The ruthenium-catalyzed reductive decarboxylation of esters: catalytic reactions involving the cleavage of acyl-oxygen bonds of esters

Divergent Transformations of Aromatic Esters: Decarbonylative Coupling, Ester Dance, Aryl Exchange, and Deoxygenative Coupling

ConspectusAromatic esters are cost-effective, versatile, and commonly used scaffolds that are readily synthesized or encountered as synthetic intermediates. While most conventional reactions involving these esters are nucleophilic acyl substitutions or 1,2-nucleophilic additions─where a nucleophile attacks the carbonyl group, decarbonylative transformations offer an alternative pathway by using the carbonyl group as a leaving group. This transition-metal-catalyzed process typically begins with oxidative addition of the C(acyl)-O bond to the metal. Subsequently, the reaction involves the migration of CO to the metal center, the reaction with a nucleophile, and reductive elimination to yield the final product. Pioneering work by Yamamoto on nickel complexes and the development of decarbonylative reactions (such as Mizoroki-Heck-type olefination) using aromatic carboxylic anhydrides catalyzed by palladium were conducted by de Vries and Stephan. Furthermore, reports have surfaced of decarbonylative hydrogenation of pyridyl methyl esters by Murai using ruthenium catalysts as well as Mizoroki-Heck-type reactions of nitro phenyl esters by Gooßen under palladium catalysis. Our group has been at the forefront of developing decarbonylative C-H arylations of phenyl esters with 1,3-azoles and aryl boronic acids using nickel catalysts. The key to this reaction is the use of phenyl esters, which are easy to synthesize, stabilize, and handle, allowing oxidative addition of the C(acyl)-O bond; nickel, which facilitates oxidative addition of the C(acyl)-O bond; and suitable bidentate phosphine ligands that can stabilize the intermediate. By modification of the nucleophiles, esters have been effectively utilized as electrophiles in cross-coupling reactions, encouraging the development of these nucleophiles among researchers. This Account summarizes our advancements in nucleophile development for decarbonylative coupling reactions, particularly highlighting the utilization of aromatic esters in diverse reactions such as alkenylation, intramolecular etherification, α-arylation of ketones, C-H arylation, methylation, and intramolecular C-H arylation for dibenzofuran synthesis, along with cyanation and reductive coupling. We also delve into reaction types that are distinct from typical decarbonylative reactions, including ester dance reactions, aromatic ring exchanges, and deoxygenative transformations, by focusing on the oxidative addition of the C(acyl)-O bond of the aromatic esters to the metal complex. For example, the ester dance reaction is hypothesized to undergo 1,2-translocation starting with oxidative addition to a palladium complex, leading to a sequence of ortho-deprotonation/decarbonylation, followed by protonation, carbonylation, and reductive elimination. The aromatic exchange reaction likely involves oxidative addition of complexes of different aryl electrophiles with a nickel complex. In deoxygenative coupling, an oxidative addition complex with palladium engages with a nucleophile, forming an acyl intermediate that undergoes reductive elimination in the presence of an appropriate reducing agent. These methodologies are poised to captivate the interest of synthetic chemists by offering unconventional and emerging approaches for transforming aromatic esters. Moreover, we demonstrated the potential to transform readily available basic chemicals into new compounds through organic synthesis.

Enantioselective nickel-catalyzed Mizoroki-Heck cyclizations of amide electrophiles

Amide cross-couplings that rely on C-N bond activation by transition metal catalysts have emerged as valuable synthetic tools. Despite numerous discoveries in this field, no catalytic asymmetric variants have been disclosed to date. Herein, we demonstrate the first such transformation, which is the Mizoroki-Heck cyclization of amide substrates using asymmetric nickel catalysis. This proof-of-concept study provides an entryway to complex enantioenriched polycyclic scaffolds and advances the field of amide C-N bond activation chemistry.

Nickel(0)-Catalyzed Decarbonylative Cross-Coupling of Aromatic Esters with Arylboronic Acids via Chelation Assistance

10-Arylbenzo[h]quinolines were synthesized by cross-coupling of ethyl benzo[h]quinoline-10-carboxylate with arylboronic acids via group-directed Ni(0) catalyzation. The catalytic system combining Ni(COD)₂ (10 mol %) with PCy₃ (20 mol %) and t-BuOK (3 equiv) was optimal for the above transformations. A series of arylboronic acids reacted with ethyl benzo[h]quinoline-10-carboxylates for the production of various substituted 10-phenyl[h]quinolines in moderate and good yields under optimized reaction conditions.

Cross-coupling reactions with esters, aldehydes, and alcohols

This feature article describes how diverse oxygen-containing functional groups such as esters, aldehydes, and alcohols can participate in cross-coupling reactions to prepare amides, ketones, alcohols, and beyond.

Exploiting a silver–bismuth hybrid material as heterogeneous noble metal catalyst for decarboxylations and decarboxylative deuterations of carboxylic acids under batch and continuous flow conditions

A silver-containing hybrid material is reported as a heterogeneous noble metal catalyst for protodecarboxylations and decarboxylative deuterations of carboxylic acids.

Nickel or Palladium-Catalyzed Decarbonylative Transformations of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives

Carboxylic acid derivatives containing acyl halides, anhydrides, esters, amides and acyl nitriles are highly appealing electrophiles in transition-metal-catalyzed carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions due to their ready availability and low cost, which can provide divergent transformations of carboxylic acids into other value-added products. In this Minireview, we focus on the recent advances of decarbonylative transformations of carboxylic acid derivatives in carbon-carbon bond formations using Ni or Pd catalysts. A series of reaction types, product classifications and reaction pathways are presented herein, which show the advantageous features of carboxylic acid derivatives as alternative to aryl or alkyl halides in terms of reactivity and compatibility. The well-accepted mechanism of nickel- or palladium-catalyzed decarbonylative transformations involves initial oxidative addition of carboxylic acid derivatives, followed by decarbonylation or transmetalation (or insertion), and reductive elimination to generate the products, thereby regenerating the catalysts.

Nickel-catalyzed reductive defunctionalization of esters in the absence of an external reductant: activation of C–O bonds

The nickel-catalyzed reductive cleavage of esters in the absence of an external reductant, which involves the cleavage of an inert acyl C–O bond in O-alkyl esters is reported.

Cross-coupling of aromatic esters and amides

Catalytic cross-coupling reactions of aromatic esters and amides have recently gained considerable attention from synthetic chemists as de novo and efficient synthetic methods to form C-C and C-heteroatom bonds. Esters and amides can be used as diversifiable groups in metal-catalyzed cross-coupling: in a decarbonylative manner, they can be utilized as leaving groups, whereas in a non-decarbonylative manner, they can form ketone derivatives. In this review, recent advances of this research topic are discussed.

Dual-catalytic decarbonylation of fatty acid methyl esters to form olefins

The homogeneous dehydrative decarbonylation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) to form olefins is reported.

Oxidative coupling of Michael acceptors with aryl nucleophiles produced through rhodium-catalyzed C-C bond activation

Utilizing rhodium catalysis, aryl nucleophiles generated via carbon-carbon single bond activation successfully undergo oxidative coupling with Michael acceptors. The reaction scope encompasses a broad range of nucleophiles generated from quinolinyl ketones as well as a series of electron deficient terminal alkenes, illustrating the broad potential of intersecting carbon-carbon bond activation with synthetically useful coupling methodologies. The demonstrated oxidative coupling produces a range of cinnamyl derivatives, several of which are challenging to prepare via conventional routes.

Development and Mechanistic Study of Quinoline-Directed Acyl C-O Bond Activation and Alkene Oxyacylation Reactions

The intramolecular addition of both an alkoxy and acyl substituent across an alkene, oxyacylation of alkenes, using rhodium catalyzed C-O bond activation of an 8-quinolinyl ester is described. Our unsuccessful attempts at intramolecular carboacylation of ketones via C-C bond activation ultimately informed our choice to pursue and develop the intramolecular oxyacylation of alkenes via quinoline-directed C-O bond activation. We provide a full account of our catalyst discovery, substrate scope, and mechanistic experiments for quinoline-directed alkene oxyacylation.

Nickel-catalyzed reductive defunctionalization of esters and amides to aromatic hydrocarbons

In two recent studies, nickel has been used in the removal of ester and amide groups to afford aromatic hydrocarbons via one-pot reductive activation followed by tandem C–CO bond cleavage–decarbonylation. Isolation and characterization of key intermediates provide insight into this acyl C–O bond activation pathway.

Metal catalyzed defunctionalization reactions

The chronological development of metal assisted defunctionalization reactions is discussed from the stoichiometric to the catalytic stage with their application in synthetic organic chemistry.

Indium-catalyzed, novel route to β,β-disubstituted indanones via tandem Nakamura addition–hydroarylation–decarboxylation sequence

An indium-catalyzed, novel method for the generation of β,β-disubstituted indanones was described. Indium(iii) trifluoromethanesulfonate is reported as the multitasking catalyst that promotes tandem Nakamura addition–hydroarylation–decarboxylation process under one-pot conditions.

Catalytic water oxidation by mononuclear Ru complexes with an anionic ancillary ligand

Mononuclear Ru-based water oxidation catalysts containing anionic ancillary ligands have shown promising catalytic efficiency and intriguing properties. However, their insolubility in water restricts a detailed mechanism investigation. In order to overcome this disadvantage, complexes [Ru(II)(bpc)(bpy)OH2](+) (1(+), bpc = 2,2'-bipyridine-6-carboxylate, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) and [Ru(II)(bpc)(pic)3](+) (2(+), pic = 4-picoline) were prepared and fully characterized, which features an anionic tridentate ligand and has enough solubility for spectroscopic study in water. Using Ce(IV) as an electron acceptor, both complexes are able to catalyze O2-evolving reaction with an impressive rate constant. On the basis of the electrochemical and kinetic studies, a water nucleophilic attack pathway was proposed as the dominant catalytic cycle of the catalytic water oxidation by 1(+), within which several intermediates were detected by MS. Meanwhile, an auxiliary pathway that is related to the concentration of Ce(IV) was also revealed. The effect of anionic ligand regarding catalytic water oxidation was discussed explicitly in comparison with previously reported mononuclear Ru catalysts carrying neutral tridentate ligands, for example, 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine (tpy). When 2(+) was oxidized to the trivalent state, one of its picoline ligands dissociated from the Ru center. The rate constant of picoline dissociation was evaluated from time-resolved UV-vis spectra.

Experimental and computational studies on the iridium activation of aliphatic and aromatic C-H bonds of alkyl aryl ethers and related molecules

Reaction of the Ir(III) complex [(Tp(Me2))Ir(C(6)H(5))(2)(N(2))] (1N(2)) with ortho-cresol (2-methylphenol) occurs with cleavage of the O-H and two C(sp(3))-H bonds of the phenol and formation of the electrophilic hydride alkylidene derivative [(Tp(Me2))Ir(H){=C(H)C(6)H(4)-o-O}] (2). The analogous reaction of 2-ethylphenol gives a related product 3. Both 2 and 3 have been shown to be identical to the minor, unidentified products of the already reported reactions of 1 with anisole and phenetole, respectively. Thus, in addition to the route that leads to the known heteroatom-stabilized hydride carbene [(Tp(Me2))Ir(H){=C(H)OC(6)H(4)-o-}] (B), anisole can react with 1 with cleavage of the O-CH(3) bond and formation of a new carbon-carbon bond. In contrast, only C-H bond-activation products with structures akin to B result from 1N(2) and 3,5-dimethylanisole (complex 8) or 4-fluoroanisole (9). Using anisole as a model, a computational study of the triple C-H bond activation (two aliphatic C-H bonds plus an ortho-metalation reaction) that is responsible for the formation of these heteroatom-stabilized hydride carbenes has been undertaken.

Ruthenium catalyzed decarbonylative arylation at sp3 carbon centers in pyrrolidine and piperidine heterocycles

This paper describes the development of a new catalytic transformation, the ruthenium-catalyzed decarbonylative arylation of cyclic 2-amino esters, which replaces the ester group with an aryl ring at the sp3 carbon center. For example, proline ester amidine 1 is converted to 2-arylpyrrolidine 3 in the presence of arylboronic acids or esters as arene donors and Ru(3)(CO)(12) as the catalyst. This process provides a rapid access to a variety of 2-arylpyrrolidines and piperidines from commercially available proline, hydroxyproline, and pipecolinate esters. The examination of the substrate scope also showed that many arene boronic acids and boronate esters serve as coupling partners. The high chemoselectivity of this process was demonstrated and ascribed to the significant rate difference between the decarbonylative arylation and the C-H arylation. The decarbonylative arylation complements the C-H arylation, since the latter process lacks control over the extent of functionalization, affording a mixture of mono- and bis-arylpyrrolidines. When applied in tandem, these two processes provide 2,5-diarylpyrrolidines in two steps from the corresponding proline esters. It was also demonstrated that the required amidine or iminocarbamate directing group fulfills two major functions: first, it is essential for the ester activation step, which occurs via the coordination-assisted metal insertion into the acyl C-O bond; second, it facilitates the decarbonylation, via the stabilization of a metallacycle intermediate, assuring the formation of the 2-arylated products instead of the corresponding ketones observed before by others.