Nickel-catalyzed enantioselective reductive carbo-acylation of alkenes

Nickel-catalyzed reductive arylalkylation of alkenes: 5-exo cyclization vs. 6-endo cyclization vs. 1,2-aryl migration to 6-endo product

The detailed mechanisms of Ni-catalyzed reductive arylalkylation of unactivated alkenes with aryl bromides to synthesize benzene-fused 5-exo and 6-endo cyclic compounds were systematically investigated by DFT calculations. Our finding reveals that, under the catalysis of a Ni/biOx system with Zn as a reductant, bromobenzene containing a terminal olefin unit preferentially undergoes traditional Heck cyclization and cross-coupling reactions, favoring the formation of 5-exo cyclization products. In contrast, when Zn is absent, NiIII-alkyl species play a pivotal role, facilitating a rare 1,2-aryl migration followed by H-atom abstration, which selectively yields 6-endo cyclization products.

Enantioselective Construction of Oxindoles Bearing a Quaternary Carbon via Ni-Al Bimetal-Catalyzed Formyl C-H Alkylation

Enantioselective transition metal-catalyzed C-H alkylation emerges as one of the most atom- and step-economical routes to chiral quaternary carbons, while big challenges still remain with acyl C-H alkylations. Herein, we use a Ni-Al bimetallic catalyst to facilitate a highly regioselective and highly enantioselective C-H alkylation of formamides with alkenes, constructing various oxindoles bearing a chiral quaternary carbon in up to 94 % yield and up to 95 % ee.

Enantioselective Carbonylative Cyclization of Alkenes with C-H Bonds for Synthesis of γ-Lactams Bearing an α-Quaternary Carbon

The development of effective synthetic methods to construct γ-lactams bearing a chiral α-quaternary carbon from relatively inert C(O)-H bonds with alkenes has been an elusive challenge. Herein, we used a naphthylamine-derived phosphine oxide ligating Ni and Al bimetallic catalyst to realize a carbonylative cyclization of formyl C-H bonds with alkenes, highly regio- and enantioselectively constructing γ-lactams bearing a chiral α-quaternary carbon in up to 99% yield and 98% ee. These γ-lactams proved to be versatile synthetic precursors for many biologically active molecules.

Cross-Electrophile Coupling: Principles, Methods, and Applications in Synthesis

Cross-electrophile coupling (XEC), defined by us as the cross-coupling of two different σ-electrophiles that is driven by catalyst reduction, has seen rapid progression in recent years. As such, this review aims to summarize the field from its beginnings up until mid-2023 and to provide comprehensive coverage on synthetic methods and current state of mechanistic understanding. Chapters are split by type of bond formed, which include C(sp3)-C(sp3), C(sp2)-C(sp2), C(sp2)-C(sp3), and C(sp2)-C(sp) bond formation. Additional chapters include alkene difunctionalization, alkyne difunctionalization, and formation of carbon-heteroatom bonds. Each chapter is generally organized with an initial summary of mechanisms followed by detailed figures and notes on methodological developments and ending with application notes in synthesis. While XEC is becoming an increasingly utilized approach in synthesis, its early stage of development means that optimal catalysts, ligands, additives, and reductants are still in flux. This review has collected data on these and various other aspects of the reactions to capture the state of the field. Finally, the data collected on the papers in this review is offered as Supporting Information for readers.

Ni-catalyzed enantioselective three-component reductive alkylacylation of alkenes: modular access to structurally complex α-amino ketones

Chiral alpha-amino ketones have found extensive applications as functional molecules. A nickel-catalyzed, enantioselective, and fully intermolecular three-component 1,2-alkylacylation of N-acyl enamides has been realized with tertiary alkyl bromides and carboxylic acid-derived electrophiles as the coupling reagents. This reductive coupling strategy is operationally simple, exhibiting broad substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance using readily available starting materials and allowing rapid access to structurally complex α-amino ketone derivatives in high enantioselectivity. A suitable chiral biimidazoline ligand together with additional chelation of the amide carbonyl group in a Ni alkyl intermediate facilitates the enantioselective control by suppressing the background reaction, accounting for the excellent enantioselectivity. Mechanistic studies indicated intermediacy of radical species.

From Conventional to Sustainable Catalytic Approaches for Heterocycles Synthesis

Synthesis of heterocyclic compounds is fundamental for all the research area in chemistry, from drug synthesis to material science. In this framework, catalysed synthetic methods are of great interest to effective reach such important building blocks. In this review, we will report on some selected examples from the last five years, of the major improvement in the field, focusing on the most important conventional catalytic systems, such as transition metals, organocatalysts, to more sustainable ones such as photocatalysts, iodine-catalysed reaction, electrochemical reactions and green innovative methods.

Enantioselective Reductive Cross-Couplings of Olefins by Merging Electrochemistry with Nickel Catalysis

The merger of electrochemistry and transition metal catalysis has emerged as a powerful tool to join two electrophiles in an enantioselective manner. However, the development of enantioselective electroreductive cross-couplings of olefins remains a challenge. Inspired by the advantages of the synergistic use of electrochemistry with nickel catalysis, we present here a Ni-catalyzed enantioselective electroreductive cross-coupling of acrylates with aryl halides and alkyl bromides, which affords chiral α-aryl carbonyls in good to excellent enantioselectivity. Additionally, this catalytic reaction can be applied to (hetero)aryl chlorides, which is difficult to achieve by other methods. The combination of cyclic voltammetry analysis with electrode potential studies suggests that the NiI species activates aryl halides by oxidative addition and alkyl bromides by single-electron transfer.

Recent Progress in Asymmetric Domino Intramolecular Cyclization/Cascade Reactions of Substituted Olefins

The domino cyclization/coupling strategy is one of the most effective methods to produce cyclized and multi-functionalized compounds from olefins, which has attracted huge attention from chemists and biochemists especially for its considerable potential of enantiocontrol. Nowadays, more and more studies are developed to achieve difunctionalization of substituted olefins through an asymmetric domino intramolecular cyclization/cascade reaction, which is still an elegant choice to accomplish several synthetic ideas such as complex natural products and drugs. This review surveys the recent advances in this field through reaction type classification. It might serve as useful knowledge desktop for the community and accelerate their research.

Three-Component Asymmetric Ni-Catalyzed 1,2-Dicarbofunctionalization of Unactivated Alkenes via Stereoselective Migratory Insertion

An asymmetric 1,2-dicarbofunctionalization of unactivated alkenes with aryl iodides and aryl/alkenylboronic esters under nickel/bioxazoline catalysis is disclosed. A wide array of aryl and alkenyl nucleophiles are tolerated, furnishing the products in good yield and with high enantioselectivity. In addition to terminal alkenes, 1,2-disubstituted internal alkenes participate in the reaction, establishing two contiguous stereocenters with high diastereoselectivity and moderate enantioselectivity. A combination of experimental and computational techniques shed light on the mechanism of the catalytic transformation, pointing to a closed-shell pathway with an enantiodetermining migratory insertion step, where stereoinduction arises from synergistic interactions between the sterically bulky achiral sulfonamide directing group and the hemilabile bidentate ligand.

Synthesis of Carbonyl-Containing Oxindoles via Ni-Catalyzed Reductive Aryl-Acylation and Aryl-Esterification of Alkenes

Carbonyl-containing oxindoles are ubiquitous core structures present in many biologically active natural products and pharmaceutical molecules. Nickel-catalyzed reductive aryl-acylation of alkenes using aryl anhydrides or alkanoyl chlorides as acyl sources is developed, providing 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles bearing ketone functionality at the 3-position. Moreover, nickel-catalyzed reductive aryl-esterification of alkenes using chloroformate as ester sources is further developed, affording 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles bearing ester functionality at the 3-position. This strategy has the advantages of good yields and high functional group compatibility.

Nickel-Catalyzed Enantioselective Reductive Alkyl-Carbamoylation of Internal Alkenes

Herein, we leverage the Ni-catalyzed enantioselective reductive dicarbofunctionalization of internal alkenes with alkyl iodides to enable the synthesis of chiral pyrrolidinones bearing vicinal stereogenic centers. The application of newly developed 1-Nap Quinim is critical for formation of two contiguous stereocenters in high yield, enantioselectivity, and diastereoselectivity. This catalytic system also improves both the yield and enantioselectivity in the synthesis of α,α-dialkylated γ-lactams. Computational studies reveal that the enantiodetermining step proceeds with a carbamoyl-NiI intermediate that is reduced by the Mn reductant prior to intramolecular migratory insertion. The presence of the t-butyl group of the Quinim ligand leads to an unfavorable distortion of the substrate in the TS that leads to the minor enantiomer. Calculations also support an improvement in enantioselectivity with 1-Nap Quinim compared to p-tol Quinim.

Catalytic Desymmetric Dicarbofunctionalization of Unactivated Alkenes

The construction of multi-stereocenters by a transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction is a major challenge. The catalytic desymmetric functionalization of unactivated alkenes remains largely unexplored. Herein, we disclose -a desymmetric dicarbofunctionalization of 1,6-dienes via a nickel-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling reaction. The leverage of the underdeveloped chiral 8-Quinox enables the Ni-catalyzed desymmetric carbamoylalkylation of both unactivated mono- and disubstituted alkenes to form pyrrolidinone bearing two nonadjacent stereogenic centers in high enantio- and stereoselectivitives with broad functional-group tolerance. The synthetic application of pyrrolidinones allows the rapid access to complex chiral fused-heterocycles.

8-Quinolinyl Oxazoline: Ligand Exploration in Enantioselective Ni-Catalyzed Reductive Carbamoyl-Alkylation of Alkene to Access the Chiral Oxindoles

Chiral ligands play an essential role in transition metal-catalyzed enantioselective transformations, in which chiral oxazoline-based scaffolds are the privileged chiral ligand. Nevertheless, 8-quinolinyl oxazoline (8-Quinox) ligands are underexplored in transition metal-catalyzed asymmetric transformations since their development in 1998. Herein, we report an 8-Quinox ligand promoted Ni-catalyzed enantioselective reductive carbamoyl-alkylation of carbamoyl chloride tethered styrene with unactivated alkyl iodide, providing an expedient access to valuable enantioenriched oxindoles in good results.

Nickel-catalysed cross-electrophile coupling of aryl bromides and primary alkyl bromides

The structure of primary alkylated arenes plays an important role in the molecular action of drugs and natural products. The nickel/spiro-bidentate-pyox catalysed cross-electrophile coupling of aryl bromides and primary alkyl bromides was developed for the formation of the Csp2-Csp3 bond, which provided an efficient method for the synthesis of primary alkylated arenes. The reactions could tolerate functional groups such as ester, aldehyde, ketone, ether, benzyl, and imide.

Three-Component Visible-Light-Induced Palladium-Catalyzed 1,2-Alkyl Carbamoylation/Cyanation of Alkenes

A mild visible-light-induced Pd-catalyzed one-pot three-component alkyl-carbamoylation and cyanation of alkenes was developed. This general transformation, which proceeds via the in situ formation of a reactive ketenimine intermediate, allows for a rapid construction of a broad range of valuable amides and nitriles from readily available alkenes, alkyl iodides, and isocyanides. An efficient synthesis of tetrazole and amidine via this approach was also demonstrated.

Pd-Catalyzed Asymmetric Acyl-Carbamoylation of an Alkene to Construct an α-Quaternary Chiral Cycloketone

Herein, we report the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric acyl-carbamoylation of an alkene by employing thioesters as the acyl electrophiles and t-BuNC as the carbamoyl reagent, affording an α-quaternary chiral cycloketone in synthetically useful yields with excellent enantioselectivity. The reaction proceeded via asymmetric 1,2-migratory insertions of acyl-Pd into alkenes and subsequent migratory insertion of isocyanides into C(sp³)-Pd^II. The product could be diversified to some valuable skeletons with retention of enantiopurity, demonstrating the synthetic utility of this protocol.

Nickel-Catalyzed Asymmetric Reductive Dicarbamoylation of Alkenes

Herein we report a nickel-catalyzed asymmetric reductive dicarbamoylation of alkenes, in which tethered carbamoyl chlorides and isocyanates serve as distinct electrophilic carbamoylating agents, providing new access to chiral oxindoles bearing an amide-substituted quaternary stereogenic center.

Synthesis of 3,3-Dialkyl-Substituted Isoindolinones Enabled by Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive Dicarbofunctionalization of Enamides

Herein we report the nickel-catalyzed reductive dicarbofunctionalization of 1,1-disubstituted enamides with unactivated alkyl iodides to access the 3,3-dialkyl-substituted isoindolinone frameworks. This tandem cyclization/reductive coupling protocol exhibits broad functional group tolerance under mild conditions. The utilization of commercially accessible chiral Bn-Biox ligand allows excellent enantioselectivities to forge the tetrasubstituted stereocenters.

Catalyst-free carbosilylation of alkenes using silyl boronates and organic fluorides via selective C-F bond activation

A regioselective carbosilylation of alkenes has emerged as a powerful strategy to access molecules with functionalized silylated alkanes, by incorporating silyl and carbon groups across an alkene double bond. However, to the best of our knowledge, organic fluorides have never been used in this protocol. Here we disclose the catalyst-free carbosilylation of alkenes using silyl boronates and organic fluorides mediated by tBuOK. The main feature of this transformation is the selective activation of the C-F bond of an organic fluoride by the silyl boronate without undergoing potential side-reactions involving C-O, C-Cl, heteroaryl-CH, and even CF3 groups. Various silylated alkanes with tertiary or quaternary carbon centers that have aromatic, hetero-aromatic, and/or aliphatic groups at the β-position are synthesized in a single step from substituted or non-substituted aryl alkenes. An intramolecular variant of this carbosilylation is also achieved via the reaction of a fluoroarene with a ω-alkenyl side chain and a silyl boronate.

Three-Component Ni-Catalyzed Silylacylation of Alkenes

A Ni-catalyzed silylacylation of alkenes is presented. The reaction combines alkenes, ClZnSiR3, and acid chlorides to provide rapid access to β-silyl ketones. Importantly, the method involves a [Ni]-SiR3 complex as a catalytic intermediate, which is rarely described for three-component alkene functionalization. Finally, the synthetic utility of the products is demonstrated, and the mechanistic details are described.

Palladium-catalyzed domino Heck-disilylation and Heck-monosilylation of alkene-tethered carbamoyl chlorides: synthesis of versatile silylated oxindoles

We report efficient domino Heck-disilylation and Heck-monosilylation of alkene-tethered carbamoyl chlorides with hexamethyldisilane under mild reaction conditions.

Recent advances in transition metal-catalyzed reactions of carbamoyl chlorides

This review highlights the recent advancements of carbamoyl chlorides in transition metal-catalyzed reactions to access various amide-containing molecules and heterocycles.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Diastereoselective [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of Carbonyl Ylide: An Access to the Core Ring System of Cordigol and Lophirone H

This paper describes a new synthetic strategy for the construction of tricyclic chromeno/quinolino furan frameworks via creation of two new rings and three contiguous stereogenic centers with high diastereoselectivity through a rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular carbonyl ylide cycloaddition reaction for the first time. This protocol allows the synthesis of the core ring system of natural products such as cordigol and lophirone H.

Carbamoyl Fluoride-Enabled Enantioselective Ni-Catalyzed Carbocarbamoylation of Unactivated Alkenes

A carbamoyl fluoride-enabled enantioselective Ni-catalyzed carbocarbamoylation of unactivated alkenes was developed, providing a broad range of chiral γ-lactams bearing an all-carbon quaternary center in 45-96% yield and 38-97% ee.

Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive Aryl Thiocarbonylation of Alkene via Thioester Group Transfer Strategy

Herein reported is a nickel-catalyzed reductive aryl thiocarbonylation of alkene via thioester group transfer strategy by using simple and readily available thioesters. In contrast to traditional activation of weaker C(acyl)-S bond, the C(acyl)-C bond of thioester was selectively cleaved to enable this reaction under mild conditions. Furthermore, this approach features operational simplicity and broad substrate scope, providing a complementary and practical route for thioester synthesis without requiring toxic thiol or CO gas.

Nickel-Catalyzed Enantioselective Reductive Cross-Coupling Reactions

Nickel-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling reactions have emerged as powerful methods to join two electrophiles. These reactions have proven particularly useful for the coupling of sec-alkyl electrophiles to form stereogenic centers; however, the development of enantioselective variants remains challenging. In this Perspective, we summarize the progress that has been made toward Ni-catalyzed enantioselective reductive cross-coupling reactions.

Nickel-Catalyzed Dicarbofunctionalization of Alkenes

1,2-Dicarbofunctionalization of alkenes has emerged as an efficient synthetic strategy for preparing substituted molecules by coupling readily available alkenes with electrophiles and/or nucleophiles. Nickel complexes serve as effective catalysts owing to their tendency to undergo facile oxidative addition and slow β-hydride elimination, and their capability to access both two-electron and radical pathways. Two-component alkene functionalization reactions have achieved high chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivities by tethering one of the coupling partners to the alkene substrate. Three-component reactions, however, often incorporate directing groups to control the selectivity. Only a few examples of directing-group-free difunctionalizations of unactivated alkenes have been reported. Therefore, great opportunities exist for the development of three-component difunctionalization reactions with broad substrate scopes and tunable chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivities.

Nickel-Catalyzed Asymmetric Cross-Electrophile Coupling Reactions

The merger of cross-electrophile coupling and asymmetric catalysis provides a novel approach to the preparation of optically active compounds. This method is often endowed with high step economy, mild conditions, and excellent tolerance of functional groups. Recent advances in the research field of nickel-catalyzed asymmetric cross-electrophile coupling reactions are highlighted in this concise Synpacts article.

1 Introduction

2 Asymmetric Cross-Electrophile Coupling Reactions between Organohalides

3 Asymmetric Electrophilic Ring-Opening Reactions

4 Asymmetric Electrophilic Difunctionalization of Alkenes

4.1 Two-Component Electrophilic Difunctionalization of Alkenes Involving Arylnickelation as an Enantiodetermining Step

4.2 Two-Component Electrophilic Difunctionalization of Alkenes Involving Carbamoylnickelation as an Enantiodetermining Step

4.3 Three-Component Electrophilic Difunctionalization of Alkenes

5 Asymmetric Electrophilic Functionalization of Carbonyl Compounds

6 Summary