Amino-λ3 -iodane-Enabled Electrophilic Amination of Arylboronic Acid Derivatives

In this report, we describe the use of amino-λ3 -iodanes in the electrophilic amination of arylboronic acids and boronates. Iodine(III) reagents with transferable amino groups, including one with an NH2 group, were synthesized and used in the amination, allowing the synthesis of a wide range of primary and secondary (hetero)arylamines. Mechanistic studies by DFT calculations indicate that the reaction proceeds through an electrophilic amination process from a tetravalent borate complex with a B-N dative bond.

Copper-Mediated N-Trifluoromethylation of O-Benzoylhydroxylamines

The use of trifluoromethyl containing compounds is well established within medicinal chemistry, with a range of approved drugs containing C-CF3 and O-CF3 moieties. However, the utilisation of the N-CF3 functional group remains relatively unexplored. This may be attributed to the challenging synthesis of this unit, with many current methods employing harsh conditions or less accessible reagents. A robust methodology for the N-trifluoromethylation of secondary amines has been developed, which employs an umpolung strategy in the form of a copper-catalysed electrophilic amination. The method is operationally simple, uses mild, inexpensive reagents, and has been used to synthesise a range of novel, structurally complex N-CF3 containing compounds.

Synthesis of Indoles Using the Electrophilic Potential of Diazirines

The electrophilic potential of diazirines has been utilized to obtain N-substituted diaziridines that are directly hydrolyzed to produce monosubstituted hydrazines. The hydrazines can undergo the Fisher process with enolizable carbonyls to yield multiple indole derivatives in moderate to high yields. The N-metalated diaziridine intermediates can undergo isomerization prior to electrophilic substitution, to form N,N-disubstituted hydrazones. The latter react with enolizable carbonyls to produce N-protected indole derivatives in a single step. This protocol was used to efficiently synthesize indomethacin, an anti-inflammatory drug.

Synthesis of Spirocyclopropane-Containing 4H-Pyrazolo[1,5-a]indoles via Alkylative Dearomatization and Intramolecular N-Imination of an Indole-O-(Methylsulfonyl)oxime

In this paper, we report the synthesis of spirocyclopropane-containing 4H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]indoles 6a-e via alkylative dearomatization and intramolecular N-imination of indole-O-(methylsulfonyl)oxime 11. Starting materials tryptophol (7) and 2-bromocyclopetanone (8) were reacted in the presence of HBF4·OEt2, providing 1,2,3,5,6,11-hexahydrocyclopenta[2,3]oxepino[4,5-b]indole (9) in a 63% yield. Compound 9 was reacted with hydroxylamine hydrochloride to afford oxime 10 (65% yield), which was subsequently bis-methanesulfonated to form 11 in a 85% yield. Heating 11 with various alcohols in the presence of N,N-diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA) triggered the alkylative dearomatization and intramolecular N-imination, forming the spirocyclopropane and 4H-pyrazolo[1,5-a]indole structures in the targets 6a-e with 67-84% yields.

Enantioselective Reductive N-Cyclization-Alkylation Reaction of Alkene-Tethered Oxime Esters and Alkyl Iodides by Nickel Catalysis

Asymmetric cross-electrophile difunctionalization of tethered alkenes has become a powerful tool for the production of chiral cyclic scaffolds; however, the current studies all focus on carbocyclization reactions. Herein, we report an N-cyclization-alkylation reaction and thus showcase the potential of heterocyclization for accessing new enantioenriched cyclic architectures. This work establishes a new approach for enantioselective aza-Heck cyclization/cross-coupling sequence, which remains a long-standing unsolved challenge for the synthetic community. The reaction proceeds with primary, secondary, and a few tertiary alkyl iodides, and the use of newly defined ligands gave highly enantioenriched pyrrolines with improved molecular diversity under mild conditions. The presence of imine functionality allows for further structural variations.

Copper-Catalyzed Stereospecific Transformations of Alkylboronic Esters

Copper-catalyzed stereospecific cross-couplings of boronic esters are reported. Boron "ate" complexes derived from pinacol boronic esters and tert-butyl lithium undergo stereospecific transmetalation to copper cyanide, followed by coupling with alkynyl bromides, allyl halides, propargylic halides, β-haloenones, hydroxylamine esters, and acyl chlorides. Through this simple transformation, commercially available inexpensive compounds can be employed to convert primary and secondary alkylboronic esters to a wide array of synthetically useful compounds.

Mechanistic Studies on the Synthesis of Pyrrolidines and Piperidines via Copper-Catalyzed Intramolecular C–H Amination

We have recently developed a method for the synthesis of pyrrolidines and piperidines via intramolecular C–H amination of N-fluoride amides using [Tp^xCuL] complexes as precatalysts [Tp^x = tris(pyrazolyl)borate ligand and L = THF or CH₃CN]. Herein, we report mechanistic studies on this transformation, which includes the isolation and structural characterization of a fluorinated copper(II) complex, [(Tp^iPr2OH)CuF] [Tp^iPr = hydrotris(3,5-diisopropylpyrazolyl)borate], pertinent to the mechanistic pathway. The effects of the nature of the Tp^x ligand in the copper catalyst as well as of the halide in the N–X amides employed as reactants have been investigated both from experimental and computational perspectives.

Copper(I)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of P-Chiral Aminophosphinites

Herein, a copper(I)-catalyzed reaction of diarylphosphines and O-benzoyl hydroxylamines is developed. In the cases of symmetrical diarylphosphines, a series of aminophosphinites is prepared in high yields. In the cases of unsymmetrical diarylphosphines, an array of P-chiral aminophosphinites is synthesized in high yields with high enantioselectivity by using a copper(I)-(R,R_P )-Ph-FOXAP complex as a chiral catalyst. Based on several control experiments and ³¹ P NMR studies, a two-electron redox mechanism involving the dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation of unsymmetrical diarylphosphines is proposed for the copper(I)-catalyzed asymmetric reaction. Finally, one representative P-chiral phosphoric amide generated through the oxidation with H₂ O₂ is transformed to a chiral diarylphosphinate in high yield with retained enantioselectivity, which allows further transformations towards various P-chiral tertiary phosphines.

Directing group switch in copper-catalyzed electrophilic C–H amination/migratory annulation cascade: divergent access to benzimidazolone/benzimidazole

We present here a copper-catalyzed electrophilic ortho C–H amination of protected naphthylamines with N-(benzoyloxy)amines, cyclization with the pendant amide, and carbon to nitrogen 1,2-directing group migration cascade to access N,N-disubstituted 2-benzimidazolinones. Remarkably, this highly atom-economic tandem reaction proceeds through a C–H and C–C bond cleavage and three new C–N bond formations in a single operation. Intriguingly, the reaction cascade was altered by the subtle tuning of the directing group from picolinamide to thiopicolinamide furnishing 2-heteroaryl-imidazoles via the extrusion of hydrogen sulfide. This strategy provided a series of benzimidazolones and benzimidazoles in moderate to high yields with low catalyst loading (66 substrates with yields up to 99%). From the control experiments, it was observed that after the C–H amination an incipient tetrahedral oxyanion or thiolate intermediate is formed via an intramolecular attack of the primary amine to the amide/thioamide carbonyl. It undergoes either a 1,2-pyridyl shift with the retention of the carbonyl moiety or H₂S elimination for scaffold diversification. Remarkably, inspite of a positive influence of copper in the reaction outcome, from our preliminary investigations, the benzimidazolone product was obtained in good to moderate yields in two steps under metal-free conditions. The N-pyridyl moiety of the benzimidazolone was removed for further manipulation of the free NH group.

A novel directing group switch strategy is explored in a copper-catalyzed divergent synthesis of benzimidazolone via electrophilic C–H amination/cyclization/1,2-C → N directing group migration cascade and benzimidazole through the extrusion of H₂S.

A Cu-Promoted C-N Coupling of Boron Esters and Diaziridinone: An Approach to Aryl Ureas

A novel Cu-promoted C-N coupling between boron esters and di-tert-butyldiaziridinone is described. A wide variety of aryl ureas can be readily obtained under mild conditions with up to a 92% yield.

Copper-Catalyzed Diamination of Unactivated Alkenes With Electron-Rich Amino Sources

The catalytic intermolecular diamination of unactivated alkenes with electron-rich amino sources is a challenge. Herein, by employing a directing-group strategy, a copper-catalyzed diamination of unactivated alkenes was realized. Symmetrical diamines were efficiently produced in a highly diastereoselective manner with readily available dialkylamines as amino sources, while a one-pot and two-step operation was necessary to produce the unsymmetrical diamines. These reactions were proposed to proceed through aziridinium intermediates.

Electrophilic Aminating Agents in Total Synthesis

Classical amination methods involve the reaction of a nitrogen nucleophile with an electrophilic carbon center; however, in recent years, umpoled strategies have gained traction where the nitrogen source acts as an electrophile. A wide range of electrophilic aminating agents are now available, and these underpin a range of powerful C−N bond‐forming processes. In this Review, we highlight the strategic use of electrophilic aminating agents in total synthesis.

Ligand-free copper-catalyzed C(sp3)-H imidation of aromatic and aliphatic methyl sulfides with N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide

A novel and efficient process has been developed for copper-catalyzed C(sp3)-H direct imidation of methyl sulfides with N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide(NFSI). Without using any ligands, various methyl sulfides including aromatic and aliphatic methyl sulfides, can be transformed to the corresponding N-((phenylthio)methyl)-benzenesulfonamide derivatives in good to excellent yields.

Cross-Coupling of Heteroatomic Electrophiles

At the advent of cross-coupling chemistry, carbon electrophiles based on halides or pseudohalides were the only suitable electrophilic coupling partners. Almost two decades passed before the first cross-coupling reaction of heteroatom-based electrophiles was reported. Early work by Murai and Tanaka initiated investigations into silicon electrophiles. Narasaka and Johnson pioneered the way in the use of nitrogen electrophiles, while Suginome began the exploration of boron electrophiles. The chemistry reviewed within provides perspective on the use of heteroatomic electrophiles, specifically silicon-, nitrogen-, boron-, oxygen-, and phosphorus-based electrophiles in transition-metal catalyzed cross-coupling. For the purposes of this review, a loose definition of cross-coupling is utilized; all reactions minimally proceed via an oxidative addition event. Although not cross-coupling in a traditional sense, we have also included catalyzed reactions that join a heteroatomic electrophile with an in situ generated nucleophile. However, for brevity, those involving hydroamination or C-H activation as a key step are largely excluded. This work includes primary references published up to and including October 2018.

Copper-Catalyzed Electrophilic Ortho C(sp2)-H Amination of Aryl Amines: Dramatic Reactivity of Bicyclic System

A practical copper-catalyzed, 2-picolinamide-directed ortho C-H amination of anilines with benzoyl-protected hydroxylamines has been disclosed that proceeds smoothly without any external stoichiometric oxidant or additives. Remarkably, besides anilines, bicyclic naphthyl or heterocyclic amines furnished amination products with five- and six-membered cyclic and acyclic amines at the ortho position selectively. This electrophilic C-H amination also proceeds smoothly in water under slightly modified reaction conditions.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Electrophilic Aminations with Anthranils: An Expedient Route to Condensed Quinolines

The reaction of various organozinc pivalates with anthranils provides anilines derivatives, which cyclize under acidic conditions providing condensed quinolines. Using alkenylzinc pivalates, electron-rich arylzinc pivalates or heterocyclic zinc pivalates produces directly the condensed quinolines of which several structures belong to new heterocyclic scaffolds. These N-heterocycles are of particular interest for organic light emitting diodes with their high photoluminescence quantum yields and long exciton lifetimes as well as for hole-transporting materials in methylammonium lead iodide perovskites solar cells due to an optimal band alignment for holes and a large bandgap.

3d Transition Metals for C-H Activation

C-H activation has surfaced as an increasingly powerful tool for molecular sciences, with notable applications to material sciences, crop protection, drug discovery, and pharmaceutical industries, among others. Despite major advances, the vast majority of these C-H functionalizations required precious 4d or 5d transition metal catalysts. Given the cost-effective and sustainable nature of earth-abundant first row transition metals, the development of less toxic, inexpensive 3d metal catalysts for C-H activation has gained considerable recent momentum as a significantly more environmentally-benign and economically-attractive alternative. Herein, we provide a comprehensive overview on first row transition metal catalysts for C-H activation until summer 2018.

A Strategy to Aminate Pyridines, Diazines, and Pharmaceuticals via Heterocyclic Phosphonium Salts

A straightforward process to aminate pyridines and diazines is presented by reacting phosphonium salt derivatives with sodium azide. The iminophosphorane products are versatile precursors to several nitrogen-containing functional groups, and the process can be applied to building block heterocycles, to drug-like fragments, and for late-stage functionalization of complex pharmaceuticals. Appealing features of this strategy include using C-H bonds as precursors, precise regioselectivity, and a distinct scope from other amination methods, particularly those relying on halogenated azaarenes.

Multifunctionalization of Unactivated Cyclic Ketones via Synergistic Catalysis of Copper and Diarylamine: Access to Cyclic α-Enaminone

A multifunctionalization of unactivated cyclic ketones via synergistic catalysis of copper and diarylamine for the direct synthesis of cyclic α-enaminone is reported for the first time. This reaction goes through oxidative α-amination, followed by a desaturation, and features mild reaction conditions, a broad substrate scope, and great functional group tolerance.

Iridium catalyzed fragmentation/cyclization of N-butynyl 4,4-dimethylisoxazolidine-3,5-diones: a unique access to multiply substituted pyrroles

A novel protocol for the synthesis of multiply substituted pyrroles has been developed through the iridium catalyzed fragmentation/cyclization of N-butynyl 4,4-dimethylisoxazolidine-3,5-diones in hot ethanol.

Cp2TiCl2-catalyzed highly regioselective hydroamination of styrenes with hydroxylamines

An efficient Cp₂TiCl₂-catalyzed one-pot two-step hydroamination procedure that allows the direct formation of tertiary amines from styrenes and an electrophilic nitrogen source has been reported with high regioselectivity.

Metal free direct C(sp2)–H arylaminations using nitrosoarenes to 2-hydroxy-di(het)aryl amines as multifunctional Aβ-aggregation modulators

A direct C(sp²)–H arylamination of 2-hydroxyarenes using nitrosoarenes was achieved under metal free conditions without the aid of additional reagents/steps for N–O bond cleavage.

Synthesis of N-Oxyureas by Substitution and Cope-Type Hydroamination Reactions Using O-Isocyanate Precursors

Oxy-carbamate O-isocyanate precursors facilitate access to synthetically valuable N-oxyureas via substitution with amines. This work exploits the reactivity of suitable O-isocyanate precursors, identified by a thorough study highlighting the different reactivity of isocyanate masking groups. This led to bench-stable O-isocyanate precursors, offering improved versatility in the synthesis of N-oxyureas, and demonstrates the controlled reactivity of masked O-isocyanates. Suitable precursors also enabled the first example of Cope-type hydroamination of unsaturated hydroxyureas.