Recent advances in the chemistry of magnesium carbenoids

Continuous Flow Technology as an Enabler for Innovative Transformations Exploiting Carbenes, Nitrenes, and Benzynes

Miniaturization offered by microreactors provides for superb reaction control as well as excellent heat and mass transfer. By performing chemical reactions in microreactors or tubular systems under continuous flow conditions, increased safety can be harnessed which allows exploitation of these technologies for the generation and immediate consumption of high-energy intermediates. This Synopsis demonstrates the use of flow technology to effectively exploit benzynes, carbenes, and nitrenes in synthetic chemistry programs.

Solvation Effects on the Structure and Stability of Alkali Metal Carbenoids

s‐Block metal carbenoids are carbene synthons and applied in a myriad of organic transformations. They exhibit a strong structure–activity relationship, but this is only poorly understood due to the challenging high reactivity and sensitivity of these reagents. Here, we report on systematic VT and DOSY NMR studies, XRD analyses as well as DFT calculations on a sulfoximinoyl‐substituted model system to explain the pronounced solvent dependency of the carbenoid stability. While the sodium and potassium chloride carbenoids showed high stabilities independent of the solvent, the lithium carbenoid was stable at room temperature in THF but decomposed at −10 °C in toluene. These divergent stabilities could be explained by the different structures formed in solution. In contrast to simple organolithium reagents, the monomeric THF‐solvate was found to be more stable than the dimer in toluene, since the latter more readily forms direct Li/Cl interactions which facilitate decomposition via α‐elimination.

Catalytic radical cascade cyclization of alkene-tethered enones to fused bicyclic cyclopropanols

Fused bicyclic cyclopropanols were achieved via an unprecedented HAT-triggered radical cascade reaction of alkene-tethered enones in the presence of an iron catalyst.

Organomagnesium Based Flash Chemistry: Continuous Flow Generation and Utilization of Halomethylmagnesium Intermediates

The generation of highly unstable chloromethylmagnesium chloride in a continuous flow reactor and its reaction with aldehydes and ketones is reported. With this strategy, chlorohydrins and epoxides were synthesized within a total residence time of only 2.6 s. The outcome of the reaction can be tuned by simply using either a basic or an acidic quench. Very good to excellent isolated yields, up to 97%, have been obtained for most cases (30 examples).

Shelf-Stable (E)- and (Z)-Vinyl-λ3-chlorane: A Stereospecific Hyper-vinylating Agent

We report the first stereoselective synthesis of stable (E)- and (Z)-β-chlorovinyl-λ³-chlorane via direct mesitylation of 1,2-dichloroethylene with mesityldiazonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate under mild reaction conditions. The structure of the (E)-vinyl-λ³-chlorane was established by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Because of the enormously high leaving group ability of the aryl-λ³-chloranyl group, vinyl-λ³-chloranes undergo not only S_NVσ-type reaction with extremely weak nucleophiles such as perfluoroalkanesulfonate, iodobenzene, and aromatic hydrocarbons but also coupling with phenylcopper(I) species.

Nickel-Catalyzed Anionic Cross-Coupling Reaction of Lithium Sulfonimidoyl Alkylidene Carbenoids With Organolithiums

The mechanistic platform for a novel nickel0 -catalyzed anionic cross-coupling reaction (ACCR) of lithium sulfonimidoyl alkylidene carbenoids (metalloalkenyl sulfoximines) with organometallic reagents is reported herein, affording substituted alkenylmetals and lithium sulfinamides. The Ni0 -catalyzed ACCR of three different types of metalloalkenyl sulfoximines, including acyclic, axially chiral and exocyclic derivatives, with sp2 organolithiums and sp2 and sp3 Grignard reagents has been studied. The ACCR of metalloalkenyl sulfoximines with PhLi in the presence of the Ni0 -catalyst and precatalyst Ni(PPh3 )2 Cl2 afforded alkenyllithiums, under inversion of configuration at the C atom and complete retention at the S atom. In a combination of experimental and DFT studies, we propose a catalytic cycle of the Ni0 -catalyzed ACCR of lithioalkenyl sulfoximines. Computational studies reveal two distinctive pathways of the ACCR, depending on whether a phosphine or 1,5-cyclooctadiene (COD) is the ligand of the Ni atom. They rectify the underlying importance of forming the key Ni0 -vinylidene intermediate through an indispensable electron-rich Ni0 -center coordinated by phosphine ligands. Fundamentally, we present a mechanistic study in controlling the diastereoselectivity of the alkenyllithium formation via the key lithium sulfinamide coordinated Ni0 -vinylidene complex, which consequently avoids an unselective formation of an alkylidene carbene Ni-complex and ultimately racemic alkenyllithium.

Developments in the construction of cyclopropanols

The ring-opening of cyclopropanols is one of the most active areas of research and it has been well documented in recent years owing to subsequent coupling with various partners, thus providing the facile syntheses of a large number of multifunctional compounds that may otherwise be difficult to access. Evidently, the useful cascade reaction requires easy access to diversely functionalized cyclopropanol substrates. However, developments in the construction of cyclopropanols have not received adequate attention. Herein, recent reports on the formation of cyclopropanols are summarized, and the highly stereoselective production of new promising substrates for the cyclopropanol ring-opening/cross-coupling reactions are introduced and improved syntheses of known cyclopropanols are depicted. This review may facilitate more interesting applications of the cyclopropanol ring-opening/coupling reaction in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, natural products, and structurally more diversified organic synthetic intermediates.

Recent advances in alkaline earth metal-enabled syntheses of heterocyclic compounds

This review summarizes recent progress in alkaline earth metal enabled syntheses of heterocyclic compounds.

Alkenyl Magnesium Compounds: Generation and Synthetic Application

Alkenyl magnesium compounds have received much attention in synthetic organic chemistry because of their high reactivity. This review summarizes three types of alkenyl magnesium compounds which contain at least one [Mg-C=C] fragment, for example, (1) alkenyl Grignard reagents prepared by halogen-magnesium exchange reaction; (2) alkenyl magnesium carbenoids prepared by halogen-magnesium exchange reaction or sulfoxide-magnesium exchange reaction; (3) magnesacarbocycles containing at least one alkenyl magnesium bond prepared from Zr- or Ti-catalyzed cyclomagnesation or transmetalation, as well as their further reactions and applications.

Homologation chemistry with nucleophilic α-substituted organometallic reagents: chemocontrol, new concepts and (solved) challenges

The transfer of a reactive nucleophilic CH2X unit into a preformed bond enables the introduction of a fragment featuring the exact and desired degree of functionalization through a single synthetic operation. The instability of metallated α-organometallic species often poses serious questions regarding the practicability of using this conceptually intuitive and simple approach for forming C-C or C-heteroatom bonds. A deep understanding of processes regulating the formation of these nucleophiles is a precious source of inspiration not only for successfully applying theoretically feasible transformations (i.e. determining how to employ a given reagent), but also for designing new reactions which ultimately lead to the introduction of molecular complexity via short experimental sequences.

Dimensioning the Term Carbenoid

The current use of the term carbenoid is discussed, particularly in the context of carbene transfer reactions from diazo compounds, in which intermediates of type L_n M=CR¹ R² , or one of its resonance forms, are tagged which such a name. We discuss this issue, on the basis of the data evidencing the metal-carbene nature of those intermediates, as well as the existence of carbenoids of type (N₂ )(M)CR¹ R² en route to the formation to L_n M=CR¹ R^2' from diazo reagents. We propose the exclusive use of the carbenoid term to species of type (X)(M)CR¹ R² with a tetrasubstituted carbon center that upon loss of X afford an effective carbene transfer process.

Alkali Metal Chlorine and Bromine Carbenoids: Their Thermal Stability and Structural Properties

The synthesis and structures of a series of M/X carbenoids of the type [Ph₂ P(S)]₂ CMX with M=Li, Na, and K and X=Cl and Br are reported, amongst the first isolated Na/Br and K/Br carbenoids. NMR spectroscopic as well as crystallographic studies showed distinct differences between the lithium carbenoids and their heavier congeners. In the solid state, all carbenoids showed no direct metal-carbon interaction, but an interaction between the metal and the halogen atom. This contact is only very weak in the case of the Li/Br carbenoid, but much more pronounced in the corresponding potassium and sodium compounds. Nevertheless, these interactions did not significantly influence the stability of the carbenoids by weakening the C-X bond and facilitating the MX elimination. As such all compounds were found to be stable up to approximately 60 °C in solution. Hence, M-X interactions-albeit being an essential feature for the structure formation of carbenoids-are not the only criterion determining the stability of such compounds. In the present systems, the stabilization by the thiophosphinoyl moieties is more important than the metal/halogen combination.

Taming Metal/Fluorine Carbenoids

Although Li/Cl carbenoids are versatile reagents in organic synthesis, the controlled handling of the extremely reactive and labile M/F carbenoids remains a challenge. We now show that even these compounds can be stabilized and isolated in solid state, as well as in solution. Particularly the sodium and potassium compounds exhibit a remarkable stability, thus allowing the first isolation of a room-temperature-stable fluorine carbenoid. Spectroscopic, as well as DFT studies confirmed the pronounced carbenoid character, showing M-F-C interactions with elongated C-F bonds. The different stabilities of the carbenoids was found to originate from the different strength of the M-F interaction. Hence, the lithium compounds are considerably more reactive than their heavier congeners. Reactivity studies showed that the nature of the metal also influences the reactivity, resulting in different selectivity in the addition to thioketones.

Stability and reactivity control of carbenoids: recent advances and perspectives

Metal carbenoids such as lithium or Simmons-Smith-type reagents are widely used in organic synthesis, particularly in cyclopropanation and homologation reactions. These reagents are often highly reactive and thermally labile, thus limiting their isolation and hampering the development of new synthetic applications. Recent years however, have shown that by means of systematic stabilization a control of reactivity and the development of new applications is possible. This feature article documents recent developments in the control of carbenoid reactivity and stability and highlights structural and electronic properties as well as applications in main group element and transition metal chemistry.

Lithium Halomethylcarbenoids: Preparation and Use in the Homologation of Carbon Electrophiles

α-Halomethyllithium carbenoids are useful homologating reagents which - reacting under proper reaction conditions as carbanions - enable the installation via nucleophilic addition of a reactive halomethyl fragment onto a preformed carbon-heteroatom bond. The pronounced thermolability represented - since seminal studies by Köbrich - the Achilles' heel of these reagents: the use of Barbier-type methodologies (i.e., the electrophile should be present in the reaction mixture prior to the formation of the carbenoid) was pivotal in order to suppress decomposition through α-elimination processes. Nowadays, the use of low temperatures (-78 °C) guarantees reliable procedures and, significantly, the employment of microreactor technologies allows external trapping to be performed even at higher temperatures as reported by Luisi. We will discuss the α-halomethyllithium-mediated homologations of a series of carbon electrophiles such as carbonyl compounds, imines, esters, Weinreb amides, and isocyanates.

Bromomethyllithium-mediated chemoselective homologation of disulfides to dithioacetals

An efficient, chemoselective homologation of disulfides and diselenides to the corresponding dithio- and diselenoacetals has been developed via the addition of bromomethyllithium. Chemoselectivity is fully preserved in the presence of concomitant electrophilic sites decorating the substrates. The synthetic potential of selected dithioacetals has been evaluated in Feringa-Fañanas-Mastral-type Pd-catalyzed coupling with an organolithium and in the unusual 1,4-addition to a Weinreb amide.

Synthesis and stability of Li/Cl carbenoids based on bis(iminophosphoryl)methanes

Bis(iminophosphoryl) substituted Li/Cl carbenoids – accessable via different preparation methods – show high thermal stabilities, which however depend on the N-substituent.

Investigation of functionalized α-chloroalkyllithiums for a stereospecific reagent-controlled homologation approach to the analgesic alkaloid (-)-epibatidine

Four putative functionalized α-chloroakyllithiums RCH2CHLiCl, where R=CHCH2(18 a), CCH (18 b), CH2OBn (18 c), and CH[O(CH2)2O] (18 d), were generated in situ by sulfoxide-lithium exchange from α-chlorosulfoxides, and investigated for the stereospecific reagent-controlled homologation (StReCH) of phenethyl and 2-chloropyrid-5-yl (17) pinacol boronic esters. Deuterium labeling experiments revealed that α-chloroalkyllithiums are quenched by proton transfer from their α-chlorosulfoxide precursors and it was established that this effect compromises the yield of StReCH reactions. Use of α-deuterated α-chlorosulfoxides was discovered to ameliorate the problem by retarding the rate of acid-base chemistry between the carbenoid and its precursor. Carbenoids 18 a and 18 b showed poor StReCH efficacy, particularly the propargyl group bearing carbenoid 18 b, the instability of which was attributed to a facile 1,2-hydride shift. By contrast, 18 d, a carbenoid that benefits from a stabilizing interaction between O and Li atoms gave good StReCH yields. Boronate 17 was chain extended by carbenoids 18 a, 18 b, and 18 d in 16, 0, and 68% yield, respectively; α-deuterated isotopomers D-18 a and D-18 d gave yields of 33 and 79% for the same reaction. Double StReCH of 17 was pursued to target contiguous stereodiads appropriate for the total synthesis of (-)-epibatidine (15). One-pot double StReCH of boronate 17 by two exposures to (S)-D-18 a (≤66 % ee), followed by work-up with KOOH, gave the expected stereodiad product in 16% yield (d.r.~67:33). The comparable reaction using two exposures to (S)-D-18 d (≤90% ee) delivered the expected bisacetal containing stereodiad (R,R)-DD-48 in 40% yield (≥98% ee, d.r.=85:15). Double StReCH of 17 using (S)-D-18 d (≤90% ee) followed by (R)-D-18 d (≤90% ee) likewise gave (R,S)-DD-48 in 49% yield (≥97% ee, d.r.=79:21). (R,S)-DD-48 was converted to a dideuterated isotopomer of a synthetic intermediate in Corey's synthesis of 15.

Full functionalization of the 7-azaindole scaffold by selective metalation and sulfoxide/magnesium exchange

Filling positions: 7-Azaindoles are important targets in the pharmaceutical industry. All five carbon positions of the azaindole ring system can be functionalized in a predictable manner starting from the appropriately substituted azaindole 1 by directed metalation and halogen/magnesium and sulfoxide/magnesium exchange. The products are fully substituted azaindoles of type 2.

Synthesis of α,β-unsaturated α'-haloketones through the chemoselective addition of halomethyllithiums to Weinreb amides

A straightforward synthesis of variously functionalized α,β-unsaturated α'-haloketones has been achieved through the chemoselective addition of halomethyllithium carbenoids to Weinreb amides at -78 °C. A comparative study employing the corresponding esters under the same reaction conditions pointed out that the instability of the tetrahedral intermediate formed from the latter is responsible for the observed formation of carbinols instead of the desired haloketones.