Electron-Deficient Diphosphines: The Impact of DIFLUORPHOS in Asymmetric Catalysis

Construction of Novel Chiral NPN Ligands and the Application in Gold(I)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Cycloaddition Reactions

This paper reports a novel chiral NPN ligand derived from the modification of Ming-Phos. This series of ligands possess advantages such as easy synthesis and convenient modification. Moreover, they exhibit excellent enantioselectivity in gold(I)-catalyzed asymmetric [3 + 3] cycloaddition reactions.

SadPhos Library: A Comprehensive Resource for Exploring Chiral Ligand Chemical Space

Traditionally, the discovery of ligands for organic reactions has relied heavily on the intuition and experience of chemists, leading to a trial-and-error process that is both time-consuming and inherently biased. The rise of data science now offers a more systematic and efficient approach to exploring chemical spaces, moving beyond the heuristic constraints of conventional ligand design and enabling a more data-driven, predictive method. In this study, we introduce "SadPhos Library", a comprehensive collection of 890 reported chiral sulfinamide phosphine ligands, and use physical organic descriptors to systematically map their chemical space. By examining a small dataset of known active ligands, we demonstrate how SadPhos library can help identify key properties associated with ligand performance and thus streamline the process of ligand optimization. Furthermore, employing dimensionality reduction and clustering techniques, we pinpoint a representative subset of SadPhos ligands that facilitates more targeted and efficient exploration of this diverse chemical landscape.

1,2-Acylphosphinylation of Styrenes to Access β-Aryl-γ-ketophosphine Oxides by Irradiation-Induced Radical Relay

An acylphosphinylation reaction has been devised for the synthesis of β-aryl-γ-ketophosphine oxides, employing styrenes and acyl azolium salts through an irradiation-induced radical relay mechanism. This method effectively constructs C-C and C-P bonds while demonstrating excellent functional group tolerance. Mechanistic studies revealed that a radical-addition-coupling-elimination cascade process was involved in this reaction.

Asymmetric Synthesis of P-Chirogenic Ferrocenyl BiphePFc* Diphosphine by Ephedrine-Aryne Methods and Application in Rhodium-Catalyzed Hydrogenation

Chiral diphosphines with a biphenyl bridge and the chirality borne by the phosphorus atoms and not due to the atropoisomery of the biaryl backbone have been scarcely studied. Herein, we report the asymmetric synthesis of the (S,S)-2,2'-bis(ferrocenylphenylphosphino)biphenyl (BiphePFc*) ligand and its application in Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation. The synthesis was based on the enantioselective preparation of P-chirogenic ferrocenyl(o-bromophenyl)phenylphosphine by the reaction of sec-phosphine-borane with 1,2-dibromobenzene and its homocoupling into BiphePFc*. Hydrogenations catalyzed by the Rh/BiphePFc* complex led to enantioselectivities of ≤96%.

Photocatalytic EnT-Mediated Aminophosphorylation of Alkenes Using Oxime Esters as Bifunctional Reagents

C-P bond formation has typically been achieved by a single-electron transfer process. Herein, a novel class of oxime ester bifunctionalization reagents were first applied to the photocatalytic β-aminophosphorylation of modular olefins. The bifunctional reagents generate two distinct radical species (imine and phosphoryl radicals) that exhibit excellent regioselectivity. Subsequently, these radicals are attached to the olefins through a single-step EnT catalytic process, establishing a novel synthetic pathway. This protocol is characterized by excellent regioselectivity, broad functional group tolerance, and mild reaction conditions, which would enrich the diversity and versatility to facilitate the diversity-oriented synthesis of β-aminophosphorylated complex molecule scaffolds.

Advancing Heterogeneous Organic Synthesis With Coordination Chemistry-Empowered Single-Atom Catalysts

For traditional metal complexes, intricate chemistry is required to acquire appropriate ligands for controlling the electron and steric hindrance of metal active centers. Comparatively, the preparation of single-atom catalysts is much easier with more straightforward and effective accesses for the arrangement and control of metal active centers. The presence of coordination atoms or neighboring functional atoms on the supports' surface ensures the stability of metal single-atoms and their interactions with individual metal atoms substantially regulate the performance of metal active centers. Therefore, the collaborative interaction between metal and the surrounding coordination environment enhances the initiation of reaction substrates and the formation and transformation of crucial intermediate compounds, which imparts single-atom catalysts with significant catalytic efficacy, rendering them a valuable framework for investigating the correlation between structure and activity, as well as the reaction mechanism of catalysts in organic reactions. Herein, comprehensive overviews of the coordination interaction for both homogeneous metal complexes and single-atom catalysts in organic reactions are provided. Additionally, reflective conjectures about the advancement of single-atom catalysts in organic synthesis are also proposed to present as a reference for later development.

Carbene-Catalyzed and Pnictogen Bond-Assisted Access to PIII-Stereogenic Compounds

Intermolecular pnictogen bonding (PnB) catalysis has received increased interest in non-covalent organocatalysis. It has been demonstrated that organic electron-deficient pnictogen atoms can act as prospective Lewis acids. Here, we present a catalytic approach for the asymmetric synthesis of chiral PIII compounds by combining intramolecular PnB interactions and carbene catalysis. Our design features a pre-chiral phosphorus molecule bearing two electron-withdrawing benzoyl groups, resulting in the formation of a σ-hole at the P atom. X-ray and non-covalent interaction (NCI) analysis indicate that the model substrates exhibit intrinsic PnB interaction between the oxygen atom of the formyl group and the phosphorus atom. This induces a conformational locking effect, leading to the crystallization of the phosphorus substrate in a preferred conformation (P212121 chiral group). Under the catalysis of N-heterocyclic carbene, the aldehyde moiety activated by the pnictogen bond selectively reacts with an alcohol to yield the corresponding chiral monoester/phosphorus product with excellent enantioselectivity. This Lewis acidic phosphorus center, aroused by the non-polarized intramolecular pnictogen bond interaction, assists in conformational and selective regulations, providing unique opportunities for catalysis and beyond.

Double-Model Decay Strategy Integrating Persistent Photogenic Radicaloids with Dynamic Circularly Polarized Doublet Radiance and Triplet Afterglow

Organic phosphors integrating circularly polarized persistent luminescence (CPPL) across the visible range are widespread for applications in optical information encryption, bioimaging, and 3D display, but the pursuit of color-tunable CPPL in single-component organics remains a formidable task. Herein, via in situ photoimplanting radical ion pairing into axial chiral crystals, we present and elucidate an unprecedented double-module decay strategy to achieve a colorful CPPL through a combination of stable triplet emission from neutral diphosphine and doublet radiance from photogenic radicals in an exclusive crystalline framework. Owing to the photoactivation-dependent doublet radiance component and an inherent triplet phosphorescence in the asymmetric environment, the CPL vision can be regulated by altering the photoactivation and observation time window, allowing colorful glow tuning from blue and orange to delayed green emission. Mechanism studies clearly reveal that this asymmetric electron migration environment and hybrid n-π* and π-π* instincts are responsible for the afterglow and radical radiance at ambient conditions. Moreover, we demonstrate the applications of colorful CPPL for displays and encryption via manipulation of both excitation and observation times.

Facile Transfer Hydrogenation of N-Heteroarenes and Nitroarenes Using Magnetically Recoverable Pd@SPIONs Catalyst

Catalysts with active, selective, and reusable features are desirable for sustainable development. The present investigation involved the synthesis and characterization of bear-surfaced ultrasmall Pd particles (<1 nm) loaded onto the surface of magnetic nanoparticles (8-10 nm). The amount of Pd loading onto the surface of magnetite is recorded as 2.8 wt %. The characterization process covered the utilization of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) methods. The Pd@Fe3O4 catalyst has shown remarkable efficacy in the hydrogenation of quinoline, resulting in the production of >99% N-ring hydrogenated (py-THQ) product. Additionally, the catalyst facilitated the conversion of nitroarenes into their corresponding aniline derivatives, where hydrogen was achieved by H2O molecules with the aid of tetrahydroxydiboron (THDB) as an equilibrium supportive at 80 °C in 1 h. The high efficiency of a transfer hydrogenation catalyst is closely related to the metal-support synergistic effect. The broader scope of functional group tolerance is evaluated. The potential mechanism underlying the hydrogenation process has been elucidated through the utilization of isotopic labeling investigations. The application of the heterocyclic compound hydrogenation reaction is extended to formulate the medicinally important tubular polymerization inhibitor drug synthesis. The investigation of the recyclability of Pd@Fe3O4 has been conducted.

Sadphos as Adaptive Ligands in Asymmetric Palladium Catalysis

ConspectusPalladium catalysis, as one of the most important strategies in asymmetric synthesis, has continuously attracted the attention of organic chemists. With the development of chiral ligands, increasingly challenging reactions and substantial progress in asymmetric catalysis are being realized.Since 2014, we have focused on exploiting a series of sulfinamide phosphine ligands called "Sadphos," including Ming-Phos, Xu-Phos, Xiao-Phos, Xiang-Phos, TY-Phos, PC-Phos, GF-Phos, and WJ-Phos. These ligands can be easily prepared in two to four steps using commercial materials. These new types of ligands have shown remarkable performance in transition-metal-catalyzed reactions, especially in Pd-catalyzed transformations. X-ray diffraction analysis, mechanistic studies, and density functional theory calculations have revealed that Sadphos ligands can coordinate with the Pd0 and PdII species in the Pd0/P, Pd0/P,S, or PdII/P,O modes.This Account summarizes our recent efforts toward palladium-catalyzed enantioselective reactions using Sadphos ligands. These ligands were found to be privileged and very crucial to promote the reactions by increasing the reactivity and enantioselectivity. Ming-Phos is an effective ligand in Pd-catalyzed asymmetric coupling and intramolecular Heck reactions, providing highly enantioselective trisubstituted allenes, axially chiral anilides, gem-diarylmethine silanes, and disubstituted dihydroisoquinolinones. Incorporation of an electron-rich cyclohexyl group in the phosphine moiety afforded Xu-Phos, which showed a unique effect in a series of asymmetric transformations, including reductive Heck, dearomative Mizoroki-Heck, tandem Heck/Suzuki coupling, carboiodination, carboamination, and cross-coupling reactions. Using a similar strategy, our group synthesized more electron-rich TY-Phos and Xiang-Phos ligands bearing t-butyl and 1-adamantyl group at P atoms, respectively. Regarding stereoelectronic features, these two characteristic ligands were the best choice to satisfy the requirements of the palladium-catalyzed fluoroarylation of gem-difluoroalkenes, intermolecular α-arylation of aldehydes, carboetherification of alkenyl oximes, and carboheterofunctionalization of 2,3-dihydrofurans. Compared with the aforementioned Sadphos ligands, the attractive features of Xiao-Phos, including high nucleophilicity originating from the CH2PPh2 group and the ortho-substituent effect at the side of the aryl ring, are presumably responsible for its efficiency. The Pd/Xiao-Phos catalyst system shows good performance in a series of cross-coupling reactions of secondary phosphine oxides, affording P-stereogenic products bearing multiple types of molecular skeletons. The modification of the basic Sadphos backbone by introducing a xanthene skeleton motivated us to design and synthesize monophosphines, named PC-Phos and GF-Phos. PC-Phos is effective in various reactions, including arylation of sulfenate anions, denitrogenative cyclization of benzotriazoles, and dearomatization of indoles. The practicability of GF-Phos was validated in the Pd-catalyzed asymmetric three-component coupling of N-tosylhydrazones, aryl halides, and terminal alkynes, as well as in the cross-coupling of N-tosylhydrazones and vinyl iodides with pendent amines. In addition, ferrocene-derived WJ-Phos was employed in the palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction, affording axially chiral biaryl monophosphine oxides in excellent enantiomeric excesses.

Enabling Stereochemical Communication and Stimuli-Responsive Chiroptical Properties in Biphenyl-Capped Cyclodextrins

Chiroptical materials are gaining increasing interest due to their innovative character and their applications in optoelectronics and data encryption technologies. Fully harnessing the potential of building blocks from the "chiral pool", such as native cyclodextrins (CDs), as they often lack chromophores suitable for the construction of materials with significant chiroptical properties. Here, we present the synthesis and characterization of a two-level molecular stack consisting of a point-chiral element (CD) and an axially chiral element (biphenyl), capable of effectively translating the overall stereochemical information contained in CDs into stimuli-responsive chiroptical properties. α- and β-permethylated CDs were efficiently capped with two different 2,2'-difunctionalized 1,1'-biphenyl units. In CD derivatives containing the rigid 2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-biphenyl cap, two intramolecular hydrogen bonds act synergistically as stereoselective actuators, enabling effective communication between the two levels and the transfer of nonchromophoric stereochemical information from the cyclic-oligosaccharide to the atropoisomeric cap. The chiroptical properties can be finely tuned by external stimuli such as temperature and solvent. The way chirality is transferred from the CD platform to the biphenyl cap was revealed thanks to crystallographic and computational analyses, together with electronic circular dichroism (ECD) studies.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydroboration/Cyclization of 1,6-Enynes Enabled by Spirosiladiphosphine Ligands: Constructing Chiral Five-Membered Rings with a Boron Handle

A rhodium-catalyzed enantioselective hydroboration/cyclization reaction of 1,6-enynes is achieved by employing a spirosiladiphosphine ligand. The process allows the synthesis of five-membered hetero- and carbocycles bearing a boron handle with high levels of activity and selectivity. Various enynes and organoboranes (HBdan, HBpin, HBmp, and HBamm) have been accommodated, and enynes containing terminal alkynes have been integrated into the process for the first time. The high yields and selectivities of the transformation highlight the synthetic utility of these novel spirosiladiphosphine ligands.

Rh-Catalyzed Enantioselective Desymmetric Hydrogenation of α-Acetamido-1,3-indanediones Using Ether-Bridged Biphenyl Diphosphine Ligands

Novel axially chiral biphenyl diphosphine ligands Enm-BridgePhos, bearing an ether chain bridge at the 5,5'-position of the biphenyl backbone, have been developed and successfully applied in the Rh-catalyzed enantioselective desymmetric hydrogenation of α-acetamido-1,3-indanediones, providing chiral α-acetamido-β-hydroxybenzocyclic pentones in high yields (up to 97%) and with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). The reaction could be carried out on a gram scale, and the corresponding products were used as vital intermediates for the synthesis of analogues of chiral spirobenzylisoquinoline alkaloids. Both the crystal structure analysis and the DFT calculations revealed that the large dihedral angle of the Enm-BridgePhos-Rh complexes is highly related to the excellent enantioselectivities.

Mn(iii)-mediated C-P bond activation of diphosphines: toward a highly emissive phosphahelicene cation scaffold and modulated circularly polarized luminescence

Transition metal mediated C-X (X = H, halogen) bond activation provides an impressive protocol for building polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in C-C bond coupling and annulation; however, mimicking both the reaction model and Lewis acid mediator simultaneously in a hetero-PAH system for selective C-P bond cleavage faces unsolved challenges. At present, developing the C-P bond activation protocol of the phosphonic backbone using noble-metal complexes is a predominant passway for the construction of phosphine catalysts and P-center redox-dependent photoelectric semiconductors, but non-noble metal triggered methods are still elusive. Herein, we report Mn(iii)-mediated C-P bond activation and intramolecular cyclization of diphosphines by a redox-directed radical phosphonium process, generating phosphahelicene cations or phosphoniums with nice regioselectivity and substrate universality under mild conditions. Experiments and theoretical calculations revealed the existence of the unusual radical mechanism and electron-deficient character of novel phosphahelicenes. These rigid quaternary bonding skeletons facilitated versatile fluorescence with good tunability and excellent efficiency. Moreover, the enantiomerically enriched crystals of phosphahelicenes emitted intense circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). Notably, the modulated CPL of racemic phosphahelicenes was induced by chiral transmission in the cholesteric mesophase, showing ultrahigh asymmetry factors of CPL (+0.51, -0.48). Our findings provide a new approach for the design of emissive phosphahelicenes towards chiral emitters and synthesized precursors.

Cinchona-Alkaloid-Derived NN Ligands and Achiral Phosphines for Iridium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Heteroaromatic and α-Chloroheteroaryl Ketones

A concise synthesis of cinchona-alkaloid-derived NN ligands bearing alkyl substituents on chiral nitrogen atoms was described. Iridium catalysts containing new chiral NN ligands and achiral phosphines were effective for the asymmetric hydrogenation of heteroaromatic ketones, which afforded corresponding alcohols in up to 99.9% ee. The same protocol was applicable to the asymmetric hydrogenation of α-chloroheteroaryl ketones. Most importantly, the gram-scale asymmetric hydrogenation of 2-acetylthiophene and 2-acetylfuran proceeded smoothly even under 1 MPa of H2.

Regioselective Direct C-H Phosphorylation of Benzofulvenes

A practical and straightforward protocol to access site-selective C-3 phosphorylated benzofulvenes by means of cross-dehydrogenative coupling of two nucleophilic moieties, employing silver as a promoter, is described here. Remarkably, this protocol provides a broad, structurally diverse phosphorylated benzofulvene. Initial mechanistic studies shed light on its radical coupling nature, and late-stage transformations offer highly diversified benzofulvenes core.

Iridium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Intermolecular Hydroarylation of 1,1-Disubstituted Alkenes

The catalytic enantioselective hydroarylation of 1,1-disubstituted alkenes proceeded by using a cationic iridium/(R)-binap complex to give the corresponding adducts in high yields with high enantioselectivity. The reaction of arenes substituted with heteroaromatic directing groups proceeded to give the addition products linear-selectively. Methallylamine derivatives were good acceptors to obtain high enantioselectivities. The adduct bearing maleimide moiety was readily transformed into the β-chiral amine derivative without loss of the enantiomeric purity.

Microwave-mediated stereocontrolled annulations of diazo(aryl)methyl(diaryl)phosphine oxides with pyridinium 1,4-zwitterionic thiolates

Chemoselective annulations of phosphoryl carbenes generated from diazo(aryl)methyl(diaryl)phosphine oxides with pyridinium 1,4-zwitterionic thiolates were performed under microwave irradiation, affording 1-diarylphosphoryl-1H-benzo[c]thiopyran derivatives via [3+3] annulation and indolizine derivatives via ([1+5]-1) annulation with P-Cope elimination as the key step. The annuloselectivity was controlled by the steric hindrance of pyridiniums in pyridinium 1,4-zwitterionic thiolates.

Rhodium-catalyzed selective direct arylation of phosphines with aryl bromides

The widespread use of phosphine ligand libraries is frequently hampered by the challenges associated with their modular preparation. Here, we report a protocol that appends arenes to arylphosphines to access a series of biaryl monophosphines via rhodium-catalyzed P(III)-directed ortho C-H activation, enabling unprecedented one-fold, two-fold, and three-fold direct arylation. Our experimental and theoretical findings reveal a mechanism involving oxidative addition of aryl bromides to the Rh catalyst, further ortho C-H metalation via a four-membered cyclometalated ring. Given the ready availability of substrates, our approach opens the door to developing more general methods for the construction of phosphine ligands.

Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Pd-Catalyzed Selective C-P Activation and Transfer Hydrogenation for "Group-Substitution" Synthesis of Trivalent Phosphines

A "group-substitution" synthesis of trivalent phosphines via a C-P activation of phosphonium salts is reported. The alkyl groups were introduced by alkylation of phosphines to form phosphonium salts. The "de-arylation" of phosphonium salts was achieved by C-P activation and transfer hydrogenation with homogeneous or heterogeneous Pd (0) catalysts. With this method, a series of trivalent phosphines were prepared from commercially available triarylphosphines. A chiral monophosphine ligand could be prepared from BINAP in a "de-phosphination" process.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Desymmetric Arylation of γ,γ-Disubsituted Cyclohexadienones: Asymmetric Synthesis of Chiral All-Carbon Quaternary Centers

The desymmetric arylation of prochiral cyclohexadienones with ArZnCl in the presence of an (R)-segphos-rhodium catalyst gave high yields of the corresponding cyclohexenones, which contain a chiral arylated carbon center at the β-position and a chiral all-carbon quaternary center at the γ-position, with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities. This catalytic system was also applied to the arylation of spirocarbocyclic cyclohexadienones and afforded the corresponding cyclohexenones bearing a chiral spiro quaternary carbon with high dr and ee.

Iridium-catalyzed enantioconvergent hydrogenation of trisubstituted olefins

Asymmetric hydrogenation of olefins constitutes a practical and efficient method to introduce chirality into prochiral substrates. However, the absolute majority of the developed methodologies is enantiodivergent and thus require isomerically pure olefins which is a considerable drawback since most olefination strategies produce (E/Z)-mixtures. Although some advances have been reported, a general enantioconvergent hydrogenation featuring a broad functional group tolerance remains elusive. Here, we report the development of a general iridium-catalyzed enantioconvergent hydrogenation of a broad range of functionalized trisubstituted olefins. The substitution pattern around the olefin is critical; whereas α-prochiral olefins can undergo an enantioconvergent hydrogenation, β-prochiral olefins react in an enantiodivergent manner. The presented methodology hydrogenates α-prochiral substrates with excellent control of enantioselection and high isolated yields. Most importantly, both isomerically pure alkenes as well as isomeric mixtures can be hydrogenated to yield the same major enantiomer in excellent enantiomeric excesses which is unusual in transition-metal catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenations.

Usually asymmetric hydrogenation of olefins is enantiodivergent and thus requires isomerically pure olefins, which is a considerable drawback. Here, the authors show a general iridium-catalyzed enantioconvergent hydrogenation of a broad range of functionalized trisubstituted olefins.

Phosphorylation of arenes, heteroarenes, alkenes, carbonyls and imines by dehydrogenative cross-coupling of P(O)-H and P(R)-H

Organophosphorous compounds have recently emerged as a powerful class of compounds with widespread applications, such as in bioactive natural products, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and organic materials, and as ligands in catalysis. The preparation of these compounds requires synthetic techniques with novel catalytic systems varying from transition metal, photo- and electrochemical catalysis to transformations without metal catalysts. Over the past few decades, the addition of P-H bonds to alkenes, alkynes, arenes, heteroarenes and other unsaturated substrates in hydrophosphination and other related reactions via the above-mentioned catalytic processes has emerged as an atom economical approach to obtain organophosphorus compounds. In most of the catalytic cycles, the P-H bond is cleaved to yield a phosphorus-based radical, which adds onto the unsaturated substrate followed by reduction of the corresponding radical yielding the product.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of 3-Benzoylaminocoumarins for the Synthesis of Chiral 3-Amino Dihydrocoumarins

An asymmetric hydrogenation of 3-benzoylaminocoumarins was achieved for the first time using our BridgePhos-Rh catalytic system, providing chiral 3-amino dihydrocoumarins in high yields (up to 98 %) and with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99.7 % ee). The relationship between the enantioselectivities of the hydrogenations and the dihedral angles and the resulting π-π stacking effects of the BridgePhos-Rh complexes, which were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis, are discussed. The corresponding hydrogenated products allow for many transformations, providing several chiral skeletons with important physiological and pharmacological activities.

Recent Progress in Metal-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition Reactions

Metal-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition is a powerful tool that allows rapid construction of functionalized 6-membered carbo- and heterocycles in a single step through an atom-economical process with high functional group tolerance. The reaction is usually regio- and chemoselective although selectivity issues can still be challenging for intermolecular reactions involving the cross-[2+2+2] cycloaddition of two or three different alkynes and various strategies have been developed to attain high selectivities. Furthermore, enantioselective [2+2+2] cycloaddition is an efficient means to create central, axial, and planar chirality and a variety of chiral organometallic complexes can be used for asymmetric transition-metal-catalyzed inter- and intramolecular reactions. This review summarizes the recent advances in the field of [2+2+2] cycloaddition.

1 Introduction

2 Formation of Carbocycles

2.1 Intermolecular Reactions

2.1.1 Cyclotrimerization of Alkynes

2.1.2 [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of Two Different Alkynes

2.1.3 [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of Alkynes/Alkenes with Alkenes/Enamides

2.2 Partially Intramolecular [2+2+2] Cycloaddition Reactions

2.2.1 Rhodium-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition

2.2.2 Molybdenum-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition

2.2.3 Cobalt-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition

2.2.4 Ruthenium-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition

2.2.5 Other Metal-Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloaddition

2.3 Totally Intramolecular [2+2+2] Cycloaddition Reactions

3 Formation of Heterocycles

3.1 Cycloaddition of Alkynes with Nitriles

3.2 Cycloaddition of 1,6-Diynes with Cyanamides

3.3 Cycloaddition of 1,6-Diynes with Selenocyanates

3.4 Cycloaddition of Imines with Allenes or Alkenes

3.5 Cycloaddition of (Thio)Cyanates and Isocyanates

3.6 Cycloaddition of 1,3,5-Triazines with Allenes

3.7 Cycloaddition of Aldehydes with Enynes or Allenes/Alkenes

3.8 Totally Intramolecular [2+2+2] Cycloaddition Reactions

4 Conclusion

Palladium-Catalyzed C-P(III) Bond Formation by Coupling ArBr/ArOTf with Acylphosphines

Palladium-catalyzed C-P bond formation reaction of ArBr/ArOTf using acylphosphines as differential phosphination reagents is reported. The acylphosphines show practicable reactivity with ArBr and ArOTf as the phosphination reagents, though they are inert to the air and moisture. The reaction affords trivalent phosphines directly in good yields with a broad substrate scope and functional group tolerance. This reaction discloses the acylphosphines' capability as new phosphorus sources for the direct synthesis of trivalent phosphines.

Chiral Phosphoric Acid Promoted Chiral 1H NMR Analysis of Atropisomeric Quinolines

An efficient enantioselective NMR analysis of atropisomeric quinolines in the promotion of chiral phosphoric acid is described, in which a variety of racemic 4-aryl quinolines were well-recognized with up to 0.17 ppm ΔΔδ value. Additionally, the optical purities of different nonracemic substrates could be evaluated fast via NMR analysis with high accuracy.

Nickel-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Cyclic Alkenyl Sulfones, Benzo[b]thiophene 1,1-Dioxides, with Mechanistic Studies

A highly efficient catalytic system based on the cheap transition metal nickel for the asymmetric hydrogenation of challenging cyclic alkenyl sulfones, 3-substituted benzo[b]thiophene 1,1-dioxides, was first successfully developed. A series of hydrogenation products, chiral 2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]thiophene 1,1-dioxides, were obtained in high yields (95-99%) with excellent enantioselectivities (90-99% ee). According to the results of nonlinear effect studies, deuterium-labeling experiments, and DFT calculation investigations, a reasonable catalytic mechanism for this nickel-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation was provided, which displayed that the two added hydrogen atoms of the hydrogenation products could be from H₂ through the insertion of Ni-H and subsequent hydrogenolysis.

Asymmetric α-Pentadienylation of Aldehydes with Cyclopropylacetylenes

By employing readily available cyclopropylacetylene and its derivatives as the pentadienylation reagent, an asymmetric regioselective asymmetric α-pentadienylation reaction of aldehydes is developed by cooperative catalysis of a chiral Pd(0) catalyst and a chiral Brønsted acid in the presence of a subschoichmetric amount of an achiral amine. α-Pentadienylated aldehydes are afforded with high yields and enantioselectivities as well as excellent E/Z ratios.

Ligand-enforced intimacy between a gold cation and a carbenium ion: impact on stability and reactivity

Controlling the reactivity of transition metal complexes by positioning non-innocent functionalities around the catalytic pocket is a concept that has led to significant advances in catalysis. Here we describe our efforts toward the synthesis of dicationic phosphine gold complexes of general formula [(o-Ph₂P(C₆H₄)Carb)Au(tht)]²⁺ decorated by a carbenium moiety (Carb) positioned in the immediate vicinity of the gold center. While the most acidic examples of such compounds have limited stability, the dicationic complexes with Carb⁺ = 9-N-methylacridinium and Carb⁺ = [C(Ar^N)₂]⁺ (Ar^N = p-(C₆H₄)NMe₂) are active as catalysts for the cycloisomerization of N-propargyl-4-fluorobenzamide, a substrate chosen to benchmark reactivity. The dicationic complex [(o-Ph₂P(C₆H₄)C(Ar^N)₂)Au(tht)]²⁺, which also promotes hydroarylation and enyne cyclization reactions, displays a higher catalytic activity than its acridinium analog, indicating that the electrophilic reactivity of these complexes scales with the Lewis acidity of the carbenium moiety. These results support the role of the carbenium unit as a non-innocent functionality which can readily enhance the activity of the adjacent metal center. Finally, we also describe our efforts toward the generation and isolation of free γ-cationic phosphines of general formula [(o-Ph₂P(C₆H₄)Carb)]⁺. While cyclization into phosphonium species is observed for Carb⁺ = [C(Ar^N)₂]⁺, [C(Ph)(Ar^N)]⁺, and 9-xanthylium, [(o-Ph₂P(C₆H₄)-9-N-methylacridinium)]⁺ can be isolated as an air stable, biphilic derivative with uncompromised Lewis acidic and basic properties.

This work describes the synthesis of carbenium-based, γ-cationic phosphines and their coordination to Au(i) cations , leading to carbophilic catalysts whose activity is enhanced by the ligand-enforced convergence of the positively charged moieties.

Enantioselective synthesis of 3-substituted dihydrobenzofurans through iridium-catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation

The enantioselective cyclization was efficiently catalyzed by a cationic iridium complex coordinated with a conventional chiral bisphosphine ligand to give benzofurans in high yields with high enantioselectivity.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral Indane Derivatives by Rhodium-Catalyzed Addition of Arylboron Reagents to Substituted Indenes

Rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric addition of arylboron reagents to indene derivatives proceeded to give 2-arylindanes in good yields with high enantioselectivity. Deuterium-labeling experiments indicated that the present reaction involved a 1,4-Rh shift from an initially formed benzylrhodium to an arylrhodium intermediate before protonation leading to the corresponding addition product. The asymmetric addition was also successful for acenaphthylene, which has a similar skeleton to indene, where it was found that the benzylrhodium intermediate underwent direct protonation without the 1,4-Rh shift.

Fluorodesulfurization of Thionobenzodioxoles with Silver(I) Fluoride

Difluorobenzodioxole is an important functional group found in both pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. The late-stage introduction of this functional group is challenged by typical fluorination conditions of HF and strong oxidants. Here, we demonstrate that a range of difluorobenzodioxoles can be prepared from catechols in two steps through conversion into thionobenzodioxoles, followed by desulfurative fluorination with silver(I) fluoride. These mild reaction conditions are compatible with a variety of functional groups and enable access to a range of functionalized difluorobenzodioxoles.

A copper-catalyzed asymmetric oxime propargylation enables the synthesis of the gliovirin tetrahydro-1,2-oxazine core

The bicyclic tetrahydro-1,2-oxazine subunit of gliovirin is synthesized through a diastereoselective copper-catalyzed cyclization of an N-hydroxyamino ester. Oxidative elaboration to the fully functionalized bicycle was achieved through a series of mild transformations. Central to this approach was the development of the first catalytic, enantioselective propargylation of an oxime to furnish a key N-hydroyxamino ester intermediate.

[2,2'-Bis(di-phenyl-phosphan-yl)-1,1'-binaphthyl-κ2 P,P']di-chlorido-platinum(II) acetonitrile trisolvate

The crystal structure (150 K) of the racemic title compound, [PtCl2(C44H32P2)]·3CH3CN, has been determined. The asymmetric unit comprises a single mol-ecule of the title compound co-crystallized with three aceto-nitrile solvent mol-ecules. Four mol-ecules are observed in the unit cell, with R and S enanti-omers present in a 2:2 ratio. Evidence of intra-molecular π-stacking is observed with no discernable inter-molecular inter-actions.

Enantioselective Type II Cycloaddition of Alkynes via C-C Activation of Cyclobutanones: Rapid and Asymmetric Construction of [3.3.1] Bridged Bicycles

Synthesis of bridged scaffolds via Type II cyclization constitutes substantial challenges due to the intrinsic ring strain accumulated in reaction transition states. Catalytic enantioselective Type II-cyclization methods are even rarer. Here, we describe a detailed study of developing a Rh(I)-catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular Type II cyclization of alkynes via C-C activation of cyclobutanones. This method offers a rapid approach to access a wide range of functionalized [3.3.1]-bridged bicycles along with an exocyclic olefin and an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter. Excellent enantioselectivity has been achieved using a combination of cationic rhodium(I) and DTBM-segphos. Attributed to the redox neutral and strong acid/base-free reaction conditions, high chemoselectivity has also been observed. For the oxygen-tethered substrates, the reaction can proceed at room temperature. In addition, partial kinetic resolution has been achieved for substrates with existing stereocenters, forging interesting chiral tricyclic scaffolds. The methylalkyne-derived substrates gave unexpected dimeric structures in good yield with excellent enantioselectivity and complete diastereoselectivity. Furthermore, the bridged bicyclic products can be diversely functionalized through simple transformations. Finally, mechanistic studies reveal a surprising reaction pathway that involves forming a metal-stabilized anti-Bredt olefin intermediate.

Synthesis of Tri(4-formylphenyl) Phosphonate Derivatives as Recyclable Triple-Equivalent Supports of Peptide Synthesis

To seek the novel application of organophosphorus compounds, the designed tri(4-formylphenyl) phosphonate (TFP) derivatives were successfully synthesized herein, which were used as C-terminal protecting groups of amino acid or greener triple-equivalent supports in liquid-phase peptide synthesis (LPPS). Through the support-aided precipitation effect of TFP derivatives, the peptide intermediates during peptide synthesis were separated and collected via rapid precipitation and facile filtration without chromatographic purification. Furthermore, the TFP derivative support can be directly recycled for reuse without further regeneration after being sheared from the target peptide.

Tandem double hydrophosphination of α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated-1,3-indandiones: diphosphine synthesis, mechanistic investigations and coordination chemistry

A metal-free tandem double hydrophosphination of extended conjugated indandiones has been established. Mechanistic investigations confirmed the consecutive manner of the nucleophilic addition reaction. Complexation of the generated keto-diphosphine resulted in the formation of an unexpected tridentate bridging ligand with an anionic P,O-bidentate and a neutral P-monodentate coordination mode on two palladium units. In the presence of an external chiral auxiliary, the coordinated diphosphines could be separated into their enantiomeric forms.