First Examples of Transition-Metal Free Sonogashira-Type Couplings

Cross-Coupling Between Aryl Halides and Aryl Alkynes Catalyzed by an Odd Alternant Hydrocarbon

Catalytic cross-coupling between aryl halides and alkynes is considered an extremely important organic transformation (popularly known as the Sonogashira coupling) and it requires a transition metal-based catalyst. Accomplishing such transformation without any transition metal-based catalyst in the absence of any external stimuli such as heat, photoexcitation or cathodic current is highly challenging. This work reports transition-metal-free cross-coupling between aryl halides and alkynes synthesizing a rich library of internal alkynes without any external stimuli. A chemically double-reduced phenalenyl (PLY)-based molecule with the super-reducing property was employed for single electron transfer to activate aryl halides generating reactive aryl radicals, which subsequently react with alkyne. This protocol covers not only various types of aryl, heteroaryl and polyaryl halides but also applies to a large variety of aromatic alkynes at room temperature. With a versatile substrate scope successfully tested on more than 75 entries, this radical-mediated pathway has been explained by several control experiments. All the key reactive intermediates have been characterized with spectroscopic evidence. Detailed DFT calculations have been instrumental in portraying the mechanistic pathway. Furthermore, we have successfully extended this transition-metal-free catalytic strategy for the first time towards solvent-free cross-coupling between solid aryl halide and alkyne substrates.

Photochemical Sonogashira coupling reactions: beyond traditional palladium-copper catalysis

Sonogashira coupling is one of the Nobel reactions discovered in 1975 to form a C-C bond using palladium and copper as co-catalysts. Incorporating alkyne functionalities either in macro or micro molecules by using this Sonogashira reaction has already proven its viability and relevance in the sphere of synthetic chemistry. While aiming for sustainable chemistry, in recent years, visible light photoredox catalysts have appeared as an advanced tool in this regard. In this review, we aim to portray a comprehensive summary of modern visible light photo redox catalyzed Sonogashira reaction, which will leave space for the readers to rethink alternative strategies to conduct the Sonogashira reaction. This review briefly describes the implementation of various metal-based nanomaterial photocatalysts, developing either copper or palladium-free photocatalytic methods, and organo-photolytic and bioinspired photocatalysts for the Sonogashira coupling reactions. Besides, this review also gives a concise overview of the mechanistic aspects and highlights selective examples for substrate scope.

Microwave-assisted, Copper-free Sonogashira Coupling Between Aryl Halides and Terminal Alkynes Using Recyclable Ionic Liquid and Catalyst

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An efficient method for the Sonogashira coupling reaction between aryl halides and terminal alkynes has been developed. The reaction was performed in ionic liquid 1-butyl-3- methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([Bmim][BF4]) under microwave irradiation. High yields of products were obtained in a very short reaction time. Moreover, the medium and catalyst could be recovered and reused three times without considerable decrease in reaction yields.

Facile one-pot synthesis of diarylacetylenes from arylaldehydes via an addition-double elimination process

A practical one-pot protocol has been developed to synthesize diarylacetylenes from arylaldehydes by treatment with 1-(arylmethyl)benzotriazoles and LiN(SiMe3)2. The reaction proceeded through imine formation, Mannich-type addition and double elimination to deliver products in up to 99% yields with broad substrate scope. In addition, gram-scale synthesis of 1-bromo-4-(phenylethynyl)benzene has been demonstrated.

A Palladium-Free Sonogashira Coupling Protocol Employing an In Situ Prepared Copper/Chelating 1,2,3-Triazolylidene System

A new, palladium-free Sonogashira coupling reaction protocol using a catalytic system that comprises a simple, cheap, widely available copper salt and a chelating 1,2,3-triazolylidene ligand precursor is reported. This protocol provides the desired coupling products in moderate to very good yields.

A rhodium-catalysed Sonogashira-type coupling exploiting C-S functionalisation: orthogonality with palladium-catalysed variants

This report concerns the development of an efficient Sonogashira-type coupling of arylmethylsulfides and terminal alkynes to generate aryl alkyne motifs. Orthogonal reactivity between traditional Pd catalysts, and the Rh catalysts employed, results in the ability to selectively activate either the C-S bond or C-X bond through catalyst choice. The Rh-bisphosphine catalyst has further been shown to be able to effect a hydroacylation-Sonogashira tandem sequence, and in combination with further onward reactions has been used in the synthesis of heterocycles and polycyclic systems.

The effects of amines on oxidative homo-coupling of terminal alkynes promoted by copper salts

The effects of all kinds of amines on homo-couplings (Glaser reactions) of terminal alkynes promoted by copper salts and the Sonogashira coupling reactions were studied systematically. Diethylamine (2° amine) can serve as an excellent solvent, base and coordination ligand in the oxidative homo-coupling of terminal alkynes and several modified Glaser coupling procedures have been developed which are based on a catalytic amount of cuprous salts (CuI, CuBr or CuCl) with diethylamine systems. Homo-coupling of terminal acetylenes in the Sonogashira reaction could be inhibited by using triethylamine (3° amine) as reaction medium, and the cross-coupling products were formed as the exclusive products.

A Novel Cu(II)-Catalysed Sonogashira Reaction

In the presence of triphenylphosphine, a novel Cu(II)-catalysed Sonogashira reaction of aryl iodides and bromides with terminal alkynes has been developed, which generates the corresponding cross-coupling products in good yields.

A dramatic enhancing effect of InBr3 towards the oxidative Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction of 2-ethynylanilines

The addition of InBr3 to the oxidative Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction of 2-ethynylaniline with (E)-trimethyl(3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-enyl)silane led to a dramatic increase in the reactivity to afford the corresponding 1,3-enynes bearing a trifluoromethyl group on their terminal sp(2) carbon. The subsequent cyclization of these 1,3-enynes under palladium catalysis provides access to the corresponding indoles bearing a 3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-enyl group at their 2-position.

Dendrimer-encapsulated Pd(0) nanoparticles immobilized on nanosilica as a highly active and recyclable catalyst for the copper- and phosphine-free Sonogashira–Hagihara coupling reactions in water

Recyclable dendrimer-encapsulated Pd(0) nanoparticles immobilized on nanosilica in the Sonogashira–Hagihara reaction under copper(i) and phosphine ligand-free conditions in water.

Unimolecular tetrakis-piperidine-4-ol: an efficient ligand for copper and amine free Sonogashira coupling

Unimolecular tetrakis-4-hydroxypiperidine catalysed Cu and amine free Sonogashira coupling of various aryliodides/bromides and alkyl or aryl terminal alkynes giving access to internal arylalkynes is reported.

Synthesis of functionalized β-lactams and pyrrolidine-2,5-diones through a metal-free sequential Ugi-4CR/cyclization reaction

An efficient approach for the synthesis of functionalized β-lactams and pyrrolidine-2,5-diones was achieved through a sequential Ugi-4CR/cyclization reaction. Diversity-oriented synthesis, good to high yields, easy workup, and short reaction times are advantages of this procedure.

To be or not to be metal-free: trends and advances in coupling chemistries

Coupling reactions have been part of several extensive studies in order to develop innovative and greener protocols that can generate a wide range of compounds with applications in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and biologically active compounds. Metal-free couplings are an important and increasingly trendy field that has attracted a significant deal of interest in recent years, generating a lot of controversy on the issue of whether metal free is really free. Aside from focusing on such a controversial topic itself, this contribution aims to provide a brief introduction on coupling chemistry to point out the transition of this technology from metal-catalyzed to metal-free. This is followed by a range of key selected synthetically useful metal-free processes and a brief commentary on the current debate of whether metal-free reactions are really metal-free and the required experiments for a full understanding of a metal-free coupling process.

ZnO Nanoparticles: Efficient and Versatile Reagents for Synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles

Reaction between azides and acetylenes catalysed by ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in solvent EtOH at room temperature provide a simple and efficient one-pot route for the synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles in excellent yields. 1,2,3-Triazoles are used in various agricultural, industrial and medical fields.

Reduction of nitroarenes to azoxybenzenes by potassium borohydride in water

The synthesis of the azoxybenzenes by the reduction of nitroarenes with reducing agent potassium borohydride in water was reported for the first time. PEG-400 was used as a phase transfer catalyst and could effectively catalyze the reduction. The electronic effects of substituent groups play an important role in determining the reduction efficiencies. Electron-withdrawing substituents promote the formation of the azoxybenzene products, while electron-releasing groups retard the reductions to various degrees depending on the extent of their electron-donating ability.