Konzertierte nukleophile aromatische Substitutionen

"The Sulfur Dance" Around Arenes and Heteroarenes - the Reversible Nature of Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitutions

We disclose the features of a category of reversible nucleophilic aromatic substitutions in view of their significance and generality in dynamic aromatic chemistry. Exchange of sulfur components surrounding arenes and heteroarenes may occur at 25 °C, in a process that one may call a "sulfur dance". These SN Ar systems present their own features, apart from common reversible reactions utilized in dynamic covalent chemistry (DCC). By varying conditions, covalent dynamics may operate to provide libraries of thiaarenes with some selectivity, or conversion of a hexa(thio)benzene asterisk into another one. The reversible nature of SN Ar is confirmed by three methods: a convergence of the products distribution in reversible SN Ar systems, a related product redistribution between two per(thio)benzenes by using a thiolate promoter, and from kinetic/thermodynamic data. A four-component dynamic covalent system further illustrates the thermodynamically-driven formation of a thiacalix[2]arene[2]pyrimidine by sulfur component exchanges. This work stimulates the implementation of reversible SN Ar in aromatic chemistry and in DCC.

Denitrative Hydroxylation of Unactivated Nitroarenes

A one-step method for the conversion of nitroarenes into phenols under operationally simple, transition-metal-free conditions is described. This denitrative functionalization protocol provides a concise and economical alternative to conventional three-step synthetic sequences. Experimental and computational studies suggest that nitroarenes may be substituted by an electron-catalysed radical-nucleophilic substitution (S_RN 1) chain mechanism.

Three-Component Reaction to 1,4,2-Diazaborole-Type Heteroarene Systems

The borane FmesBH₂ reacts in a three-component reaction with an isonitrile and a small series of organonitriles to give rare examples of the class of dihydro-1,4,2-diazaborole derivatives. In a related way, annulated BN-indolizine derivatives became conveniently available, as were dihydro-1,4,2-oxaza- or thiazaborole derivatives. The nucleophilic framework of a dihydro-1,4,2-diazaborole example allowed for an uncatalyzed acylation reaction. It also served as a 1,3-dipolar reagent and underwent a [3+2] cycloaddition/[4+2] cycloreversion sequence when treated with methyl propiolate to give the respective pyrrole product. The [3+2] cycloaddition product of a dihydro-1,4,2-diazaborole derivative with N-phenylmaleimide was isolated and its heterobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane derived structure characterized by X-ray diffraction.

Catalytic SN Ar Hydroxylation and Alkoxylation of Aryl Fluorides

Nucleophilic aromatic substitution (S_N Ar) is a powerful strategy for incorporating a heteroatom into an aromatic ring by displacement of a leaving group with a nucleophile, but this method is limited to electron-deficient arenes. We have now established a reliable method for accessing phenols and phenyl alkyl ethers via catalytic S_N Ar reactions. The method is applicable to a broad array of electron-rich and neutral aryl fluorides, which are inert under classical S_N Ar conditions. Although the mechanism of S_N Ar reactions involving metal arene complexes is hypothesized to involve a stepwise pathway (addition followed by elimination), experimental data that support this hypothesis is still under exploration. Mechanistic studies and DFT calculations suggest either a stepwise or stepwise-like energy profile. Notably, we isolated a rhodium η⁵ -cyclohexadienyl complex intermediate with an sp³ -hybridized carbon bearing both a nucleophile and a leaving group.

Direct Transition-Metal Free Benzene C-H Functionalization by Intramolecular Non-Nitroarene Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution of Hydrogen to Diverse AIEgens

Direct C(sp² )-H functionalization through nitroarene-triggered nucleophilic aromatic substitution of hydrogen (SNAr^H ) has attracted growing attention, owing to its high efficiency and low carbon footprint. In this study, non-nitro-group-assisted S_N Ar^H has been developed for direct benzene functionalization in one pot under mild conditions. The electron-withdrawing carbonyl group and the halide or trifluoromethyl group on the phenyl ring enable the σ^H adduct formation to fulfill the intramolecular C(sp² )-C(sp³ ) bond construction. Notably, the cyano group serves as both the electron-withdrawing group to activate the C(sp³ )-H bond and the leaving group to fulfill the β-elimination. Three series of pyrrolo[1,2-b]isoquinolinones, as well as unexpected rearrangement products 3-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-1H-inden-1-ones are regioselectively obtained through a simple and efficient base-catalyzed one-pot strategy. Mechanistic studies indicate that the σ^H adduct from carbanion addition to hydrogen serves as the sole intermediate for all of the aforementioned transformations. These molecules show intense luminescence and the subsequent one-step structural modification results in the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) derivatives with redshifted full-color tunable fluorescence, large Stokes shifts, and good quantum yields. Further living cell imaging investigations suggest their potential application as specific bioprobes for lipid droplet localization and visualization.

Triarylmethanes and their Medium-Ring Analogues by Unactivated Truce-Smiles Rearrangement of Benzanilides

Intramolecular nucleophilic aromatic substitution (Truce–Smiles rearrangement) of the anions of 2‐benzyl benzanilides leads to triarylmethanes in an operationally simple manner. The reaction succeeds even without electronic activation of the ring that plays the role of electrophile in the S_NAr reaction, being accelerated instead by the preferred conformation imposed by the tertiary amide tether. The amide substituent of the product may be removed or transformed into alternative functional groups. A ring‐expanding variant (n to n+4) of the reaction provided a route to doubly benzo‐fused medium ring lactams of 10 or 11 members. Hammett analysis returned a ρ value consistent with the operation of a partially concerted reaction mechanism.

Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution (SNAr) and Related Reactions of Porphyrinoids: Mechanistic and Regiochemical Aspects

The nucleophilic substitution of aromatic moieties (SNAr) has been known for over 150 years and found wide use for the functionalization of (hetero)aromatic systems. Currently, several "types" of SNAr reactions have been established and notably the area of porphyrinoid macrocycles has seen many uses thereof. Herein, we detail the SNAr reactions of seven types of porphyrinoids with differing number and type of pyrrole units: subporphyrins, norcorroles, corroles, porphyrins, azuliporphyrins, N-confused porphyrins, and phthalocyanines. For each we analyze the substitution dependent upon: a) the type of nucleophile and b) the site of substitution (α, β, or meso). Along with this we evaluate this route as a synthetic strategy for the generation of unsymmetrical porphyrinoids. Distinct trends can be identified for each type of porphyrinoid discussed, regardless of nucleophile. The use of nucleophilic substitution on porphyrinoids is found to often be a cost-effective procedure with the ability to yield complex substituent patterns, which can be conducted in non-anhydrous solvents with easily accessible simple porphyrinoids.

Aspects of Phosphaallene Chemistry: Heat-Induced Formation of 1,2-Dihydrophosphetes by Intramolecular Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution and Photochemical Generation of Tricyclic Phosphiranes

3H-Phosphaallenes are accessible on a new and facile route and show a fascinating chemical behavior. The thermally induced rearrangement of Mes*P═C═C(H)R' (R' = tBu, Ad) afforded by C-H activation, isobutene elimination, and C-C and P-H bond formation bicyclic 1-benzo-dihydrophosphetes (2) with PC₃ heterocycles. DFT calculations suggest a mechanism with intramolecular nucleophilic aromatic substitution and replacement of an alkyl group by the nucleophilic α-C atom of the phosphaallene. These bicycles formed W(CO)₅ complexes (3) or afforded 1,2-dihydrophosphetes with P-bound alkenyl groups by catalyst-free hydrophosphination of alkynes (4 and 5). The resulting bulky phosphines formed complexes with IrCp*Cl₂, RuCl₂, AuCl, or CuO₃SCF₃. The Ru atom is coordinated by the P atom and a phenyl group. Irradiation of TripP═C═C(H)tBu led by the insertion of the central C atom of the P═C═C group into the α-C-H bond of an iPr substituent and by C-C and P-C bond formation to a new isomer of phosphaallenes, 10, which features a strained PC₂ heterocycle. It formed adducts with M(CO)₅ (M = Cr, Mo, W) and AuCl and reacted with SO₂Cl₂ by cleavage of one of the phosphirane P-C bonds to yield PC₄ or PC₅ heterocycles. Hydrolysis yielded a PC₅ compound with a P(O)Cl group.

Arene C-H Activation at Aluminium(I): meta Selectivity Driven by the Electronics of SN Ar Chemistry

The reactivity of the electron-rich anionic AlI aluminyl compound K2 [(NON)Al]2 (NON=4,5-bis(2,6-diisopropylanilido)-2,7-di-tert-butyl-9,9-dimethylxanthene) towards mono- and disubstituted arenes is reported. C-H activation chemistry with n-butylbenzene gives exclusively the product of activation at the arene meta position. Mechanistically, this transformation proceeds in a single step via a concerted Meisenheimer-type transition state. Selectivity is therefore based on similar electronic factors to classical SN Ar chemistry, which implies the destabilisation of transition states featuring electron-donating groups in either ortho or para positions. In the cases of toluene and the three isomers of xylene, benzylic C-H activation is also possible, with the product(s) formed reflecting the feasibility (or otherwise) of competing arene C-H activation at a site which is neither ortho nor para to a methyl substituent.

Orthogonal Stability and Reactivity of Aryl Germanes Enables Rapid and Selective (Multi)Halogenations

While halogenation is of key importance in synthesis and radioimaging, the currently available repertoire is largely designed to introduce a single halogen per molecule. This report makes the selective introduction of several different halogens accessible. Showcased here is the privileged stability of nontoxic aryl germanes under harsh fluorination conditions (that allow selective fluorination in their presence), while displaying superior reactivity and functional-group tolerance in electrophilic iodinations and brominations, outcompeting silanes or boronic esters under rapid and additive-free conditions. Mechanistic experiments and computational studies suggest a concerted electrophilic aromatic substitution as the underlying mechanism.