Earth-abundant 3d transition metals on the rise in catalysis

A comprehensive review on carbonylation reactions: catalysis by magnetic nanoparticle-supported transition metals

Magnetic catalysts have become a crucial innovation in carbonylation reactions, providing a sustainable and highly efficient means of synthesizing compounds that contain carbonyl groups. This review article explores the diverse and significant role of magnetic catalysts in various carbonylation processes, emphasizing their essential contributions to improving reaction rates, selectivity, and recyclability of catalysts. The distinctive magnetic properties of these catalysts enable straightforward separation and recovery, a feature that significantly mitigates waste and reduces environmental impact. As a result, magnetic catalysts' environmental and economic advantages position them as key players in contemporary synthetic chemistry, driving the evolution of green chemistry practices. Particularly noteworthy is the combination of magnetic nanoparticles with transition metals, resulting in the development of robust catalytic systems that exploit the complementary effects of magnetism and catalysis. Recent advances have showcased the adaptability of magnetic nanoparticles supported by transition metal catalysts in various carbonylation reactions, including carbonylative coupling, alkoxy carbonylation, thio carbonylation, and amino carbonylation. This review meticulously examines the mechanistic aspects of how magnetic fields influenced catalytic performance between 2014 and the end of 2024.

Research on transition metals for the multicomponent synthesis of benzo-fused γ-lactams

Benzo-fused γ-lactams are fundamental in medicinal chemistry, acting as essential elements for various therapeutic agents due to their structural adaptability and capability to enhance biological activity. In their synthesis, transition metals play a pivotal role as catalysts, offering more efficient alternatives to traditional methods by facilitating C-N bond formation through mechanisms like intramolecular coupling. Recent advances have especially spotlighted transition-metal-catalyzed C-H amination reactions for directly converting C(sp2)-H to C(sp2)-N bonds, streamlining the creation of these compounds. Furthermore, biocatalytic approaches have emerged, providing asymmetric synthesis of lactams with high yield and enantioselectivity. This review examined the transition metal-catalyzed synthesis techniques for producing benzo-fused γ-lactams, marking a significant leap in organic synthesis by proposing more effective, selective, and greener production methods. It serves as a valuable resource for researchers in the fields of transition metal catalysts and those engaged in synthesizing these lactams.

Air-Stable Arene Manganese Complexes as Catalysts for the Syngas-Assisted Direct Reductive Amination, Cyanation of Aldehyde, and CO2 Fixation by Epoxide with High Functional Groups Tolerance

Manganese complexes [(arene)Mn(CO)3]+ were prepared in one step from arenes and Mn(CO)5Br. They were found to be efficient catalysts in the carbonyl cyanation with TMSCN, CO2 fixation by epoxides, and direct reductive amination in the presence of syngas. The amination reaction tolerated various reducible functional groups. The synergy of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in syngas provides high efficiency of the catalytic system. The developed protocols do not require an inert atmosphere, and the catalysts can be handled in air.

Fluorescent coumarin-alkynes for labeling of amino acids and peptides via manganese(I)-catalyzed C-H alkenylation

The late-stage fluorescent labeling of structurally complex peptides bears immense potential for molecular imaging. Herein, we report on a manganese(I)-catalyzed peptide C-H alkenylation under exceedingly mild conditions with natural fluorophores as coumarin- and chromone-derivatives. The robustness and efficiency of the manganese(I) catalysis regime was reflected by a broad functional group tolerance and low catalyst loading in a resource- and atom-economical fashion.

Reversal of Regioselectivity in Asymmetric C-H Bond Annulation with Bromoalkynes under Cobalt Catalysis

Metal-catalyzed asymmetric C-H bond annulation strategy offers a versatile platform, allowing the construction of complex P-chiral molecules through atom- and step-economical fashion. However, regioselective insertion of π-coupling partner between M-C bond with high enantio-induction remain elusive. Using commercially available Co(II) salt and chiral-Salox ligands, we demonstrate an unusual protocol for the regio-reversal, enantioselective C-H bond annulation of phosphinamide with bromoalkyne through desymmetrization. The reaction proceeds through ligand-assisted enantiodetermining cyclocobaltation followed by regioselective insertion of bromoalkyne between Co-C, subsequent reductive elimination, and halogen exchange with carboxylate resulted in P-stereogenic compounds in excellent ee (up to >99 %). The isolation of cobaltacycle involved in the catalytic cycle and the outcome of control experiments provide support for a plausible mechanism.

Cobalt(I)-Catalyzed (3 + 2 + 2) Cycloaddition between Alkylidenecyclopropanes, Alkynes, and Alkenes

Cobalt(I) catalysts equipped with bisphosphine ligands can be used to promote formal (3 + 2 + 2) intramolecular cycloadditions of enynylidenecyclopropanes of type 1. The method provides synthetically appealing 5,7,5-fused tricyclic systems in good yields and with complete diastereo- and chemoselectivity. Interestingly, its scope differs from that of previously reported annulations based on precious metal catalysts, specifically rhodium and palladium. Noticeably, density functional theory calculations confirm that the mechanism of the reaction is also different from those proposed for these other catalysts.

Selective Labeling of Peptides with o-Carboranes via Manganese(I)-Catalyzed C-H Activation

A robust method for the selective labeling of peptides via manganese(I) catalysis was devised to achieve the C-2 alkenylation of tryptophan containing peptides with 1-ethynyl-o-carboranes. The manganese-catalyzed C-H activation was accomplished with high catalytic efficiency, and featured low toxicity, high functional group tolerance and excellent E-stereoselectivity. This approach unravels a promising tool for the assembly of o-carborane with structurally complex peptides of relevance to applications in boron neutron capture therapy.