Air-Stable Secondary Phosphine Oxide as Preligand for Palladium-Catalyzed Intramolecular α-Arylations with Chloroarenes

Synthesis of ɑ-Aryl-oxindoles via Grignard Reaction with Isatin in the Presence of Diphenyl Phosphite

A protocol has been developed for the synthesis of α-aryl-oxindoles from isatin and Grignard reagents in the presence of diphenyl phosphite for the first time. This reaction was conveniently carried out under mild conditions in a one-pot fashion with moderate to excellent yields.

Synthesis of 3-substituted 2-oxindoles from secondary α-bromo-propionanilides via palladium-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization

In contrast to aromatic halides, coupling reactions involving oxidative addition of alkyl halides, especially secondary or tertiary halides, to transition metals tend to be more challenging. Herein a palladium-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of α-bromo-propionanilides has been developed, delivering a series of 3-substituted 2-oxindoles in high yields. The method features easy to prepare starting materials, broad substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance. A detailed mechanistic investigation has been performed.

Bulky Di(1-adamantyl)phosphinous Acid-Ligated Pd(II) Precatalysts for Suzuki Reactions of Unreactive Aryl Chlorides

Di(1-adamantyl)phosphine oxide (SPO-Ad: Ad2P(V)(=O)H), a stable tautomer of di(1-adamantyl)phosphinous acid (PA-Ad: Ad2P(III)-OH), was employed to synthesize two new PA-Ad-coordinated complexes, POPd-Ad and POPd2-Ad. POPd-Ad was easily transformed from POPd2-Ad in acetonitrile, and the [M - H]- ion of the deprotonated POPd-Ad was observed in the electrospray ionization-mass spectrum of POPd2-Ad. Both complexes are effective precatalysts for the Suzuki reaction of aryl chlorides. The reduction of Pd(II) in POPd-Ad and POPd2-Ad by arylboronic acid was examined, and the ideal Pd-to-PA ratio in the Suzuki reaction was found to be 1:1. The effect of temperature on the catalytic yields was studied to examine the possible ligation state of the active species and the dimer-to-monomer process of POPd2-Ad. Mononuclear and mono-ligated Pd species was assumed to be catalytically active. The electronic and steric effects of PA-Ad were slightly better than those reported for PA-tBu ( t Bu2P(III)-OH). Density functional theory calculations were performed to evaluate the formation of mono-ligated and mononuclear Pd species from POPd-Ad and POPd2-Ad. Furthermore, the reaction time and catalyst loading could be reduced for the reported POPd1-tBu precatalyst using the optimized reaction conditions for POPd-Ad. The complexes synthesized in this extensive study will complement the existing SPO-coordinated POPd series of precatalysts.

N-Heterocyclic carbene complexes enabling the α-arylation of carbonyl compounds

The considerable importance of α-arylated carbonyl compounds, which are widely used as final products or as key intermediates in the pharmaceutical industry, has prompted numerous research groups to develop efficient synthetic strategies for their preparation in recent decades. In this context, the α-arylation of carbonyl compounds catalyzed by transition-metal complexes have been particularly helpful in constructing this motif. As illustrated in this contribution, tremendous advances have taken place using palladium- and nickel-NHC (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes as pre-catalysts for the arylation of a wide range of ketones, aldehydes, esters and amides with electron-rich, electron-neutral, electron-poor, and sterically hindered aryl halides or pseudo-halides. Despite significant progress, especially in asymmetric α-arylations promoted by chiral NHC ligands, there are numerous challenges which have and continue to encourage further studies on this topic. Some of these are presented in this report.

Focusing on the Catal. of the Pd- and Ni-Catalyzed Hirao Reactions

The Hirao reaction involving the phosphinoylation or phosphonation of aryl halides by >P(O)H reagents is a P–C bond forming transformation belonging to the recently very hot topic of cross-couplings. The Pd- or Ni-catalyzed variations take place via the usual cycle including oxidative addition, ligand exchange, and reductive elimination. However, according to the literature, the nature of the transition metal catalysts is not unambiguous. In this feature article, the catalysts described for the Pd(OAc)₂-promoted cases are summarized, and it is concluded that the “(HOY₂P)₂Pd(0)” species (Y = aryl, alkoxy) is the real catalyst. In our model, the excess of the >P(O)H reagent served as the P-ligand. During the less studied Ni(II)-catalyzed instances the “(HOY₂P)(−OY₂P)Ni(II)Cl⁻” form was found to enter the catalytic cycle. The newest conclusions involving the exact structure of the catalysts, and the mechanism for their formation explored by us were supported by our earlier experimental data and theoretical calculations.

A Highly Active Ylide-Functionalized Phosphine for Palladium-Catalyzed Aminations of Aryl Chlorides

Ylide-functionalized phosphine ligands (YPhos) were rationally designed to fit the requirements of Buchwald-Hartwig aminations at room temperature. This ligand class combines a strong electron-donating ability comparable to NHC ligands with high steric demand similar to biaryl phosphines. The active Pd species are stabilized by agostic C-H⋅⋅⋅Pd rather than by Pd-arene interactions. The practical advantage of YPhos ligands arises from their easy and scalable synthesis from widely available, inexpensive starting materials. Benchmark studies showed that YPhos-Pd complexes are superior to the best-known phosphine ligands in room-temperature aminations of aryl chlorides. The utility of the catalysts was demonstrated by the synthesis of various arylamines in high yields within short reaction times.

Coordination chemistry and catalysis with secondary phosphine oxides

Review on synthesis, coordination chemistry and catalysis with secondary phosphine oxides.

Palladium-catalyzed microwave-assisted Hirao reaction utilizing the excess of the diarylphosphine oxide reagent as the P-ligand; a study on the activity and formation of the “PdP2” catalyst

The microwave-assisted Hirao reaction of bromobenzene and diarylphosphine oxides was performed at 120 °C using triethylamine as the base, and 5% of palladium acetate as the catalyst in ethanol. 5% Excess of the >P(O)H reagent served as the reducing agent, while another 10% as the preligand (in the >POH tautomeric form). It was found that the P–C coupling reaction was significantly faster with (2-MeC6H4)2P(O)H (A) and (3,5-diMeC6H3)2P(O)H (B), than with Ph2P(O)H (C) and (4-MeC6H4)2P(O)H (D). Moreover, species A and B could be applied as selective P-ligands in the reaction of bromobenzene with C or D. Dependence of the effectiveness of “PdP2” catalysts with diarylphosphine oxide preligands on the methyl substituents followed a reversed order as the reactivity of the diarylphosphine oxide species in the P–C coupling itself. Formation of the “PdP2” catalyst from palladium acetate and diarylphosphine oxide has never been studied, but now it was evaluated by us at the B3LYP level of theory applying 6-31G(d,p) for C,H,P,O and SDD/MW28 for Pd including the explicit-implicit solvent model. The novel mechanism requiring three equivalents of the >P(O)H species for each of the palladium acetate molecule was in agreement with the preparative experiments. The ligation of palladium(0) with different P(III) species comprising the >POH form of the >P(O)H reagent was also studied, and the critical role of the steric hindrance on the ligation, and hence on the activity of the “PdP2” catalyst was substantiated. Last but not least, the influence of the Me substituents in the aromatic ring of the P-reagents on the energetics of the elemental steps of the Hirao reaction itself was also evaluated.

Transition-Metal-Free Synthesis of N-Hydroxy Oxindoles by an Aza-Nazarov-Type Reaction Involving Azaoxyallyl Cations

A novel transition-metal-free method to construct N-hydroxy oxindoles by an aza-Nazarov-type reaction involving azaoxyallyl cation intermediates is described. A variety of functional groups were tolerated under the weak basic reaction conditions and at room temperature. A one-pot process was also developed to make the reaction even more practical. This method provides alternative access to oxindoles and their biologically active derivatives.

Palladium(II)/N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed One-Pot Sequential α-Arylation/Alkylation: Access to 3,3-Disubstituted Oxindoles

Rationally designed fluorene-based mono- and bimetallic Pd-PEPPSI complexes were synthesized and demonstrated to be effective for the one-pot sequential α-arylation/alkylation of oxindoles. This streamlined approach offers efficient access to functionalized 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles in excellent yields (up to 89%) under mild reaction conditions.

The Palladium Acetate-Catalyzed Microwave-Assisted Hirao Reaction without an Added Phosphorus Ligand as a "Green" Protocol: A Quantum Chemical Study on the Mechanism

It was proved by our experiments that on microwave irradiation, the mono‐ or bidentate phosphorus ligands generally applied in the palladium(II)‐catalyzed P–C coupling reaction of aryl bromides and dialkyl phosphites or secondary phosphine oxides may be substituted by the excess of the >P(O)H reagent that exists under a tautomeric equilibrium. Taking into account that the reduction of the palladium(II) salt and the ligation of the palladium(0) so formed requires 3 equivalents of the P‐species for the catalyst applied in a quantity of 5–10%, all together, 15–30% of the P‐reagent is necessary beyond its stoichiometric quantity. In the coupling reaction of diphenylphosphine oxide, it was possible to apply diethyl phosphite as the reducing agent and as the P‐ligand. The reactivities of the diethyl phosphite and diphenylphosphine oxide reagents were compared in a competitive reaction. The mechanism and the energetics of this new variation of the Hirao reaction of bromobenzene with Y₂P(O)H reagents (Y=EtO and Ph) was explored by quantum chemical calculations. The first detailed study on simple reaction models justified our assumption that, under the conditions of the reaction, the trivalent form of the >P(O)H reagent may serve as the P‐ligand in the palladium(0) catalyst, and shed light on the fine mechanism of the reaction sequence. The existence of the earlier described bis(palladium complex) {[H(OPh₂P)₂PdOAc]₂} was refuted by high level theoretical calculations. This kind of complex may be formed only with chloride anions instead of the acetate anion. The interaction of palladium acetate and Y₂P(O)H may result in only the formation of the [(HO)Y₂P]₂Pd complex that is the active catalyst in the Hirao reaction. The new variation of the Hirao reaction is of a more general value, and represents the greenest protocol, as there is no need for the usual P‐ligands. Instead, the >P(O)H reagent should be used in an excess of up to 30%. Hence, the costs and environmental burdens may be decreased.

A Palladium-Catalyzed α-Arylation of Oxindoles with Aryl Tosylates

A palladium-catalyzed monoselective C3 arylation of 2-oxindoles with aryl tosylates is described. With the Pd/CM-phos catalyst system, the corresponding 3-arylated oxindoles can be obtained in good to excellent yields (≤97%). The reaction conditions are mild (using 0.5 mol % Pd in general and KF as a base), and functional groups such as methyl ester, NH amido, and enolizable keto moieties are found to be compatible.

Di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP) promoted dehydrogenative coupling: an expedient and metal-free synthesis of oxindoles via intramolecular C(sp2)–H and C(sp3)–H bond activation

An efficient di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP) promoted synthesis of oxindole has been developed. This methodology involves C(sp³)–H and C(sp²)–H bond activation under metal-free conditions.

Developing five-membered heterocycle substituted phosphinous acids as ligands for palladium-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura and Catellani reactions

Several secondary phosphine oxides (SPOs) were prepared. Organic products with unexpected conformations (9 and 10) were obtained besides 8 from Heck-type Catellani reactions with the assistance of the selected SPO ligand 5f.

Ni-Catalyzed α-arylation of esters and amides with phenol derivatives

A nickel-catalyzed α-arylation of esters and amides with phenol derivatives has been accomplished. In the presence of our unique nickel catalyst, prepared in situ from Ni(cod)2, 3,4-bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)thiophene (dcypt), and K3PO4, various esters and amides undergo α-arylation with O-arylpivalates or O-arylcarbamates to afford the corresponding coupling products. The thus obtained α-aryl esters and amides are useful precursors of privileged motifs such as α-arylcarboxylic acids and β-arylamines.

Efficient synthesis of 3H-indoles enabled by the lead-mediated α-arylation of β-ketoesters or γ-lactams using aryl azides

The development of a lead-mediated α-arylation reaction between aryl azides and β-ketoesters or γ-lactams that facilitates the formation of 3H-indoles is disclosed. Twenty-five examples are included which demonstrate the generality of this reaction to access aryl azides bearing tetrasubstituted o-alkyl substituents. When paired with a Staudinger reduction, this reaction streamlines the synthesis of functionalized 3H-indoles.

Palladium-catalyzed direct intermolecular α-arylation of amides with aryl chlorides

An efficient catalytic system for the direct intermolecular α-arylation of acetamide derivatives with aryl chlorides is presented. Chemoselectivities up to 10:1 in the mono- and diarylation of acetamides were achieved by careful selection of bases, solvents, and stoichiometry. Bis-arylated amides were prepared in up to 95% yield.

Rotational isomers of N-methyl-N-arylacetamides and their derived enolates: implications for asymmetric Hartwig oxindole cyclizations

The rotational preferences of N-(2-bromo-4,6-dimethylphenyl)-N-methyl 2-phenylpropanamide were studied as a model of precursors for Hartwig asymmetric oxindole cyclizations. The atropisomers of this compound were separated by flash chromatography, and then the enantiomers were resolved and the interconversions of the stereocenter and the N-Ar axis were studied. Under thermal conditions, the axis is very stable. Under the basic conditions of the Hartwig cyclization, both the stereocenter and the chiral axis equilibrate via enolate formation. The N-Ar rotation barrier of a 2-phenylacetamide analogue was reduced from 31 kcal mol(-1) in the precursor to 17 kcal mol(-1) in the enolate. Reasons for this dramatic barrier reduction and implications of both N-Ar and amide C-N rotations for Hartwig cyclizations are discussed.

Transition-metal-free synthesis of oxindoles by potassium tert-butoxide-promoted intramolecular α-arylation

Potassium tert-butoxide-mediated intramolecular α-arylations of fluoro- and chloro-substituted anilides provide oxindoles in DMF at 80 °C. In this manner, diversely substituted products have been obtained in moderate to high yields.