One-Pot Aminoalkylation of Aldehydes: Diastereoselective Synthesis of Vicinal Diamines with Azaarylmethylamines

Masters of Mediation: MN(SiMe3)2 in Functionalization of C(sp3)-H Latent Nucleophiles

Organoalkali compounds have undergone a far-reaching transformation being a coupling partner to a mediator in unusual organic conversions which finds its spot in the field of sustainable synthesis. Transition-metal catalysis has always been the priority in C(sp3)-H bond functionalization, however alternatively, in recent times this has been seriously challenged by earth-abundant alkali metals and their complexes arriving at new sustainable organometallic reagents. In this line, the importance of MN(SiMe3)2 (M=Li, Na, K & Cs) reagent revived in C(sp3)-H bond functionalization over recent years in organic synthesis is showcased in this minireview. MN(SiMe3)2 reagent with higher reactivity, enhanced stability, and bespoke cation-π interaction have shown eye-opening mediated processes such as C(sp3)-C(sp3) cross-coupling, radical-radical cross-coupling, aminobenzylation, annulation, aroylation, and other transformations to utilize readily available petrochemical feedstocks. This article also emphasizes the unusual reactivity of MN(SiMe3)2 reagent in unreactive and robust C-X (X=O, N, F, C) bond cleavage reactions that occurred alongside the C(sp3)-H bond functionalization. Overall, this review encourages the community to exploit the untapped potential of MN(SiMe3)2 reagent and also inspires them to take up this subject to even greater heights.

Synthesis of Homoallylamines Enabled by Cobalt or Palladium Catalyzed Allylic Substitution of Azaarylmethylamines

Pd(OAc)2/Nixantphos or CoI2/Nixantphos catalyzed allylic substitutions with weakly acidic C(sp)3-H bonds of azaarylmethylamines are described. This method facilitates access to various kinds of heteroaryl rings containing homoallylamines (39 examples, 30-98% yields) with excellent functional group tolerance and diastereoselectivity. Compared with the Pd/Nixantphos complex, the Co/Nixantphos catalysis could obtain the cyclic products with good to excellent diastereoselectivities. Importantly, the CoI2/(R,R)-Me-Duphos catalyzed reactions exhibit moderate enantioselectivity. Additionally, the scalability of this transformation is successfully demonstrated.

Base-promoted tandem synthesis of 2-azaaryl indoline

A novel tandem method to synthesize 2-azaaryl indoline promoted by LiN(SiMe3)2 from 2-azaaryl methyl amine and 2-fluoro benzyl bromides was developed. Mechanistic investigation indicated that this tandem cyclization was initiated by selective benzyl C-SN2 substitution followed by an intramolecular SNAr reaction. Diverse 2-azaaryl indoles could also be obtained via simple functional transformations.

LiHMDS-Mediated Deprotonative Coupling of Toluenes with Ketones

We demonstrate that lithium hexamethyldisilazide (LiHMDS) acts as an effective base for deprotonative coupling reactions of toluenes with ketones to afford stilbenes. Various functionalities (halogen, OCF₃ , amide, Me, aryl, alkenyl, alkynyl, SMe, and SPh) are allowed on the toluenes. Notably, this system proved successful with low-reactive toluenes bearing a large pKa value compared to that of the conjugate acid of LiHMDS (hexamethyldisilazane, 25.8, THF), as demonstrated by 4-phenyltoluene (38.57, THF) and toluene itself (∼43, DMSO).

Solvent-controlled amidation of acid chlorides at room temperature: new route to access aromatic primary amides and imides amenable for late-stage functionalization†

Herein, we report a solvent-controlled highly selective amidation and imidation of aroyl chlorides using an alkali-metal silyl-amide reagent (LiHMDS), which serves as a nitrogen source at room temperature. A unique feature of this method lies in the sequential silyl amidation of aryol chlorides and nitrogen–silicon bond cleavage of the corresponding N,N-bis(trimethylsilyl)benzamide in a one-pot method in a very short reaction time. This effective strategy was extended to late-stage functionalization.

Herein, we report a solvent-controlled highly selective amidation and imidation of aroyl chlorides using an alkali-metal silyl-amide reagent (LiHMDS), which serves as a nitrogen source at room temperature.

One-Pot Synthesis of N-H-Free Pyrroles from Aldehydes and Alkynes

The first base-mediated intermolecular cyclization of arylaldehydes and terminal arylacetylenes for the synthesis of a wide range of pyrroles in a single step has been described. The developed methodology used commercially available starting materials and tolerated a broad range of functional groups affording 2,3,5-triaryl-substituted-1H-pyrroles with good yields (up to 92% yield) under mild conditions. The possible mechanism was also discussed.

Facile one-pot synthesis of diarylacetylenes from arylaldehydes via an addition-double elimination process

A practical one-pot protocol has been developed to synthesize diarylacetylenes from arylaldehydes by treatment with 1-(arylmethyl)benzotriazoles and LiN(SiMe3)2. The reaction proceeded through imine formation, Mannich-type addition and double elimination to deliver products in up to 99% yields with broad substrate scope. In addition, gram-scale synthesis of 1-bromo-4-(phenylethynyl)benzene has been demonstrated.