Cu(II)-catalyzed synthesis of naphthalene-1,3-diamine derivatives from haloalkynes and amines

Combining Bayesian optimization and automation to simultaneously optimize reaction conditions and routes

Reaching optimal reaction conditions is crucial to achieve high yields, minimal by-products, and environmentally sustainable chemical reactions. With the recent rise of artificial intelligence, there has been a shift from traditional Edisonian trial-and-error optimization to data-driven and automated approaches, which offer significant advantages. Here, we showcase the capabilities of an integrated platform; we conducted simultaneous optimizations of four different terminal alkynes and two reaction routes using an automation platform combined with a Bayesian optimization platform. Remarkably, we achieved a conversion rate of over 80% for all four substrates in 23 experiments, covering ca. 0.2% of the combinatorial space. Further analysis allowed us to identify the influence of different reaction parameters on the reaction outcomes, demonstrating the potential for expedited reaction condition optimization and the prospect of more efficient chemical processes in the future.

Benzannulation of isobenzopyryliums with electron-rich alkynes: a modular access to β-functionalized naphthalenes

Described here is a modular strategy for the rapid synthesis of β-functionalized electron-rich naphthalenes, a family of valuable molecules lacking general access previously. Our approach employs an intermolecular benzannulation of in situ generated isobenzopyrylium ions with various electron-rich alkynes, which were not well utilized for this type of reaction before. These reactions not only feature a broad scope, complete regioselectivity, and mild conditions, but also exhibit unusual product divergence depending on the substrate substitution pattern. This divergence allows further expansion of the product diversity. Control experiments provided preliminary insights into the reaction mechanism.

A substituent-controlled divergent benzannulation provides rapid access to various β-functionalized naphthalenes from electron-rich alkynes.

Chemoselective Preparation of 1-Iodoalkynes, 1,2-Diiodoalkenes, and 1,1,2-Triiodoalkenes Based on the Oxidative Iodination of Terminal Alkynes

We present the chemoselective synthesis of 1-(iodoethynyl)-4-methylbenzene, 1-(1,2-diiodovinyl)-4-methylbenzene, and 1-methyl-4-(1,2,2-triiodovinyl)benzene as representative examples for the practical chemoselective preparation of 1-iodoalkynes, 1,2-diiodoalkenes, and 1,1,2-triiodoalkenes from the chemoselective iodination of terminal alkynes mediated by hypervalent-iodine reagents. The chemoselectivity was confirmed by using p-tolylethyne as a model substrate to screen a variety of iodine sources and/or the hypervalent-iodine reagents. A combination of tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI) and (diacetoxyiodo)benzene (PIDA) selectively generates 1-iodoalkynes, while a combination of KI and PIDA generates 1,2-diiodoalkenes. A one-pot synthesis based on both TBAI-PIDA and KI-PIDA yields the corresponding 1,1,2-triiodoalkenes. These protocols were subsequently applied to the synthesis of synthetically important aromatic and aliphatic 1-iodoalkynes, 1,2-diiodoalkenes, and 1,1,2-triiodoalkenes, which were obtained in good yield with excellent chemoselectivity.

An aqueous medium-controlled stereospecific oxidative iodination of alkynes: efficient access to (E)-diiodoalkene derivatives

A new and versatile approach for the stereospecific iodination of alkynes has been developed in aqueous media. Scale-up reactions (up to 5 g) established the proficiency of this protocol and highlight the feasibility of large scale reactions.

Hypervalent Iodine Mediated Chemoselective Iodination of Alkynes

Reported herein are practical approaches for the chemoselective mono-, di-, and tri-iodination of alkynes based on efficient oxidative iodinations catalyzed by hypervalent iodine reagents. The reaction conditions were systematically optimized by altering the iodine source and/or the hypervalent iodine reagent system. The tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI)/(diacetoxyiodo)benzene (PIDA) system is specific for monoiodination, while the KI/PIDA system results in di-iodination. Combining the TBAI/PIDA and KI/PIDA systems in one pot provided the corresponding tri-iodination products efficiently. These reaction conditions can be applied to the synthetically important iodination of aromatic and aliphatic alkynes, which was accomplished in good yield (up to 99%) and excellent chemoselectivity. These synthetic methods can also be applied to the efficient chemoselective synthesis of iodoalkyne derivatives, intermediates, and related biologically active compounds.

PIFA-BF3·OEt2 mediated intramolecular regioselective domino cyclization of ynamides: A novel method for the synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinoline-oxazol-2(3H)-ones

The transition metal-free intramolecular regioselective domino cyclization of N-Boc protected ynamides has been developed to provide the corresponding tetrahydroisoquinoline-oxazo-2(3H)-ones in moderate to good yields.

CuO/I2-mediated intramolecular annulation for the synthesis of 2-aroyl-3-hydroxy-4-iodonaphthalenes

A novel method for the direct synthesis of 2-aroyl-3-hydroxy-4-iodonaphthalenes has been developed via CuO/I₂-mediated domino reactions.

Haloalkynes: a powerful and versatile building block in organic synthesis

Inspired by the need for green and sustainable chemistry, modern synthetic chemists have been seeking general and practical ways to construct complex molecules while maximizing atom economy and minimizing synthetic steps. Over the past few decades, considerable progress has been made to fulfill these goals by taking advantage of transition metal catalysis and chemical reagents with diverse and tunable reactivities. In recent years, haloalkynes have emerged as powerful and versatile building blocks in a variety of synthetic transformations, which can be generally conceived as a dual functionalized molecules, and different reaction intermediates, such as σ-acetylene-metal, π-acetylene-metal, and halovinylidene-metal complexes, can be achieved and undergo further transformations. Additionally, the halogen moieties can be retained during the reaction processes, which makes the subsequent structural modifications and tandem carbon-carbon or carbon-heteroatom bond formations possible. As a consequence, impressive effort has been devoted to this attractive area, and some elegant work has been done over the past several years. This Account highlights some of the recent progress on the development of efficient and practical synthetic methods involving haloalkyne reagents in our laboratory and in others around the world, which showcase the synthetic power of haloalkynes for rapid assembly of complex molecular structures. The focus is primarily on reaction development with haloalkynes, such as cross-coupling reactions, nucleophilic additions, and cycloaddition reactions. The designed approaches, as well as serendipitous observations, will be discussed with special emphasis placed on the mechanistic aspects and the synthetic utilities of the obtained products. These transformations can lead directly to heteroatom-containing products and introduce structural complexity rapidly, thus providing new strategies and quick access to a wide range of functionalized products including many synthetically useful conjugated cyclic and acyclic structures that have potential applications in natural product synthesis, materials science, and drug discovery. Importantly, most of these protocols allow multiple bond-forming events to occur in a single operation, thereby offering opportunities to advance chemical synthesis and address the increasing demands for economical and sustainable synthetic methods. We anticipate that a deep understanding of the properties of haloalkyne reagents and the underlying working mechanism can lead to the development of novel catalytic systems to answer the unsolved challenges in haloalkyne chemistry, which, in turn, may be also instructive for other research areas. We hope this Account will help to provide a guideline for researchers who are interested in this fertile area.

Transition-metal-free semihydrogenation of diarylalkynes: highly stereoselective synthesis of trans-alkenes using Na2S·9H2O

A highly stereoselective and efficient transition-metal-free semihydrogenation of internal alkynes to E-alkenes using cheap and green water as hydrogen donor is described. The reactions are conducted under convenient conditions and provide products in good to excellent yields, with broad substrate scope, including a variety of diarylalkynes.