A fully recyclable heterogenized Cu catalyst for the general carbene transfer reaction in batch and flow

Aminoquinoline-Based Tridentate (NNN)-Copper Catalyst for C-N Bond-Forming Reactions from Aniline and Diazo Compounds

A new tridentate Cu2+ complex based on (E)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-N-(quinolin-8-yl)methanimine (PQM) was generated and characterized to support the activation of diazo compounds for the formation of new C-N bonds. This neutral Schiff base ligand was structurally characterized to coordinate with copper(II) in an equatorial fashion, yielding a distorted octahedral complex. Upon characterization, this copper(II) complex was used to catalyze an efficient and cost-effective protocol for C-N bond formation between N-nucleophiles and copper carbene complexes arising from the activation of diazo carbonyl compounds. A substrate scope of approximately 15 different amine-based substrates was screened, yielding 2° or 3° amine products with acceptable to good yields under mild reaction conditions. Reactivity towards phenol and thiophenol were also screened, showing relatively weak C-O or C-S bond formation under optimized conditions.

Synthesis and characterisation of group 8 tris(1-benzyl-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-p-anisolylmethane complexes

The tris(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methane framework offers a highly versatile architecture for ligand design, yet the coordination chemistry of this class of ligand remains largely unexplored. We report here the synthesis and characterisation of the homoleptic complexes [M(ttzm)₂](PF₆)₂ (ttzm = tris(1-benzyl-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-p-anisolylmethane; M = Fe (Fe), Ru (Ru), Os (Os)). Initial attempts to prepare Ru by reaction of [Ru(p-cymene)Cl₂]₂ and ttzm also led to the isolation of the heteroleptic complex [Ru(p-cymene)(ttzm)](PF₆)₂. The structures of [Ru(p-cymene)(ttzm)](PF₆)₂, [Fe(ttzm)₂]²⁺ (as its BPh₄^- salt) and Os were solved by X-ray diffraction. The homoleptic Fe(II) and Os(II) containing cations adopt distorted octahedral geometries due to the steric interactions between the ansiole and triazole rings of the ttzm ligands. The homoleptic complexes all adopt a low-spin d⁶ configuration and exhibit reversible M(II)/M(III) processes (+0.35 to +0.72 V vs. Fc/Fc⁺). These oxidation processes are cathodically shifted relative to those of related hexatriazole donor based complexes with density functional theory (DFT) calculations showing the metal d-orbitals are destabilised through a π-donor contribution from the triazole rings. The complexes all show prominent UV-visible absorption bands between 350 and 450 nm assigned to transitions of ¹MLCT character. Whilst none of the homoleptic complexes are emissive in room temperature fluid solutions, Os is emissive at 77 K in an EtOH/MeOH glass (λ_max 472 nm).

Recent advances in transition-metal-catalyzed carbene insertion to C-H bonds

C-H functionalization has been emerging as a powerful method to establish carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds. Many efforts have been devoted to transition-metal-catalyzed direct transformations of C-H bonds. Metal carbenes generated in situ from transition-metal compounds and diazo or its equivalents are usually applied as the transient reactive intermediates to furnish a catalytic cycle for new C-C and C-X bond formation. Using this strategy compounds from unactivated simple alkanes to complex molecules can be further functionalized or transformed to multi-functionalized compounds. In this area, transition-metal-catalyzed carbene insertion to C-H bonds has been paid continuous attention. Diverse catalyst design strategies, synthetic methods, and potential applications have been developed. This critical review will summarize the advance in transition-metal-catalyzed carbene insertion to C-H bonds dated up to July 2021, by the categories of C-H bonds from aliphatic C(sp³)-H, aryl (aromatic) C(sp²)-H, heteroaryl (heteroaromatic) C(sp²)-H bonds, alkenyl C(sp²)-H, and alkynyl C(sp)-H, as well as asymmetric carbene insertion to C-H bonds, and more coverage will be given to the recent work. Due to the rapid development of the C-H functionalization area, future directions in this topic are also discussed. This review will give the authors an overview of carbene insertion chemistry in C-H functionalization with focus on the catalytic systems and synthetic applications in C-C bond formation.

Binding Interactions in Copper, Silver and Gold π-Complexes

The copper(I), silver(I), and gold(I) metals bind π‐ligands by σ‐bonding and π‐back bonding interactions. These interactions were investigated using bidentate ancillary ligands with electron donating and withdrawing substituents. The π‐ligands span from ethylene to larger terminal and internal alkenes and alkynes. Results of X‐ray crystallography, NMR, and IR spectroscopy and gas phase experiments show that the binding energies increase in the order Ag<Cu<Au and the binding energies are slightly higher for alkynes than for alkenes. Modulation of the electron density at the metal using substituents on the ancillary ligands shows that the π‐back bonding interaction plays a dominant role for the binding in the copper and gold complexes.

Flow Chemistry for Cycloaddition Reactions

Continuous flow reactors form part of a rapidly growing research area that has changed the way synthetic chemistry is performed not only in academia but also at the industrial level. This Review highlights the most recent advances in cycloaddition reactions performed in flow systems. Cycloadditions are atom-efficient transformations for the synthesis of carbo- and heterocycles, involved in the construction of challenging skeletons of complex molecules. The main advantages of translating these processes into flow include using intensified conditions, safer handling of hazardous reagents and gases, easy tuning of reaction conditions, and straightforward scaling up. These benefits are especially important in cycloadditions such as the copper(I)-catalyzed azide alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC), Diels-Alder reaction, ozonolysis and [2+2] photocycloadditions. Some of these transformations are key reactions in the industrial synthesis of pharmaceuticals.

Copper-catalyzed carbene insertion and ester migration for the synthesis of polysubstituted pyrroles

A mild synthetic protocol to access 2-ester pyrroles through Cu(OTf)₂-catalysed carbene insertion/ester migration/cyclization of enaminones and α-diazo compounds is reported.

2-(Tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)acetic Acid and Ester Derivatives as Long-Range Pollinator Attractants in the Sexually Deceptive Orchid Cryptostylis ovata

Sexually deceptive orchids achieve pollination by luring male insects to flowers through chemical and sometimes visual mimicry of females. An extreme example of this deception occurs in Cryptostylis, one of only two genera where sexual deception is known to induce pollinator ejaculation. In the present study, bioassay-guided fractionations of Cryptostylis solvent extracts in combination with field bioassays were implemented to isolate and identify floral volatiles attractive to the pollinator Lissopimpla excelsa. ( S)-2-(Tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)acetic acid [( S)-1] and the ester derivatives methyl ( S)-2-(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)acetate [( S)-2] and ethyl ( S)-2-(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)acetate [( S)-3], all previously unknown semiochemicals, were confirmed to attract L. excelsa males in field bioassays. Chiral-phase GC and HPLC showed that the natural product 1 comprised a single enantiomer, its S-configuration being confirmed by synthesis of the two enantiomers from known enantiomers of tetrahydrofuran-2-carboxylic acid.

Efficient one-pot green synthesis of tetrakis(acetonitrile)copper(i) complex in aqueous media

New simple, fast, effective and environmentally friendly one-pot method for the synthesis of extensively used tetrakis(acetonitrile)copper(i) complexes with BF₄⁻, PF₆⁻ and ClO₄⁻ counterions is invented and optimized. The approach suggested allows using water as solvent and minimizes amounts of toxic organic reagents in the synthetic protocol.

New simple, fast, effective and environmentally friendly one-pot method for the synthesis of extensively used tetrakis(acetonitrile)copper(i) complexes with BF₄⁻, PF₆⁻ and ClO₄⁻ counterions is invented and optimized.

Visible light mediated, metal-free carbene transfer reactions of diazoalkanes with propargylic alcohols

The photolysis of donor–acceptor diazoalkanes in the presence of propargylic alcohols furnishes valuable, sterically demanding tetra-substituted cyclopropenes in high yield under metal-free conditions.

Continuous flow synthesis of diaryl ketones by coupling of aryl Grignard reagents with acyl chlorides under mild conditions in the ecofriendly solvent 2-methyltetrahydrofuran

An efficient continuous flow sequential synthesis of diaryl ketones was achieved by coupling of aryl Grignard reagents with acyl chlorides in the bio-derived “green” solvent 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF) under mild reaction conditions (ambient temperature, 1 hour), allowing a safe and on-demand generation of 2-(3-benzoylphenyl)propionitrile with a productivity of 3.16 g hour⁻¹.

Continuous flow method for parallel synthesis of diaryl ketones using commercially available reagents.

Recyclable heterogeneous metal foil-catalyzed cyclopropenation of alkynes and diazoacetates under solvent-free mechanochemical reaction conditions

Silver and copper foil were found to be effective, versatile and selective heterogeneous catalysts for the cyclopropenation of terminal and internal alkynes under mechanochemical reaction conditions.

Silver and copper foil were found to be effective, versatile and selective heterogeneous catalysts for the cyclopropenation of terminal and internal alkynes under mechanochemical reaction conditions. This methodology enables the functionalization of a wide range of terminal or internal alkynes under ambient, aerobic, and solvent-free conditions. Finally, we have demonstrated a unique and versatile one-pot domino Sonogashira-cyclopropenation mechanochemical reaction for the formation of complex cyclopropenes.

Carbene insertion into N–H bonds with size-selectivity induced by a microporous ruthenium–porphyrin metal–organic framework

A stable and porous porphyrinic metal–organic framework Ru-PMOF-1(Hf) has been prepared and used for N–H insertion reactions with high efficiency and selectivity.

The MOF-driven synthesis of supported palladium clusters with catalytic activity for carbene-mediated chemistry

The development of catalysts able to assist industrially important chemical processes is a topic of high importance. In view of the catalytic capabilities of small metal clusters, research efforts are being focused on the synthesis of novel catalysts bearing such active sites. Here we report a heterogeneous catalyst consisting of Pd₄ clusters with mixed-valence 0/+1 oxidation states, stabilized and homogeneously organized within the walls of a metal-organic framework (MOF). The resulting solid catalyst outperforms state-of-the-art metal catalysts in carbene-mediated reactions of diazoacetates, with high yields (>90%) and turnover numbers (up to 100,000). In addition, the MOF-supported Pd₄ clusters retain their catalytic activity in repeated batch and flow reactions (>20 cycles). Our findings demonstrate how this synthetic approach may now instruct the future design of heterogeneous catalysts with advantageous reaction capabilities for other important processes.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to Flow Chemistry ∥

Flow chemistry involves the use of channels or tubing to conduct a reaction in a continuous stream rather than in a flask. Flow equipment provides chemists with unique control over reaction parameters enhancing reactivity or in some cases enabling new reactions. This relatively young technology has received a remarkable amount of attention in the past decade with many reports on what can be done in flow. Until recently, however, the question, "Should we do this in flow?" has merely been an afterthought. This review introduces readers to the basic principles and fundamentals of flow chemistry and critically discusses recent flow chemistry accounts.

Recent Advances in C-C and C-N Bond Forming Reactions Catalysed by Polystyrene-Supported Copper Complexes

This present mini-review covers recently published results on Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes immobilized on polystyrene carriers, which are used as heterogeneous, eco-friendly reusable catalysts applied for carbon-carbon and carbon-nitrogen forming reactions. Recent advances and trends in this area are demonstrated in the examples of oxidative homocoupling of terminal alkynes, the synthesis of propargylamines, nitroaldolization reactions, azide alkyne cycloaddition, N-arylation of nitrogen containing compounds, aza-Michael additions, asymmetric Friedel-Crafts reactions, asymmetric Mukaiyama aldol reactions, and asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides. The type of polystyrene matrix used for the immobilization of complexes is discussed in this paper, and particularly, the efficiency of the catalysts from the point of view of the overall reaction yield, and possible enantioselectivity and potential reusing, is reviewed.

5,5′-Bistriazoles as axially chiral, multidentate ligands: synthesis, configurational stability and catalytic application of their scandium(iii) complexes

The design and development of 5,5′-bistriazoles featuring aminomethyl substituents is discussed.

Advances in Organic and Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Polymeric Supports for Catalytic Applications

In this review, the most recent advances (2014-2016) on the synthesis of new polymer-supported catalysts are reported, focusing the attention on the synthetic strategies developed for their preparation. The polymer-supported catalysts examined will be organic-based polymers and organic-inorganic hybrids and will include, among others, polystyrenes, poly-ionic liquids, chiral ionic polymers, dendrimers, carbon nanotubes, as well as silica and halloysite-based catalysts. Selected examples will show the synthesis and application in the field of organocatalysis and metal-based catalysis both for non-asymmetric and asymmetric transformations.

Synthesis of Aminobenzoic Acid Derivatives via Chemoselective Carbene Insertion into the -NH Bond Catalyzed by Cu(I) Complex

Phosphine ligand stabilized air-stable Cu(I) complexes have been successfully used to functionalize the aromatic aminobenzoic acids in a chemoselective manner without implementing protection and deprotection strategy under mild reaction conditions. This chemoselective carbene insertion into -NH bond over -COOH and -OH bonds leads to the wide range of carboxy and hydroxy functionalized α-amino esters (27 examples). All of the isolated new products have been fully characterized using standard analytical methods.

Synthesis and catalytic applications of C3-symmetric tris(triazolyl)methanol ligands and derivatives

Recently introduced tris(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methanols and derivatives (TTM ligands) have become a valuable subclass of C3-symmetric tripodal ligands for transition metal-mediated reactions. TTM-based ligand architectures are modularly constructed through regioselective, one-pot triple [3+2] cycloaddition of azides and alkynes. Applications of homogeneous systems of this type and of heterogenised (polystyrene- and magnetic nanoparticle-supported) TTM ligands in synthesis and catalysis are compiled in this Feature Article.

Fluoroalkyl-Substituted Diazomethanes and Their Application in a General Synthesis of Pyrazoles and Pyrazolines

A novel continuous-flow approach for the synthesis of fluoroalkyl-substituted diazomethanes has been developed. Utilizing a cheap, self-made microreactor fluoroalkyl-substituted amines were transformed into the corresponding diazomethanes using tert-butyl nitrite and acetic acid as catalyst. These diazomethanes were employed in [2+3] cycloaddition reactions with olefins and alkynes, yielding valuable pyrazolines and pyrazoles in good to excellent yields.

An enzyme–copper nanoparticle hybrid catalyst prepared from disassembly of an enzyme–inorganic nanocrystal three-dimensional nanostructure

Enzyme–copper nanoparticle hybrid catalysts were prepared with highly retained enzymatic and Cu-catalytic activities, enabling the chemo-enzymatic cascade reactions.

Clickable complexing agents: functional crown ethers for immobilisation onto polymers and magnetic nanoparticles

A modular library of crown ethers and monoazacrown ethers supported by CuAAC reactions onto magnetic nanoparticles and polymers has been prepared and evaluated as extracting materials for Pb²⁺ from aqueous and organic solutions.