CuI/DMAP-Catalyzed Oxidative Alkynylation of 7-Azaindoles: Synthetic Scope and Mechanistic Studies

An efficient and practical method for the N-alkynylation of 7-azaindoles has been established by using CuI/DMAP catalytic system at room temperature and in open air. This simple protocol has been successfully employed in the synthesis of a wide range of N-alkynylated 7-azaindoles with good yields. Also, this approach is well-suited for large-scale N-alkynylation reactions. The designed N-alkynylated 7-azaindoles were further subjected to Cu-/Ir-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC/IrAAC) or "click" reaction for the rapid synthesis of 1,4-/1,5 disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole decorated 7-azaindoles. A mechanistic study based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations and ultraviolet-visible (UV) spectroscopic studies revealed that the CuI and DMAP combination formed a [CuII (DMAP)2 I2 ] species, which acts as an active catalyst. The DFT method was used to assess the energetic viability of an organometallic in the C-N bond formation pathway originating from the [CuII (DMAP)2 I2 ] complex. We expect that the newly designed Cu/DMAP/alkyne system will offer valuable insights into the field of Cu-catalyzed transformations.

Stretching the Bisalkyne Raman Spectral Palette Reveals a New Electrophilic Covalent Motif

Small heteroaryl-diyne (Het-DY) tags with distinct vibrational frequencies, and physiologically relevant cLog P were designed for multiplexed bioorthogonal Raman imaging. Pd-Cu catalyzed coupling, combined with the use of Lei ligand, was shown to improve overall yields of the desired heterocoupled Het-DY tags, minimizing the production of homocoupled side-products. Spectral data were in agreement with the trends predicted by DFT calculations and systematic introduction of electron- rich/poor rings stretched the frequency limit of aryl-capped diynes (2209-2243 cm-1 ). The improved Log P of these Het-DY tags was evident from their diffuse distribution in cellular uptake studies and functionalizing tags with organelle markers allowed the acquisition of location-specific biological images. LC-MS- and NMR-based assays showed that some heteroaryl-capped internal alkynes are potential nucleophile traps with structure-dependent reactivity. These biocompatible Het-DY tags, equipped with covalent reactivity, open up new avenues for Raman bioorthogonal imaging.

Ru(II)-Catalyzed Regioselective Redox-Neutral [4 + 2] Annulation of N-Chlorobenzamides with 1,3-Diynes at Room Temperature for the Synthesis of Isoquinolones

Herein, we report Ru(II)-catalyzed C-H/N-H bond functionalization of N-chlorobenzamides with 1,3-diynes via regioselective (4 + 2) annulation for the synthesis of isoquinolones under redox-neutral conditions at room temperature. This represents the first example of C-H functionalization of N-chlorobenzamides using an inexpensive and commercially available [Ru(p-cymene)Cl₂]₂ catalyst. The reaction is operationally simple, works in the absence of any silver additives, and is also applicable to a broad range of substrates with good functional group tolerance. The synthetic utility of the isoquinolone is demonstrated for the synthesis of bis-heterocycles consisting of isoquinolone-pyrrole and isoquinolone-isocoumarin scaffolds.

Regioselective Dichotomy in Ru(II)-Catalyzed C-H Annulation of Aryl Pyrazolidinones with 1,3-Diynes

Herein, we present a substrate-controlled regiodivergent strategy for the selective synthesis of C3 or C2-alkynylated indoles via ruthenium-catalyzed [3 + 2]-annulation of readily available pyrazolidinones and 1,3-diynes. Remarkably, C3-alkynylated indoles were obtained in good yields when 1,4-diarylbuta-1,3-diynes were employed as the coupling partners. On the other hand, dialkyl-1,3-diynes led to the selective formation of C2-alkynylated indoles. The key features of the strategy are the operationally simple conditions and external-oxidant-free, broad-scope, and substrate-switchable indole synthesis. Scale-up reactions and further transformations expanded the synthetic utility of the protocol.

Cobalt(III)-Catalyzed Chemo- and Regioselective [4 + 2]-Annulation of Aromatic Sulfoxonium Ylides with 1,3-Diynes

Air-stable, highly abundant, and cost-effective Co(III)-catalyzed redox-neutral [4 + 2]-annulation of aromatic sulfoxonium ylides with 1,3-diynes providing useful substituted 1-naphthol derivatives in a regioselective manner is described. Further, the prepared 1-naphthols having internal alkyne were converted into useful polycarbocyclic molecules and spiro-dienone derivatives in good-to-excellent yields. A possible reaction mechanism involving ortho C-H activation as a key step was proposed and supported by deuterium labeling and kinetic isotope labeling studies.

Copper nanocatalysts applied in coupling reactions: a mechanistic insight

Copper-based nanocatalysts have seen great interest for use in synthetic applications since the early 20th century, as evidenced by the exponential number of contributions reported (since 2000, more than 48 000 works published out of about 81 300 since 1900; results from SciFinder using "copper nanocatalysts in organic synthesis" as keywords). These huge efforts are mainly based on two key aspects: (i) copper is an Earth-abundant metal with low toxicity, leading to inexpensive and eco-friendly catalytic materials; and (ii) copper can stabilize different oxidation states (0 to +3) for molecular and nanoparticle-based systems, which promotes different types of metal-reagent interactions. This chemical versatility allows different pathways, involving radical or ionic copper-based intermediates. Thus, copper-based nanoparticles have become convenient catalysts, in particular for couplings (both homo- and hetero-couplings), transformations that are involved in a remarkable number of processes affording organic compounds, which find interest in different fields (medicinal chemistry, natural products, drugs, materials, etc.). Clearly, this richness in reactivity makes understanding the mechanisms more complex. The present review focuses on the analysis of reported contributions using monometallic copper-based nanoparticles as catalytic precursors applied in coupling reactions, paying attention to those shedding light on the reaction mechanism.

Cu(I)-azidopyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine Catalyzed Glaser-Hay Reaction under Mild Conditions

The limitation of the CuAAC "click" reaction with a 2-azidopyridine substrate, owing to its equilibrium with a tetrazole isomer, is exploited herein for its utility in the Glaser-Hay reaction. A catalytic combination of a 2-azidopyridine analogue, 4-azido-5H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine, and CuI afforded homocoupled products of terminal alkynes, without any trace of triazole product, under mild conditions with a broad substrate scope. Emphasis on carbohydrate-based substrates appended to a propargylic group led to 1,3-diynes in good to excellent yields.

4-(Dimethylamino)pyridine as Multivalent Catalyst in Organic Synthesis

Collapse

Cross-Dehydrogenative Alkynylation: A Powerful Tool for the Synthesis of Internal Alkynes

Alkynes are among the most fundamentally important organic compounds and are widely used in synthetic chemistry, biochemistry, and materials science. Thus, the development of an efficient and sustainable method for the preparation of alkynes has been a central concern in organic synthesis. Cross-dehydrogenative coupling utilizing E-H and Z-H bonds in two different molecules can avoid the need for prefunctionalization of starting materials and has become one of the most straightforward methods for the construction of E-Z chemical bonds. This Review summarizes recent progress in the preparation of internal alkynes by cross-dehydrogenative coupling with terminal alkynes.

Ligand and additive free aerobic synthesis of diynes using Pd–CuFe2O4magnetic nanoparticles as an efficient reusable catalyst

Herein, we present the synthesis of Pd–CuFe₂O₄magnetic nanoparticles as an efficient and recyclable catalyst for the oxidative homocoupling of various terminal alkynes to form symmetric 1,3-diynes.

Cu/Cu2O Nanoparticles Supported on a Phenol-Pyridyl COF as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Diynes via Glaser-Hay Coupling

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are a new class of porous crystalline polymers with a modular construct that favors functionalization. COF pores can be used to grow nanoparticles (nPs) with dramatic size reduction, stabilize them as dispersions, and provide excellent nP access. Embedding substrate binding sites in COFs can generate host-guest synergy, leading to enhanced catalytic activity. In this report, Cu/Cu₂O nPs (2-3 nm) are grown on a COF, which is built by linking a phenolic trialdehyde and a triamine through Schiff bonds. Their micropores restrict the nP to exceptionally small sizes (∼2-3 nm), and the pore walls decorated with strategically positioned hydrogen-bonding phenolic groups anchor the substrates via hydrogen-bonding, whereas the basic pyridyl sites serve as cationic species to stabilize the [Cu_clusterCl₂]^2- type reactive intermediates. This composite catalyst shows high activity for Glaser-Hay heterocoupling reactions, an essential 1,3-diyne yielding reaction with widespread applicability in organic synthesis and material science. Despite their broad successes in homocoupled products, preparation of unsymmetrical 1,3-diynes is challenging due to poor selectivity. Here, our COF-based Cu catalyst shows elevated selectivity toward heterocoupling product(s) (Cu nP loading 0.0992 mol %; turn over frequency: ∼45-50; turn over number: ∼175-190). The reversible redox activity at the Cu centers has been demonstrated by carrying out X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy on the frozen reactions, whereas the crucial interactions between the substrates and the binding sites in their optimized configurations have been modeled using density functional theory methods. This report emphasizes the utility of COFs in developing a heterogeneous catalyst for a truly challenging organic heterocoupling reaction.

A Safe and Simple Synthesis of 1,4-Bis(trimethylsilyl)buta-1,3-diyne

The buta-1,3-diyne synthon 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)buta-1,3-diyne (1) is an important building block for the introduction of butadiyne motifs into organic and organometallic structures. Although 1 is commonly prepared from the Hay homo-coupling of trimethylsilylacetylene (catalytic CuI/tetramethylethynylenediamine, O2, acetone), the report of a significant explosion during this preparation, likely arising from a static discharge during addition of the catalyst solution to the alkyne/acetone/O2 rich atmosphere, prompts consideration of alternative procedures. Here we report the use of the robust Navale catalyst system (CuI/N,N-dimethylaminopyridine, O2, NCMe) in the multigram-scale preparation of 1 with minimal manipulation of all-glass apparatus, greatly simplifying the process and minimising risks associated with the preparation of this useful compound.

Exploiting the dual role of ethynylbenziodoxolones in gold-catalyzed C(sp)–C(sp) cross-coupling reactions

Reported herein is the gold-catalyzed alkynylation of terminal alkynes using ethynylbenziodoxolones (EBXs), where EBXs serve a dual role as oxidants as well as alkyne transfer agents to access unsymmetrical 1,3-diynes. Hence, the catalytic system requires no external oxidants and is compatible with a broad range of substrates, including those with polar functional groups such as NH, OH and B(OH)₂.

Glaser–Hay hetero-coupling in a bimetallic regime: a Ni(ii)/Ag(i) assisted base, ligand and additive free route to selective unsymmetrical 1,3-diynes

A Ni(OAc)₂/Ag(OTf) catalysed coupling of aryl alkynes and propargylic alcohol/ether/ester gave the corresponding unsymmetrical 1,3-diynes in good to excellent yields.

An efficient CuI/DBU-catalyzed one-pot protocol for synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles

A convenient CuI/DBU catalyzed one-pot method has been developed for the synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles from aryl iodides, sodium azide and phenylacetaldehyde derivatives or from aryl iodides, sodium azide and alkynes in DMSO.

Unprecedented one-pot multicomponent synthesis of propargylamines using Amberlyst A-21 supported CuI under solvent-free conditions

An environmentally benign, one-pot, A³-coupling reaction of various aldehydes, amines and terminal alkynes for the synthesis of propargylamine was catalysed by Amberlyst A-21 supported CuI, under heterogeneous and solvent-free conditions.

DMAP-promoted domino annulation of β-ketothioamides with internal alkynes: a highly regioselective access to functionalized 1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones at room temperature

One-pot DMAP-mediated regioselective access to functionalized 1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones has been achieved via annulation of β-ketothioamides with internal alkynes.

Copper immobilized on nano-silica triazine dendrimer (Cu(ii)-TD@nSiO2) catalyzed synthesis of symmetrical and unsymmetrical 1,3-diynes under aerobic conditions at ambient temperature

Highly efficient synthesis of symmetrical and unsymmetrical 1,3-diynes catalyzed by Cu(ii)-TD@nSiO₂/DBU is reported.