Ring forming transformations of ynamides via cycloaddition

Ynamides are N-alkyne compounds bearing an electron withdrawing group at the nitrogen atom. They offer unique pathways for the construction of versatile building blocks owing to their exceptional balance between reactivity and stability. Recently several studies have been reported that explore and illustrate the synthetic potential of ynamides and ynamide-derived advanced intermediates in cycloadditions with different reaction partners to yield heterocyclic cycloadducts of synthetic and pharmaceutical value. Cycloaddition reactions of ynamides are the facile and preferable routes for the construction of structural motifs having striking importance in synthetic, medicinal chemistry, and advanced materials. In this systematic review, we highlighted the recently reported novel transformations and synthetic applications that involved the cycloaddition reaction of ynamides. The scope along with the limitations of the transformations are discussed in detail.

Rh(III)-catalyzed (5 + 2)-cycloaddition reactions of ortho-hydroxyethyl phenols with internal alkynes: efficient synthesis of benzoxepines

An unprecedented (5 + 2)-cycloaddition reaction of ortho-hydroxyethyl phenol and internal alkyne was developed. This Rh(III)-catalyzed reaction provided benzoxepine derivatives which have very high biological significance. A wide range of ortho-hydroxyethyl phenols and internal alkynes were studied to provide the benzoxepines in high yields.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Thioamide Directed C(arene)-H Annulation with Ynamide: Regioselective Access to 2-Amidoindenones

Demonstrated herein is an unprecedented thioamide-directed cobalt (Co)-catalyzed umpolung annulation of sulfoximines enabled aryl thioamide with ynamide for the synthesis of highly substituted 2-amidoindenones. The cyclization is regioselective, making β-C-C and α-C-CO bonds. The transformation is even successful on a gram scale, exhibiting broad scope with labile functional group tolerance and constructing 43 unusual 2-amidoindenones of structural diversity. Control experiments and mechanistic investigation validate the regioselectivity outcome in this transformation.

Recent Advances in Alkenyl sp2 C-H and C-F Bond Functionalizations: Scope, Mechanism, and Applications

Alkenes and their derivatives are featured widely in a variety of natural products, pharmaceuticals, and advanced materials. Significant efforts have been made toward the development of new and practical methods to access this important class of compounds by selectively activating the alkenyl C(sp²)-H bonds in recent years. In this comprehensive review, we describe the state-of-the-art strategies for the direct functionalization of alkenyl sp² C-H and C-F bonds until June 2022. Moreover, metal-free, photoredox, and electrochemical strategies are also covered. For clarity, this review has been divided into two parts; the first part focuses on currently available alkenyl sp² C-H functionalization methods using different alkene derivatives as the starting materials, and the second part describes the alkenyl sp² C-F bond functionalization using easily accessible gem-difluoroalkenes as the starting material. This review includes the scope, limitations, mechanistic studies, stereoselective control (using directing groups as well as metal-migration strategies), and their applications to complex molecule synthesis where appropriate. Overall, this comprehensive review aims to document the considerable advancements, current status, and emerging work by critically summarizing the contributions of researchers working in this fascinating area and is expected to stimulate novel, innovative, and broadly applicable strategies for alkenyl sp² C-H and C-F bond functionalizations in the coming years.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Coordination-Assisted Regioselective and Migratory Three-Point Double Annulation of o-Alkenyl Phenols with Tertiary Propargyl Alcohols

We disclose herein a Rh(III)-catalyzed migratory three-point double annulation of o-alkenyl phenols with propargyl alcohols for de novo construction of naphtho furan derivatives in a regio- and chemoselective manner. The protocol orchestrates two new rings with four new bonds in one operation without the need for any additive. Necessary labeled and control experiments are conducted to elucidate the reaction mechanism. A tertiary hydroxyl group is found to be crucial both for controlling the regioselective insertion of alkyne through chelation with rhodium to form a key spiro cyclic intermediate and for forcing ring expansion via unusual and selective olefin reshuffling, apart from forming an extra (furan) ring. The protocol is scalable and shows tolerance for late stage functionalization of natural products.

Metal-free hydroalkoxylation of ynesulfonamides with alcohols

Efforts for developing a convenient and expeditious method for synthesizing alkoxy-substituted enamides via nucleophilic addition of alcohols to ynesulfonamides are described. This sequence is completely regioselective and highly stereoselective, and leads to the hydroalkoxylation products in high yields under mild reaction conditions.

Boron Lewis Acid Catalyzed Intermolecular trans-Hydroarylation of Ynamides with Hydroxyarenes

An atom-economic protocol for the efficient and highly chemo- and stereoselective trans-hydroarylation of ynamides with hydroxyarenes catalyzed by B(C₆F₅)₃ has been developed. Use of readily available starting materials, low catalyst loading, mild reaction conditions, a broad substrate scope, ease of scale-up, and versatile functionalizations of the enamide products make this approach very practical and attractive.

Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Atroposelective Synthesis of C-N Axially Chiral Naphthylamines and Variants via C-H Activation

Reported herein is the efficient and atroposelective construction of two categories of C-N atropisomers via rhodium(III)-catalyzed C-H activation of sulfoxonium ylides en route to [4+2] annulation with sterically hindered, electron-rich alkynes. This reaction proceeds with high regio- and enantioselectivity under redox-neutral conditions via a double-substrate activation strategy, providing a novel entry to C-N axially chiral 4-functionalized 1-naphthols.

Site-selective rhodium carbene transfer of 2 hydroxy-β-nitrostyrenes with diazo compounds En route to 2-alkylated benzofurans

The Rh(iii)-catalysed cascade vinylic C–H functionalization/carbene transfer/Michael addition sequence of 2-hydroxy-β-nitrostyrenes has been realized, delivering the 2-alkylated benzofuran derivatives as potential tyrosinase inhibitors.

Specific assembly of dihydrobenzofuran frameworks via Rh(iii)-catalysed C–H coupling of N-phenoxyacetamides with 2-alkenylphenols

The synergistic dual directing group-enabled and Rh(iii)-catalysed redox-neutral C–H functionalization/[3+2] annulation has been realized for the synthesis of dihydrobenzofurans.

Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed [5+1] annulation of 2-alkenylphenols with maleimides: access to highly functionalized spirocyclic skeletons

A new edition of [5+1] annulation reaction of maleimides with 2-alkenylphenols has been discovered under a Rh(iii)-catalytic system. The process leads to an efficient synthesis of valued spirocyclic scaffolds bearing an oxygen-containing spiro carbon in a single step and shows a broad substrate scope with good functional group tolerance. The synthetic utility has been exemplified by synthesizing highly functionalized 2,2-disubstituted-2H-chromene skeletons and a gram-scale synthesis with a low catalyst loading.

Metal-Free [3+2] Annulation of Ynamides with Anthranils to Construct 2-Aminoindoles

A novel metal-free [3+2] annulation of ynamides with anthranils provides a facile, flexible, environmentally friendly, and atom-economical route to 2-aminoindoles. This synthetic process proceeds with efficiency, excellent regioselectivity, and wide functional group tolerance under mild conditions. Moreover, the obtained 2-aminoindole products represent a multifunctional platform for the construction of various 2-aminoindolyl frameworks.

Metal-free hydroalkoxylation of ynesulfonamides with esters

An efficient metal-free hydroalkoxylation reaction of ynesulfonamides with esters under mild conditions is described. Under the catalysis of TMSOTf, various ynesulfonamides are transformed into the corresponding alkoxy-substituted enamides in high yields with complete regioselectivity and high to excellent stereoselectivity.

Reactivity of ynamides in catalytic intermolecular annulations

Ynamides are unique alkynes with a carbon-carbon triple bond directly attached to the nitrogen atom bearing an electron-withdrawing group. The alkyne is strongly polarized by the electron-donating nitrogen atom, but its high reactivity can be finely tempered by the electron-withdrawing group. Accordingly, ynamides are endowed with both nucleophilic and electrophilic properties and their chemistry has been an active research field. The catalytic intermolecular annulations of ynamides, featuring divergent assembly of structurally important amino-heterocycles in a regioselective manner, have gained much attention over the past decade. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the advances achieved in this area involving transition metal and acid catalysis. Moreover, the intermolecular annulations of ynamide analogs including ynol ethers and thioalkynes are also discussed, which can provide insights into the reactivity difference caused by the heteroatoms.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Oxidative C-H Activation: Strategies and Concepts

Inexpensive cobalt-catalyzed oxidative C-H functionalization has emerged as a powerful tool for the construction of C-C and C-Het bonds, which offers unique potential for transformative applications to modern organic synthesis. In the early stage, these transformations typically required stoichiometric and toxic transition metals as sacrificial oxidants; thus, the formation of metal-containing waste was inevitable. In contrast, naturally abundant molecular O₂ has more recently been successfully employed as a green oxidant in cobalt catalysis, thus considerably improving the sustainability of such transformations. Recently, a significant momentum was gained by the use of electricity as a sustainable and environmentally benign redox reagent in cobalt-catalyzed C-H functionalization, thereby preventing the consumption of cost-intensive chemicals while at the same time addressing the considerable safety hazards related to the use of molecular oxygen in combination with flammable organic solvents. Considering the unparalleled potential of the aforementioned approaches for sustainable green synthesis, this Review summarizes the recent progress in cobalt-catalyzed oxidative C-H activation until early 2020.

Insight into the reaction mechanism and chemoselectivity in the cycloaddition of ynamides and isoxazoles with H2O

The mechanism and chemoselectivity in the cycloaddition of ynamides and isoxazoles have been explored by the density functional theory (DFT) in model systems composed of a Brønsted acid (HNTf₂), gold(i) [IPrAuNTf₂] or platinum(ii) (PtCl₂/CO) catalyst.

Cp*Co(III)-Catalyzed Dearomative [3 + 2] Spiroannulation of 2-Alkenylphenols with Ynamides via C-H Activation

An oxidative [3 + 2] C-H spiroannulation reaction of 2-alkenylphenols with ynamides has been developed toward the synthesis of spiro[4,5]decane derivatives. This dearomative reaction employs earth-abundant cobalt as the metal catalyst and occurs under rather mild reaction conditions (room temperature). The use of ynamides confers unique reactivity and exclusive regioselectivity. The products bearing an all-carbon quaternary stereogenic center were constructed in generally good yields with good functional group tolerance being observed. Experimental mechanistic studies were conducted, and a possible reaction mechanism is proposed.

Synthesis of α-Fluorinated Imides via Direct Fluorohydroxylation of Ynamides

A practical synthesis of α-fluorinated imides via the catalyst-free fluorohydroxylation of ynamides is developed. The reaction employs commercially available Selectfluor (F-TEDA-BF₄) and H₂O as the fluorine and hydroxyl sources, respectively. A broad range of aryl- or alkyl-substituted ynamides were well applicable to the reaction with good functional group tolerance under simple and mild reaction conditions. The synthetic utility of the α-fluoroimide products was demonstrated by several value-added transformations. Preliminary mechanistic studies were conducted.

Preparation and Utility of N-Alkynyl Azoles in Synthesis

Heteroatom-substituted alkynes have attracted a significant amount of interest in the synthetic community due to the polarized nature of these alkynes and their utility in a wide range of reactions. One specific class of heteroatom-substituted alkynes combines this utility with the presence of an azole moiety. These N-alkynyl azoles have been known for nearly 50 years, but recently there has been a tremendous increase in the number of reports detailing the synthesis and utility of this class of compound. While much of the chemistry of N-alkynyl azoles mirrors that of the more extensively studied N-alkynyl amides (ynamides), there are notable exceptions. In addition, as azoles are extremely common in natural products and pharmaceuticals, these N-alkynyl azoles have high potential for accessing biologically important compounds. In this review, the literature reports of N-alkynyl azole synthesis, reactions, and uses have been assembled. Collectively, these reports demonstrate the growth in this area and the promise of exploiting N-alkynyl azoles in synthesis.

Reactivity of epoxy-ynamides with metal halides: nucleophile (Br/Cl/OH)-assisted tandem intramolecular 5-exo-digor 6-endo-digcyclisation and AgF2-promoted oxidation

Several metal halides (CuBr, LiCl, CuF₂, AgF₂) react with epoxy-ynamides to afford 1,3-oxazolidines, 1,4-oxazines or 1,2-dioxo-enamides.