Visible Light-Induced Copper-Catalyzed Regio- and Stereoselective Difluoroalkylthiocyanation of Alkynes

The first regio- and stereoselective difluoroalkylthiocyanation of alkynes with BrCF2R and KSCN has been disclosed under visible light-induced copper catalysis. The copper complex photosensitizer formed in situ not only promotes the generation of CF2-alkyl radicals but also facilitates the construction of C-SCN bonds, allowing the reaction to proceed smoothly without any additional photocatalysts or radical initiators. Moreover, the challenging internal alkynes can also be transformed to deliver CF2-derived tetrasubstituted olefins with potential applications in agricultural and medicinal chemistry.

Copper-Catalyzed Fluoroalkylphosphorothiolation of Alkynes for the Synthesis of (E)-β-Fluoroalkyl Vinyl Phosphorothioates

A convenient copper-catalyzed three-component radical-based fluoroalkylphosphorothiolation of terminal alkynes with (iPrO)2P(O)SH and fluoroalkylation reagent for the synthesis of a variety of (E)-β-fluoroalkyl vinyl phosphorothioates with excellent regioselectivity and stereoselectivity has been developed. All the starting materials used in this reaction are highly stable and readily available. Thus, this process features with mild reaction conditions, simple operation and good functional group tolerance (>40 examples). Furthermore, this modular reaction system allows the late-stage functionalization of bioactive molecules.

Visible-Light-Irradiated Multicomponent Reactions of Aliphatic Amines, Propiolate Acid Esters, and CF3 SO2 Na for Accessing β-CF3 Enamines

A novel one-pot two-step multicomponent reaction has been achieved for the preparation of β-CF3 enamines by using different aliphatic amines, propiolates, and CF3 SO2 Na as starting material. In this protocol, various aliphatic amines including primary amines, cyclic or acyclic secondary amines were demonstrated to be good coupling partners, and different β-CF3 enamines were obtained in moderate to good yields. Among them, the primary aliphatic amines only gave pure (E)-β-CF3 enamines as products. The synthetic utility of the MCRs strategy was further demonstrated by mild conditions, gram-scale synthesis and natural sunlight-induced protocol. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that this trifluoromethylation of C(sp2 )-H involves radical process.

Coordinating activation strategy enables 1,2-alkylamidation of alkynes

The radical 1,2-difunctionalization reaction of alkynes has been evolved into a versatile approach for expeditiously increasing the complexity of the common feedstock alkyne. However, intermolecular 1,2-carboamidation with general alkyl groups is an unsolved problem. Herein, we show that a coordinating activation strategy could act as an efficient tool for enabling radical 1,2-alkylamidation of alkynes. With the employment of diacyl peroxides as both alkylating reagents and internal oxidants, a large library of β-alkylated enamides is constructed in a three-component manner from readily accessible amides and alkynes. This protocol exhibits broad substrate scope with good functional group compatibility and is amenable for late-stage functionalization of natural molecules and biologically compounds.

Copper-Catalyzed Asymmetric Functionalization of Vinyl Radicals for the Access to Vinylarene Atropisomers

A novel asymmetric radical strategy for the straightforward synthesis of atropisomerically chiral vinyl arenes has been established herein, proceeding through copper-catalyzed atroposelective cyanation/azidation of aryl-substituted vinyl radicals. Critical to the success of the radical relay process is the atroposelective capture of the highly reactive vinyl radicals with chiral L*Cu(II) cyanide or azide species. Moreover, these axially chiral vinylarene products can be easily transformed into atropisomerically enriched amides and amines, enantiomerically enriched benzyl nitriles via an axis-to-center chirality transfer process, and an atropisomerically pure organocatalyst for the chemo-, diastereo-, and enantioselective (4 + 2) cyclization reaction.

Azirine-triazole hybrids: selective synthesis of 5-(2H-azirin-2-yl)-, 5-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazoles and 2-(5-(2H-azirin-2-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)pyridines

Azirine-triazole hybrids, 1-R-5-(3-aryl-2H-azirin-2-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazoles, were selectively synthesized by reaction of 1-(3-aryl-2H-azirin-2-yl)-2-(triphenylphosphoranylidene)ethanones with tosyl and (E)-2-benzoylvinyl azides in high yields at rt. The reaction with 2-azidopyridine makes it possible to obtain azirine-triazole-pyridine hybrids, albeit in moderate yields, at 170 °C. The mechanism and selectivity of the reaction of α-carbonylphosphoranes with azides are discussed on the basis of DFT calculations. According to the calculation, the reaction of α-carbonylphosphoranes with model mesyl azide, leading to 1,5-disubstituted triazoles proceeds via a non-concerted cycloaddition, while the reaction leading to 1,4-disubstituted triazoles proceeds via a concerted azide cycloaddition, but through the transition state which has much higher energy. In contrast to the reaction of α-(triphenylphosphoranylidene)ketones with TsN₃, the reaction with TfN₃ yields the α-diazo ketones. Ni-Catalyzed reaction of azirinyl-1,2,3-triazoles with acetylacetone provides pyrrole-triazole and pyrrole-triazole-pyridine hybrids in good yields under mild conditions.

Radical hydrotrifluoromethylation of ynamides: a route toward β-CF3 enamides

We report here a radical hydrotrifluoromethylation of ynamides to provide an alternative route toward β-CF3 enamides.

A diastereoselective synthesis of cyclopentanones via photocatalytic reductive alkyltrifluoromethylation of ynones

A photocatalytic reductive alkyltrifluoromethylation of ynones with the Langlois reagent is developed, providing a regio- and diastereoselective access to trifluoromethylated cyclopentanones under mild conditions.

Recent Advances on the Halo- and Cyano-Trifluoromethylation of Alkenes and Alkynes

Incorporation of fluorine into organic molecules is a well-established strategy in the design of advanced materials, agrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Among numerous modern synthetic approaches, functionalization of unsaturated bonds with simultaneous addition of trifluoromethyl group along with other substituents is currently one of the most attractive methods undergoing wide-ranging development. In this review article, we discuss the most significant contributions made in this area during the last decade (2012−2021). The reactions reviewed in this work include chloro-, bromo-, iodo-, fluoro- and cyano-trifluoromethylation of alkenes and alkynes.

Electrocyclizations of Conjugated Azapolyenes Produced in Reactions of Azaheterocycles with Metal Carbenes

Conjugated azapolyenes (azabuta-1,3-dienes, aza-/diaza-/oxaza-/oxadiazahexa-1,3,5-trienes) are highly reactive in electrocyclization reactions, which makes them convenient precursors for the synthesis of a wide range of four-, five-, and six-membered nitrogen heterocycles that are of relevance for medicinal chemistry. Ring opening reactions of 2H-azirines and azoles containing an N–N or N–O bond, initiated by a transition metal carbene, have become increasingly important in recent years, since they easily allow the generation of azapolyenes with different numbers of double bonds and heteroatoms in various positions. This review summarizes the literature, published mainly in the last decade, on the synthetic and mechanistic aspects of electrocyclizations of azapolyenes generated by the carbene method.

Synthesis of Quaternary Spirooxindole 2H-Azirines under Batch and Continuous Flow Condition and Metal Assisted Umpolung Reactivity for the Ring-Opening Reaction

An efficient and new approach for the synthesis of spirooxindole 2H-azirines via intramolecular oxidative cyclization of 3-(amino(phenyl)methylene)-indolin-2-one derivatives in the presence of I₂ and Cs₂ CO₃ under batch/continuous flow is described. This method is mild and facile to synthesize a variety of spirooxindole 2H-azirines derivatives in gram-scale. Furthermore, we have synthesized spiroaziridine derivatives from spirooxindole 2H-azirines derivatives via addition of Grignard reagent. In addition, we discloses an metal assisted attack of Grignard nucleophile at N-centre rather than C- of the spirooxindole 2H-azirines, which concurrently underwent ring opening of transient aziridines to afford N-substituted Z-3-(aminophenyl)indolin-2-one. A plausible mechanism for azirination and ring-opening reaction is also presented.

Synthesis of Fluoro-, Monofluoromethyl-, Difluoromethyl-, and Trifluoromethyl-Substituted Three-Membered Rings

This Minireview describes recent advances toward the synthesis of fluoro-, monofluoromethyl-, difluoromethyl-, and trifluoromethyl-substituted three-membered rings such as cyclopropanes, aziridines, epoxides, episulfides, cyclopropenes, and 2 H-azirines. The main synthetic methodologies since 2016 for cyclopropanes and since 2010 for the other three-membered rings are reported.

Benzotetramisole catalyzed kinetic resolution of 2H-azirines

An unprecedented benzotetramisole (BTM)-catalyzed kinetic resolution for the efficient synthesis of chiral 2H-azirines is described. This protocol provides two chiral isomers in one step with broad scope, good yield and high enantioselectivity. In addition, the optically pure 2H-azirine products have proven to be useful building blocks for further synthetic transformations.

Chemo-selective cross reaction of two enals via carbene-catalyzed dual activation

A dual catalytic chemo-selective cross-coupling reaction of two enals is developed. One enal (without α-substitution) is activated by an NHC catalyst to form an acylazolium enolate intermediate that undergoes Michael-type addition to another enal molecule bearing an alkynyl substituent. Mechanistic studies indicate that non-covalent interactions between the alkynyl enal and the NHC·HX catalyst play important roles in substrate activation and enantioselectivity control. Many of the possible side reactions are not observed. Our reaction provides highly chemo- and diastereo-selective access to chiral lactones containing functionalizable 1,3-enyn units with excellent enantioselectivities (95 to >99% ee).

An NHC-catalyzed dual activation of two different enals is disclosed with both covalent and non-covalent activation pathways involved.

Copper-Catalyzed Asymmetric Radical 1,2-Carboalkynylation of Alkenes with Alkyl Halides and Terminal Alkynes

A copper-catalyzed intermolecular three-component asymmetric radical 1,2-carboalkynylation of alkenes has been developed, providing straightforward access to diverse chiral alkynes from readily available alkyl halides and terminal alkynes. The utilization of a cinchona alkaloid-derived multidentate N,N,P-ligand is crucial for the efficient radical generation from mildly oxidative precursors by copper and the effective inhibition of the undesired Glaser coupling side reaction. The substrate scope is broad, covering (hetero)aryl-, alkynyl-, and aminocarbonyl-substituted alkenes, (hetero)aryl and alkyl as well as silyl alkynes, and tertiary to primary alkyl radical precursors with excellent functional group compatibility. Facile transformations of the obtained chiral alkynes have also been demonstrated, highlighting the excellent complementarity of this protocol to direct 1,2-dicarbofunctionalization reactions with C(sp²/sp³)-based reagents.

Copper-Catalyzed Annulation-Cyanotrifluoromethylation of 1,6-Enynes Toward 1-Indanones via a Radical Process

A new Cu(II)-catalyzed annulation-cyanotrifluoromethylation of 1,6-enynes with Togni's reagent and trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN) has been established, enabling the direct construction of trifluoromethylated 1-indanones with an all-carbon quaternary center in good yields. This reaction was performed by using low-cost Cu(OTf)₂ as the catalyst and Togni's reagent as both the radical initiator and a CF₃ source, providing an efficient protocol for building up an 1-indanone framework with wide functional group compatibility. The reaction mechanism was proposed through a radical triggered addition/5-exo-dig cyclization/oxidation/nucleophilic cascade.

Copper-catalyzed stereoselective alkylhydrazination of alkynes

An efficient copper-catalyzed stereoselective alkylhydrazination of alkynes, leading to tri-substituted (E)-alkenylhydrazines, has been developed.

Synthesis of Highly Substituted Azepanones from 2 H-Azirines by a Stepwise Annulation/Ring-Opening Sequence

Bicyclic aziridines possessing a 1-azabicyclo[4.1.0]heptan-2-one core were prepared from 2 H-azirines by a stepwise annulation sequence involving a diastereoselective allylindanation, an N-acylation, and a ring-closing metathesis to construct the six-membered ring. After hydrogenation or functionalization of the olefin, regioselective ring opening of the resulting azabicyclic compounds with carboxylic acids (or sulfur nucleophiles) afforded highly substituted azepanones possessing an ester moiety or a trifluoromethyl group and a tetrasubstituted carbon at the α and β positions of the nitrogen atom, respectively.

Terpyridine-metal complexes: Applications in catalysis and supramolecular chemistry

As an NNN-tridentate ligand, the 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine plays an important role in coordination chemistry. With three coordination sites and low LUMO, terpyridine and its derivatives are one of the typical Pincer ligand and/or non-innocent ligands in transition metal catalysis. Interesting catalytic reactivities have been obtained with these tpy-metal complexes targeting some challenging transformations, such as C-C bond formation and hydrofunctionalization. On the other hand, terpyridine ligands can form "closed-shell" octahedral complexes, which provide a linear and stable linkage in supramolecular chemistry. Numerous supramolecular architectures have been achieved using modified terpyridine ligands including Sierpiński triangles, hexagonal gasket and supramolecular rosettes. This review presents a summary of recent progress regarding transition metal-terpyridine complexes with the focus on their applications in catalysis and supramolecular structure construction. Facile synthesis of terpyridine derivatives is also described. We hope this article can serve to provide some general perspectives of the terpyridine ligand and their applications in coordination chemistry.

Multiple-functionalizations of terminal alkynes with sodium sulfinates and tert-butyl nitrite: facile synthesis of 2H-azirines

A new, catalyst-free tandem annulation route to 2,2-disulfonyl-2H-azirines via multiple-functionalizations of terminal alkynes with sodium sulfinates and tert-butyl nitrite is described.

Synthesis of 2 H-Azirines via Iodine-Mediated Oxidative Cyclization of Enamines

A facile and practical oxidative cyclization reaction of enamines to 2 H-azirines has been developed, employing molecular iodine. The features of the present synthetic approach include no use of transition metals, mild reaction conditions, and simplicity of operation. Under the optimal reaction conditions, a variety of 2 H-azirine derivatives were synthesized from simple and readily accessible enamine precursors in an efficient and scalable fashion.

Radical Cyanotrifluoromethylation of Isocyanides: Step-Economical Access to CF3-Containing Nitriles, Amines, and Imines

A novel copper-catalyzed radical cyanotrifluoromethylation has been achieved through a multicomponent reaction of isocyanides, Togni's reagent, and trimethylsilyl cyanides, affording trifluoroacetimidoyl nitriles in good yields. This reaction demonstrates a unique feature of merging two valuable functional groups-trifluoromethyl (CF₃) and cyan (CN)-onto the same C atom. The transformation proceeds by the initial addition of the CF₃ radical to isocyanide and the subsequent intermolecular C-CN formation. The products can be successfully transformed to a series of CF₃-containing amines and imines that may serve in the synthesis of valuable pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals.

Copper-catalyzed difluoromethylation of propargylamide-substituted indoles: synthesis of mono- and bis-difluoromethylated indoloazepinone derivatives

A novel copper-catalyzed difluoromethylation of 2- or 3-propargylamide-substituted indoles with ICF2CO2Et via a radical cascade cyclization process is described. A wide substrate scope is compatible with the reaction conditions to synthesize mono- and bis-difluoromethylated indoloazepinone derivatives, which contain a seven-membered ring.

N-Heterocycle-Forming Amino/Carboperfluoroalkylations of Aminoalkenes by Using Perfluoro Acid Anhydrides: Mechanistic Studies and Applications Directed Toward Perfluoroalkylated Compound Libraries

This work describes a practical and efficient method for synthesizing a diverse array of perfluoroalkylated amines, including N-heterocycles, to afford perfluoroalkylated chemical libraries as potential sources of drug candidates, agrochemicals, and probe molecules for chemical-biology research. Perfluoro acid anhydrides, which are commonly used in organic synthesis, were employed as a perfluoroalkyl source for intramolecular amino- and carbo-perfluoroalkylations of aminoalkenes, affording perfluoroalkylated N-heterocycles, including: aziridines, pyrrolidines, benzothiazinane dioxides, indolines, and hydroisoquinolinones. Diacyl peroxides were generated in situ from the perfluoro acid anhydrides with urea·H₂O₂, and allowed to react with aminoalkenes in the presence of copper catalyst to control the product selectivity between amino- and carbo-perfluoroalkylations. To illustrate the synthetic utility of bench-stable trifluoromethylated aziridine, which was prepared on a gram scale, we used it to synthesize a wide variety of trifluoromethylated amines including complex molecules, such as trifluoromethylated tetrahydroharmine and spiroindolone. A mechanistic study of the role of the copper catalyst in the aminotrifluoromethylation of allylamine suggested that Cu(I) accelerates CF₃ radical formation via decomposition of diacyl peroxide, which appears to be the turnover-limiting step, while Cu(II) controls the product selectivity.

Copper-catalyzed radical reactions of 2-azido-N-arylacrylamides with 1-(trifluoromethyl)-1,2-benziodoxole and 1-azidyl-1,2-benziodoxole

The tandem addition/cyclization reactions of 2-azido-N-arylacrylamides with 1-(trifluoromethyl)-1,2-benziodoxole and 1-azidyl-1,2-benziodoxole-derived trifluoromethyl radicals and azidyl radicals were investigated.

Merging photoredox with copper catalysis: decarboxylative difluoroacetylation of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids with ICF2CO2Et

A novel decarboxylative difluoroacetylation of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids via a combination of visible light photocatalysis and cooper catalysis is reported.