Acceptorless and Base-Free Dehydrogenation of Alcohols and Amines using Ruthenium-Hydride Complexes

Metal-Free Activation of Molecular Oxygen by Quaternary Ammonium-Based Ionic Liquid: A Detail Mechanistic Study

Most oxidation processes in common organic synthesis and chemical biology require transition metal catalysts or metalloenzymes. Herein, we report a detailed mechanistic study of a metal-free oxygen (O2) activation protocol on benzylamine/alcohols using simple quaternary alkylammonium-based ionic liquids to produce products such as amide, aldehyde, imine, and in some cases, even aromatized products. NMR and various control experiments established the product formation and reaction mechanism, which involved the conversion of molecular oxygen into a hydroperoxyl radical via a proton-coupled electron transfer process. Detection of hydrogen peroxide in the reaction medium using colorimetric analysis supported the proposed mechanism of oxygen activation. Furthermore, first-principles calculations using density functional theory (DFT) revealed that reaction coordinates and transition state spin densities have a unique spin conversion of triplet oxygen leading to formation of singlet products via a minimum energy crossing point. In addition to DFT, domain-based local pair natural orbital coupled cluster, (DLPNO-CCSD(T)), and complete active space self-consistent field, CASSCF(20,14) methods complemented the above findings. Partial density of states analysis showed stabilization of π* orbital of oxygen in the presence of ionic liquid, making it susceptible to hydrogen abstraction in a mild, metal-free condition. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopic (ICP-AES) analysis of reactant and ionic liquids clearly showed the absence of any significant transition metal contamination. The current results described the origin of O2 activation within the context of molecular orbital (MO) theory and opened up a new avenue for the use of ionic liquids as inexpensive, multifunctional and high-performance alternative to metal-based catalysts for O2 activation.

Thermodynamic evaluations of the acceptorless dehydrogenation and hydrogenation of pre-aromatic and aromatic N-heterocycles in acetonitrile

N-heterocycles are important chemical hydrogen-storage materials, and the acceptorless dehydrogenation and hydrogenation of N-heterocycles as organic hydrogen carriers have been widely studied, with the main focus on the catalyst synthesis and design, investigation of the redox mechanisms, and extension of substrate scope. In this work, the Gibbs free energies of the dehydrogenation of pre-aromatic N-heterocycles (YH2) and the hydrogenation of aromatic N-heterocycles (Y), i.e., ΔGH2R(YH2) and ΔGH2A(Y), were derived by constructing thermodynamic cycles using Hess' law. The thermodynamic abilities for the acceptorless dehydrogenation and hydrogenation of 78 pre-aromatic N-heterocycles (YH2) and related 78 aromatic N-heterocycles (Y) were well evaluated and discussed in acetonitrile. Moreover, the applications of the two thermodynamic parameters in identifying pre-aromatic N-heterocycles possessing reversible dehydrogenation and hydrogenation properties and the selection of the pre-aromatic N-heterocyclic hydrogen reductants in catalytic hydrogenation were considered and are discussed in detail. Undoubtedly, this work focuses on two new thermodynamic parameters of pre-aromatic and aromatic N-heterocycles, namely ΔGH2R(YH2) and ΔGH2A(Y), which are important supplements to our previous work to offer precise insights into the chemical hydrogen storage and hydrogenation reactions of pre-aromatic and aromatic N-heterocycles.

Catalyst Comparison for Additive-Free Acceptorless Dehydro­genation of Indoline Derivatives

A group of thirteen catalysts of type [Ru(Cp/Cp*)(P–P)(MeCN)]PF6, bearing cooperative or noncooperative bidentate phosphine ligands, were evaluated for the catalytic acceptorless dehydrogenation of indoline. The systematic comparison revealed that the optimal cooperative catalyst structure included a Cp ancillary ligand, and an N,N-disubstituted P,P-disubstituted 1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane ligand, denoted as (PR 2NR′ 2). A cooperative complex bearing a PPh 2NPh 2 ligand exhibited about a twofold longer lifetime than a noncooperative analogue with (diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) as the supporting bisphosphine ligand. The cooperative catalyst effectively dehydrogenated a range of indoline substrates to give substituted indoles.

The Reaction of Ketoximes with Hypervalent Iodine Reagents: Beckmann Rearrangement and Hydrolysis to Ketones

We investigated the reaction of ketoximes with hypervalent iodine reagents. A combination of PhI(OAc)2 and BF3·Et2O promoted the Beckmann rearrangement of ketoximes, thus yielding the corresponding amides. From a detailed investigation of the reaction, we determined that the Beckmann rearrangement is preceded by acetylation of the hydroxy group of the ketoxime in situ, accelerating the Beckmann rearrangement. We confirmed that the acetylated ketoxime undergoes the Beckmann rearrangement with BF3·Et2O. The reaction of ketoximes with Koser’s reagent [PhI(OH)OTs] in the presence of tetrahydrofuran results in hydrolysis, affording the corresponding ketones in high yields at room temperature.

Recent advances in the synthesis of N-heteroarenes via catalytic dehydrogenation of N-heterocycles

Bio-active molecules having N-heteroarene core are widely used for numerous medicinal applications and as lifesaving drugs. In this direction, dehydrogenation of partially saturated aromatic N-heterocycles shows utmost importance for the synthesis of heterocycles. This feature article highlights the recent advances, from 2009 to April 2021, on the dehydrogenation of N-heteroaromatics. Notable features considering the development of newer catalysis for dehydrogenations are: (i) approaches based on precious metal catalysis, (ii) newer strategies and catalyst development technology using non-precious metal-catalysts for N-heterocycles having one or more heteroatoms, (iii) Synthesis of five or six-membered N-heterocycles using photocatalysis, electrocatalytic, and organo-catalytic approaches using different homogeneous and heterogeneous conditions' (iv) metal free (base and acid-promoted) dehydrogenation along with I₂, N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) and bio catalyzed miscellaneous examples have also been discussed, (v) mechanistic studies for various dehydrogenation reactions and (vi) synthetic applications of various bio-active molecules including post-drug derivatization are discussed.

Sn,P-coordinated Ru cation: a robust catalyst for aerobic oxidations of benzylamine and benzyl alcohol

A stable ionic κ²Sn,P-coordinated Ru complex shows excellent catalytic activity in aerobic oxidations of benzylamine and benzyl alcohol. This complex is stabilized by a stannylene-phosphine peri-substituted naphthalene ligand, which can act as either a reducing agent for a Ru(III) complex or as a κ²Sn,P-chelating ligand for Ru(II) compounds.

Catalytic Acceptorless Dehydrogenation of Amino Alcohols and 2-Hydroxybenzyl Alcohols for Annulation Reaction under Neutral Conditions

A base-free and acceptorless Ru-catalyzed dehydrogenative approach has been developed for the synthesis of N-heterocycles by using 1,3-dicarbonyls and amino alcohols through a domino sequential enamine formation and intramolecular oxidative cyclization strategy. This unified approach is also applicable for the synthesis of O-heterocycles involving 2-hydroxybenzyl alcohol as a coupling reactant via consecutive C-alkylation and intramolecular cyclization steps. The present protocol is general for the synthesis of varieties of biologically important scaffolds, such as tetrahydro-4H-indol-4-one, 3,4-dihydroacridin-1(2H)-one, and tetrahydro-1H-xanthen-1-ones derivatives using a single catalytic system, viz. RuH₂CO(PPh₃)₃. Environmentally benign H₂O and H₂ are the only byproducts in this domino process. Moreover, RuH₂CO(PPh₃)₃-catalyzed C3-alkylation of tetrahydro-4H-indol-4-one using alcohol as a alkylating partner is also described in this report. For the first time, a solvent-free gram-scale reaction for the acceptorless dehydrogenative annulation has been demonstrated. A plausible mechanism for the Ru-catalyzed base-free and acceptorless dehydrogenative annulation of amino alcohols or 2-hydroxybenzyl alcohols has been provided with several experimental investigations and spectroscopic evidence.

Preparation and Degradation of Rhodium and Iridium Diolefin Catalysts for the Acceptorless and Base-Free Dehydrogenation of Secondary Alcohols

Rhodium and iridium diolefin catalysts for the acceptorless and base-free dehydrogenation of secondary alcohols have been prepared, and their degradation has been investigated, during the study of the reactivity of the dimers [M(μ-Cl)(η⁴-C₈H₁₂)]₂ (M = Rh (1), Ir (2)) and [M(μ-OH)(η⁴-C₈H₁₂)]₂ (M = Rh (3), Ir (4)) with 1,3-bis(6′-methyl-2′-pyridylimino)isoindoline (HBMePHI). Complex 1 reacts with HBMePHI, in dichloromethane, to afford equilibrium mixtures of 1, the mononuclear derivative RhCl(η⁴-C₈H₁₂){κ¹-N_py-(HBMePHI)} (5), and the binuclear species [RhCl(η⁴-C₈H₁₂)]₂{μ-N_py,N_py-(HBMePHI)} (6). Under the same conditions, complex 2 affords the iridium counterparts IrCl(η⁴-C₈H₁₂){κ¹-N_py-(HBMePHI)} (7) and [IrCl(η⁴-C₈H₁₂)]₂{μ-N_py,N_py-(HBMePHI)} (8). In contrast to chloride, one of the hydroxide groups of 3 and 4 promotes the deprotonation of HBMePHI to give [M(η⁴-C₈H₁₂)]₂(μ-OH){μ-N_py,N_iso-(BMePHI)} (M = Rh (9), Ir (10)), which are efficient precatalysts for the acceptorless and base-free dehydrogenation of secondary alcohols. In the presence of KO^tBu, the [BMePHI]⁻ ligand undergoes three different degradations: alcoholysis of an exocyclic isoindoline-N double bond, alcoholysis of a pyridyl-N bond, and opening of the five-membered ring of the isoindoline core.

A simple and efficient metal free, additive, or base free dehydrogenation of tetrahydroisoquinolines using oxygen as a clean oxidant

Metal free dehydrogenation of various substituted tetrahydroisoquinolines via a simple and convenient metal free, atom economical route for the synthesis of corresponding isoquinolines under oxygen atmosphere in N-methyl-2-pyrollidone (NMP) is described. Metal free dehydrogenation was carried out without the use of additive or base. A scope of the methodology was demonstrated for a number of aryl and heteroaryl substitutions present at C1 position and ester moiety at C3 position and was found to be good substrates. Substituted isoquinolines (3a–3h) and their esters (3i–3m) were synthesized in very good to excellent yields.

An effective strategy for hydrogen supply: catalytic acceptorless dehydrogenation of N-heterocycles

Catalytic acceptorless dehydrogenation of N-heterocycles will offer great hope to solve numerous existing complex scientific and technological problems with simple, efficient, stable and controllable energy output, especially facilitating development in the field of PEMFC.

Empowering alcohols as carbonyl surrogates for Grignard-type reactions

The Grignard reaction is a fundamental tool for constructing C-C bonds. Although it is widely used in synthetic chemistry, it is normally applied in early stage functionalizations owing to poor functional group tolerance and less availability of carbonyls at late stages of molecular modifications. Herein, we report a Grignard-type reaction with alcohols as carbonyl surrogates by using a ruthenium(II) PNP-pincer complex as catalyst. This transformation proceeds via a carbonyl intermediate generated in situ from the dehydrogenation of alcohols, which is followed by a Grignard-type reaction with a hydrazone carbanion to form a C-C bond. The reaction conditions are mild and can tolerate a broad range of substrates. Moreover, no oxidant is involved during the entire transformation, with only H₂ and N₂ being generated as byproducts. This reaction opens up a new avenue for Grignard-type reactions by enabling the use of naturally abundant alcohols as starting materials without the need for pre-synthesizing carbonyls.

Alcohols are more naturally abundant than carbonyl compounds, which in turn are well known for their reactivity in Grignard reactions. Here, the authors showcase a distinct Grignard-like reactivity by using alcohols as coupling partners with hydrazones and synthesize more complex alcohols under ruthenium catalysis.

Ir-Catalyzed Reversible Acceptorless Dehydrogenation/Hydrogenation of N-Substituted and Unsubstituted Heterocycles Enabled by a Polymer-Cross-Linking Bisphosphine

The polystyrene-cross-linking bisphosphine ligand PS-DPPBz was effective for the Ir-catalyzed reversible acceptorless dehydrogenation/hydrogenation of N-heterocycles. Notably, this protocol is applicable to the dehydrogenation of N-substituted indoline derivatives with various N-substituents with different electronic and steric natures. A reaction pathway involving oxidative addition of an N-adjacent C(sp³)-H bond to a bisphosphine-coordinated Ir(I) center is proposed for the dehydrogenation of N-substituted substrates.

Acceptorless dehydrogenation and hydrogenation of N- and O-containing compounds on Pd3Au1(111) facets

Catalytic dehydrogenation and hydrogenation of amines and alcohols are important in the synthesis of fine chemicals. Despite several efficient homogeneous catalysts having been identified, highly active heterogeneous catalysts remain elusive, although they would meet an unmet need. Here, we show that bimetallic Pd-Au nanoparticles with Pd-to-Au molar ratios of 3:1 immobilized on multiwall carbon nanotubes (Pd3Au1/CNT) display high catalytic activity in the oxidant-free and acceptorless dehydrogenation and hydrogenation of N- and O-containing heterocyclic compounds, amines/imines, and alcohols/ketones. Transmission electron microscopy analysis demonstrates the preferential exposure of Pd3Au1(111) facets on the Pd3Au1/CNT catalyst. Mechanistic insights combining experimental data with density functional theory calculations reveal that the Pd3Au1(111) surface enhances both dehydrogenation and hydrogenation reactions and provides a rationale for the observed enhancements.

Iodine-catalyzed convergent aerobic dehydro-aromatization toward benzazoles and benzazines

An iodine-catalyzed aerobic dehydro-aromatization has been developed, providing straightforward and efficient access to various benzoazoles and benzoazines. The present transition-metal-free protocol enables the dehydro-aromatization of tetrahydrobenzazoles and tetrahydroquinolines with molecular oxygen as the green oxidant, along with some other N-heterocycles. Hence, a broad range of heteroaromatic compounds are generated in moderate to good yields under facile reaction conditions.

An iodine-catalyzed aerobic dehydro-aromatization has been developed, providing a straightforward and efficient access to various benzoazoles and benzoazines.

Preparation of monocarbonyl ruthenium complexes bearing bidentate nitrogen and phosphine ligands and their catalytic activity in carbonyl compound reduction

A series of novel monocarbonyl ruthenium catalysts containing bidentate dinitrogen or/and diphosphine ligands are easily obtained through a general and straightforward approach.

Transition metal-catalyzed dehydrogenation of amines

This review focuses on the use of homogeneous transition metal complexes for the catalytic dehydrogenation of amines for synthetic purposes, and for hydrogen storage applications. The catalytic dehydrogenation of primary, secondary and cyclic amines is reviewed looking at reaction conditions, different catalysts and common side reactions. Recent developments in this active field of research showcase how cooperative ligands and photocatalysts can overcome the need for noble metals or harsh reaction conditions.

Copper-Catalyzed Benign and Efficient Oxidation of Tetrahydroisoquinolines and Dihydroisoquinolines Using Air as a Clean Oxidant

A green chemical method for mild oxidation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQs) and 3,4-dihydroisoquinolines (DHIQs) has been developed using air (O₂) as a clean oxidant. DHIQs and THIQs could be efficiently oxidized to isoquinolines in dimethyl sulfoxide at 25 °C under an open air atmosphere with CuBr₂ (20 mol %) as the catalyst; different bases [NaOEt and/or 1,8-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undec-7-ene] were used for the reaction according to the patterns of substituents (R¹, R²).

Synthesis of a molecularly defined single-active site heterogeneous catalyst for selective oxidation of N-heterocycles

Generally, a homogeneous catalyst exhibits good activity and defined active sites but it is difficult to recycle. Meanwhile, a heterogeneous catalyst can easily be reused but its active site is difficult to reveal. It is interesting to bridge the gap between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis via controllable construction of a heterogeneous catalyst containing defined active sites. Here, we report that a molecularly defined, single-active site heterogeneous catalyst has been designed and prepared via the oxidative polymerization of maleimide derivatives. These polymaleimide derivatives can be active catalysts for the selective oxidation of heterocyclic compounds to quinoline and indole via the recycling of -C=O and -C-OH groups, which was confirmed by tracing the reaction with GC-MS using maleimide as the catalyst and by FT-IR analysis with polymaleimide as the catalyst. These results might promote the development of heterogeneous catalysts with molecularly defined single active sites exhibiting a comparable activity to homogeneous catalysts.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidation of Amines

Amine oxidation is one of the fundamental reactions in organic synthesis as it leads to a variety of value-added products such as oximes, nitriles, imines, and amides among many others. These products comprise the key N-containing building blocks in the modern chemical industry, and such transformations, when achieved in the presence of molecular oxygen without using stoichiometric oxidants, are much preferred as they circumvent the production of unwanted wastes. In parallel, the versatility of ruthenium catalysts in various oxidative transformations is well-documented. Herein, this review focuses on aerobic oxidation of amines specifically by using ruthenium catalysts and highlights the major achievements in this direction and challenges that still need to be addressed.