Ruthenium-catalyzed Synthesis of Aryl and Alkenyl Halides from Fluorosulfonates

Aryl and alkenyl halides are widely used as key intermediates in organic synthesis, particularly for the formation of organometallic reagents or as radical precursors. They are also found in pharmaceutical and agrochemical ingredients. In this work, we report the synthesis of aryl and alkenyl halides from the corresponding fluorosulfonates using commercially available ruthenium catalysts. Notably, this is the first conversion of phenols to aryl halides that is efficient with chloride, bromide, and iodide. Fluorosulfonates are readily prepared using sulfuryl fluoride (SO2F2) and less expensive substitutes for triflates. Although aryl fluorosulfonates and their reactions are well known, this is the first report of an efficient coupling of alkenyl fluorosulfonates. To finish, we have demonstrated, by means of representative examples, that the reaction is possible in a one-pot process, starting directly from the phenol or aldehyde.

DNA-Encoded Libraries: Aryl Fluorosulfonates as Versatile Electrophiles Enabling Facile On-DNA Suzuki, Sonogashira, and Buchwald Reactions

Using (hetero)aryl fluorosulfonates as versatile electrophiles, facile on-DNA cross-coupling reactions of Suzuki, Sonogashira, and Buchwald are reported here. Notably, all of these reactions show excellent functional group tolerance, mild reaction conditions (relative low temperature and open to air), rich heterocyclic coupling partners, and more importantly, DNA-compatibility. Thus, these new reactions based on efficient formation of C(sp2)-C(sp2), C(sp2)-C(sp), and C(sp2)-N bonds are highly amenable to synthesis of DNA-encoded libraries with great molecular diversity.