Functionalisation of ethereal-based saturated heterocycles with concomitant aerobic C–H activation and C–C bond formation

Herein we disclose a novel method for the aerobic C–H activation of ethereal-based heterocycles to generate various α-functionalised building blocks.

Direct Photoexcitation of Ethynylbenziodoxolones: An Alternative to Photocatalysis for Alkynylation Reactions*

Ethynylbenziodoxolones (EBXs) are commonly used as radical traps in photocatalytic alkynylations. Herein, we report that aryl-substituted EBX reagents can be directly activated by visible light irradiation. They act as both oxidants and radical traps, alleviating the need for a photocatalyst in several reported EBX-mediated processes, including decarboxylative and deboronative alkynylations, the oxyalkynylation of enamides and the C-H alkynylation of THF. Furthermore, the method could be applied to the synthesis of alkynylated quaternary centers from tertiary alcohols via stable oxalate salts and from tertiary amines via aryl imines. A photocatalytic process using 4CzIPN as an organic dye was also developed for the deoxyalkynylation of oxalates.

Uranyl-catalysed C–H alkynylation and olefination

This work describes a strategy to utilise uranyl for direct alkynylation and olefination of amides.

Recent Advances in Radical-Involved Alkynylation of Unactivated C(sp3)–H Bonds by Hydrogen Atom Abstraction

The direct C(sp3)–H functionalization is one of the major research topics in synthetic chemistry since C(sp3)–H bonds are ubiquitous in every aspect of chemistry. Despite impressive advances in transition-metal-catalyzed C(sp3)–H activation, the radical-initiated process via hydrogen atom abstraction (HAA) of C(sp3)–H bonds represents a more appealing strategy owing to the mild reaction conditions and good regioselectivity. Given the importance of alkynes as versatile synthons in organic synthesis and key structural motifs in drug discovery, great efforts have been made toward their synthesis via the combination of HAA and alkynylation process in recent years. This review summarizes the recent progress in radical-initiated C(sp3)–H alkynylation reactions with emphasis on the alkynylating reagents and mechanistic discussion.

1 Introduction

2 Alkynylation of C(sp3)–H via Intermolecular Hydrogen Atom Abstraction

3 Alkynylation of C(sp3)–H via Intramolecular Hydrogen Atom Abstraction

4 Conclusion

Visible Light-Induced Direct S0 → Tn Transition of Benzophenone Promotes C(sp3)-H Alkynylation of Ethers and Amides

Benzophenone has an S₀ → S₁ absorption band at 365 nm. However, the rarely reported S₀ → T_n transition occurs upon irradiation at longer wavelengths. Herein, we employed benzophenone as a catalyst and exploited its S₀ → T_n transition in C(sp³)-H alkynylations with hypervalent iodine reagents. The selective benzophenone excitation prevented alkynylating reagent decomposition, enabling the reaction to proceed under mild conditions. The reaction mechanism was investigated by spectroscopic and computational studies.

Alkynylation of radicals: spotlight on the "Third Way" to transfer triple bonds

The alkynylation of radical intermediates has been known since a long time, but had not been broadly applied in synthetic chemistry, in contrast to the alkynylation of either electrophiles or nucleophiles. In the last decade however, it has been intensively investigated leading to new disconnections to introduce versatile triple bonds into organic compounds. Nowadays, such processes are important alternatives to classical nucleophilic and electrophilic alkynylations. Efficient alkyne transfer reagents, in particular arylsulfones and hypervalent iodine reagents were introduced. Direct alkynylation, as well as cascade reactions, were subsequently developed. If relatively harsh conditions were required in the past, a new era began with progress in photoredox and transition metal catalysis. Starting from various radical precursors, alkynylations under very mild reaction conditions were rapidly discovered. This review covers the evolution of radical alkynylation, from its emergence to its current intensive stage of development. It will focus in particular on improvements for the generation of radicals and on the extension of the scope of radical precursors and alkyne sources.

Base-promoted domino radical cyclization of 1,6-enynes

A good regioselective, high atom-economical and transition-metal-free method for the synthesis of α-functionalized ether derivatives via the domino radical cyclization of 1,6-enynes is described. A series of α-functionalized ether derivatives could be easily obtained in good yields with wide functional group tolerance by using less toxic and inexpensive Cs₂CO₃ as the base. The control experiment results show that the reaction involves a radical process. This strategy provides a regioselective way toward the formation of dual C-C bonds in one step.

Late stage functionalization of heterocycles using hypervalent iodine(iii) reagents

Late stage functionalization (LSF) through direct X-H manipulations (X = C, N) enables synthetic chemists to accelerate the diversification of natural products, agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals allowing rapid access to novel bioactive molecules without resorting to arduous de novo synthesis. LSF does not only allow tapping of the hitherto unexplored chemical space but also renders the synthetic sequence more straightforward, atom economical and cost-effective. In this regard, the recent decade has witnessed the emergence of hypervalent iodine(iii) reagents as a powerful synthetic tool owing to their easy availability, mild reaction conditions, remarkable oxidizing properties and high functional group tolerance. Iodine(iii) reagents have tremendous applications in the regio- and chemo-selective late-stage functionalization of a diverse variety of heterocycles through an exciting range of transformations, such as oxidative amination, cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC), fluoroalkylation, azidation, halogenation and oxidation. The present review, classified according to the types of synthetic methods involved, encompasses all these recent developments in the field of transition-metal-free iodine(iii)-catalyzed/mediated direct functionalizations of heterocycles with representative examples and insightful mechanistic discussions.

A metal-catalyzed new approach for α-alkynylation of cyclic amines

The first catalytic α-alkynylation of cyclic amines with the help of the N-propargylic group with an exclusive high E-stereoselectivity has been realized.

The first catalytic α-alkynylation of cyclic amines with the help of the N-propargylic group to afford 2-(1-alkynyl) N-allylic cyclic amines with an exclusive E-stereoselectivity for the in situ formed C Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> C bond has been realized. Based on mechanistic studies, it is proven that the reaction proceeds through metal-mediated anti-1,5-hydride transfer forming an iminonium intermediate, which accepts the addition of the in situ generated 1-alkynyl metal species. The synthetic application has also been demonstrated.

Gold(i)- and rhodium(iii)-catalyzed formal regiodivergent C–H alkynylation of 1-arylpyrazolones

A transition-metal-catalyzed formal regiodivergent C–H alkynylation of 1-aryl-5-pyrazolones is described.

tert-Butyl peroxybenzoate mediated formation of 3-alkylated quinolines from N-propargylamines via a cascade radical addition/cyclization reaction

A novel method for constructing 3-alkylated quinolines was developed via tert-butyl peroxybenzoate mediated cycloaddition between N-propargyl aromatic amines and ethers.

Copper-catalyzed aminoalkynylation of alkenes with hypervalent iodine reagents

A copper-catalyzed aminoalkynylation of alkenes is achieved with ethynylbenziodoxolone (EBX) reagents under mild conditions with only 1 mol% copper catalyst. This transformation allows for rapid construction of diverse important azahetereocycles and installation of valuable alkyne groups in one step. The developed method features remarkable substrate scope for both terminal and internal alkenes as well as different alkynyl groups, presenting great potential for broad applications in synthesis, bioconjugation, and molecular imaging.

Recent Advances in Radical C-H Activation/Radical Cross-Coupling

Research and industrial interest in radical C-H activation/radical cross-coupling chemistry has continuously grown over the past few decades. These reactions offer fascinating and unconventional approaches toward connecting molecular fragments with high atom- and step-economy that are often complementary to traditional methods. Success in this area of research was made possible through the development of photocatalysis and first-row transition metal catalysis along with the use of peroxides as radical initiators. This Review provides a brief and concise overview of the current status and latest methodologies using radicals or radical cations as key intermediates produced via radical C-H activation. This Review includes radical addition, radical cascade cyclization, radical/radical cross-coupling, coupling of radicals with M-R groups, and coupling of radical cations with nucleophiles (Nu).

Visible-Light-Induced Alkoxyl Radical Generation Enables Selective C(sp(3))-C(sp(3)) Bond Cleavage and Functionalizations

The alkoxyl radical is an important reactive intermediate in mechanistic studies and organic synthesis; however, its current generation from alcohol oxidation heavily relies on transition metal activation under strong oxidative conditions. Here we report the first visible-light-induced alcohol oxidation to generate alkoxyl radicals by cyclic iodine(III) reagent catalysis under mild reaction conditions. The β-fragmentation of alkoxyl radicals enables selective C(sp(3))-C(sp(3)) bond cleavage and alkynylation/alkenylation reactions with various strained cycloalkanols, and for the first time with linear alcohols.

Recent advances in catalytic decarboxylative acylation reactions via a radical process

This review highlights the recent advances in radical decarboxylative cross-coupling reactions of α-keto acids which provide powerful tools for C–C and C–X bond formations.

Dimethylzinc-Initiated Radical Coupling of β-Bromostyrenes with Ethers and Amines

A new coupling reaction has been developed in which β-bromostyrenes react with ethers and tertiary amines to introduce the styryl group in the α-position. The transformation is mediated by Me2 Zn/O2 with 10 % MnCl2 and is believed to proceed by a radical addition-elimination mechanism. The ether and the amine are employed as solvent and the coupling takes place through the most stable α radical for unsymmetrical substrates. The products are obtained in moderate to good yields as the pure E isomers. The coupling can be achieved with a range of smaller cyclic and acyclic ethers/amines as well as various substituted β-bromostyrenes.

Dual Hypervalent Iodine(III) Reagents and Photoredox Catalysis Enable Decarboxylative Ynonylation under Mild Conditions

A combination of hypervalent iodine(III) reagents (HIR) and photoredox catalysis with visible light has enabled chemoselective decarboxylative ynonylation to construct ynones, ynamides, and ynoates. This ynonylation occurs effectively under mild reaction conditions at room temperature and on substrates with various sensitive and reactive functional groups. The reaction represents the first HIR/photoredox dual catalysis to form acyl radicals from α-ketoacids, followed by an unprecedented acyl radical addition to HIR-bound alkynes. Its efficient construction of an mGlu5 receptor inhibitor under neutral aqueous conditions suggests future visible-light-induced biological applications.

Alkynylation with Hypervalent Iodine Reagents

Alkynes are among the most versatile functional groups in organic synthesis. They are also frequently used in chemical biology and materials science. Whereas alkynes are traditionally added as nucleophiles into organic molecules, hypervalent iodine reagents offer a unique opportunity for the development of electrophilic alkyne synthons. Since 1985, alkynyliodonium salts have been intensively used for the alkynylation of nucleophiles, in particular soft carbon nucleophiles and heteroatoms. They have made an especially strong impact in the synthesis of highly useful ynamides. Nevertheless, their use has been limited by their instability. Since 2009, more stable ethynylbenziodoxol(on)e (EBX) reagents have been identified as superior electrophilic alkyne synthons in many transformations. They can be used for the alkynylation of acidic C-H bonds with bases or aromatic C-H bonds using transition metal catalysts. They were also highly successful for the functionalization of radicals or transition metal-catalyzed domino processes. Finally, they allowed the alkynylation of a further range of heteroatom nucleophiles, especially thiols, under exceptionally mild conditions. With these recent developments, hypervalent iodine reagents have definitively demonstrated their utility for the efficient synthesis of alkynes based on non-classical disconnections.