Aminoarylation of alkynes using diarylanilines

Intermolecular aminoarylation of alkynes is described, via addition of diarylanilines to alkynes and Smiles-Truce rearrangement. The transformation manipulates the C-N bond of anilines directly, with no requirement for organometallic reagents or transition metal catalysis. The enaminoate products are versatile building blocks for different classes of heterocycles.

Modular Synthesis of α-Aryl-α-Heteroaryl α-Amino Acid Derivatives via a Copper-Catalyzed Cross-Dehydrogenative-Coupling Reaction Using Air as the Sole Oxidant

A novel copper-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative-coupling (CDC) process of arylglycine derivatives with N-heteroarenes for the straightforward synthesis of α-aryl-α-heteroaryl α-amino acid scaffolds has been successfully developed. This protocol exhibits a broad substrate scope with good functional group compatibility by utilizing air as the sole oxidant. The use of the reaction is also displayed through the late-stage functionalization of arylglycines bearing natural compounds or drug motifs.

Synthesis of Functionalized Pyrrolidinone Scaffolds via Smiles-Truce Cascade

Arylsulfonamides have been found to react with cyclopropane diesters under simple base treatment to give α-arylated pyrrolidinones. This one-pot process comprises three steps: nucleophilic ring-opening of the cyclopropane, reaction of the resulting enolate in a Smiles-Truce aryl transfer, and lactam formation. The reaction represents a new, operationally simple approach to biologically active pyrrolidinones and expands Smiles-Truce arylation methods to encompass sp3 electrophilic centers in cascade processes.

An NHC-Catalyzed Desulfonylative Smiles Rearrangement of Pyrrole and Indole Carboxaldehydes

The use of catalysis methods to enable Smiles rearrangement opens up new substrate classes for arylation under mild conditions. Here, we describe an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis system that accesses indole and pyrrole aldehyde substrates in a desulfonylative Smiles process. The reaction proceeds under mild, transition-metal-free conditions and captures acyl anion reactivity for the synthesis of a diverse array of 2-aroyl indoles and pyrroles from readily available sulfonamide starting materials.

Modular Synthesis of α,α-Diaryl α-Amino Esters via Bi(V)-Mediated Arylation/SN2-Displacement of Kukhtin–Ramirez Intermediates

We report a concise and modular approach to α,α-diaryl α-amino esters from readily available α-keto esters. This mild, one-pot protocol proceeds via ketone umpolung, with in situ formation of a Kukhtin–Ramirez intermediate preceding sequential electrophilic arylation by Bi(V) and S_N2 displacement by an amine. The methodology is compatible with a wide range of anilines and primary amines - including derivatives of drugs and proteinogenic amino acids - Bi(V) arylating agents, and α-keto ester substrates.

Recent Advances in the Smiles Rearrangement: New Opportunities for Arylation

The Smiles rearrangement has undergone a renaissance in recent years providing new avenues for non-canonical arylation techniques in both the radical and polar regimes. This short review will discuss recent applications of the reaction (from 2017 to late 2021), including its relevance to areas such as heterocycle synthesis and the functionalization of alkenes and alkynes as well as glimpses at new directions for the field.

1 Introduction

2 Polar Smiles Rearrangements

3 Radical Smiles: Alkene and Alkyne Functionalization

4 Radical Smiles: Rearrangements via C–X Bond Cleavage

5 Radical Smiles: Miscellaneous Rearrangements

6 Conclusions

A visible light-mediated, decarboxylative, desulfonylative Smiles rearrangement for general arylethylamine syntheses

A decarboxylative, desulfonylative Smiles rearrangement is reported for the synthesis of a wide range of biologically relevant arylethylamines, including fluorinated phenylethylamines, heterocyclic amphetamines and an unnatural amino acid.