Triplet Energy Transfer Mechanism in Copper Photocatalytic N- and O-Methylation

Methylation reactions are chemically simple but challenging to perform under mild and non-toxic conditions. A photochemical energy transfer strategy was merged with copper catalysis to enable fast reaction times of minutes and broad applicability to N-heterocycles, (hetero-)aromatic carboxylic acids, and drug-like molecules in high yields and good functional group tolerance. Detailed mechanistic investigations, using kinetic analysis, aprotic MS, UV/Vis, and luminescence quenching experiments revealed a triplet-triplet energy transfer mechanism between hypervalent iodine(III) reagents and readily available photosensitizers.

Three-Component Radical Cross-Coupling: Asymmetric Vicinal Sulfonyl-Esterification of Alkenes Involving Sulfur Dioxide

A novel catalytic system for radical cross-coupling reactions based on copper and chiral Pyridyl-bis(imidazole) (PyBim) ligands is described. It overcomes the challenges of chemoselectivity and enantioselectivity, achieving a highly enantioselective vicinal sulfonyl-esterification reaction of alkenes involving sulfur dioxide. This strategy involves the use of earth-abundant metal catalyst, mild reaction conditions, a broad range of substrates (84 examples), high yields (up to 97% yield), and exceptional control over enantioselectivity. The reaction system is compatible with different types of radical precursors, including O-acylhydroxylamines, cycloketone oxime esters, aryldiazonium salts, and drug molecules. Chiral ligand PyBim is identified as particularly effective in achieving the desired high enantioselectivity. Mechanistic studies reveal that copper/PyBim system plays a vital role in C─O coupling, employing an outer-sphere model. In addition, the side arm effect of ligand is observed.

Copper-Catalyzed Enantioselective C(sp3 )-SCF3 Coupling of Carbon-Centered Benzyl Radicals with (Me4 N)SCF3

In contrast with the well-established C(sp2 )-SCF3 cross-coupling to forge the Ar-SCF3 bond, the corresponding enantioselective coupling of readily available alkyl electrophiles to forge chiral C(sp3 )-SCF3 bond has remained largely unexplored. We herein disclose a copper-catalyzed enantioselective radical C(sp3 )-SCF3 coupling of a range of secondary/tertiary benzyl radicals with the easily available (Me4 N)SCF3 reagent. The key to the success lies in the utilization of chiral phosphino-oxazoline-derived anionic N,N,P-ligands through tuning electronic and steric effects for the simultaneous control of the reaction initiation and enantioselectivity. This strategy can successfully realize two types of asymmetric radical reactions, including enantioconvergent C(sp3 )-SCF3 cross-coupling of racemic benzyl halides and three-component 1,2-carbotrifluoromethylthiolation of arylated alkenes under mild reaction conditions. It therefore provides a highly flexible platform for the rapid assembly of an array of enantioenriched SCF3 -containing molecules of interest in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry.

Copper-promoted C5-selective bromination of 8-aminoquinoline amides with alkyl bromides

An efficient and practical method for the synthesis of C5-brominated 8-aminoquinoline amides via a copper-promoted selective bromination of 8-aminoquinoline amides with alkyl bromides was developed. The reaction proceeds smoothly in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) under air, employing activated and unactivated alkyl bromides as the halogenation reagents without additional external oxidants. This method features outstanding site selectivity, broad substrate scope, and excellent yields.

Mechanistic Avenues in the Chan-Lam-Based Etherification Reaction: A Computational Exploration

Ongoing advances in CuII -catalyzed aerobic oxidative coupling reactions between arylboronic esters and diverse heteroatom nucleophiles have strengthened the development of the general Chan-Lam (CL)-based reaction protocol, including C-O bond formation methodologies. In-depth mechanistic understanding of CL etherification with specific emphasis on different reaction routes and their energetics are still lacking, even though the reaction has been experimentally explored. Here, we present a DFT-guided computational study to unravel the mechanistic pathways of CL-based etherification. The computational findings provide some interesting insights into the fundamental steps of the catalytic cycle, particularly the rate-determining transmetalation event. An aryl boronic ester-coordinated, methoxide-bridged CuII intermediate that acts as resting state undergoes transmetalation with an activation barrier of 20.4 kcal mol-1 . The energy spans of the remaining fundamental steps leading to the methoxylated product are relatively low. The minor p-cresol product requires an additional 14.2 kcal mol-1 energy span to surmount in comparison to the favored route. Hammett studies for the substituted aryl boronic esters reveal higher reaction turnovers for electron-rich aryl systems. The results agree with previously reported spectroscopic and kinetic observations. For a series of alcohol substrates, it was observed that, except for cyclohexanol, moderate to high etherification turnovers are predicted.

Copper-Catalyzed Regio- and Enantioselective Hydroboration of Difluoroalkyl-Substituted Internal Alkenes

Catalytic asymmetric hydroboration of fluoroalkyl-substituted alkenes is a straightforward approach to access chiral small molecules possessing both fluorine and boron atoms. However, enantioselective hydroboration of fluoroalkyl-substituted alkenes without fluorine elimination has been a long-standing challenge in this field. Herein, a copper-catalyzed hydroboration of difluoroalkyl-substituted internal alkenes with high levels of regio- and enantioselectivities is reported. The native carbonyl directing group, copper hydride system, and bisphosphine ligand play crucial roles in suppressing the undesired fluoride elimination. This atom-economic protocol provides a practical synthetic platform to obtain a wide scope of enantioenriched secondary boronates bearing the difluoromethylene moieties under mild conditions. Synthetic applications including functionalization of biorelevant molecules, versatile functional group interconversions, and preparation of difluoroalkylated Terfenadine derivative are also demonstrated.

A New Class of Diaryl Ether Herbicides: Structure-Activity Relationship Studies Enabled by a Rapid Scaffold Hopping Approach

We report on the development of a novel class of diaryl ether herbicides. After the discovery of a phenoxybenzoic acid with modest herbicidal activity, optimization led to several molecules with improved control of broadleaf and grass weeds. To facilitate this process, we first employed a three-step combinatorial approach, then pivoted to a one-step Ullmann-type coupling that provided faster access to new analogs. After determining that the primary target site of our benchmark diaryl ethers was acetolactate synthase (ALS), we further leveraged this copper-catalyzed methodology to conduct a scaffold hopping campaign in the hope of uncovering an additional mode of action with fewer documented cases of resistance. Our comprehensive and systematic investigation revealed that while the herbicidal activity of this area seems to be exclusively linked to ALS inhibition, our molecules represent a structurally distinct class of Group 2 herbicides. The structure-activity relationships that led us to this conclusion are described herein.

Oxygen-Free Csp3-H Oxidation of Pyridin-2-yl-methanes to Pyridin-2-yl-methanones with Water by Copper Catalysis

Aromatic ketones are important pharmaceutical intermediates, especially the pyridin-2-yl-methanone motifs. Thus, synthetic methods for these compounds have gained extensive attention in the last few years. Transition metals catalyze the oxidation of Csp3-H for the synthesis of aromatic ketones, which is arresting. Here, we describe an efficient copper-catalyzed synthesis of pyridin-2-yl-methanones from pyridin-2-yl-methanes through a direct Csp3-H oxidation approach with water under mild conditions. Pyridin-2-yl-methanes with aromatic rings, such as substituted benzene, thiophene, thiazole, pyridine, and triazine, undergo the reaction well to obtain the corresponding products in moderate to good yields. Several controlled experiments are operated for the mechanism exploration, indicating that water participates in the oxidation process, and it is the single oxygen source in this transformation. The current work provides new insights for water-involving oxidation reactions.

Copper-Catalyzed Benzylic Functionalization of Lignin-Derived Monomers

Within the field of lignin biorefining, significant research effort has been dedicated to the advancement of catalytic methods for lignocellulose depolymerization. However, another key challenge in lignin valorization is the conversion of the obtained monomers into higher value-added products. To address this challenge, new catalytic methods that can fully embrace the inherent complexity of their target substrates are needed. Here, we describe copper-catalyzed reactions for benzylic functionalization of lignin-derived phenolics via intermediate formation of hexafluoroisopropoxy-masked para-quinone methides (p-QMs). By controlling the rates of copper catalyst turnover and p-QM release, we have developed copper-catalyzed allylation and alkynylation reactions of lignin-derived monomers to install various unsaturated fragments amenable to further synthetic applications.

Synthesis of Difluoromethylated Alkenes via Copper-Catalyzed Protodefluorination of β-(Trifluoromethyl)styrenes

Under typical copper-catalyzed hydroboration conditions, β-(trifluoromethyl)styrenes demonstrate unusal reactivities by forming difluoromethylated alkenes via a net protodefluorination process. This is also distinct from trifluoromethyl alkenes with alkyl substituents where defluoroborylation products predominate.

Concise and Scalable Radiosynthesis of (+)-[18F]MDL100907 as a Serotonin 5-HT2A Receptor Antagonist for PET

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT2A) receptors play an important role in several psychiatric disorders. In order to investigate the serotonin (5-HT) receptor in vivo, reliable syntheses are required for positron emission tomography (PET) 5-HT radioligands. Owing to the excellent in vivo properties of [18F]MDL100907 for PET, there has been great interest to develop a novel synthetic route for [18F]MDL100907. Here, we report a highly efficient, scalable, and expedient synthesis for [18F]MDL100907. The radiofluorination was performed on a 18F-labeling boron pinacol ester precursor, which is synthesized using the Liebeskind-Srogl cross-coupling reaction as a key step. Our method is practically more suitable to employ late-stage Cu-mediated radiofluorination and facilitate the production of the [18F]MDL100907 radioligand in excellent decay-corrected RCY of 32 ± 10% (n = 7) within 60 min. We prepared [18F]MDL100907 in high molar activity (2.1 Ci/μmol) and compared it to [11C]MDL100907 in the brain of a nonhuman primate.

One-pot nucleophilic substitution-double click reactions of biazides leading to functionalized bis(1,2,3-triazole) derivatives

The nucleophilic substitution of benzylic bromides with sodium azide was combined with a subsequent copper-catalyzed (3 + 2) cycloaddition with terminal alkynes. This one-pot process was developed with a simple model alkyne, but then applied to more complex alkynes bearing enantiopure 1,2-oxazinyl substituents. Hence, the precursor compounds 1,2-, 1,3- or 1,4-bis(bromomethyl)benzene furnished geometrically differing bis(1,2,3-triazole) derivatives. The use of tris[(1-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl]amine (TBTA) as ligand for the click step turned out to be very advantageous. The compounds with 1,2-oxazinyl end groups can potentially serve as precursors of divalent carbohydrate mimetics, but the reductive cleavage of the 1,2-oxazine rings to aminopyran moieties did not proceed cleanly with these compounds.

Application of Chitosan/Poly(vinyl alcohol) Stabilized Copper Film Materials for the Borylation of α, β-Unsaturated Ketones, Morita-Baylis-Hillman Alcohols and Esters in Aqueous Phase

A chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol)-stabilized copper nanoparticle (CP@Cu NPs) was used as a heterogeneous catalyst for the borylation of α, β-unsaturated ketones, MBH alcohols, and MBH esters in mild conditions. This catalyst not only demonstrated remarkable efficiency in synthesizing organoboron compounds but also still maintained excellent reactivity and stability even after seven recycled uses of the catalyst. This methodology provides a gentle and efficient approach to synthesize the organoboron compounds by efficiently constructing carbon-boron bonds.

Precision Deuteration Using Cu-Catalyzed Transfer Hydrodeuteration to Access Small Molecules Deuterated at the Benzylic Position

A highly regio- and chemoselective Cu-catalyzed aryl alkyne transfer hydrodeuteration to access a diverse scope of aryl alkanes precisely deuterated at the benzylic position is described. The reaction benefits from a high degree of regiocontrol in the alkyne hydrocupration step, leading to the highest selectivities reported to date for an alkyne transfer hydrodeuteration reaction. Only trace isotopic impurities are formed under this protocol, and analysis of an isolated product by molecular rotational resonance spectroscopy confirms that high isotopic purity products can be generated from readily accessible aryl alkyne substrates.

Copper-Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Asymmetric P-C Coupling of Secondary Phosphine Oxides and Aryl iodides

Transition metal-catalyzed enantioselective P-C cross-coupling of secondary phosphine oxides (SPOs) is an attractive method for synthesizing P-stereogenic phosphorus compounds, but the development of such a dynamic kinetic asymmetric process remains a considerable challenge. Here we report an unprecedented highly enantioselective dynamic kinetic intermolecular P-C coupling of SPOs and aryl iodides catalyzed by copper complexes ligated by a finely modified chiral 1,2-diamine ligand. The reaction tolerates a wide range of SPOs and aryl iodides, affording P-stereogenic tertiary phosphine oxides (TPOs) in high yields and with good enantioselectivity (average 89.2% ee). The resulting enantioenriched TPOs were transformed into structurally diverse P-chiral scaffolds, which are highly valuable as ligands and catalysts in asymmetric synthesis.

A Copper-Catalyzed Interrupted Domino Reaction for the Synthesis of Fused Triazolyl Benzothiadiazine-1-oxides

Copper(I)-catalyzed domino reactions of 2-azido sulfoximines with 1-iodoalkynes yield fused triazolyl-containing benzothiadiazine-1-oxides. The protocol features the synthesis of two fused heterocyclic rings in one step with good to excellent yields and a broad functional group tolerance. Detailed mechanistic investigations indicate that a copper π-complex initiates a cycloaddition and oxidative C-N coupling reaction sequence. The results suggest an interrupted domino process involving an iodinated triazole as a key intermediate.

Theoretical Study on the Copper-Catalyzed ortho-Selective C-H Functionalization of Naphthols with α-Phenyl-α-Diazoesters

The aromatic C(sp²)-H functionalization of unprotected naphthols with α-phenyl-α-diazoesters under mild conditions catalyzed by CuCl and CuCl₂ exhibits high efficiency and unique ortho-selectivity. In this study, the combination of density functional theory (DFT) calculations and experiments is employed to investigate the mechanism of C-H functionalization, which reveals the fundamental origin of the site-selectivity. It explains that CuCl-catalyzed ortho-selective C-H functionlization is due to the bimetallic carbene, which differs from the reaction catalyzed by CuCl₂ via monometallic carbene. The results demonstrate the function of favourable H-bond interactions on the site- and chemo-selectivity of reaction through stabilizing the rate-determining transition states in proton (1,3)-migration.

Synthesis of 1-Aminoisoquinolines and Their Application in a Host-Guest Doped Strategy To Construct Ultralong Room-Temperature Phosphorescence Materials for Bioimaging

Organic ultralong room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials have attracted great attention for their wide applications in optoelectronic devices and bioimaging. However, the development of these materials remains a challenging task, partially due to the lack of rational molecular design strategies and unclear luminescence mechanisms. Herein, we present a method for facile access to structurally diverse substituted 1-aminoisoquinoline derivatives through a copper-catalyzed one-pot three-component coupling reaction that provides a promising approach to rapidly assemble a library of 1-aminoisoquinolines for exploring the regularity of the host-guest doped system. A series of host-guest RTP materials with wide-ranging lifetimes from 4.4 to 299.3 ms were constructed by doping various substituted isoquinolines derivatives into benzophenone (BP). Furthermore, 4 r/BP nanoparticles could be used for in-vivo imaging with a signal-to-noise ratio value as high as 32, revealing the potential of the isoquinoline framework for the construction of high-performance RTP materials.

Non-innocent Role of the Halide Ligand in the Copper-Catalyzed Olefin Aziridination Reaction

In the context of copper-catalyzed nitrene transfer to olefins, many systems operate upon mixing a CuX salt (X = halide, OTf) and a polydentate N-based ligand, assuming that the X ligand is displaced from the coordination sphere toward a counterion position. Herein, we demonstrated that such general assumption should be in doubt since studies carried out with the well-defined copper(I) complexes (TTM)CuCl and [(TTM)Cu(NCMe)]PF6 (TTM = tris(triazolyl)methane ligand) demonstrate a dual behavior from a catalytic and mechanistic point of view that exclusively depends on the presence or absence of the chloride ligand bonded to the metal center. When coordinated, the turnover-limiting step corresponds to the formation of the carbon-nitrene bond, whereas in its absence, the highest barrier corresponds to the formation of the copper-nitrene intermediate.

Copper-Catalyzed Asymmetric Sulfonylative Desymmetrization of Glycerol

Glycerol is the main side product in the biodiesel manufacturing process, and the development of glycerol valorization methods would indirectly contribute the sustainable biodiesel production and decarbonization. Transformation of glycerol to optically active C3 units would be one of the attractive routes for glycerol valorization. We herein present the asymmetric sulfonylative desymmetrization of glycerol by using a CuCN/(R,R)-PhBOX catalyst system to provide an optically active monosulfonylated glycerol in high efficiency. A high degree of enantioselectivity was achieved with a commercially available chiral ligand and an inexpensive carbonate base. The optically active monosulfonylated glycerol was successfully transformed into a C3 unit attached with differentially protected three hydroxy moieties. In addition, the synthetic utility of the present reaction was also demonstrated by the transformation of the monosulfonylated glycerol into an optically active synthetic ceramide, sphingolipid E.

Urea Synthesis from Isocyanides and O-Benzoyl Hydroxylamines Catalyzed by a Copper Salt

In the presence of CuOAc, a series of unsymmetric ureas can be generated in moderate to good yields under mild reaction conditions (10 mol% of CuOAc, 2 equiv t-BuONa or PhONa, 30 °C), using aryl isocyanides and O-benzoyl hydroxylamines as the readily accessible starting materials. The reactions might undergo a cascade process involving isocyanide insertion into the N-O bond and Mumm-type rearrangement. This work represents a rare example of isocyanide insertion into N-O bonds, which would extend isocyanide insertion chemistry.

Boosting the Enantioselectivity of Conjugate Borylation of α,β-Disubstituted Cyclobutenones with Monooxides of Chiral C2 -Symmetric Bis(phosphine) Ligands

Chiral bis(phosphine) monooxides (BPMOs) derived from C₂ -symmetric bis(phosphines) have been found to induce superior levels of enantioselection in copper-catalyzed conjugate borylation of α,β-disubstituted cyclobutenones. More precisely, enantiomeric excesses as well as chemical yields are exceedingly high with (R,R)-Bozphos as the chiral ligand while these values are low with parent (R,R)-Me-Duphos. A similar yet less pronounced effect was seen in the corresponding 1,6-addition to para-quinone methides.

Copper(II)-Catalyzed (3+2) Cycloaddition of 2H-Azirines to Six-Membered Cyclic Enols as a Route to Pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinolone, Chromeno[3,4-b]pyrrole, and Naphtho[1,8-ef]indole Scaffolds

A method for the [2+3] pyrroline annulation to the six-membered non-aromatic enols using 3-aryl-2H-azirines as annulation agents is developed in the current study. The reaction proceeds as a formal (3+2) cycloaddition via the N1-C2 azirine bond cleavage and is catalyzed by both Cu(II) and Cu(I) compounds. The new annulation method can be applied to prepare pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinoline, chromeno[3,4-b]pyrrole, and naphtho[1,8-ef]indole derivatives in good to excellent yields from enols of the quinolin-2-one, 2H-chromen-2-one, and 1H-phenalen-1-one series.

Mechanism of a Luminescent Dicopper System That Facilitates Electrophotochemical Coupling of Benzyl Chlorides via a Strongly Reducing Excited State

Photochemical radical generation has become a modern staple in chemical synthesis and methodology. Herein, we detail the photochemistry of a highly reducing, highly luminescent dicopper system [Cu2] (Eox* ≈ -2.7 V vs SCE; τ0 ≈ 10 μs) within the context of a model reaction: single-electron reduction of benzyl chlorides. The dicopper system is mechanistically well defined. As we show, it is the [Cu2]* excited state that serves as the outer-sphere photoreductant of benzyl chloride substrates; the ground-state oxidized byproduct, [Cu2]+, is electrochemically recycled, demonstrating a catalytic electrophotochemical C-C coupling process.

Copper-Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydrosilylation of gem-Difluorocyclopropenes Leading to a Stereochemical Study of the Silylated gem-Difluorocyclopropanes

Optically active cyclopropanes have been widely investigated especially from the views of pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries, and substituting one of the methylenes with the difluoromethylene unit should be promising for developing novel biologically relevant compounds and functional materials. In this paper, the copper‐catalyzed enantioselective hydrosilylation of gem‐difluorocyclopropenes to provide the corresponding chiral gem‐difluorocyclopropanes is presented. The use of copper(I) chloride, chiral ligands including bidentate BINAPs and monodentate phosphoramidites, and silylborane Me₂PhSi‐Bpin accompanying sodium tert‐butoxide in methanol was appropriate for the enantioselective hydrosilylation of the strained C=C double bond, and the resultant chiral difluorinated three‐membered ring was unambiguously characterized. Subsequent activation of the silyl groups in enantio‐enriched gem‐difluorocyclopropanes showed substantial reduction of the enantiopurity, indicating cleavage of the distal C−C bond leading to the transient acyclic intermediates.

Reaction of N-Acetylcysteine with Cu(2+): Appearance of Intermediates with High Free Radical Scavenging Activity: Implications for Anti-/Pro-Oxidant Properties of Thiols

We studied the kinetics of the reaction of N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC or RSH) with cupric ions at an equimolar ratio of the reactants in aqueous acid solution (pH 1.4−2) using UV/Vis absorption and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies. Cu2+ showed a strong catalytic effect on the 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) radical (ABTSr) consumption and autoxidation of NAC. Difference spectra revealed the formation of intermediates with absorption maxima at 233 and 302 nm (ε302/Cu > 8 × 103 M−1 cm−1) and two positive Cotton effects centered at 284 and 302 nm. These intermediates accumulate during the first, O2-independent, phase of the NAC autoxidation. The autocatalytic production of another chiral intermediate, characterized by two positive Cotton effects at 280 and 333 nm and an intense negative one at 305 nm, was observed in the second reaction phase. The intermediates are rapidly oxidized by added ABTSr; otherwise, they are stable for hours in the reaction solution, undergoing a slow pH- and O2-dependent photosensitive decay. The kinetic and spectral data are consistent with proposed structures of the intermediates as disulfide-bridged dicopper(I) complexes of types cis-/trans-CuI2(RS)2(RSSR) and CuI2(RSSR)2. The electronic transitions observed in the UV/Vis and CD spectra are tentatively attributed to Cu(I) → disulfide charge transfer with an interaction of the transition dipole moments (exciton coupling). The catalytic activity of the intermediates as potential O2 activators via Cu(II) peroxo-complexes is discussed. A mechanism for autocatalytic oxidation of Cu(I)−thiolates promoted by a growing electronically coupled −[CuI2(RSSR)]n− polymer is suggested. The obtained results are in line with other reported observations regarding copper-catalyzed autoxidation of thiols and provide new insight into these complicated, not yet fully understood systems. The proposed hypotheses point to the importance of the Cu(I)−disulfide interaction, which may have a profound impact on biological systems.

Recent Advances in Catalytic Alkyne Transformation via Copper Carbene Intermediates

As one of the abundant and inexpensive metals on the earth, copper has demonstrated broad applications in synthetic chemistry and catalysis. Among these copper-catalyzed advances, copper carbenes are versatile and reactive intermediates that can mediate a variety of transformations, which have attracted much attention in the past decades. The present review summarizes two different reaction models that take place between a copper carbene intermediate and alkyne species, including the cross-coupling reaction of copper carbene intermediate with terminal alkyne, and the addition of copper carbene intermediate onto the C–C triple bond. This article will cover the profile from 2010 to 2021 by placing emphasis on the detailed catalytic models and highlighting the synthetic applications offered by these practical and mild methods.

Excited-State Copper Catalysis for the Synthesis of Heterocycles

Heterocycles are one of the largest groups of organic moieties with significant medicinal, chemical, and industrial applications. Herein, we report the discovery and development of visible-light-induced, synergistic excited-state copper catalysis using a combination of Cu(IPr)I as a catalyst and rac-BINAP as a ligand, which produces more than 10 distinct classes of heterocycles. The reaction tolerates a broad array of functional groups and complex molecular scaffolds, including derivatives of peptides, natural products, and marketed drugs. Preliminary mechanistic investigation suggests in situ generations of [Cu(BINAP)₂ ]⁺ and [Cu(IPr)₂ ]⁺ catalysts that work cooperatively under visible-light irradiation to facilitate catalytic carbo-aroylation of unactivated alkenes, affording a wide range of useful heterocycles.

Copper-Catalyzed Intermolecular Enantioselective Radical Oxidative C(sp3 )-H/C(sp)-H Cross-Coupling with Rationally Designed Oxazoline-Derived N,N,P(O)-Ligands

The intermolecular asymmetric radical oxidative C(sp³ )-C(sp) cross-coupling of C(sp³ )-H bonds with readily available terminal alkynes is a promising method to forge chiral C(sp³ )-C(sp) bonds because of the high atom and step economy, but remains underexplored. Here, we report a copper-catalyzed asymmetric C(sp³ )-C(sp) cross-coupling of (hetero)benzylic and (cyclic)allylic C-H bonds with terminal alkynes that occurs with high to excellent enantioselectivity. Critical to the success is the rational design of chiral oxazoline-derived N,N,P(O)-ligands that not only tolerate the strong oxidative conditions which are requisite for intermolecular hydrogen atom abstraction (HAA) processes but also induce the challenging enantiocontrol. Direct access to a range of synthetically useful chiral benzylic alkynes and 1,4-enynes, high site-selectivity among similar C(sp³ )-H bonds, and facile synthesis of enantioenriched medicinally relevant compounds make this approach very attractive.

Highly Regioselective Copper-Catalyzed Transfer Hydrodeuteration of Unactivated Terminal Alkenes

Catalytic transfer hydrodeuteration of unactivated alkenes is challenging because of the requirement that chemically similar hydrogen and deuterium undergo selective insertion across a π-bond. We now report a highly regioselective catalytic transfer hydrodeuteration of unactivated terminal alkenes across a variety of heteroatom- or heterocycle-containing substrates. The base-metal-catalyzed reaction is also demonstrated on two complex natural products. Reaction studies indicate modular conditions that can also be extended to perform either an alkene transfer hydrogenation or transfer deuteration.

Copper-Catalyzed Ring-Opening Reactions of Alkyl Aziridines with B2pin2: Experimental and Computational Studies

The possibility to form new C-B bonds with aziridines using diboron derivatives continues to be a particularly challenging field in view of the direct preparation of functionalized β-aminoboronates, which are important compounds in drug discovery, being a bioisostere of β-aminoacids. We now report experimental and computational data that allows the individuation of the structural requisites and of reaction conditions necessary to open alkyl aziridines using bis(pinacolate)diboron (B₂pin₂) in a regioselective nucleophilic addition reaction under copper catalysis.

Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of Terminal vs. Fluorine-Substituted N-Allenamides via Addition of Diazo Compounds to Terminal Ynamides

A copper-mediated coupling reaction between ynamides and diazo-compounds to produce N-allenamides is reported for the first time. This method enables facile and rapid access to terminal N-allenamides by using commercially available TMS-diazomethane with wide functional group compatibility on the nitrogen. Furthermore, the ubiquity of molecules containing a fluorine moiety in medicine, in agricultural, and material science requires the continuous search of new building blocks, including this unique surrogate. The CuI/diazo protocol was successfully applied to the synthesis of fluorine-substituted N-allenamides. DFT calculations provided insights in the mechanism involved.

Layered Copper-Metallated Covalent Organic Frameworks for Huisgen Reactions

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are porous materials formed through condensation reactions of organic molecules via the formation of dynamic covalent bonds. Among COFs, those based on imine and β-ketoenamine linkages offer an excellent platform for binding metallic species such as copper to design efficient heterogeneous catalysts. In this work, imine- and β-ketoenamine-based COF materials were modified with catalytic copper sites following a metallation method, which favored the formation of binding amine defects. The obtained copper-metallated COF materials were tested as heterogeneous catalysts for 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions, resulting in high yields and recyclability.

Catalytic Asymmetric Alkynylation of 3,4-Dihydro-β-carbolinium Ions Enables Collective Total Syntheses of Indole Alkaloids

Chiral tetrahydro-β-carboline (THβC) is not only a prevailing structural feature of many natural alkaloids but also a versatile synthetic precursor for a vast array of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids. Asymmetric synthesis of C1-alkynyl THβCs remains rarely explored and challenging. Herein, we describe the development of two complementary approaches for the catalytic asymmetric alkynylation of 3,4-dihydro-β-carbolinium ions with up to 96 % yield and 99 % ee. The utility of chiral C1-alkynyl THβCs was demonstrated by the collective total syntheses of seven indole alkaloids: harmicine, eburnamonine, desethyleburnamonine, larutensine, geissoschizol, geissochizine, and akuammicine.

Mild Copper-Catalyzed, l-Proline-Promoted Cross-Coupling of Methyl 3-Amino-1-benzothiophene-2-carboxylate

Cu-catalyzed N-arylation is a useful tool for the chemical modification of aromatic heterocycles. Herein, an efficient carbon–nitrogen cross-coupling of methyl 3-amino-1-benzothiophene-2-carboxylate with a range of (hetero)aryl iodides using CuI, l-proline and Cs₂CO₃ in dioxane at moderate temperature is described. The procedure is an extremely general, relatively cheap, and experimentally simple way to afford the N-substituted products in moderate to high yields. The structures of the new heterocyclic compounds were confirmed by NMR spectroscopy and HRMS investigation.

Macrocylases as synthetic tools for ligand synthesis: enzymatic synthesis of cyclic peptides containing metal-binding amino acids

Improving the sustainability of synthesis is a major goal in green chemistry, which has been greatly aided by the development of asymmetric transition metal catalysis. Recent advances in asymmetric catalysis show that the ability to control the coordination sphere of substrates can lead to improvements in enantioselectivity and activity, in a manner resembling the operation of enzymes. Peptides can be used to mimic enzyme structures and their secondary interactions and they are easily accessible through solid-phase peptide synthesis. Despite this, cyclic peptides remain underexplored as chiral ligands for catalysis due to synthetic complications upon macrocyclization. Here, we show that the solid-phase synthesis of peptides containing metal-binding amino acids, bipyridylalanine (1), phenyl pyridylalanine (2) and N,N-dimethylhistidine (3) can be combined with peptide macrocylization using peptide cyclase 1 (PCY1) to yield cyclic peptides under mild conditions. High conversions of the linear peptides were observed (approx. 90%) and the Cu-bound cyclo(FSAS(1)SSKP) was shown to be a competent catalyst in the Friedel-Crafts/conjugate addition of indole. This study shows that PCY1 can tolerate peptides containing amino acids with classic inorganic and organometallic ligands as side chains, opening the door to the streamlined and efficient development of cyclic peptides as metal ligands.

Photoinduced Copper-Catalyzed Asymmetric Three-Component Coupling of 1,3-Dienes: An Alternative to Kharasch-Sosnovsky Reaction

Kharasch-Sosnovsky reaction is one of the most powerful methods for allylic oxidation of alkenes. However, the inherent radical mechanism and use of peroxides as both oxidants and oxygen nucleophiles render dearth of universal catalytic systems for highly enantioselective variants and limited scope. Herein, an alternative to the asymmetric Kharasch-Sosnovsky reaction that utilized a chiral copper catalyst and purple-LED irradiation to enable the three-component coupling of 1,3-dienes, oxime esters, and carboxylic acids is reported. This protocol features mild conditions, remarkable scope and functional group tolerance as evidenced by >80 examples and utility in the late-stage modification of pharmaceuticals and natural products. Detailed mechanistic studies provide evidences for the radical-based reaction pathway.

AIE-Active Difluoroboron Complexes with N,O-Bidentate Ligands: Rapid Construction by Copper-Catalyzed C-H Activation

The development of organic materials with high solid-state luminescence efficiency is highly desirable because of their fundamental importance and applicability in optoelectronics. Herein, a rapid construction of novel BF2 complexes with N,O-bidentate ligands by using Cu(BF4 )2 •6H2 O as a catalyst and BF2 source is disclosed, which avoids the need for pre-composing the N,O-bidentate ligands and features a broad substrate scope and a high tolerance level for sensitive functional groups. Moreover, molecular oxygen is employed as the terminal oxidant in this transformation. A library of 36 compounds as a new class of BF2 complexes with remarkable photophysical properties is delivered in good to excellent yields, showing a substituent-dependency on the photophysical properties, derived from the π-π* character of the photoexcited state. In addition, aggregation-induced emission (AIE) is observed and quantified for the brightest exemplars. The excited state properties are fully investigated in solids and in THF/H2 O mixtures. Hence, a new series of photofunctional materials with variable photophysical properties is reported, with potential applications for sensing, bioimaging, and optoelectronics.

Copper-Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Amidation of Light Alkanes

The functionalization of C-H bonds in light alkanes, particularly to form C-N bonds, remains a challenge. We report the dehydrogenative coupling of amides with C1-C4 hydrocarbons to form N-alkyl amide products with tBuOOtBu as oxidant, and a copper complex of a phenanthroline-type ligand as catalyst. The reactions occurred in good yields in benzene or supercritical carbon dioxide as solvents. This strategy allowed for the determination of the relative reactivity of these alkane C-H bonds toward this amination process and showed, in contrast to prior work with larger alkanes, that the reactivity correlated with bond dissociation energies.

Copper-Promoted N-Arylation of the Imidazole Side Chain of Protected Histidine by Using Triarylbismuth Reagents

The N-arylation of the side chain of histidine by using triarylbismuthines is reported. The reaction is promoted by copper(II) acetate in dichloromethane at 40 °C under oxygen in the presence of diisopropylethylamine and 1,10-phenanthroline and allows the transfer of aryl groups with substituents at any position of the aromatic ring. The reaction shows excellent functional group tolerance and is applicable to dipeptides where the histidine is located at the N terminus. A histidine-guided backbone N-H arylation was observed in dipeptides where the histidine occupies the C terminus.

Cyclic (Alkyl)(amino)carbene Ligands Enable Cu-Catalyzed Markovnikov Protoboration and Protosilylation of Terminal Alkynes: A Versatile Portal to Functionalized Alkenes*

Regioselective hydrofunctionalization of alkynes represents a straightforward route to access alkenyl boronate and silane building blocks. In previously reported catalytic systems, high selectivity is achieved with a limited scope of substrates and/or reagents, with general solutions lacking. Herein, we describe a selective copper-catalyzed Markovnikov hydrofunctionalization of terminal alkynes that is facilitated by strongly donating cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) ligands. Using this method, both alkyl- and aryl-substituted alkynes are coupled with a variety of boryl and silyl reagents with high α-selectivity. The reaction is scalable, and the products are versatile intermediates that can participate in various downstream transformations. Preliminary mechanistic experiments shed light on the role of CAAC ligands in this process.

A General N-alkylation Platform via Copper Metallaphotoredox and Silyl Radical Activation of Alkyl Halides

The catalytic union of amides, sulfonamides, anilines, imines or N-heterocycles with a broad spectrum of electronically and sterically diverse alkyl bromides has been achieved via a visible light-induced metallaphotoredox platform. The use of a halogen abstraction-radical capture (HARC) mechanism allows for room temperature coupling of C(sp³ )-bromides using simple Cu(II) salts, effectively bypassing the prohibitively high barriers typically associated with thermally-induced S_N2 or S_N1 N-alkylation. This regio- and chemoselective protocol is compatible with >10 classes of medicinally-relevant N-nucleophiles, including established pharmaceutical agents, in addition to structurally diverse primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl bromides. Furthermore, the capacity of HARC methodologies to engage conventionally inert coupling partners is highlighted via the union of N-nucleophiles with cyclopropyl bromides and unactivated alkyl chlorides, substrates that are incompatible with nucleophilic substitution pathways. Preliminary mechanistic experiments validate the dual catalytic, open-shell nature of this platform, which enables reactivity previously unattainable in traditional halide-based N-alkylation systems.

Oxalohydrazide Ligands for Copper-Catalyzed C-O Coupling Reactions with High Turnover Numbers

Here, we report a class of ligands based on oxalohydrazide cores and N-amino pyrrole and N-amino indole units that generates long-lived copper catalysts for couplings that form the C-O bonds in biaryl ethers. These Cu-catalyzed coupling of phenols with aryl bromides occurred with turnovers up to 8000, a value which is nearly two orders of magnitude higher than those of prior couplings to form biaryl ethers and nearly an order of magnitude higher than those of any prior copper-catalyzed coupling of aryl bromides and chlorides. This ligand also led to copper systems that catalyze the coupling of aryl chlorides with phenols and the coupling of aryl bromides and iodides with primary benzylic and aliphatic alcohols. A wide variety of functional groups including nitriles, halides, ethers, ketones, amines, esters, amides, vinylarenes, alcohols and boronic acid esters were tolerated, and reactions occurred with aryl bromides in pharmaceutically related structures.

Aerobic Copper-Catalyzed Salicylaldehydic Cformyl -H Arylations with Arylboronic Acids

We report a challenging copper-catalyzed C_formyl -H arylation of salicylaldehydes with arylboronic acids that involves unique salicylaldehydic copper species that differ from reported salicylaldehydic rhodacycles and palladacycles. This protocol has high chemoselectivity for the C_formyl -H bond compared to the phenolic O-H bond involving copper catalysis under high reaction temperatures. This approach is compatible with a wide range of salicylaldehyde and arylboronic acid substrates, including estrone and carbazole derivatives, which leads to the corresponding arylation products. Mechanistic studies show that the 2-hydroxy group of the salicylaldehyde substrate triggers the formation of salicylaldehydic copper complexes through a Cu^I /Cu^II /Cu^III catalytic cycle.

Deacylative Carbon-Carbon Bond Cleavage of Ketone Equivalents: Applications to Radical Carbon-Carbon Bond Formation Reactions

This article describes the synthetic application of ketone-derived oxaziridines as alkyl radical precursors in copper-catalyzed Carbon-Carbon bond formation reactions. Experimental and computational studies indicate a free radical mechanism, where alkyl radicals are efficiently generated via cleavage of a Carbon-Carbon bond of oxaziridines. Acyclic and unstrained cyclic oxaziridines are applicable to the present radical process, allowing for the generation of various alkyl radicals with good functional group compatibility.

Copper-Catalyzed Addition of Grignard Reagents to in situ Generated Indole-Derived Vinylogous Imines

Chiral indole derivatives are ubiquitous motifs in pharmaceuticals and alkaloids. Herein, the first protocol for catalytic asymmetric conjugate addition of Grignard reagents to various sulfonyl indoles, offering a straightforward approach for the synthesis of chiral 3‐sec‐alkyl‐substituted indoles in high yields and enantiomeric ratios is presented. This methodology makes use of a chiral catalyst based on copper phosphoramidite complexes and in situ formation of vinylogous imine intermediates.

Dihydroquinazolinones via A3 -Type Reactions of N-Carbamoyliminium Ions

A variant of the A³ coupling reaction was developed utilizing in situ generated N-carbamoyliminium ions. The tandem INCIC/A³ -coupling sequence provided a facile one-pot synthesis of dihydroquinazolinone derivatives. The scope of the reaction was demonstrated in solution as well as on solid support. The reaction was further combined with peptide synthesis, S_N Ar reactions, CuAAC triazole formation or bromination, providing additional opportunities for further diversification of the dihydroquinazolinone scaffolds.

Enantioselective Alkynylation of Unstabilized Cyclic Iminium Ions

An enantioselective copper-catalyzed alkynylation of unstabilized cyclic iminium ions has been developed. Whereas such alkynylations typically utilize pyridinium, quinolinium and isoquinolinium intermediates, this method enables use of cyclic iminium ions unstabilized by resonance. With the use of a Lewis acid and copper catalyst, these iminium ions are generated in situ from readily available hemiaminal methyl ethers and transformed into highly enantioenriched α-alkynylated cyclic amines. A variety of terminal alkynes can be incorporated in high yields and enantiomeric excesses.

Lewis Acid Promoted Dearomatization of Naphthols

Two-step dearomative functionalization of naphthols promoted by Lewis acids and copper(I) catalysis was developed. Initially, Lewis acid complexation inverted the electronic properties of the ring and established an equilibrium with the dearomatized counterpart. Subsequent trapping of the dearomatized intermediate with organometallics as well as organophosphines was demonstrated and provided the corresponding dearomatized products.

Copper-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Functionalization of Conjugated β,γ-Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids

Copper-catalyzed decarboxylative coupling reactions of conjugated β,γ-unsaturated carboxylic acids have been achieved for allylic amination, alkylation, sulfonylation, and phosphinoylation. This approach was effective for a broad scope of amino, alkyl, sulfonyl, and phosphinoyl radical precursors as well as various conjugated β,γ-unsaturated carboxylic acids. These reactions also feature high regioselectivity, good functional group tolerance, and simple operation procedure. Mechanistic studies show that the reaction proceeds via copper-catalyzed electrophilic addition onto an olefin followed by decarboxylation, with radical intermediates involved. These insights present a modular and powerful strategy to access versatilely functionalized allyl-containing skeletons from readily available and stable carboxylic acids.