Direct Electrochemical P(V) to P(III) Reduction of Phosphine Oxide Facilitated by Triaryl Borates

Auto-Optimized Electro-Flow Reactor Platform for the in-situ Reduction of P(V) Oxide to P(III) and Their Application

Trivalent phosphine catalysis is mostly utilized to activate the carbon-carbon multiple bonds to form carbanion intermediate species and is highly sensitive to certain variables. Random manual multi-variables are critical for understanding the batch disabled regeneration of trivalent phosphine chemistry. We need the artificial intelligence-based system which can change the variable based on previously conducted failed experiment. Herein, we report an auto-optimized electro-micro-flow reactor platform for the in-situ reduction of stable P(V) oxide to sensitive P(III) and further utilized the method for Corey-Fuchs reaction.

Peptide coupling using recyclable bicyclic benziodazolone

We report a greener peptide coupling using bicyclic benziodazolone and triarylphosphine as coupling reagents. Bicyclic benziodazolone also works as a base and can be recovered as the corresponding iodine(I) compound after use, which can be converted to the original iodine(III) reagent by electrolytic oxidation.

Peptides as Therapeutic Agents: Challenges and Opportunities in the Green Transition Era

Peptides are at the cutting edge of contemporary research for new potent, selective, and safe therapeutical agents. Their rise has reshaped the pharmaceutical landscape, providing solutions to challenges that traditional small molecules often cannot address. A wide variety of natural and modified peptides have been obtained and studied, and many others are advancing in clinical trials, covering multiple therapeutic areas. As the demand for peptide-based therapies grows, so does the need for sustainable and environmentally friendly synthesis methods. Traditional peptide synthesis, while effective, often involves environmentally draining processes, generating significant waste and consuming vast resources. The integration of green chemistry offers sustainable alternatives, prioritizing eco-friendly processes, waste reduction, and energy conservation. This review delves into the transformative potential of applying green chemistry principles to peptide synthesis by discussing relevant examples of the application of such approaches to the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with a peptide structure and how these efforts are critical for an effective green transition era in the pharmaceutical field.

Tertiary Amine-Mediated Reductions of Phosphine Oxides to Phosphines

The reduction of phosphine oxides without the use of highly reactive reductants represents a safer and more sustainable solution for recycling of organophosphorus compounds. Herein, we disclose an N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA)-mediated reduction via an unusual intermolecular hydride transfer. Mechanistic studies suggest that TMEDA serves as a hydride donor, while the P(V) halophosphonium salt acts as the hydride acceptor. This methodology provides a scalable and efficient protocol to reduce phosphine oxides under mild conditions.

An Electrochemical Design for Catalytic Dehydration: Direct, Room-Temperature Esterification without Acid or Base Additives

An electrochemical approach has been leveraged to underpin a new conceptual platform for dehydration reactions, which has been demonstrated in the context of esterification. Esters were prepared from the corresponding acid and alcohol partners at room temperature without acid or base additives and without consuming stoichiometric reagents. This methodology therefore addresses key complications that plague esterification and dehydration reactions more broadly and that represent a leading challenge in synthetic chemistry.

Deoxygenation of Phosphine Oxides by PIII/PV═O Redox Catalysis via Successive Isodesmic Reactions

Deoxygenation of phosphine oxides is of great significance to synthesis of phosphorus ligands and relevant catalysts, as well as to the sustainability of phosphorus chemistry. However, the thermodynamic inertness of P═O bonds poses a severe challenge to their reduction. Previous approaches in this regard rely primarily on a type of P═O bond activation with either Lewis/Brønsted acids or stoichiometric halogenating reagents under harsh conditions. Here, we wish to report a novel catalytic strategy for facile and efficient deoxygenation of phosphine oxides via successive isodesmic reactions, whose thermodynamic driving force for breaking the strong P═O bond was compensated by a synchronous formation of another P═O bond. The reaction was enabled by P^III/P═O redox sequences with the cyclic organophosphorus catalyst and terminal reductant PhSiH₃. This catalytic reaction avoids the use of the stoichiometric activator as in other cases and features a broad substrate scope, excellent reactivities, and mild reaction conditions. Preliminary thermodynamic and mechanistic investigations disclosed a dual synergistic role of the catalyst.

Electrolytic Synthesis of White Phosphorus Is Promoted in Oxide-Deficient Molten Salts

Elemental white phosphorus (P₄) is a key feedstock for the entire phosphorus-derived chemicals industry, spanning everything from herbicides to food additives. The electrochemical reduction of phosphate salts could enable the sustainable production of P₄; however, such electrosynthesis requires the cleavage of strong, inert P-O bonds. By analogy to the promotion of bond activation in aqueous electrolytes with high proton activity (Brønsted-Lowry acidity), we show that low oxide anion activity (Lux-Flood acidity) enhances P-O bond activation in molten salt electrolytes. We develop electroanalytical tools to quantify the oxide dependence of phosphate reduction, and find that Lux acidic phosphoryl anhydride linkages enable selective, high-efficiency electrosynthesis of P₄ at a yield of 95% Faradaic efficiency. These fundamental studies provide a foundation that may enable the development of low-carbon alternatives to legacy carbothermal synthesis of P₄.

Reduction of Triphenylphosphine Oxide to Triphenylphosphine by Phosphonic Acid

A novel method for the iodine-mediated reduction of phosphine oxides (sulfides) to phosphines using phosphonic acid under solvent-free conditions is described. By using a combination of H₃PO₃ and I₂, both tertiary monophosphine oxides and bis-phosphine oxides were reduced under this system, readily producing monodentate and bidentate phosphines, respectively, in good yields. Notably, chiral (R)-(+)-2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl dioxide could be also tolerated without racemization. This new approach is inexpensive and features simple conditions and a wide substrate scope.

Electrosynthetic C-O Bond Activation in Alcohols and Alcohol Derivatives

Alcohols and their derivatives are ubiquitous and versatile motifs in organic synthesis. Deoxygenative transformations of these compounds are often challenging due to the thermodynamic penalty associated with the cleavage of the C-O bond. However, electrochemically driven redox events have been shown to facilitate the C-O bond cleavage in alcohols and their derivatives either through direct electron transfer or through the use of electron transfer mediators and electroactive catalysts. Herein, a comprehensive overview of preparative electrochemically mediated protocols for C-O bond activation and functionalization is detailed, including direct and indirect electrosynthetic methods, as well as photoelectrochemical strategies.

An Iodide-Mediated Anodic Amide Coupling

The ubiquity of amide bonds, present in natural products and common pharmaceuticals renders this functional group one of the most prevalent in organic chemistry. Despite its importance and a wide variety of existing methods for its formation, the latter still can be a challenge for classical activating reagents such as chloridating agents or carbodiimides. As the spent reagents often cannot be recycled, the development of more sustainable methods is highly desirable. Herein, we report an operationally simple and mild indirect electrochemical protocol to effect the condensation of carboxylic acids with amines, forming a wide variety of carboxamides.

Electrochemistry for the Chemoselective Modification of Peptides and Proteins

Although electrochemical strategies for small-molecule synthesis are flourishing, this technology has yet to be fully exploited for the mild and chemoselective modification of peptides and proteins. With the growing number of diverse peptide natural products being identified and the emergence of modified proteins as therapeutic and diagnostic agents, methods for electrochemical modification stand as alluring prospects for harnessing the reactivity of polypeptides to build molecular complexity. As a mild and inherently tunable reaction platform, electrochemistry is arguably well-suited to overcome the chemo- and regioselectivity issues which limit existing bioconjugation strategies. This Perspective will showcase recently developed electrochemical approaches to peptide and protein modification. The article also highlights the wealth of untapped opportunities for the production of homogeneously modified biomolecules, with an eye toward realizing the enormous potential of electrochemistry for chemoselective bioconjugation chemistry.

Biphasic electrochemical peptide synthesis

The large amount of waste derived from coupling reagents is a serious drawback of peptide synthesis from a green chemistry viewpoint. To overcome this issue, we report an electrochemical peptide synthesis in a biphasic system. Anodic oxidation of triphenylphosphine (Ph₃P) generates a phosphine radical cation, which serves as the coupling reagent to activate carboxylic acids, and produces triphenylphosphine oxide (Ph₃P Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> O) as a stoichiometric byproduct. In combination with a soluble tag-assisted liquid-phase peptide synthesis, the selective recovery of desired peptides and Ph₃PO was achieved. Given that methods to reduce Ph₃PO to Ph₃P have been reported, Ph₃PO could be a recyclable byproduct unlike byproducts from typical coupling reagents. Moreover, a commercial peptide active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), leuprorelin, was successfully synthesized without the use of traditional coupling reagents.

The large amount of waste derived from coupling reagents is a serious drawback of peptide synthesis from a green chemistry viewpoint.

Synthesis and reactivity of NHC-coordinated phosphinidene oxide

Here we report the synthesis of an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-stabilised phosphinidene oxide by the controlled oxygenation of a phosphinidene under ambient conditions. This compound can be further oxygenated to a phosphinidene dioxide. The stoichiometric reduction of a phosphinidene oxide with KC₈ resembles the pinacol coupling reaction-the reduction of a carbonyl compound. We also looked at the stoichiometric oxidation of NHC-coordinated phosphinidene, phosphinidene oxide and phosphinidene dioxide with [NO][SbF₆].

Reversing Lewis acidity from bismuth to antimony

Investigations on the boundaries between the neutral and cationic models of (Mesityl)₂EX (E = Sb, Bi and X = Cl^-, OTf^-) have facilitated reversing the Lewis acidity from bismuth to antimony. We use this concept to demonstrate a higher efficiency of (Mesityl)₂SbOTf over (Mesityl)₂BiOTf in the catalytic reduction of phosphine oxides to phosphines. The experiments supported with computations described herein will find use in designing new Lewis acids relevant to catalysis.

Organic Electrochemistry: Expanding the Scope of Paired Reactions

Paired electrochemical reactions allow the optimization of both atom and energy economy of oxidation and reduction reactions. While many paired electrochemical reactions take advantage of perfectly matched reactions at the anode and cathode, this matching of substrates is not necessary. In constant current electrolysis, the potential at both electrodes adjusts to the substrates in solution. In principle, any oxidation reaction can be paired with any reduction reaction. Various oxidation reactions conducted on the anodic side of the electrolysis were paired with the generation and use of hydrogen gas at the cathode, showing the generality of the anodic process in a paired electrolysis and how the auxiliary reaction required for the oxidation could be used to generate a substrate for a non-electrolysis reaction. This is combined with variations on the cathodic side of the electrolysis to complete the picture and illustrate how oxidation and reduction reactions can be combined.

Organic Electrochemistry: Molecular Syntheses with Potential

Efficient and selective molecular syntheses are paramount to inter alia biomolecular chemistry and material sciences as well as for practitioners in chemical, agrochemical, and pharmaceutical industries. Organic electrosynthesis has undergone a considerable renaissance and has thus in recent years emerged as an increasingly viable platform for the sustainable molecular assembly. In stark contrast to early strategies by innate reactivity, electrochemistry was recently merged with modern concepts of organic synthesis, such as transition-metal-catalyzed transformations for inter alia C-H functionalization and asymmetric catalysis. Herein, we highlight the unique potential of organic electrosynthesis for sustainable synthesis and catalysis, showcasing key aspects of exceptional selectivities, the synergism with photocatalysis, or dual electrocatalysis, and novel mechanisms in metallaelectrocatalysis until February of 2021.

A Mild One-Pot Reduction of Phosphine(V) Oxides Affording Phosphines(III) and Their Metal Catalysts

The metal-free reduction of a range of phosphine(V) oxides employing oxalyl chloride as an activating agent and hexachlorodisilane as reducing reagent has been achieved under mild reaction conditions. The method was successfully applied to the reduction of industrial waste byproduct triphenylphosphine(V) oxide, closing the phosphorus cycle to cleanly regenerate triphenylphosphine(III). Mechanistic studies and quantum chemical calculations support the attack of the dissociated chloride anion of intermediated phosphonium salt at the silicon of the disilane as the rate-limiting step for deprotection. The exquisite purity of the resultant phosphine(III) ligands after the simple removal of volatiles under reduced pressure circumvents laborious purification prior to metalation and has permitted the facile formation of important transition metal catalysts.

Main Group Redox Catalysis of Organopnictogens: Vertical Periodic Trends and Emerging Opportunities in Group 15

A growing number of organopnictogen redox catalytic methods have emerged-especially within the past 10 years-that leverage the plentiful reversible two-electron redox chemistry within Group 15. The goal of this Perspective is to provide readers the context to understand the dramatic developments in organopnictogen catalysis over the past decade with an eye toward future development. An exposition of the fundamental differences in the atomic structure and bonding of the pnictogens, and thus the molecular electronic structure of organopnictogen compounds, is presented to establish the backdrop against which organopnictogen redox reactivity-and ultimately catalysis-is framed. A deep appreciation of these underlying periodic principles informs an understanding of the differing modes of organopnictogen redox catalysis and evokes the key challenges to the field moving forward. We close by addressing forward-looking directions likely to animate this area in the years to come. What new catalytic manifolds can be developed through creative catalyst and reaction design that take advantage of the intrinsic redox reactivity of the pnictogens to drive new discoveries in catalysis?

Phosphorus recovery and recycling – closing the loop

The natural phosphorus cycle has been disrupted by human activity, which necessitates the development of new methods for the sustainable production of phosphorus compounds, and efficient recovery and recycling schemes.

New Redox Strategies in Organic Synthesis by Means of Electrochemistry and Photochemistry

As the breadth of radical chemistry grows, new means to promote and regulate single-electron redox activities play increasingly important roles in driving modern synthetic innovation. In this regard, photochemistry and electrochemistry-both considered as niche fields for decades-have seen an explosive renewal of interest in recent years and gradually have become a cornerstone of organic chemistry. In this Outlook article, we examine the current state-of-the-art in the areas of electrochemistry and photochemistry, as well as the nascent area of electrophotochemistry. These techniques employ external stimuli to activate organic molecules and imbue privileged control of reaction progress and selectivity that is challenging to traditional chemical methods. Thus, they provide alternative entries to known and new reactive intermediates and enable distinct synthetic strategies that were previously unimaginable. Of the many hallmarks, electro- and photochemistry are often classified as "green" technologies, promoting organic reactions under mild conditions without the necessity for potent and wasteful oxidants and reductants. This Outlook reviews the most recent growth of these fields with special emphasis on conceptual advances that have given rise to enhanced accessibility to the tools of the modern chemical trade.

A Systems Approach to a One-Pot Electrochemical Wittig Olefination Avoiding the Use of Chemical Reductant or Sacrificial Electrode

An unprecedented one‐pot fully electrochemically driven Wittig olefination reaction system without employing a chemical reductant or sacrificial electrode material to regenerate triphenylphosphine (TPP) from triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO) and base‐free in situ formation of Wittig ylides, is reported. Starting from TPPO, the initial step of the phosphoryl P=O bond activation proceeds through alkylation with RX (R=Me, Et; X=OSO₂CF₃ (OTf)), affording the corresponding [Ph₃POR]⁺X⁻ salts which undergo efficient electroreduction to TPP in the presence of a substoichiometric amount of the Sc(OTf)₃ Lewis acid on a Ag‐electrode. Subsequent alkylation of TPP affords Ph₃PR⁺ which enables a facile and efficient electrochemical in situ formation of the corresponding Wittig ylide under base‐free condition and their direct use for the olefination of various carbonyl compounds. The mechanism and, in particular, the intriguing role of Sc³⁺ as mediator in the TPPO electroreduction been uncovered by density functional theory calculations.

Let's Make White Phosphorus Obsolete

Industrial and laboratory methods for incorporating phosphorus atoms into molecules within the framework of Green Chemistry are in their infancy. Current practice requires large inputs of energy, involves toxic intermediates, and generates substantial waste. Furthermore, a negligible fraction of phosphorus-containing waste is recycled which in turn contributes to negative environmental impacts, such as eutrophication. Methods that begin to address some of these drawbacks are reviewed, and some key opportunities to be realized by pursuing organophosphorus chemistry under the principles of Green Chemistry are highlighted. Methods used by nature, or in the chemistry of other elements such as silicon, are discussed as model processes for the future of phosphorus in chemical synthesis.

Convergent Synthesis of Polysubstituted Furans via Catalytic Phosphine Mediated Multicomponent Reactions

Tri- or tetrasubstituted furans have been prepared from terminal activated olefins and acyl chlorides or anhydrides by a multicomponental convergent synthesis mode. Instead of stoichiometric nBu₃P, only catalytic nBu₃P or nBu₃P=O is needed to furnish the furans in modest to excellent yields with a good functional group tolerance under the aid of reducing agent silane. This synthetic method features a silane-driven catalytic intramolecular Wittig reaction as a key annulation step and represents the first successful application of catalytic Wittig reaction in multicomponent cascade reaction.