Abstract
Substrate specificity is ubiquitous in biological catalysis, but less pervasive in the realm of small-molecule catalysis. Herein, we disclose an intriguing example of substrate specificity that was observed whilst exploring catalysis-based routes to generate α-fluoroketones from terminal and internal alkynes under the auspices of I(I)/I(III) catalysis. Utilising p-TolI as an inexpensive organocatalyst with Selectfluor® and amine/HF mixtures, the formation of protected α-fluoroketones from simple alkynes was realised. Whilst the transient p-TolIF2 species generated in situ productively engaged with pentynyl benzoate scaffolds to generate the desired α-fluoroketone motif, augmentation or contraction of the linker suppressed catalysis. The prerequisite for this substructure was established by molecular editing and was complemented with a physical organic investigation of possible determinants.
Highlights
The venerable role of fluorine as a powerful physicochemical modulator in small-molecule drug discovery is a compelling argument for the importance of sustained innovation to facilitate this form of structural editing [1,2,3,4]
We disclose an intriguing example of substrate specificity that was observed whilst exploring catalysis-based routes to generate α-fluoroketones from terminal and internal alkynes under the auspices of I(I)/I(III) catalysis
Whilst the transient p-TolIF2 species generated in situ productively engaged with pentynyl benzoate scaffolds to generate the desired α-fluoroketone motif, augmentation or contraction of the linker suppressed catalysis
Summary
The venerable role of fluorine as a powerful physicochemical modulator in small-molecule drug discovery is a compelling argument for the importance of sustained innovation to facilitate this form of structural editing [1,2,3,4]. We disclose an intriguing example of substrate specificity that was observed whilst exploring catalysis-based routes to generate α-fluoroketones from terminal and internal alkynes under the auspices of I(I)/I(III) catalysis. It was envisaged that the in situ generation of p-TolIF2 via oxidation of p-TolI with Selectfluor® in the presence of an amine/HF complex might enable the title transformation [53].
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