Ortho-metalated aryl tert-butyl sulfones. Comparison with other directing groups and new methodology for polysubstituted aromatics

General and Scalable Synthesis of 2-Aryl and 2-Alkyl Pyrimidines via an Electronically Tuned SNAr Approach

An efficient SNAr approach for generating a wide array of 2-aryl and 2-alkyl pyrimidines in good to high yields was developed. This methodology does not require precious metal catalysts and is compatible with aryl, heteroaryl, and alkyl magnesium halides as nucleophiles. This process is scalable and performed at room temperature well below the temperature of the competing decomposition of the activated 2-tert-butyl sulfonyl pyrimidine electrophile.

Palladium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Oxidative Arylations for the Synthesis of Fused Biaryl Sulfones

This study unveils palladium-catalyzed intramolecular oxidative cyclizations in biaryl and heterobiaryl sulfones providing direct access to fused biaryl sulfones (dibenzothiophene-5,5-dioxides). Variously substituted dibenzothiophene-5,5-dioxides could be readily prepared in good to excellent yields under optimized conditions. In addition, bromination afforded dibromo derivative of dibenzothiophene-5,5-dioxides, providing platform for late-stage diversification. The translational applications of this current protocol have successfully been demonstrated in the synthesis of 2,8-diamino derivative of dibenzothiophene-5,5-dioxides, a α₇-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist analogue, and novel single fluorene-tethered dibenzothiophene-5,5-dioxide, an organic emitter.

para-Selective Alkylation of Sulfonylarenes by Cooperative Nickel/Aluminum Catalysis

A method for the para-selective alkylation of a variety of arenesulfonamides and aromatic sulfones with 1-alkenes by cooperative nickel/aluminum catalysis has been developed. Taking advantage of the sulfornyl functionality serving as a removable ortho-directing group, the reaction can be applied to facile access to 1,3-dialkyl-substitued benzenes.

Palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative ortho-arylation of 2-pyridyl sulfoxides with benzoyl peroxides

A palladium catalyzed efficient strategy for regio-selective ortho-arylation of sulfoxides with aryl acyl peroxides via decarboxylation has been developed.

2-(Aryl-sulfonyl)oxetanes as designer 3-dimensional fragments for fragment screening: synthesis and strategies for functionalisation

2-Sulfonyl-oxetanes have been prepared, affording non-planar structures with desirable physicochemical properties for fragment based drug discovery. The oxetane motif was formed by an intramolecular C-C bond formation. The fragments were further functionalised via organometallic intermediates at the intact oxetane and aromatic rings.

Arylsilane oxidation--new routes to hydroxylated aromatics

An efficient route to hydroxylated aromatics has been developed, via the oxidation of aryl organosilanes under functional group-tolerant and relatively mild conditions, using sub-stoichiometric amounts of fluoride promoters.

Nickel 0-catalyzed cross-coupling of alkyl arenesulfonates with aryl Grignard reagents

The nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of neopentyl arenesulfonates with arylmagnesium bromides, involving nucleophilic aromatic substitution of alkyloxysulfonyl groups by aryl nucleophiles, take place in high yields. Optimal efficiencies are obtained by adding 3 + 2 equiv of the Grignard reagent to a mixture of dppfNiCl(2) and the sulfonate in refluxing THF. Neopentyl arenesulfonates are useful sources of the electrophilic aryl groups in these transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. Aryl sulfonates are inappropriate due to their ambident reactivity under the reaction conditions. This new cross-coupling reaction can be used for the creative elimination of alkyloxysulfonyl groups from aromatic compounds and for the preparation of unsymmetric terphenyls and oligophenyls.

Highly regioselective synthesis of 2,3,4-trisubstituted 1H-pyrroles: a formal total synthesis of lukianol A

A combined use of alpha-lithiation and nucleophilic substitutions of N,N-dimethyl 3,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1H-pyrrole-1-sulfonamide 8c led to several 2-substituted 3, 4-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1H-pyrrole-1-sulfonamides. Utilizing the beta-effect of a trimethylsilyl group, a highly regioselective synthesis of 2,3,4-trisubstituted 1H-pyrroles 23 and 34 was accomplished. The marine natural product lukianol A (3) was prepared utilizing this strategy.

Sulfones as Radical Progenitors: An Unprecedented Example of Homolytic Sulfone Cleavage Facilitated by o-Stannyl Substitution of Aryl Sulfones(1)

Allylic aryl sulfones bearing an o-allyldialkylstannyl moiety (1b), when converted to stannyl radical 1a, suffer homolytic cleavage via intramolecular attack of the stannyl radical on the sulfone. Allyl radicals generated in this manner can be utilized for further intramolecular radical cyclizations; thus the overall transformation can be viewed as an alkylative desulfonylation reaction. Previously unknown sulfonyl stannane polymer 5 is generated as a byproduct. The o-dibutylstannyl radical derived from nonallylic aryl sulfone 15 does not suffer homolysis but instead forms 9-membered macrocycle 19 via an intramolecular reaction with the phenylacetylene group.

Free Radical Self-Immolative 1,2-Elimination and Reductive Desulfonylation of Aryl Sulfones Promoted by Intramolecular Reactions with Ortho-Attached Carbon-Centered Radicals(1)

Aryl sulfones bearing an o-(bromomethyl)dimethylsilyl moiety (1), when heated with AIBN and tributyltin hydride, suffer radical elimination under mild conditions to give olefins and stannyl sulfinate 7 in high yield. The mechanism is shown to proceed via intramolecular beta-sulfonyl hydrogen abstraction by o-silylmethylene radical 2. This step also shows a large deuterium isotope effect of 12:1. In contrast, radical intermediate 24, generated by tris(trimethylsilyl)silane radical addition to o-allylsilane 23, undergoes intramolecular attack on the sulfone, resulting in homolytic sulfone cleavage to afford reduced products and cyclic sulfone byproduct 25.