Sustainable HandaPhos-ppm Palladium Technology for Copper-Free Sonogashira Couplings in Water under Mild Conditions

Aqueous Micelles as Solvent, Ligand, and Reaction Promoter in Catalysis

Water is considered to be the most sustainable and safest solvent. Micellar catalysis is a significant contributor to the chemistry in water. It promotes pathways involving water-sensitive intermediates and transient catalytic species under micelles' shielding effect while also replacing costly ligands and dipolar-aprotic solvents. However, there is a lack of critical information about micellar catalysis. This includes why it works better than traditional catalysis in organic solvents, why specific rules in micellar catalysis differ from those of conventional catalysis, and how the limitations of micellar catalysis can be addressed in the future. This Perspective aims to highlight the current gaps in our understanding of micellar catalysis and provide an analysis of designer surfactants' origin and essential components. This will also provide a fundamental understanding of micellar catalysis, including how aqueous micelles can simultaneously perform multiple functions such as solvent, ligand, and reaction promoter.

Micellar Catalysis as a Tool for C-H Bond Functionalization toward C-C Bond Formation

Micelles generated upon dissolving surfactants in water can be employed as nanovessels for catalytic transformations, in the so-called micellar catalysis methodology. This review is focused on the use of micellar catalysis in the context of the catalytic functionalization of carbon-hydrogen bonds. The micelles accumulate catalyst and reactants in their inner volume in such a high local concentration that kinetics are favored. The consequence is that, in most cases, processes that in conventional organic solvents require high temperatures and long reaction times are achieved in milder conditions when micellar catalysis is employed.

Assessing the environmental benefit of palladium-based single-atom heterogeneous catalysts for Sonogashira coupling

The Pd-Cu catalysed Sonogashira coupling of terminal alkynes and aryl halides is a cornerstone synthetic strategy for C-C bond formation. Homogeneous organometallic systems conventionally applied are typically not reusable and require efficient downstream Pd removal steps for product purification, making it challenging to fully recover the precious metal. A holistic cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) unveils that process footprint can be improved up to two orders of magnitude from repeated catalyst reuse. New classes of heterogeneous catalysts based on isolated metal atoms (single-atom catalysts, SACs) demonstrate promising potential to synergise the benefits of solid and molecular catalysts for efficient Pd utilisation. Here we show that using Pd atoms anchored on nitrogen-doped carbon permits full recovery of the metal and reuse of the catalyst over multiple cycles. A hybrid process using the Pd-SAC with a homogeneous CuI cocatalyst is more effective than a fully heterogeneous analogue based on a bimetallic Pd-Cu SAC, which deactivates severely due to copper leaching. In some scenarios, the LCA-based metrics demonstrate the footprint of the hybrid homogeneous-heterogeneous catalytic process is leaner than the purely homogeneous counterpart already upon single reuse. Combining LCA with experimental evaluation will be a useful guide to the implementation of solid, reusable catalysts for sustainable organic transformations.

Noncovalent Assembly and Catalytic Activity of Hybrid Materials Based on Pd Complexes Adsorbed on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene, and Graphene Nanoplatelets

Green catalysts with excellent performance in Cu-free Sonogashira coupling reactions can be prepared by the supramolecular decoration of graphene surfaces with Pd(II) complexes. Here we report the synthesis, characterization, and catalytic properties of new catalysts obtained by the surface decoration of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), graphene (G), and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPTs) with Pd(II) complexes of tetraaza-macrocyclic ligands bearing one or two anchor functionalities. The decoration of these carbon surfaces takes place under environmentally friendly conditions (water, room temperature, aerobic) in two steps: (i) π–π stacking attachment of the ligand via electron-poor anchor group 6-amino-3,4-dihydro-3-methyl-5-nitroso-4-oxo-pyrimidine and (ii) Pd(II) coordination from PdCl₄^2–. Ligands are more efficiently adsorbed on the flat surfaces of G and GNPTs than on the curved surfaces of MWCNTs. All catalysts work very efficiently under mild conditions (50 °C, aerobic, 7 h), giving a similar high yield (90% or greater) in the coupling of iodobenzene with phenylacetylene to form diphenylacetylene in one catalytic cycle, but catalysts based on G and GNPTs (especially on GNPTs) provide greater catalytic efficiency in reuse (four cycles). The study also revealed that the active centers of the ligand-Pd type decorating the support surfaces are much more efficient than the Pd(0) and PdCl₄^2– centers sharing the same surfaces. All of the results allow a better understanding of the structural factors to be controlled in order to obtain an optimal efficiency from similar catalysts based on graphene supports.

Green catalysts with high efficiency in the Cu-free Sonogashira C−C coupling reactions can be prepared by the supramolecular functionalization of carbon materials.

Pd-Catalyzed Cross-Couplings: On the Importance of the Catalyst Quantity Descriptors, mol % and ppm

This Review examines parts per million (ppm) palladium concentrations in catalytic cross-coupling reactions and their relationship with mole percentage (mol %). Most studies in catalytic cross-coupling chemistry have historically focused on the concentration ratio between (pre)catalyst and the limiting reagent (substrate), expressed as mol %. Several recent papers have outlined the use of “ppm level” palladium as an alternative means of describing catalytic cross-coupling reaction systems. This led us to delve deeper into the literature to assess whether “ppm level” palladium is a practically useful descriptor of catalyst quantities in palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. Indeed, we conjectured that many reactions could, unknowingly, have employed low “ppm levels” of palladium (pre)catalyst, and generally, what would the spread of ppm palladium look like across a selection of studies reported across the vast array of the cross-coupling chemistry literature. In a few selected examples, we have examined other metal catalyst systems for comparison with palladium.

The Potential of Micellar Media in the Synthesis of DNA-Encoded Libraries

DNA‐encoded library (DEL) technology has become widely used in drug discovery research. The construction of DELs requires robust organic transformations that proceed in aqueous media under mild conditions. Unfortunately, the application of water as reaction medium for organic synthesis is not evident due to the generally limited solubility of organic reagents. However, the use of surfactants can offer a solution to this issue. Oil‐in‐water microemulsions formed by surfactant micelles are able to localize hydrophobic reagents inside them, resulting in high local concentrations of the organic substances in an otherwise poorly solvated environment. This review provides a conceptual and critical summary of micellar synthesis possibilities that are well suited to DEL synthesis. Existing examples of micellar DEL approaches, together with a selection of micellar organic transformations fundamentally suitable for DEL are discussed.

An oxygen-bridged bimetallic [Cu–O–Se] catalyst for Sonogashira cross-coupling

Oxygen bridged bimetallic CuSeO3·2H2O catalyst is used for Sonogashira cross-coupling under ligand free condition. Catalyst is free from palladium up to 0.2 ppm.

Recent Progress of Metal Nanoparticle Catalysts for C–C Bond Forming Reactions

Over the past few decades, the use of transition metal nanoparticles (NPs) in catalysis has attracted much attention and their use in C–C bond forming reactions constitutes one of their most important applications. A huge variety of metal NPs, which have showed high catalytic activity for C–C bond forming reactions, have been developed up to now. Many kinds of stabilizers, such as inorganic materials, magnetically recoverable materials, porous materials, organic–inorganic composites, carbon materials, polymers, and surfactants have been utilized to develop metal NPs catalysts. This review classified and outlined the categories of metal NPs by the type of support.

A Waste-Minimized Approach to Cassar-Heck Reaction Based on POLITAG-Pd0 Heterogeneous Catalyst and Recoverable Acetonitrile Azeotrope

Three different Pd0 -based heterogeneous catalysts were developed and tested in the Cassar-Heck reaction (i. e., copper-free Sonogashira reaction) aiming at the definition of a waste minimized protocol. The cross-linked polymeric supports used in this investigation were designed to be adequate for different reaction media and were decorated with different pincer-type ionic ligands having the role of stabilizing the formation and dimension of palladium nanoparticles. Among the ionic tags tested, bis-imidazolium showed the best performances in terms of efficiency and durability of the metal catalytic system. Eventually, aqueous acetonitrile azeotrope was selected as the reaction medium as it allowed the best catalytic efficiency combined with easy recovery and reuse. Finally, the synergy between the selected catalyst and reaction medium allowed to obtain highly satisfactory isolated yields of a variety of substrates while using a low amount of metal catalyst. The high performance of the designed POLymeric Ionic TAG (POLITAG)-Pd0 , along with its good selectivity achieved in a copper-free process, also led to a simplified purification procedure allowing the minimization of the waste generated as also proven by the very low E-factor values (1.4-5) associated.

Selective photoredox direct arylations of aryl bromides in water in a microfluidic reactor

Carrying out photoredox direct arylation couplings between aryl halides and aryls in aqueous solutions of surfactants enables unprecedented selectivity with respect to the competing dehalogenation process, thanks to the partition coefficient of the selected sacrificial base. The use of a microfluidic reactor dramatically improves the reaction time, without eroding the yields and selectivity. The design of a metal free sensitizer, which also acts as the surfactant, sizeably improves the overall sustainability of arylation reactions and obviates the need for troublesome purification from traces of metal catalysts. The generality of the method is investigated over a range of halides carrying a selection of electron withdrawing and electron donating substituents.

Synthesis of Sulfonamide-Based Ynamides and Ynamines in Water

Ynamides, though relatively more stable than ynamines, are still moisture-sensitive and prone to hydration especially under acidic and heating conditions. Here we report an environmentally benign, robust protocol to synthesize sulfonamide-based ynamides and arylynamines via Sonogashira coupling reactions in water, using a readily available quaternary ammonium salt as the surfactant.

Synthesis of Conjugated Polymers by Sustainable Suzuki Polycondensation in Water and under Aerobic Conditions

Conjugated semiconducting polymers are key materials enabling plastic (opto)electronic devices. Research in the field has a generally strong focus on the constant improvement of backbone structure and the resulting properties. Comparatively fewer studies are devoted to improving the sustainability of the synthetic route that leads to a material under scrutiny. Exemplified by the two established and commercially available luminescent polymers poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-alt-bithiophene) (PF8T2) and poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-alt-benzothiadiazole) (PF8BT), this work describes the first examples of efficient Suzuki-Miyaura polycondensations in water, under ambient environment, with minimal amount of organic solvent and with moderate heating. The synthetic approach enables a reduction of the E-factor (mass of organic waste/mass of product) by 1 order of magnitude, without negatively affecting molecular weight, dispersity, chemical structure, or photochemical stability of PF8T2 or PF8BT.

Designing Homogeneous Copper-Free Sonogashira Reaction through a Prism of Pd-Pd Transmetalation

Simultaneous introduction of two different palladium (pre)catalysts, one tuned to promote oxidative addition to (hetero)aryl bromide and another to activate terminal alkyne substrate, leads to productive Pd–Pd transmetalation, subsequent reductive elimination, and formation of disubstituted alkyne. This conceptually novel rational design of copper-free Sonogashira reaction enabled facile identification of the reaction conditions, suitable for the synthesis of alkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl substituted alkynes at room temperature with as low as 0.125 mol % total Pd loading.

Sustainable ppm level palladium-catalyzed aminations in nanoreactors under mild, aqueous conditions

A 1 : 1 Pd : ligand complex, [t-BuXPhos(Pd-π-cinnamyl)]OTf, has been identified as a highly robust pre-catalyst for amination reactions leading to diarylamines, where loadings of metal are typically at 1000 ppm Pd, run in water at temperatures between rt and 45 °C. The protocol is exceptionally simple, is readily scaled, and compares very favorably vs. traditional amination conditions. It has also been shown to successfully lead to key intermediates associated with several physiologically active compounds.

Coolade. A Low-Foaming Surfactant for Organic Synthesis in Water

Several types of reduction reactions in organic synthesis are performed under aqueous micellar-catalysis conditions (in water at ambient temperature), which produce a significant volume of foam owing to the combination of the surfactant and the presence of gas evolution. The newly engineered surfactant "Coolade" minimizes this important technical issue owing to its low-foaming properties. Coolade is the latest in a series of designer surfactants specifically tailored to enable organic synthesis in water. This study reports the synthesis of this new surfactant along with its applications to gas-involving reactions.

Shielding Effect of Micelle for Highly Effective and Selective Monofluorination of Indoles in Water

Highly selective direct monofluorination of indoles and arenes was developed through an approach that allows site-specific solubility of substrate and fluorine source in the micelle. This approach was highly selective for a broad range of substrates with excellent functional group tolerance. Differences in binding constant and solubility of indoles and arenes in the micelle allowed the fine-tuning of selectivity. Control experiments suggested a radical pathway and provided insight into the role of micelles of the environmentally benign amphiphile PS-750-M. Dynamic light scattering experiments strongly indicated the site-specific solubility of the substrate and fluorine source. The methodology was successfully adapted to gram scale, and the E-factor established from a recycle study indicated that the process is environmentally responsible and sustainable.

Micellar Catalysis for Ruthenium(II)-Catalyzed C-H Arylation: Weak-Coordination-Enabled C-H Activation in H2 O

Chemoselective C-H arylations were accomplished through micellar catalysis by a versatile single-component ruthenium catalyst. The strategy provided expedient access to C-H-arylated ferrocenes with wide functional-group tolerance and ample scope through weak chelation assistance. The sustainability of the C-H arylation was demonstrated by outstanding atom-economy and recycling studies. Detailed computational studies provided support for a facile C-H activation through thioketone assistance.

ppm Pd-catalyzed, Cu-free Sonogashira couplings in water using commercially available catalyst precursors

A new catalyst that derives from commercially available precursors for copper-free, Pd-catalyzed Sonogashira reactions at the sustainable ppm level of precious metal palladium under mild aqueous micellar conditions has been developed. Both the palladium pre-catalyst and ligand are commercially available, bench stable, and highly cost-effective. The catalyst is applicable to both aryl- and heteroaryl-bromides as educts. A wide range of functional groups are tolerated and the aqueous reaction medium can be recycled. An application to a key intermediate associated with an active pharmaceutical ingredient (ponatinib) is discussed.

Room-Temperature, Copper-Free Sonogashira Reactions Facilitated by Air-Stable, Monoligated Precatalyst [DTBNpP] Pd(crotyl)Cl

A novel application of [DTBNpP] Pd(crotyl)Cl (DTBNpP = di-tert-butylneopentylphosphine) (P2), an air-stable, commercially available palladium precatalyst that allows rapid access to a monoligated state, has been identified for room-temperature, copper-free Sonogashira couplings of challenging aryl bromides and alkynes. The mild reaction conditions with TMP in dimethyl sulfoxide afford up to 97% yields, excellent functional group tolerability, and broad reaction compatibility with access to one-pot indole formation.

Regiospecific alkyl addition of (hetero)arene-fused thiophenes enabled by a visible-light-mediated photocatalytic desulfuration approach

A unique photoredox desulfuration approach enabling the regiospecific alkyl addition of (hetero)arene-fused thiophenes is presented.