Metal-Free Visible-Light Induced Oxidative Cleavage of C(sp3 )-C, and C(sp3 )-N Bonds of Nitriles, Alcohols, and Amines

Selective cleavage of unstrained (sp3 ) C-C/ C-N bonds under mild conditions is highly challenging due to the higher bond dissociation energy. A visible light mediated metal-free oxidative dehomologation of aryl acetonitriles, primary alcohols and diols to carboxylic acids via organophotocatalyzed C(sp3 )-CN, C(sp3 )-C(OH) bond cleavage is reported. Notably, this methodology was further extended towards selective synthesis of aldehydes via deamination of both primary as well as secondary amines. This mild protocol features wide array of substrate variation with excellent functional group tolerance, preparative-scale synthesis, and operational simplicity. Possible mechanisms for these transformations were demonstrated through a series of control experiments.

Catalytic N-methyl amidation of carboxylic acids under cooperative conditions

The generation of N-methyl amides using simple acids with high atom economy is rare owning to the volatile nature of methyl amine. Herein, an atom economic protocol was disclosed to prepare this valuable motif under DABCO/Fe3O4 cooperative catalysis.

Acyl Cyanides as Bifunctional Reagent: Application in Copper-Catalyzed Cyanoamidation and Cyanoesterification Reaction

Cu-catalyzed domino decyanation and cyanation reaction of acyl cyanides with amines or alcohols have been developed. The cyano sources were generated in situ via C-CN cleavage yielding the corresponding cyano substituted amides or esters in moderate to excellent yields. This approach features a cheap copper catalyst, domino decyanation and cyanation reaction, readily available starting materials, broad substrate scope, operational simplicity, and the potential for further transformation of the cyano group.

Copper-catalysed synthesis of 3-hydroxyisoindolin-1-ones from benzylcyanide 2-iodobenzamides

An efficient one-pot two-step sequential reaction for the synthesis of biologically active 3-hydroxyisoindolin-1-one derivatives from 2-iodobenzamide derivatives and various substituted benzyl cyanides in the presence of CuCl and cesium carbonate in DMSO is reported. Furthermore, 3-hydroxyisoindolinone derivatives possessing bromo substituents were obtained from 2-iodobenzamide and 2-bromobenzyl cyanide substrates in two steps. Benzyl cyanide has been successfully used for the first time as a benzoyl synthon for the synthesis of 3-hydroxyisoindolin-1-ones. Interestingly, the mechanism of formation of 3-hydroxyisoindolin-1-ones is a novel pathway that involves carbon degradation followed by ring contraction.

Selenium-catalyzed oxidation of alkenes: insight into the mechanisms and developing trend

Recent progresses of the selenium-catalyzed oxidation of alkenes are summarized at the mechanism level. It may be beneficial for designing novel selenium-containing catalysts and alkene oxidation protocols for the next phase of studies.

Copper-Catalyzed Tandem Reactions of 2-Amine-[1,3,5]triazines with Nitriles

Copper-catalyzed intermolecular annulation of 2-amine-[1,3,5]triazines and aryl nitriles for the synthesis of [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5- a][1,3,5]triazines via N-C bond formation and oxidative N-N coupling [oxidative 3 + 2 cyclization] is presented. A wide range of aryl nitriles, including electron-rich benzonitriles, electron-poor benzonitriles, 2-cyanothiophene, and 4-cyanopyridine, were all functionalized with 2-amine-[1,3,5]triazines. Furthermore, amidation of 2-amine-[1,3,5]triazines via Cu-catalyzed C-CN bond cleavage of phenylacetonitriles is also demonstrated. The reaction occurred in moderate to satisfactory yields and tolerated alkyl- or aryl-substituted 2-amine-[1,3,5]triazines. Aniline, aminopyridine, and aminopyrimidine also afforded the desired products.