Solid-Supported Palladium Catalysts in Sonogashira Reactions: Recent Developments

Constructing Pd and Cu Crowding Single Atoms by Protein Confinement to Promote Sonogashira Reaction

For multicenter-catalyzed reactions, it is important to accurately construct heterogeneous catalysts containing multiple active centers with high activity and low cost, which is more challenging compared to homogeneous catalysts because of the low activity and spatial confinement of active centers in the loaded state. Herein, a convenient protein confinement strategy is reported to locate Pd and Cu single atoms in crowding state on carbon coated alumina for promoting Sonogashira reaction, the most powerful method for constructing the acetylenic moiety in molecules. The single-atomic Pd and Cu centers take advantage in not only the maximized atomic utilization for low cost, but also the much-enhanced performance by facilitating the activation of aryl halides and alkynes. Their locally crowded dispersion brings them closer to each other, which facilitates the transmetallation process of acetylide intermediates between them. Thus, the Sonogashira reaction is drove smoothly by the obtained catalyst with a turnover frequency value of 313 h-1, much more efficiently than that by commercial Pd/C and CuI catalyst, conventional Pd and Cu nanocatalysts, and mixed Pd and Cu single-atom catalyst. The obtained catalyst also exhibits the outstanding durability in the recycling test.

Cross-Coupling Between Aryl Halides and Aryl Alkynes Catalyzed by an Odd Alternant Hydrocarbon

Catalytic cross-coupling between aryl halides and alkynes is considered an extremely important organic transformation (popularly known as the Sonogashira coupling) and it requires a transition metal-based catalyst. Accomplishing such transformation without any transition metal-based catalyst in the absence of any external stimuli such as heat, photoexcitation or cathodic current is highly challenging. This work reports transition-metal-free cross-coupling between aryl halides and alkynes synthesizing a rich library of internal alkynes without any external stimuli. A chemically double-reduced phenalenyl (PLY)-based molecule with the super-reducing property was employed for single electron transfer to activate aryl halides generating reactive aryl radicals, which subsequently react with alkyne. This protocol covers not only various types of aryl, heteroaryl and polyaryl halides but also applies to a large variety of aromatic alkynes at room temperature. With a versatile substrate scope successfully tested on more than 75 entries, this radical-mediated pathway has been explained by several control experiments. All the key reactive intermediates have been characterized with spectroscopic evidence. Detailed DFT calculations have been instrumental in portraying the mechanistic pathway. Furthermore, we have successfully extended this transition-metal-free catalytic strategy for the first time towards solvent-free cross-coupling between solid aryl halide and alkyne substrates.

TiO2-Modified Montmorillonite-Supported Porous Carbon-Immobilized Pd Species Nanocomposite as an Efficient Catalyst for Sonogashira Reactions

In this study, a combination of the porous carbon (PCN), montmorillonite (MMT), and TiO₂ was synthesized into a composite immobilized Pd metal catalyst (TiO₂-MMT/PCN@Pd) with effective synergism improvements in catalytic performance. The successful TiO₂-pillaring modification for MMT, derivation of carbon from the biopolymer of chitosan, and immobilization of Pd species for the prepared TiO₂-MMT/PCN@Pd⁰ nanocomposites were confirmed using a combined characterization with X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms, high-resolution transition electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectroscopy. It was shown that the combination of PCN, MMT, and TiO₂ as a composite support for the stabilization of the Pd catalysts could synergistically improve the adsorption and catalytic properties. The resultant TiO₂-MMT₈₀/PCN₂₀@Pd⁰ showed a high surface area of 108.9 m²/g. Furthermore, it exhibited moderate to excellent activity (59-99% yield) and high stability (recyclable 19 times) in the liquid-solid catalytic reactions, such as the Sonogashira reactions of aryl halides (I, Br) with terminal alkynes in organic solutions. The positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) characterization sensitively detected the development of sub-nanoscale microdefects in the catalyst after long-term recycling service. This study provided direct evidence for the formation of some larger-sized microdefects during sequential recycling, which would act as leaching channels for loaded molecules, including active Pd species.

Palladium Supported on Bioinspired Materials as Catalysts for C–C Coupling Reactions

In recent years, the immobilization of palladium nanoparticles on solid supports to prepare active and stable catalytic systems has been deeply investigated. Compared to inorganic materials, naturally occurring organic solids are inexpensive, available and abundant. Moreover, the surface of these solids is fully covered by chelating groups which can stabilize the metal nanoparticles. In the present review, we have focused our attention on natural biomaterials-supported metal catalysts applied to the formation of C–C bonds by Mizoroki–Heck, Suzuki–Miyaura and Sonogashira reactions. A systematic approach based on the nature of the organic matrix will be followed: (i) metal catalysts supported on cellulose; (ii) metal catalysts supported on starch; (iii) metal catalysts supported on pectin; (iv) metal catalysts supported on agarose; (v) metal catalysts supported on chitosan; (vi) metal catalysts supported on proteins and enzymes. We will emphasize the effective heterogeneity and recyclability of each catalyst, specifying which studies were carried out to evaluate these aspects.

Synthesis of Novel Ferrocene-Benzofuran Hybrids via Palladium- and Copper-Catalyzed Reactions

The combination of the ferrocene skeleton with pharmacophores often leads to molecules with interesting biological properties. Five ferrocene-benzofuran hybrids of different structures were synthesized by transition metal catalyzed reactions. The efficiency of both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic methods was tested. The products were characterized using 1H, 13C NMR and FTIR spectroscopy, HRMS and cyclic voltammetry. The structure of one of the new compounds was also proved with X-ray crystallography. The new hybrids showed moderate cytotoxicity on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. It is remarkable that the less curable MDA-MB-231 cell line was more sensitive to treatment with three ferrocene derivatives.

Customizing continuous chemistry and catalytic conversion for carbon–carbon cross-coupling with 3dP

Support structures of various materials are used to enhance the performance of catalytic process chemistry. Typically, fixed bed supports contain regular channels enabling high throughput because of the low pressure drop that accompanies high flow rates. However, many fixed bed supports have a low surface-area-to-volume ratio resulting in poor contact between the substrates and catalyst. Three dimensional polymer printing (3dP) can be used to overcome these disadvantages by offering precise control over key design parameters of the fixed bed, including total bed surface area, as well as accommodating system integration features that are compatible with continuous flow chemistry. Additionally, 3dP allows for optimization of the catalytic process based on extrinsic constraints (e.g. operating pressure) and digital design features. These design parameters together with the physicochemical characterization and optimization of catalyst loading can be tuned to prepare customizable reactors based on objectives for substrate conversion and desired throughput. Using a Suzuki (carbon–carbon) cross-coupling reaction catalyzed by palladium, we demonstrate our integrated approach. We discuss key elements of our strategy including the rational design of hydrodynamics, immobilization of the heterogeneous catalyst, and substrate conversion. This hybrid digital-physical approach enables a range of pharmaceutical process chemistries spanning discovery to manufacturing scale.

Pyrene Functionalized Highly Reduced Graphene Oxide-palladium Nanocomposite: A Novel Catalyst for the Mizoroki-Heck Reaction in Water

The formation of a C-C bond through Mizoroki-Heck cross-coupling reactions in water with efficient heterogeneous catalysts is a challenging task. In this current study, a highly reduced graphene oxide (HRG) immobilized palladium (Pd) nanoparticle based catalyst (HRG-Py-Pd) is used to catalyze Mizoroki-Heck cross-coupling reactions in water. During the preparation of the catalyst, amino pyrene is used as a smart functionalizing ligand, which offered chemically specific binding sites for the effective and homogeneous nucleation of Pd NPs on the surface of HRG, which significantly enhanced the physical stability and dispersibility of the resulting catalyst in an aqueous medium. Microscopic analysis of the catalyst revealed a uniform distribution of ultrafine Pd NPs on a solid support. The catalytic properties of HRG-Py-Pd are tested towards the Mizoroki-Heck cross-coupling reactions of various aryl halides with acrylic acid in an aqueous medium. Furthermore, the catalytic efficacy of HRG-Py-Pd is also compared with its non-functionalized counterparts such as HRG-Pd and pristine Pd NPs (Pd-NPs). Using the HRG-Py-Pd nanocatalyst, the highest conversion of 99% is achieved in the coupling reaction of 4-bromoanisol and acrylic acid in an aqueous solution in a relatively short period of time (3 h), with less quantity of catalyst (3 mg). Comparatively, pristine Pd NPs delivered lower conversion (∼92%) for the same reaction required a long reaction time and a large amount of catalyst (5.3 mg). Indeed, the conversion of the reaction further decreased to just 40% when 3 mg of Pd-NPs was used which was sufficient to produce 99% conversion in the case of HRG-Py-Pd. On the other hand, HRG-Pd did not deliver any conversion and was ineffective even after using a high amount of catalyst and a longer reaction time. The inability of the HRG-Pd to promote coupling reactions can be attributed to the agglomeration of Pd NPs which reduced the dispersion quality of the catalyst in water. Therefore, the high aqueous stability of HRG-Py-Pd due to smart functionalization can be utilized to perform other organic transformations in water which was otherwise not possible.

Organic dyes supported on silicon-based materials: synthesis and applications as photocatalysts

The most important advance in photocatalysis in the last decade has been the synthesis and application of organic compounds to promote this process.

Rapid Access to 3-Substituted Pyridines and Carbolines via a Domino, Copper-free, Palladium-Catalyzed Sonogashira Cross-Coupling/6π-Aza Cyclization Sequence

Herein, we report a one-pot, three-component method for the preparation of 3-substituted pyridines and carbolines via copper-free, palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling with aryl iodides, followed by 6π-aza cyclization. This arylation cross-coupling/annulation cascade provides easy access to substituted, fused pyridines from readily available substrates in good yields (67-92%) with complete selectivity.

A Waste-Minimized Approach to Cassar-Heck Reaction Based on POLITAG-Pd0 Heterogeneous Catalyst and Recoverable Acetonitrile Azeotrope

Three different Pd0 -based heterogeneous catalysts were developed and tested in the Cassar-Heck reaction (i. e., copper-free Sonogashira reaction) aiming at the definition of a waste minimized protocol. The cross-linked polymeric supports used in this investigation were designed to be adequate for different reaction media and were decorated with different pincer-type ionic ligands having the role of stabilizing the formation and dimension of palladium nanoparticles. Among the ionic tags tested, bis-imidazolium showed the best performances in terms of efficiency and durability of the metal catalytic system. Eventually, aqueous acetonitrile azeotrope was selected as the reaction medium as it allowed the best catalytic efficiency combined with easy recovery and reuse. Finally, the synergy between the selected catalyst and reaction medium allowed to obtain highly satisfactory isolated yields of a variety of substrates while using a low amount of metal catalyst. The high performance of the designed POLymeric Ionic TAG (POLITAG)-Pd0 , along with its good selectivity achieved in a copper-free process, also led to a simplified purification procedure allowing the minimization of the waste generated as also proven by the very low E-factor values (1.4-5) associated.

Palladium Catalyst Recycling for Heck-Cassar-Sonogashira Cross-Coupling Reactions in Green Solvent/Base Blend

The identification of a green, versatile, user-friendly, and efficient methodology is necessary to facilitate the use of Heck-Cassar-Sonogashira (HCS) cross-coupling reaction in drug discovery and industrial production in the pharmaceutical segment. The Heck-Cassar and Sonogashira protocols, using N-hydroxyethylpyrrolidone (HEP)/water/N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl guanidine (TMG) as green solvent/base mixture and sulfonated phosphine ligands, allowed to recycle the catalyst, always guaranteeing high yields and fast conversion under mild conditions, with aryl iodides, bromides, and triflates. No catalyst leakage or metal contamination of the final product were observed during the HCS recycling. To our knowledge, a turnover number (TON) up to 2375, a turnover frequency (TOF) of 158 h-1 , and a process mass intensity (PMI) around 7 that decreased around 3 after solvent, base, and palladium recovery, represent one of the best results to date using a sustainable protocol. The Heck-Cassar protocol using sSPhos was successfully applied to the telescoped synthesis of Erlotinib (TON: 1380; TOF: 46 h-1 ).

Nickel catalysts in Sonogashira coupling reactions

Nickel has emerged as a desirable substitute for palladium in Sonogashira coupling reactions due to its abundance, less toxicity and high catalytic activity. Ni complexes have been developed to catalyse C(sp)-C(sp2) and C(sp)-C(sp3) Sonogashira couplings that find applications in the synthesis and modifications of biologically relevant molecules. This review focuses on the catalytic potential and mechanistic details of various Ni complexes employed in the Sonogashira coupling. These include homogeneous catalytic systems with Ni-phosphorus and Ni-nitrogen catalysts, ligand-free catalysts, and carbonylative coupling strategies. Various heterogeneous catalytic systems using supported Ni complexes, Ni nanoparticles and Pd-Ni bimetallic catalysts have also been discussed. This is the first review reported so far dealing exclusively with Ni-catalysed Sonogashira coupling reactions. This review illustrates the current strategies and potential of Ni-catalysed Sonogashira coupling reactions in both homogeneous and heterogeneous systems, and covers the literature up to 2020.

Facile Redox Synthesis of Novel Bimetallic Crn+/Pd0 Nanoparticles Supported on SiO2 and TiO2 for Catalytic Selective Hydrogenation with Molecular Hydrogen

The bimetallic Crn+/Pd0 nanoparticles have been synthesized for the first time by a two-step redox method. The method includes the deposition of Pd0 nanoparticles on the surface of SiO2 and TiO2 carriers followed by the deposition of Crn+ on the surface of Pd0 nanoparticles using the redox procedures, which are based on the catalytic reduction of Crn+ with H2 in aqueous suspensions at ambient conditions. Transmission (TEM) and scanning (SEM) electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourie-transformed infrared spectroscopy of adsorbed CO (FTIR-CO), and CO chemisorption studies were performed to characterize the morphology, nanoparticle size, element, and particle distribution, as well as the electronic state of deposited metals in the obtained catalysts. A decrease in nanoparticle size from 22 nm (Pd/SiO2) to 2–6 nm (Pd/TiO2) makes possible deposition of up to 1.1 wt.% Cr most likely as Cr3+. The deposition of CrOx species on the surface of Pd nanoparticles was confirmed using FTIR of adsorbed CO and the method of temperature-programmed reduction with hydrogen (TPR-H2). The intensive hydrogen consumption in the temperature ranges from −50 °C to 40 °C (Cr/Pd/SiO2) and from −90 °C to −40 °C (Cr/Pd/TiO2) was first observed for the supported Pd catalysts. The decrease in the temperature of β-PdHx decomposition indicates the strong interaction between the deposited Crn+ species and Pd0 nanoparticle after reduction with H2 at 500 °C. The novel Crn+/Pd/TiO2 catalysts demonstrated a considerably higher activity in selective hydrogenation of phenylacetylene than the Pd/TiO2 catalyst at ambient conditions.

Simple synthesis of poly (1,4-bis(dodecyloxy)-2,5-diethynylbenzene)/Pd composites with catalytic activity in Sonogashira coupling reaction

Palladium on the polymeric materials (Pd@polymer) as a catalyst is now very promising due to its great prospect for catalytic application. Such material in the form of composites is found to be stable and can be applied as catalyst in organic synthesis like Sonogashira coupling reaction. In the present work, Pd containing conjugated poly-ynes composites (Poly (1,4-bis(dodecyloxy)-2,5-diethynylbenzene) (Poly-DEB)/Pd) were synthesized by varying the addition of Pd in the range of equivalent weight of 8:4, 8:2 and 8:1, maintaining the fixed amount of 1,4-bis(dodecyloxy)-2,5-diethynylbenzene (DEB) through chemical oxidative polymerization technique. Both FTIR and UV-visible spectroscopy confirmed the interactions between DEB and Pd in the composites. The DSC data revealed the improved melting temperature as well as the crystallinity of the composites than the DEB. The PL spectra showed its florescence property. The catalytic capability of the Poly-DEB/Pd composites were examined using the Sonogashira coupling reactions, which demonstrated good yields. The suggested synthetic protocol is very facile, reproducible and beneficial for the fabrication of diverse mono and bimetallic composites with conjugated polymers. The present study also demonstrates the new example of Poly-DEB/Pd composites catalyzed Sonogashira coupling reaction. These composites have a possibility to develop as a commercial reagent in various organic synthesis subjects to its application prospects.

Copper-free Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions: an overview

The Sonogashira reaction is a cross-coupling reaction of a vinyl or aryl halide with a terminal alkyne to form a C-C bond. In its original form, the Sonogashira reaction is performed with a palladium species as a catalyst while co-catalyzed by a copper species and a phosphine or amine. The reaction is conducted under mild conditions, i.e., room temperature, aqueous solutions, and the presence of mild bases. Undeniably, the Sonogashira reaction is among the most competent and efficient reactions widely used in organic synthesis. This named reaction has proved useful in many organic synthesis areas, including the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, heterocycles, natural products, organic compounds, complex molecules having biological activities, nanomaterials, and many more materials that we use in our daily lives. The presence of transition metals as a catalyst was indeed essential in the Sonogashira reaction. However, recently, the reaction has been successfully conducted without copper as a co-catalyst and phosphines or amines as bases. In this critical review, we have focused on developments in the Sonogashira reaction successfully performed in the absence of copper complexes, phosphines or amines, which could be of particular advantage in implementing green chemistry principles and making the reactions more achievable from an economic viewpoint.

Core-shell PdCu bimetallic colloidal nanoparticles in Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction: mechanistic insights into the catalyst mode of action

Core-shell PdCu nanoparticles with different metal proportions were synthesized using a one-pot methodology and characterized by STEM, HRTEM, XANES and EXAFS analysis. The bimetallic nanoparticles were applied as catalysts in the Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction to investigate the mode of action of the PdCu in the reaction. The copper content directly influenced the generation of the cross-coupling product, shaping the performance of the catalyst. A quasi-homogeneous reaction pathway was evidenced by kinetics and poisoning experiments as well as XAS, HRTEM and HRMS analysis. These findings help to elucidate the mode of action of the PdCu nanocatalysts in the, as yet, unrevealed Sonogashira mechanism and the potential development of new nanocatalysts.

One-Pot Synthesized Pd@N-Doped Graphene: An Efficient Catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura Couplings

Nitrogen-doped graphene (NDG)-palladium (Pd)-based nanocatalysts (NDG@Pd) can be potentially applied as an efficient catalyst for the preparation of biaryls in a Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction. Herein, we report the one-pot facile synthesis of an NDG@Pd nanocatalyst, wherein the nanocatalyst was prepared by the simultaneous reduction of graphene oxide (GRO) and PdCl2 in the presence of hydrazine hydrate as a reducing agent, while ammonium hydroxide was used as a source of “N’’ on the surface of graphene. The as-synthesized NDG@Pd nanocatalyst, consisting of smaller-sized, spherical-shaped palladium nanoparticles (Pd-NPs) on the surface of NDG, was characterized by several spectroscopic and microscopic techniques, including high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). The nanocatalyst displayed outstanding catalytic activity in the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions of phenyl halides with phenyl boronic acids under facile conditions in water. The catalytic activity of NDG@Pd was found to be a more efficient catalyst when compared to pristine highly reduced graphene oxide (HRG) based Pd nanocatalyst (HRG@Pd). Furthermore, the reusability of the catalyst was also tested by repeatedly performing the same reaction using the recovered catalyst. The N-doped catalyst displayed excellent reusability even after several reactions.

Bis-salophen palladium complex immobilized on Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles as a highly active and durable phosphine-free catalyst for Heck and copper-free Sonogashira coupling reactions

A new Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ superparamagnetic nanoparticles functionalized by a bis-salophen Schiff base Pd(ii)-complex and used as efficient catalyst for Heck and Sonogashira reactions in aqueous media.