Palladium/Norbornene Cooperative Catalysis Bifunctionalization: Acylation/Cyanation of Aryl Iodides by Cleaving C-CN Bond of Aryl Acyl Nitrile

A palladium/norbornene catalyzed two-component coupling process involving acylation/cyanation of aryl iodides is reported. In this work, aryl acyl nitrile compounds are cleverly selected to provide both nitrile and acyl sources by palladium-catalyzed cleavage of the C-CN bond as both an electrophilic reagent and a termination reagent. This is the first example of C-CN bond cleavage bifunctionalization of aryl iodides. After a series of important NBE derivatives are screened, the products resulting from the bifunctionalization of aryl iodides are smoothly obtained. This strategy has a wide range of substrates and good functional group compatibility. Moreover, this synthetic protocol demonstrated a good application for the synthesis of diverse O,N,C-substituted isoindolinones.

Benzo-Fused-Ring Toolbox Based on Palladium/Norbornene Cooperative Catalysis: Methodology Development and Applications in Natural Product Synthesis

ConspectusBenzo-fused skeletons are ubiquitous in agrochemicals, medicines, natural products, catalysts, and other organic function materials. The assembly of these skeletons in an efficient manner is an actively explored field in organic synthesis. Palladium/norbornene (Pd/NBE) cooperative catalysis is a powerful tool for the expeditious assembly of polysubstituted arenes through bis-functionalization of the ortho and ipso positions of aryl iodides in one operation. Owing to the efforts of Lautens, Catellani, and others, an array of Pd/NBE-promoted annulations for the syntheses of diversified benzo-fused rings have been developed. However, these methods have not been broadly applied in total synthesis yet.Our group is interested in efficient and practical total synthesis of biologically active molecules. In the past 7 years, we have been devoted to the development of new annulation strategies for the assembly of common benzo-fused skeletons through Pd/NBE-promoted reactions of aryl iodides with novel bifunctional reagents. In this Account, we summarize our laboratory's systematic efforts in this direction. First, readily available epoxides and aziridines were exploited as versatile bifunctional alkylating reagents, which enables quick assembly of a series of valuable benzo-fused heterocycles, including isochromans, dihydrobenzofurans, 1,3-cis-tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQs), 1,3-trans-THIQs, etc. Second, a convergent access to 5-7-membered benzo-fused carbocycles (including indanes and tetrahydronaphthalenes) was developed by Pd/NBE-promoted annulation of aryl iodides with simple olefinic alcohol-containing alkylating reagents. Third, a Pd/NBE-promoted annulation between aryl iodides and cyclohexanone-containing amination reagents was developed for the construction of benzo-fused N-containing bridged scaffolds. Thus, we have established a practical and versatile toolbox for the quick assembly of diversified benzo-fused skeletons. These new annulation reactions are of high chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivities with good step and atom economy. Moreover, they are able to rapidly increase molecular complexity from simple building blocks. Finally, their synthetic value has been demonstrated by immediate adoption in several efficient total syntheses of medicines and complex natural products. Compared to conventional synthetic logics, the Pd/NBE-promoted annulation toolbox allows the development of highly convergent strategies, which significantly improves the overall synthetic efficiency.We believe the results presented in this Account will have significant implications beyond our research. It can be envisaged that new Pd/NBE-promoted annulations as well as new applications in complex total synthesis will be revealed in the near future.

Enantioselective Assembly of Ferrocenes with Axial and Planar Chiralities via Palladium/Chiral Norbornene Cooperative Catalysis

The preparation of ferrocenes with both axial and planar chiralities poses a considerable challenge. Herein, we report a strategy for the construction of both axial and planar chiralities in a ferrocene system via palladium/chiral norbornene (Pd/NBE*) cooperative catalysis. In this domino reaction, the first established axial chirality is dictated by Pd/NBE* cooperative catalysis, while the latter planar chirality is controlled by the preinstalled axial chirality through a unique axial-to-planar diastereoinduction process. This method exploits readily available ortho-ferrocene-tethered aryl iodides (16 examples) and the bulky 2,6-disubstituted aryl bromides (14 examples) as the starting materials. Five- to seven-membered benzo-fused ferrocenes with both axial and planar chiralities (32 examples) are obtained in one step with constantly high enantioselectivities (>99% e.e.) and diastereoselectivities (>19:1 d.r.).

Pd(II)-Catalyzed Annulation Reactions of Epoxides with Benzamides to Synthesize Isoquinolones

Epoxides as alkylating reagents are unprecedentedly applied in Pd(II)-catalyzed C-H alkylation and oxidative annulation of substituted benzamides to synthesize isoquinolones rather than isochromans, which is accomplished through alerting the previously reported reaction mechanism by the addition of oxidant and TEA. Under these conditions, various isoquinolones have been prepared with yields up to 92%. In addition, this methodology has been successfully employed in the total syntheses of rupreschstyril, siamine, and cassiarin A in an expedient fashion.

Synthesis of Chiral-Substituted 2-Aryl-ferrocenes by the Catellani Reaction

A palladium-catalyzed and norbornene-mediated methodology has been developed for the synthesis of chiral 2-aryl-ferroceneamides from chiral 2-iodo-N,N-diisopropylferrocencarboxamide, iodoarenes, and alkenes using a JohnPhos ligand and potassium carbonate as a base in dimethylformamide at 105 °C. The developed three-component coupling protocol allows the compatibility of electron-withdrawing fluoro, chloro, ester, and nitro and electron-donating methyl, methoxy, dimethoxy, benzyl ether-substituted iodo-benzenes, other iodoarenes, such as iodo-naphthalene, heteroarenes, such as iodothiophene, and terminating substrates, such as methyl, ethyl, tert-butyl acrylates, and substituted styrenes with 2-iodo-N,N-diisopropylferrocencarboxamide. Furthermore, the developed three-component Catellani method proceeded with the retention of the configuration of the planar chiral ferrocene, which depends on the role of the participating carbon-iodine bond in ferrocene. Consequently, the developed protocol enabled the formation of densely substituted chiral 2-aryl ferroceneamides, exhibiting good to excellent enantioselectivity. The conversion of an ester of the synthesized chiral 2-aryl ferroceneamides has also been carried out to further accommodate the easily expendable acid and alcohol functionalities.

Structurally Modified Norbornenes: A Key Factor to Modulate Reaction Selectivity in the Palladium/Norbornene Cooperative Catalysis

Palladium/norbornene (Pd/NBE) cooperative catalysis has received enormous attention and found numerous synthetic applications in the past two decades. Considering the critical roles that NBE plays in the catalytic cycle, the use of structurally modified NBEs (smNBEs), starting from 2015, has become an important approach to address limitations and modulate reaction selectivity in Pd/NBE catalysis. This Perspective highlights the development of three types of smNBEs: C1-substituted, C2-substituted, and C5-substituted or C5,C6-disubstituted NBEs, as well as their synthetic applications toward site-selective C-H functionalization. A focus is on the structure-activity relationship of smNBEs in these reactions, and rationales for using smNBEs in many cases have also been provided.

Synthesis of chromone-containing polycyclic compounds via palladium-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 1] annulation

A palladium-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 1] domino annulation of 3-iodochromones, α-bromo carbonyl compounds, and tetracyclododecene (TCD) is described. This approach provides a facile, efficient and atom-economical route to a variety of chromone-containing polycyclic compounds bearing fused/bridged-ring systems in good yields (up to 81%) with excellent diastereoselectivities (99 : 1 dr in all cases).

Synthesis of Benzofused Dioxabicycle Scaffolds via a Catellani Strategy

Reported is a modular strategy for the preparation of the unique benzofused dioxabicycle scaffolds involving a Catellani reaction of aryl iodides, epoxides, and terminal alkynes and an oxa-cyclization. This is a mild, scalable, chemoselective, and atom-economical protocol, compatible with various functionalized aryl iodides, epoxides, and terminal alkynes. With the ability to build up the molecular complexity rapidly and efficiently from feedstock chemicals, this method will have wide applications in organic synthesis.

Redox-neutral ortho-C-H amination of pinacol arylborates via palladium(ii)/norbornene catalysis for aniline synthesis

A palladium(ii)/norbornene cooperative catalysis enabled redox-neutral ortho-C-H amination of pinacol aryl- or heteroarylborates for the synthesis of structurally diverse anilines is reported. This method is scalable, robust (tolerance of air and moisture), phosphine ligand-free, and compatible with a wide range of functionalities. These practical features make this reaction amenable for industry. A plethora of synthetically very useful halogenated anilines, which often cannot be prepared via other transition-metal-catalyzed aminations, are readily produced using this method. Particularly, the orthogonal reactivity between pinacol arylborates and aryl iodides is demonstrated. Preliminary deuterium-labeling studies reveal a redox-neutral ipso-protonation mechanism of this process, which will surely inspire the future development of this field. Overall, the exceptionally broad scope (47 examples) and reliability of this procedure, together with the wide availability of pinacol arylborates, make this chemistry a valuable addition to the existing methods for aniline synthesis.

Palladium/Norbornene Cooperative Catalysis

Palladium/norbornene cooperative catalysis has emerged as a distinct approach to construct polyfunctionalized arenes from readily available starting materials. This Review provides a comprehensive overview of this field, including the early stoichiometric investigations, catalytic reaction developments, as well as the applications in the syntheses of bioactive compounds and polymers. The section of catalytic reactions is divided into two parts according to the reaction initiation mode: Pd(0)-initiated reactions and Pd(II)-initiated reactions.

Selective Ortho Thiolation Enabled by Tuning the Ancillary Ligand in Palladium/Norbornene Catalysis

Site-selective introduction of a sulfur group into aromatic compounds is essential and useful in organic, material, and pharmaceutical chemistry. A palladium/norbornene-catalyzed chemoselective ortho thiolation of aryl halides was reported. The selectivity of reductive elimination for C(Ar)-SR bond formation was well controlled by tuning the ancillary ligand in the aryl-NBE palladacycle Pd(IV) intermediate. The reaction showcased good substrate scope: both S-alkyl and S-aryl thiosulfonates were compatible.

A palladium/norbornene cooperative catalysis to access N-containing bridged scaffolds

A palladium/norbornene cooperative catalysis promoted annulation involving an ortho-C-H amination and intramolecular Heck cascade between aryl iodides and functionalized amination reagents is reported, thereby providing a highly convergent access to the unique N-containing bridged scaffolds: hexahydro-2,6-methano-1-benzazocine. The salient features of the reaction include its broad substrate scope (with respect to aryl iodides), its high step economy, and good chemoselectivity. Preliminary studies underscore the future promise of rendering this Catellani-type annulation enantioselective.

Expeditious Synthesis of 6-Fluoroalkyl-Phenanthridines via Palladium-Catalyzed Norbornene-Mediated Dehydrogenative Annulation

A novel palladium-catalyzed, norbornene-mediated intermolecular dehydrogenative annulation approach for the synthesis of 6-fluoroalkyl-phenanthridines from aryl iodides and fluorinated imidoyl chlorides, which are important structural motifs for bioactive molecules, is reported. Fluorinated imidoyl chlorides served as a new type of electrophilic reagent in the Catellani-type reaction, which, in turn, could be readily prepared from various anilines and fluorinated carboxylic acids. Control experiments were carried out to study the mechanism of the reaction. This transformation is scalable and tolerates a broad range of functional groups.

Alkylating Reagents Employed in Catellani-Type Reactions

The Catellani reaction is a powerful strategy that allows the expeditious synthesis of highly substituted arenes, which are not easily accessible through traditional transition-metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. This reaction utilizes the synergistic interplay of palladium and norbornene catalysis to facilitate sequential ortho-C-H functionalization and ipso termination of aryl iodides in a single operation. Since pioneering work by the group of Catellani in 1997, and later by the group of Lautens, this chemistry has attracted considerable attention from the synthetic chemistry community. Dramatic progress has been made by a number of groups in the past two decades. In this Minireview, the alkylating reagents employed in this intriguing reaction and the corresponding applications in organic synthesis are summarized; thus complementing existing reviews to inspire future developments.

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric annulation between aryl iodides and racemic epoxides using a chiral norbornene cocatalyst

Herein, we describe our initial development of an asymmetric Pd-catalyzed annulation between aryl iodides and racemic epoxides for synthesis of 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans using a chiral norbornene cocatalyst. A series of enantiopure ester-, amide- and imide-substituted norbornenes have been prepared with a reliable synthetic route. Promising enantioselectivity (42-45% ee) has been observed using the isopropyl ester-substituted norbornene (N1*) and the amide-substituted norbornene (N7*).