Cu-Catalyzed Tandem Oxidation-Intramolecular Cannizzaro Reaction of Biorenewables and Bioactive Molecules

A tandem Cu-catalyzed oxidation-intramolecular Cannizzaro reaction leading to bioactive α-hydroxyesters from α-hydroxyketones is reported. The process uses oxygen as a sole oxidant to achieve the formation of glyoxals, which are efficiently converted in situ to important α-hydroxyesters. The mechanistic insights are provided by isotopic labeling and supported by DFT calculations. The transformation proved a robust synthetic tool to achieve the synthesis of human metabolites and hydroxyl esters of various biologically active steroid derivatives.

Copper-Catalyzed C-H (Phenylsulfonyl)difluoromethylation of Acrylamides: Scope, Mechanism, and Critical Role of Additives

Herein, we report the Cu-complex catalyzed, native functional group-assisted, and TFA/NMF additives promoted (phenylsulfonyl)difluoromethylation of vinylic C(sp2 )-H bond of acrylamides. Using our in-home designed reagent, this reaction enables the construction of the C(sp2 )-CF2 SO2 Ph bond from simple C-H bond activation by copper catalysis under mild reaction conditions with total Z-selectivity. The versatility of utilized fluorinated group was illustrated by its conversion into value-added CF2 moieties as well as the remarkable =CHF residue. The performed experimental and computational mechanistic studies enabled to identify the true nature of active catalyst and substrate, as well as establish critical roles of TFA and NMF additives. In this reaction, the TFA acts as a promoter of the much-needed CuII /CuII →CuIII /CuI disproportionation, while the NMF facilitates the following ligand exchange and C-C coupling processes. We ruled out the generation of radical intermediates and established the C-H activation to be irreversible and the rate-determining step of the entire process.

On the Barton Copper-Catalyzed C3-Arylation of Indoles using Triarylbismuth bis(trifluoroacetate) Reagents

We disclose herein our detailed investigation into the Barton copper-promoted C3-arylation of indoles using triarylbismuth bis(trifluoroacetates). The arylation of unsubstituted 1H-indole using Barton's conditions gave a low yield of the C3-arylated indole, along with small amounts of the product of double C2/C3-arylation and traces of the product of C2 arylation. On the contrary, the arylation of indoles blocked at the C2 position is highly efficient, affording the desired products of C3-arylation in good to excellent yields. The reaction operates under simple conditions, shows good substrate scope, excellent functional group compatibility, and allows the transfer of electron-neutral or deficient aryl groups. Computational studies propose a mechanism involving a trifluoroacetate-assisted C-H activation step.

Reversibly Modulating Plasmon-mediated Chemical Reaction via Electrode Potential on Reliable Copper Nanoelectrode

Plasmonic metal nanostructures are essential for plasmon-mediated chemical reactions (PMCRs) and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Plasmonic nanostructures are commonly made from the coinage metals gold and silver. Copper (Cu) is less used mainly due to the difficulties in fabricating stable nanostructures. However, Cu is an attractive option with its strong plasmonic properties, high catalytic activities, and relatively cheap price. Herein, we fabricated tunable, reliable, and efficient Cu nanoelectrodes (CuNEs). Using time-resolved electrochemical SERS, we have comprehensively studied the reversible chemical transformations between aromatic amine and nitro groups modified on the CuNE surface. Their PMCRs are well-controlled by changing the surface roughness, the oxidation states of Cu, and the applied electrode potential. We thus demonstrate a Cu nanostructure enabling better investigations in the interplays between PMCR, electrochemistry, and Cu catalysis.

Catalytic Chemo- and Regioselective Radical Carbocyanation of 2-Azadienes for the Synthesis of α-Amino Nitriles

α-Amino nitriles are versatile structural motifs in a variety of biologically active compounds and pharmaceuticals, and they serve as valuable building blocks in synthesis. Their preparation from readily available structural scaffolds, however, remains challenging. Herein is reported a novel dual catalytic photoredox/copper-catalyzed chemo- and regioselective radical carbocyanation of 2-azadienes to access functionalized α-amino nitriles by using redox-active esters (RAEs) and trimethylsilyl cyanide. This cascade process employs a broad scope of RAEs and provides the corresponding α-amino nitrile building blocks in 50-95% yields (49 examples, regioselectivity >95:5). The products were transformed into prized α-amino nitriles and α-amino acids. Mechanistic studies suggest a radical cascade coupling process.

Influence of the amine donor on hybrid guanidine-stabilized Bis(μ-oxido) dicopper(III) complexes and their tyrosinase-like oxygenation activity towards polycyclic aromatic alcohols

The tyrosinase-like activity of hybrid guanidine-stabilized bis(μ-oxido) dicopper(III) complexes [Cu₂(μ-O)₂(L)₂](X)₂ (L = 2-{2-((Diethylamino)methyl)phenyl}-1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine (TMGbenzNEt₂, L2) and 2-{2-((Di-isopropylamino)methyl)phenyl}-1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine (TMGbenzNiPr₂, L3); X = PF₆^-, BF₄^-, CF₃SO₃^-) is described. New aromatic hybrid guanidine amine ligands were developed with varying amine donor function. Their copper(I) complexes were analyzed towards their ability to activate dioxygen in the presence of different weakly coordinating anions. The resulting bis(μ-oxido) species were characterized at low temperatures by UV/Vis and resonance Raman spectroscopy, cryo-ESI mass spectrometry and density functional theory calculations. Small structural changes in the ligand sphere were found to influence the characteristic ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) features of the bis(μ-oxido) species, correlating a redshift in the UV/Vis spectrum with weaker N-donor function of the ligand. DFT calculations elucidated the influence of the steric and electronic properties of the bis(μ-oxido) species leading to a higher twist of the Cu₂O₂ plane against the CuN₂ plane and a stretching of the Cu₂O₂ core. Despite their moderate stability at -100 °C, the bis(μ-oxido) complexes exhibited a remarkable activity in catalytic oxygenation reactions of polycyclic aromatic alcohols. Further the selectivity of the catalyst in the hydroxylation reactions of challenging phenolic substrates is not changed despite an increasing shield of the reactive bis(μ-oxido) core. The generated quinones were found to form exclusively bent phenazines, providing a promising strategy to access tailored phenazine derivatives.

Room temperature stable multitalent: highly reactive and versatile copper guanidine complexes in oxygenation reactions

Inspired by the efficiency of natural enzymes in organic transformation reactions, the development of synthetic catalysts for oxygenation and oxidation reactions under mild conditions still remains challenging. Tyrosinases serve as archetype when it comes to hydroxylation reactions involving molecular oxygen. We herein present new copper(I) guanidine halide complexes, capable of the activation of molecular oxygen at room temperature. The formation of the reactive bis(µ-oxido) dicopper(III) species and the influence of the anion are investigated by UV/Vis spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and density functional theory. We highlight the catalytic hydroxylation activity towards diverse polycyclic aromatic alcohols under mild reaction conditions. The selective formation of reactive quinones provides a promising tool to design phenazine derivatives for medical applications.

Multifaceted Substrate-Ligand Interactions Promote the Copper-Catalyzed Hydroboration of Benzylidenecyclobutanes and Related Compounds

A unified synthetic strategy to access tertiary four-membered carbo/heterocyclic boronic esters is reported. Use of a Cu(I) catalyst in combination with a modified dppbz ligand enables regioselective hydroboration of various trisubstituted benzylidenecyclobutanes and carbo/heterocyclic analogs. The reaction conditions are mild, and the method tolerates a wide range of medicinally relevant heteroarenes. The protocol can be conveniently conducted on gram-scale, and the tertiary boronic ester products undergo facile diversification into valuable targets. Reaction kinetics and computational studies indicate that the migratory insertion step is turnover-limiting and accelerated by electron-withdrawing groups on the dppbz ligand. Energy decomposition analysis (EDA) calculations reveal that electron-deficient P-aryl groups on the dppbz ligand enhance the T-shaped π/π interactions with the substrate and stabilize the migratory insertion transition state.

Cu-Catalyzed Hydroboration of Benzylidenecyclopropanes: Reaction Optimization, (Hetero)Aryl Scope, and Origins of Pathway Selectivity

The copper-catalyzed hydroboration of benzylidenecyclopropanes, conveniently accessed in one step from readily available benzaldehydes, is reported. Under otherwise identical reaction conditions, two distinct phosphine ligands grant access to different products by either suppressing or promoting cyclopropane opening via β-carbon elimination. Computational studies provide insight into how the rigidity and steric environment of these different bis-phosphine ligands influence the relative activation energies of β-carbon elimination versus protodecupration from the key benzylcopper intermediate. The method tolerates a wide variety of heterocycles prevalent in clinical and pre-clinical drug development, giving access to valuable synthetic intermediates. The versatility of the tertiary cyclopropylboronic ester products is demonstrated through several derivatization reactions.

Ligand-accelerated, branch-selective oxidative cyanation of alkenes

A ligand-accelerated, branch-selective oxidative cyanation of alkenes has been developed in the presence of catalytic Cu₂O. Both styrenes and aliphatic alkenes with directing groups are well tolerated in this inexpensive protocol. The mild condition allows for a good tolerance of functional groups, enabling facile access to a diverse array of simple and complex branched vinyl nitriles. The wide synthetic utility of this methodology has been further demonstrated via the efficient scaleup in both batch and continuous flow processes.

Improved simplicity and practicability in copper-catalyzed alkynylation of tetrahydroisoquinoline

ABSTRACT

Alkynylation reactions of N-protected tetrahydroisoquinolines have been performed using several different protocols of cross dehydrogenative coupling. Initially, a CuCl-catalyzed method was investigated, which worked well with three different N-protecting groups, namely phenyl, PMP, and benzyl and t-BuOOH as oxidant in acetonitrile as solvent. The peroxide could then be replaced by simple air and acetonitrile for water, leading to an overall very environmentally friendly protocol. Finally, a decarboxylative alkynylation protocol starting from alkynoic acids was also developed using again air as oxidant. This avoids the use of gaseous alkynes in the introduction of short-chained alkyne substituents.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Kinetics of ABTS derived radical cation scavenging by bucillamine, cysteine, and glutathione. Catalytic effect of Cu(2+) ions

Kinetics of reduction of the stable radical cation derived from 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) in reaction with the anti-rheumatic drug bucillamine (BUC) and two reference thiols - cysteine (Cys) and glutathione (GSH) was followed spectrophotometrically in acidic medium with 10-fold molar excess of the reductant. Decay of the radical is governed by pseudo-first order kinetics with small deviation in the case of GSH. H(+) ions displayed second order inhibition of the reaction with all the studied compounds. The reaction of BUC exhibits zero order kinetics to the radical at lower acidities with a moderate acceleration of the reaction rate by H(+) ions. A significant catalytic effect of Cu(2+) ions on the reactions with all the reductants was observed. The most sensitive to Cu(2+)-catalysis was the reaction of BUC with the radical cation, while Cu(2+) ions showed much lower effect on the reaction with GSH. The presence of EDTA strongly inhibited the reactions and equalized the reaction rates for all the reductants. A Cu(I) selective chelator bathocuproine disulfonate reduced the reaction rate with Cys, but accelerated the reaction with BUC at the lower acidities. The experimental results were rationalized in the framework of the mechanism of reductive chelation. The conclusions may have important consequences for interpretation of antioxidant capacity assays, such as TEAC, utilizing the ABTS derived radical cation.

Recent advances in copper-catalyzed C-H bond amidation

Copper catalysis has been known as a powerful tool for its ubiquitous application in organic synthesis. One of the fundamental utilities of copper catalysis is in the C–N bond formation by using carbon sources and nitrogen functional groups such as amides. In this review, the recent progress in the amidation reactions employing copper-catalyzed C–H amidation is summarized.

Stereochemical evaluation of bis(phosphine) copper catalysts for the asymmetric alkylation of 3-bromooxindoles with α-arylated malonate esters

An improved method for the asymetric alkylation of 3-bromooxindoles with α-arylated malonate esters is described. The asymmetric alkylation demonstrated was achieved up to 70% ee utilizing a copper(II) bis(phosphine) complex.

Copper catalysis for enhancement of cobalt leaching and acid utilization efficiency in microbial fuel cells

Enhancement of both cobalt leaching from LiCoO2 and acid utilization efficiency (AUE) in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) was successfully achieved by the addition of Cu(II). A dosage of 10mg/L Cu(II) improved both cobalt leaching up to 308% and AUE of 171% compared to the controls with no presence of Cu(II). The apparent activation energy of cobalt leaching catalyzed by Cu(II) in MFCs was only 11.8 kJ/mol. These results demonstrate cobalt leaching in MFCs using Cu(II) as a catalyst may be an effective strategy for cobalt recovery and recycle of spent Li-ion batteries, and the evidence of influence factors including solid/liquid ratio, temperature, and pH and solution conductivity can contribute to improving understanding of and optimizing cobalt leaching catalyzed by Cu(II) in MFCs.

A room temperature copper catalyzed N-selective arylation of β-amino alcohols with iodoanilines and aryl iodides

An efficient method is described for the synthesis of N-(2-aminophenyl)-2-hydroxyethylamines via a copper catalyzed N-selective arylation of β-amino alcohols with iodoanilines. The corresponding coupling products are useful intermediates for the synthesis of a variety of N-2-hydroxyethyl-substituted benzimidazoles, benzimidazolones, and iminobenzimidazoles. We found that 2-iodoaniline only arylates certain amino alcohols but not amines lacking a hydroxyl group. We also demonstrate the arylation of sterically demanding β-amino alcohols, such as ephedrine and prolinol with aryl iodides at room temperature.