Redox-neutral α-arylation of amines

Redox-neutral α-functionalization of pyrrolidines: facile access to α-aryl-substituted pyrrolidines

α-Aryl-substituted pyrrolidine moiety is found in many natural alkaloids. Starting from pyrrolidine, we were able to synthesize α-aryl-substituted pyrrolidines in one step using quinone monoacetal as the oxidizing agent and DABCO as the base. We also discovered the reaction condition needed to efficiently remove the N-aryl moiety from the α-arylated product. When the above reaction was carried out without the addition of an aryl nucleophile, the reaction of pyrrolidine and quinone monoacetal in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol afforded octahydro-dipyrroloquinoline in high yield, which has the same skeleton as that of natural product incargranine B.

Strategies Toward the Catalyst-Free α-C-H Functionalizations of Tertiary Amines

α-C-H functionalization of tertiary amines has been a highly studied field for the past two decades because several important nitrogen containing heterocycles or compounds can be synthesized through this strategy. Though transition metal catalysts and some metal-free catalysts are mainly used for these reactions, a few catalyst-free reactions have recently been efficiently performed. Catalyst-free reactions are cost-effective, less sensitive to air/moisture, easier to operate, have a simple purification process, and are relatively environment-friendly. In this article, we have summarized all the α-C-H functionalization reactions of tertiary amines performed without using any external catalysts. The content of this article will undoubtedly encourage readers to do more work in this area.

Hydroaminoalkylation for the Catalytic Addition of Amines to Alkenes or Alkynes: Diverse Mechanisms Enable Diverse Substrate Scope

Hydroaminoalkylation is a powerful, atom-economic catalytic reaction for the reaction of amines with alkenes and alkynes. This C-H functionalization reaction allows for the atom-economic alkylation of amines using simple alkenes or alkynes as the alkylating agents. This transformation has significant potential for transformative approaches in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and fine chemical industries in the preparation of selectively substituted amines and N-heterocycles and shows promise in materials science for the synthesis of functional and responsive aminated materials. Different early transition-metal, late transition-metal, and photoredox catalysts mediate hydroaminoalkylation by distinct mechanistic pathways. These mechanistic insights have resulted in the development of new catalysts and reaction conditions to realize hydroaminoalkylation with a broad range of substrates: activated and unactivated, terminal and internal, C-C double and triple bonds with aryl or alkyl primary, secondary, or tertiary amines, including N-heterocyclic amines. By deploying select catalysts with specific substrate combinations, control over regioselectivity, diastereoselectivity, and enantioselectivity has been realized. Key barriers to widespread adoption of this reaction include air and moisture sensitivity for early transition-metal catalysts as well as a heavy dependence on amine protecting or directing groups for late transition-metal or photocatalytic routes. Advances in improved catalyst robustness, substrate scope, and regio-/stereoselective reactions with early- and late transition-metal catalysts, as well as photoredox catalysis, are highlighted, and opportunities for further catalyst and reaction development are included. This perspective shows that hydroaminoalkylation has the potential to be a disruptive and transformative strategy for the synthesis of selectively substituted amines and N-heterocycles from simple amines and alkenes.

Condensation-Based Methods for the C-H Bond Functionalization of Amines

This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of condensation-based methods for the C-H bond functionalization of amines that feature azomethine ylides as key intermediates. These transformations are typically redox-neutral and share common attributes with classic name reactions such as the Strecker, Mannich, Friedel-Crafts, Pictet-Spengler, and Kabachnik-Fields reaction, while incorporating a redox-isomerization step. This approach provides an ideal platform to rapidly transform simple starting materials into complex amines.

C-H Bond Functionalization of Amines: A Graphical Overview of Diverse Methods

This Graphical Review provides a concise overview of the manifold and mechanistically diverse methods that enable the functionalization of sp3 C-H bonds in amines and their derivatives.

Catalyst-free and additive-free reactions enabling C-C bond formation: a journey towards a sustainable future

This review focuses on the catalyst- and additive-free C-C bond forming reactions reported mostly from the year 2005 to date. C-C bond forming reactions are highly important as large and complex organic molecules can be derived from simpler ones via these reactions. On the other hand, catalyst- and additive-free reactions are economical, environmentally friendly and less sensitive to air/moisture, allow easy separation of products and are operationally simple. Hence, a large number of research articles have been published in this area. Though a few reviews are available on the catalyst-free organic reactions, most of them were published a few years ago. The current review excludes catalysts as well as additives and is specific to only C-C bond formation. Besides many organic name reactions, catalyst/additive-free C-H functionalizations, coupling reactions and UV-visible-light-promoted reactions are also discussed. Undoubtedly, the contents of this review will motivate readers to do more novel work in this area which will accelerate the journey towards a sustainable future.

L-Proline-catalyzed regioselective C1 arylation of tetrahydroisoquinolines through a multicomponent reaction under solvent-free conditions

Here we disclose the C1 arylation of tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQ) through regioselective C(sp3)-H functionalization using a multicomponent reaction. The reaction was performed by reacting THIQ, aldehydes and aminopyrazoles or indoles under neat conditions with l-proline as a catalyst. The regioselectivity of the products was confirmed by X-ray analysis and spectroscopic data. The formation of an azomethine ylide intermediate is crucial for obtaining the regioselectivity.

Direct (het)arylation of tetrahydroisoquinolines via a metal and oxidant free C(sp3)-H functionalization enabled three component reaction

An unprecedented method for the direct arylation and heteroarylation of tetrahydroisoquinolines under metal and oxidant free conditions is reported. The arylation reactions occurred via a C(sp3)-H functionalization enabled three component condensation of tetrahydroisoquinolines, 9-fluorenone imine, and arenes without involving a pre-functionalization/pre-derivatization step. A wide range of arenes and heteroarenes participated in the reaction to provide structurally diverse arylated tetrahydroisoquinolines with good to excellent yields.

Csp3-H bond functionalization of amines via tunable iminium ions: divergent synthesis of trifluoromethylated arylamines

A series of tunable iminium ions, generated in situ by the condensation of 4-trifluoromethyl-p-quinols with cyclic amines, can lead to the divergent synthesis of trifluoromethylated arylamines in a single step via redox-neutral isomerization. The direct α- and β-functionalization of saturated amines can be achieved regioselectively under mild conditions.

Redox-Annulations of Cyclic Amines with 2-(2-Oxoethyl)malonates

Amines such as 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline undergo redox-neutral annulations with 2-(2-oxoethyl)malonates in the presence of catalytic amounts of benzoic acid. These reactions install a fully saturated five-membered ring and provide access to structures closely related to the natural products crispine A and harmicine.

Copper-catalyzed aerobic decarboxylative coupling between cyclic α-amino acids and diverse C–H nucleophiles with low catalyst loading

An aerobic decarboxylative cross-coupling of α-amino acids with diverse C–H nucleophiles has been realized using Cu₂(OH)₂CO₃ (1 mol%) as the catalyst under air. This protocol enables highly efficient formation of various C(sp³)–C(sp³), C(sp³)–C(sp²) and C(sp³)–C(sp) bonds under simple conditions without the use of any ligand or extra oxidant, providing a practical approach to numerous nitrogen-containing compounds in good to excellent yields. The efficiency and practicability were also demonstrated by the gram-scale experiment and three-step synthesis of a Rad51 inhibitor.

An aerobic decarboxylative cross-coupling of α-amino acids was realized using 1 mol% Cu₂(OH)₂CO₃ catalyst under ligand free conditions.

Acetic Acid Promoted Redox Annulations with Dual C-H Functionalization

Amines such as 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline undergo redox-neutral annulations with 2-alkylquinoline-3-carbaldehydes as well as the corresponding 4-alkyl isomers and pyridine analogues. These processes involve dual C-H bond functionalization. Acetic acid is used as a cosolvent and acts as the sole promoter of these transformations.

Redox-Neutral Aromatization of Cyclic Amines: Mechanistic Insights and Harnessing of Reactive Intermediates for Amine α- and β-C-H Functionalization

Cyclic amines such as pyrrolidine and piperidine are known to undergo condensations with aldehydes to furnish pyrrole and pyridine derivatives, respectively. A combined experimental and computational study provides detailed insights into the mechanism of pyrrole formation. A number of reactive intermediates (e.g., azomethine ylides, conjugated azomethine ylides, enamines) were intercepted, outlining strategies for circumventing aromatization as a valuable pathway for amine C-H functionalization.

C-H functionalization of cyclic amines: redox-annulations with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds

Cyclic amines such as pyrrolidine and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline undergo redox-annulations with α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones. Carboxylic acid promoted generation of a conjugated azomethine ylide is followed by 6π-electrocylization, and, in some cases, tautomerization. The resulting ring-fused pyrrolines are readily oxidized to the corresponding pyrroles or reduced to pyrrolidines.

Copper-catalyzed regio and diastereoselective three component C–N, C–C and C–O bond forming reaction: oxidative sp3 C–H functionalization

Naphthoxazine derivatives were synthesized in good yields in the one-pot reaction of tetrahydroisoquinolines, aromatic benzaldehydes and naphthols employing CuI as a catalyst.

Asymmetric Redox-Annulation of Cyclic Amines

Cyclic amines such as 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline undergo regiodivergent annulation reactions with 4-nitrobutyraldehydes. These redox-neutral transformations enable the asymmetric synthesis of highly substituted polycyclic ring systems in just two steps from commercial materials. The utility of this process is illustrated in a rapid synthesis of (−)-protoemetinol. Computational studies provide mechanistic insights and implicate the elimination of acetic acid from an ammonium nitronate intermediate as the rate-determining step.

Intramolecular Redox-Mannich Reactions: Facile Access to the Tetrahydroprotoberberine Core

Cyclic amines such as pyrrolidine undergo redox-annulations with 2-formylaryl malonates. Concurrent oxidative amine α-CH bond functionalization and reductive N-alkylation render this transformation redox-neutral. This redox-Mannich process provides regioisomers of classic Reinhoudt reaction products as an entry to the tetrahydroprotoberberine core, enabling the synthesis of (±)-thalictricavine and its epimer. An unusually mild amine-promoted dealkoxycarbonylation was discovered in the course of these studies.

The Rügheimer-Burrows reaction revisited: Facile preparation of 4-alkylisoquinolines and 3,5-dialkylpyridines from (partially) saturated amines

A long-known class of cyclic amine/aldehyde condensation reactions was reinvestigated. Benzoic acid was found to efficiently promote condensations of amines such as piperidine or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline with aromatic aldehydes, resulting in amine β-functionalization and aromatization. These redox-neutral transformations provide 3,5-dialkylpyridines and 4-alkylisoquinolines in moderate to good yields, following short reaction times under microwave conditions.

The azomethine ylide route to amine C-H functionalization: redox-versions of classic reactions and a pathway to new transformations

Redox-neutral methods for the functionalization of amine α-C–H bonds are inherently efficient because they avoid external oxidants and reductants and often do not generate unwanted byproducts. However, most of the current methods for amine α-C–H bond functionalization are oxidative in nature. While the most efficient variants utilize atmospheric oxygen as the terminal oxidant, many such transformations require the use of expensive or toxic oxidants, often coupled with the need for transition metal catalysts.

Redox-neutral amine α-functionalizations that involve intramolecular hydride transfer steps provide viable alternatives to certain oxidative reactions. These processes have been known for some time and are particularly well suited for tertiary amine substrates. A mechanistically distinct strategy for secondary amines has emerged only recently, despite sharing common features with a range of classic organic transformations. Among those are such widely used reactions as the Strecker, Mannich, Pictet–Spengler, and Kabachnik–Fields reactions, Friedel–Crafts alkylations, and iminium alkynylations. In these classic processes, condensation of a secondary amine with an aldehyde (or a ketone) typically leads to the formation of an intermediate iminium ion, which is subsequently attacked by a nucleophile. The corresponding redox-versions of these transformations utilize identical starting materials but incorporate an isomerization step that enables α-C–H bond functionalization. Intramolecular versions of these reactions include redox-neutral amine α-amination, α-oxygenation, and α-sulfenylation. In all cases, a reductive N-alkylation is effectively combined with an oxidative α-functionalization, generating water as the only byproduct.

Reactions are promoted by simple carboxylic acids and in some cases require no additives. Azomethine ylides, dipolar species whose usage is predominantly in [3 + 2] cycloadditions and other pericyclic processes, have been identified as common intermediates. Extension of this chemistry to amine α,β-difunctionalization has been shown to be possible by way of converting the intermediate azomethine ylides into transient enamines.

This Account details the evolution of this general strategy and the progress made to date. Further included is a discussion of related decarboxylative reactions and transformations that result in the redox-neutral aromatization of (partially) saturated cyclic amines. These processes also involve azomethine ylides, reactive intermediates that appear to be far more prevalent in condensation chemistry of amines and carbonyl compounds than previously considered. In contrast, as exemplified by some redox transformations that have been studied in greater detail, iminium ions are not necessarily involved in all amine/aldehyde condensation reactions.

Intramolecular [3 + 2]-cycloadditions of azomethine ylides derived from secondary amines via redox-neutral C-H functionalization

Azomethine ylides are accessed under mild conditions via benzoic acid catalyzed condensations of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines or tryptolines with aldehydes bearing a pendent dipolarophile. These intermediates undergo intramolecular [3 + 2]-cycloadditions in a highly diastereoselective fashion to form polycyclic amines with four new stereogenic centers. Challenging substrates such as piperidine, morpholine, and thiomorpholine undergo the corresponding reactions at elevated temperatures.

Redox-neutral α-sulfenylation of secondary amines: ring-fused N,S-acetals

Secondary amines react with thiosalicylaldehydes in the presence of catalytic amounts of acetic acid to generate ring-fused N,S-acetals in redox-neutral fashion. A broad range of amines undergo α-sulfenylation, including challenging substrates such morpholine, thiomorpholine, and piperazines. Computational studies employing density functional theory indicate that acetic acid reduces the energy barriers of two separate steps, both of which involve proton transfer.

The redox-Mannich reaction

A complement to the classic three-component Mannich reaction, the redox-Mannich reaction, utilizes the same starting materials but incorporates an isomerization step that enables the facile preparation of ring-substituted β-amino ketones. Reactions occur under relatively mild conditions and are facilitated by benzoic acid.

Dual C-H functionalization of N-aryl amines: synthesis of polycyclic amines via an oxidative Povarov approach

Iminium ions generated in situ via copper(I) bromide catalyzed oxidation of N-aryl amines readily undergo [4 + 2] cycloadditions with a range of dienophiles. This method involves the functionalization of both a C(sp(3))-H and a C(sp(2))-H bond and enables the rapid construction of polycyclic amines under relatively mild conditions.

Redox-neutral α,β-difunctionalization of cyclic amines

In contrast to the continuously growing number of methods that allow for the efficient α-functionalization of amines, few strategies exist that enable the direct functionalization of amines in the β-position. A general redox-neutral strategy is outlined for amine β-functionalization and α,β-difunctionalization that utilizes enamines generated in situ. This concept is demonstrated in the context of preparing polycyclic N,O-acetals from simple 1-(aminomethyl)-β-naphthols and 2-(aminomethyl)-phenols.

Redox-neutral α-oxygenation of amines: reaction development and elucidation of the mechanism

Cyclic secondary amines and 2-hydroxybenzaldehydes or related ketones react to furnish benzo[e][1,3]oxazine structures in generally good yields. This overall redox-neutral amine α-C-H functionalization features a combined reductive N-alkylation/oxidative α-functionalization and is catalyzed by acetic acid. In contrast to previous reports, no external oxidants or metal catalysts are required. Reactions performed under modified conditions lead to an apparent reductive amination and the formation of o-hydroxybenzylamines in a process that involves the oxidation of a second equivalent of amine. A detailed computational study employing density functional theory compares different mechanistic pathways and is used to explain the observed experimental findings. Furthermore, these results also reveal the origin of the catalytic efficiency of acetic acid in these transformations.

Rapid Construction of (-)-Paroxetine and (-)-Femoxetine via N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed Homoenolate Addition to Nitroalkenes

A concise enantioselective synthesis of (-)-paroxetine (Paxil) and (-)-femoxetine has been achieved. Key to these syntheses is a N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed homoenolate addition to a nitroalkene followed by in situ reduction of the nitro-group to rapidly access δ-lactams.