Nickel-Catalyzed C(sp3)-Sb Coupling of Chlorostibines with Unactivated Alkyl Chlorides and In Vitro Anticancer Activity of Products

In this study, we present a nickel-catalyzed reductive C(sp3)-Sb coupling of unactivated alkyl chlorides with chlorostibines. This approach is highly versatile, tolerating various functional groups such as acetal, alkene, nitrile, amine, ester, silyl ether, thioether, and various heterocyclic compounds. Notably, the late-stage modification of bioactive molecules and the satisfactory anticancer activity against cancerous MDA-MB-231 also demonstrate the potential application.

Trivalent Organostibines: Sb,N Ligands in Double N-Arylation of Primary Amines toward Functionalized Carbazoles

A Sb,N ligand (L-Sb) for Pd-catalyzed double N-arylation of primary amines was developed. This trivalent ligand L-Sb, containing a 5,6,7,12-tetrahydrodibenzo[c,f][1,5]azastibocine skeleton and stable under air and moisture, could be synthesized facilely on a gram scale from chlorostibine (1) and cyclopentylmagnesium bromide. L-Sb showed excellent catalytic performance in Pd2(dba)3-catalyzed double N-arylation of 2,2'-dibromo-1,1'-biphenyl (2) with primary amines (3), affording functionalized carbazoles in good yields. This Pd2(dba)3/L-Sb-catalyzed double N-arylation, the first example of the application of trivalent organostibines as a ligand in N-arylation, featured the following advantages: small catalyst loading, wide functional group tolerance, good yields, and ease of gram-scale synthesis.

Cross- and Multi-Coupling Reactions Using Monofluoroalkanes

Carbon-fluorine bonds are stable and have demonstrated sluggishness against various chemical manipulations. However, selective transformations of C-F bonds can be achieved by developing appropriate conditions as useful synthetic methods in organic chemistry. This review focuses on C-C bond formation at monofluorinated sp3 -hybridized carbons via C-F bond cleavage, including cross-coupling and multi-component coupling reactions. The C-F bond cleavage mechanisms on the sp3 -hybridized carbon centers can be primarily categorized into three types: Lewis acids promoted F atom elimination to generate carbocation intermediates; nucleophilic substitution with metal or carbon nucleophiles supported by the activation of C-F bonds by coordination of Lewis acids; and the cleavage of C-F bonds via a single electron transfer. The characteristic features of alkyl fluorides, in comparison with other (pseudo)halides as promising electrophilic coupling counterparts, are also discussed.

Copper-Catalyzed Cyclization of 2-Alkynylanilines to Give 2-Haloalkoxy-3-alkyl(aryl)quinolines

Herein we describe a method to produce 2-haloalkoxy-3-substituted quinolines via the cyclization of 2-alkynylanilines with TMSCF₃ and THF. This synthetic method uses inexpensive and easy-to-handle TMSCF₃ and employs a commercially available CuI catalyst to transform a broad range of 2-alkynylanilines into versatile 2-difluoromethoxy-3-substituted quinolines and 2-iodoalkoxy-3-substituted quinolines with excellent chemoselectivity.

Selectfluor-Promoted Reactions of Aryl Methyl Ketones with Dimethyl Sulfoxide to Give 2,5-Diacylthiophenes and β-Acyl Allylic Methylsulfones

In this paper, a convenient synthesis of 2,5-diacylthiophenes and β-acyl allylic methylsulfones from aryl methyl ketones with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) through Selectfluor-promoted cascade cyclization and cross-coupling reactions by simple solvent modification is described. This method enables the formation of new C-C and C-S bonds via the selection of different solvent ratios, in which DMSO molecules as synthons can be selectively introduced into methyl ketones. The features of this transformation include readily available starting materials, excellent chemoselectivity, and good functional group tolerance.

Copper-Catalyzed Regioselective Iodoformylation of Terminal Alkynes to Access Versatile Electrophiles (E)-β-Iodo-α,β-Unsaturated Aldehydes

Herein, we describe a method for synthesizing (E)-β-iodo-α,β-unsaturated aldehydes via the iodoformylation of terminal alkynes with TMSCF₃ and NaI. This synthetic method uses inexpensive and easy-to-handle chemical feedstocks and employs a commercially available CuI catalyst. It can transform a broad range of terminal alkynes into bis-electrophile (E)-β-iodo-α,β-unsaturated aldehydes with excellent chemoselectivity, regioselectivity, and stereoselectivity. Moreover, it was demonstrated that this protocol has abundant organic reactivity.

Base-Promoted Reactions of Organostibines with Alkynes and Organic Halides to Give Chalcogenated (Z)-Olefins and Ethers

Herein, with air-stable chalcogenated stibines (Sb-ER) as organometallic chalcogenating reagents, we developed base-promoted (Z)-hydrochalcogenation of alkynes with DMSO/DMSO-d₆ as hydrogen/deuterium sources, giving chalcogenated (Z)-olefins in good yields and with excellent regioselectivity. These reagents, easily synthesized from halostibines with in situ generated [Zn(ER)₂] at room temperature within a few minutes, could be also used in the base-promoted C(sp³)-S(Se) cross-coupling with C(sp³)-X and copper-catalyzed C(sp²)-S(Se) cross-coupling with C(sp²)-X (X = F, CI, Br, I) under mild conditions. This protocol could also be simply extended to organobismuth complexes (Bi-ER) with good functional tolerance.

Copper-Catalyzed Regioselective Olefination and Trifluoromethylation of Carboxylic Acids To Give (Z)-Trifluoromethyl Enol Esters

Herein, we describe a method to produce (Z)-trifluoromethyl enol esters via the olefination and trifluoromethylation of carboxylic acids with TMSCF₃. This synthetic method uses inexpensive and easy-to-handle TMSCF₃. It employs a commercially available CuCl catalyst to transform a broad range of carboxylic acids into versatile (Z)-trifluoromethyl enol esters with good regio- and stereoselectivity. This protocol allows the concise synthesis of highly functionalized (Z)-trifluoromethyl enol esters directly from carboxylic acids.

CF3SO2Na-Mediated Five-Component Carbonylation of Triarylboroxines with TMSCF3 and THF/LiOH/NaI to Give Aroyloxyalkyl Iodides

Herein, we developed an efficient and transition-metal-free multicomponent coupling reaction for the synthesis of aroyloxyl alkyl iodides. In the reaction among 2,4,6-triarylboroxines, THF, TMSCF₃, LiOH, and NaI, five-component reactions could be precisely controlled by modulating CF₃SO₂Na, supplying one type of aroyloxyl alkyl iodides in moderate to high yields. The reaction exhibits good functional group tolerance and a wide substrate scope and can be easily transformed into other useful compounds. The mechanism is proposed on the basis of the control experiments.

Synthesis of (Deoxy)difluoromethylated Phosphines by Reaction of R2P(O)H with TMSCF3 and Their Application in Cu(I) Clusters in Sonogashira Coupling

R₂PCF₂H ligands and their R₂P(O)CF₂H precursors were synthesized from R₂P(O)H with TMSCF₃ by simply modulating the H₂O concentration via deoxydifluoromethylation and difluoromethylation. The air sensitive R₂PCF₂H phosphines can be stabilized in Cu(I) clusters as ligands. Within these Cu(I) clusters, the Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction can proceed fast and efficiently using terminal alkynes and aryl iodides within 15 min at room temperature under air to give a variety of diaryl(alkyl)acetylenes in good yields (49 examples, yields of ≤99%). Six of the internal alkynes present in drug precursors can be obtained using this protocol in good yields. The mechanism is proposed on the basis of control experiments.

One-pot synthesis of phosphorylnaphth[2,1-d]oxazoles and products as P,N-ligands in C-N and C-C formation

Phosphanylnaphtho[2,1-d]oxazoles were synthesized successfully through one-pot phosphonation of naphthoquinone with diaryl(alkyl)phosphine oxides and Cu-catalyzed oxidative condensation with imines, followed by methylation and reduction. Upon applying 4-phosphanylnaphtho[2,1-d]oxazole as a P,N-chelating ligand, Pd-catalyzed C-N formation of amines or nitrobenzene as well as Ni-catalyzed C-C formation and the synthesis of quinoline proceeded successfully. The reaction was facilely scaled up to give N-benzylaniline 15a in a gram scale synthesis. This research provided a facile and convenient protocol to synthesize phosphanylnaphtho[2,1-d]oxazoles, which could be applied as an efficient P,N-ligand in transition-metal-catalyzed C-N and C-C formation to produce the desired products in high yields with wide functional group tolerance under small catalyst loading, solvent-free conditions in many reactions.

FeO(OH)@C-Catalyzed Selective Hydrazine Substitution of p-Nitro-Aryl Fluorides and their Application for the Synthesis of Phthalazinones

An efficient hydrazine substitution of p-nitro-aryl fluorides with hydrazine hydrates catalyzed by FeO(OH)@C nanoparticles is described. This hydrazine substitutions of p-nitro-aryl fluorides bearing electron-withdrawing groups proceeded efficiently with high yield and selectivity. Similarly, hydrogenations of p-nitro-aryl fluorides containing electron-donating groups also smoothly proceeded under mild conditions. Furthermore, with these prepared aryl hydrazines, some phthalazinones, interesting as potential structures for pharmaceuticals, have successfully been synthesized in high yields.

Pd-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Sb-Aryl Stibines with Halogenomethyl Arenes to Give Unsymmetirc Diarylmethanes

Herein, we describe a general method for the synthesis of unsymmetric diarylmethanes from (hetero)aryl methyl halides and Sb-aryl stibines. This protocol shows a broad substrate scope and a good functional group tolerance. Drug molecules, including beclobrate 3al and bifemelane 3as, and drug derivatives, including celecoxib 3p, ibuprofen 3ao, and probenecid 3ap, were efficiently synthesized on a gram scale. The possible mechanism is proposed on the basis of the results of control experiments.

Cu(I)-Catalyzed C-H Alkenylation of Tertiary C(sp3)-H Bonds of 3-Aryl Benzofuran-2(3H)-ones to Give Z- and E-Styrene Containing Quaternary Carbon Centers with 99/1 Regioselectivity

The synthesis of isomerically pure olefins containing all-carbon quaternary centers is a challenging issue. Herein, we developed an efficient protocol for the synthesis of (Z)-olefins (27 examples, yield up to 97%, Z/E up to 99/1) and (E)-olefins (16 examples, yield up to 94%, E/Z up to 99/1) containing all-carbon quaternary centers. This protocol is adopted for the copper-catalyzed regioselective C-H alkenylation of the tertiary C(sp³)-H bond of 3-aryl benzofuran-2(3H)-ones with alkyne and alkenes. A diverse range of functional groups in the substrates is well-tolerated, such as F, Cl, Br, Me, OMe, ester, CF₃, etc. A gram scale experiment was performed in good yield, and the radical mechanisms are also proposed based on the control experiments.

Cu-Catalyzed Dual C-O Bonds Cleavage of Cyclic Ethers with Carboxylic Acids, NaI, and TMSCF3 to Give Iodoalkyl Ester

Herein, by dual C-O bond cleavage of cyclic ethers with Cu catalysis, we eventually led to the development of a selective three-component coupling of commercially available chemicals, carboxylic acids, ethers, and halogens to synthesize more than 70 iodoalkyl esters in the presence of TMSCF₃. This allows for the concise synthesis of highly functionalized iodoalkyl esters directly. And the synthetic insect pheromones were also disclosed.

UV-Light-Induced Dehydrogenative N-Acylation of Amines with 2-Nitrobenzaldehydes To Give 2-Aminobenzamides

A simple, mild, green, and efficient method for the synthesis of 2-aminobenzamides is highly desirable. Herein, we report the development of an efficient, one-pot strategy starting from 2-aminobenzaldehydes and amines with acetic acid in ethyl acetate/acetone using irradiation with UV light for the synthesis of 2-aminobenzamides in high yields; 32 examples proceeded successfully by this photo-induced protocol in up to 92% yield. The reaction was also readily achieved on a gram scale. The utility of the 2-aminobenzamide building block in organic synthesis was shown by their use in the preparation of quinazolinone derivatives. The method was applied to amino acid derivatives as the amine component, which smoothly gave N-(2-aminobenzoyl)acetate derivatives at room temperature. Finally, a plausible mechanism is proposed.

DTBP-mediated cross-dehydrogenative coupling of 3-aryl benzofuran-2(3H)-ones with toluenes/phenols for all-carbon quaternary centers

We have developed a transition-metal free protocol for efficient cross-dehydrogenative coupling of 3-aryl benzofuran-2(3H)-ones and toluenes/phenols using DTBP as an oxidant.

Bio-inspired asymmetric aldehyde arylations catalyzed by rhodium-cyclodextrin self-inclusion complexes

Transition-metal catalysts are powerful tools for carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions that are difficult to achieve using native enzymes. Enzymes that exhibit inherent selectivities and reactivities through host-guest interactions have inspired widespread interest in incorporating enzymatic behavior into transition-metal catalytic systems that highly efficiently produce enantiopure compounds. Nevertheless, bio-inspired transition-metal catalysts that are highly enantioselective and reactive have rarely been reported. In this study, we applied γ-cyclodextrin-imidazolium salts to the rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric arylations of aldehydes. The method exhibits wide substrate scope and the corresponding arylcarbinols are obtained in excellent yields under optimized conditions, with enantiomeric excesses of up to 96% observed. Kinetic and competition experiments revealed that self-inclusion of the Rh complex contributes to the high enantioselectivity and reactivity achieved by this catalytic system. Thus, this bio-inspired self-inclusion strategy is promising for the development of highly enantioselective and reactive transition-metal catalysts for asymmetric carbon-carbon bond formation.

Recent Progress on Photocatalytic Synthesis of Ester Derivatives and Reaction Mechanisms

Esters and their derivatives are distributed widely in natural products, pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals and other fields. Esters are important building blocks in pharmaceuticals such as clopidogrel, methylphenidate, fenofibrate, travoprost, prasugrel, oseltamivir, eszopiclone and fluticasone. Therefore, esterification reaction becomes more and more popular in the photochemical field. In this review, we highlight three types of reactions to synthesize esters using photochemical strategies. The reaction mechanisms involve mainly single electron transfer, energy transfer or other radical procedures.

Recent Advances on Benzofuranones: Synthesis and Transformation via C–H Functionalization

The benzofuranone structure is important in many fields, such as natural products, pharmaceuticals, building blocks, antioxidants, and dyes. The efficient synthesis and transformation of benzofuranones have attracted great attention in organic synthesis. They can be synthesized by the Friedel–Crafts reaction and intramolecular dehydration ring-closing and transition-metal-catalyzed reactions, among others. Their direct utilization in the preparation of other functional molecules further enhance their application. Due to their low pK a value and easy enolization, the transformation of benzofuranones via C(3)–H bond functionalization has been a hot issue since 2010. Herein, we highlight advances in the synthesis of benzofuranones and their transformation via C–H functionalization. Other transformations related to benzofuranones are also discussed.

1 Introduction

2 Synthesis of Benzofuranones

3 C–H Functionalization of Benzofuranones

4 Other Types of Reactions of Benzofuranones

5 Conclusion and Outlook

Photo-Induced N-N Coupling of o-Nitrobenzyl Alcohols and Indolines To Give N-Aryl-1-amino Indoles

A novel method to synthesize N-aryl-1-amino indoles was established by the photoinduced N-N coupling reaction. This protocol is by treatment of o-nitrobenzyl alcohols and indolines in the presence of TEAI and acetic acid with a 24 W ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diode (LED) (385-405 nm) irradiation. The products bearing an aldehyde group can be further transformed to fluorescent probes based on Rhodamine 6G derivative 11, which shows a high specificity and sensitivity for Fe³⁺.

Pd-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Organostibines with Styrenes to Give Unsymmetric (E)-Stilbenes and (1E,3E)-1,4-Diarylbuta-1,3-dienes and Fluorescence Properties of the Products

A general and effective palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of organostibines with styrenes to give (E)-olefins was disclosed. By the use of an organostibine reagent, this method can produce unsymmetric (E)-1,2-diarylethylenes and (1E,3E)-1,4-diarylbuta-1,3-dienes in good yields with high E/Z selectivity and good functional group tolerance. Resveratrol and DMU-212 were synthesized in high yield. The protocol can be extended to the synthesis of (1E,3E,5E)-1,6-diphenylhexa-1,3,5-triene in 40% yield. Products 5e, 5f, and 7a showed good photoluminescence quantum yields ranging from 72 to 99%.

UV-Light-Induced N-Acylation of Amines with α-Diketones

Herein, we develop a mild method for N-acylation of primary and secondary amines with α-diketones induced by ultraviolet (UV) light. Forty-six examples with various functional groups are explored at room temperature with irradiation by three 26 W UV lamps (350-380 nm). The yield reaches 97%. The gram scale experiment product yield is 76%. Moreover, this system can be applied to the synthesis of several amino acid derivatives. Mechanistic studies show that benzoin is generated in situ from benzil under UV irradiation.

Nickel-Catalyzed N,N-Diarylation of 8-Aminoquinoline with Large Steric Aryl Bromides and Fluorescence of Products

A simple and efficient methodology for the synthesis of large sterically hindered triarylamines in a single step was developed. A direct N,N-diarylation of 8-aminoquinoline with sterically hindered bromides, making use of inexpensive nickel as a catalyst and simple sodium salt as a base, gives the products in good to excellent yields. Various bromides and substituted 8-aminoquinolines are tolerated. Preliminary fluorescence results indicate that these sterically hindered and conjugated triarylamines may have some potential in material chemistry.

Nickel- and Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions of Organostibines with Organoboronic Acids

A strategy for the formation of antimony-carbon bond was developed by nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of halostibines. This method has been applied to the synthesis of various triaryl- and diarylalkylstibines from the corresponding cyclic and acyclic halostibines. This protocol showed a wide substrate scope (72 examples) and was compatible to a wide range of functional groups such as aldehyde, ketone, alkene, alkyne, haloarenes (F, Cl, Br, I), and heteroarenes. A successful synthesis of arylated stibine 3 a in a scale of 34.77 g demonstrates high synthetic potential of this transformation. The formed stibines (R₃ Sb) were then used for the palladium-catalyzed carbon-carbon bond forming reaction with aryl boronic acids [R-B(OH)₂ ], giving biaryls with high selectivity, even the structures of two organomoieties (R and R') are very similar. Plausible catalytic pathways were proposed based on control experiments.

Effect of Alkyl Groups in Pyrene Chromophore on the Mechanical Response of Pyrene-Octafluoronaphthalene Co-Crystals

Changes in the photophysical properties of pyrene (Py)-octafluoronaphthalene (OFN) co-crystals (Py⋅OFN) upon mechanical stimuli are described herein. The Py⋅OFN co-crystal showed a mechano-induced bathochromic shift in emission, and a similar tendency was observed for the 1,3,6,8-tetramethylpyrene-OFN co-crystal. These shifts are due to disruption of the microscopic molecular orientation in the co-crystal, which allows for excimer formation. In sharp contrast to the parent Py⋅OFN and methyl-substituted Py-OFN co-crystals, no mechano-induced bathochromic shift was observed when longer alkyl chains were introduced to the 1-, 3-, 6-, and 8-positions of the Py chromophore. This photophysical opposability against mechanical stimuli could be explained by the orthogonally oriented alkyl groups on the Py ring, which existed between two Py cores like pillars. This fixed OFN to maintain the face-to-face alternatively stacked structure of the co-crystal and thus prevented the formation of the Py excimer. The pillar effect demonstrated herein provides a rational design for co-crystalline systems that are photophysically stable against mechanical stresses.

Synthesis of Triarylmethanes by Decarbonylation of 3,3-Diaryl Benzofuranones

A simple protocol for the synthesis of triarylmethane derivatives with three different (hetero)aryl groups by decarbonylation of 3,3-diaryl benzofuranones, which can easily be prepared via arylation of benzofuranones, was developed. The reaction proceeds on heating in dimethylformamide (DMF) in the presence of CH₃ONa and water to generate the products in good to excellent yields. This reaction can be easily scaled up to give a triarylmethane in a gram scale. Further chemical manipulation of the products enabled useful transformations of the phenol ring, including reduction, arylation, cyclization, etc.

Copper-Catalyzed Amination of C(sp3)-H bonds: From Anilides to Indolines

Copper-catalyzed oxidative intramolecular cyclization of o-alkylated anilines via cleavage of C(sp³)-H and N-H bonds for the production of indolines is described. This approach provides a straightforward strategy for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds through the functionalization of unactivated C(sp³)-H bonds with high site selectivity. The present catalytic system shows high preference for functionalization of unactivated C(sp³)-H bonds over C(sp²)-H bonds, leading to C-N bond formation.

Successful treatment with hydroxychloroquine for systemic lupus erythematosus with cutaneous involvement accompanied by a xanthomatous reaction

Antimalarials are usually recommended for the first-line systemic treatment of cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Alopecia in patients with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is sometimes a refractory condition in spite of topical therapies. We herein described a case of DLE on the scalp with a pathological change of a xanthomatous reaction, which was successfully treated with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). A 34-year-old woman presented with hair loss to the parietal region. She had been diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) four years previously. Treatment with 30 mg/day of prednisolone (PSL) had been initiated, and the dose was gradually reduced. At 10 mg/day of PSL, she had noticed her hair loss. Physical examination revealed some small erythematous lesions to the parietal region with accompanying hair loss. Pathological findings of the erythematous lesion on her head revealed thickening of the basement membrane zone, the interface dermatitis with vacuolar degeneration, and both superficial perivascular and perifollicular infiltration of inflammatory cells in the dermis. In addition, there was an infiltrate of xanthomatous cells detected in the papillary dermis, which were positive for CD68 and CD163. The patient started treatment with HCQ at a dose of 200 mg/day. The skin lesions completely resolved within five months after initiation of HCQ without increase in the dose of PSL. Xanthomatous reactions are rarely recognized in lupus erythematosus. The chronic epithelial injury in DLE could be implicated in triggering the secondary reactive process of a xanthomatous reaction. We believe that the reaction seen in our patient was a secondary change to pathological alteration due to SLE. However, as yet unrecognized factors may play a role in the development of a xanthomatous reaction in DLE.

Molecular Packing and Solid-State Photophysical Properties of 1,3,6,8-Tetraalkylpyrenes

The relationship between the photophysical properties and molecular orientation of 1,3,6,8-tetraalkylpyrenes in the solid state is described herein. The introduction of alkyl groups with different chain structures (in terms of length and branching) did not affect the photophysical properties in solution, but significantly shifted the emission wavelengths and fluorescence quantum yields in the solid state for some samples. Pyrenes bearing ethyl, isobutyl, or neopentyl groups at the 1-, 3-, 6-, and 8-positions showed similar emission profiles in both the solution and solid states. In contrast, pyrenes bearing other alkyl groups exhibited an excimer emission in the solid state, similar to that of the parent pyrene. On studying the photophysical properties in the solid state with respect to the obtained crystal structures, the observed solid-state photophysical properties were found to depend on the relative position of the pyrene chromophores. The solid-state photophysical properties can be controlled by the alkyl groups, which provide changing crystal packing. Among the pyrenes tested, 1,3,6,8-tetraethylpyrene showed the highest fluorescence quantum yield of 0.88 in the solid state.