Selective Dimerization of Arylalkynes to (E)-1,4-Diaryl Enynes Catalyzed by the [Ru(p-cymene)Cl2]2/Acetic Acid System under Phosphine-Free Conditions

Transition Metal Vinylidene- and Allenylidene-Mediated Catalysis in Organic Synthesis

With their mechanistic novelty and various modalities of reactivity, transition metal unsaturated carbene (alkenylidene) complexes have emerged as versatile intermediates for new reaction discovery. In particular, the past decade has witnessed remarkable advances in the chemistry of metal vinylidenes and allenylidenes, leading to the evolution of a diverse array of new catalytic transformations that are mechanistically distinct from those developed in the previous two decades. This review aims to provide a survey of the recent achievements in the development of organic reactions that make use of transition metal alkenylidenes as catalytic intermediates and their applications to organic synthesis.

Metal-free gem selective dimerization of terminal alkynes catalyzed by a pyridonate borane complex

The metal-free dimerization of alkynes catalyzed by a pyridonate borane complex via a 1,2-carboration is reported.

Computational insight into the mechanism of the Pd(0)–Brønsted acid cooperatively catalysed head-to-tail dimerization of terminal alkynes

The Pd(0)–Brønsted acid cooperatively catalysed head-to-tail dimerization of terminal alkynes was computationally studied to gain a mechanistic insight.

CuSO4-H-phosphonate catalyzed highly stereo- and regioselective dimerization of terminal alkynes

The readily available CuSO₄-H-phosphonate catalytic system can catalyze the head-to-head dimerization of terminal alkynes to give the corresponding (E) conjugated enynes selectively in high yield.

Carboxylate switch between hydro- and carbopalladation pathways in regiodivergent dimerization of alkynes

Experimental and theoretical investigation of the regiodivergent palladium-catalyzed dimerization of terminal alkynes is presented. Employment of N-heterocyclic carbene-based palladium catalyst in the presence of phosphine ligand allows for highly regio- and stereoselective head-to-head dimerization reaction. Alternatively, addition of carboxylate anion to the reaction mixture triggers selective head-to-tail coupling. Computational studies suggest that reaction proceeds via the hydropalladation pathway favoring head-to-head dimerization under neutral reaction conditions. The origin of the regioselectivity switch can be explained by the dual role of carboxylate anion. Thus, the removal of hydrogen atom by the carboxylate directs reaction from the hydropalladation to the carbopalladation pathway. Additionally, in the presence of the carboxylate anion intermediate, palladium complexes involved in the head-to-tail dimerization display higher stability compared to their analogues for the head-to-head reaction.

Microwave-assisted palladium-catalyzed highly regio- and stereoselective head to head dimerization of terminal aryl alkynes in water

A highly regio- and stereoselective oxime palladacycle/imidazolinium-catalyzed head to head dimerization of terminal aryl alkynes in water is presented.

Chelation-assisted carbon-halogen bond activation by a rhodium(I) complex

Chelation-assisted activation of C-X bonds (X = Cl, Br, and I) took place in the reaction of [Rh(PPh(3))(2)(acetone)(2)](+) and 2-(2-halophenyl)pyridine or 10-halobenzo[h]quinoline. A series of 16-electron five-coordinate cationic rhodium(III) monohalide complexes was synthesized at room temperature. Neutral octahedral rhodium(III) dihalide complexes were obtained when the corresponding cationic monohalide complexes were further heated in acetone. Rhodium and iridium diiodides with these cyclometalation motifs could be alternatively synthesized from the reaction of the corresponding cyclometalated hydride complexes and I(2). X-ray crystal structures of representative monohalide and dihalide complexes are reported. Octahedral rhodium(III) dihalide complexes are active catalysts for the dimerization of terminal alkynes, while 16-electron cationic rhodium(III) monohalides are inactive.