Domino Approach to Benzofurans by the Sequential Sonogashira/Hydroalkoxylation Couplings Catalyzed by New N-Heterocyclic-Carbene-Palladium Complexes

Facile synthesis and bonding of 4-ferrocenyl-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidene complexes

Ferrocene-substituted carbenes have emerged as attractive, redox-active ligands. However, among the compounds studied to date, ferrocenylated 1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidenes, which are closely related to the archetypal imidazol-2-ylidenes, are still unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the triazolium salt [CHN(Me)NCHN(Fc)]I (2; Fc = ferrocenyl), obtained by alkylation of 4-ferrocenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole (1) with MeI, reacts selectively with metal alkoxide/hydroxide precursors [(cod)Rh(OMe)]2 and [(IPr)Au(OH)] (cod = cycloocta-1,5-diene, IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) to produce the ferrocene-substituted 1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidene complexes [(cod)RhI{CN(Me)NCHN(Fc)}] and [(IPr)Au{CN(Me)NCHN(Fc)}]I in good yields. The complexes were characterised by NMR and IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Density function theory (DFT) calculations were used to rationalise the electrochemical behaviour of the carbene complexes and to elucidate the bonding situation in these compounds. An analysis using intrinsic bond orbitals (IBOs) revealed that the 1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidene ligand exerted a strong trans influence and showed a synergistic stabilisation by the negative inductive and positive π-donor effects of the nitrogen atoms adjacent to the carbene carbon atom; these effects were enhanced by conjugation with the CHN bond at the exterior, similar to that in imidazol-2-ylidenes.

Enantioselective Desymmetrization of Trifluoromethylated Tertiary Benzhydrols via Hydrogen-Acceptor-Free Ir-Catalyzed Dehydrogenative C-H Silylation: Decisive Role of the Trifluoromethyl Group

Although the trifluoromethyl (CF3) group is one of the most important fluorinated groups owing to its significant ability to modulate pharmacological properties, constructing trifluoromethylated stereogenic centers in an enantioselective manner has been a formidable challenge. Herein, we report the development of the enantioselective desymmetrization of trifluoromethylated benzhydrols via intramolecular dehydrogenative silylation using Ir catalysts with chiral pyridine-oxazoline (PyOX) ligands. The produced benzoxasilol was transformed into several unsymmetrical benzhydrols via iododesilylation and subsequent transition-metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. Moreover, the same Ir catalyst system was used for the kinetic resolution of unsymmetrical trifluoromethylated benzhydrols.

Rapid Access to 3-Substituted Pyridines and Carbolines via a Domino, Copper-free, Palladium-Catalyzed Sonogashira Cross-Coupling/6π-Aza Cyclization Sequence

Herein, we report a one-pot, three-component method for the preparation of 3-substituted pyridines and carbolines via copper-free, palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling with aryl iodides, followed by 6π-aza cyclization. This arylation cross-coupling/annulation cascade provides easy access to substituted, fused pyridines from readily available substrates in good yields (67-92%) with complete selectivity.

Insights into the past and future of Janus-di-N-heterocyclic carbenes

Janus di-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands are a subclass of poly-NHCs that feature coordination to two transition metals in a facially opposed manner. The combination of the structural features of Janus type ligands, with the properties conferred by the NHC ligands, has conferred Janus-di-NHCs with privileged attributes for their use in diverse areas of research, such as homogeneous catalysis, materials chemistry and supramolecular chemistry. In molecular chemistry, Janus di-NHCs constitute one of the most useful chemical platforms for constructing dimetallic structures, and this includes both homo- and hetero-dimetallic compounds. This review aims to cover the most relevant advances in the use of Janus-di-NHCs during the last 15 years, by classifying them according to their specific structural features.

Palladium Nanoparticles Supported on Smopex-234® as Valuable Catalysts for the Synthesis of Heterocycles

Supported catalysts are important tools for developing green-economy-based processes. Palladium nanoparticles (NPs) that are immobilized on two fibers developed as metal scavengers (i.e., Smopex®-234 and Smopex®-111, 1% w/w) have been prepared and tested in copper-free cyclocarbonylative Sonogashira reactions. Their catalytic activity has been compared with that of a homogeneous catalyst (i.e., PdCl2(PPh3)2). Pd/Smopex®-234 showed high activity and selectivity in the synthesis of functionalized heterocycles, such as phthalans and isochromans, even when working with a very low amount of palladium (0.2–0.5 mol%). The extension of Pd/Smopex®-234 promoted cyclocarbonylative reactions to propargyl and homopropargyl amides afforded the corresponding isoindoline and dihydrobenzazepine derivatives. A preliminary test on Pd NPs leaching into the solution (1.7 × 10−3 mg) seems to indicate that, at the end of the reaction, almost all of the active metal is present on the fiber surface.

C-C coupling formation using nitron complexes

A series of RuII (1), RhIII (2), IrIII (3, 4), IrI (5) and PdII (6-9) complexes of the 'instant carbene' nitron were prepared and characterized by 1H- and 13C-NMR, FT-IR and elemental analysis. The molecular structures of complexes 1-4 and 6 were determined by X-ray diffraction studies. The catalytic activity of the complexes (1-9) was evaluated in alpha(α)-alkylation reactions of ketones with alcohol via the borrowing hydrogen strategy under mild conditions. These complexes were able to perform this catalytic transformation in a short time with low catalyst and base amounts under an air atmosphere. Also, the PdII-nitron complexes (6-9) were applied in the Suzuki-Miyaura C-C coupling reaction and these complexes successfully initiated this reaction in a short time (30 minutes) using the H2O/2-propanol (1.5 : 0.5) solvent system. The DFT calculations revealed that the Pd0/II/0 pathway was more preferable for the mechanism.

Synthesis and characterization of a new bis-NHC palladium complex and its catalytic activity in the Mizoroki–Heck reaction

A new bis- N-heterocyclic carbene palladium complex, (C13H9N2F2)2PdCl2, is synthesized by a three-step reaction and characterized by 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy as well as by X-ray crystallography. This new bis- N-heterocyclic carbene palladium complex has excellent stability and is capable of efficiently catalyzing the Mizoroki–Heck coupling reaction of aryl halides with acrylates.

Palladium complexes with an annellated mesoionic carbene (MIC) ligand: catalytic sequential Sonogashira coupling/cyclization reaction for one-pot synthesis of benzofuran, indole, isocoumarin and isoquinolone derivatives

A Pd(ii) complex containing a mesoionic carbene and phosphine ligands is an efficient catalyst for tandem coupling/cyclization reaction.

One-Pot Tandem Hiyama Alkynylation/Cyclizations by Palladium(II) Acyclic Diaminocarbene (ADC) Complexes Yielding Biologically Relevant Benzofuran Scaffolds

A series of palladium acyclic diaminocarbene (ADC) complexes of the type cis-[(R¹NH)(R²)methylidene]PdCl₂(CNR¹) [R¹ = 2,4,6-(CH₃)₃C₆H₂: R² = NC₅H₁₀ (2); NC₄H₈ (3); NC₄H₈O (4)] were used not only to perform the C_sp² -C_sp Hiyama coupling between aryl iodide and triethoxysilylalkynes but also to subsequently carry out the one-pot tandem Hiyama alkynylation/cyclization reaction between 2-iodophenol and triethoxysilylalkynes, giving a convenient time-efficient access to the biologically relevant benzofuran compounds. The palladium ADC complexes (2-4) were conveniently synthesized by the nucleophilic addition of secondary amines, namely, piperidine, pyrrolidine, and morpholine on the cis-{(2,4,6-(CH₃)₃C₆H₂)NC}₂PdCl₂ in moderate yields (ca. 61-66%).

A macrocyclic silver polycarbene complex based on 1,2,4-triazole units: synthesis and postsynthetic modification

A method for the synthesis of a new rectangular 1,2,4-triazole-containing macrocycle via photochemical [2 + 2] cycloaddition with a metal–carbene template was developed.

Smart N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands in Catalysis

It is well-recognized that N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have provided a new dimension to the design of homogeneous catalysts. Part of the success of this type of ligands resides in the limitless access to a variety of topologies with tuned electronic properties, but also in the ability of a family of NHCs that are able to adapt their properties to the specific requirements of individual catalytic transformations. The term "smart" is used here to refer to switchable, multifunctional, adaptable, or tunable ligands and, in general, to all those ligands that are able to modify their steric or electronic properties to fulfill the requirements of a defined catalytic reaction. The purpose of this review is to comprehensively describe all types of smart NHC ligands by focusing attention on the catalytically relevant ligand-based reactivity.

In Situ Generation of ArCu from CuF2 Makes Coupling of Bulky Aryl Silanes Feasible and Highly Efficient

A bimetallic system of Pd/CuF2, catalytic in Pd and stoichiometric in Cu, is very efficient and selective for the coupling of fairly hindered aryl silanes with aryl, anisyl, phenylaldehyde, p-cyanophenyl, p-nitrophenyl, or pyridyl iodides of conventional size. The reaction involves the activation of the silane by Cu(II), followed by disproportionation and transmetalation from the Cu(I)(aryl) to Pd(II), upon which coupling takes place. Cu(III) formed during disproportionation is reduced to Cu(I)(aryl) by excess aryl silane, so that the CuF2 system is fully converted into Cu(I)(aryl) and used in the coupling. Moreover, no extra source of fluoride is needed. Interesting size selectivity towards coupling is found in competitive reactions of hindered aryl silanes. Easily accessible [PdCl2 (IDM)(AsPh3)] (IDM = 1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene) is by far the best catalyst, and the isolated products are essentially free from As or Pd (<1 ppm). The mechanistic aspects of the process have been experimentally examined and discussed.

Synthesis, structure and catalysis of a NHC–Pd(ii) complex based on a tetradentate mixed ligand

NHC–Pd(ii) complex 1 has been prepared. The catalytic activity of 1 in C–C coupling reactions was studied.

Sequential palladium catalyzed coupling–cyclocondensation–coupling (C3) four-component synthesis of intensively blue luminescent biarylsubstituted pyrazoles

Highly blue-fluorescent 1-, 3-, and 5-biarylsubstituted pyrazoles can be efficiently prepared by a MW-assisted consecutive four-component synthesis based upon a sequential Pd-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling–condensation–Suzuki coupling (C³) process.

Palladium nanoparticles in glycerol: a clear-cut catalyst for one-pot multi-step processes applied in the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds

Palladium/TPPTS nanoparticles in glycerol represent a versatile catalyst leading to a large variety of heterocycles through domino/sequential one-pot approaches.