Late 3d Metal-Catalyzed (Cross-) Dimerization of Terminal and Internal Alkynes

Z-selective dimerization of terminal alkynes by a (PNNP)FeII complex

A tetradentate bis(amido)bis(phosphine) FeII complex, (PNNP)Fe, is shown to activate the terminal C-H bond of aryl alkynes across its Fe-Namide bonds. (PNNP)Fe is also shown to catalytically dimerize terminal aryl alkynes to produce 1,3-enynes with Z : E ratios as high as 96 : 4 with yields up to 95% and loadings as low as 1 mol% at 30 °C in 2 h. A plausible metal-ligand cooperative mechanism invoking a vinylidene intermediate is proposed.

Divergent Geminal Alkynylation-Allylation and Acylation-Allylation of Carbenes: Evolution and Roles of Two Transition-Metal Catalysts

Cooperative bimetallic catalysis to access novel reactivities is a powerful strategy for reaction development in transition-metal-catalyzed chemistry. Particularly, elucidation of the evolution of two transition-metal catalysts and understanding their roles in dual catalysis are among the most fundamental goals for bimetallic catalysis. Herein, a novel three-component reaction of a terminal alkyne, a diazo ester, and an allylic carbonate was successfully developed via cooperative Cu/Rh catalysis with Xantphos as the ligand, providing a highly efficient strategy to access 1,5-enynes with an all-carbon quaternary center that can be used as immediate synthetic precursors for complex cyclic molecules. Notably, a Meyer-Schuster rearrangement was involved in the reactions using propargylic alcohols, resulting in an unprecedented acylation-allylation of carbenes. Mechanistic studies suggested that in the course of the reaction Cu(I) species might aggregate to some types of Cu clusters and nanoparticles (NPs), while the Rh(II)2 precursor can dissociate to mono-Rh species, wherein Cu NPs are proposed to be responsible for the alkynylation of carbenes and work in cooperation with Xantphos-coordinated dirhodium(II) or Rh(I)-catalyzed allylic alkylation.

Mechanism and Stereoselectivity Control of Terminal Alkyne Dimerization Activated by a Zr/Co Heterobimetallic Complex: A DFT Study

Heterobimetallic complexes have recently garnered considerable attention in organic synthesis owing to their high activity and selectivity, which surpass those of monometallic complexes. In this study, the detailed mechanisms of terminal alkyne dimerization activated by the heterobimetallic Zr/Co complex, as well as the different stereoselectivities of Me3SiC≡CH and PhC≡CH dimerization, were investigated and elucidated by using density functional theory calculations. After excluding the three-molecule reaction and outer-sphere mechanisms, the inner-sphere mechanism was determined as the most optimal process. The inner-sphere mechanism involves four processes: THF dissociation and coordination of the first alkyne; ligand migration and C-H activation; N2 dissociation and insertion of the second alkyne; and reductive elimination. The stereoselectivity between the E-/Z- and gem-isomers is determined by the C-C coupling mode of the two alkynes and that of the E- and Z-isomers is determined by the sequence of the C-C coupling and hydrogen migration in the reductive elimination process. Me3SiC≡CH dimerization yields only an E-isomer owing to the large differences in the distortion and interaction energies, whereas PhC≡CH dimerization produces an E-, Z-, and gem-isomers owing to the reduced interaction energy differences.

CS-Symmetric Pyridine(diimine) Iron Methyl Complexes for Catalytic [2+2] Cycloaddition and Hydrovinylation: Metallacycle Geometry Determines Selectivity

A series of C_S-symmetric (aryl,alkyl)-substituted pyridine(dimine) iron methyl (^CyA^RPDI)FeCH₃ complexes have been prepared, characterized, and evaluated as precatalysts for the [2+2]-cycloaddition of butadiene and ethylene. Mixtures of vinylcyclobutane and (Z)-hexa-1,4-diene were observed in each case. By comparison, C_2v-symmetric, arylated (PDI) iron catalysts are exclusively selective for reversible [2+2]-cycloaddition to yield vinylcyclobutane. The alteration in the chemoselectivity of the catalytic reaction was investigated through a combination of precatalyst stability studies, identification of catalytic resting state(s), and ²H and ¹³C isotopic labeling experiments. While replacement of an aryl-imine substituent with an N-alkyl group decreases the stability of the formally iron(0) dinitrogen and butadiene complexes, two diamagnetic metallacycles were identified as catalyst resting states. Deuterium labeling and NOESY/EXSY NMR experiments support 1,4-hexadiene arising from catalytic hydrovinylation involving reversible oxidative cyclization leading to accessible cis-metallacycle. Cyclobutane formation proceeds by irreversible C(sp³)-C(sp³) bond-forming reductive elimination from a trans-metallacycle. These studies provide key mechanistic understanding into the high selectivity of bis(arylated) pyridine(diimine) iron catalysts for [2+2]-cycloaddition, unique, thus far, to this class of iron catalysts.

trans-Hydroalkynylation of Internal 1,3-Enynes Enabled by Cooperative Catalysis

A cooperative catalyst system involving a Pd(0)/Senphos complex, tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane, copper bromide, and an amine base, is demonstrated to catalyze trans-hydroalkynylation of internal 1,3-enynes. For the first time, a Lewis acid catalyst is shown to promote the reaction involving the emerging outer-sphere oxidative reaction step. The resulting cross-conjugated dieneynes are versatile synthons for organic synthesis, and their characterization reveals distinct photophysical properties depending on the positioning of the donor/acceptor substituents along the conjugation path.

On-DNA Alkyne Iodination and Acetylenic Coupling as a Useful Tool for DEL Synthesis

1-Iodoalkynes and 1,3-diynes are versatile chemical intermediates and pharmaceutically valuable ingredients. In this study, copper mediated on-DNA alkyne iodination and Cadiot-Chodkiewicz coupling are developed for the first time. This generates diverse, systematic, and unprecedented topographic structural features, which could be invaluable as molecular recognition agents for drug discovery in DEL screening.

Highly selective cross-coupling reactions of 1,1-dibromoethylenes with alkynylaluminums for the synthesis of aryl substituted conjugated enediynes and unsymmetrical 1,3-diynes

A highly efficient method for the synthesis of aryl substituted conjugated enediynes and unsymmetrical 1,3-diynes via selective cross-coupling reactions of 1,1-dibromoethylenes with alkynylaluminums using the Pd(OAc)2-DPPE and Pd2(dba)3-TFP complexes as catalysts, respectively, has been successfully developed. Though the alkyl substituted conjugated enediynes and unsymmetrical 1,3-diynes were not obtained, this case is also remarkable as the same starting materials could selectively produce either aryl substituted conjugated enediynes or unsymmetrical 1,3-diynes in moderate to excellent yields (up to 99%) in the different Pd-phosphine catalytic systems.

Palladium-Catalyzed Tail-to-Tail Reductive Dimerization of Terminal Alkynes to 2,3-Dibranched Butadienes

The palladium-catalyzed tail-to-tail reductive dimerization of terminal alkynes is described for the first time. Aromatic terminal alkynes bearing diverse and sensitive functional groups as well as aliphatic terminal alkynes are efficiently transformed to 2,3-dibranched butadienes. The key to achieve a selective tail-to-tail reductive dimerization reaction is to control appropriately the acidity of the reaction solution, which is accomplished by a combined use of pivalic acid and para-toluenesulfonic acid. The tail-to-tail reductive dimerization reaction is proposed to proceed via a cationic alkenyl palladium intermediate under acidic conditions.

Regioselectively switchable alkyne cyclotrimerization catalyzed by the system of Ni(II)/bidentate P-ligand/Zn with ZnI2 as additive

A simple catalyst system of Ni(PPh3)2Cl2/dppb or dppm/Zn can effect an efficient and regioselectively controlled alkyne cyclotrimerization to form 1,2,4- (with no additive) or 1,3,5-regioisomers (with the use of ZnI2...