fluoroacetoacetamides

The use of unsymmetric diaryliodonium salts as a versatile class of arylating agents has been demonstrated by developing a novel strategy to quickly access α-arylated α-fluoroacetoacetamides. The protocol provides a convenient metal-free method for the α-arylation of a diverse class of fluorinated acetoacetamides, and the products are obtained in good yields. The strategy, upon use of electron-deficient diaryliodonium salts as an arylating agent, provides α-fluoroacetamides through a spontaneous arylation/deacylation cascade.

Metal-free α-arylation of α-fluoro-α-nitroacetamides employing diaryliodonium salts

Herein, we present a mild and efficient metal-free arylation of α-fluoro-α-nitroacetamides employing diaryliodonium salts. A broad range of diaryliodonium salts and α-fluoro-α-nitroacetamides containing sensitive functional groups was successfully employed in this protocol to yield the arylated products in good yields. The synthetic value of this novel protocol was further highlighted by extending the α-arylation to α-cyano-α-fluoroacetamides.

Comprehension of the α-Arylation of Nitroalkanes

Background:

α-Aryl substituted nitroalkanes are important synthetic intermediates for the preparation of pharmaceutical molecules, natural products, and functional materials. Due to their scare existence in Nature, synthesis of these compounds has attracted the attention of synthetic and medicinal chemists, rendering α-arylation of nitroalkanes of an important research topic. This article summarizes the important advances of α- arylation of nitroalkanes since 1963.

Results:

After a brief introduction of the synthetic application and the reactions of nitroalkanes, this article reviewed the synthetic methods for the α-arylated aliphatic nitro compound. The amount of research on α-arylation of nitroalkanes using various arylation reagents and the discovery of elegant synthetic approaches towards such skeleton have been discussed. This review described these advances in two sections. One is the arylation of non-activated nitroalkanes, with an emphasis on the application of diverse arylation reagents; the other focuses on the arylation of activated nitroalkanes, including dinitroalkanes, trinitroalkanes, α-nitrosulfones, α-nitroesters, α-nitrotoluenes, and α-nitroketones. The synthetic application of these methods has also been presented in some cases.

Conclusion:

In this review, we described the progress of α-arylation of nitroalkanes. Although the immense amount of research on α-arylation of aliphatic nitro compounds has been achieved, many potential issues still need to be addressed, especially the asymmetric transformation and its wide application in organic synthesis.

Hypervalent iodine reactions utilized in carbon–carbon bond formations

This review covers recent developments of hypervalent iodine chemistry in dearomatizations, radicals, hypervalent iodine-guided electrophilic substitution, arylations, photoredox, and more.

Transition-metal-free α-arylation of nitroketones with diaryliodonium salts for the synthesis of tertiary α-aryl, α-nitro ketones

Transition-metal-free α-arylation of α-nitroketones with diaryliodonium salts has been developed for the first time and applied in the synthesis of tiletamine.

N-Arylations of trifluoromethylated N-acylhydrazones with diaryliodonium salts as arylation reagents

A novel and efficient N-arylation of trifluoromethylated N-acylhydrazones is described by using diaryliodonium salts as arylation reagents in the presence of copper salts. A wide variety of N-aryl acylhydrazones are obtained with good to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions.

Copper-Catalyzed Indole-Selective C-N Coupling Reaction of Indolyl(2-alkoxy-phenyl)iodonium Imides: Effect of Substituent on Iodoarene as Dummy Ligand

A monoalkoxy phenyl group as a dummy ligand on indolyl(aryl)iodonium imides, which is related to the N-I bonding hypervalent iodine(III) compound, for the copper-catalyzed indole-selective C-N coupling reaction was designed to provide 3-bissulfonimido-indole derivatives in high yields. In particular, the use of indolyl(2-butoxylphenyl)iodonium bissulfonimides indicated the high indole selectivity. Furthermore, this reaction was applied for the one-pot synthesis of 3-bissulfonimido-indole derivatives directly from indoles with bissulfonimides and (diacetoxyiodo)-2-butoxybenzene in the presence of Cu(MeCN)₄BF₄ catalyst.

Base-Catalyzed 1,6-Conjugate Addition of Nitroalkanes to p-Quinone Methides under Continuous Flow

A mild base-catalyzed protocol for the synthesis of substituted nitroalkane derivatives has been developed under continuous flow using a microreaction technique. This transformation basically involves the 1,6-conjugate addition of nitroalkanes to p-quinone methides, leading to the substituted nitroalkanes in good to excellent yields.

One-pot synthesis of diaryliodonium salts from arenes and aryl iodides with Oxone-sulfuric acid

A facile synthesis of diaryliodonium salts utilizing Oxone as versatile and cheap oxidant has been developed. This method shows wide applicability and can be used for the preparation of iodonium salts containing electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups in good yields. In addition, this procedure can be applied to the preparation of symmetric iodonium salts directly from arenes via a one-pot iodination-oxidation sequence.

Additive-Free Pd-Catalysed C-2 Arylation of Tryptophan Derivatives with Diaryliodonium Salts

An efficient, mild and Pd-catalysed C-2 arylation of Fmoc-L-tryptophan with diaryliodonium salts has been developed, giving easy access to C-2 arylated tryptophan derivatives. This protocol tolerates a variety of functional groups and proceeds smoothly in high yields without any additives. In addition, the chemoseletive C–H arylation with unsymmetrical salts is described.

Metal-free regioselective formation of C-N and C-O bonds with the utilization of diaryliodonium salts in water: facile synthesis of N-arylquinolones and aryloxyquinolines

Regioselective construction of crucial C-N and C-O bonds leading to N-arylquinolones and aryloxyquinolines has been accomplished by employing easily accessible diaryliodonium salts and quinolones in water under metal- and ligand-free conditions. This operationally simple strategy is significant due to mild reaction conditions, high product yields, recyclability of released iodoarenes and scalability to the gram level. The practical utility of the developed protocol was proved by the arylation of medicinally important heterocycles like acridin-9(10H)-one, 3-methylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one and 1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2(3H)-one.

Transition metal-free, chemoselective arylation of thioamides yielding aryl thioimidates orN-aryl thioamides

A highlyS-selective arylation of thioamides provided efficient access to aryl thioimidates.

Competing Pathways in O-Arylations with Diaryliodonium Salts: Mechanistic Insights

A mechanistic study of arylations of aliphatic alcohols and hydroxide with diaryliodonium salts, to give alkyl aryl ethers and diaryl ethers, has been performed using experimental techniques and DFT calculations. Aryne intermediates have been trapped, and additives to avoid by-product formation originating from arynes have been found. An alcohol oxidation pathway was observed in parallel to arylation; this is suggested to proceed by an intramolecular mechanism. Product formation pathways via ligand coupling and arynes have been compared, and 4-coordinated transition states were found to be favored in reactions with alcohols. Furthermore, a novel, direct nucleophilic substitution pathway has been identified in reactions with electron-deficient diaryliodonium salts.

Aryl Transfer Selectivity in Metal-Free Reactions of Unsymmetrical Diaryliodonium Salts

Aromatic rings are found in a wide variety of products, including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and functional materials. Diaryliodonium salts are new reagents used to transfer aryl groups under both metal-free and metal-catalyzed reactions and thereby synthesize arene-containing compounds. This minireview focuses on recent studies in selective aryl transfer reactions from unsymmetrical diaryliodonium salts under metal-free conditions. Reactions reported from 2007 to 2017, which represents a period of significant growth in diaryliodonium salt chemistry, are presented and organized by the type of reactive intermediate formed in the reaction. Specifically, reactions involving λ³ -iodane, λ³ -iodane radical anions, aryl radicals, and arynes are discussed. Chemoselectivity trends in aryl transfer are compared and contrasted across reaction intermediates and translation to potential auxiliaries are posited.

AlCl3 catalyzed coupling of N-benzylic sulfonamides with 2-substituted cyanoacetates through carbon-nitrogen bond cleavage

A new cross-coupling reaction of N-benzylic sulfonamides with 2-substituted cyanoacetates for the synthesis of 2-substituted benzylbenzene was reported. In the presence of AlCl₃, a broad range of N-benzylic sulfonamides reacted smoothly with 2-substituted cyanoacetates to afford structurally diverse benzylbenzenes in moderate to excellent yields. The conversion could be enlarged to gram-scale efficiently. The practicability of this approach was further manifested in the synthesis of a related bioactive agent with high anti-inflammatory activity.

AgNO3-catalyzed direct C–H arylation of quinolines by oxidative decarboxylation of aromatic carboxylic acids

AgNO₃-catalyzed direct C–H arylation of quinolines by oxidative decarboxylation of aromatic carboxylic acids to afford aryl quinoline derivatives in moderate yields was described.

A copper-catalyzed arylation/nucleophilic addition/fragmentation/C–S bond formation cascade: synthesis of bis(arylthio)imines

A new arylation/nucleophilic addition/fragmentation/C–S bond formation cascade was developed using isothiocyanates and diaryliodonium salts.

Unsymmetrical Aryl(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)iodonium Salts: One-Pot Synthesis, Scope, Stability, and Synthetic Studies

Diaryliodonium salts have recently attracted significant attention as metal-free-arylation reagents in organic synthesis, and efficient access to these salts is critical for advancement of their use in reaction discovery and development. The trimethoxybenzene-derived auxiliary is a promising component of unsymmetrical variants, yet access remains limited. Here, a one-pot synthesis of aryl(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)iodonium salts from aryl iodides, m-CPBA, p-toluenesulfonic acid, and trimethoxybenzene is described. Optimization of the reaction conditions for this one-pot synthesis was enabled by the method of multivariate analysis. The reaction is fast (<1 h), provides a high yield of product (>85% average), and has broad substrate scope (>25 examples) including elaborate aryl iodides. The utility of these reagents is demonstrated in moderate to high yielding arylation reactions with C-, N-, O-, and S-nucleophiles including the synthesis of a liquid crystal molecule.

Enantioselective Oxidative Rearrangements with Chiral Hypervalent Iodine Reagents

A stereoselective hypervalent iodine‐promoted oxidative rearrangement of 1,1‐disubstituted alkenes has been developed. This practically simple protocol provides access to enantioenriched α‐arylated ketones without the use of transition metals from readily accessible alkenes.

Highly Diastereoselective Michael Reactions Using β-Nitrocarbonyl Nucleophiles

We have discovered a highly diastereoselective Michael reaction of α-substituted, β-nitrocarbonyl compounds to deliver highly functionalized stereodiads containing fully substituted nitrogen-bearing centers. Good to excellent yields and diastereoselectivities are observed. This transformation is tolerant of various types of carbonyl groups on the nucleophilic partner, as well as a range of unsaturated electrophiles. Mechanistic investigations are consistent with internal hydrogen bonding in the nitroalkane tautomer as the major factor in the control of diastereoselectivity in these transformations.

K2S2O8-mediated metal-free direct C–H functionalization of quinones using arylboronic acids

Direct C–H functionalization of quinones with arylboronic acids is achieved using K₂S₂O₈ as the sole and efficient green catalytic system.