Application of Ruthenium Complexes of Triazole-Containing Tridentate Ligands to Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones

Copper-Catalyzed Three-Component Tandem Reaction of Alkynes, α-Diazo Esters, and TMSN3 to Access N-Substituted 1,2,3-Triazoles

An efficient copper-catalyzed three-component tandem reaction of alkynes, α-diazo esters, and TMSN3 to construct triazoles has been developed. Through this strategy, a number of diverse N-substituted 1,2,3-triazoles were conveniently obtained in moderate to good yields from simple and readily available starting materials using K2CO3 as the base. The mechanism of the tandem Cu-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) and Cu-carbenoid-participated C-N coupling reaction has been investigated.

Decarboxylative Triazolation Enables Direct Construction of Triazoles from Carboxylic Acids

Triazoles have major roles in chemistry, medicine, and materials science, as centrally important heterocyclic motifs and bioisosteric replacements for amides, carboxylic acids, and other carbonyl groups, as well as some of the most widely used linkers in click chemistry. Yet, the chemical space and molecular diversity of triazoles remains limited by the accessibility of synthetically challenging organoazides, thereby requiring preinstallation of the azide precursors and restricting triazole applications. We report herein a photocatalytic, tricomponent decarboxylative triazolation reaction that for the first time enables direct conversion of carboxylic acids to triazoles in a single-step, triple catalytic coupling with alkynes and a simple azide reagent. Data-guided inquiry of the accessible chemical space of decarboxylative triazolation indicates that the transformation can improve access to the structural diversity and molecular complexity of triazoles. Experimental studies demonstrate a broad scope of the synthetic method that includes a variety of carboxylic acid, polymer, and peptide substrates. When performed in the absence of alkynes, the reaction can also be used to access organoazides, thereby obviating preactivation and specialized azide reagents and providing a two-pronged approach to C-N bond-forming decarboxylative functional group interconversions.

Copper-Promoted One-Pot Sandmeyer-Type Reaction for the Synthesis of N-Aryltriazoles

Herein, we report the copper-catalyzed one-pot Sandmeyer-type reaction of aromatic amines with triazoles to afford N-aryl-1,2,3-triazoles. Diazonium salts, formed from aromatic amines and tert-butyl nitrite in the presence of fluoroboric acid, reacted with triazoles in a copper-catalyzed Sandmeyer-type reaction. The reaction proceeded under mild conditions to afford N-aryltriazoles in moderate to good yields. This method is amenable to a wide range of aromatic amines and triazoles and shows diverse functional group tolerance. Inhibition of the reaction upon the addition of free radical scavengers suggested a radical pathway, in which the aryl radical, copper, and triazole formed a complex that underwent reductive elimination to give aryltriazole compounds; this is consistent with the mechanism underlying the Sandmeyer reaction. Thus, we demonstrate a new effective strategy for the construction of C-N bonds via Sandmeyer-type reactions and a valuable alternative approach for the synthesis of aryltriazole derivatives.

1,6-Addition of 1,2,3-NH triazoles to para-quinone methides: Facile access to highly selective N1 and N2 substituted triazoles

The regioselective syntheses of N¹ and N² substituted triazoles through a 1,6-addition reaction of 1,2,3-NH triazoles to p-quinone methide were achieved under mild reaction conditions. The present reactions showed superior results in terms of selectivity, mild reaction conditions, short reaction time and broad substrate scope with good functional-group compatibility. Considering the high synthetic value of N¹- and N²-substituted compounds and p-QM related research, the present strategy will greatly benefit researchers in various fields.

Carboxamide carbonyl-ruthenium(ii) complexes: detailed structural and mechanistic studies in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones

The organo-carboxamide carbonyl-ruthenium(ii) complexes displayed moderate catalytic activities in the transfer hydrogenation of a broad spectrum of ketones.

A phosphine-free Mn(I)-NNS catalyst for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone: a theoretical prediction

The density functional theory (DFT) method was employed to investigate the reaction mechanism of the hydrogen activation and asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) of acetophenone catalyzed by a well-defined phosphine-free Mn(I)-NNS complex. The calculation results indicate that the Mn-NNS complex has potential high catalytic hydrogenation activity. Meanwhile, the hydrogen transfer step of this reaction is proposed to be a concerted but asynchronous process, and the hydride transfer precedes proton transfer. This work also pointed out that the stereoselectivity of ATH catalyzed by the Mn(I)-NNS complex mainly originates from the noncovalent interaction between the substrate and the catalyst. Additionally, the catalytic activities of Mn-NNS complexes with different X ligands (X = CO, Cl, H, OMe, NCMe, CCMe, and CHCHMe) were compared, and the calculated total reaction energy barriers were all viable, which indicates that these Mn-NNS complexes show higher CO bond hydrogenation activity under mild conditions. This theoretical study predicts that the reactions catalyzed by complexes with H and NCMe ligands exhibit high stereoselectivity with enantiomeric excess (ee) values of 97% and 93%, respectively.

Chiral Tridentate Ligands in Transition Metal-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation

Asymmetric hydrogenation (AH) of double bonds has been one of the most effective methods for the preparation of chiral molecules and for the synthesis of important chiral building blocks. In the past 60 years, noble metals with bidentate ligands have shown marvelous reactivity and enantioselectivity in asymmetric hydrogenation of a series of prochiral substrates. In recent years, developing chiral tridentate ligands has played an increasingly important role in AH. With modular frameworks and a variety of functionalities on the side arms, chiral tridentate ligand complexes enable both reactivities and stereoselectivities. Although great achievements have been made for noble metal catalysts with chiral tridentate ligands since the 1990s, the design of chiral tridentate ligands for earth abundant metal catalysts has still been in high demand. This review summarizes the development of chiral tridentate ligands for homogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation. The philosophy of ligand design and the reaction mechanisms are highlighted and discussed as well.

Synthesis of 5-trifluoromethyl-1,2,3-triazoles via base-mediated cascade annulation of diazo compounds with trifluoroacetimidoyl chlorides

A metal-, azide- and CF₃-reagent free approach for the synthesis of 5-trifluoromethyl-1,2,3-triazoles via base-mediated cascade annulation of diazo compounds with trifluoroacetimidoyl chlorides has been developed.

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of novel ruthenium complexes bearing NNN click based ligands

Novel air stable ruthenium(ii) complexes bearing tridentate ligands bis((1-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl)amine (L1), 1-(1-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)methanamine (L2) or 2-(4-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)ethan-1-amine (L3) were synthesised. The nitrogen based ligands were easily prepared by virtue of click chemistry using cheap and commercially available reagents. The ruthenium complexes were obtained by heating the Ru(PPh3)3Cl2 precursor and the tridentate NNN ligand in toluene under reflux for 2 hours, achieving yields of 82-87%. These complexes were fully characterized by means of NMR, FT-IR and high resolution ESI spectroscopy. The crystal structure of one of the complexes was determined. These complexes showed excellent activity and selectivity in the hydrogenation of ketones and aldehydes. DFT calculations show that complex 3 may react through an outer-sphere catalytic cycle rather than via an inner-sphere mechanism.

Probing the Effects of Heterocyclic Functionality in [(Benzene)Ru(TsDPENR)Cl] Catalysts for Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation

A range of TsDPEN catalysts containing heterocyclic groups on the amine nitrogen atom were prepared and evaluated in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones. Bidentate and tridentate ligands demonstrated a mutual exclusivity directly related to their function as catalysts. A broad series of ketones were reduced with these new catalysts, permitting the ready identification of an optimal catalyst for each substrate and revealing the subtle effects that changes to nearby donor groups can exhibit.

Unexpected formation and conversion: role of substituents of 1,3-ynones in the reactivity and product distribution during their reactions with Ru3(CO)12

Electronic and steric effects of the substituents in 1,3-ynones play key roles in the product distribution and molecular structures.

Applications of N′-monofunctionalised TsDPEN derivatives in asymmetric catalysis

N′-Monoalkylated or N′-mono(thio)acylated(N-sulfonyl)-1,2-diphenylethylene-1,2-diamine (TsDPEN) derivatives are have found extensive applications in asymmetric catalysis of a wide range of synthetic applications.

Activation reactions of 2-pyridyl and 2-pyrimidinyl alkynes with Ru3(CO)12

The strong coordination ability of nitrogen atoms of N-heterocyclic groups plays key roles in the product distribution and molecular structures.

Ruthenium(0)-Catalyzed Cycloaddition of 1,2-Diols, Ketols, or Diones via Alcohol-Mediated Hydrogen Transfer

Merging the characteristics of transfer hydrogenation and carbonyl addition, a broad new class of ruthenium(0)-catalyzed cycloadditions has been developed. As discussed in this Minireview, fused or bridged bicyclic ring systems are accessible in a redox-independent manner in C-C bond-forming hydrogen transfer reactions of diols, α-ketols, or 1,2-diones with diverse unsaturated reactants.

Ruthenium(II) complexes bearing (NNN) ligand: catalytic evaluation of different solvent-mediated coordination modes

A new (NNN) tridentate ligand was prepared, and its ability to coordinate ruthenium(II) was evaluated. The presence of different functional groups on the ligand allows bi- or tri-coordinated complexes to be obtained depending on complexation conditions. The catalytic activity of both bidentate and tridentate complexes was studied in asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of different aryl ketones, showing a comparable behavior of the two complexes in terms of efficiency and stereoselectivity.

Electronic and steric effects of substituents in 1,3-diphenylprop-2-yn-1-one during its reaction with Ru3(CO)12

Electronic and steric effects of substituents of alkynyl ketones play important roles in regulating reaction pathways.

Methanol as hydrogen source: transfer hydrogenation of aromatic aldehydes with a rhodacycle

A rhodacycle catalyses efficient hydrogenation of aldehydes, deriving the hydrogen from methanol.

Ruthenium-catalyzed insertion of adjacent diol carbon atoms into C-C bonds: Entry to type II polyketides

Current catalytic processes involving carbon-carbon bond activation rely on π-unsaturated coupling partners. Exploiting the concept of transfer hydrogenative coupling, we report a ruthenium(0)-catalyzed cycloaddition of benzocyclobutenones that functionalizes two adjacent saturated diol carbon-hydrogen bonds. These regio- and diastereoselective processes enable convergent construction of type II polyketide substructures.

Diols as Dienophiles: Bridged Carbocycles via Ruthenium(0)-Catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenative Cycloadditions of Cyclohexadiene or Norbornadiene

Highly exo-selective ruthenium(0) catalyzed transfer hydrogenative cycloadditions of 1,2-diols with cyclohexadiene or norbornadiene are described. Novel bridged bicyclic ring systems are accessible from the diol, α-ketol or 1,2-dione oxidation levels with complete control of diastereoselectivity.

Copper-Catalyzed Cross-Dehydrogenative N2-Coupling of NH-1,2,3-Triazoles with N,N -Dialkylamides: N-Amidoalkylation of NH-1,2,3-Triazoles

An efficient copper-catalyzed C-N bond formation by N-H/C-H cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) between NH-1,2,3-triazoles and N,N-dialkylamides has been developed. The method provided N-amidoalkylated 1,2,3-triazoles with moderate to high yields, and the reactions showed high N²-selectivities when 4,5-disubstituted NH-1,2,3-triazoles served as the substrates.

A two-step continuous flow synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles under metal- and azide-free conditions

A new method for the formation of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles in a continuous flow system under metal- and azide-free conditions has been developed. The corresponding products were obtained in moderate to good yields.

Ruthenium-catalyzed synthesis of tri-substituted 1,3,5-triazines from alcohols and biguanides

An efficient method for the synthesis of tri-substituted 1,3,5-triazine derivatives based on Ru-catalyzed reaction of alcohols with biguanides is presented.