New One-Pot Synthesis of (E)-β-Aryl Vinyl Halides from Styrenes

Selective C-H Halogenation of Alkenes and Alkynes Using Flavin-Dependent Halogenases

Single component flavin-dependent halogenases (FDHs) possess both flavin reductase and FDH activity in a single enzyme. We recently reported that the single component FDH AetF catalyzes site-selective bromination and iodination of a variety of aromatic substrates and enantioselective bromolactonization and iodoetherification of styrenes bearing pendant carboxylic acid or alcohol substituents. Given this inherent reactivity and selectivity, we explored the utility of AetF as catalyst for alkene and alkyne C-H halogenation. We find that AetF catalyzes halogenation of a range of 1,1-disubstituted styrenes, often with high stereoselectivity. Despite the utility of haloalkenes for cross-coupling and other applications, accessing these compounds in a stereoselective manner typically requires functional group interconversion processes, and selective halogenation of 1,1'-disubstituted olefins remains rare. We also establish that AetF and homologues of this enzyme can halogenate terminal alkynes. Mutagenesis studies and deuterium kinetic isotope effects are used to support a mechanistic proposal involving covalent catalysis for halogenation of unactivated alkynes by AetF homologues. These findings expand the scope of FDH catalysis and continue to show the unique utility of single component FDHs for biocatalysis.

Divergent Synthesis of 1,2,3,4-Tetrasubstituted Cyclobutenes from a Common Scaffold: Enantioselective Desymmetrization by Dual-Catalyzed Photoredox Cross-Coupling

Four-membered carbocycles are important structural motifs found in several natural products and drugs. Amongst those, cyclobutenes are attractive intermediates because the residual olefin can be manipulated selectively into various saturated and unsaturated analogs. Few methods exist to access chiral tri- and tetra-C-substituted cyclobutenes and they are generally limited in terms of diversification. Herein, a divergent synthetic strategy was developed where a single optically enriched scaffold is diversified into a variety of derivatives with different substitution patterns. To this end, the enantioselective desymmetrization of prochiral 1,2-dibromocyclobutene imides was enabled by a dual Ir/Ni-catalyzed photoredox C(sp2 )-C(sp3 ) cross-coupling with an alkyltrifluoroborate salt to install a convertible carbon fragment in good yields and >90 % enantiomeric excess. Exceptional mono-coupling selectivity is observed and the resulting chiral bromocyclobutene serves as a common scaffold that can be transformed in a divergent manner into several valuable 1,2,3,4-tetra-C-substituted cyclobutane products while maintaining optical purity.

Site- and Stereoselective Synthesis of Alkenyl Chlorides by Dual Functionalization of Internal Alkynes via Photoredox/Nickel Catalysis

Herein, we report a redox-neutral and atom-economical protocol to synthesize valuable alkenyl chlorides from unactivated internal alkynes and abundant organochlorides via photoredox and nickel catalysis. This protocol enables the site- and stereoselective addition of organochlorides to alkynes via chlorine photoelimination-initiated sequential hydrochlorination/remote C-H functionalization. The protocol is compatible with a wide range of medicinally relevant heteroaryl, aryl, acid, and alkyl chlorides for efficiently producing γ-functionalized alkenyl chlorides, exhibiting excellent regioselectivities and stereoselectivities. Late-stage modifications and synthetic manipulations of the products and preliminary mechanistic studies are also presented.

Enantio- and Regioconvergent Synthesis of γ-Stereogenic Vinyl Germanes and Their Use as Masked Vinyl Halides

A nickel-catalyzed enantio- and regioconvergent alkylation of regioisomeric mixtures of racemic germylated allylic electrophiles with alkyl nucleophiles is reported. Key to success is a newly developed hept-4-yl-substituted Pybox ligand that enables accessing various chiral γ-germyl α-alkyl allylic building blocks in excellent yields and enantioselectivities. The reason for the regioconvergence is the steering effect of the bulky germyl group. The resulting vinyl germanes can be easily halodegermylated without racemization of the allylic stereocenter to afford synthetically valuable γ-stereogenic vinyl halides.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Anti-Markovnikov Transfer Hydroiodination of Terminal Alkynes

A rhodium-catalyzed anti-Markovnikov hydroiodination of aromatic and aliphatic terminal alkynes is reported. Depending on the choice of ligand and substrate, either (E)- or (Z)-configured alkenyl iodides are obtained in high to exclusive isomeric purity. The reaction exhibits a broad substrate scope and high functional group tolerance, employing easily accessible or commercially available aliphatic iodides as HI surrogates through a shuttle process. The synthesized vinyl iodides were applied in several C-C and C-heteroatom bond-forming reactions with full retention of the stereoselectivity. The developed method could be used to significantly shorten the total synthesis of a marine cis-fatty acid. Additionally, initial deuterium-labeling experiments and stoichiometric reactions shed some light on the potential reaction mechanism.

Recent Strategies for Carbon-Halogen Bond Formation Using Nickel

Nickel catalysis has demonstrated the capability of performing a broad range of synthetically challenging transformations over the last decade. Though recent literature has focused on the formation of C-C and C-N bonds, a variety of breakthroughs in the field of C-X bond generation have also been reported. A diverse range of strategies using nickel have been developed, in an effort to expand the scope and synthetic utility of these halogenation methods. This Minireview will cover six emerging strategies in this field including: oxidatively induced C-X reductive elimination, triflate-to-halogen exchange reactions, directed C-H halogenation, non-directed electrophilic C-H halogenation of arenes, enantioselective α-fluorination of carbonyl containing compounds, and 1,2-difunctionalization-halogenation reactions. The final section has been split into two parts: nickel-catalyzed hydrohalogenation and nickel-catalyzed carbohalogenation reactions.

Facile Synthesis of β-Bromostyrenes by Direct Bromination of Styrenes with N-Bromosuccinimide and Sodium Persulfate

A new, direct, efficient, and transition-metal-free method is reported for the synthesis of β-bromostyrenes from styrenes by using N-bromosuccinimide as the brominating reagent and sodium persulfate (Na2S2O8) as the oxidant. This convenient and concise reaction is practical, operationally simple, and can be adapted for large-scale syntheses.

Regio- and Stereoselective Thianthrenation of Olefins To Access Versatile Alkenyl Electrophiles

Herein, we report a regioselective alkenyl electrophile synthesis from unactivated olefins that is based on a direct and regioselective C-H thianthrenation reaction. The selectivity is proposed to arise from an unusual inverse-electron-demand hetero-Diels-Alder reaction. The alkenyl sulfonium salts can serve as electrophiles in palladium- and ruthenium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions to make alkenyl C-C, C-Cl, C-Br, and C-SCF3 bonds with stereoretention.

An Interrupted Pummerer/Nickel-Catalysed Cross-Coupling Sequence

An interrupted Pummerer/nickel-catalysed cross-coupling strategy has been developed and used in the elaboration of styrenes. The operationally simple method can be carried out as a one-pot process, involves the direct formation of stable alkenyl sulfonium salt intermediates, utilises a commercially available sulfoxide, catalyst, and ligand, operates at ambient temperature, accommodates sp-, sp² -, and sp³ -hybridised organozinc coupling partners, and delivers functionalised styrene products in high yields over two steps. An interrupted Pummerer/cyclisation approach has also been used to access carbo- and heterocyclic alkenyl sulfonium salts for cross-coupling.

Ligand-Free Iron-Catalyzed Carbon(sp2)-Carbon(sp2) Cross-Coupling of Alkenyllithium with Vinyl Halides

An efficient ligand-free iron-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction involving alkenyllithium and vinyl iodides was developed to form diene species in moderate to good yields. This new iron-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction provides a mild, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly avenue toward synthesis of diversified diene derivatives.

Palladium-Catalyzed Domino Reaction for Stereoselective Synthesis of Multisubstituted Olefins: Construction of Blue Luminogens

The first Pd-catalyzed multicomponent reaction of aryl iodides, alkenyl bromides, and strained alkenes has been developed, which allowed us to synthesize a variety of multisubsituted olefins in yields of 45-96% with excellent stereoselectivity. The configuration of the product was controlled by the configuration of the alkenyl bromides. Moreover, this practical methodology employing readily available substrates was found to be tolerant to a wide range of functional groups. Fifty six examples of highly stereoselective tri- or tetrasubstituted olefins have been successfully synthesized via this methodology. Most of the synthesized tetrasubstituted olefins are good aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogens.

Stereoretentive Olefin Metathesis: An Avenue to Kinetic Selectivity

Olefin metathesis is an incredibly valuable transformation that has gained widespread use in both academic and industrial settings. Lately, stereoretentive olefin metathesis has garnered much attention as a method for the selective generation of both E- and Z-olefins. Early studies employing ill-defined catalysts showed evidence for retention of the stereochemistry of the starting olefins at low conversion. However, thermodynamic ratios E/Z were reached as the reaction proceeded to equilibrium. Recent studies in olefin metathesis have focused on the synthesis of catalysts that can overcome the inherent thermodynamic preference of an olefin, providing synthetically useful quantities of a kinetically favored olefin isomer. These reports have led to the development of stereoretentive catalysts that not only generate Z-olefins selectively, but also kinetically produce E-olefins, a previously unmet challenge in olefin metathesis. Advancements in stereoretentive olefin metathesis using tungsten, ruthenium, and molybdenum catalysts are presented.

A stereoselective synthesis of (E)- or (Z)-β-arylvinyl halides via a borylative coupling/halodeborylation protocol

A new highly selective method for the synthesis of (E)-arylvinyl iodides and (E)- or (Z)-β-arylvinyl bromides from easily accessible styrenes and vinyl boronates, on the basis of a one-pot procedure via borylative coupling/halodeborylation is reported.

Use of Bromine and Bromo-Organic Compounds in Organic Synthesis

Bromination is one of the most important transformations in organic synthesis and can be carried out using bromine and many other bromo compounds. Use of molecular bromine in organic synthesis is well-known. However, due to the hazardous nature of bromine, enormous growth has been witnessed in the past several decades for the development of solid bromine carriers. This review outlines the use of bromine and different bromo-organic compounds in organic synthesis. The applications of bromine, a total of 107 bromo-organic compounds, 11 other brominating agents, and a few natural bromine sources were incorporated. The scope of these reagents for various organic transformations such as bromination, cohalogenation, oxidation, cyclization, ring-opening reactions, substitution, rearrangement, hydrolysis, catalysis, etc. has been described briefly to highlight important aspects of the bromo-organic compounds in organic synthesis.

Direct synthesis of Z-alkenyl halides through catalytic cross-metathesis

Olefin metathesis has had a large impact on modern organic chemistry, but important shortcomings remain: for example, the lack of efficient processes that can be used to generate acyclic alkenyl halides. Halo-substituted ruthenium carbene complexes decompose rapidly or deliver low activity and/or minimal stereoselectivity, and our understanding of the corresponding high-oxidation-state systems is limited. Here we show that previously unknown halo-substituted molybdenum alkylidene species are exceptionally reactive and are able to participate in high-yielding olefin metathesis reactions that afford acyclic 1,2-disubstituted Z-alkenyl halides. Transformations are promoted by small amounts of a catalyst that is generated in situ and used with unpurified, commercially available and easy-to-handle liquid 1,2-dihaloethene reagents, and proceed to high conversion at ambient temperature within four hours. We obtain many alkenyl chlorides, bromides and fluorides in up to 91 per cent yield and complete Z selectivity. This method can be used to synthesize biologically active compounds readily and to perform site- and stereoselective fluorination of complex organic molecules.

Simplified Preparation of Trialkylvinylsilanes via the Silyl-Heck Reaction Utilizing a Second Generation Catalyst

Recently we reported a second-generation ligand, bis(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)(tert-butyl)phosphine, for the preparation of allyl silanes using the silyl-Heck reaction. We now show that this new ligand also provides superior reactivity in the preparation of vinylsilanes from styrene derivatives. For the first time, this new ligand provides exceptionally high yields of trialkylvinylsilanes using a widely available palladium pre-catalyst, Pd₂(dba)₃. Finally, we demonstrate that this new catalyst system is able to form more highly decorated all carbon substituted vinylsilanes that have been shown to possess superior reactivity in oxidation and cross coupling reactions.

Silylative coupling of olefins with vinylsilanes in the synthesis of functionalized alkenes

Recent developments in the sequential synthetic strategies including ruthenium-catalyzed silylative coupling followed by desilylation, leading to π-conjugated organic derivatives are presented.

Room temperature copper(II)-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of enamides to 2,5-disubstituted oxazoles via vinylic C-H functionalization

A copper(II)-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of enamides to oxazoles via vinylic C-H bond functionalization at room temperature is described. Various 2,5-disubstituted oxazoles bearing aryl, vinyl, alkyl, and heteroaryl substituents could be synthesized in moderate to high yields. This reaction protocol is complementary to our previously reported iodine-mediated cyclization of enamides to afford 2,4,5-trisubstituted oxazoles.

Development of a general, sequential, ring-closing metathesis/intramolecular cross-coupling reaction for the synthesis of polyunsaturated macrolactones

A general strategy for the construction of macrocyclic lactones containing conjugated Z,Z-1,3-diene subunits is described. The centerpiece of the strategy is a sequential ring-closing metathesis (RCM) that forms an unsaturated siloxane ring, followed by an intramolecular cross-coupling reaction with a pendant alkenyl iodide. A highly modular assembly of the various precursors allowed the preparation of unsaturated macrolactones containing 11-, 12-, 13-, and 14-membered rings. Although the RCM process proceeded uneventfully, the intramolecular cross-coupling required extensive optimization of palladium source, solvent, fluoride source, and particularly fluoride hydration level. Under the optimal conditions (including syringe pump high dilution), the macrolactones were produced in 53-78% yield as single stereoisomers. A benzo-fused 12-membered-ring macrolactone containing an E,Z-1,3-diene unit was also prepared by the same general strategy. The E-2-styryl iodide was prepared by a novel Heck reaction of an aryl nonaflate with vinyltrimethylsilane followed by iododesilylation with ICl.