Metal-Catalysed A3 Coupling Methodologies: Classification and Visualisation

The multicomponent reaction of aldehydes, amines, and alkynes, known as A3 coupling, yields propargylamines, a valuable organic scaffold, and has received significant interest and attention in the last years. In order to fully realise the potential of the metal-based catalytic protocols that facilitate this transformation, we summarise substrates, in situ and well-characterised synthetic methods that provide this scaffold and attempt a monumental classification considering several variables (Metal, Coordinating atom(s), Ligand type and name, in-situ or well-characterised, co-catalyst, catalyst and ligand Loading (mol%), solvent, volume, atmosphere, temperature, microwave, time, yield, selectivity (e.e. d.r.), substrate name, functionality, loading (amines, aldehydes, alkynes), and use of molecular sieves). This pioneering work creates a valuable database that contains 2376 entries and allows us to produce graphs and better visualise their impact on the reaction.

Shedding light on the use of Cu(ii)-salen complexes in the A3 coupling reaction

One Cu(ii) complex, {Cu(ii)L} (1S), has been synthesised, in two high yielding steps under ambient conditions, and characterised by single-crystal X-Ray diffraction (SXRD), IR, UV-Vis, circular dichroism (CD), elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and electron spray ionization mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS). This air-stable compound enables the generation, at room temperature and in open-air, of twenty propargylamines, nine new, from secondary amines, aliphatic aldehydes and alkynes with a broad scope with yields up to 99%. Catalyst loadings can be as low as 1 mol%, while the recovered material retains its structural integrity and can be used up to 5 times without loss of its activity. Control experiments, SXRD, cyclic voltammetry and theoretical studies shed light on the mechanism revealing that the key to success is the use of phenoxido salen based ligands. These ligands orchestrate topological control permitting alkyne binding with concomitant activation of the C-H bond and simultaneously acting as a template temporarily accommodating the abstracted acetylenic proton, and continuously generating, via in situ formed radicals and a Single Electron Transfer (SET) mechanism, a transient Cu(i) active site to facilitate this transformation. The scope and limitations of this protocol are discussed and presented.

Two inorganic–organic hybrid silver-polyoxometalates as reusable catalysts for one-pot synthesis of propargylamines via a three-component coupling reaction at room temperature

Two silver-polyoxometalates [Ag₃L₂(DMSO)₂][PW₁₂O₄₀]·4DMSO (1) and [(Ag₂L₂)₂][SiW₁₂O₄₀]·10DMSO·2H₂O (2) are made and 1 shows good catalytic activities for three-component coupling reaction.

One-Step Synthesis of Thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones via a Catalytic Four-Component Reaction of Ketones, Ethyl Cyanoacetate, S8 and Formamide

Thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones are important pharmacophores that previously required a three step synthesis with two chromatography steps. We herein report a green approach to the synthesis of this pharmacologically important class of compounds via a catalytic four-component reaction using a ketone, ethyl cyanoacetate, S₈ and formamide. The reported reaction is characterized by step economy, reduced catalyst loading and easy purification.

Efficient Gold(I) Acyclic Diaminocarbenes for the Synthesis of Propargylamines and Indolizines

Mononuclear gold(I) acyclic diaminocarbenes (ADCs) were prepared by the reaction of 1,2-cyclohexanediamine with the corresponding isocyanide complexes [AuCl(CNR)] (R = Cy, t Bu). The three-component coupling of aldehydes, amines, and alkynes was investigated by using these gold(I) ADC complexes. The new gold(I) metal complexes are highly efficient catalysts for the synthesis of propargylamines and indolizines in the absence of solvent and in mild conditions. This method affords the corresponding final products with excellent yields in short reaction times. Additionally, chiral gold(I) complexes with ADCs have been prepared and tried in the enantioselective synthesis of propargylamines.

Green synthesis of Au nanoparticles using an aqueous extract ofStachys lavandulifoliaand their catalytic performance for alkyne/aldehyde/amine A3coupling reactions

High reaction rate and easy availability make green synthesis of metal nanoparticles noticeable.

Coordination supramolecules with oxazoline-containing ligands

This highlight focuses on the recent development of oxazoline-based discrete coordination complexes and coordination polymers.

Acridine based (S,N,S) pincer ligand: designing silver(i) complexes for the efficient activation of A3 (aldehyde, alkyne and amine) coupling

The catalytic efficiency for the A³ reaction with complexes 1 and 2, which have been newly synthesized and structurally characterized, is highest for the pincer complex 2.

Preparation of Au nanoparticles by Anthemis xylopoda flowers aqueous extract and their application for alkyne/aldehyde/amine A3-type coupling reactions

This paper reports on the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) by Anthemis xylopoda flowers aqueous extract without the addition of surfactant agents and their application as stable catalysts for the synthesis of propargylamines.

An easily removable stereo-dictating group for enantioselective synthesis of propargylic amines

We report herein a CuBr-catalyzed three-component coupling of 2-methylbut-3-yn-2-ol, aldehydes and pyrrolidine or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline leading to the corresponding chiral propargylamines in excellent enantiomeric excess (91 to >99% ee) and high yields (79-95% yield). The dimethylcarbinol unit in 2-methylbut-3-yn-2-ol, which may be easily removed at the later stage to regenerate a terminal alkyne unit for further elaboration, plays a very important role in ensuring high enantioselectivity. This protocol provides easy and very general access to different terminal and non-terminal tertiary propargylic amines.

Silver and gold-catalyzed multicomponent reactions

Silver and gold salts and complexes mainly act as soft and carbophilic Lewis acids even if their use as σ-activators has been rarely reported. Recently, transformations involving Au(I)/Au(III)-redox catalytic systems have been reported in the literature. In this review we highlight all these aspects of silver and gold-mediated processes and their application in multicomponent reactions.