Synthesis of Di(hetero)arylamines from Nitrosoarenes and Boronic Acids: A General, Mild, and Transition-Metal-Free Coupling

Recent advances in the synthetic applications of nitrosoarene chemistry

Nitroso groups are widely present in biologically active compounds in medicinal chemistry, and nitroso compounds serve as important building blocks in organic chemistry and materials science. Nitrosoarenes, in particular, showcase remarkable versatility, functioning as both electrophilic and nucleophilic reagents in a broad spectrum of organic reactions, thereby holding significant relevance in organic chemistry. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in nitrosoarene reactions spanning a decade. Special attention is given to the synthesis of products derived from nitrosoarenes and the conditions that promote these reactions, as well as the type of catalysts. The exploration covers various facets of nitrosoarene chemistry, including cyclization, reactions involving attacks at the oxygen or nitrogen terminus, dimerization, rearrangement, coordination, and other significant reactions. By delving into these diverse reaction pathways and mechanisms, this review aspires to serve as a valuable resource for researchers seeking to deepen their understanding of nitrosoarene chemistry and its applications in both fundamental and applied scientific research.

Ammonium Dinitramide as a Prospective N-NO2 Synthon: Electrochemical Synthesis of Nitro-NNO-Azoxy Compounds from Nitrosoarenes

In this study, the electrochemical coupling of nitrosoarenes with ammonium dinitramide is discovered, leading to the facile construction of the nitro-NNO-azoxy group, which represents an important motif in the design of energetic materials. Compared to known approaches to nitro-NNO-azoxy compounds involving two chemical steps (formation of azoxy group containing a leaving group and its nitration) and demanding expensive, corrosive, and hygroscopic nitronium salts, the presented electrochemical method consists of a single step and is based solely on nitrosoarenes and ammonium dinitramide. The dinitramide salt plays the roles of both the electrolyte and reactant for the coupling. Despite the fact that many side reactions can be expected due to the redox-activity of both the reagents and target products, under optimized conditions the synthesis is performed in an undivided cell under constant current conditions with high current density and can be easily scaled up without a reduction in the product yield. Moreover, the synthesized nitro-NNO-azoxy compounds are discovered to be potent fungicides active against a broad range of phytopathogenic fungi.

Metal-Free Aminophosphonation: Eco-Friendly Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of Fluorescent 3-(Aminoimidazo[1,2-a]Pyridin-2-yl)Phosphonates

We report a novel, metal-free procedure for the direct aminophosphonation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines in green solvents under open air conditions. This method is characterized by its mild and sustainable conditions, ease of operation, scalability, and excellent functional group compatibility. The synthesized compounds exhibit promising photophysical properties, including significant Stokes shifts and quantum yields, making them potential candidates for innovative fluorescent probes.

Synthesis of Diarylamines via Nitrosonium-Initiated C-N Bond Formation

Electron-rich diarylamines, exemplified by anisole-derived amines, play pivotal roles in process chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and materials. In this study, homo-diarylamines were synthesized directly from the C-H activation of electron-rich arenes by sodium nitrate/trifluoroacetic acid and the successive treatment of iron powder. Mechanistic investigations reveal that nitrosoarene serves as the reaction intermediate, and the formation of the second C-N bond between the resulting nitrosoarene and electron-rich arene is catalyzed by the nitrosonium ion (NO+). Thus, hetero-diarylamines were synthesized using preformed nitrosoarenes and various electron-rich arenes. This reaction complements a range of cross-coupling reactions catalyzed by transition metal catalysts.

Amino-λ3 -iodane-Enabled Electrophilic Amination of Arylboronic Acid Derivatives

In this report, we describe the use of amino-λ3 -iodanes in the electrophilic amination of arylboronic acids and boronates. Iodine(III) reagents with transferable amino groups, including one with an NH2 group, were synthesized and used in the amination, allowing the synthesis of a wide range of primary and secondary (hetero)arylamines. Mechanistic studies by DFT calculations indicate that the reaction proceeds through an electrophilic amination process from a tetravalent borate complex with a B-N dative bond.

Reductive coupling of nitro compounds with boronic acid derivatives: an overview

The purpose of this review is to summarize the current literature on reductive C-N coupling of nitro compounds and boronic acids, with special emphasis on the mechanistic features of the reactions. The metal-catalyzed reactions are discussed first. This is followed by electro-synthesis and organophosphorus-catalyzed reactions. Finally, the available examples of catalyst-free reactions will be covered at the end of this review.

Metal-Free C-H Sulfamidation of 1,4-Naphthoquinone in Water

Direct sulfamidation of 1,4-naphthoquinones using N-methoxy sulfonamides under metal-free conditions in water was developed. Base-mediated nucleophilic addition of N-methoxy sulfonamides, followed by N-O bond cleavage allowed the formation of enesulfonamides. Further, the synthesis of pyrrolonaphthoquinones proved the practicability of the current approach.

Reductive Arylation of Nitroarenes with Chloroarenes: Reducing Conditions Enable New Reactivity from Palladium Catalysts

Palladium-catalyzed C-N bond forming reactions are a key tool in modern synthetic organic chemistry. Despite advances in catalyst design enabling the use of a variety of aryl (pseudo)halides, the necessary aniline coupling partner is often synthesized in a discrete reduction step from a nitroarene. An ideal synthetic sequence would avoid the necessity of this step while maintaining the reliable reactivity of palladium catalysis. Herein, we describe how reducing conditions enable new chemical steps and reactivity from well-studied palladium catalysts, resulting in a new, useful transformation: the reductive arylation of nitroarenes with chloroarenes to form diarylamines. Mechanistic experiments suggest that under reducing conditions, BrettPhos-palladium complexes catalyze the dual N-arylation of typically inert azoarenes─generated via the in situ reduction of nitroarenes─via two distinct mechanisms. Initial N-arylation proceeds via a novel association-reductive palladation sequence followed by reductive elimination to yield an intermediate 1,1,2-triarylhydrazine. Arylation of this intermediate by the same catalyst via a traditional amine arylation sequence forms a transient tetraarylhydrazine, unlocking reductive N-N bond cleavage to liberate the desired product. The resulting reaction allows for the synthesis of diarylamines bearing a variety of synthetically valuable functionalities and heteroaryl cores in high yield.

P(III)-Promoted Reductive Coupling of Aromatic and Aliphatic Nitro Compounds with Grignard Reagents

A phosphine-promoted reductive coupling of nitro compounds with Grignard reagents is described. Polyfunctional and pharmaceutically relevant diarylamines were generated by this reaction in moderate to high yields. Aliphatic nitro compounds that are highly challenging substrates undergo a combination of α-arylation and reductive coupling to afford the α-arylated arylamines efficiently. A series of valuable biaryl compounds with polyfluorinated and heteroaryl rings are co-generated in 56-94% yields.

Regioselective synthesis of novel nitroso-pyrazolylquinoxalines via HOAc-mediated cyclocondensation of 2-hydroxyimino-1,3-diketones with hydrazinylquinoxalines

This article describes the regioselective synthesis of novel nitroso-pyrazolylquinoxalines via cyclocondensation of 2-hydroxyimino-1,3-diketones with hydrazinylquinoxalines. Of note, this is the first time that 2-hydroxyimino-1,3-diketones are used as electrophilic reagents to cyclocondensation with hetarylhydrazines. The cyclocondensation proceeded through a hydrazone intermediates formation. A series of novel nitroso-substituted pyrazolylquinoxalines were synthesized by both "one-pot" and "two-step" procedures in up to 86% yields. Importantly, a gram-scale synthesis of nitroso-pyrazolylquinoxalines, their oxidation and reduction were successfully accomplished.

Diarylamines with the Neighboring Pyridyl Group: Synthesis and Modulation of the Amine Functionality via Intramolecular H-Bonding

New pyridyl-containing diarylamines were obtained via Cu-assisted reductive amination of the ortho-2-pyridylarylboronic acids. Comparative analysis of the spectral and electrochemical data obtained for new diarylamines and their pyridyl-free counterparts revealed the intramolecular H-bond (IMHB) formation which significantly influences the properties of the amino group. The electron density at the N atom of the amino group is increased due to partial weakening of the N–H bond, although the BDE and activation energy for the H-atom abstraction is increased due to the chelating effect of two N atoms. The ortho-pyridyl-containing diarylamines are more prone to be oxidized as compared to their pyridyl-free counterparts; the shift in the oxidation potential values correlates with the strength of the intramolecular H-bonding which can be tuned by inserting substituents in the pyridyl or phenyl rings. The IMHB is reserved even in polar solvents having a significant H-acceptor ability (such as DMSO) but can be destroyed in methanol, testifying in favor of the dynamic nature of the H-bonding.

Electrochemical Reductive Arylation of Nitroarenes with Arylboronic Acids

The synthesis of diarylamine is extremely important in organic chemistry. Herein, a novel electrochemical reductive arylation of nitroarenes with arylboronic acids was developed. A variety of diarylamines were synthesized without the need for transition-metal catalysts. The reaction could be scaled up efficiently in a flow cell and several derivatization reactions were carried out smoothly. Cyclic voltammetry experiments and mechanism studies showed that acetonitrile, formic acid, and triethyl phosphite all played a role in promoting this reductive arylation transformation.

Visible-Light- and PPh3-Mediated Direct C-N Coupling of Nitroarenes and Boronic Acids at Ambient Temperature

We present here a metal-free, visible-light- and triphenylphosphine-mediated intermolecular, reductive amination between nitroarenes and boronic acids at ambient temperature without any photocatalyst. Mechanistically, a slow reduction of nitroarenes to a nitroso and, finally, a nitrene intermediate occurs that leads to the amination product with concomitant 1,2-aryl/-alkyl migration from a boronate complex. A wide range of nitroarenes underwent C-N coupling with aryl-/alkylboronic acids providing high yields.

Direct para-Selective C-H Amination of Iodobenzenes: Highly Efficient Approach for the Synthesis of Diarylamines

Iodine(III)-mediated synthesis of 4-iodo-N-phenylaniline from iodobenzene has been achieved, and the reaction can proceed under mild conditions. A variety of functional groups were well tolerated, providing the corresponding products in moderate to good yields. The remaining iodine group provides an effective platform for converting the products into several valuable asymmetric diphenylamines. Most importantly, this reaction can be easily scaled up to the ten-gram scale, highlighting its synthetic utility. The mechanistic study revealed that the in situ generated aryl hypervalent iodine intermediate is the key factor to realize this para-selective C-H amination reaction.

Phosphorus-Based Catalysis

Phosphorus-based organocatalysis encompasses several subfields that have undergone rapid growth in recent years. This Outlook gives an overview of its various aspects. In particular, we highlight key advances in three topics: nucleophilic phosphine catalysis, organophosphorus catalysis to bypass phosphine oxide waste, and organophosphorus compound-mediated single electron transfer processes. We briefly summarize five additional topics: chiral phosphoric acid catalysis, phosphine oxide Lewis base catalysis, iminophosphorane super base catalysis, phosphonium salt phase transfer catalysis, and frustrated Lewis pair catalysis. Although it is not catalytic in nature, we also discuss novel discoveries that are emerging in phosphorus(V) ligand coupling. We conclude with some ideas about the future of organophosphorus catalysis.

Synthesis of Ketones by C-H Functionalization of Aldehydes with Boronic Acids under Transition-Metal-Free Conditions

A method for the synthesis of ketones from aldehydes and boronic acids via a transition-metal-free C-H functionalization reaction is reported. The method employs nitrosobenzene as a reagent to drive the simultaneous activation of the boronic acid as a boronate and the activation of the C-H bond of the aldehyde as an iminium species that triggers the key C-C bond-forming step via an intramolecular migration from boron to carbon. These findings constitute a practical, scalable, and operationally straightforward method for the synthesis of ketones.

Ruthenium-catalysed chemoselective alkylation of nitroarenes with alkanols

The alkylation of nitroarenes with akanols catalysed by the phosphinesulfonate ruthenium complex was reported. It displays different reactivity and chemoselectivity depending on the acid–base conditions, delivering diverse anilines from nitroarenes.

An Improved PIII/PV═O-Catalyzed Reductive C-N Coupling of Nitroaromatics and Boronic Acids by Mechanistic Differentiation of Rate- and Product-Determining Steps

Experimental, spectroscopic, and computational studies are reported that provide an evidence-based mechanistic description of an intermolecular reductive C–N coupling of nitroarenes and arylboronic acids catalyzed by a redox-active main-group catalyst (1,2,2,3,4,4-hexamethylphosphetane P-oxide, i.e., 1·[O]). The central observations include the following: (1) catalytic reduction of 1·[O] to P^III phosphetane 1 is kinetically fast under conditions of catalysis; (2) phosphetane 1 represents the catalytic resting state as observed by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy; (3) there are no long-lived nitroarene partial-reduction intermediates observable by ¹⁵N NMR spectroscopy; (4) the reaction is sensitive to solvent dielectric, performing best in moderately polar solvents (viz. cyclopentylmethyl ether); and (5) the reaction is largely insensitive with respect to common hydrosilane reductants. On the basis of the foregoing studies, new modified catalytic conditions are described that expand the reaction scope and provide for mild temperatures (T ≥ 60 °C), low catalyst loadings (≥2 mol%), and innocuous terminal reductants (polymethylhydrosiloxane). DFT calculations define a two-stage deoxygenation sequence for the reductive C–N coupling. The initial deoxygenation involves a rate-determining step that consists of a (3+1) cheletropic addition between the nitroarene substrate and phosphetane 1; energy decomposition techniques highlight the biphilic character of the phosphetane in this step. Although kinetically invisible, the second deoxygenation stage is implicated as the critical C–N product-forming event, in which a postulated oxazaphosphirane intermediate is diverted from arylnitrene dissociation toward heterolytic ring opening with the arylboronic acid; the resulting dipolar intermediate evolves by antiperiplanar 1,2-migration of the organoboron residue to nitrogen, resulting in displacement of 1·[O] and formation of the target C–N coupling product upon in situ hydrolysis. The method thus described constitutes a mechanistically well-defined and operationally robust main-group complement to the current workhorse transition-metal-based methods for catalytic intermolecular C–N coupling.

PIII /PV =O Catalyzed Cascade Synthesis of N-Functionalized Azaheterocycles

An organocatalytic method for the modular synthesis of diverse N-aryl and N-alkyl azaheterocycles (indoles, oxindoles, benzimidazoles, and quinoxalinediones) is reported. The method employs a small-ring organophosphorus-based catalyst (1,2,2,3,4,4-hexamethylphosphetane P-oxide) and a hydrosilane reductant to drive the conversion of ortho-functionalized nitroarenes into azaheterocycles through sequential intermolecular reductive C-N cross coupling with boronic acids, followed by intramolecular cyclization. This method enables the rapid construction of azaheterocycles from readily available building blocks, including a regiospecific approach to N-substituted benzimidazoles and quinoxalinediones.

Aminoazanium of DABCO: An Amination Reagent for Alkyl and Aryl Pinacol Boronates

The aminoazanium of DABCO (H₂ N-DABCO) has been developed as a general and practical amination reagent for the direct amination of alkyl and aryl pinacol boronates. This compound is stable and practical for use as a reagent. Various primary, secondary. and tertiary alkyl-Bpin and aryl-Bpin substrates were aminated to give the corresponding amine derivatives. The amination is stereospecific. The anti-Markovnikov hydroamination of olefins was easily achieved by catalytic hydroboration with HBpin and in subsequent situ amination using H₂ N-DABCO. Moreover, the combination of 1,2-diboration of olefins, using B₂ pin₂ , with this amination process achieved the unprecedented 1,2-diamination of olefins. The amination protocol was also successfully extended to aryl pinacol boronates.

How to make C–N bonds using boronic acids and their derivatives without transition metals

No need for transition-metal catalysis in amination, amidation, nitration or nitrosation reactions with boron derivatives as reagents.

Design, preparation and characterization of aerogel NiO–CuO–CoO/SiO2 nanocomposite as a reusable catalyst for C–N cross-coupling reaction

The aerogel nanocomposite produces using the sol–gel and supercritical drying method processes. The CO₂ supercritical drying (SCD) was taken as the most powerful process, ensuring the best properties of the product.

Indolylboronic Acids: Preparation and Applications

Indole derivatives are associated with a variety of both biological activities and applications in the field of material chemistry. A number of different strategies for synthesizing substituted indoles by means of the reactions of indolylboronic acids with electrophilic compounds are considered the methods of choice for modifying indoles because indolylboronic acids are easily available, stable, non-toxic and new reactions using indolylboronic acids have been described in the literature. Thus, the aim of this review is to summarize the methods available for the preparation of indolylboronic acids as well as their chemical transformations. The review covers the period 2010-2019.

Synthesis of Mono-N-Methyl Aromatic Amines from Nitroso Compounds and Methylboronic Acid

The selective synthesis of mono-N-methyl aromatic amines was achieved by the reaction of aromatic nitroso compounds with methylboronic acid promoted by triethylphosphite under transition metal-free conditions. The target compounds are constructed efficiently without overmethylation, under environmentally benign reaction conditions that do not require bases or reductants and therefore are of interest in pharmaceutical, agricultural, and chemical industries.

PEt3-Mediated Deoxygenative C-N Coupling of Nitroarenes and Boronic Acids

A method for the preparation of aryl- and heteroarylamine products by triethylphosphine-mediated deoxygenative coupling of nitroarenes and boronic acids is reported. This method provides access to an array of functionalized (hetero)arylamine products from readily available starting materials under the action of an inexpensive commercial reagent. The developed triethylphosphine-mediated transformation highlights the capability of organophosphorus compounds to carry out this useful deoxygenative transformation without the necessity of any transition metal additives.

Intermolecular Reductive C-N Cross Coupling of Nitroarenes and Boronic Acids by PIII/PV═O Catalysis

A main group-catalyzed method for the synthesis of aryl- and heteroarylamines by intermolecular C-N coupling is reported. The method employs a small-ring organophosphorus-based catalyst (1,2,2,3,4,4-hexamethylphosphetane) and a terminal hydrosilane reductant (phenylsilane) to drive reductive intermolecular coupling of nitro(hetero)arenes with boronic acids. Applications to the construction of both C_sp2-N (from arylboronic acids) and C_sp3-N bonds (from alkylboronic acids) are demonstrated; the reaction is stereospecific with respect to C_sp3-N bond formation. The method constitutes a new route from readily available building blocks to valuable nitrogen-containing products with complementarity in both scope and chemoselectivity to existing catalytic C-N coupling methods.

Metal free direct C(sp2)–H arylaminations using nitrosoarenes to 2-hydroxy-di(het)aryl amines as multifunctional Aβ-aggregation modulators

A direct C(sp²)–H arylamination of 2-hydroxyarenes using nitrosoarenes was achieved under metal free conditions without the aid of additional reagents/steps for N–O bond cleavage.