Ni-catalyzed stereoselective arylation of inert C-O bonds at low temperatures

Iron-Catalyzed C-H Alkylation/Ring Opening with Vinylbenzofurans Enabled by Triazoles

We report an unprecedented iron-catalyzed C-H annulation using readily available 2-vinylbenzofurans as the reaction pattern. The redox-neutral strategy, based on cheap, non-toxic, and earth-abundant iron catalysts, exploits triazole assistance to promote a cascade C-H alkylation, benzofuran ring-opening and insertion into a Fe-N bond, to form highly functionalized isoquinolones. Detailed mechanistic studies supported by DFT calculations fully disclosed the manifold of the iron catalysis.

Rh-catalyzed ring-opening coupling of cyclic vinyl ethers with organometallic reagents

The rhodium-catalyzed ring-opening coupling of cyclic vinyl ethers, including 2,3-dihydrofuran and benzofuran, with organometallic reagents to give homoallylic alcohols and stilbenoids was reported. The suitable organometallic reagent for 2,3-dihydrofuran and benzofuran was found to be substrate-dependent, and a plausible mechanism involving different active organorhodium intermediates was proposed for these coupling reactions.

Nickel-Catalyzed Ipso/Ortho Difunctionalization of Aryl Bromides with Alkynes and Alkyl Bromides via a Vinyl-to-Aryl 1,4-Hydride Shift

Polysubstituted arenes are ubiquitous structures in a myriad of medicinal agents and complex molecules. Herein, we report a new catalytic blueprint that merges the modularity of nickel catalysis for bond formation with the ability to enable a rather elusive 1,4-hydride shift at arene sp² C-H sites, thus allowing access to ipso/ortho-difunctionalized arenes from readily available aryl halides under mild conditions and exquisite selectivity profile.

Ni(0)-promoted activation of Csp2 -H and Csp2 -O bonds

A dinickel(0)-N2 complex, stabilized with a rigid acridane-based PNP pincer ligand, was studied for its ability to activate C(sp2)-H and C(sp2)-O bonds. Stabilized by a Ni-μ-N2-Na+ interaction, it activates C-H bonds of unfunctionalized arenes, affording nickel-aryl and nickel-hydride products. Concomitantly, two sodium cations get reduced to Na(0), which was identified and quantified by several methods. Our experimental results, including product analysis and kinetic measurements, strongly suggest that this C(sp2)-H activation does not follow the typical oxidative addition mechanism occurring at a low-valent single metal centre. Instead, via a bimolecular pathway, two powerfully reducing nickel ions cooperatively activate an arene C-H bond and concomitantly reduce two Lewis acidic alkali metals under ambient conditions. As a novel synthetic protocol, nickel(ii)-aryl species were directly synthesized from nickel(ii) precursors in benzene or toluene with excess Na under ambient conditions. Furthermore, when the dinickel(0)-N2 complex is accessed via reduction of the nickel(ii)-phenyl species, the resulting phenyl anion deprotonates a C-H bond of glyme or 15-crown-5 leading to C-O bond cleavage, which produces vinyl ether. The dinickel(0)-N2 species then cleaves the C(sp2)-O bond of vinyl ether to produce a nickel(ii)-vinyl complex. These results may provide a new strategy for the activation of C-H and C-O bonds mediated by a low valent nickel ion supported by a structurally rigidified ligand scaffold.

Metal-catalysed C-Het (F, O, S, N) and C-C bond arylation

The formation of C-aryl bonds has been the focus of intensive research over the last decades for the construction of complex molecules from simple, readily available feedstocks. Traditionally, these strategies involve the coupling of organohalides (I, Br, Cl) with organometallic reagents (Mg, Zn, B, Si, Sn,…) such as Kumada-Corriu, Negishi, Suzuki-Miyaura, Hiyama and Sonogashira cross-couplings. More recently, alternative methods have provided access to these products by reactions with less reactive C-Het (F, O, S, N) and C-C bonds. Compared to traditional methods, the direct cleavage and arylation of these chemical bonds, the essential link in accessible feedstocks, has become increasingly important from the viewpoint of step-economy and functional-group compatibility. This comprehensive review aims to outline the development and advances of this topic, which was organized into (1) C-F bond arylation, (2) C-O bond arylation, (3) C-S bond arylation, (4) C-N bond arylation, and (5) C-C bond arylation. Substantial attention has been paid to the strategies and mechanistic investigations. We hope that this review can trigger chemists to discover more efficient methodologies to access arylation products by cleavage of these C-Het and C-C bonds.

Selective C-O Bond Reduction and Borylation of Aryl Ethers Catalyzed by a Rhodium-Aluminum Heterobimetallic Complex

We report the catalytic reduction of a C-O bond and the borylation by a rhodium complex bearing an X-type PAlP pincer ligand. We have revealed the reaction mechanism based on the characterization of the reaction intermediate and deuterium-labeling experiments. Notably, this novel catalytic system shows steric-hindrance-dependent chemoselectivity that is distinct from conventional Ni-based catalysts and suggests a new strategy for selective C-O bond activation by heterobimetallic catalysis.

Cut and sew: benzofuran-ring-opening enabled cyclopentenone ring formation

A facile approach to the fully substituted cyclopentenones involving an unprecedented benzofuran-ring-opening is described. The cleavage of a benzofuran endocyclic C2-O bond proceeded smoothly in the absence of any transition metal catalyst or highly reactive organometallic reagent. Such benzofuran-ring-opening is delicately incorporated into an acid-catalyzed cascade process, orchestrating a novel synthetic strategy for complex cyclopentenones with excellent yields and diastereoselectivities.

Nickel(II)-Catalyzed Borylation of Alkenyl Methyl Ethers via C-O Bond Cleavage

A new protocol has been developed for the borylation of conjugated alkenyl methyl ethers using B₂Pin₂ via C-O bond cleavage catalyzed by Ni(II). In this cross-coupling reaction, both E/Z isomers of alkenyl ethers are converted into (E)-alkenyl boronic esters with good reactivity. This transformation exhibits high chemoselectivity in the presence of competitive C-O bonds such as aryl ether, ester, amide, and thioether groups, thus providing a new method for the construction of various alkenyl boronates.

Structure-Kinetic Profiling of Haloperidol Analogues at the Human Dopamine D2 Receptor

Haloperidol is a typical antipsychotic drug (APD) associated with an increased risk of extrapyramidal side effects (EPSs) and hyperprolactinemia relative to atypical APDs such as clozapine. Both drugs are dopamine D₂ receptor (D₂R) antagonists, with contrasting kinetic profiles. Haloperidol displays fast association/slow dissociation at the D₂R, whereas clozapine exhibits relatively slow association/fast dissociation. Recently, we have provided evidence that slow dissociation from the D₂R predicts hyperprolactinemia, whereas fast association predicts EPS. Unfortunately, clozapine can cause severe side effects independent of its D₂R action. Our results suggest an optimal kinetic profile for D₂R antagonist APDs that avoids EPS. To begin exploring this hypothesis, we conducted a structure-kinetic relationship study of haloperidol and revealed that subtle structural modifications dramatically change binding kinetic rate constants, affording compounds with a clozapine-like kinetic profile. Thus, optimization of these kinetic parameters may allow development of novel APDs based on the haloperidol scaffold with improved side-effect profiles.

Successive Activation of C–H and C–O Bonds of Vinyl Ethers by a Diphosphine and Hydrido-Bridged Diiridium Complex

The reaction of [(Cp*Ir)2(μ-dmpm)(μ-H)][OTf] (2) [Cp* = η5-C5Me5, dmpm = bis(dimethylphosphino)methane] with 2,3-dihydrofuran gives [(Cp*IrH)2(μ-dmpm){μ-(2,3-dihydrofuranyl)}][OTf] (3) in an isolated yield of 70% via the C–H bond activation at the 5-position of 2,3-dihydrofuran. Complex 3 is slowly converted into [(Cp*Ir)2(μ-dmpm)(μ-C=C(H)CH2CH2OH)][OTf] (4) quantitatively via the proton-mediated C–O bond activation. The reaction of 2 with ethyl vinyl ether gives [(Cp*Ir)2(μ-dmpm)(μ-CH=CH2)][OTf] (5) in the isolated yield of 64% via the successive activation of C–H and C–O bonds.

Highly E-Selective, Stereoconvergent Nickel-Catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling of Alkenyl Ethers

An improved method for the nickel-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling of alkenyl ethers is reported. This stereoconvergent protocol allows for the utilization of a wide range of alkenyl ethers and aryl boronic esters for the synthesis of variously substituted styrene derivatives. An olefinic mixture with respect to the alkenyl ethers can be employed, thereby circumventing the stereodefined synthesis of starting materials. Preliminary mechanistic investigations indicate a nickel-catalyzed olefin isomerization following initial stereoretentive cross-coupling.

Nickel-Catalyzed System for the Cross-Coupling of Alkenyl Methyl Ethers with Grignard Reagents under Mild Conditions

A nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of alkenyl methyl ethers with Grignard reagents, under mild conditions, is described. These conditions allowed access to various stilbenes and heterocyclic stilbenic derivatives as well as to a potential anticancer agent DMU-212.

Aromatic metamorphosis: conversion of an aromatic skeleton into a different ring system

Aromatic skeletons are generally regarded as being uncleavable because of their aromatic stabilization energy. Compared to exocyclic functionalizations of aromatic compounds, much less attention has been paid to substitutions of endocyclic atoms in aromatic cores through partial disassembly of the cyclic skeletons and subsequent ring reconstruction. In this Feature Article, we describe our endeavours to establish "aromatic metamorphosis", where general aromatic compounds such as dibenzothiophenes, dibenzofurans, and benzofurans are transformed into different ring systems using a multi-step strategy or ideally in one step.

Synthesis of distorted nanographenes containing seven- and eight-membered carbocycles

We highlight recent progress in bottom-up synthesis of well-defined distorted polyaromatic hydrocarbons with saddle shapes containing heptagonal and octagonal carbocycles.

Less hindered ligands give improved catalysts for the nickel catalysed Grignard cross-coupling of aromatic ethers

The challenging reaction of unactivated ortho-substituted aromatic ethers with Grignard reagents has been found to be most effectively catalysed using nickel complexes of less sterically hindered ligands.

Nickel-catalysed decarbonylative borylation of aroyl fluorides

A transformation of aroyl fluorides with diboron via nickel-catalysed carbon–fluorine bond cleavage and a sequential decarbonylation, which provides an efficient protocol to functionalize arylboronates, has been reported.

Transition-Metal-Free Ring-Opening Silylation of Indoles and Benzofurans with (Diphenyl-tert-butylsilyl)lithium

A practical method is presented for ring opening various indoles and benzofurans with concomitant stereoselective silylation using readily generated (diphenyl-tert-butylsilyl)lithium to afford ortho-β-silylvinylanilines or -phenols. Dearomatization of the heteroarene core proceeds in the absence of any transition-metal catalyst through addition of a silyl anion and a subsequent stereoselective β-elimination. DFT calculations provide insight into the mechanism. Functionalizing C-X bond cleavage of heteroarenes is rare and generally requires transition-metal catalysts.

Mild sp2Carbon-Oxygen Bond Activation by an Isolable Ruthenium(II) Bis(dinitrogen) Complex: Experiment and Theory

The isolable ruthenium(II) bis(dinitrogen) complex [Ru(H)₂(N₂)₂(PCy₃)₂] (1) reacts with aryl ethers (Ar–OR, R = Me and Ar) containing a ketone directing group to effect sp²C–O bond activation at temperatures below 40 °C. DFT studies support a low-energy Ru(II)/Ru(IV) pathway for C–O bond activation: oxidative addition of the C–O bond to Ru(II) occurs in an asynchronous manner with Ru–C bond formation preceding C–O bond breaking. Alternative pathways based on a Ru(0)/Ru(II) couple are competitive but less accessible due to the high energy of the Ru(0) precursors. Both experimentally and by DFT calculations, sp²C–H bond activation is shown to be more facile than sp²C–O bond activation. The kinetic preference for C–H bond activation over C–O activation is attributed to unfavorable approach of the C–O bond toward the metal in the selectivity determining step of the reaction pathway.

Ethereal C-O Bond Cleavage Mediated by Ni(0)-Ate Complex: A DFT Study

Density functional theory calculations were performed to explore the mechanism of Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions involving organo-lithium and -zinc reagents through ethereal C-O bond cleavage. Based on this work, together with our previous mechanistic study on etheric Kumada-Tamao reaction, we identify and characterize a novel catalytic cycle for cross-coupling mediated by Ni(0)-ate complex.

Versatile synthesis and enlargement of functionalized distorted heptagon-containing nanographenes

Highly distorted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are predicted to be attractive goals in nanoscience owing to the new properties they can exhibit. We have shown that a variety of functionalized distorted heptagon-containing nanographenes can be easily prepared from simple building blocks by a sequence of Co-catalyzed cyclotrimerization and cyclodehydrogenation reactions. The versatility of this strategy allows easy subsequent enlargement of these nanostructures by Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling and final cyclodehydrogenation reactions. Soluble extended distorted nanographenes 1 and 2 containing heptagon and an edge-shared pentagon-heptagon combination have been synthesized. High distortion of the polycyclic backbone of 2 caused by non-hexagonal rings and a helicene moiety was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Experimental data reveal promising optical and electronic properties for distorted PAHs with long fluorescence lifetimes (up to 14.5 ns) and low band gaps (down to 2.27 eV). This straightforward and versatile synthetic strategy, the observed long fluorescence lifetimes and the small optical and electrochemical band gaps for the presented compounds may promote the future implementation of distorted graphene molecules in electronic devices.

A Mild and Ligand-Free Ni-Catalyzed Silylation via C-OMe Cleavage

Metal-catalyzed transformations that forge carbon-heteroatom bonds are of central importance in organic synthesis. Despite the formidable potential of aryl methyl ethers as coupling partners, the scarcity of metal-catalyzed C-heteroatom bond formations via C-OMe cleavage is striking, with isolated precedents requiring specialized, yet expensive, ligands, high temperatures, and π-extended backbones. We report an unprecedented catalytic ipso-silylation of aryl methyl ethers under mild conditions and without recourse to external ligands. The method is distinguished by its wide scope, which includes the use of benzyl methyl ethers, vinyl methyl ethers, and unbiased anisole derivatives, thus representing a significant step forward for designing new C-heteroatom bond formations via C-OMe scission. Applications of this transformation in orthogonal silylation techniques as well as in further derivatizations are also described. Preliminary mechanistic experiments suggest the intermediacy of Ni(0)-ate complexes, leaving some doubt that a canonical catalytic cycle consisting of an initial oxidative addition of the C-OMe bond to Ni(0) species comes into play.

Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions of Unreactive Phenolic Electrophiles via C-O Bond Activation

Nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of aryl esters, carbamates, carbonates, ethers and arenols are reviewed. Carbon-oxygen bonds in these phenol derivatives cannot be activated by palladium, a typical cross-coupling catalyst, but a low valent nickel species in conjunction with a strong σ-donor ligand is uniquely effective for achieving this. The review is organized primarily by substrate class and secondarily by coupling partners, encompassing organometallics, heteroatom nucleophiles, C-H bonds and many others. Although the reactions in this category are covered thoroughly, each reaction is described only briefly, so that it is possible to quickly overview the spectrum of nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of inert phenol derivatives. The robustness of inert phenol derivatives under typically used catalytic conditions as well as their utility as a directing group allow unique synthetic applications of these new C-O cross-coupling reactions, which is also included in cases where appropriate. Mechanistic aspects of C-O bond activation by nickel are also summarized, highlighting their diversity compared with the C-X bond activation involved in conventional cross-coupling processes.