Aerobic Dehydrogenation Research Articles

Alkali‐Mediated/Catalyzed Transition‐Metal‐Free Tandem Reaction Triggered by the Borrowing Hydrogen and Aerobic Dehydrogenation Processes of Alcohols

AbstractThe transformation of alcohols to important classes of compounds is a central topic in chemistry because they are abundant, renewable, and attractive building blocks. The alkali‐mediated/catalyzed borrowing hydrogen and aerobic dehydrogenation processes of alcohols open a new and sustainable access for the alcohol conversion under transition‐metal‐free conditions. In this review, we summarize the recent alkali‐mediated/catalyzed sequential reactions involving the borrowing hydrogen and aerobic dehydrogenation processes of alcohols. Furthermore, this review not only introduces the tentative pathways of these transformations, but also discusses the role of alkali, solvent effects, and substrate reactivity on these reactions.

Aerobic Dehydrogenation of Hydrazones to Diazo Compounds with a Fe–N–C Catalyst

Aerobic Dehydrogenation of Hydrazones to Diazo Compounds with a Fe–N–C Catalyst

Enhanced catalytic performance for aerobic dehydrogenation of N-heterocycles over bimetallic CoOX-CeO2 catalysts derived from Ce-based MOFs

N-heteroaromatics as one of cornerstones in chemical processes are in the limelight, so the synthesis of N-heteroaromatics have been attracted a great deal of attention. Among the elegant methods for the preparation of N-heteroaromatics, the direct oxidative dehydrogenation of saturated compounds affording N-heteroaromatics is a simple and efficient tactic. In this work, CoOX-CeO2 composites synthesized by the pyrolysis of Co/Ce-BTC MOFs as the precursor were employed as a heterogeneous catalyst for the dehydrogenation of N-heterocycles under aerobic conditions. CoOX-CeO2 composites were analyzed by diversified characterization techniques of SEM, TEM, BET, XRD, XPS, and ICP-OES. The characterization results demonstrate that abundant oxygen vacancies on the surface and the synergistic effect of CoOX-CeO2 composites remarkably enhance the catalytic performance of CoOX-CeO2 catalysts. Furthermore, the catalytic performance of CoOX-CeO2 composites remained excellent after six recycles. This catalytic system provides an alternative tool for the effective synthesis of aromatic compounds.

Copper-Nitroxyl-Catalyzed α-Oxygenation of Cyclic Secondary Amines Including Application to Late-Stage Functionalization.

Cyclic secondary amines are prominent subunits in pharmaceutical compounds. Methods for direct functionalization of N-unprotected/unsubstituted piperidines and related heterocycles have limited precedent despite their potential to impact medicinal chemistry and organic synthesis. Herein, we report a Cu/nitroxyl co-catalyzed method for direct conversion of cyclic secondary amines to the corresponding lactams via aerobic dehydrogenation and oxidative coupling with water. The mild reaction conditions tolerate diverse functional groups, enabling application to molecules that cover broad chemical space. The method is showcased in selective functionalization of building blocks and complex molecules, including late-stage functionalization of bromodomain inhibitors.

Heterogeneous Fe-N-C Catalyst for Aerobic Dehydrogenation of Hydrazones to Diazo Compounds Used for Carbene Transfer.

Organic diazo compounds are versatile reagents in chemical synthesis and would benefit from improved synthetic accessibility, especially for larger scale applications. Here, we report a mild method for the synthesis of diazo compounds from hydrazones using a heterogeneous Fe-N-C catalyst, which has Fe ions dispersed within a graphitic nitrogen-doped carbon support. The reactions proceed readily at room temperature using O2 (1 atm) as the oxidant. Aryl diazoesters, ketones, and amides are accessible, in addition to less stable diaryl diazo compounds. Initial-rate data show that the Fe-N-C catalyst achieves faster rates than a heterogeneous Pt/C catalyst. The oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrazones may be performed in tandem with Rh-catalyzed enantioselective C-H insertion and cyclopropanation of alkenes, without requiring isolation of the diazo intermediate. This sequence is showcased by using a flow reactor for continuous synthesis of diazo compounds.

Alkali-promoted transition-metal-free oxidative condensation of biomass-derived furfural and alcohols

The oxidative condensation of furfural (FUR) with alcohols is considered to be an effective approach for the preparation of liquid transport fuel precursors. In this work, the transition-metal-free oxidative condensation of FUR with alcohols has been introduced, which is achieved by NaOtBu-promoted hydrogen auto-transfer, aerobic dehydrogenation and aldol condensation under atmospheric atmosphere. C3–C10 primary alcohols can be reacted with FUR smoothly to afford C8–C15 condensation products with good to excellent yields at 60–70 °C. Furthermore, the condensation of FUR and C4–C8 secondary alcohols are realized at 25∼40 °C to afford multiple condensation products owing to the multiple active sites of secondary alcohols.

Synthesis of 2,3-Benzotropones via Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Aerobic Dehydrogenation from 1-Benzosuberones and Sequential Diels-Alder Reaction to Yield Benzobicyclo[3.2.2]nonenones.

An approach to 2,3-benzotropone from 1-benzosuberone via palladium(II)-catalyzed aerobic dehydrogenation was developed. This method first provided a catalytic route to various 2,3-benzotropones from their corresponding 1-benzosuberones in good yields. In addition, the reaction could be applied to a one-pot Diels-Alder reaction with maleimide, providing a complex benzobicyclo[3.2.2]nonenone in ≤90% yield. Kinetic analysis supporting our proposed mechanism was also performed, underscoring the robustness of the developed synthetic pathway.

Efficiently Aerobic Dehydrogenation of N‐Heterocycles and Hydrocarbons over MnAl Oxides

AbstractDehydrogenation of saturated N‐heterocycles and hydrocarbons provides an important route to corresponding aromatic compounds. Herein, an efficient and selective MnAlO‐catalyzed aerobic oxidative dehydrogenation of five‐ and six‐membered N‐heterocycles, imines and hydrocarbons is presented. The reaction features excellent yields of the products, mild reaction conditions, readily available and reusable catalyst. Various N‐heterocycles and hydrocarbons can be tolerated by the reaction system and transformed to the corresponding aromatic counterparts. Mechanistic studies revealed that the reaction proceeds mainly through an electron transfer mechanism.

Visible-Light-Mediated TiO2-Catalyzed Aerobic Dehydrogenation of N-Heterocycles in Batch and Flow.

We report a simple and environmentally friendly method for synthesizing N-containing heterocycles via a visible-light-mediated aerobic dehydrogenation reaction. Using a nontoxic, stable, and inexpensive titanium dioxide catalyst, a variety of substituted quinoline, indole, quinoxaline, and 3,4-dihydroisoquinoline derivatives could be synthesized using the green oxidant molecular oxygen. Improved reactivity and scalability of this reaction were demonstrated by adapting the photochemical multiphasic reaction to a continuous flow system. To gain insight into the mechanism, we also conducted several mechanistic studies, including absorption analysis, light on-off testing, and NMR analysis. Especially, oxygen is reduced to hydrogen peroxide, and dimethyl sulfoxide is a critical scavenger of the oxidant byproduct for ensuring high yields.

Triaryl Carbonium Ion-Pair-Mediated Cooperative Aerobic Dehydrogenation of N-Heterocycles

Triaryl Carbonium Ion-Pair-Mediated Cooperative Aerobic Dehydrogenation of N-Heterocycles

TEMPO as a Hydrogen Atom Transfer Catalyst for Aerobic Dehydrogenation of Activated Alkanes to Alkenes.

2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO) has been extensively utilized as a radical scavenger or an oxidation catalyst. In contrast, TEMPO as a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) catalyst has rarely been studied. Here, we report that TEMPO, as the HAT catalyst, homolytically cleaves benzylic or allylic C-H bonds to give the corresponding alkyl radicals. Benefiting from the dual roles played by TEMPO as the HAT catalyst and the radical scavenger, the highly challenging aerobic dehydrogenation of activated alkanes to alkenes is successfully developed.

Metal‐ and Additive‐Free Aerobic Dehydrogenation of N‐Heterocycles and Hydrocarbons by N‐Doped Carbon

AbstractOver metal catalysts, N‐heteroarenes, as one of the most versatile building blocks in pharmaceuticals, bioactive molecules and natural products, can be easily accessed by the oxidation of N‐heterocycles. Herein, we describe N‐doped hierarchical pore carbons (N‐HPCs) derived from readily available biomass (flour) efficiently catalyzed aerobic dehydrogenation of N‐heterocycles without any additives under mild conditions, owing to N dopant and high surface area indicated by characterization analysis. A wide range of N‐heteroarenes including quinolines, quinolinol, dihydroisoquinolines, isoquinolines, indoles, quinoxaline and acridine were obtained in good to excellent yields (36 examples, up to 99% yield). Mechanistic studies revealed a strikingly different non‐free radical process from metal catalysts, for which an apparent activation energy of 66.4 kJ mol−1 was found. Moreover, the N‐doped carbon exhibited robust stability and yielded 74.5% quinoline at the sixth reaction. The use of metal‐free catalysts in organic synthesis is attractive but practically challenging. This work provides a promising example for metal‐free catalysis.

Photocatalytic Aerobic Dehydrogenation of N-Heterocycles with Ir(III) Photosensitizers Bearing the 2(2'-Pyridyl)benzimidazole Scaffold.

Photoredox catalysis constitutes a very powerful tool in organic synthesis, due to its versatility, efficiency, and the mild conditions required by photoinduced transformations. In this paper, we present an efficient and selective photocatalytic procedure for the aerobic oxidative dehydrogenation of partially saturated N-heterocycles to afford the respective N-heteroarenes (indoles, quinolines, acridines, and quinoxalines). The protocol involves the use of new Ir(III) biscyclometalated photocatalysts of the general formula [Ir(C^N)2(N^N′)]Cl, where the C^N ligand is 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pyridinate, and N^N′ are different ligands based on the 2-(2′-pyridyl)benzimidazole scaffold. In-depth electrochemical and photophysical studies as well as DFT calculations have allowed us to establish structure–activity relationships, which provide insights for the rational design of efficient metal-based dyes in photocatalytic oxidation reactions. In addition, we have formulated a dual mechanism, mediated by the radical anion superoxide, for the above-mentioned transformations.

Synthesis of conjugated dienes via palladium-catalysed aerobic dehydrogenation of unsaturated acids and amides.

A Pd(II)-catalyzed direct aerobic dehydrogenation of γ,δ-olefinic acids and amides has been demonstrated. The present protocol dehydrogenates the least acidic amides and acids, thus replacing the traditional enolate strategy for dehydrogenation. A broad spectrum of conjugated dienamides and dienoic acids were produced in good to excellent yields. A possible reaction mechanism was proposed and supported by deuterium labelling studies.

A biomass-derived N-doped porous carbon catalyst for the aerobic dehydrogenation of nitrogen heterocycles

N-doped porous carbon (NC) was synthesized from sugar cane bagasse, which is a sustainable and widely available biomass waste.

Palladium‐Catalyzed Aerobic α,β‐Dehydrogenation of Carboxylic Acids

AbstractThe aerobic dehydrogenation of saturated carboxylic acids to α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acids proceeded by a simple Pd(OAc)2/pyridine catalyst system under 1 atm of O2. β‐Acyloxylated carboxylic acids were also produced from propionic acid and butyric acid by the conjugate addition of the substrates to the formed α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acids. When propionic acid was used as a substrate,trans‐Pd(OCOEt)2(pyridine)2was formedin situas a precatalyst. The kinetic experiments indicated that Pd(OCOR)2(pyridine) is a catalytically active species and that β‐C(sp3)−H bond activation in the carboxylate ligand is the turnover‐limiting step. The DFT calculations agreed with the mechanism.

Syntheses of 1H-Indoles, Quinolines, and 6-Membered Aromatic N-Heterocycle-Fused Scaffolds via Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Aerobic Dehydrogenation under Alkoxide-Free Conditions.

Aromatic N-heterocycle-fused scaffolds such as indoles and quinolines are important core structures found in various bioactive natural products and synthetic compounds. Recently, various dehydrogenation methods with the help of alkoxides, known to significantly promote dihydro- or tetrahydro-heterocycles to be oxidized, were developed for the heterocycle synthesis. However, these approaches are sometimes unsuitable due to resulting undesired side reactions such as reductive dehalogenation. Herein, expedient syntheses of 1H-indoles, quinolines, and 6-membered N-heterocycle-fused scaffolds from their hydrogenated forms through palladium(II)-catalyzed aerobic dehydrogenation under alkoxide-free conditions are reported. A total of 48 compounds were successfully synthesized with a wide range of functional groups including halogens (up to 99% yield). These methodologies provide facile routes for various privileged structures possessing aromatic N-heterocycles without the help of alkoxides, in highly efficient manners.

Luminescent Platinum(II) Complexes with Bidentate Diacetylide Ligands: Structures, Photophysical Properties and Application Studies

A series of platinum(II) complexes supported by terphenyl diacetylide as well as diimine or bis-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have been prepared. The diacetylide ligands adopt a cis coordination mode featuring non-planar terphenyl moieties as revealed by X-ray crystallographic analyses. The electrochemical, photophysical and photochemical properties of these platinum(II) complexes have been investigated. These platinum(II) diimine complexes show broad emission with peak maxima from 566 nm to 706 nm, with two of them having emission quantum yields >60% and lifetimes <2 μs in solutions at room temperature, whereas the platinum(II) diacetylide complexes having bis-N-heterocyclic carbene instead of diimine ligand display photoluminescence with quantum yields of up to 28% in solutions and excited state lifetimes of up to 62 μs at room temperature. Application studies revealed that one of the complexes can catalyze photoinduced aerobic dehydrogenation of alcohols and alkenes, and a relatively non-toxic water-soluble Pt(II) complex displays anti-angiogenic activity.

Manganese(III) Acetate Catalyzed Aerobic Dehydrogenation of Tertiary Indolines, Tetrahydroquinolines and an N‐Unsubstituted Indoline

AbstractA Mn(OAc)3 ⋅ 2H2O‐catalyzed aerobic dehydrogenation of five and six‐membered N‐heterocycles for the synthesis of N‐heteroarenes is reported. Of note, this protocol can be applied to the dehydrogenation of tertiary indolines with various electron‐deficient N‐substituents. Preliminary mechanistic investigations support that a single‐electron transfer pathway might be involved.magnified image

Solventless Mechanochemical Fabrication of ZnO–MnCO3/N-Doped Graphene Nanocomposite: Efficacious and Recoverable Catalyst for Selective Aerobic Dehydrogenation of Alcohols under Alkali-Free Conditions

Catalytic efficacy of metal-based catalysts can be significantly enhanced by doping graphene or its derivatives in the catalytic protocol. In continuation of previous work regarding the catalytic properties of highly-reduced graphene oxide (HRG), graphene-oxide (GO) doped mixed metal oxide-based nanocomposites, herein we report a simple, straightforward and solventless mechanochemical preparation of N-doped graphene (NDG)/mixed metal oxide-based nanocomposites of ZnO–MnCO3 (i.e., ZnO–MnCO3/(X%-NDG)), wherein N-doped graphene (NDG) is employed as a dopant. The nanocomposites were prepared by physical milling of separately fabricated NDG and ZnO–MnCO3 calcined at 300 °C through eco-friendly ball mill procedure. The as-obtained samples were characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman, Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and surface area analysis techniques. To explore the effectiveness of the obtained materials, liquid-phase dehydrogenation of benzyl alcohol (BOH) to benzaldehyde (BH) was chosen as a benchmark reaction using eco-friendly oxidant (O2) without adding any harmful surfactants or additives. During the systematic investigation of reaction, it was revealed that the ZnO–MnCO3/NDG catalyst exhibited very distinct specific-activity (80 mmol/h.g) with a 100% BOH conversion and &lt;99% selectivity towards BH in a very short time. The mechanochemically synthesized NDG-based nanocomposite showed remarkable enhancement in the catalytic performance and increased surface area compared with the catalyst without graphene (i.e., ZnO–MnCO3). Under the optimum catalytic conditions, the catalyst successfully transformed various aromatic, heterocyclic, allylic, primary, secondary and aliphatic alcohols to their respective ketones and aldehydes with high selectively and convertibility without over-oxidation to acids. In addition, the ZnO–MnCO3/NDG was also recycled up to six times with no apparent loss in its efficacy.