Non-noble metal-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenation coupling (CDC) involving ether α-C(sp3)-H to construct C-C bonds

Ether derivatives are widespread as essential building blocks in various drugs, natural products, agrochemicals, and materials. Modern economy requires developing green strategies with improved efficiency and reduction of waste. Due to its atom and step-economy, the cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction has become a major strategy for ether functionalization. This review covers C-H/C-H cross-coupling reactions of ether derivatives with various C-H bond substrates via non-noble metal catalysts (Fe, Cu, Co, Mn, Ni, Zn, Y, Sc, In, Ag). We discuss advances achieved in these CDC reactions and hope to attract interest in developing novel methodologies in this field of organic chemistry.

Carboazidation of Terminal Alkenes with Trimethylsilyl Azide and Cyclic Ethers Catalyzed by Copper Powder under Oxidative Conditions

Copper-catalyzed carboazidation of alkenes with trimethylsilyl azide and cyclic ethers has been achieved. The employment of naturally abundant copper catalysts allowed cyclic ethers to be used as alkylating reagents under oxidative conditions. The use of styrene derivatives and 1,1-diaryl alkenes afforded carboazidation products. In addition, application of five- and six-membered cyclic ethers to the present reaction gave target organic molecules bearing azide and cyclic ether groups with perfect regioselectivity. Radical trapping and clock experiments revealed that the present reaction proceeded via the radical pathway. To further demonstrate the utility of this carboazidation reaction, transformations from the azide group to the related nitrogen-containing compounds were also performed.

Magnesium-Promoted Reductive Carboxylation of Aryl Vinyl Ketones: Synthesis of γ-Keto Carboxylic Acids

Direct reductive carboxylation of easily prepared aryl vinyl ketones under the atmosphere of carbon dioxide led to the selective formation of γ-keto carboxylic acids in 38-86% yields. The reaction is characterized by the carbon-carbon bond formation of carbon dioxide at the β-position of enone, with the use of magnesium turnings that can be easily handled as the reducing agent and the eco-friendly reaction conditions such as no pressuring, no lower or higher reaction temperature, and short reaction time. This protocol showed a wide substrate scope and provided a useful and convenient alternative to access biologically important γ-keto carboxylic acids.

Ammonium iodide-catalyzed radical-mediated tandem cyclization of aromatic aldehydes, arylamines and 1,4-dioxane

We have developed a novel approach for the construction of 2-((2-arylquinolin-4-yl)oxy)ethan-1-ol derivatives involving a radical-mediated tandem cyclization reaction.

Discovery of an Oxidative System for Radical Generation from Csp3-H Bonds: A Synthesis of Functionalized Oxindoles

A facile and versatile method for generating radicals from Csp³-H bonds under metal-free and organic-peroxide-free conditions was developed. By combining safe persulfate and low-toxic quaternary ammonium salt, a wide variety of Csp³-H compounds including ethers, (hetero)aromatic/aliphatic ketones, alkylbenzenes, alkylheterocycles, cycloalkanes, and haloalkanes were selectively activated to generate the corresponding C-centered radicals, which could be further captured by N-arylacrylamides to deliver the valuable functionalized oxindoles. Good functional group tolerance was demonstrated. The useful polycarbonyl compound and esters were also modified with the strategy. Moreover, the combination can also be applied to the practical coupling between simple haloalkanes and N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI).

Chromium carbides and cyclopropenylidenes

Carbon tetrabromide can be reduced with CrBr2 in THF to form a dinuclear carbido complex, [CrBr2(thf)2)][CrBr2(thf)3](μ-C), along with formation of [CrBr3(thf)3]. An X-ray diffraction (XRD) study of the pyridine adduct displayed a dinuclear structure bridged by a carbido ligand between 5- and 6-coordinate chromium centers. The carbido complex reacted with two equivalents of aldehydes to form α,β-unsaturated ketones. Treatment of the carbido complex with alkenes resulted in a formal double-cyclopropanation of alkenes by the carbido moiety to afford spiropentanes. Isotope labeling studies using a 13C-enriched carbido complex, [CrBr2(thf)2)][CrBr2(thf)3](μ-13C), identified that the quaternary carbon in the spiropentane framework was delivered by carbide transfer from the carbido complex. Terminal and internal alkynes also reacted with the carbido complex to form cyclopropenylidene complexes. A solid-state structure of the diethylcyclopropenylidene complex, prepared from 3-hexyne, showed a mononuclear cyclopropenylidene chromium(iii) structure.

Alkyl halides as both hydride and alkyl sources in catalytic regioselective reductive olefin hydroalkylation

Among the plethora of catalytic methods developed for hydrocarbofunctionalization of olefins to date, reactions that regioselectively install a functionalized alkyl unit at the 2-position of a terminal unactivated C=C bond to afford branched products are scarce. Here, we show that a Ni-based catalyst in conjunction with a stoichiometric reducing agent promote Markovnikov-selective hydroalkylation of unactivated alkenes tethered to a recyclable 8-aminoquinaldine directing auxiliary. These mild reductive processes employ readily available primary and secondary haloalkanes as both the hydride and alkyl donor. Reactions of alkenyl amides with ≥ five-carbon chain length regioselectively afforded β-alkylated products through remote hydroalkylation, underscoring the fidelity of the catalytic process and the directing group’s capability in stabilizing five-membered nickelacycle intermediates. The operationally simple protocol exhibits exceptional functional group tolerance and is amenable to the synthesis of bioactive molecules as well as regioconvergent transformations.

Methods that regioselectively install a functionalized alkyl unit at the 2-position of a terminal unactivated C=C bond are scarce. Here, the authors report a Markovnikov-selective hydroalkylation of unactivated amide-tethered alkenes catalyzed by nickel in conjunction with a stoichiometric reductant.

Iron-Catalyzed Direct Cross-Coupling of Ethers and Thioether with Alcohols for the Synthesis of Mixed Acetals

An iron-catalyzed direct O-alkylation of alcohols via α-C(sp3)–H activation of ethers and a thioether has been established that tolerates cyclic and acyclic ethers and alcohols containing aromatic N-heterocyclic moieties, providing an efficient and green method for the synthesis of mixed acetals with good to excellent yields. The robustness of this protocol is demonstrated by the late-stage oxidation of a structurally complex natural product.

Site-Selective Cu-Catalyzed Alkylation of α-Amino Acids and Peptides toward the Assembly of Quaternary Centers

The Cu^I -catalyzed selective α-alkylation of α-amino acid and peptide derivatives with 2-alkyl-1,3-dioxolanes is reported. This oxidative coupling is distinguished by its site-specificity, high diastereoselectivity, and chirality preservation and exhibits absolute chemoselectivity for N-aryl glycine motifs over other amino acid units. Collectively, the method allows for the assembly of challenging quaternary centers, as well as compounds derived from natural products of high structural complexity, which may provide ample opportunities for late-stage functionalization of peptides.

Site-Specific Functionalization of 1,3-Dioxolane with Imines: A Radical Chain Approach to Masked α-Amino Aldehydes

A thiol-promoted site-specific addition of 1,3-dioxolane to imines through a radical chain process is described. This process represents a metal-free and redox-neutral way to convert inexpensive materials to a broad range of protected α-amino aldehydes in good to excellent yields using only a catalytic amount of radical precursor. Control experiments revealed that both the thiol and a small amount of oxygen from air are indispensable to the success of this reaction.

Transition-metal-free direct C-3 alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with ethers

An efficient protocol for the synthesis of 3-alkyl quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones has been developed via the transition-metal-free cross-coupling reaction of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with ethers with moderate to good yields under relatively mild conditions.

Expedient stereospecific Co-catalyzed tandem C–N and C–O bond formation of N-methylanilines with styrene oxides

The Co(ii)-catalyzed stereospecific sequential C–N and C–O bond formation of styrene oxides with N-methylanilines has been developed. Optically active epoxides can be coupled with high enantiomeric purity.