HFIP in Organic Synthesis

1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) is a polar, strongly hydrogen bond-donating solvent that has found numerous uses in organic synthesis due to its ability to stabilize ionic species, transfer protons, and engage in a range of other intermolecular interactions. The use of this solvent has exponentially increased in the past decade and has become a solvent of choice in some areas, such as C-H functionalization chemistry. In this review, following a brief history of HFIP in organic synthesis and an overview of its physical properties, literature examples of organic reactions using HFIP as a solvent or an additive are presented, emphasizing the effect of solvent of each reaction.

A rearrangement of saccharin-derived cyclic ketimines with 3-chlorooxindoles leading to spiro-1,3-benzothiazine oxindoles

An unusual rearrangement of saccharin-derived cyclic ketimines (SDCIs) and 3-chlorooxindoles has been developed to provide a series of spiro-1,3-benzothiazine oxindoles. The reaction features simple manipulations, short reaction times, mild reaction conditions and inexpensive reagents. It is the first example where SDCIs serve as a ring-opening reagent in organic synthesis.

Electrochemically Driven Radical Reactions: From Direct Electrolysis to Molecular Catalysis

Organic radicals are versatile synthetic intermediates that provide reactivities and selectivities complementary to ionic species. Despite its long history, electrochemically driven radical reactions remain limited in scope. In the past few years, there have been dramatic increase in research activity in organic electrochemistry. We have been developing electrochemical and electrophotocatalytic methods for the generation and synthetic utilization of organic radicals. In our studies, various radical species such as alkene and arene radical cations and carbon- and heteroatom-centered radicals are generated from readily available precursors through direct electrolysis, molecular electrocatalysis or molecular electrophotocatalysis. These radical species undergo various inter- and intramolecular oxidative transformations to rapidly increase molecular complexity. The simultaneous occurrence of anodic oxidation and cathodic proton reduction allows the oxidative reactions to proceed through H₂ evolution without external chemical oxidants.

InCl3-catalyzed 5-exo-dig cyclization/1,6-conjugate addition of N-propargylamides with p-QMs to construct oxazole derivatives

An InCl₃-catalyzed tandem intramolecular 5-exo-dig cyclization/1,6-conjugate addition/aromatization of N-propargylamides with p-QMs to produce oxazoles tethering diarylmethane has been successfully developed.

Access to SCN-containing thiazolines via electrochemical regioselective thiocyanothiocyclization of N-allylthioamides

An electrochemical thiocyclization of N-allylthioamides has been developed for the synthesis of SCN-containing 2-thiazolines and NCS-containing thiazines.

Cu(i) catalysed annulation of isothiocyanates/isocyanates with 2-iodo-sulfonamides: synthesis of benzodithiazines, benzothiadiazinones, benzothiazinylidene-anilines and benzothiazolylidene-anilines

An efficient Cu(i)-catalysed cyclisation reaction of 2-iodobenzene sulfonamides with aryl-isothiocyanates and isocyanates that affords functionalised benzodithiazines and benzothiadiazinones, respectively, has been developed. Thus, in the reaction with aryl isothiocyanates (Ar-N[double bond, length as m-dash]C[double bond, length as m-dash]S), the C[double bond, length as m-dash]S moiety participates in the cyclisation leading to a dithiazine. By contrast, in the case of aryl isocyanates (Ar-N[double bond, length as m-dash]C[double bond, length as m-dash]O), the N[double bond, length as m-dash]C part is involved in the cyclisation and a thiadiazinone is obtained. Analogous reactions of isothiocyanates with N-tosyl-2-iodo-anilines and 2-iodo-benzyl sulfonamides afford (benzothiazin-2-ylidene)anilines and (benzothiazol-2-ylidene)anilines, respectively. Probable mechanistic pathways are briefly discussed.

Transition-metal free oxidative C-H etherification of acylanilines with alcohols through a radical pathway

A transition metal free approach for the synthesis of methyl/ethyl aryl ether via oxidative C-H etherification of acylanilines with alcohols has been developed. Various acylanilines are compatible under standard conditions, giving the corresponding products in moderate to good yields. This strategy avoids transition-metal catalyst and excessive alcohol, providing a simple and reliable alternative method for the synthesis of methyl/ethyl aryl ether. Control experiments reveal that a radical mechanism is involved in this transformation.