Difluorocarbene-induced [1,2]- and [2,3]-Stevens rearrangement of tertiary amines

The [1,2]- and [2,3]-Stevens rearrangements are one of the most fascinating chemical bond reorganization strategies in organic chemistry, and they have been demonstrated in a wide range of applications, representing a fundamental reaction tactic for the synthesis of nitrogen compounds in chemical community. However, their applicabilities are limited by the scarcity of efficient, general, and straightforward methods for generating ammonium ylides. Herein, we report a general difluorocarbene-induced tertiary amine-involved [1,2]- and [2,3]-Stevens rearrangements stemmed from in situ generated difluoromethyl ammonium ylides, which allows for the rearrangements of versatile tertiary amines bearing either allyl, benzyl, or propargyl groups, resulting in the corresponding products in one reaction under the same reaction conditions with a general way. Broad substrate scope, simple operation, mild reaction conditions and late-stage modification of natural products highlight the advantages of this strategy, meanwhile, this general rearrangement reaction is believed to bring opportunities for the transformations of nitrogen ylides and the assembly of valuable tertiary amines and amino acids. This will further enrich the reaction repertoire of difluorocarbene species, facilitate the development of reactions involving difluoromethyl ammonium salts, and provide an avenue for the development of this type of rearrangement reactions.

Base-promoted triple cleavage of CCl2Br: a direct one-pot synthesis of unsymmetrical oxalamide derivatives

We present a novel, eco-friendly and one-pot approach for synthesizing unsymmetrical oxalamides with the aid of dichloroacetamide and amine/amides in the presence of CBr4 in a basic medium. The use of water as a potent supplement for the oxygen atom source and the detailed mechanism have been disclosed. Moreover, the protocol involves triple cleavage of CCl2Br and the formation of new C-O/C-N bonds, with the advantage of achieving selective bromination using CBr4 with good to excellent yield under mild conditions. The method also demonstrates promise for industrial use, as proven by its effective implementation in gram-scale synthesis conducted in a batch process, along with its utilization in a continuous-flow system.

Photocatalytic Multicomponent Annulation of Amide-Anchored 1,7-Diynes Enabled by Deconstruction of Bromotrichloromethane

We present the first example of visible-light-mediated multicomponent annulation of 1,7-diynes by taking advantage of quadruple cleavage olf carbon-halogen bonds of BrCCl3 to generate a C1 synthon, which was adeptly applied to the preparation of skeletally diverse 3-benzoyl-quinolin-2(1H)-one acetates in moderate to good yields. Controlled experiments demonstrated that H2O acted as both oxygen and hydrogen sources, and gem-dichlorovinyl carbonyl compound exhibited as a critical intermediate in this process. The mechanistic pathway involves Kharasch-type addition/6-exo-dig cyclization/1,5-(SN")-substitution/elimination/binucleophilic 1,6-addition/proton transfer/tautomerization sequence.

Synthesis of N-substituted phthalimides via Pd-catalyzed [4+1] cycloaddition reaction

A novel Pd-catalyzed assembly of N-substituted phthalimides by merging of [4+1] cycloaddition and difluorocarbene transfer carbonylation from 2-iodo-N-phenylbenzamides and difluorocarbene precursors is disclosed. Difluorocarbene acts as a carbonyl source and simultaneously forms one C-C bond, one C-N bond and one CO bond to produce N-substituted phthalimides in high yields.

Unconventional Transformations of Difluorocarbene with Amines and Ethers

ConspectusFluorine-containing compounds are extensively involved in various fields originating from intriguing and unique characteristics of fluorine atom; notably, in pharmaceuticals, the involvement of a fluorine atom or a fluorine-containing group is a chief technique for improving the pesticide effect and developing new drugs. Difluorocarbene, one of the most important and powerful fluorine-containing reagents, is widely employed and studied in many areas mainly to assemble gem-difluoromethyl molecules, including but not limited to the abundant reactions between difluorocarbene with nucleophilic substrates, Wittig reaction with ketones or aldehydes, cascade reaction with both a nucleophile and an electrophile, or [2+1] cycloaddition with alkenes or alkynes. However, its unconventional and intriguing protocols beyond as a difluoromethyl synthon have rarely been studied, and thus, it is highly desired given its abundance, inexpensiveness and peculiar properties. In this Account, we mainly discuss our discovery with unconventional transformations of difluorocarbene, instead of as a sole difluoromethyl source (different from other dihalocarbene), actually can serve as an electron acceptor to activate C-X bonds (X = N and O) and thus promote a myriad of fascinating transformations for the assembly of versatile valuable products with various aza-compounds (primary/secondary/tertiary amines as well as NH₃ and NaNH₂ and so on) and aliphatic ethers in the absence of transition metals and expensive ligands. Inspired by the electron-deficient characteristics of difluorocarbene, we first found that the isocyanides could be readily formed in situ when the unoccupied orbital of difluorocarbene meets the lone-pair of primary amines; in basic condition, a cascade defluorination and cyclizations could afford plethora of valuable N-containing heterocycles. Meanwhile, we disclosed that cyano anion could be accessible in situ as well when difluorocarbene and NaNH₂ or NH₃ were mixed up in suitable basic conditions, and thus a series of aryl nitrile compounds were obtained in the presence of Pd catalysis and ArI. Interestingly, when difluorocarbene encountered secondary amines, formamides were rendered under mild reactions. Of note, concomitant functionalizations of C and N moieties via cleavage of the unstrained C(sp³)-N bond in the absence of metal and oxidant are sparce, which indeed significantly add versatility and diversity to products. Gratifyingly, by uitilizing difluorocarbene and cyclic tertiary amines, we achieved difluorocarbene-mediated deconstructive functionalizations for the first time, showing successive C(sp³)-N bond scission of amines and simultaneous functionalization of C and N atoms which would be introduced into the products in the absence of transition metals and oxidants. This method provides a brand-new while very universal synthetic pathway to selectively cleave inert unactivated Csp³-N bonds, in which halodifluoromethyl reagents act as both C1 synthon and halo (Cl, Br, I) sources. Fascinatingly, nitrogen ylides are generated in situ from difluorocarbene and tertiary amines, and an intriguing and universal approach for deaminative arylation or alkenylation of tertiary amines was disclosed for the first time in appropriate basic conditions, which represents an intriguing reaction mode to lead to a formal transition-metal free Suzuki cross coupling. Besides, we also disclosed that difluorocarbene could proceed novel atom recombination to render meaningful 2-fluoroindoles or 3-(2,2-difluoroethyl)-2-fluoroindoles from ortho-vinylanilines, 3-fluorined oxindoles from 2-aminoarylketones, in which difluorocarbene acts as a C1 synthon and F1 source simultaneously. Last but not the least, we recently found that the lone-pair-electron of oxygen could trap difluorocarbene as well to form oxonium ylide, which eventually leads to C-O bond cleavage with the formation of difluoromethyl ethers.

Direct formylation of phenols using difluorocarbene as a safe CO surrogate

A convenient method to prepare aryl formates is reported herein that exploits difluorocarbene to serve as a CO surrogate. This reaction is proposed to occur through a sequential O-difluoromethylation of phenol, followed by α-C-F bond functionalization of the resulting aryl difluoromethyl ether intermediate by phenol or moisture through fluorosemiacetal or orthoformate intermediates. Late-stage modification of biologically and materially active compounds is demonstrated.

Palladium-Catalyzed Aryldifluoromethylation of Aryl Halides with Aryldifluoromethyl Trimethylsilanes

Diaryl difluoromethanes are valuable targets for medicinal chemistry because they are bioisosteres of diaryl ethers and can function as replacements for diaryl methane, ketone, and sulfone groups. However, methods to prepare diaryl difluoromethanes are scarce, especially methods starting from abundant aryl halides. We report the Pd-catalyzed aryldifluoromethylation of aryl halides with aryldifluoromethyl trimethylsilanes (TMSCF2 Ar). The reaction occurs when the catalyst contains a simple, but unusual, dialkylaryl phosphine ligand that promotes transmetallation of the silane. Computational studies show that reductive elimination following transmetallation occurs with a low barrier, despite the fluorine atoms on the α-carbon, due to coordination of the difluorobenzyl π-system to palladium. The co-development of a cobalt-catalyzed synthesis of the silanes broadened the scope of the process including several applications to the synthesis biologically relevant diaryl difluoromethanes.

CF3SO2Na-Mediated Five-Component Carbonylation of Triarylboroxines with TMSCF3 and THF/LiOH/NaI to Give Aroyloxyalkyl Iodides

Herein, we developed an efficient and transition-metal-free multicomponent coupling reaction for the synthesis of aroyloxyl alkyl iodides. In the reaction among 2,4,6-triarylboroxines, THF, TMSCF₃, LiOH, and NaI, five-component reactions could be precisely controlled by modulating CF₃SO₂Na, supplying one type of aroyloxyl alkyl iodides in moderate to high yields. The reaction exhibits good functional group tolerance and a wide substrate scope and can be easily transformed into other useful compounds. The mechanism is proposed on the basis of the control experiments.

N-Difluoromethylation of N-pyridyl-substituted anilines with ethyl bromodifluoroacetate

A general protocol for N-difluoromethylation of aniline derivatives is developed. Commercially available ethyl bromodifluoroacetate serves as a difluorocarbene source in the presence of a base. This carbene surrogate is attractive owing to its favorable stability, environmental friendliness and inexpensiveness. This reaction system features notable operational simplicity (bench top-grade solvents can be used without any pre-drying and do not require inert atmosphere protection). A wide range of functional groups in aniline derivatives are well-tolerated, and good-to-excellent product yields are generally obtained.

TMSCF2 Br-Enabled Fluorination-Aminocarbonylation of Aldehydes: Modular Access to α-Fluoroamides

A protocol for the modular assembly of the α-fluoroamide motif has been developed, which provides a practical method for the efficient synthesis of structurally diverse α-fluoroamides from easily available aldehydes and tertiary amines through a three-component fluorination-aminocarbonylation process. The key to the success of this process is taking advantage of the multiple roles of the unique difluorocarbene reagent TMSCF₂ Br (TMS=trimethylsilyl). The mechanism of the process involves the 1,2-fluorine and oxygen migrations of the in situ formed TMS-protected α-aminodifluoromethyl carbinol intermediates, which represents a new type of deoxyfluorination reaction.

Double Capture of Difluorocarbene by 2-Aminostyrenes Enables the Construction of 3-(2,2-Difluoroethyl)-2-fluoroindoles

We report herein an efficient strategy to construct 3-(2,2-difluoroethyl)-2-fluoroindoles from activated o-aminostyrenes with ethyl bromodi-fluoroacetate as a difluorocarbene source. Through double capture of a difluorocarbene, two different types of fluorine motifs are incorporated into the products with simultaneous construction of one C-N and two C-C bonds, without the need for transition metals. This reaction features high efficiency and excellent functional group compatibility and has great potential in the late-stage modifications of pharmaceutical molecules and natural products.

C-F bond activation under transition-metal-free conditions

The unique properties of fluorine-containing organic compounds make fluorine substitution attractive for the development of pharmaceuticals and various specialty materials, which have inspired the evolution of diverse C-F bond activation techniques. Although many advances have been made in functionalizations of activated C-F bonds utilizing transition metal complexes, there are fewer approaches available for nonactivated C-F bonds due to the difficulty in oxidative addition of transition metals to the inert C-F bonds. In this regard, using Lewis acid to abstract the fluoride and light/radical initiator to generate the radical intermediate have emerged as powerful tools for activating those inert C-F bonds. Meanwhile, these transition-metal-free processes are greener, economical, and for the pharmaceutical industry, without heavy metal residues. This review provides an overview of recent C-F bond activations and functionalizations under transition-metal-free conditions. The key mechanisms involved are demonstrated and discussed in detail. Finally, a brief discussion on the existing limitations of this field and our perspective are presented.

Catalyst free N-formylation of aromatic and aliphatic amines exploiting reductive formylation of CO2 using NaBH4

Herein, we report a sustainable approach for N-formylation of aromatic as well as aliphatic amines using sodium borohydride and carbon dioxide gas. The developed approach is catalyst free, and does not need pressure or a specialized reaction assembly. The reductive formylation of CO₂ with sodium borohydride generates formoxy borohydride species in situ, as confirmed by ¹H and ¹¹B NMR spectroscopy. The in situ formation of formoxy borohydride species is prominent in formamide based solvents and is critical for the success of the N-formylation reactions. The formoxy borohydride is also found to promote transamidation reactions as a competitive pathway along with reductive functionalization of CO₂ with amine leading to N-formylation of amines.

Herein, we report a sustainable approach for N-formylation of aromatic as well as aliphatic amines using sodium borohydride and carbon dioxide gas.

Direct Synthesis of N-Difluoromethyl-2-pyridones from Pyridines

A novel method for the synthesis of N-difluoromethyl-2-pyridones was described. This protocol enables the synthesis of N-difluoromethyl-2-pyridones from readily available pyridines using mild reaction conditions that are compatible with a wide range of functional groups. The preliminary mechanistic study revealed that N-difluoromethylpyridinium salts were the key intermediates to complete this conversion.

Metal-Free Difunctionalization of Pyridines: Selective Construction of N-CF2H and N-CHO Dihydropyridines

The reactivity of N-difluoromethylpyridinium salts is seldom explored because of their instability and low availability. Here we present a novel nucleophilic addition of N-difluoromethylpyridinium salts with nitroalkanes to synthesize N-CF₂H-dihydropyridines and N-CHO-dihydropyridines in a highly efficient and regioselective pathway. This protocol exhibits good functional group tolerance and good to excellent yields.

Elemental-Sulfur-Enabled Divergent Synthesis of Disulfides, Diselenides, and Polythiophenes from β-CF3 -1,3-Enynes

Divergent synthesis for precise constructions of cyclic unsymmetrical diaryl disulfides or diselenides and polythiophenes from CF₃ -containing 1,3-enynes and S₈ was developed when the ortho group is F, Cl, Br, and NO₂ on aromatic rings. Meanwhile, disulfides (diselenides) were also quickly constructed when the ortho group is H. These transformations undergo cascade thiophene construction/selective C3-position thiolation process, featuring simple operations, divergent synthesis, broad substrate scope, readily available starting materials, and valuable products. A novel plausible radical annulation process was proposed and validated by DFT calculations for the first time. A series of derivatizations about the thiophene (TBT) and disulfides were also well-represented.

Visible-Light Photoredox-Catalyzed Formal [5 + 1] Cycloaddition of N-Tosyl Vinylaziridines with Difluoroalkyl Halides

A visible-light photoredox-catalyzed formal [5 + 1] cycloaddition of N-tosyl vinylaziridines with difluoroalkyl halides as unique C1 synthons was developed. The procedure provides an efficient and practical method to synthesize diverse pyridines in moderate to good yields. The reaction underwent a radical-initiated kinetically controlled ring-opening of vinylaziridines and involved a key α,β-unsaturated imine intermediate, followed by an E2 elimination, a 6π electrocyclization, and defluorinated aromatization.

Recent progress on selective deconstructive modes of halodifluoromethyl and trifluoromethyl-containing reagents

Halodifluoromethyl and trifluoromethyl-containing compounds are widely employed in organic chemistry, pharmaceuticals and materials science. Therefore, their applications and transformations have received significant attention during the past few decades. The single, double, triple and quadruple cleavage of halodifluoromethyl compounds and various deconstructive modes of trifluoromethyl-containing compounds could generate a variety of synthons to prepare more valuable products. Herein, we summarize the most significant achievements in this field with an intriguing focus on results from the last decade.

Deconstructive Functionalizations of Unstrained Carbon-Nitrogen Cleavage Enabled by Difluorocarbene

Transition-metal- or oxidant-promoted deconstructive functionalizations of noncyclic carbon-nitrogen bonds are well established, usually only leaving one moiety functionalized toward the final product. In contrast, concomitant C- and N-functionalizations via the unstrained C(sp3)-N bond under metal- and oxidant-free conditions are very rare, which would favorably confer versatility and product diversity. Disclosed herein is the first difluorocarbene-induced deconstructive functionalizations embodying successive C(sp3)-N bond cleavage of cyclic amines and synchronous functionalization of both constituent atoms which would be preserved in the eventual molecular outputs under transition-metal-free and oxidant-free conditions. Correspondent access to deuterated formamides with ample isotopic incorporation was demonstrated by a switch to heavy water which is conceivably useful in pharmaceutical sciences. The current strategy remarkably administers a very convenient, operationally simple and novel method toward molecular diversity from readily available starting materials. Therefore, we project that these findings would be of broad interest to research endeavors encompassing fluorine chemistry, carbene chemistry, C-N bond activation, as well as medicinal chemistry.

Ring-opening functionalizations of unstrained cyclic amines enabled by difluorocarbene transfer

Chemical synthesis based on the skeletal variation has been prolifically utilized as an attractive approach for modification of molecular properties. Given the ubiquity of unstrained cyclic amines, the ability to directly alter such motifs would grant an efficient platform to access unique chemical space. Here, we report a highly efficient and practical strategy that enables the selective ring-opening functionalization of unstrained cyclic amines. The use of difluorocarbene leads to a wide variety of multifaceted acyclic architectures, which can be further diversified to a range of distinctive homologative cyclic scaffolds. The virtue of this deconstructive strategy is demonstrated by successful modification of several natural products and pharmaceutical analogues.

[3+1+1] type cyclization of ClCF2COONa for the assembly of imidazoles and tetrazoles via in situ generated isocyanides

A facile synthesis of imidazoles and tetrazoles via [3+1+1] type cyclization of ClCF₂COONa is developed.

Palladium-catalyzed cyanation of aryl halides with in situ generated CN− from ClCF2H and NaNH2

An efficient Pd-catalyzed cyanation of aryl halides with in situ generated CN⁻ anions is described.

Transition metal-free C-F/C-Cl/C-C cleavage of ClCF2COONa for the synthesis of heterocycles

A transition metal-free and external oxidant-free annulation of substrates having two nitrogen-nucleophilic sites with ClCF₂COONa was demonstrated, affording a series of 1,3,5-triazines and quinazolinones in up to 96% yields. Notably, ClCF₂COONa was employed as the C1 synthon for valuable heterocycles. Using this protocol, two C-N bonds were formed in one pot via the cleavage of two C-F bonds, one C-Cl bond and one C-C bond. This method avoided the use of a transition metal and an oxidant and generated low toxicity inorganic waste.

tert-Butyl Nitrite Mediated Synthesis of Fluorinated O-Alkyloxime Ether Derivatives

A tert-butyl nitrite (TBN)-mediated synthesis of fluorinated O-alkyloxime ether derivatives with bromodifluoroalkyl reagents as the fluorine sources has been developed. A variety of halodifluorinated compounds were found compatible, delivering the desired products in moderate to excellent yields. This transformation features a simple operation, can be done in air, and found to involve radicals. This protocol represents a straightforward approach to access various fluorinated O-alkyloxime ether derivatives.

Chlorodifluoromethane as a C1 Synthon in the Assembly of N-Containing Compounds

The development of C1 synthons to afford the products that add one extra carbon has become an important research theme in the past decade, and significant progress has been achieved with CO₂, CO, HCOOH, and others as C1 units. Despite the great advance, the search for new C1 synthons that display unique reactivity, complement to the current C1 sources, and add more value to C1 chemistry is still desirable. Herein, we report a quadruple cleavage of chlorodifluoromethane to yield a C1 source, which was successfully employed in the construction of various N-containing compounds especially with pharmaceutical molecules under mild conditions. This strategy provides a useful method for late-stage modification of pharmaceutical compounds. Four bonds in ClCF₂H were orderly cleaved under basic conditions in the absence of transition metals. Preliminary mechanistic studies revealed that (E)-N-phenylformimidoyl fluoride intermediate is involved in this process by in situ¹H NMR studies and control experiments.

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Quadruple cleavage of ClCF₂H to afford a C1 synthon

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The cleavage of two stable C(sp³)-F bonds in aliphatic gem-difluoroalkanes

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Enrich C1 chemistry, green chemistry, and fluorine chemistry

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Various N-containing compounds were afforded via different role of ClCF₂H

S8-Catalyzed triple cleavage of bromodifluoro compounds for the assembly of N-containing heterocycles

An unprecedented S₈-catalyzed selective triple-cleavage of bromodifluoroacetamides is disclosed for the first time.

An unprecedented S₈-catalyzed selective triple-cleavage of bromodifluoroacetamides is disclosed for the first time. Valuable 2-amido substituted benzimidazoles, benzoxazoles and benzothiazoles were obtained in good to excellent yields in a cascade protocol in this strategy. Mechanistic studies suggested that a C2 source was generated in situ by selective cleavage of three C–X bonds, including two inert C(sp³)–F bonds on bromodifluoroacetamides, while leaving C–C bonds intact. This strategy will undoubtedly further consummate the role of halo difluoro compounds and enrich both fluorine chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences.

Transition metal-free assembly of 1,3,5-triazines using ethyl bromodifluoroacetate as C1 source

Transition-metal and oxidant-free annulation of amidine to access 2,4-disubstituted-1,3,5-triazines using ethyl bromodifluoroacetate as C1 source via quadruple cleavage.

General approach to 2-fluoroalkyl 1,3-azolesviathe tandem ring opening and defluorinative annulation ofN-fluoroalkyl-1,2,3-triazoles

Synthesis of 2-fluoroalkyl imidazoles, oxazoles and thiazoles fromN-fluoroalkyl-1,2,3-triazoles was developed.