Palladium- (and nickel-) catalyzed vinylation of aryl halides

Masters of Mediation: MN(SiMe3)2 in Functionalization of C(sp3)-H Latent Nucleophiles

Organoalkali compounds have undergone a far-reaching transformation being a coupling partner to a mediator in unusual organic conversions which finds its spot in the field of sustainable synthesis. Transition-metal catalysis has always been the priority in C(sp3)-H bond functionalization, however alternatively, in recent times this has been seriously challenged by earth-abundant alkali metals and their complexes arriving at new sustainable organometallic reagents. In this line, the importance of MN(SiMe3)2 (M=Li, Na, K & Cs) reagent revived in C(sp3)-H bond functionalization over recent years in organic synthesis is showcased in this minireview. MN(SiMe3)2 reagent with higher reactivity, enhanced stability, and bespoke cation-π interaction have shown eye-opening mediated processes such as C(sp3)-C(sp3) cross-coupling, radical-radical cross-coupling, aminobenzylation, annulation, aroylation, and other transformations to utilize readily available petrochemical feedstocks. This article also emphasizes the unusual reactivity of MN(SiMe3)2 reagent in unreactive and robust C-X (X=O, N, F, C) bond cleavage reactions that occurred alongside the C(sp3)-H bond functionalization. Overall, this review encourages the community to exploit the untapped potential of MN(SiMe3)2 reagent and also inspires them to take up this subject to even greater heights.

Dienes as Versatile Substrates for Transition Metal-Catalyzed Reactions

Dienes have been of great interest to synthetic chemists as valuable substrates due to their abundance and ease of synthesis. Their unique stereoelectronic properties enable broad reactivity with a wide range of transition metals to construct molecular complexity facilitating synthesis of biologically active compounds. In addition, structural diene variation can result in substrate-controlled reactions, providing valuable mechanistic insights into reactivity and selectivity patterns. The last decade has seen a wealth of new methodologies involving diene substrates through the power of transition metal catalysis. This review summarizes recent advances and remaining opportunities for transition metal-catalyzed transformations involving dienes.

Anhydrous and Stereoretentive Fluoride-Enhanced Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling of Immunomodulatory Imide Drug Derivatives

Immunomodulatory imide drugs form the core of many pharmaceutically relevant structures, but Csp2-Csp2 bond formation via metal-catalyzed cross coupling is difficult due to the sensitivity of the glutarimide ring ubiquitous in these structures. We report that replacement of the traditional alkali base with a fluoride source enhances a previously challenging Suzuki-Miyaura coupling on glutarimide-containing compounds with trifluoroborates. These enabling conditions are reactive enough to generate these derivatives in high yields but mild enough to preserve both the glutarimide and its sensitive stereocenter. Experimental and computational data suggest a mechanistically distinct process of π-coordination of the trifluoroborate enabled by these conditions.

Oxazaborolidinones: Steric Coverage Effect of Lewis Acidic Boron Center in Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling Reactions

It was demonstrated that α-hydroxycarboxamide is an excellent boron-protecting group. The reaction between α-hydroxycarboxamide and organoboronic acids produced stable oxazaborolidinones (OxBs), in which thesp 2 ${{_{{\rm sp}{^{2}}}}}$ -hybridized boron atom was sterically protected by α-hydroxycarboxamide. The alkyl groups of the α-hydroxycarboxamide moiety can dynamically cover the p-orbital of thesp 2 ${{_{{\rm sp}{^{2}}}}}$ -hybridized boron center, creating a small space around the boron atom, allowing for smooth transmetalation by a Pd catalyst and easy deprotection by water. This protecting phenomenon is effective for readily purification, Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions with unstable boronic acids and iterative cross-couplings.

Reductive Cross-Coupling of a Vinyl Thianthrenium Salt and Secondary Alkyl Iodides

We report the first reductive vinylation of alkyl iodides. The reaction uses a vinyl thianthrenium salt, a palladium catalyst, and an alkyl zinc intermediate formed in situ to trap the Ln PdII (vinyl) complex formed after oxidative addition before it undergoes undesired homocoupling to form butadiene.

Isoxazole as a nitrile synthon: en routes to the ortho-alkenylated isoxazole and benzonitrile with allyl sulfone catalyzed by Ru(II)

A Ru(II) catalyzed regioselective Heck-type C-H olefination of isoxazole with unactivated allyl phenyl sulfone is revealed. The solvent DCM offers dual sp2-sp2 C-H activation via an N-directed strategy, leading to ortho-olefinated isoxazoles with exclusive E-selectivity. On the other hand, in DCE solvent, isoxazole serves as the nitrile synthon and leads to o-olefinated benzonitrile. At a higher temperature (110 °C) in DCE, after the ortho-olefination Ru(II) mediated cleavage of isoxazoles delivered the nitrile functionality.

Functionalized Chromans from ortho-Quinone Methides and Arylallenes

ortho-Quinone methides (o-QMs) underwent formal [4 + 2]-cycloaddition reactions with arylallenes regioselectively at the styrenyl olefin to furnish the corresponding 3-methylene-2-arylchromans in moderate to good yields (up to 88%). When R ≠ H, the reactions also proceeded with moderate stereoselectivity (up to 5:1) which was governed by the nature of the R group. The 3-methylene-2-arylchromans could serve as common intermediates for further functionalization including epoxidation, oxidative cleavage/Baeyer-Villiger oxidation, Riley oxidation, acid-catalyzed rearrangement, and Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions to furnish the corresponding derivatives in moderate to good yields.

Preparation of Dienyl Boronates by Tandem Ene-Yne Metathesis/Dienyl Isomerization: Ready Access to Diene Building Blocks for the Synthesis of Polyenes

The ene-yne metathesis of alkenyl boronates with terminal alkynes is reported. These challenging metatheses were accomplished using a Grubbs catalyst bearing the cyclic alkyl amino carbene (CAAC) ligand, whereas N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) derived catalysts gave lower yields. Subsequent dienyl isomerization via a cobalt-catalyzed hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) furnished the more substituted dienyl boronate with high EE/EZ ratios. Finally, the resulting dienyl boronate products were successfully used in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions and in a Diels-Alder cycloaddition.

Palladium-Catalyzed Stereoselective C-F Bond Vinylation and Allylation of Tetrasubstituted gem-Difluoroalkenes via Stille Coupling: Synthesis of Monofluorinated 1,3- and 1,4-Dienes

We herein describe a Pd-catalyzed stereoselective C-F bond vinylation and allylation reaction of tetrasubstituted gem-difluoroalkenes for the synthesis of valuable monofluorinated 1,3- and 1,4-dienes with excellent diastereoselectivities. Different from previously used Pd(PPh₃)₄, a catalytic system involving Pd(0) and dppe as the ligand was developed for Stille-type cross-coupling between gem-difluoroalkenes and vinyl- and allyltin reagents.

Vinyl Thianthrenium Tetrafluoroborate: A Practical and Versatile Vinylating Reagent Made from Ethylene

The use of vinyl electrophiles in synthesis has been hampered by the lack of access to a suitable reagent that is practical and of appropriate reactivity. In this work we introduce a vinyl thianthrenium salt as an effective vinylating reagent. The bench-stable, crystalline reagent can be readily prepared from ethylene gas at atmospheric pressure in one step and is broadly useful in the annulation chemistry of (hetero)cycles, N-vinylation of heterocyclic compounds, and palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. The structural features of the thianthrene core enable a distinct synthesis and reactivity profile, unprecedented for other vinyl sulfonium derivatives.

Ru-Catalyzed (E)-Specific ortho-C-H Alkenylation of Arenecarboxylic Acids by Coupling with Alkenyl Bromides

In the presence of [p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂, (E)-configured alkenyl bromides couple with aromatic carboxylates to form ortho-vinylbenzoic acids. This C-H vinylation proceeds in high yields without any activating phosphine ligands and has an excellent functional group tolerance. Starting from commonly available (E/Z )-mixtures of alkenyl bromides, (E)-configured vinyl arenes or dienes are formed exclusively. Mechanistic studies show that this selectivity is achieved because the (E)-configured alkenyl bromides undergo a smooth coupling, whereas the (Z)-isomers are rapidly eliminated with the formation of alkynes.

Nickel-Catalyzed Ligand-Free Hiyama Coupling of Aryl Bromides and Vinyltrimethoxysilane

We herein disclose the first Ni-catalyzed Hiyama coupling of aryl halides with vinylsilanes. This protocol uses cheap, nontoxic, and stable vinyltrimethoxysilane as the vinyl donor, proceeds under mild and ligand-free conditions, furnishing a diverse variety of styrene derivatives in high yields with excellent functional group compatibility.

Dealkenylative Alkenylation: Formal σ-Bond Metathesis of Olefins

The dealkenylative alkenylation of alkene C(sp3 )-C(sp2 ) bonds has been an unexplored area for C-C bond formation. Herein 64 examples of β-alkylated styrene derivatives, synthesized through the reactions of readily accessible feedstock olefins with β-nitrostyrenes by ozone/FeII -mediated radical substitutions, are reported. These reactions proceed with good efficiencies and high stereoselectivities under mild reaction conditions and tolerate an array of functional groups. Also demonstrated is the applicability of the strategy through several synthetic transformations of the products, as well as the syntheses of the natural product iso-moracin and the drug (E)-metanicotine.

Photocatalytic [2 + 2] Cycloaddition in DNA-Encoded Chemistry

The on-DNA synthesis of highly substituted cyclobutanes was achieved through a photocatalytic [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction in aqueous solution. Readily available DNA-tagged styrene derivatives were reacted with structurally diverse cinnamates in the presence of an iridium-based photocatalyst, Ir(ppy)₂(dtbbpy)PF₆, to forge two new C(sp³)-C(sp³) bonds. This transformation was demonstrated to have excellent functional group tolerance and allowed for the facile installation of a variety of heteroaromatic substituents on a densely functionalized cyclobutane scaffold.

Cobalt(iii)-catalyzed ketone-directed C–H vinylation using vinyl acetate

Weakly coordinating, ketone-directed C–H vinylation using vinyl acetate is reported here for a wide range of aromatic ketones such as acetophenones, diaryl ketones, chromones and chalcones under cost-effective and air-stable cobalt(iii)-catalysis.

Pd-Catalyzed Synthesis of Vinyl Arenes from Aryl Halides and Acrylic Acid

Acrylic acid is presented as an inexpensive, non-volatile vinylating agent in a palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative vinylation of aryl halides. The reaction proceeds through a Heck reaction of acrylic acid, immediately followed by protodecarboxylation of the cinnamic acid intermediate. The use of the carboxylate group as a deciduous directing group ensures high selectivity for monoarylated products. The vinylation process is generally applicable to diversely substituted substrates. Its utility is shown by the synthesis of drug-like molecules and the gram-scale preparation of key intermediates in drug synthesis.

Nickel-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Alkenylation of Anhydrides with Vinyl Triflates or Halides

Decarboxylative cross-coupling of aliphatic acid anhydrides with vinyl triflates or halides was accomplished via nickel catalysis. This methodology works well with a broad array of substrates and features abundant functional group tolerance. Notably, our approach addresses the issue of safe and environmental installation of methyl or ethyl group into molecular scaffolds. The method possesses high chemoselectivity toward alkyl groups when aliphatic/aromatic mixed anhydrides are involved. Furthermore, diverse ketones could be modified with our strategy.

Suzuki-Type Cross-Coupling Reaction of Unprotected 3-Iodoindazoles with Pinacol Vinyl Boronate: An Expeditive C-3 Vinylation of Indazoles under Microwave Irradiation

Herein we report an expeditive C-3 vinylation of unprotected 3-iodoindazoles under microwave irradiation. Ten C-5 substituted 3-vinylindazole derivatives, nine of them novel, were synthesized through this method, which proceeds in moderate to excellent yields starting from C-5 substituted 3-iodoindazole derivatives. In all cases, the C-3 vinylated derivative was the only isolated product. This methodology allows access to 3-vinylated indazoles selectively and directly without the need of N-protection. 3-Vinylindazoles could be interesting synthetic intermediates allowing access to biologically active molecules.

Pd-Catalyzed Vinylation of Aryl Halides with Inexpensive Organosilicon Reagents Under Mild Conditions

Pd-catalyzed Hiyama vinylation reaction of non-activated aryl chlorides and bromides under mild conditions was developed. The use of efficient vinyl donors and electron-rich sterically hindered phosphine ligands was critical for the success of the reaction. The products of this transformation can be used for Am/Cm separation, an important challenge in nuclear fuel reprocessing. The substituent effect on Am/Cm separating selectivity was also achieved, which could contribute to the development of new chromatographic materials for the separation of Am and Cm.

Alkenylation of C(sp3 )-H Bonds by Zincation/Copper-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling with Iodonium Salts

α-Vinylation of phosphonates, phosphine oxides, sulfones, sulfonamides, and sulfoxides has been achieved by selective C-H zincation and copper-catalyzed C(sp³ )-C(sp² ) cross-coupling reaction using vinylphenyliodonium salts. The vinylation transformation proceeds in high efficiency and stereospecificity under mild reaction conditions. This zincative cross-coupling reaction represents a general alkenylation strategy, which is also applicable for α-alkenylation of esters, amides, and nitriles in the synthesis of β,γ-unsaturated carbonyl compounds.

A deciduous directing group approach for the addition of aryl and vinyl nucleophiles to maleimides

A Rh(iii)-catalyzed C–H activation followed by conjugate addition to maleimides, using carboxylic acid as a traceless/deciduous directing group, to formally furnish a C_sp2–C_sp3 bond is presented.

Palladium-Catalyzed Selective α-Alkenylation of Pyridylmethyl Ethers with Vinyl Bromides

An efficient palladium-catalyzed α-alkenylation of pyridylmethyl ethers with vinyl bromides is presented. A Pd/NIXANTPHOS-based catalyst system enables a mild and chemoselective coupling between a variety of pyridylmethyl ethers and vinyl bromides in good to excellent yields. Under the mild conditions, β,γ-unsaturated products are obtained without isomerization or Heck byproducts observed.

Ruthenium Hydride Catalyzed Silylvinylation of Internal Alkynes Using Ethylene as an Additive

An efficient synthetic strategy for the regiospecific silylvinylation of internal alkynes is described. This transformation is catalyzed by RuHCl(CO)(SIMes)PPh3 and provides a net 5-exo-dig trans-silylvinylation of internal alkynes. Ethylene was used to decrease reaction times and displayed altered selectivity at increased pressure. Furthermore, alkyl-substituted alkynes were acceptable substrates at 80 psi of ethylene.

Mechanistic significance of the si-o-pd bond in the palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of alkenylsilanolates

Through the combination of reaction kinetics (both catalytic and stoichiometric) and solid-state characterization of arylpalladium(II) alkenylsilanolate complexes, the intermediacy of covalent adducts containing Si-O-Pd linkages in the cross-coupling reactions of organosilanolates has been unambiguously established. Two mechanistically distinct pathways have been demonstrated: (1) transmetalation via a neutral 8-Si-4 intermediate that dominates in the cross-coupling of potassium alkenylsilanolates, and (2) transmetalation via an anionic 10-Si-5 intermediate that dominates in the cross-coupling of cesium alkenylsilanolates. Arylpalladium(II) alkenylsilanolate complexes bearing various phosphine ligands (both bidentate and monodentate) have been isolated, fully characterized, and evaluated for their kinetic competence under thermal (stoichiometric) and anionic (catalytic) conditions. Comparison of the rates for thermal and anionic activation demonstrates that intermediates containing the Si-O-Pd linkage are involved in the cross-coupling process.

Direct catalytic cross-coupling of alkenyllithium compounds

A catalytic method for the direct cross-coupling of alkenyllithium reagents with aryl and alkenyl halides is described. The use of a catalyst comprising Pd2(dba)3/XPhos allows for the stereoselective preparation of a wide variety of substituted alkenes in high yields under mild conditions. In addition (1-ethoxyvinyl)lithium can be efficiently converted into substituted vinyl ethers which, after hydrolysis, give readily access to the corresponding methyl ketones in a one pot procedure.

Rh-catalyzed oxidizing group-directed ortho C–H vinylation of arenes by vinylstannanes

An efficient method for the synthesis of functionalized vinyl arenes from the reaction of N-methoxybenzamides or N-phenoxyacetamides with vinylstannanes via rhodium(iii)-catalyzed C–H activation is described. The application of the methodology for the synthesis of a natural product thalactamine and a 7-membered ring oxepine are also demonstrated.

Stereospecific Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling of potassium alkenyltrifluoroborates with alkyl halides

A general method for the alkenylation of alkyl electrophiles using nearly stoichiometric amounts of the air- and moisture-stable potassium organotrifluoroborates has been developed. Various functional groups were tolerated on both the nucleophilic and electrophilic partner. Reactions of highly substituted E- and Z-alkenyltrifluoroborates, as well as vinyl- and propenyltrifluoroborates, were successful, and no loss of stereochemistry or regiochemistry was observed.

Palladacycle-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura reaction of aryl/heteroaryl halides with MIDA boronates in EtOH/H2O or H2O

With good to excellent yields, a series of mono- or diheteroaryl compounds were synthesized via the palladacycle-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura reaction of various N-methyliminodiacetic acid (MIDA) boronates with aryl/heteroaryl halides in EtOH/H₂O or H₂O.

Mechanistic studies on the Pd-catalyzed vinylation of aryl halides with vinylalkoxysilanes in water: the effect of the solvent and NaOH promoter

The mechanism of the Pd-catalyzed vinylation of aryl halides with vinylalkoxysilanes in water has been studied using different catalytic precursors. The NaOH promoter converts the initial vinylalkoxysilane into a highly reactive water-soluble vinylsilanolate species. Similarly, deuterium-labeling experiments have shown that, irrespective of the catalytic precursor used, vinylation occurs exclusively at the CH vinylic functionality via a Heck reaction and not at the C-Si bond via a Hiyama cross-coupling. The involvement of a Heck mechanism is interpreted in terms of the reduced nucleophilicity of the base in water, which disfavors the transmetalation step. The Heck product (β-silylvinylarene) undergoes partial desilylation, with formation of a vinylarene, by three different routes: (a) hydrolytic desilylation by the aqueous solvent (only at high temperature); (b) transmetalation of the silyl olefin on the PdH Heck intermediate followed by reductive elimination of vinylarene; (c) reinsertion of the silyl olefin into the PdH bond of the Heck intermediate followed by β-Si syn-elimination. Both the Hiyama and Heck catalytic cycles and desilylation mechanisms b and c have been computationally evaluated for the [Pd(en)Cl2] precursor in water as solvent. The calculated Gibbs energy barriers support the reinsertion route proposed on the basis of the experimental results.

Rhodium and copper-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition of alkenyl nucleophiles

Since the initial reports in the mid-90s, metal catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition (ACA) reactions evolved as an important tool for the synthetic chemist. Most of the research efforts have been done in the field of rhodium and copper catalyzed ACA reactions employing aryl and alkyl nucleophiles. Despite the great synthetic value of the double bond, the addition of alkenyl nucleophiles remains insufficiently explored. In this account, an overview of the developments in the field of rhodium and copper catalyzed ACA reactions with organometallic alkenyl reagents (B, Mg, Al, Si, Zr, Sn) will be provided. The account is intended to give a comprehensive overview of all the existing methods. However, in many cases only selected examples are displayed in order to facilitate comparison of different ligands and methodologies.