Site-Selective Distal C(sp3)-H Bromination of Aliphatic Amines as a Gateway for Forging Nitrogen-Containing sp3 Architectures

Herein, we disclose a new strategy that rapidly and reliably incorporates bromine atoms at distal, secondary C(sp3)-H sites in aliphatic amines with an excellent and predictable site-selectivity pattern. The resulting halogenated building blocks serve as versatile linchpins to enable a series of carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond-formations at remote C(sp3) sites, thus offering a new modular and unified platform that expediates the access to advanced sp3 architectures possessing valuable nitrogen-containing saturated heterocycles of interest in medicinal chemistry settings.

Palladium-Catalyzed Cascade Heck Coupling and Allylboration of Iododiboron Compounds via Diboryl Radicals

Geminal bis(boronates) are versatile synthetic building blocks in organic chemistry. The fact that they predominantly serve as nucleophiles in the previous reports, however, has restrained their synthetic potential. Herein we disclose the ambiphilic reactivity of α-halogenated geminal bis(boronates), of which the first catalytic utilization was accomplished by merging a formal Heck cross-coupling with a highly diastereoselective allylboration of aldehydes or imines, providing a new avenue for rapid assembly of polyfunctionalized boron-containing compounds. We demonstrated that this cascade reaction is highly efficient and compatible with various functional groups, and a wide range of heterocycles. In contrast to a classical Pd(0/II) scenario, mechanistic experiments and DFT calculations have provided strong evidence for a catalytic cycle involving Pd(I)/diboryl carbon radical intermediates.

Recent Advances in Visible Light Induced Palladium Catalysis

Visible light-induced Pd catalysis has emerged as a promising subfield of photocatalysis. The hybrid nature of Pd radical species has enabled a wide array of radical-based transformations otherwise challenging or unknown via conventional Pd chemistry. In parallel to the ongoing pursuit of alternative, readily available radical precursors, notable discoveries have demonstrated that photoexcitation can alter not only oxidative addition but also other elementary steps. This Minireview highlights the recent progress in this area.

Beyond classical sulfone chemistry: metal- and photocatalytic approaches for C-S bond functionalization of sulfones

The exceptional versatility of sulfones has been extensively exploited in organic synthesis across several decades. Since the first demonstration in 2005 that sulfones can participate in Pd-catalysed Suzuki-Miyaura type reactions, tremendous advances in catalytic desulfitative functionalizations have opened a new area of research with burgeoning activity in recent years. This emerging field is displaying sulfone derivatives as a new class of substrates enabling catalytic C-C and C-X bond construction. In this review, we will discuss new facets of sulfone reactivity toward further expanding the flexibility of C-S bonds, with an emphasis on key mechanistic features. The inherent challenges confronting the development of these strategies will be presented, along with the potential application of this chemistry for the synthesis of natural products. Taken together, this knowledge should stimulate impactful improvements on the use of sulfones in catalytic desulfitative C-C and C-X bond formation. A main goal of this article is to bring this technology to the mainstream catalysis practice and to serve as inspiration for new perspectives in catalytic transformations.

Accessing Illusive E Isomers of α-Ester Hydrazones via Visible-Light-Induced Pd-Catalyzed Heck-Type Alkylation

A visible-light-induced Pd-catalyzed stereoselective synthesis of alkylated ester hydrazones has been developed. This method operates via generation of a nucleophilic carbon-centered radical from alkyl bromide, iodide, or redox-active ester, followed by its addition to hydrazone, and a subsequent desaturation by palladium. The majority of products have E configuration, which are inaccessible by conventional condensation methods. In addition, a sequential C,N-alkylation protocol has been developed: a reaction between 1,3-dihalides and glyoxylate-derived hydrazone, delivering tetrahydropyridazines.

Visible Light-Induced Transition Metal Catalysis

In recent years, visible light-induced transition metal catalysis has emerged as a new paradigm in organic photocatalysis, which has led to the discovery of unprecedented transformations as well as the improvement of known reactions. In this subfield of photocatalysis, a transition metal complex serves a double duty by harvesting photon energy and then enabling bond forming/breaking events mostly via a single catalytic cycle, thus contrasting the established dual photocatalysis in which an exogenous photosensitizer is employed. In addition, this approach often synergistically combines catalyst-substrate interaction with photoinduced process, a feature that is uncommon in conventional photoredox chemistry. This Review describes the early development and recent advances of this emerging field.

Palladium-catalyzed difunctionalization/dearomatization of N-benzylacrylamides with α-carbonyl alkyl bromides: facile access to azaspirocyclohexadienones

An efficient palladium-catalyzed difunctionalization/dearomatization of N-benzylacrylamides with α-carbonyl alkyl bromides as alkyl radical precursors has been described. Various α-carbonyl alkyl bromides, including α-bromoalkyl esters and ketones, reacted smoothly to provide important azaspirocyclohexadienones in moderate to excellent yields. In addition, mechanistic studies suggested that the reaction proceeded via a radical pathway.

Palladium-catalyzed cascade 5-exo-trig radical cyclization/aromatic C-H alkylation with unactivated alkyl iodides

A novel and convenient palladium-catalyzed cascade 5-exo-trig radical cyclization/aromatic C-H alkylation with unactivated alkyl iodides has been described. This strategy provides an efficient access to a variety of 3a-methyl-1,2,3,3a,4,8b-hexahydroindeno[1,2-b]pyrrole derivatives, which facilitate access to a series of medically important heterocyclic bioactive molecules. This protocol involves mild catalytic reaction conditions and shows high functional group tolerance with high stereoselectivity. Mechanistic investigations reveal that an alkyl radical pathway is involved in this reaction.

Visible Light-Induced Pd-Catalyzed Alkyl-Heck Reaction of Oximes

A visible light-induced palladium-catalyzed oxidative C-H alkylation of oximes has been developed. This mild protocol allows for an efficient atom economical C-C bond construction of alkyl-substituted oximes. A broad range of primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl bromides and iodides, as well as a range of different formaldoximes, can efficiently undergo this transformation. The method features visible light-induced generation of nucleophilic hybrid alkyl Pd radical intermediates, which upon radical addition at the imine moiety and a subsequent β-hydrogen elimination deliver substituted imines.

The Emergence of Palladium-Catalyzed C(sp3 )-H Functionalization of Free Carboxylic Acids

Palladium-catalyzed directing group assisted C-H bond activation has emerged as a powerful tool in synthetic organic chemistry. However, only recently, among various directing groups, widely available carboxylate moiety is recognized as a versatile candidate for the regioselective transformations. Notably, palladium-catalyzed carboxylate directed C(sp³ )-H bond activation and diverse functionalization is highly challenging and has gained huge attention for its versatile applications. Mono- and bidentate ligands have proven to be useful for accelerating the C(sp³ )-H bond activation step, which helps to control reactivity and selectivity (including enantioselectivity). In this Minireview, we discuss the recent progress made in palladium-catalyzed C(sp³ )-H bond functionalization reactions for the construction of C-C and C-Heteroatom bonds with the direction of free carboxylic acid.

Pd-catalyzed formal Mizoroki-Heck coupling of unactivated alkyl chlorides

The use of alkyl chlorides in Pd-catalyzed Mizoroki-Heck coupling reactions remains an unsolved problem despite their significant potential for synthetic utility and applicability. The combination of the high thermodynamic barrier of alkyl chloride activation and kinetic propensity of alkylpalladium complexes to undergo undesired β-hydride elimination provides significant challenges. Herein, a variety of alkyl chlorides, even tertiary chlorides, are shown to efficiently participate in Mizoroki-Heck cross-coupling reactions with excellent functional group compatibility under mild reaction conditions via photoinduced Pd catalysis. The reaction is applied to late-stage functionalizations of diverse biologically significant scaffolds and iterative double Mizoroki-Heck annulations, affording high molecular complexity in a single step. Notably, studies on the kinetic isotope effects in combination with density functional theory (DFT)-computations completely exclude the involvement of a previously proposed β-hydride elimination in the catalytic cycle, revealing that the chlorine atom transfer process is the key catalytic turnover step. This distinctive single-electron transfer mediated reaction pathway resolves a longstanding challenge in traditional two-electron based Pd-catalyzed Mizoroki-Heck cross-coupling with alkyl electrophiles, wherein the β-hydride elimination is involved in the formation of both the desired product and undesired by-products.

A palladium/Et3N·HI-catalyzed highly selective 7-endo alkyl-Heck-type reaction of epoxides and a DFT study on the mechanism

A highly efficient 7-endo alkyl-Heck reaction was achieved via palladium catalyzed ring-opening of epoxides, providing a variety of 6-aryl-2,3,4,7-tetrahydro-1H-azepin-3-ols and 6-aryl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydrooxepin-3-ols.

Copper-catalyzed oxidative decarboxylative alkylation of cinnamic acids with 4-alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines

We have developed a new oxidative decarboxylation of cinnamic acids with 4-alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines to construct C(sp3)-C(sp2) bonds in the presence of copper catalyst and dicumyl peroxide (DCP). A variety of internal alkenes have been obtained with mild conditions, broad substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance. This method has significant potential for application by using inexpensive and stable cinnamic acids instead of alkenyl halides and nitro-olefins.

Synthesis of remote fluoroalkylated alkenes by a palladium-catalyzed relay Heck-type reaction

Herein, we report a palladium-catalyzed relay Heck-type reaction of fluoroalkyl bromide and terminal alkenes. The reaction involves fluoroalkylation of alkenes and migration of double bonds via a 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer strategy. Through this method, a series of remote fluoroalkylated alkenes was obtained under mild conditions.

Iron catalyzed ketoalkylation and ketoalkylation/etherification of styrenes initiated by selective C–C bond cleavage

A mild and efficient iron-catalyzed ketoalkyl-Heck-type coupling initiated by radical C–C bond cleavage is described. Furthermore, this concise catalytic system was also applicable for the three-component ketoalkylation/etherification of styrenes.

Catalysis with Palladium Complexes Photoexcited by Visible Light

Palladium catalysis induced by visible light is an emerging field of catalysis. In contrast to classical reactions catalyzed by Pd complexes in the ground state, which mostly proceed through two-electron redox processes, the mechanisms of these new methods based on photoexcited Pd complexes usually operate through transfer of a single electron. Such processes lead to putative hybrid Pd/radical species, which exhibit both radical and classical Pd-type reactivity. This Minireview highlights the recent progress in this rapidly growing area.

Photoinduced C(sp3 )-N Bond Cleavage Leading to the Stereoselective Syntheses of Alkenes

Herein we report a versatile Mizoroki-Heck-type photoinduced C(sp³ )-N bond cleavage reaction. Under visible-light irradiation (455 nm, blue LEDs) at room temperature, alkyl Katritzky salts react smoothly with alkenes in a 1:1 molar ratio in the presence of 1.0 mol % of commercially available photoredox catalyst without the need for any base, affording the corresponding alkyl-substituted alkenes in good yields with broad functional-group compatibility. Notably, the E/Z-selectivity of the alkene products can be controlled by an appropriate choice of photoredox catalyst.

Direct dehydrogenative alkyl Heck-couplings of vinylarenes with umpolung aldehydes catalyzed by nickel

Alkenes are fundamental functionalities in nature and highly useful intermediates in organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry and material sciences. Transition-metal-catalyzed Heck couplings with organic halides as electrophiles have been established as a powerful protocol for the synthesis of this valuable building block. However, the requirement of organic halides and the generation of stoichiometric hazardous halide wastes may cause significant sustainable concerns. The halide-free oxidative Heck alkenylations involving organometallics or arenes as the coupling partners provide a facile and alternative pathway. Nonetheless, stoichiometric amounts of extra oxidant are essential in most cases. Herein, we present a direct dehydrogenative alkyl Heck-coupling reaction under oxidant-free conditions, liberating hydrogen, nitrogen and water as the side products. Excellent regioselectivity is achieved via neighboring oxygen atom coordination. Broad substrate scope, great functional group (ketone, ester, phenol, free amine, amide etc) tolerance and modification of pharmaceutical candidates and biological molecules exemplified its generality and practicability.

Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Alkyl Heck-Type Reactions

The Heck reaction is one of the most reliable and useful strategies for the construction of C-C bonds in organic synthesis. However, in contrast to the well-established aryl Heck reaction, the analogous reaction employing alkyl electrophiles is much less developed. Significant progress in this area was recently achieved by merging radical-mediated and transition-metal-catalyzed approaches. This review summarizes the advances in alkyl Heck-type reactions from its discovery early in the 1970s up until the end of 2018.

Alkenylation of unactivated alkyl bromides through visible light photocatalysis

Two visible-light driven alkenylation reactions of unactivated alkyl bromides, which were enabled by the use of Ir(dF(CF₃)ppy)₂(dtbbpy)PF₆ as the photocatalyst and (TMS)₃SiH as the atom transfer reagent to activate the alkyl bromides, were described for the first time.

Nickel-Catalyzed Mizoroki-Heck-Type Reactions of Unactivated Alkyl Bromides

The development of a general, nickel-catalyzed alkyl-Mizoroki-Heck reaction of unactivated alkyl bromides is described. The mild reaction proceeds efficiently using a wide range of primary and secondary alkyl bromides, and examples of intermolecular cross-couplings are provided. Reaction alkene regioselectivity is significantly enhanced over prior carbocyclizations using palladium catalysis. Mechanistic investigations are consistent with a direct carbocyclization in contrast to the auto-tandem atom-transfer cyclization and halide elimination previously observed with palladium catalysis.

Ligand-Enabled β-C(sp3)-H Olefination of Free Carboxylic Acids

An acetyl-protected aminoethyl phenyl thioether has been developed to promote C(sp3)-H activation. Significant ligand enhancement is demonstrated by the realization of the first Pd(II)-catalyzed olefination of C(sp3)-H bonds of free carboxylic acids without using an auxiliary. Subsequent lactonization of the olefinated product via 1,4 addition provided exclusively monoselectivity in the presence of multiple β-C-H bonds. The product γ-lactone can be readily opened to give either the highly valuable β-olefinated or γ-hydroxylated aliphatic acids. Considering the challenges in developing Heck couplings using alkyl halides, this reaction offers a useful alternative.

Iron-Catalyzed Vinylic C-H Alkylation with Alkyl Peroxides

A variety of alkyl peresters and alkyl diacyl peroxides, which are readily accessible from carboxylic acids, are utilized as general primary, secondary, and tertiary alkylating reagents for iron-catalyzed vinylic C-H alkylation of vinyl arenes, dienes, and 1,3-enynes. This transformation affords olefinic products in up to 98 % yield with high E/Z values. A broad range of functionalities, including carboxyl, boronic acid, methoxy, ester, amino, and halides, are tolerated. This protocol provides a facile approach to some olefins that are difficult to access, and hence, offers an alternative to existing systems. The synthetic utility of this method is demonstrated by late-stage functionalization of selected natural-product derivatives.

Regioselective Copper-Catalyzed Oxidative Coupling of α-Alkylated Styrenes with Tertiary Alkyl Radicals

A radical-mediated oxidative cross-coupling of readily accessible α-alkylated styrenes with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds utilizing a combination of Cu(OAc)₂ and air as a catalytic system is described. Rather than requiring α-halocarbonyl compounds, this efficient approach enables direct installation of tertiary functionalized alkyl motifs to olefins with simple carbonyl derivatives. The novel protocol is characterized with high allylic selectivities via a competing β-H elimination. Both radical-clock and -trapping experiments provided clear-cut evidence for the intermediacy of an α-keto carbon-centered radical.

Switchable Decarboxylative Heck-Type Reaction and Oxo-alkylation of Styrenes with N-Hydroxyphthalimide Esters under Photocatalysis

The switchable visible-light-mediated decarboxylative Heck-type reaction and oxo-alkylation reaction of N-hydroxyphthalimide esters under photocatalysis were developed. Disubstituted or trisubstituted alkenes were obtained in good yield with high E-selectivity in the presence of Brønsted acid as the additive, while ketones resulted in the absence of the acidic additive.

Direct β-Alkylation of Ketones and Aldehydes via Pd-Catalyzed Redox Cascade

We report a direct β-alkylation of ketones and aldehydes with simple alkyl bromides through a Pd-catalyzed redox-cascade strategy. The use of a Cu cocatalyst is important for improved efficiency. The reaction is redox-neutral, without the need for strong acids or bases. Both cyclic and acyclic ketones, as well as α-branched aldehydes, are suitable substrates for coupling with secondary and tertiary alkyl bromides. Concise formal synthesis of Zanapezil is achieved using this β-alkylation method.

HOTf-Catalyzed Alkyl-Heck-type Reaction

The Heck reaction, along with other cross-coupling reactions, led to a revolution in organic chemistry. In the last 50 years, metal-catalyzed, photo-induced, or base-mediated Heck and Heck-type reactions have been elegantly developed. Brønsted acid-catalyzed Heck (or Heck-type) reactions are still unknown, however. By introducing alkyl peroxides as the key intermediates, primary, secondary, and tertiary aliphatic carboxylic acids are therefore applied here in a one-pot Brønsted acid-catalyzed Heck-type reaction, to deliver E-alkenes exclusively in most cases. The use of HOTf is vital to the reaction, whose mechanism is supported by both experimental and computational results. This method can be expanded to the direct alkylation of complex natural products.

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First acid-catalyzed Heck-type reaction

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Aliphatic acids are utilized as the sources of alkyl functionalities

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E-alkenes exclusively in most cases

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Strong acid effect