General and Selective Head-to-Head Dimerization of Terminal Alkynes Proceeding via Hydropalladation Pathway

trans-Hydroalkynylation of Internal 1,3-Enynes Enabled by Cooperative Catalysis

A cooperative catalyst system involving a Pd(0)/Senphos complex, tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane, copper bromide, and an amine base, is demonstrated to catalyze trans-hydroalkynylation of internal 1,3-enynes. For the first time, a Lewis acid catalyst is shown to promote the reaction involving the emerging outer-sphere oxidative reaction step. The resulting cross-conjugated dieneynes are versatile synthons for organic synthesis, and their characterization reveals distinct photophysical properties depending on the positioning of the donor/acceptor substituents along the conjugation path.

Palladium Hydride-Enabled Hydroalkenylation of Strained Molecules

We report the first palladium hydride enabled hydroalkenylation of strained molecules. This new mild protocol proceeds via a regio- and chemoselective hydropalladation step, followed by a photoinduced radical alkyl Heck reaction. This methodology represents a new reactivity mode for strained molecules and opens new avenues for photoinduced palladium catalysis. The reaction is compatible with a wide range of functional groups and can be applied to complex structures, delivering a diverse array of highly valuable and modifiable alkenylated cyclobutanes and cyclopropanes. A hydroalkenylation/diastereoselective rearrangement cascade toward a cyclopentene scaffold has also been demonstrated.

Tellurium in carbohydrate synthesis

In this article, we discuss about the influence of tellurium in carbohydrate synthesis. Mainly the chapter focuses on the importance of the tellurium during the synthesis of glycosides and during the oxidation of glucose.

Palladium-Catalyzed Tail-to-Tail Reductive Dimerization of Terminal Alkynes to 2,3-Dibranched Butadienes

The palladium-catalyzed tail-to-tail reductive dimerization of terminal alkynes is described for the first time. Aromatic terminal alkynes bearing diverse and sensitive functional groups as well as aliphatic terminal alkynes are efficiently transformed to 2,3-dibranched butadienes. The key to achieve a selective tail-to-tail reductive dimerization reaction is to control appropriately the acidity of the reaction solution, which is accomplished by a combined use of pivalic acid and para-toluenesulfonic acid. The tail-to-tail reductive dimerization reaction is proposed to proceed via a cationic alkenyl palladium intermediate under acidic conditions.

Preparation of (E)-1,3-Enyne Derivatives through Palladium Catalyzed Hydroalkynylation of Allenes

A general and efficient palladium catalyzed hydroalkynylation of allenes was developed to produce synthetically versatile (E)-1,3-enyne derivatives with high regio- and stereoselectivity. This catalytic system proceeded under mild conditions and was compatible with a broad range of substrates, especially for allenes without electron-bias groups. This work further broadens the synthetic potential of these scaffolds in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry.

Atom-Economical Cross-Coupling of Internal and Terminal Alkynes to Access 1,3-Enynes

Selective carbon-carbon (C-C) bond formation in chemical synthesis generally requires prefunctionalized building blocks. However, the requisite prefunctionalization steps undermine the overall efficiency of synthetic sequences that rely on such reactions, which is particularly problematic in large-scale applications, such as in the commercial production of pharmaceuticals. Herein, we describe a selective and catalytic method for synthesizing 1,3-enynes without prefunctionalized building blocks. In this transformation several classes of unactivated internal acceptor alkynes can be coupled with terminal donor alkynes to deliver 1,3-enynes in a highly regio- and stereoselective manner. The scope of compatible acceptor alkynes includes propargyl alcohols, (homo)propargyl amine derivatives, and (homo)propargyl carboxamides. This method is facilitated by a tailored P,N-ligand that enables regioselective addition and suppresses secondary E/Z-isomerization of the product. The reaction is scalable and can operate effectively with as low as 0.5 mol % catalyst loading. The products are versatile intermediates that can participate in various downstream transformations. We also present preliminary mechanistic experiments that are consistent with a redox-neutral Pd(II) catalytic cycle.

Oxidative Addition of Water, Alcohols, and Amines in Palladium Catalysis

The homolytic cleavage of O-H and N-H or weak C-H bonds is a key elementary step in redox catalysis, but is thought to be unfeasible for palladium. In stark contrast, reported here is the room temperature and reversible oxidative addition of water, isopropanol, hexafluoroisopropanol, phenol, and aniline to a palladium(0) complex with a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) and a labile pyridino ligand, as is also the case in popular N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) palladium(II) precatalysts. The oxidative addition of protic solvents or adventitious water switches the chemoselectivity in catalysis with alkynes through activation of the terminal C-H bond. Most salient, the homolytic activation of alcohols and amines allows atom-efficient, additive-free cross-coupling and transfer hydrogenation under mild reaction conditions with usually unreactive, yet desirable reagents, including esters and bis(pinacolato)diboron.

Hydroalkynylative cyclization of 1,6-enynes with terminal alkynes

A rhodium-catalyzed highly regio- and enantioselective hydroalkynylation generating cis-hydrobenzofuranone-tethered enynes has been developed. The reaction proceeds with a dynamic kinetic head-to-head insertion and symmetry breaking Michael addition cascade.

A rhodium-catalyzed highly regio- and enantioselective hydroalkynylation, generating cis-hydrobenzofuranone-tethered enynes has been developed. The reaction proceeds with a selective head-to-head insertion and symmetry breaking Michael addition cascade. One product was produced from tens of possible isomers through precise control of chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivities using a single rhodium catalyst. Notable features of this method include 100% atom-economy, mild reaction conditions and a very broad substrate scope.

Dihalogen-bridged NHC–palladium(i) dimers: synthesis, characterisation and applications in cross-coupling reactions

Diiodo-bridged, dinuclear NHC–Pd^I complexes have been synthesised and utilised as one-component pre-catalysts for Suzuki–Miyaura, Buchwald–Hartwig, and Sonogashira reactions.

3d Transition Metals for C-H Activation

C-H activation has surfaced as an increasingly powerful tool for molecular sciences, with notable applications to material sciences, crop protection, drug discovery, and pharmaceutical industries, among others. Despite major advances, the vast majority of these C-H functionalizations required precious 4d or 5d transition metal catalysts. Given the cost-effective and sustainable nature of earth-abundant first row transition metals, the development of less toxic, inexpensive 3d metal catalysts for C-H activation has gained considerable recent momentum as a significantly more environmentally-benign and economically-attractive alternative. Herein, we provide a comprehensive overview on first row transition metal catalysts for C-H activation until summer 2018.

Pseudo-tetrahedral Rhodium and Iridium Complexes: Catalytic Synthesis of E-Enynes

The reactions of the rhodium(I) and iridium(I) complexes [M(PhBP₃ )(C₂ H₄ )(NCMe)] (PhBP₃ =PhB(CH₂ PPh₂ )₃ ^- ) with alkynes have resulted in the synthesis of a new family of pseudo-tetrahedral complexes, [M(PhBP₃ )(RC≡CR')] (M=Rh, Ir), which contain the alkyne as a four-electron donor. The reactions of these unusual compounds with two-electron donors (L=PMe₃ , CNtBu) produced a change in the "donicity" of the alkyne from a 4e^- to a 2e^- donor to give five-coordinate complexes. These were the final products with the iridium complexes, whereas further reactions took place with the rhodium complexes. In particular, C(sp)-H bond activation of the alkyne occurred leading to hydrido alkynyl complexes. This process is essential for the further reactivity of the alkynes, and if the alkyne itself was used as reagent, E-enyne complexes were obtained. As a consequence of this chemistry, we show that the complex [Rh(PhBP₃ )(C₂ H₄ )(NCMe)] is a very efficient pre-catalyst for the regioselective di- and trimerization of terminal alkynes to E-enynes and benzene derivatives, respectively. Interestingly, acetonitrile significantly enhanced the catalytic activity by facilitating the C(sp)-H bond activation step. A hydrometalation mechanism to account for these experimental observations is proposed.

Terminal Alkyne Coupling Reactions through a Ring: Mechanistic Insights and Regiochemical Switching

The mechanism and selectivity of terminal alkyne coupling reactions promoted by rhodium(I) complexes of NHC-based CNC pincer ligands have been investigated. Synthetic and kinetic experiments support E- and gem-enyne formation through a common reaction sequence involving hydrometallation and rate-determining C-C bond reductive elimination. The latter is significantly affected by the ligand topology: Employment of a macrocyclic variant enforced exclusive head-to-head coupling, contrasting the high selectivity for head-to-tail coupling observed for the corresponding acyclic pincer ligand.

Revealing the unusual role of bases in activation/deactivation of catalytic systems: O-NHC coupling in M/NHC catalysis

Numerous reactions are catalyzed by complexes of metals (M) with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands, typically in the presence of oxygen bases, which significantly shape the performance. It is generally accepted that bases are required for either substrate activation (exemplified by transmetallation in the Suzuki cross-coupling), or HX capture (e.g. in a variety of C-C and C-heteroatom couplings, the Heck reaction, C-H functionalization, heterocyclizations, etc.). This study gives insights into the behavior of M(ii)/NHC (M = Pd, Pt, Ni) complexes in solution under the action of bases conventionally engaged in catalysis (KOH, NaOH, t-BuOK, Cs2CO3, K2CO3, etc.). A previously unaddressed transformation of M(ii)/NHC complexes under conditions of typical base-mediated M/NHC catalyzed reactions is disclosed. Pd(ii) and Pt(ii) complexes widely used in catalysis react with the bases to give M(0) species and 2(5)-oxo-substituted azoles via an O-NHC coupling mechanism. Ni(NHC)2X2 complexes hydrolyze in the presence of aqueous potassium hydroxide, and undergo the same O-NHC coupling to give azolones and metallic nickel under the action of t-BuOK under anhydrous conditions. The study reveals a new role of NHC ligands as intramolecular reducing agents for the transformation of M(ii) into "ligandless" M(0) species. This demonstrates that the disclosed base-mediated O-NHC coupling reaction is integrated into the catalytic M/NHC systems and can define the mechanism of catalysis (molecular M/NHC vs. "NHC-free" cocktail-type catalysis). A proposed mechanism of the revealed transformation includes NHC-OR reductive elimination, as implied by a series of mechanistic studies including 18O labeling experiments.

Transition metal-catalyzed couplings of alkynes to 1,3-enynes: modern methods and synthetic applications

The metal-catalyzed coupling of alkynes is a powerful method for the preparation of 1,3-enynes, compounds that are of broad interest in organic synthesis. Numerous strategies have been developed for the homo- and cross coupling of alkynes to enynes via transition metal catalysis. In such reactions, a major issue is the control of regio-, stereo-, and, where applicable, chemoselectivity. Herein, we highlight prominent methods for the selective synthesis of these valuable compounds. Further, we illustrate the utility of these processes through specific examples of their application in carbocycle, heterocycle, and natural product syntheses.

A rhodium(i)–oxygen adduct as a selective catalyst for one-pot sequential alkyne dimerization-hydrothiolation tandem reactions

An air-stable rhodium(i)–oxygen adduct featuring a CNC-pincer ligand, based on 1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidenes, catalyzes the homo-dimerization and hydrothiolation of alkynes, affording the gem-enyne and α-vinyl sulfide isomers, respectively, with excellent selectivity.

Cobalt(iii)-catalyzed alkenylation of arenes and 6-arylpurines with terminal alkynes: efficient access to functional dyes

A method for cobalt(iii)-catalyzed alkenylation of arenes and 6-arylpurines has been developed. This reaction takes place under mild conditions with only equivalent terminal alkynes in high yields. A mitochondria-targeted imaging dye was simply prepared through this method.

Stereoselective synthesis and antitumoral activity of Z-enyne pseudoglycosides

The stereoselective synthesis and antitumoral activity of Z-enyne pseudoglycosides is described.

Computational insight into the mechanism of the Pd(0)–Brønsted acid cooperatively catalysed head-to-tail dimerization of terminal alkynes

The Pd(0)–Brønsted acid cooperatively catalysed head-to-tail dimerization of terminal alkynes was computationally studied to gain a mechanistic insight.

CuSO4-H-phosphonate catalyzed highly stereo- and regioselective dimerization of terminal alkynes

The readily available CuSO₄-H-phosphonate catalytic system can catalyze the head-to-head dimerization of terminal alkynes to give the corresponding (E) conjugated enynes selectively in high yield.

Carboxylate switch between hydro- and carbopalladation pathways in regiodivergent dimerization of alkynes

Experimental and theoretical investigation of the regiodivergent palladium-catalyzed dimerization of terminal alkynes is presented. Employment of N-heterocyclic carbene-based palladium catalyst in the presence of phosphine ligand allows for highly regio- and stereoselective head-to-head dimerization reaction. Alternatively, addition of carboxylate anion to the reaction mixture triggers selective head-to-tail coupling. Computational studies suggest that reaction proceeds via the hydropalladation pathway favoring head-to-head dimerization under neutral reaction conditions. The origin of the regioselectivity switch can be explained by the dual role of carboxylate anion. Thus, the removal of hydrogen atom by the carboxylate directs reaction from the hydropalladation to the carbopalladation pathway. Additionally, in the presence of the carboxylate anion intermediate, palladium complexes involved in the head-to-tail dimerization display higher stability compared to their analogues for the head-to-head reaction.

Selective synthesis of (Z)-2-enynyl-2-hydroxy-imidazolidine-4,5-diones via Cu(i)-mediated multicomponent coupling of terminal alkynes, carbodiimides and oxalyl chloride

(Z)-2-Enynyl-2-hydroxy-imidazolidine-4,5-diones are synthesized via Cu(i)-mediated (Z)-selective geminal coupling among two terminal alkynes, carbodiimides, and oxalyl chloride. Further transformation is explored.

Microwave-assisted palladium-catalyzed highly regio- and stereoselective head to head dimerization of terminal aryl alkynes in water

A highly regio- and stereoselective oxime palladacycle/imidazolinium-catalyzed head to head dimerization of terminal aryl alkynes in water is presented.