Palladium-Catalyzed Carbonylation for General Synthesis of Aurones Using CO2

The carbonylation of alkynes using CO₂ to generate aurones is to date unknown. In this study, a palladium-catalyzed carbonylation of terminal aromatic alkynes and the waste hydrosilane, poly(methylhydrosiloxane) (PMHS), is carried out with 2-iodophenol using CO₂ to produce aurones. A variety of terminal alkynes and substituted 2-iodophenols are transformed into aurones in good yields. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that silyl formate, generated from CO₂ and PMHS, plays a crucial role in the carbonylation reaction.

Catalytic direct hydrocarboxylation of styrenes with CO2 and H2

A three-component hydrocarboxylation of an olefin with CO₂ and H₂ could be regarded as a dream reaction, since it would provide a straightforward approach for the synthesis of aliphatic carboxylic acids in perfect atom economy. However, this transformation has not been realized in a direct manner under mild conditions, because boosting the carboxylation with thermodynamically stable CO₂ while suppressing the rapid hydrogenation of olefin remains a challenging task. Here, we report a rhodium-catalysed reductive hydrocarboxylation of styrene derivatives with CO₂ and H₂ under mild conditions, in which H₂ served as the terminal reductant. In this approach, the carboxylation process was largely accelerated by visible light irradiation, which was proved both experimentally and by computational studies. Hydrocarboxylation of various kinds of styrene derivatives was achieved in good yields without additional base under ambient pressure of CO₂/H₂ at room temperature. Mechanistic investigations revealed that use of a cationic rhodium complex was critical to achieve high hydrocarboxylation selectivity.

Progress on transition metal catalyzed asymmetric hydroesterification, hydrocarboxylation, and hydroamidation reactions of olefins

Hydrocarboxylation, hydroesterification, and hydroamidation of olefins are fundamental transformations in organic synthesis. Asymmetric processes for these transformations provide an effective and straightforward approach to optically active carboxylic acids and their derivatives, which are highly useful compounds in pharmaceuticals, materials, fine chemicals, etc. This review provides a brief summary of the development of asymmetric hydroesterification, hydrocarboxylation, and hydroamidation with CO and its surrogates.

Oxidative C-H/N-H Carbonylation of Benzamide by Nickel Catalysis with CO as the Carbonyl Source

An efficient and direct carbonylation of aminoquinoline benzamides has been developed using abundant and inexpensive Ni(OAc)₂·4H₂O as the catalyst and carbon monoxide as a cost-efficient C1 building block. This process features good functional-group tolerance and can be conducted on gram scale. The directing group can be easily removed under mild conditions.

Ligand-enabled palladium-catalyzed hydroesterification of vinyl arenes with high linear selectivity to access 3-arylpropanoate esters

Palladium-catalyzed linear-selective hydroesterification of vinyl arenes with alcohols enabled by diphosphine ligands derived from bis[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]amides has been developed. A variety of 3-arylpropanoate esters were obtained in high yields and regioselectivity. The robustness of this methodology was further demonstrated by the efficient gram-scale synthesis of the ethyl 3-phenylpropanoate as a precursor to hydrocinnamic acid.

Assembling Chiral Center of Heterocycles by Palladium-catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrocarbonylation

The strategy of embedding coordinative functional group into the starting material is frequently employed to enhance reactivity and enantioselectivity in various asymmetric catalytic reactions other than enantioselective hydrocarbonylation. Recent progress in palladium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrocarbonylation with this strategy for the synthesis of chiral heterocycles was highlighted. The merits of the innate coordinative functional group not only enhance the reactivity and boost the multiple selectivity, but also facilitates the synthesis of chiral heterocycles.

Synthesis of α-Heteroaryl Propionic Esters by Palladium-Catalyzed α-Heteroarylation of Silyl Ketene Acetals

A practical and efficient synthesis of α-heteroaryl propionic esters is developed by employing palladium-catalyzed α-heteroarylation of silyl ketene acetals, forming a wide variety of α-heteroaryl propionic esters with various substituents and functionalities in high yields. The success of this transformation is credited to the development of the bulky P,P═O ligand. The method has provided an efficient synthesis of α-heteroaryl propionic acids.

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Ibuprofen and Naproxen

Herein, we review the recent progress in the synthesis of representative nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ibuprofen and naproxen. Although these drugs were discovered over 50 years ago, novel practical and asymmetric approaches are still being developed for their synthesis. In addition, this endeavor has enabled access to more potent and selective derivatives from the key frameworks of ibuprofen and naproxen. The development of a synthetic route to ibuprofen and naproxen over the last 10 years is summarized, including developing methodologies, finding novel synthetic routes, and applying continuous-flow chemistry.

Palladium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Markovnikov Hydroxycarbonylation and Hydroalkoxycarbonylation of Vinyl Arenes: Synthesis of 2-Arylpropanoic Acids

Asymmetric hydroxycarbonylation is one of the most fundamental yet challenging methods for the synthesis of carboxylic acids. Herein, we reported the development of a palladium-catalyzed highly enantioselective Markovnikov hydroxycarbonylation of vinyl arenes with CO and water. A monodentate phosphoramidite ligand L6 plays vital role in the reaction. The reaction tolerates a range of functional groups, and provides a facile and atom-economical approach to an array of 2-arylpropanoic acids including several commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The catalytic system has also enabled an asymmetric Markovnikov hydroalkoxycarbonylation of vinyl arenes with alcohols to afford 2-arylpropanates. Mechanistic investigations suggested that the reactions proceed through a palladium-hydride pathway, the hydropalladation is irreversible and is the regio- and enantiodetermining step, while hydrolysis/alcoholysis is probably the rate-limiting step.

Ligand-Controlled Copper-Catalyzed Regiodivergent Carbonylative Synthesis of α-Amino Ketones and α-Boryl Amides from Imines and Alkyl Iodides

Regioselective transformation is among the long-standing challenges in organic synthesis. In this communication, a copper-catalyzed selectivity controlled regiodivergent borocarbonylation of imines with alkyl iodides has been developed. Various α-amino ketones and α-boryl amides were produced in moderate to good yields from the same substrates. The choice of the ligand is key for the regioselectivity control: α-amino ketones were produced selectively in good yields with (p-CF₃ C₆ H₄ )₃ P as the ligand, whereas the corresponding α-boryl amides were obtained with high regioselectivities when using ^Me IMes as the ligand.

A direct synthesis of carboxylic acids via platinum-catalysed hydroxycarbonylation of olefins

A selective platinum-catalysed hydroxycarbonylation of aliphatic olefins has been achieved.

An efficient and ultrastable single-Rh-site catalyst on a porous organic polymer for heterogeneous hydrocarboxylation of olefins

A heterogeneous hydrocarboxylation process of olefins to obtain carboxylic acids with one more carbon was first realized using a single-Rh-site catalyst formed on porous organic polymer (Rh₁/POPs). The in situ formation of hydrophilic porous ionic polymer from hydrophobic POPs with the help of CH₃I led to high activity and superb stability.

The highly efficient and selective dicarbonylation of acetylene catalysed by palladium nanosheets supported on activated carbon

An ultrathin Pd nanosheet-supported heterogeneous catalyst, Pd_CO/AC, with exposed (111) crystal plane was synthesized, and it shows superior catalytic reactivity (∼43.8%) and selectivity (∼99.0%) for the dicarbonylation of acetylene and CO.

Strong metal–support interactions between palladium nanoclusters and hematite toward enhanced acetylene dicarbonylation at low temperature

A four-fold increase in palladium-based acetylene dicarbonylation activity was obtained at low temperature due to the strong metal–support interaction between Pd and the earth-abundant α-Fe₂O₃ material.

Metal-catalyzed regiodivergent organic reactions

This review discusses metal-catalysed regiodivergent additions, allylic substitutions, CH-activation, cross-couplings and intra- or intermolecular cyclisations.