Directed regioselective ortho,ortho'-magnesiations of aromatics and heterocycles using sBu2Mg in toluene

The Versatile and Strategic O-Carbamate Directed Metalation Group in the Synthesis of Aromatic Molecules: An Update

The aryl O-carbamate (ArOAm) group is among the strongest of the directed metalation groups (DMGs) in directed ortho metalation (DoM) chemistry, especially in the form Ar-OCONEt2. Since the last comprehensive review of metalation chemistry involving ArOAms (published more than 30 years ago), the field has expanded significantly. For example, it now encompasses new substrates, solvent systems, and metalating agents, while conditions have been developed enabling metalation of ArOAm to be conducted in a green and sustainable manner. The ArOAm group has also proven to be effective in the anionic ortho-Fries (AoF) rearrangement, Directed remote metalation (DreM), iterative DoM sequences, and DoM-halogen dance (HalD) synthetic strategies and has been transformed into a diverse range of functionalities and coupled with various groups through a range of cross-coupling (CC) strategies. Of ultimate value, the ArOAm group has demonstrated utility in the synthesis of a diverse range of bioactive and polycyclic aromatic compounds for various applications.

Calculation-assisted regioselective functionalization of the imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine scaffold via zinc and magnesium organometallic intermediates

Straightforward calculations such as determinations of pKa values and N-basicities have allowed the development of a set of organometallic reactions for the regioselective functionalization of the underexplored fused N-heterocycle imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine. Thus, regioselective metalations of 6-chloroimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine using TMP-bases (TMP = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl) such as TMPMgCl·LiCl and TMP2Zn·2MgCl2·2LiCl provided Zn- and Mg-intermediates, that after quenching with various electrophiles gave access to polyfunctionalized imidazopyrazine heterocycles. Additionally, the use of TMP2Zn·2MgCl2·2LiCl as base for the first metalation allowed an alternative regioselective metalation. Nucleophilic additions at position 8 as well as selective Negishi cross-couplings complete the set of methods for selectively decorating this heterocycle of the future.

Radical borylation of vinyl azides with NHC-boranes: divergent synthesis of α-boryl ketones and borylated triazoles

A divergent radical borylation of vinyl azides with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) boranes in the presence of ^tBuSH is described. The protocol enables the divergent synthesis of α-boryl ketones and borylated triazoles with excellent functional group tolerance and a broad substrate scope. Remarkably, this work shows that vinyl azides can serve as unprecedented five-atom synthons for the construction of 1,2,3-triazoles without N₂ extrusion.

Preparation of Primary and Secondary Dialkylmagnesiums by a Radical I/Mg‐Exchange Reaction Using s Bu 2 Mg in Toluene

The treatment of primary or secondary alkyl iodides with sBu₂Mg in toluene (25–40 °C, 2–4 h) provided dialkylmagnesiums that underwent various reactions with aldehydes, ketones, acid chlorides or allylic bromides. 3‐Substituted secondary cyclohexyl iodides led to all‐cis‐3‐cyclohexylmagnesium reagents under these exchange conditions in a highly stereoconvergent manner. Enantiomerically enriched 3‐silyloxy‐substituted secondary alkyl iodides gave after an exchange reaction with sBu₂Mg stereodefined dialkylmagnesiums that after quenching with various electrophiles furnished various 1,3‐stereodefined products including homo‐aldol products (99 % dr and 98 % ee). Mechanistic studies confirmed a radical pathway for these new iodine/magnesium‐exchange reactions.

Recent Advances in Cross-Couplings of Functionalized Organozinc Reagents

Cross-couplings involving organozinc reagents usually require a Pd-catalyst (Negishi cross-coupling), however, uncatalyzed cross-couplings of zinc organometallics proceed well in the absence of transition-metal catalysts with reactive electrophiles such as benzal 1,1-diacetates, benzhydryl acetates, and iminium trifluoroacetates. Organozinc compounds also undergo C–N bond formation with O-benzoylhydroxylamines or organic azides in the presence of cobalt- or iron-catalysts. Highly diastereoselective and enantioselective cross-couplings can be readily performed with room-temperature configurationally stable alkylzinc species, producing diastereoselectively and enantiomerically enriched products. Finally, highly regioselective magnesiations of functionalized arenes and heteroarenes undergo Negishi (after transmetalation with ZnCl2) or Cu-catalyzed cross-couplings.

1 Introduction

2 Uncatalyzed Cross-Couplings of Organozinc Reagents with Highly Electrophilic Partners

3 Iron- and Cobalt-Catalyzed Aminations using Organozinc Reagents

4 Stereo- and Regioselective Cross-Couplings of Organozinc Reagents

5 Conclusion

Preparation of Functionalized Diorganomagnesium Reagents in Toluene via Bromine or Iodine/Magnesium-Exchange Reactions

A wide range of polyfunctionalized di(hetero)aryl- and dialkenyl-magnesium reagents are prepared in toluene within 10 to 120 minutes between –78 °C and 25 °C via an I/Mg- or Br/Mg-exchange reaction using reagents of the general formula R2Mg (R = sBu, Mes). Highly sensitive functional groups, such as triazene or nitro, are tolerated in these exchange reactions, enabling the synthesis of various functionalized (hetero)arene and alkene derivatives after quenching with several electrophiles including allyl bromides, acyl chlorides, aldehydes, ketones, and aryl iodides.

Preparation of Polyfunctionalized Aromatic Nitriles from Aryl Oxazolines

A selective ortho,ortho’‐functionalization of readily available aryl oxazolines by two successive magnesiations with sBu₂Mg in toluene followed by trapping reactions with electrophiles, such as (hetero)aryl iodides or bromides, iodine, tosyl cyanide, ethyl cyanoformate or allylic bromides (39 examples, 62–99 % yield) is reported. Treatment of these aryl oxazolines with excess oxalyl chloride and catalytic amounts of DMF (50 °C, 4 h) provided the corresponding nitriles (36 examples, 73–99 % yield). Conversions of these nitriles to valuable heterocycles are reported, and a tentative mechanism is proposed.

Regioselective Magnesiations and Zincations of Aromatics and Heterocycles Triggered by Lewis Acids

Mixed TMP‐bases (TMP=2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidyl), such as TMPMgCl ⋅ LiCl, TMP₂Mg ⋅ 2LiCl, TMPZnCl ⋅ LiCl and TMP₂Zn ⋅ 2LiCl, are outstanding reagents for the metalation of functionalized aromatics and heterocycles. In the presence of Lewis acids, such as BF₃ ⋅ OEt₂ or MgCl₂, the metalation scope of such bases was dramatically increased, and regioselectivity switches were achieved in the presence or absence of these Lewis acids. Furthermore, highly reactive lithium bases, such as TMPLi or Cy₂NLi, are also compatible with various Lewis acids, such as MgCl₂ ⋅ 2LiCl, ZnCl₂ ⋅ 2LiCl or CuCN ⋅ 2LiCl. Performing such metalations in continuous flow using commercial setups permitted practical and convenient reaction conditions.