Synthesis of 9,9-Disubstituted Fluorenes from 2-Iodobiphenyls and α-Diazoesters under Palladium Catalysis

Intermolecular Difunctionalization of C,C-Palladacycles Obtained by Pd(0)-Catalyzed C-H Activation

C,C-Palladacycles are an important class of organometallic compounds in which palladium is σ-bonded to two carbon atoms. They have three notable features that make them attractive in organic synthesis and organometallic chemistry: (1) C,C-Palladacycles are reactive intermediates that can be accessed via Pd(0)-catalyzed C-H activation of organic halides. Compared to Pd(II)-catalyzed heteroatom-directed C-H activation, C-H activation catalyzed by Pd(0) has some distinct advantages. In this type of catalytic reaction, the halo groups of readily available organic halides act as traceless directing groups. Furthermore, this strategy avoids the use of stoichiometric external oxidants. (2) C,C-Palladacycles have differentiated reactivities from common open-chain Pd(II) species. In particular, C,C-palladacycles have high reactivity toward electrophiles including alkyl halides. This unique reactivity can be utilized to develop novel reactions. (3) C,C-Palladacycles have two C-Pd bonds, providing a unique platform for developing novel reactions.Although a number of reactions of C,C-palladacycles had been developed prior to our work, the scope was largely limited to intramolecular cyclization reactions. Although Catellani reactions are intermolecular reactions of C,C-palladacycles, only one of the C-Pd bonds is functionalized. Our laboratory has sought to develop intermolecular difunctionalization reactions of C,C-palladacycles that exploit their unique reactivity and open new possibilities in organic synthesis. Aiming to develop synthetically useful reactions, we primarily focus on ring-forming reactions. In this Account, we summarize our laboratory's efforts to exploit intermolecular difunctionalization reactions of C,C-palladacycles that are obtained through Pd(0)-catalyzed C-H activation. We have developed a wide array of new reactions that represent facile and efficient methods for the synthesis of cyclic organic compounds, including functional materials and drug molecules. A range of C,C-palladacycles have been studied, including C(aryl),C(aryl)-palladacycles from 2-halobiaryls, C(aryl),C(alkyl)-palladacycles from ortho-iodo-tert-butylbenzenes or ortho-iodoanisole derivatives, and those obtained by cascade reactions. C,C-Palladacycles have been found to react with a variety of oxidants to furnish Pd(IV) intermediates, such as alkyl halides, aryl halides, diazo compounds, and N,N-di-tert-butyldiaziridinone, ultimately affording various cyclic structures, including 5-10-membered rings, carbo- and azacycles, spirocycles, and fused rings. Furthermore, novel reactivity of C,C-palladacycles has been discovered. For example, we found that C,C-palladacycles have unusually high reactivity toward disilanes, which can be leveraged to disilylate a variety of C,C-palladacycles with very high efficiency. These results should provide inspiration to develop other C-Si bond-forming reactions in the future. We hope that this Account will stimulate further research into the rich chemistry of C,C-palladacycles, in particular reactions that find practical applications in the synthesis of bioactive and functional molecules and those that advance the state of the art in C-H functionalization.

Rapid access to 9-arylfluorene and spirobifluorene through Pd-catalysed C-H arylation/deaminative annulation

We describe here a facile synthesis of 9-arylfluorenes and spirobifluorenes from readily available 1,1-diarylmethylamines and iodoarenes through Pd-cataylsed C(sp²)-H arylation and a sequential deaminative annulation. The reaction features high efficiency and simplicity of operation, constituting an interesting shortcut to access fluorene compounds.

TfOH-Catalyzed Intramolecular Annulation of 2-(Aryl)-Phenyl-Substituted p-Quinone Methides under Continuous Flow: Total Syntheses of Selaginpulvilin I and Isoselagintamarlin A

In this article, we describe a convenient method to access 9-aryl fluorene derivatives through a TfOH-catalyzed intramolecular 1,6-conjugate arylation of 2-(aryl)-phenyl-substituted p-quinone methides (QMs) under continuous flow using the microreaction technique. This method was found to be very effective for most of the p-QMs, and the corresponding 9-aryl fluorene derivatives were obtained in moderate to excellent yields. Moreover, this protocol was further elaborated to the first total syntheses of selaginpulvilin I and isoselagintamarlin A.

Palladium-catalyzed triple coupling of 2-iodoanisoles with aryl iodides to access 6H-dibenzopyrans

A palladium-catalyzed triple coupling of 2-iodoanisoles with aryl iodides has been developed. 3-Methyl-2-pyridone was used as a ligand to accelerate the cross-coupling and suppress the homo-coupling of 2-iodoanisoles. A variety...

Decarboxylative cyclization of o-chlorobenzoic acids with C,C-palladacycles formed by an aminopalladation/dealkylation strategy to access dibenzo[a,c]carbazoles

A novel decarboxylative cyclization of o-chlorobenzoic acids with C,C-palladacycles formed by an aminopalladation/dealkylation strategy for the assembly of dibenzo[a,c]carbazoles has been reported.

Palladium-Catalyzed Sequential Vinyl C-H Activation/Dual Decarboxylation: Regioselective Synthesis of Phenanthrenes and Cyclohepta[1,2,3-de]naphthalenes

The application of a C(vinyl), C(aryl)-palladacycle from vinyl-containing substrates is challenging due to the interference of a reactive double bond in palladium catalysis. This Letter describes a [4 + 2] or [4 + 3] cyclization based on a C(vinyl), C(aryl)-palladacycle by employing α-oxocarboxylic acids as the insertion units under a palladium/air system. The reaction proceeded through the key vinyl C-H activation and dual decarboxylation sequence, forming phenanthrenes and cyclohepta[1,2,3-de]naphthalenes regioselectively in good yields. The synthetic versatility of this protocol is highlighted by the gram-scale synthesis and synthesizing functional material molecule.

Transition-Metal-Catalyzed C-H Bond Functionalization of Arenes/Heteroarenes via Tandem C-H Activation and Subsequent Carbene Migratory Insertion Strategy

The past decade has witnessed tremendous developments in transition-metal-catalyzed C-H bond activation and subsequent carbene migratory insertion reactions, thus assisting in the construction of diverse arene/heteroarene scaffolds. Various transition-metal catalysts serve this purpose and provide efficient pathways for an easy access to substituted heterocycles. A brief introduction to metal-carbenes has been provided along with key mechanistic pathways underlying the coupling reactions. The purpose of this review is to provide a concise knowledge about diverse directing group-assisted coupling of varied arenes/heteroarenes and acceptor-acceptor/donor-acceptor diazo compounds. The review also highlights the synthesis of various carbocycles and fused heterocycles through diazo insertion pathways, via C-C, C-N and C-O bond forming reactions. The mechanism usually involves a C-H activation process, followed by diazo insertion leading to subsequent coupling.

Bay-Region Annulative π-Extension of o-Iodobiphenyls with Aliphatic Anhydrides Catalyzed by Pd(OAc)2

Bay-region annulative π-extension of o-iodobiphenyls with aliphatic anhydrides was developed. Many o-iodobiphenyls and aliphatic anhydrides can react well under the optimized conditions. A lot of phenanthrol derivatives can be efficiently prepared by this approach. The control experiments support that dibenzopalladacyclopentadienes may be the reaction intermediates.

Lewis Acid Enables Ketone Phosphorylation to Form a C-P Bond and a C-C Bond: Synthesis of 9-Phosphoryl Fluorene Derivatives

An efficient method for the Lewis acid promotion of the synthesis 9-phosphoryl fluorenes has been reported. This method focuses on ketone phosphonylation to form a C-P bond and a C-C bond between diphenylmethanone and H-phosphinate esters, H-phosphites, and H-phosphine oxides via phospha-aldol elimination, in which a series of 9-phosphoryl fluorene derivatives were selectively obtained in moderate to excellent yields.

A Tandem Nucleophilic Aminopalladation and Carbene Insertion Sequence for Indole Fused Polycycles

An efficient tandem nucleophilic aminopalladation and carbene insertion sequence is described for the synthesis of indole fused polycycles. The reaction process provides a variety of substituted indeno[1,2-b]indoles in up to 99% yields.

Recent advances in the synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles and their derivatives

The pyrrolo[1,2-a]indole unit is a privileged heterocycle found in numerous natural products and has been shown to exhibit diverse pharmacological properties. Thus, recent years have witnessed immense interest from the synthesis community on the synthesis of this scaffold. In light of the ever-increasing demand for pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles in drug discovery, this review provides an overview of recent synthesis methods for the preparation of pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles and their derivatives. The mechanistic pathway and stereo-electronic factors affecting the yield and selectivity of the product are briefly explained. Furthermore, we have attempted to demonstrate the utility of the developed methods in the synthesis of bioactive molecules and natural products, wherever offered.

α-Bromoacrylic Acids as C1 Insertion Units for Palladium-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Synthesis of Diverse Dibenzofulvenes

Herein α-bromoacrylic acids have been employed as C1 insertion units to achieve the palladium-catalyzed [4 + 1] annulation of 2-iodobiphenyls, which provides an efficient platform for the construction of diverse dibenzofulvenes. This protocol enables the formation of double C(aryl)-C(vinyl) bonds via a C(vinyl)-Br bond cleavage and decarboxylation. It is particularly noteworthy that the method features a broad substrate scope, and various interesting frameworks, such as bridged ring, fused (hetero)aromatic ring, and divinylbenzene, can be successfully incorporated into the products.

Synthesis of Tribenzo[b,d,f]azepines via Palladium-Catalyzed Annulation Reaction of 2-Iodobiphenyls with 2-Halogenoanilines

A palladium-catalyzed annulation reaction of 2-iodobiphenyls with 2-halogenoanilines has been developed. A variety of 2-iodobiphenyls and 2-halogenoanilines can undergo this transformation. Diversified tribenzo[b,d,f]azepine derivatives can be synthesized in moderate to excellent yields according to this method.

Facile access to 2,2-diaryl 2H-chromenes through a palladium-catalyzed cascade reaction of ortho-vinyl bromobenzenes with N-tosylhydrazones

A palladium-catalyzed cascade reaction of ortho-vinyl bromobenzenes with N-tosylhydrazones has been developed, which provides a facile approach to 2,2-disubstituted 2H-chromenes. The migration of palladium from the aryl to vinyl position is crucial, as the in situ produced vinyl palladium intermediate could further react with diazo compounds to generate the reactive species for the sequential annulation.

Intermolecular Three-Component Synthesis of Fluorene Derivatives by a Rhodium-Catalyzed Stitching Reaction/Remote Nucleophilic Substitution Sequence

A three-component synthesis of multisubstituted fluorene derivatives has been developed by devising a rhodium-catalyzed stitching reaction/remote nucleophilic substitution sequence. A variety of nucleophiles can be installed in the second step including both heteroatom and carbon nucleophiles. An efficient synthesis of 5H-benzo[a]fluoren-5-ones has also been realized using N-(2-alkynyl)benzoylpyrrole as the reaction partner through a new reaction pathway.

Access to 5H-benzo[a]carbazol-6-ols and benzo[6,7]cyclohepta[1,2-b]indol-6-ols via rhodium-catalyzed C–H activation/carbenoid insertion/aldol-type cyclization

The rhodium-catalyzed mono-ortho C–H activation/carbenoid insertion/aldol-type cyclization of 3-aldehyde-2-phenyl-1H-indoles with diazo compounds has been developed.

Synthesis of blue emissive functionalized 9,9-disubstituted fluorene derivatives via BF3·OEt2 mediated reaction of co-planar 9-(phenylethynyl)-9H-fluoren-9-ols with isatin imines

A BF₃·Et₂O mediated reaction of co-planar 9-(phenylethynyl)-9H-fluoren-9-ol with various isatin imines afforded title compounds in excellent yield. The products showed luminescence in the blue region with large Stokes shift.

Cu-Catalyzed Aromatic Metamorphosis of 3-Aminoindazoles

We present a novel Cu-catalyzed aromatic metamorphosis of 3-aminoindazoles via oxidative cleavage of two C-N bonds of 3-aminoindazoles. This unprecedented reactivity of 3-aminoindazoles allows one to forge diverse nitrile-containing triphenylenes in decent yields via generation of the cyano group in situ. The current study reveals that 3-aminoindazoles could be harnessed as radical precursors via oxidative denitrogenation, the reaction mechanism of which was supported by density functional theory calculations.