Iodoarene Activation: Take a Leap Forward toward Green and Sustainable Transformations

Constructing chemical bonds under green sustainable conditions has drawn attention from environmental and economic perspectives. The dissociation of (hetero)aryl-halide bonds is a crucial step of most arylations affording (hetero)arene derivatives. Herein, we summarize the (hetero)aryl halides activation enabling the direct (hetero)arylation of trapping reagents and construction of highly functionalized (hetero)arenes under benign conditions. The strategies for the activation of aryl iodides are classified into (a) hypervalent iodoarene activation followed by functionalization under thermal/photochemical conditions, (b) aryl-I bond dissociation in the presence of bases with/without organic catalysts and promoters, (c) photoinduced aryl-I bond dissociation in the presence/absence of organophotocatalysts, (d) electrochemical activation of aryl iodides by direct/indirect electrolysis mediated by organocatalysts and mediators acting as electron shuttles, and (e) electrophotochemical activation of aryl iodides mediated by redox-active organocatalysts. These activation modes result in aryl iodides exhibiting diverse reactivity as formal aryl cations/radicals/anions and aryne precursors. The coupling of these reactive intermediates with trapping reagents leads to the facile and selective formation of C-C and C-heteroatom bonds. These ecofriendly, inexpensive, and functional group-tolerant activation strategies offer green alternatives to transition metal-based catalysis.

Sequential regioselective arylation of pyrazolones with diaryliodonium salts

The introduction of aromatic substituents into organic compounds significantly alters their physical and chemical characteristics. Yet, achieving precise control over the site-selectivity of arylation continues to pose a considerable challenge. We present here a controllable method for the site-selective mono-, di-, and triarylation of pyrazolone with diaryliodonium salts. The method showcases robustness, flexibility, and excellent compatibility with a broad range of functional groups. It enables control over both the site of arylation and the number of aryl additions. Specifically, three of the four substitutable positions in pyrazolone can be selectively arylated, effectively producing four products under controlled conditions. Additionally, the method supports one-pot sequential arylation, leading to an array of products with diverse aromatic substituents. Control experiments revealed the specific conditions of each reaction step.

Diaryliodonium Salts Enabled Arylation, Arylocyclization, and Aryl-Migration

Our research interest focusing on synthetic methodology with diaryliodonium salts, is summarized in this account. Besides employing a dual activation strategy of C-I and ortho C-H bonds, we have introduced vicinal functional groups at ortho-positions of diaryliodonium salts, in which their unique reactivities have been explored in various processes, including arylation, diarylation, cascade annulation, benzocyclization, arylocyclization, and intramolecular aryl migration. The variety of mechanisms of these reactions that involves either transition metals, especially palladium in organometallic catalysis, or transition-metal free conditions, were discussed in the context.

Rapid access to polycyclic N-heteroarenes from unactivated, simple azines via a base-promoted Minisci-type annulation

Conventional synthetic methods to yield polycyclic heteroarenes have largely relied on metal-mediated arylation reactions requiring pre-functionalised substrates. However, the functionalisation of unactivated azines has been restricted because of their intrinsic low reactivity. Herein, we report a transition-metal-free, radical relay π-extension approach to produce N-doped polycyclic aromatic compounds directly from simple azines and cyclic iodonium salts. Mechanistic and electron paramagnetic resonance studies provide evidence for the in situ generation of organic electron donors, while chemical trapping and electrochemical experiments implicate an iodanyl radical intermediate serving as a formal biaryl radical equivalent. This intermediate, formed by one-electron reduction of the cyclic iodonium salt, acts as the key intermediate driving the Minisci-type arylation reaction. The synthetic utility of this radical-based annulative π-extension method is highlighted by the preparation of an N-doped heptacyclic nanographene fragment through fourfold C–H arylation.

The functionalisation of unactivated azines has been restricted because of their intrinsic low reactivity. Here the authors show a transition-metal-free, radical relay π-extension approach to produce N-doped polycyclic aromatic compounds directly from simple azines and cyclic iodonium salts.

Utilization of Unsymmetric Diaryliodonium Salts in α-Arylation of α-Fluoroacetoacetamides

The use of unsymmetric diaryliodonium salts as a versatile class of arylating agents has been demonstrated by developing a novel strategy to quickly access α-arylated α-fluoroacetoacetamides. The protocol provides a convenient metal-free method for the α-arylation of a diverse class of fluorinated acetoacetamides, and the products are obtained in good yields. The strategy, upon use of electron-deficient diaryliodonium salts as an arylating agent, provides α-fluoroacetamides through a spontaneous arylation/deacylation cascade.

Metal-free α-arylation of α-fluoro-α-nitroacetamides employing diaryliodonium salts

Herein, we present a mild and efficient metal-free arylation of α-fluoro-α-nitroacetamides employing diaryliodonium salts. A broad range of diaryliodonium salts and α-fluoro-α-nitroacetamides containing sensitive functional groups was successfully employed in this protocol to yield the arylated products in good yields. The synthetic value of this novel protocol was further highlighted by extending the α-arylation to α-cyano-α-fluoroacetamides.

Mild Nitration of Pyrazolin-5-ones by a Combination of Fe(NO3 )3 and NaNO2 : Discovery of a New Readily Available Class of Fungicides, 4-Nitropyrazolin-5-ones

4-Nitropyrazolin-5-ones have been synthesized by the nitration of pyrazolin-5-ones at room temperature by employing the Fe(NO₃ )₃ /NaNO₂ system. The method demonstrated selectivity towards the 4-position of pyrazolin-5-ones even in the presence of NPh and allyl substituents, which are sensitive to nitration. It was shown that other systems containing Fe^III and nitrites, namely Fe(NO₃ )₃ /tBuONO, Fe(ClO₄ )₃ /NaNO₂ , and Fe(ClO₄ )₃ /tBuONO, were also effective. Presumably, Fe^III oxidizes the nitrite (NaNO₂ or tBuONO) to form the NO₂ free radical, which serves as the nitrating agent for pyrazolin-5-ones. The synthesized 4-nitropyrazolin-5-ones were discovered to be a new class of fungicides. Their in vitro activities against phytopathogenic fungi were found comparable or even superior to those of commercial fungicides (fluconazole, clotrimazole, triadimefon, and kresoxim-methyl). These results represent a promising starting point for the development of a new type of plant protection agents that can be easily synthesized from widely available reagents.

Selective cross-dehydrogenative C–O coupling of N-hydroxy compounds with pyrazolones. Introduction of the diacetyliminoxyl radical into the practice of organic synthesis

Oxidative C–O coupling of oximes, N-hydroxyphthalimide, and N-hydroxybenzotriazole with pyrazolones via formation of N-oxyl radicals is described.

tert-Butoxide mediated cascade desulfonylation/arylation/hydrolysis of cyclic sulfonyimines using diaryliodonium salts: synthesis of diaryl ether derivatives bearing a 2-aldehyde group

Cascades of cyclic sulfonyimines mediated by ^tBuOK with diaryliodonium salts has been developed, giving the diaryl ethers in good yields.

Arylation with Diaryliodonium Salts

This chapter focuses on recent developments in metal-free and metal-catalyzed arylations with diaryliodonium salts (diaryl-λ3-iodanes). Synthetic routes to diaryliodonium salts are briefly described, and chemoselectivity trends with unsymmetric iodonium salts are discussed.

A Mild and General One-Pot Synthesis of Densely Functionalized Diaryliodonium Salts

Diaryliodonium salts are powerful and widely used arylating agents in organic chemistry. Here we report a scalable, synthesis of densely functionalized diaryliodonium salts from aryl iodides under mild conditions. This two-step, one-pot process has remarkable functional group tolerance, is compatible with commonly employed acid-labile protective group strategies, avoids heavy metal and transition metal reagents, and provides a direct route to stable precursors to PET imaging agents.

Metal-free one-pot sequential direct diarylation of pyrazolin-5-ones with diaryliodonium salts

A novel and efficient one-pot sequential C4-diarylation of pyrazolin-5-ones with diaryliodonium salts at room temperature in the absence of a metal catalyst was reported.