Radical transfer hydrosilylation/cyclization using silylated cyclohexadienes

Silylation and (Hetero)aryl/alkenylation of Unactivated Alkenes via Radical-Mediated Distal 1,4-Migration with Hydrosilanes under Organophotocatalysis

We report a novel organic photoredox catalysis to achieve unprecedented γ-(hetero)aryl/alkenyl-δ-silyl aliphatic amines via silyl-mediated distal (hetero)aryl/alkenyl migration of aromatic/alkenyl amines bearing unactivated alkenes with hydrosilanes. This protocol features mild and metal-free reaction conditions, high atom economy, excellent selectivity, and functional group compatibility. Mechanistic studies suggest that silylation and (hetero)aryl/alkenylation involve photoredox hydrogen atom transfer catalysis and subsequent 1,4-migration of a remote (hetero)aryl/alkenyl group from nitrogen to carbon.

Formoxyboranes as hydroborane surrogates for the catalytic reduction of carbonyls through transfer hydroboration

A new class of Lewis base stabilized formoxyboranes demonstrates the feasibility of catalytic transfer hydroboration. In the presence of a ruthenium catalyst, they have shown broad applicability for reducing carbonyl compounds. Various borylated alcohols are obtained in high selectivity and yields up to 99%, tolerating several functional groups. Computational studies enabled to propose a mechanism for this transformation, revealing the role of the ruthenium catalyst and the absence of hydroborane intermediates.

Silyl formates as hydrosilane surrogates for the transfer hydrosilylation of ketones

A transfer hydrosilylation of ketones employing silyl formates as hydrosilane surrogates under mild conditions is presented. A total of 24 examples of ketones have been successfully converted to their corresponding silyl ethers with 61-99% yields in the presence of a PN^HP-based ruthenium catalyst and silyl formate reagent. The crucial role of the ligand for the transformation is demonstrated.

Oxime ester-enabled anti-Markovnikov hydrosilylation of alkenes

An oxime ester-enabled anti-Markovnikov hydrosilylation of alkenes is developed.

Metal-Free Hydrosilylation Polymerization by Merging Photoredox and Hydrogen Atom Transfer Catalysis

Organosilicon compounds and polymers have found wide applications as synthetic building blocks and functional materials. Hydrosilylation is a common strategy toward the synthesis of organosilicon compounds and polymers. Although transition-metal-catalyzed hydrosilylation has achieved great advances, the metal-free hydrosilylation polymerization of dienes and bis(silane)s, especially the one suitable for both electron-rich and electron-deficient dienes, is largely lacking. Herein, we report a visible-light-driven metal-free hydrosilylation polymerization of both electron-rich and electron-deficient dienes with bis(silane)s by using the organic photocatalyst and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) catalyst. We achieved the well-controlled step-growth hydrosilylation polymerizations of the electron-rich diene and bis(silane) monomer due to the selective activation of Si-H bonds by the organic photocatalyst (4CzIPN) and the thiol polarity reversal reagent (HAT 1). For the electron-deficient dienes, hydrosilylation polymerization and self-polymerization occurred simultaneously in the presence of 4CzIPN and aceclidine (HAT 2), providing the opportunity to produce linear, hyperbranched, and network polymers by rationally tuning the concentration of electron-deficient dienes and the ratio of bis(silane)s and dienes to alter the proportion of the two polymerizations. A wide scope of bis(silane)s and dienes furnished polycarbosilanes with high molecular weight, excellent thermal stability, and tunable architectures.

Copper-Photocatalyzed Hydrosilylation of Alkynes and Alkenes under Continuous Flow

Herein, the photocatalytic hydrosilylation of alkynes and alkenes under continuous flow conditions is described. By using 0.2 mol % of the developed [Cu(dmp)(XantphosTEPD)]PF₆ under blue LEDs irradiation, a large panel of alkenes and alkynes was hydrosilylated in good to excellent yields with a large functional group tolerance. The mechanism of the reaction was studied, and a plausible scenario was suggested.

Bicyclo[2.2.0]hexene derivatives as a proaromatic platform for group transfer and chemical sensing

Here we report the design, preparation, synthetic utility, and sensing application of a class of proaromatic structures, namely bicyclo[2.2.0]hexene (BCH) derivatives. Building on a valence isomerism concept, they feature modular and easy synthesis as well as high thermal stability, and can be oxidatively activated under mild conditions. New alkyl transfer reactions using BCHs as a radical donor have been developed to showcase the utility of their proaromaticity. Moreover, the redox-triggered valence isomerization of a quinoline-derived BCH led to colorimetric and fluorescent responses toward vapors of electrophilic reagents in solution and solid phase, respectively. This optical response was shown to involve a 1,3-cyclohexadiene structure that possesses an intramolecular charge transfer excited state with interesting aggregation induced emission (AIE) character. Thus, the potential of BCHs has been demonstrated as a versatile platform for the development of new reagents and functional materials.

Cyclohexadienes have been widely explored as proaromatic surrogates for group transfer reactions but limited storage stability and difficult accessibility of these compounds limits the application range. Here, the authors present a class of proaromatic bicyclo[2.2.0]hexene derivatives and demonstrate their application in alkyl transfer reactions and sensing applications.

An Electroreductive Approach to Radical Silylation via the Activation of Strong Si-Cl Bond

The construction of C(sp³)-Si bonds is important in synthetic, medicinal, and materials chemistry. In this context, reactions mediated by silyl radicals have become increasingly attractive but methods for accessing these intermediates remain limited. We present a new strategy for silyl radical generation via electroreduction of readily available chlorosilanes. At highly biased potentials, electrochemistry grants access to silyl radicals through energetically uphill reductive cleavage of strong Si-Cl bonds. This strategy proved to be general in various alkene silylation reactions including disilylation, hydrosilylation, and allylic silylation under simple and transition-metal-free conditions.

Radical Hydroalkylation and Hydroacylation of Alkenes by the Use of Benzothiazoline under Thermal Conditions

The hydroalkylation and hydroacylation of electron-deficient alkenes proceeded smoothly by using benzothiazoline derivatives as radical-transfer reagents under thermal conditions without light irradiation or any additive. Both benzyl and benzoyl moieties were transferred efficiently.

Synthesis of Alkyl Silanes via Reaction of Unactivated Alkyl Chlorides and Triflates with Silyl Lithium Reagents

The reaction of unactivated secondary and primary alkyl chlorides as well as primary alkyl triflates with silyl lithium reagents to access tetraorganosilanes is reported. These nucleophilic substitutions proceed in the absence of any transition metal catalyst under mild conditions in moderate to very good yields. The silyl lithium reagents are readily generated from the corresponding commercially available chlorosilanes. Enantioenriched secondary alkyl chlorides react with high stereospecificity under inversion of configuration.

Diastereoselective Synthesis of Polysubstituted Piperidines through Visible-Light-Driven Silylative Cyclization of Aza-1,6-Dienes: Experimental and DFT Studies

A visible-light-driven radical silylative cyclization of aza-1,6-dienes featuring an acrylonitrile or acrylate moiety and an electron-neutral olefin was developed, which allows for stereoselective synthesis of densely functionalized piperidines in a highly atom-economical manner. Depending on the substitution pattern of the electron-neutral olefin, poor-to-excellent diastereoselectivity was observed. It was suggested that the 6-exo-trig cyclization was initiated by a chemoselective addition of silyl radical toward electron-deficient olefin and the geometry of the remaining olefin is closely associated with the cis-stereoselectivity. DFT calculations supported that a transition state with a cyano group locating at the axial position of the forming piperidine ring might be involved, in which either the increase of 1,3-diaxial repulsion or the lack of hydrogen bonding interaction will diminish diastereoselectivity.

Radical Hydroboration and Hydrosilylation of gem-Difluoroalkenes: Synthesis of α-Difluorinated Alkylborons and Alkylsilanes

A first example of radical hydroboration and hydrosilylation of gem-difluoroalkenes using ABIN as the radical initiator is described. This protocol features good functional group tolerance, operational simplicity, high atom economy, and easy scale-up, enabling efficient assembly of a wide range of α-difluorinated alkylborons and alkylsilanes in moderate to excellent yields. The synthetic utility of these products is demonstrated by further transformation of the C-B bond and C-Si bond into valuable CF₂-containing molecules.

Cooperative Palladium/Lewis Acid-Catalyzed Transfer Hydrocyanation of Alkenes and Alkynes Using 1-Methylcyclohexa-2,5-diene-1-carbonitrile

Catalytic transfer hydrocyanation represents a clean and safe alternative to hydrocyanation processes using toxic HCN gas. Such reactions provide access to pharmaceutically important nitrile derivatives starting with alkenes and alkynes. Herein, an efficient and practical cooperative palladium/Lewis acid-catalyzed transfer hydrocyanation of alkenes and alkynes is presented using 1-methylcyclohexa-2,5-diene-1-carbonitrile as a benign and readily available HCN source. A large set of nitrile derivatives (>50 examples) are prepared from both aliphatic and aromatic alkenes with good to excellent anti-Markovnikov selectivity. A range of aliphatic alkenes engage in selective hydrocyanation to provide the corresponding nitriles. The introduced method is useful for chain walking hydrocyanation of internal alkenes to afford terminal nitriles in good regioselectivities. This protocol is also applicable to late-stage modification of bioactive molecules.

Cyclohexa-1,4-dienes in transition-metal-free ionic transfer processes

Adequately substituted cyclohexa-1,4-dienes with an electrofuge attached to one of the bisallylic carbon atoms serve as surrogates for small molecules.

Safe- and convenient-to-handle surrogates of hazardous chemicals are always in demand. Recently introduced cyclohexa-1,4-dienes with adequate substitution fulfil this role as El⁺/H^– equivalents in B(C₆F₅)₃-catalysed transfer reactions of El–H to π- and σ-donors (C Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> C/C Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> C and CO/CN). Surrogates of Si–H/Ge–H, H–H and even C–H bonds have been designed and successfully applied to ionic transfer hydrosilylation/hydrogermylation, hydrogenation and hydro-tert-butylation, respectively. These processes and their basic principles are summarised in this Minireview. The similarities and differences between these transfer reactions as well as the challenges associated with these transformations are discussed.

Radical cascade cyclization of 1,n-enynes and diynes for the synthesis of carbocycles and heterocycles

This review highlights recent advances in radical cascade cyclization of 1,n-enynes and diynes for the construction of carbo- and heterocycles.

Disilanes as oxygen scavengers and surrogates of hydrosilanes suitable for selective reduction of nitroarenes, phosphine oxides and other valuable substrates

In this report, we demonstrate that the reaction of nitroarenes with hexamethyldisilane under various conditions affords a different range of compounds with excellent selectivity.

Cyclohexa-1,3-diene-based dihydrogen and hydrosilane surrogates in B(C6F5)3-catalysed transfer processes

Transition-metal-free transfer hydrogenation and transfer hydrosilylation of alkenes are achieved with cyclohexa-1,3-diene-based surrogates.

9-Silafluorenes via base-promoted homolytic aromatic substitution (BHAS)--the electron as a catalyst

Transition-metal-free intramolecular radical silylation of 2-diphenylsilylbiaryls via base-promoted homolytic aromatic substitution (BHAS) to give 9-silafluorenes is reported. 2-Diphenylsilylbiaryls are readily prepared, and cross dehydrogenative silylation occurs with tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) as a cheap stoichiometric oxidant in the presence of a small amount of tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI) as an initiator. These cyclizations are catalyzed by the electron.

Radical reactions of borohydrides

This review article focuses on state-of-the-art borohydride based radical reactions, also covering earlier work, kinetics and some DFT calculations with respect to the hydrogen transfer mechanism.

Platinum Oxide Catalyzed Hydrosilylation of Unsymmetrical Internal Aryl Alkynes under Ortho-Substituent Regiocontrol

[chemical reaction: see text]. PtO2- and H2PtCl6-catalyzed hydrosilylation of internal aryl alkynes having a para or an ortho substituent with triethylsilane are discussed and compared. The regioselectivity of the H-Si bond addition was found to be controlled by the ortho substituent rather than the nature of the platinum catalyst. Arylalkynes with an ortho substituent, regardless of its electronic nature, directed the silyl substituent mainly to the alpha-position. PtO2 proved to be a versatile and powerful catalyst compared to H2PtCl6 since it prevents the alkyne reduction.

Evolution of functional cyclohexadiene-based synthetic reagents: the importance of becoming aromatic

Suites of new precursors designed around a cyclohexadiene core and intended to mediate "clean" radical chain syntheses have been prepared and tested. 1-Functionalized cyclohexa-2,5-dienes were found to readily donate H-atoms, and the resulting cyclohexadienyl radicals rapidly extruded their functional group as a free radical, because this beta-scission restored aromaticity to the ring. This concept was employed to generate designer radicals from esters of the corresponding alcohols with 1-methyl- or 1-phenylcyclohexa-2,5-diene-1-carboxylic acids. In a similar way, pre-adapted carbamoyl radicals were obtained from cyclohexadienyl-amides and proved advantageous for syntheses of alpha- and beta-lactams. Oxime ether substituted carbamoyl radicals cyclized successfully in convenient syntheses of dihydroindolin-2-ones with N-functionality at the 3-position. Similarly, silicon-centered radicals were obtained from 1-silylated cyclohexadienes, and these reagents proved to be very efficient, environmentally benign organotin hydride substitutes. Radical reactions including reductions, cyclizations, intermolecular additions, and hydrosilylations were carried out in high yields with this reagent. Other heteroatom-centered radicals, especially N-centered radicals, were obtained from appropriate cyclohexadienes enabling chain hydroaminations to be conducted. Several of the cyclohexadiene precursors proved to be useful for electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic purposes, and this enabled rate constants for fragmentations of the cyclohexadienyl radicals to be obtained. Kinetic data for H-atom abstraction from cyclohexadienes, the second propagation step of the chain processes, was derived from customized radical clocks and from EPR measurements. In this way, conceptual tools were developed for improving future synthetic methodology based around these reagents.