LED-induced Ru-photoredox Pd-catalyzed C-H arylation of (6-phenylpyridin-2-yl)pyrimidines and heteroaryl counterparts

N-heterocycles are essential building blocks and scaffolds in medicinal chemistry. A Pd-catalyzed, Ru-photoredox-mediated C-H arylation is applied herein, for converting a series of functionality-inclusive (6-phenylpyridin-2-yl)pyrimidines to single arylated derivatives, using phenyldiazonium tetrafluoroborate as aryl source. This green chemistry-compliant transformation is induced by LED light. The drug-like modular substrates are constructed via combination of Biginelli multi-component condensation and Suzuki C-C cross-coupling, in order to strategically install, adjacent to the Ph-ring intended to undergo C-H arylation, a (6-pyridin-2-yl)pyrimidine that plays the role of a chelating directing moiety for the C-H arylation catalyst. The scope has been demonstrated on a series of 26 substrates, comprising diverse Ph-ring substituents and substitution patterns, as well as with 13 different aryl donors. Substrates in which the Ph-ring (arylation acceptor) was replaced by an electron-rich heteroaryl counterpart (2-/3-thiophene or -benzofuran) have also been examined and found to undergo arylation regioselectively. End-product conformations afford interesting motifs for occupying 3D chemical space, as implied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, which has allowed the elucidation of six structures of aryl derivatives and one of an unprecedented pyrimidine-pyridine-benzofuran carbopalladated complex, believed to be a C-H activation derivative.

Protodemetalation of (Bipyridyl)Ni(II)-Aryl Complexes Shows Evidence for Five-, Six-, and Seven-Membered Cyclic Pathways

Protonation of C-M bonds and its microscopic reverse, metalation of C-H bonds, are fundamental steps in a variety of metal-catalyzed processes. As such, studies on protonation of C-M bonds can shed light on C-H activation. We present here studies on the rate of protodemetalation (PDM) of a suite of arylnickel(II) complexes with various acids that provide evidence for a concerted, cyclic transition state for the PDM of C-Ni bonds and demonstrate that five-, six-, and seven-membered transition states are particularly favorable. Our data show that while the rate of protodemetalation of arylnickel(II) complexes scales with acidity for many acids, several are faster than predicted by pKa. For example, while acetic acid and acetohydroxamic acid are much less acidic than HCl, they both protodemetalate arylnickel(II) complexes significantly faster than HCl. Our data also show how in the case of acetohydroxamic acid, a seven-membered cyclic transition state (CH3C(O)NHOH) can be more favorable than a six-membered transition state (CH3C(O)NHOH). Similarly, five-membered transition states, such as for pyrazole, are highly favorable as well. Comparison of transition state polarization (from density functional theory) compares these new nickel transition states to better-studied precious-metal systems and demonstrates how the base can change the polarization of the transition state giving rise to opposing electronic preferences. Collectively, these studies suggest several new avenues for study in C-H activation as well as approaches to accelerate or slow protodemetalation in nickel catalysis.

Bulky Di(1-adamantyl)phosphinous Acid-Ligated Pd(II) Precatalysts for Suzuki Reactions of Unreactive Aryl Chlorides

Di(1-adamantyl)phosphine oxide (SPO-Ad: Ad2P(V)(=O)H), a stable tautomer of di(1-adamantyl)phosphinous acid (PA-Ad: Ad2P(III)-OH), was employed to synthesize two new PA-Ad-coordinated complexes, POPd-Ad and POPd2-Ad. POPd-Ad was easily transformed from POPd2-Ad in acetonitrile, and the [M - H]- ion of the deprotonated POPd-Ad was observed in the electrospray ionization-mass spectrum of POPd2-Ad. Both complexes are effective precatalysts for the Suzuki reaction of aryl chlorides. The reduction of Pd(II) in POPd-Ad and POPd2-Ad by arylboronic acid was examined, and the ideal Pd-to-PA ratio in the Suzuki reaction was found to be 1:1. The effect of temperature on the catalytic yields was studied to examine the possible ligation state of the active species and the dimer-to-monomer process of POPd2-Ad. Mononuclear and mono-ligated Pd species was assumed to be catalytically active. The electronic and steric effects of PA-Ad were slightly better than those reported for PA-tBu ( t Bu2P(III)-OH). Density functional theory calculations were performed to evaluate the formation of mono-ligated and mononuclear Pd species from POPd-Ad and POPd2-Ad. Furthermore, the reaction time and catalyst loading could be reduced for the reported POPd1-tBu precatalyst using the optimized reaction conditions for POPd-Ad. The complexes synthesized in this extensive study will complement the existing SPO-coordinated POPd series of precatalysts.

A Stable Primary Phosphane Oxide and Its Heavier Congeners

(Ferrocenylmethyl)phosphane (1) oxidation with hydrogen peroxide, elemental sulfur and grey selenium produced (ferrocenylmethyl)phosphane oxide 1O, sulfide 1S and selenide 1Se, respectively, as the first isolable primary phosphane chalcogenides lacking steric protection. At elevated temperatures, compound 1O disproportionated into 1 and (ferrocenylmethyl)phosphinic acid. In reactions with [(η⁶ -mes)RuCl₂ ]₂ , 1O underwent tautomerization into a phosphane complex [(η⁶ -mes)RuCl₂ {FcCH₂ PH(OH)-κP}], whereas 1S and 1Se lost their P-bound chalcogen atoms, giving rise to the phosphane complex [(η⁶ -mes)RuCl₂ (FcCH₂ PH₂ -κP)] (Fc=ferrocenyl, mes=mesitylene). No tautomerization was observed in the reaction of 1O with B(C₆ F₅ )₃ , which instead produced a Lewis pair FcCH₂ P(O)H₂ -B(C₆ F₅ )₃ . Phosphane oxide 1O added to C=O bonds of aldehydes and ketones and even to cumulenes PhNCE (E=O and S). However, both PH hydrogens were only employed in the reactions with aldehydes and cyanates.

Synthesis, structural characterization and catalytic activity of chlororuthenium(II) complexes with substituted Schiff base/phosphine ancillary ligands

Treatment of [(η 6-p-cymene)RuCl2]2 with one equivalent of chlorodiphenylphosphine in tetrahydrofuran at reflux afforded a neutral complex [(η 6-p-cymene)RuCl2(κ 1-P-PPh2OH)] (1). Similarly, the reaction of [Ru(bpy)2Cl2·2H2O] (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) and chlorodiphenylphosphine in methanol gave a cationic complex [Ru(bpy)2Cl(κ 1-P-PPh2OCH3)](PF6) (2), while treatment of [RuCl2(PPh3)3] with [2-(C5H4N)CH=N(CH2)2N(CH3)2] (L1) in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature afforded a ruthenium(II) complex [Ru(PPh3)Cl2(κ 3-N,N,N-L1)] (3). Interaction of the chloro-bridged complex [Ru(CO)2Cl2] n with one equivalent of [Ph2P(o-C6H4)CH=N(CH2)2N(CH3)2] (L2) led to the isolation of [Ru(CO)Cl2(κ 3-P,N,N-L2)] (4). The molecular structures of the ruthenium(II) complexes 1–4 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The properties of the ruthenium(II) complex 4 as a hydrogenation catalyst for acetophenone were also tested.

Coordination chemistry and catalysis with secondary phosphine oxides

Review on synthesis, coordination chemistry and catalysis with secondary phosphine oxides.

Cobalt-catalyzed C-H cyanations: Insights into the reaction mechanism and the role of London dispersion

Carboxylate-assisted cobalt(III)-catalyzed C–H cyanations are highly efficient processes for the synthesis of (hetero)aromatic nitriles. We have now analyzed the cyanation of differently substituted 2-phenylpyridines in detail computationally by density functional theory and also experimentally. Based on our investigations, we propose a plausible reaction mechanism for this transformation that is in line with the experimental observations. Additional calculations, including NCIPLOT, dispersion interaction densities, and local energy decomposition analysis, for the model cyanation of 2-phenylpyridine furthermore highlight that London dispersion is an important factor that enables this challenging C–H transformation. Nonbonding interactions between the Cp* ligand and aromatic and C–H-rich fragments of other ligands at the cobalt center significantly contribute to a stabilization of cobalt intermediates and transition states.

Ru(II)-Catalyzed C-H Aminocarbonylation of N-(Hetero)aryl-7-azaindoles with Isocyanates

The ruthenium(II)-catalyzed C-H aminocarbonylation of N-(hetero)aryl-7-azaindoles with isocyanates is described. The excellent site selectivity at the ortho-position within the N-(hetero)aryl ring was observed to provide ortho-amidated N-(hetero)aryl-7-azaindoles under the mild reaction conditions. The resulting 7-azaindole derivatives can be readily transformed into 7-azaindoles containing carboxylic acid and alkyl amine functional groups.

Ruthenium(II)-Catalyzed C-H (Hetero)Arylation of Alkenylic 1,n-Diazines (n = 2, 3, and 4): Scope, Mechanism, and Application in Tandem Hydrogenations

A general ruthenium(II)-catalyzed methodology enabling the (hetero)arylation of alkenylic C-H bonds utilizing a series of synthetically appealing diazines as directing groups is presented. Despite the presence of additional nitrogen lone pairs remote from the C-H bond activation site, which could eventually poison the catalyst, the reaction times are short (3 h), thus being suitable for selective double C-H bond arylation. Mixtures of E:Z isomeric products were observed in some cases, which were further hydrogenated in a tandem manner in the presence of the remaining ruthenium catalyst from the first step, representing an alternative approach to more difficult C(sp³)-H bond functionalization. According to mechanistic studies, the unexpected E:Z product formation seems to occur by thermal C═C bond isomerization after the reductive elimination step.

Synthesis and coordination chemistry of enantiopure t-BuMeP(O)H

Enantioselective synthesis of t-BuMeP(O)H and its coordination chemistry towards several transition metals are described, showing a variety of coordination modes.

Phosphinito palladium(ii) complexes as catalysts for the synthesis of 1,3-enynes, aromatic alkynes and ynones

An air-stable phosphinito palladium(ii) complex has been found to be an efficient catalyst in the formation of C–C bonds.

Temperature-controlled redox-neutral ruthenium(ii)-catalyzed regioselective allylation of benzamides with allylic acetates

Temperature controlled regioselective synthesis of ortho allyl and vinyl benzamides under redox-free conditions was reported. Detailed mechanistic investigation of the C–H bond activation and isomerization reactions was carried out.

Bis(allyl)-ruthenium(iv) complexes with phosphinous acid ligands as catalysts for nitrile hydration reactions

The preparation of bis(allyl)-Ru(iv) complexes with phosphinous acid ligands is presented, as well as their application as catalysts in the base-free hydration of organonitriles in water.