High-Performance Ammonium Hypoiodite/Oxone Catalysis for Enantioselective Oxidative Dearomatization of Arenols

Oxidative Dearomative Coupling of Electron-Deficient Arenols Using Hypohalite Catalysis

We developed performant in situ hypohalite, especially hypobromite, catalysis for the oxidative dearomatization of low-reactivity electron-deficient arenols. The reaction scope encompasses inter- and intramolecular oxidative dearomative C-O, C-N, and C-C coupling reactions. Notably, using a chiral ammonium countercation, we achieved enantioselective hypobromite catalysis for oxidative dearomative coupling reactions. Mechanistic studies revealed that the reaction mechanisms might differ depending on the halide identity.

trans-Cyclooctenes as Scavengers of Bromine Involved in Catalytic Bromination

Scavengers that capture reactive chemical substances are used to prevent the decomposition of materials. However, in the field of catalysis, the development of scavengers that inhibit background pathways has attracted little attention, although the concept will open up an otherwise inaccessible reaction space. In catalytic bromination, fast non-catalyzed background reactions disturb the catalytic control of the selectivity, even when using N-bromoamide reagents, which have a milder reactivity than bromine (Br2 ). Here, we developed a trans-cyclooctene (TCO) bearing a 2-pyridylethyl group to efficiently retard background reactions by capturing Br2 in bromocyclization using N-bromosuccinimide. The use of less than a stoichiometric amount of the TCO was sufficient to inhibit non-catalyzed reactions, and mechanistic studies using the TCO revealed that in situ-generated Br2 provides non-catalyzed reaction pathways based on a chain mechanism. The TCO is useful as an additive for improving enantioselectivity and regioselectivity in catalytic reactions. Cooperative systems using the TCO with selective catalysts offer an alternative strategy for optimizing catalyst-controlled selectivity during bromination. Moreover, it also served as an indicator of Br2 involved in catalytic reaction pathways; thus, the TCO was useful as a probe for mechanistic investigations into the involvement of Br2 in bromination reactions of interest.

Stereo-Controlled Synthesis of Vicinal Tertiary Carbinols: Application in the Synthesis of a Diol Substructure of Zaragozic Acid, Pactamycin and Ryanodol

A novel and flexible approach for the stereo-controlled synthesis of vicinal tertiary carbinols is reported. The developed strategy featured a highly diastereoselective singlet-oxygen (O2 1 ) [4+2] cycloaddition of rationally designed cyclohexadienones (derived from oxidative dearomatization of the corresponding carboxylic-acid appended phenol precursors), followed by programmed "O-O" and "C-C" bond cleavage. In doing so, a highly functionalized and versatile intermediate was identified and prepared in synthetically useful quantity as a plausible precursor to access a variety of designed and naturally occurring vicinal tertiary carbinol containing compounds. Most notably, the developed strategy was successfully applied in the stereo-controlled synthesis of advanced core structures of zaragozic acid, pactamycin and ryanodol.

Dibenzoylperoxide as a Versatile Oxidant for Oxidative Azidations of Phenols Using Quaternary Ammonium Iodides or Bromides

Dibenzoylperoxide emerged as a versatile oxidant for quaternary ammonium iodide or bromide‐catalyzed reactions of phenol derivatives with NaN3. While the use of iodides allowed for efficient benzylic azidations under these oxidative conditions, the use of bromides allowed for dearomative azidations instead. Both approaches have been successfully applied to different phenol derivatives and a first proof‐of‐concept for an enantioselective variant using chiral quat. ammonium bromides has been obtained as well.

Riboflavin Photocatalyzed Dearomative Spiro-Etherification of Naphthols

The dearomative spiro-etherification of naphthols is achieved using catalytic amounts of riboflavin tetracetate (RFTA) as a photosensitizer and molecular oxygen as a terminal oxidizing agent under blue light (440 nm) irradiation in the presence of acid. The presence of acid increases the photooxidation power of RFTA and facilitates the dearomatization reaction.

Pd-Catalyzed intermolecular asymmetric allylic dearomatization of 1-nitro-2-naphthols with MBH adducts

An asymmetric allylic dearomatization reaction of 1-nitro-2-naphthol derivatives with Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) adducts has been developed. By utilizing Pd catalyst derived from Pd(OAc)₂ and Trost ligand (R,R)-L1, the reaction proceeded smoothly in 1,4-dioxane at room temperature, affording substituted β-naphthalenones in good yields (up to 92%) and enantioselectivity (up to 90% ee). A range of substituted 1-nitro-2-naphthols and MBH adducts were found to be compatible under the optimized conditions. This reaction provides a convenient method for the synthesis of enantioenriched 1-nitro-β-naphthalenone derivatives.

Catalyst-Substrate Helical Character Matching Determines the Enantioselectivity in the Ishihara-Type Iodoarenes Catalyzed Asymmetric Kita-Dearomative Spirolactonization

Catalyst design has traditionally focused on rigid structural elements to prevent conformational flexibility. Ishihara's elegant design of conformationally flexible C₂-symmetric iodoarenes, a new class of privileged organocatalysts, for the catalytic asymmetric dearomatization (CADA) of naphthols is a notable exception. Despite the widespread use of the Ishihara catalysts for CADAs, the reaction mechanism remains the subject of debate, and the mode of asymmetric induction has not been well established. Here, we report an in-depth computational investigation of three possible mechanisms in the literature. Our results, however, reveal that this reaction is best rationalized by a fourth mechanism called "proton-transfer-coupled-dearomatization (PTCD)", which is predicted to be strongly favored over other competing pathways. The PTCD mechanism is consistent with a control experiment and further validated by applying it to rationalize the enantioselectivities. Oxidation of the flexible I(I) catalyst to catalytic active I(III) species induces a defined C₂-symmetric helical chiral environment with a delicate balance between flexibility and rigidity. A match/mismatch effect between the active catalyst and the substrate's helical shape in the dearomatization transition states was observed. The helical shape match allows the active catalyst to adapt its conformation to maximize attractive noncovalent interactions, including I(III)···O halogen bond, N-H···O hydrogen bond, and π···π stacking, to stabilize the favored transition state. A stereochemical model capable of rationalizing the effect of catalyst structural variation on the enantioselectivities is developed. The present study enriches our understanding of how flexible catalysts achieve high stereoinduction and may serve as an inspiration for the future exploration of conformational flexibility for new catalyst designs.

Development of ProPhenol/Ti(IV) Catalyst for Asymmetric Hydroxylative Dearomatization of Naphthols

By development of ProPhenol/Ti(IV) catalysts, a catalytic enantioselective hydroxylative dearomatization of naphthols is achieved by using TBHP as a simple oxidative reagent. The side coordinative chain equipped on the C1-position of β-naphthols plays an important role for initiating this asymmetric hydroxylative reaction, which might be a result of the proper cocoordination effects to the titanium center in the catalyst. A reasonable catalytic cycle is proposed, the catalytic system is applied to a reasonable range of this type of phenolic compound, and related concise transformations are carried out.

In Situ Hypoiodite-Catalyzed Oxidative Rearrangement of Chalcones: Scope and Mechanistic Investigation

It is highly desirable to avoid using rare or toxic metals for oxidative reactions in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Hypervalent iodine compounds are environmentally benign alternatives, but their catalytic use has been quite limited. Herein, the protocol for in situ hypoiodite-catalyzed oxidative rearrangement of chalcones is first realized under mild and metal-free conditions, which provided a nontoxic, environmental-benign, and catalytic alternative to the thallium-based protocol. Also, the applicability and effectiveness of this catalytic protocol got well demonstrated via gram-scale synthesis and product derivatization. What is more, control and NMR tracking experiments were performed to figure out the possible catalytic species and intermediates.

Achiral organoiodine-functionalized helical polyisocyanides for multiple asymmetric dearomative oxidations

Immobilizing organocatalyst onto helical polymers not only facilitates the catalyst recycling from homogeneous reactions, but also boosts enantioselectivity. In this work, achiral organoiodine-functionalized single left- and right-handed helical polyisocyanides were prepared from the same monomers, which catalyzed three asymmetric oxidations gave the desired products in high yields and excellent enantioselectivity. The enantiomeric excess of the target products was up to 95%. Remarkably, the enantioselectivity can be switched by reversing the helicity of the polymer backbone. The polymer catalysts can be facilely recovered and recycled in different asymmetric oxidations with maintained excellent activity and enantioselectivity.

Guanidinium Hypoiodite-Catalyzed Intramolecular Oxidative Coupling Reaction of Oxindoles with β-Dicarbonyls

Spiro[indoline-3,4'-piperidine] is a fundamental motif present in various biologically active compounds. Here, we report an intramolecular oxidative coupling reaction of oxindoles with β-dicarbonyls in the presence of a guanidinium hypoiodite catalyst, providing spiro-coupling products in moderate to excellent yields. Furthermore, a chiral hypoiodite catalyst derived from the chiral guanidinium organocatalyst is effective for the challenging asymmetric carbon-carbon bond-forming reaction, affording optically active spiro[indoline-3,4'-piperidines].

Aqueous C-H aminomethylation of phenols by iodine catalysis

A transition-metal-free strategy regarding an iodine-sodium percarbonate catalysis to achieve the ortho-aminomethylation of phenols in aqueous media has been developed. This method can effectively broaden a wide range of phenols, tolerate sensitive functional groups, and achieve the late-stage functionalization of ten functional molecules that contain phenolic structures.

The Pnictogen Bond, Together with Other Non-Covalent Interactions, in the Rational Design of One-, Two- and Three-Dimensional Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Metal Halide Perovskite Semiconducting Materials, and Beyond

The pnictogen bond, a somewhat overlooked supramolecular chemical synthon known since the middle of the last century, is one of the promising types of non-covalent interactions yet to be fully understood by recognizing and exploiting its properties for the rational design of novel functional materials. Its bonding modes, energy profiles, vibrational structures and charge density topologies, among others, have yet to be comprehensively delineated, both theoretically and experimentally. In this overview, attention is largely centered on the nature of nitrogen-centered pnictogen bonds found in organic-inorganic hybrid metal halide perovskites and closely related structures deposited in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) and the Inorganic Chemistry Structural Database (ICSD). Focusing on well-characterized structures, it is shown that it is not merely charge-assisted hydrogen bonds that stabilize the inorganic frameworks, as widely assumed and well-documented, but simultaneously nitrogen-centered pnictogen bonding, and, depending on the atomic constituents of the organic cation, other non-covalent interactions such as halogen bonding and/or tetrel bonding, are also contributors to the stabilizing of a variety of materials in the solid state. We have shown that competition between pnictogen bonding and other interactions plays an important role in determining the tilting of the MX₆ (X = a halogen) octahedra of metal halide perovskites in one, two and three-dimensions. The pnictogen interactions are identified to be directional even in zero-dimensional crystals, a structural feature in many engineered ordered materials; hence an interplay between them and other non-covalent interactions drives the structure and the functional properties of perovskite materials and enabling their application in, for example, photovoltaics and optoelectronics. We have demonstrated that nitrogen in ammonium and its derivatives in many chemical systems acts as a pnictogen bond donor and contributes to conferring stability, and hence functionality, to crystalline perovskite systems. The significance of these non-covalent interactions should not be overlooked, especially when the focus is centered on the rationale design and discovery of such highly-valued materials.

Oxidative decarboxylative ammonium hypoiodite-catalysed dihydrobenzofuran synthesis

The catalytic use of quaternary ammonium iodides under oxidative conditions allows for the direct conversion of readily available β-ketolactones into dihydrobenzofurans via a decarboxylative oxidative cycloetherification sequence facilitated by an in situ formed ammonium hypoiodite species.

Recent Advances in the Oxone-Mediated Synthesis of Heterocyclic Compounds

Oxone is a commercially available oxidant, composed of a mixture of three inorganic species, being the potassium peroxymonosulfate (KHSO5) the reactive one. Over the past few decades, this cheap and environmentally friendly oxidant has become a powerful tool in organic synthesis, being extensively employed to mediate the construction of a plethora of important compounds. This review summarizes the recent advances in the Oxone-mediated synthesis of N-, O- and chalcogen-containing heterocyclic compounds, through a wide diversity of reactions, starting from several kinds of substrate, highlighting the main synthetic differences, advantages, the scope and limitations.

Hypoiodite-catalysed oxidative homocoupling of arenols and tandem oxidation/cross-coupling of hydroquinones with arenes

We report the hypoiodite-catalyzed oxidative C-C homocoupling of arenols to biarenols or biquinones using aqueous hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant. In addition, by combining hypoiodite catalysis and lipophilic Lewis acid-assisted Brønsted acid catalysis under aqueous conditions, we achieved a tandem oxidation/cross-coupling reaction of hydroquinones with electron-rich arenes. These results highlight the substantial scope of hypoiodite/acid co-catalysis for use in oxidative coupling reactions.

Synthesis of 4-Selanyl- and 4-Tellanyl-1H-isochromen-1-ones Promoted by Diorganyl Dichalcogenides and Oxone

A new method was developed for the synthesis of 4-chalcogenyl-1H-isochromen-1-ones through the 6-endo-dig electrophilic cyclization of 2-alkynylaryl esters and diorganyl dichalcogenides under ultrasound irradiation. The reactions were performed under mild conditions, using Oxone as a green oxidant to promote the cleavage of the chalcogen-chalcogen bond in diorganyl diselenides and ditellurides to generate electrophilic species in situ. A total of 25 compounds were selectively obtained after 30-70 min, in good to excellent yields (74-95%). This procedure was extended to prepare 5H-selenopheno[3,2-c]isochromen-5-ones. Additionally, for the first time, the 4-chalcogenyl-1H-isochromen-1-ones were used as substrates in the thionation reaction, using Lawesson's reagent and microwave irradiation under solvent-free conditions, obtaining the thio derivatives in yields of up to 99% in only 15 min.

Water-Tolerant ortho-Acylation of Phenols

A metal-free, water-tolerant, and one-pot process for ortho-acylation of phenols promoted by the iodine source/hydrogen peroxide system has been developed. This transformation undergoes ether formation, iodocyclization, C-C bond cleavage, and oxidative hydrolysis in a one-step manner, which is supported by control experiments.

Synthesis of benzo[b]chalcogenophenes fused to selenophenes via intramolecular electrophilic cyclization of 1,3-diynes

We describe herein an alternative and transition-metal-free procedure for the access of benzo[b]chalcogenophenes fused to selenophenes via intramolecular cyclization of 1,3-diynes. This efficient protocol involves a double cyclization of 1,3-diynyl chalcogen derivatives promoted by the electrophilic species of organoselenium generated in situ by the oxidative cleavage of the Se-Se bond of dibutyl diselenide using Oxone® in acetonitrile as solvent in an open-flask at 80 °C. In this study, 15 selenophenes with broad substrate scope were prepared in moderate to excellent yields (55-98%) with short reaction times (0.5-3.0 h).

Hypoiodite-Catalyzed Chemoselective Tandem Oxidation of Homotryptamines to Peroxy- and Epoxytetrahydropyridoindolenines

We developed the hypoiodite-catalyzed tandem dearomative peroxycyclization of homotryptamine derivatives to peroxytetrahydropyridoindolenines under mild conditions. During the course of a mechanistic study, we found that a tandem oxidative cyclization/epoxidation as an unexpected reaction proceeded in the presence of TEMPO as an additive. Intramolecular oxidative aminocyclization of homotryptamines at the C-2 position would give tetrahydropyridoindole, a common intermediate for both reactions. Control experiments suggested that while oxidative coupling with TBHP at the C-3 position might afford peroxyindolenines, a preferential electrophilic addition of TEMPO⁺, which might be generated in situ by the hypoiodite-catalyzed oxidation of TEMPO, at C-3 position followed by elimination and epoxidation might give epoxyindolenines. This serendipitous finding prompted us to develop a chemoselective divergent synthesis of peroxy- and epoxyindolenines by simple modification of the reaction conditions.

Atypical Dearomative Spirocyclization of β-Naphthols with Diazoacetamides Using a Silver Catalyst

A chemoselective dearomatization of the less reactive benzenoid unit in β-naphthol was developed. Spirocyclization with a reductant constructs a pivotal structure for drug candidates. One-pot oxidative conversion enabled the tandem dearomatization of β-naphthol, producing conjugated tetraenone variants. The potential utility of the product as an F^--selective anion sensor was also demonstrated. Theoretical studies revealed the intermediacy of silver-carbenoid species leading to chemoselective spirocyclization over arene cyclopropanation.

Synthesis of Spiroisoxazolines via TEMPO/NaNO2-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Dearomatization

A catalytic, aerobic oxidative dearomatization protocol has been developed for the preparation of spiroisoxazline scaffolds from oximes using TEMPO and NaNO₂ as the catalyst and O₂ as the sole oxidant. This dearomatization methodology features its mild reaction conditions, good functional group tolerance, and an unprecedented broad substrate scope, encompassing phenols, aryl ethers, thiophenols, aryl sulfides, etc.

Synergistic Ammonium (Hypo)Iodite/Imine Catalysis for the Asymmetric α-Hydroxylation of β-Ketoesters

The synergistic use of chiral bifunctional ammonium iodide catalysts in combination with simple catalytically relevant aldimines allows for an unprecedented asymmetric α-hydroxylation reaction of β-ketoesters using H2O2. The reaction proceeds via in situ formation of a hypervalent iodine species, which then reacts with the used aldimine to generate an activated electrophilic oxygen transfer reagent.

Iodine-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidation of Spirovinylcyclopropyl Oxindoles to Form Spiro-1,2-dioxolanes Diastereoselectively

A novel method of iodine-catalyzed aerobic oxidation with spirovinylcyclopropyl oxindoles under mild conditions has been described. A series of spiro-1,2-dioxolanes were prepared in good to excellent yields and considerable diastereoselectivities. The new approach is operationally simple, scalable, and tolerant of various functional groups.

Iodine-catalyzed α,β-dehydrogenation of ketones and aldehydes generating conjugated enones and enals

A transition metal-free α,β-dehydrogenation of ketones and aldehydes was developed.