Brönsted Acid-Mediated Intramolecular Cyclization of Biaryl Triazenes for the Synthesis of Fluorenes and 9,10-Dihydro-Phenanthrenes

Recent advances in the chemistry of aryltriazene

Triazene is one of the most versatile building blocks in organic synthesis. Generally, it is viewed as a safe equivalent of diazonium salt, thus immediately finding numerous applications in preparative chemistry and medicinal chemistry. Besides, it can be used as a removable directing group in C-H functionalization or play a smart role as a precursor for aryl cation/radical generation. In this review, we will highlight recent noteworthy developments in this field.

Solid-state construction of zigzag periphery via intramolecular C-H insertion induced by alumina-mediated C-F activation

C_aryl-F bond activation has become an important and quickly developing method for construction of carbon-based materials. We report that alumina-mediated C-F bond activation (AmCFA) enables construction of PAHs with zigzag periphery. This method includes formal C_sp³-H activation and opens an avenue for generation of carbon-based nanomagnets directly on technologically relevant surfaces.

Silica gel-induced aryne generation from o-triazenylarylboronic acids as stable solid precursors

We developed o-triazenylarylboronic acids as stable solid aryne precursors, which generate arynes under mild conditions using silica gel as the sole reagent and undergo reactions with a range of arynophiles both in solution and in the solid-state.

Intermolecular Three-Component Synthesis of Fluorene Derivatives by a Rhodium-Catalyzed Stitching Reaction/Remote Nucleophilic Substitution Sequence

A three-component synthesis of multisubstituted fluorene derivatives has been developed by devising a rhodium-catalyzed stitching reaction/remote nucleophilic substitution sequence. A variety of nucleophiles can be installed in the second step including both heteroatom and carbon nucleophiles. An efficient synthesis of 5H-benzo[a]fluoren-5-ones has also been realized using N-(2-alkynyl)benzoylpyrrole as the reaction partner through a new reaction pathway.

Divergent Synthesis of Densely Substituted Arenes and Pyridines via Cyclotrimerization Reactions of Alkynyl Triazenes

Densely substituted fused aromatic triazenes can be prepared by [2 + 2 + 2] cyclotrimerization reactions of 1-alkynyl triazenes. The Cp*Ru-catalyzed cyclization proceeds well with both simple alkynyl triazenes and tethered 1-diynyl triazenes. Attractively, the methodology can be extended to pyridine synthesis by replacing an alkyne with a nitrile. The reaction is regioselective and yields the sterically more hindered product. The triazene group precisely installed on the synthesized aryl and pyridyl ring is a highly versatile moiety, which is effortlessly converted into the most important and frequently used functional aryl substituents, including fluorides. It is also suited for intramolecular transformations to afford a variety of valuable heterocycles. The coordination chemistry of alkynyl triazenes and Cp*RuCl was studied and led to the structural characterization of a Cp*RuCl(η²-alkyne) complex, a Cp*RuCl(η⁴-cyclobutadiene) complex, and an unusual dinuclear Ru complex with a bridging tetramethylfulvene ligand. Complexes of this type are potentially involved in catalyst deactivation pathways.

Synthesis of Aryl Trimethylstannane via BF3·OEt2-Mediated Cross-Coupling of Hexaalkyl Distannane Reagent with Aryl Triazene at Room Temperature

BF₃·OEt₂-mediated cross-coupling of (SnMe₃)₂ with aryl triazene offers a new strategy for the synthesis of aryl stannane. A variety of synthetically useful aryl trimethylstannanes were produced in moderate to good yields with this metal-free approach. One-pot sequential Stille cross-coupling with different aryl bromides provides a short entry to both symmetrical and unsymmetrical biaryl compounds.

One-Pot Synthesis of Trisubstituted Triazenes from Grignard Reagents and Organic Azides

A simple and versatile method for the preparation of linear, trisubstituted triazenes is reported. The procedure is based on the reaction of Grignard reagents with 1-azido-4-iodobutane or 4-azidobutyl-4-methylbenzenesulfonate. These organic azides enable the regioselective formation of triazenes via an intramolecular cyclization step. The new method can be used for the preparation of aryl, heteroaryl, vinyl, and alkyl triazenes. The synthetic utility of vinyl triazenes is demonstrated by acid-induced C-N, C-O, C-F, C-P, and C-S bond-forming reactions.

Diversity-Oriented Synthesis of Coumarin-Linked Benzimidazoles via a One-Pot, Three-Step, Intramolecular Knoevenagel Cyclization

Diversity-oriented synthesis of coumarin-linked benzimidazoles from N-(2-aminophenyl)-2-cyanoacetamide was achieved via a one-pot, three-step sequential reaction in excellent yields. In situ intramolecular cyclization of the cyanoacetamide afforded benzimidazoles which subsequently underwent a Knoevenagel condensation of the 2-cyanomethylbenzimidazoles with salicylaldehydes promoted by triethylamine to reach the target compounds. An important intermediate, 2-(2-imino-2H-chromen-3-yl)-1H-benzimidazole was characterized by X-ray analysis and further hydrolyzed to 2-(coumarin-3-yl)benzimidazole in acidic condition. Among the synthesized compounds, some were found to be promising inhibitors of porcine kidney d-amino acid oxidase (pkDAO).

Copper-mediated radical alkylarylation of unactivated alkenes with acetonitrile leading to fluorenes and pyrroloindoles

A Cu-mediated/catalyzed selective oxidative dual C–H bond cleavage of an arene and alkylnitrile or acetone is reported. This method provides an alternative method for designing new pharmaceutical frameworks and photoelectronic devices.

Intramolecular C–H insertion vs. Friedel–Crafts coupling induced by silyl cation-promoted C–F activation

Silyl cation-promoted aryl C–F activation can lead to formal C–H activation and the formation of new C(ar)–C(alkyl) bonds.