Iridium-catalyzed selective 1,2-hydrosilylation of N-heterocycles

Synthesis and utility of N-boryl and N-silyl enamines derived from the hydroboration and hydrosilylation of N-heteroarenes and N-conjugated compounds

Catalytic hydroboration and hydrosilylation have emerged as promising strategies for the reduction of unsaturated hydrocarbons and carbonyl compounds, as well as for the dearomatization of N-heteroarenes. Various catalysts have been employed in these processes to achieve the formation of reduced products via distinct reaction pathways and intermediates. Among these intermediates, N-silyl enamines and N-boryl enamines, which are derived from hydrosilylation and hydroboration, are commonly underestimated in this reduction process. Because these versatile intermediates have recently been utilized in situ as nucleophilic reagents or dipolarophiles for the synthesis of diverse molecules, an expeditious review of the synthesis and utilization of N-silyl and N-boryl enamines is crucial. In this review, we comprehensively discuss a wide range of hydrosilylation and hydroboration catalysts used for the synthesis of N-silyl and N-boryl enamines. These catalysts include main-group metals (e.g., Mg and Zn), transition metals (e.g., Rh, Ru, and Ir), earth-abundant metals (e.g., Fe, Co, and Ni), and non-metal catalysts (including P, B, and organocatalysts). Furthermore, we highlight recent research efforts that have leveraged these versatile intermediates for the synthesis of intriguing molecules, offering insights into future directions for these invaluable building blocks.

Recent Strategies in the Nucleophilic Dearomatization of Pyridines, Quinolines, and Isoquinolines

Dearomatization reactions have become fundamental chemical transformations in organic synthesis since they allow for the generation of three-dimensional complexity from two-dimensional precursors, bridging arene feedstocks with alicyclic structures. When those processes are applied to pyridines, quinolines, and isoquinolines, partially or fully saturated nitrogen heterocycles are formed, which are among the most significant structural components of pharmaceuticals and natural products. The inherent challenge of those transformations lies in the low reactivity of heteroaromatic substrates, which makes the dearomatization process thermodynamically unfavorable. Usually, connecting the dearomatization event to the irreversible formation of a strong C-C, C-H, or C-heteroatom bond compensates the energy required to disrupt the aromaticity. This aromaticity breakup normally results in a 1,2- or 1,4-functionalization of the heterocycle. Moreover, the combination of these dearomatization processes with subsequent transformations in tandem or stepwise protocols allows for multiple heterocycle functionalizations, giving access to complex molecular skeletons. The aim of this review, which covers the period from 2016 to 2022, is to update the state of the art of nucleophilic dearomatizations of pyridines, quinolines, and isoquinolines, showing the extraordinary ability of the dearomative methodology in organic synthesis and indicating their limitations and future trends.

Tandem Dearomatization/Enantioselective Allylic Alkylation of Pyridines

Herein, we report a multistep one-pot reaction of substituted pyridines leading to N-protected tetrahydropyridines with outstanding enantioselectivity (up to 97% ee). An iridium(I)-catalyzed dearomative 1,2-hydrosilylation of pyridines enables the use of N-silyl enamines as a new type of nucleophile in a subsequent palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation. This telescoped process overcomes the intrinsic nucleophilic selectivity of pyridines to synthesize enantioenriched, C-3-substituted tetrahydropyridine products that have been otherwise challenging to access.

Hydrido-Cobalt Complexes for the Chemo- and Regioselective 1,2-Silylative Dearomatization of N-Heteroarenes

We describe an efficient regio- and chemoselective dearomatization of N-heteroarenes using hydrido-cobalt catalysts. Reactions were performed under mild conditions on a wide range of N-heteroarenes leading exclusively to the silyl-1,2-dihydroheteroarene. Various quinolines and pyridines bearing electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents are compatible with this methodology. DFT calculations, NMR spectroscopic studies, and X-ray diffraction analysis underlined the importance of a second silane for the final step of the reaction.

Intermediates, Isolation and Mechanistic Insights into Zinc Hydride-Catalyzed 1,2-Regioselective Hydrofunctionalization of N-Heteroarenes

The conjugated bis-guanidinate-supported zinc hydride [{LZnH}₂; L = {(ArHN) (ArN)-C═N-C═(NAr) (NHAr); Ar = 2,6-Et₂-C₆H₃}] (I)-catalyzed highly demanding exclusive 1,2-regioselective hydroboration and hydrosilylation of N-heteroarenes is demonstrated with excellent yields. This protocol is compatible with many pyridines and N-heteroarene derivatives, including electron-donating and -withdrawing substituents. Catalytic intermediates, such as [(LZnH) (4-methylpyridine)] IIA, [(L'ZnH) (4-methylpyridine) IIA', where L' = CH{(CMe) (2,6-Et₂C₆H₃N)}₂)], LZn(1,2-DhiQ) (isoquinoline) III, [L'Zn(1,2-DhiQ) (isoquinoline)] III', and LZn(1,2-(3-MeDHQ)) (3-methylquinoline) V, were isolated and thoroughly characterized by NMR, HRMS, and IR analyses. Furthermore, X-ray single-crystal diffraction studies confirmed the molecular structures of compounds IIA', III, and III'. The NMR data proved that the intermediate III or III' reacted with HBpin and gave a selective 1,2-addition hydroborated product. Stoichiometric experiments suggest that V and III independently reacted with silane, yielding selective 1,2-addition of mono- and bis-hydrosilylated products, respectively. Based on the isolation of intermediates and a series of stoichiometric experiments, plausible catalytic cycles were established. Furthermore, the intermolecular chemoselective hydroboration reaction over other reducible functionalities was studied.

N-Silylamines in catalysis: synthesis and reactivity

A summary of the catalytic synthesis and reactivity of N-silylated amines is presented. Dehydrocoupling of amines with silanes, hydrosilylation of imines and dealkenylative coupling of amines with vinylsilanes are three ways to achieve their catalytic syntheses. The resultant N-silylamines serve as substrates in a variety of reactions, including C-N and C-C bond forming reactions, and are preferred in transformations because of the facile Si-N hydrolytic cleavage to reveal free amine products upon reaction completion. This review highlights the distinct electronic properties of N-silyl amines, N-silyl imines and N-silyl enamines that result in complementary reactivity to that of parent non-silyl variants.

Mechanistic insights into the dearomative diborylation of pyrazines: a radical or non-radical process?

The mechanisms of the dearomative diborylation of pyrazines were investigated via a combination of density functional theory calculations and experimental studies.

Copper-catalysed oxidative α-C(sp3)–H nitroalkylation of (hetero)arene-fused cyclic amines

Under aerobic copper catalysis, a direct α-C(sp³)–H nitroalkylation of N-unsubstituted (hetero)arene-fused cyclic amines with nitroalkanes has been demonstrated.

An umpolung approach to the hydroboration of pyridines: a novel and efficient synthesis of N-H 1,4-dihydropyridines

The first inverse hydroboration of pyridine with a diboron(4) compound and a proton source has been realized under simple basic and catalyst-free conditions. This process consists of a formal boryl anion addition to pyridine, which produces an N-boryl pyridyl anion complex, and the subsequent protonation of the anion complex. This process enables a simple and efficient method for the synthesis of multi-substituted N-H 1,4-dihydropyridine (1,4-DHP) derivatives that are difficult to prepare using established methods. Furthermore, this method allows for facile preparation of 4-deuterated 1,4-DHPs from an easily accessible deuterium ion source. This inverse hydroboration reaction represents a new mode for pyridine functionalization.

NHC-Copper-Catalyzed Asymmetric Dearomative Silylation of Indoles

We report an asymmetric dearomative silylation reaction of 3-acylindoles using a chiral NHC-copper(I) complex as catalyst to afford a range of cyclic α-aminosilanes with high regio- and enantioselectivity. Initial mechanistic studies revealed that the observed high diastereoselectivity was attributed to the facile epimerization of the 3-acyl group. We also demonstrated that the product could be used as a versatile precursor for the synthesis of functionalized indolines in high enantiomeric purity.

Iridium-Catalyzed Sequential Silylation and Borylation of Heteroarenes Based on Regioselective C-H Bond Activation

An iridium-catalyzed regioselective sequential silylation and borylation of heteroarenes was developed, which represents a rare example of unsymmetrical intermolecular C-H bond difunctionalization through the introduction of two different functionalities during a one-pot transformation. Although the substrate scope for the dehydrogenative silylation of heteroarenes has been limited mainly to electron-rich five-membered rings, the current reaction proceeds with both electron-rich and electron-deficient heteroarenes with the aid of heteroatom-directing C-H bond activation. The regioselectivity of the second borylation was controlled by both steric factors and the electronic effect of the silyl group installed in the first step. In combination with the classic cross-coupling reaction, this method provides rapid access to multisubstituted heteroarenes.