Catalytic aerobic photooxidation of primary benzylic amines using hindered acridinium salts

Diastereoselective and enantioselective photoredox pinacol coupling promoted by titanium complexes with a red-absorbing organic dye

The pinacol coupling reaction, a reductive coupling of carbonyl compounds that proceeds through the formation of ketyl radicals in the presence of an electron donor, affords the corresponding 1,2-diols in one single step. The photoredox version of this transformation has been accomplished using different organic dyes or photoactive metal complexes in the presence of sacrificial donors such as tertiary amines or Hantzsch's ester. Normally, the homo-coupling of such reactive ketyl radicals is neither diastereo- nor enantio-selective. Herein, we report a highly diastereoselective pinacol coupling reaction of aromatic aldehydes promoted by 5 mol% of the non-toxic, inexpensive and available Cp₂TiCl₂ complex. The key feature that allows the complete control of diastereoselectivity is the employment of a red-absorbing organic dye in the presence of a redox-active titanium complex. Taking advantage of the well-tailored photoredox potential of this organic dye, the selective reduction of Ti(iv) to Ti(iii) is achieved. These conditions enable the formation of the d,l (syn) diastereoisomer as the favored product of the pinacol coupling (d.r. > 20 : 1 in most of the cases). Moreover, employing a simply prepared chiral SalenTi complex, the new photoredox reaction gave a complete diastereoselection for the d,l diastereoisomer, and high enantiocontrol (up to 92% of enantiomeric excess).

A metallaphotoredox, diastereoselective and enantioselective pinacol coupling reaction promoted by titanium complexes with the use of a red-absorbing organic dye was developed.

Utilizing Selective Chlorination to Synthesize New Triangulenium Dyes

Functionalization of new sites on the triangulenium structure has been achieved by early-stage chlorination with N-chlorosuccinimide (NCS), giving rise to two new triangulenium dyes (1 and 3). By introducing the chlorine functionalities in the acridinium precursor, positions complementary to those previously obtained by electrophilic aromatic substitution on the final dyes are accessed. The chlorination is selective, giving only one regioisomer for both mono- and dichlorination products. For the monochlorinated acridinium compound, a highly selective ring-closing reaction was discovered, generating a single regioisomer of the cationic [4]helicene product. Further investigations into the mechanism of the [4]helicene formation lead to the first isolation of the previously proposed intermediate of the two-step S_NAr reaction, key to all aza-bridged triangulenium and helicenium systems. Late-stage functionalization of DAOTA⁺ with NCS gave rise to a different dichlorinated compound (2). The fully ring closed chlorinated triangulenium dyes 1, 2, and 3 show a redshift in absorption and emission, while maintaining relatively high fluorescence quantum yields of 36%, 26%, and 41% and long fluorescence lifetimes of 15, 12.5, and 16 ns, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry shows that chlorination of the triangulenium dyes significantly lowers reduction potentials and thus allows for efficient tuning of redox and photoredox properties.

Helical Carbenium Ion-Based Organic Photoredox Catalyst: A Versatile and Sustainable Option in Red-Light-Induced Reactions

The development of a sustainable catalytic system for red-light-induced photocatalysis is presented. The catalytic system consists of a helical carbenium ion-based organic photoredox catalyst (PC) that is capable of using low-energy red light (λmax = 640 nm) for both photooxidations and photoreductions. Its successful applications in the aerobic oxidative hydroxylation of arylboronic acids and in the oxidation of benzylic C(sp3)–H bonds (reductive quenching), as well as in dual transition-metal/organocatalyzed C–H arylations and intermolecular atom-transfer radical additions (oxidative quenching) provide further support for its role as a versatile and efficient organic PC.

1 Introduction

2 Red-Light-Induced Photocatalysis

3 Properties of N,N′-Dipropyl-1,13-dimethoxyquinacridinium Tetrafluoroborate

4 Two Proposed Representative Catalytic Cycles of [ n Pr-DMQA+][BF4 –]

5 Applications of [ n Pr-DMQA+][BF4 –] in Red-Light-Induced Photocatalysis

6 Conclusion

Metal free biomimetic deaminative direct C-C coupling of unprotected primary amines with active methylene compounds

An unprecedented direct C-C coupling reaction of unprotected primary amines with active methylene compounds is reported. The reaction involves a biomimetic deamination of amines which was achieved under conditions free of metallic reagents and strong oxidizing agents. A wide range of primary amines was reacted with different active methylene compounds to provide structurally diverse trisubstituted alkenes and dihydropyridines. A kinetic study revealed an activation barrier of 10.1 kcal mol^-1 for the conversion of a key intermediate of the reaction.

Stereochemical significance of O to N atom interchanges within cationic helicenes: experimental and computational evidence of near racemization to remarkable enantiospecificity

Oxygen atoms of cationic dioxa and azaoxa [6]helicenes can be exchanged by amino groups to form azaoxa and diaza [6]helicenes respectively. The mild reaction conditions developed herein allow the construction of libraries of derivatives with sensitive and/or functionalized side chains. Using enantioenriched dioxa or azaoxa helicene precursors, these exchanges lead to either near racemization (es 3%) or to a remarkable enantiospecificity (es up to 97%). This unusual behavior is fully characterized via experimental and computational mechanistic evidence. Based on these investigations, the enantiospecificity of the first transformation can be improved to 57-61%.

Carbocation catalysed ring closing aldehyde–olefin metathesis

4-Phenylphenyl-diphenylmethylium tetrafluoroborate catalyses a rare high yielding intramolecular aldehyde–olefin metathesis of enals under mild reaction conditions and low catalyst loading.

Heterocyclic Nanographenes and Other Polycyclic Heteroaromatic Compounds: Synthetic Routes, Properties, and Applications

Two-dimensionally extended, polycyclic heteroaromatic molecules (heterocyclic nanographenes) are a highly versatile class of organic materials, applicable as functional chromophores and organic semiconductors. In this Review, we discuss the rich chemistry of large heteroaromatics, focusing on their synthesis, electronic properties, and applications in materials science. This Review summarizes the historical development and current state of the art in this rapidly expanding field of research, which has become one of the key exploration areas of modern heterocyclic chemistry.

Convergent synthesis, resolution, and chiroptical properties of dimethoxychromenoacridinium ions

Cationic azaoxa[4]helicenes can be prepared in a single step from a common xanthenium precursor by addition of nucleophilic amines under monitored conditions (160 °C, 2 min, MW). The (-)-(M) and (+)-(P) enantiomers can be separated by chiral stationary-phase chromatography. Determination of the absolute configuration and racemization barrier (ΔG(⧧) (433 K) 33.3 ± 1.3 kcal·mol(-1)) was achieved by VCD and ECD spectroscopy, respectively.

Cationic triangulenes and helicenes: synthesis, chemical stability, optical properties and extended applications of these unusual dyes

Cationic triangulenes and helicenes are highly stable carbocations with planar and helical conformations respectively. These moieties are effective dyes with original absorption and emission properties. Over the last decade, they have received greater attention and are considered as valuable tools for the development of innovative applications. In this review, the synthesis of these unique compounds is presented together with their core chemical and physical properties. Representative applications spanning from surface sciences to biology and chemistry are presented.

New multicomponent catalysts for the selective aerobic oxidative condensation of benzylamine to N-benzylidenebenzylamine

Nano-oxide domains partially embedded inside the UVM-7 silica walls act as excellent support for Au in the oxidative condensation of benzylamine.

Lewis acid organocatalysts

Abstract The term Lewis acid catalysts generally refers to metal salts like aluminium chloride, titanium chloride and zinc chloride. Their application in asymmetric catalysis can be achieved by the addition of enantiopure ligands to these salts. However, not only metal centers can function as Lewis acids. Compounds containing carbenium, silyl or phosphonium cations display Lewis acid catalytic activity. In addition, hypervalent compounds based on phosphorus and silicon, inherit Lewis acidity. Furthermore, ionic liquids, organic salts with a melting point below 100 degrees C, have revealed the ability to catalyze a range of reactions either in substoichiometric amount or, if used as the reaction medium, in stoichiometric or even larger quantities. The ionic liquids can often be efficiently recovered. The catalytic activity of the ionic liquid is explained by the Lewis acidic nature of their cations. This review covers the survey of known classes of metal-free Lewis acids and their application in catalysis.

Porphycene-mediated photooxidation of benzylamines by visible light

A variety of primary and secondary benzylic amines were oxidized efficiently to N-benzylidenebenzylamines and imines, respectively, using 2,7,12,17-tetrapropylporphycene (H(2)TPrPc) photocatalyst and blue light emitting diodes (LEDs). The photooxidation of 4-methoxybenzylamine in the presence of H(2)TPrPc and its tin(IV) complex Sn(TPrPc)Cl(2) was studied in detail in order to show that operating mechanisms can be different depending on the photosensitizer type. Two experiments involving solvent deuterium isotope effect and competitive quenching with DABCO provide evidence for the singlet oxygen mechanism as the major pathway in the H(2)TPrPc-catalyzed reaction and the predominance of the direct electron transfer from the photoexcited dye to the amine when the Sn(TPrPc)Cl(2) complex was used as a photocatalyst.

Tris(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)methyl carbenium ion for charge derivatization of amines and amino acids

Primary and secondary alkyl amines substitute readily one of the para-methoxy substituents of tris(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)methyl carbenium ion. With this rapid process, the preparation of permanently charged positive derivatives of amines, amino acids and small C-protected peptides is achieved. This is utilized here to facilitate the matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) analysis of these compounds.