Aryl Grignard Reagents Research Articles

Unified Protocol for Fe-Based Catalyzed Biaryl Cross-Couplings between Various Aryl Electrophiles and Aryl Grignard Reagents.

The combination of commonly used FeCl3/SIPr with Ti(OEt)4/PhOM enabled a highly general iron-based catalyst system, which could efficiently catalyze the biaryl coupling reaction between various electrophiles (I, Br, Cl, OTs, OCONMe2, OSO2NMe2) and common or functionalized aryl Grignard reagents with high functional group tolerance. Selective couplings of aryl iodides and bromides over the corresponding oxygen-based electrophiles have been achieved, and thus a terphenyl acid intermediate for anidulafungin was conveniently synthesized via an orthogonal coupling strategy.

Regioselectivity Issues in the Addition of Grignard Reagents to Trifluoromethylated α‐Bromoenones

The regioselectivity of addition of organomagnesium reagents to trifluoromethylated α‐bromoenones is reported. Alkyl and aryl Grignard reagents undergo 1,4‐ and/or 1,2‐addition but, in contrast to non‐fluorinated α‐bromoenones, the former direction is dominant for these fluorinated analogs. The high 1,4‐regioselectivity observed in most cases reflects the influence of the trifluoromethyl group on the direction of nucleophilic attack.

Nickel-Catalyzed Kumada Coupling of Boc-Activated Aromatic Amines via Nondirected Selective Aryl C-N Bond Cleavage.

A nickel-catalyzed Kumada coupling of aniline derivatives was developed by selective cleavage of aryl C-N bonds under mild reaction conditions. Without preinstallation of an ortho directing group on anilines, the cross-coupling reactions of Boc-protected aromatic amines with aryl Grignard reagents afforded unsymmetric biaryls. Mechanistic studies by DFT calculations revealed that the nickel-mediated C-N bond cleavage is the rate-limiting step.

Synthesis and characterization of cyclobutenedione-bithiophene π-conjugated polymers: acetal-protecting strategy for Kumada-Tamao-Corriu coupling polymerization between aryl bromide and Grignard reagents.

Cyclobutenedione is an aromatic ring that exhibits strong electron-withdrawing properties but is susceptible to undesired reactions with nucleophiles. Herein, Kumada–Tamao–Corriu coupling polymerization of a cyclobutenedione monomer whose carbonyl groups are protected as acetals was achieved. Hydrolysis of the acetals afforded donor–acceptor type π-conjugated polymers consisting of cyclobutenedione as an acceptor unit and bithiophene as a donor unit. The acetal-protected monomer was also subjected to Suzuki–Miyaura coupling polymerization. The absorption and emission spectra of the deprotected polymers shifted to the longer wavelength compared with the acetal-protected polymers.

Continuous flow synthesis of diaryl ketones by coupling of aryl Grignard reagents with acyl chlorides under mild conditions in the ecofriendly solvent 2-methyltetrahydrofuran.

An efficient continuous flow sequential synthesis of diaryl ketones was achieved by coupling of aryl Grignard reagents with acyl chlorides in the bio-derived “green” solvent 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF) under mild reaction conditions (ambient temperature, 1 hour), allowing a safe and on-demand generation of 2-(3-benzoylphenyl)propionitrile with a productivity of 3.16 g hour−1.

A β‐Diketiminato‐Based Pincer‐Type Nickel(II) Complex: Synthesis and Catalytic Performance in the Cross‐Coupling of Aryl Fluorides with Aryl Grignard Reagents

A β‐diketiminato‐based tridentate pincer‐type nickel(II) complex Ni‐NNP was prepared by the reaction of the nickel(II) precursor [NiCl2(2,4‐lutidine)2] with the lithiated NNP ligand, which was generated in situ by the reaction of the NNP pro‐ligand H‐NNP with nBuLi. H‐NNP was prepared by the condensation of 4‐[(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)amino]pent‐3‐en‐2‐one with 2‐(diphenylphosphanyl)ethylamine. Ni‐NNP was characterized spectroscopically and by X‐ray diffraction, revealing a slightly distorted square‐planar geometry around the nickel center. Density functional theory calculations indicated that the highest occupied molecular orbital in Ni‐NNP is located at higher energy than those of three other homologous nickel(II) complexes, i.e., Ni‐ONN, Ni‐ONP, and Ni‐NNN, which contain β‐aminoketonato‐ or β‐diketiminato‐based pincer‐type ligands. The electronic and steric properties of Ni‐NNP effectively facilitated the cross‐coupling of aryl fluorides with aryl Grignard reagents.

Phenolate Enabled General and Selective Fe/Ti Cocatalyzed Biaryl Cross-Couplings between Aryl Halides and Aryl Grignard Reagents.

The serendipitous addition of a phenolate to FeCl3/TMEDA/Ti(OEt)4 enables a strong Fe/Ti cooperativity that can efficiently catalyze a general and selective biaryl-coupling reaction. In the absence of phosphine or NHC ligands, various aryl chlorides, bromides, and iodides can couple with a variety of common and Knochel-type aryl Grignard reagents. A wide range of sensitive functional groups in either coupling partner can be tolerated. This bimetallic cocatalysis not only remarkably extends the scope of Fe-catalyzed biaryl couplings but also provides a solution to the problem of functional group compatibility of Grignard reagents.

Influences of Phenyl Rings on NHC Ligands with Bicyclic Architectures.

In addition to phosphanes, olefins, amines, and amides, over the past two decades N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) has emerged as a useful alternative ligand. Based on a number of derivatization studies on NHC ligands, imidazol-2-ylidene and imidazolin-2-ylidene became the standard heterocyclic form, and bulky substituents have commonly been introduced on the nitrogen(s) adjacent to carbenic carbons. Our group previously developed NHCs equipped with noncarbenic carbons with a bicyclic architecture that gives them unique steric properties that make them bulky but accessible. In this study, we synthesized a novel type of NHC ligand that possesses a bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane architecture, and we compared five derivatives using copper-catalyzed allylic arylations with aryl Grignard reagents. The regioselectivity of the substitution obviously indicates that a phenyl ring over an active site has a characteristic effect on the resultant copper catalysts when γ-substitution is the major pathway.

Upgrading Cross-Coupling Reactions for Biaryl Syntheses.

Transition-metal catalyzed cross-coupling reactions have emerged as a powerful tool for constructing biaryl compounds. Aryl halides and aryl metallic reagents (typically prepared from aryl halides) are used as coupling partners. It would be desirable to replace either aryl halide or aryl metallic reagents used in cross-couplings reactions with more readily available surrogates. Oxidative dehydrogenative cross-coupling between two different "inert" aryl C-H bonds represents an ideal system that would revolutionize cross-coupling chemistry. Furthermore, cross-coupling reactions might be improved by developing new catalytic protocols based on cheap transition-metal catalysts or even transition-metal-free systems to decrease costs and avoid the use of heavy metal and noble transition metals. It would be desirable to promote both catalytic systems and replace either or both coupling partners. We have used different strategies to improve cross-coupling reactions for constructing biaryls, which we categorized into four groups as follows. First, we focused on developing methodologies to be applied to easily produced and naturally abundant arenol-based electrophiles in cross-coupling via C-O activation. We have extended coupling partners to aryl carboxylates and arenols. Direct application of arenes as surrogates for organohalides and organometallic reagents avoids the tedious preparation of these reagents from arenes and considerably reduces the cost of starting materials. We have also explored cross-coupling reactions of arenes with various organometallic reagents, such as arylboronic acids, arylsilanes, and aryl Grignard reagents. Second, we summarize oxidative cross-coupling reactions based on C-H activation with aryl metallic reagents. On the basis of the reactivity patterns of different organometallic reagents, we adapted different catalytic systems to achieve effective cross-coupling reactions. Third, we improved a well-developed cross-coupling between arenes and organohalides through a strategy of replacing one coupling partner and using a new catalytic system. We have applied earth-abundant transition metals, such as Fe, and Co, and even developed transition-metal-free catalytic systems. Finally, our ultimate goal is to construct biaryls by cross dehydrogenative arylation between two different arenes. Owing to the structural similarity of both arenes, in particular two substituted benzenes, the greatest challenges are not only achieving regio- and chemo-selective C-H activation reactions but also matching both the reactivities and selectivities of both substrates to avoid homocouplings of either arene. Through our efforts, we have developed and applied four different strategies by introducing directing groups, controlling electronic and steric properties, and using dual directing strategies. We hope our studies will stimulate interest and new thinking on cross-couplings reactions for building carbon-carbon bonds from readily available and inexpensive chemicals from basic petroleum chemistry and nature.

Iron-Catalyzed Grignard Cross-Couplings with Allylic Methyl Ethers or Allylic Trimethylsilyl Ethers

We have found that cross-coupling between aryl Grignard reagents and allylic methyl ethers proceeded well in the presence of a catalytic amounts of Fe(acac)3 to afford the corresponding allylic substitution products in good yields. Under the same conditions, allylic trimethylsilyl ethers also reacted with Grignard reagents to give the corresponding cross-coupling products.

Nickel(I) Aryl Species: Synthesis, Properties, and Catalytic Activity.

In this work, Ni(I) aryl species that are directly relevant to cross-coupling have been synthesized. Transmetalation of (dppf)NiIX (dppf = 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-ferrocene, X = Cl, Br) with aryl Grignard reagents or aryl boronic acids in the presence of base produces Ni(I) aryl species of the form (dppf)NiI(Ar) (Ar = Ph, o-tolyl, 2,6-xylyl, 2,4,6-mesityl, 2,4,6-iPr3C6H2). The stability of the Ni(I) aryl species is inversely correlated to the steric bulk on the aryl ligand. The most unstable Ni(I) aryl species are the most active precatalysts for Suzuki-Miyaura reactions because they rapidly decompose to generate the active Ni(0) catalyst. This study shows that Ni(I) aryl species are initially formed in the activation of Ni(I) halide precatalysts for Suzuki-Miyaura reactions and establishes their stoichiometric and catalytic reactivity profile.

A six-step synthetic approach to marine natural product (+)-aureol

A concise synthetic approach to the marine natural product (+)-aureol has been achieved from readily available starting materials using obviously fewer steps in comparison to the related report in literature (6 steps versus 12 steps from (+)-sclareolide). Key steps of this protocol include a boron trifluoride-catalyzed domino 1,2-H and 1,2-methyl shifts and a nickel(II)-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction between an alkyl iodide and an aryl Grignard reagent.

Copper- and Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reaction of Monofluoroalkenes with Tertiary, Secondary, and Primary Alkyl and Aryl Grignard Reagents

A highly efficient cross-coupling reaction of monofluoroalkenes with tertiary, secondary, and primary alkyl and aryl Grignard reagents in the presence of a catalytic amount of copper or nickel catalyst, respectively, has been developed. The reactions proceeded smoothly at room temperature, providing (E)-alkene isomers in moderate to high yields. Plausible mechanisms of the Ni-catalyzed coupling reaction of monofluoroalkene with Grignard reagents are suggested.

Nickel-catalyzed coupling reaction of alkyl halides with aryl Grignard reagents in the presence of 1,3-butadiene: mechanistic studies of four-component coupling and competing cross-coupling reactions.

We describe the mechanism, substituent effects, and origins of the selectivity of the nickel-catalyzed four-component coupling reactions of alkyl fluorides, aryl Grignard reagents, and two molecules of 1,3-butadiene that affords a 1,6-octadiene carbon framework bearing alkyl and aryl groups at the 3- and 8-positions, respectively, and the competing cross-coupling reaction. Both the four-component coupling reaction and the cross-coupling reaction are triggered by the formation of anionic nickel complexes, which are generated by the oxidative dimerization of two molecules of 1,3-butadiene on Ni(0) and the subsequent complexation with the aryl Grignard reagents. The C-C bond formation of the alkyl fluorides with the γ-carbon of the anionic nickel complexes leads to the four-component coupling product, whereas the cross-coupling product is yielded via nucleophilic attack of the Ni center toward the alkyl fluorides. These steps are found to be the rate-determining and selectivity-determining steps of the whole catalytic cycle, in which the C-F bond of the alkyl fluorides is activated by the Mg cation rather than a Li or Zn cation. ortho-Substituents of the aryl Grignard reagents suppressed the cross-coupling reaction leading to the selective formation of the four-component products. Such steric effects of the ortho-substituents were clearly demonstrated by crystal structure characterizations of ate complexes and DFT calculations. The electronic effects of the para-substituent of the aryl Grignard reagents on both the selectivity and reaction rates are thoroughly discussed. The present mechanistic study offers new insight into anionic complexes, which are proposed as the key intermediates in catalytic transformations even though detailed mechanisms are not established in many cases, and demonstrates their synthetic utility as promising intermediates for C-C bond forming reactions, providing useful information for developing efficient and straightforward multicomponent reactions.

Acetylacetonato-based pincer-type nickel(ii) complexes: synthesis and catalysis in cross-couplings of aryl chlorides with aryl Grignard reagents.

In this work, three different types of acetylacetonato-based pincer-type nickel(ii) complexes (2) were prepared. Complex 2a possessed the tridentate ONN ligand, which was constructed by the condensation reaction of acetylacetone with N,N-diethylethylenediamine. Complex 2b contained the PPh2 donor group in contrast to the NEt2 group in 2a, i.e., an ONP ligand framework. Complex 2c was composed of the NNN ligand, which was prepared by the reaction of 4-((2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)amino)pent-3-en-2-one with N,N-diethylethylenediamine. In addition to X-ray diffraction analysis, these complexes were characterized spectroscopically. Their catalytic activity for a cross-coupling reaction of aryl halides with aryl Grignard reagents was also evaluated. Among these complexes, 2b acted as an effective catalyst for the cross-coupling reaction using aryl chlorides as electrophiles. The electronic properties of these Ni(ii) complexes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and density functional theory calculations.

Iron-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Diarylzinc or Aryl Grignard Reagents with Difluoroalkyl Bromides

Iron-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Diarylzinc or Aryl Grignard Reagents with Difluoroalkyl Bromides

Multinuclear iron-phenyl species in reactions of simple iron salts with PhMgBr: identification of Fe4(μ-Ph)6(THF)4 as a key reactive species for cross-coupling catalysis.

The first direct syntheses, structural characterizations, and reactivity studies of iron-phenyl species formed upon reaction of Fe(acac)3 and PhMgBr in THF are presented. Reaction of Fe(acac)3 with 4 equiv. PhMgBr in THF leads to the formation of [FePh2(μ-Ph)]2 2- at -80 °C, which can be stabilized through the addition of N-methylpyrrolidone. Alternatively, at -30 °C this reaction leads to the formation of the tetranuclear iron-phenyl cluster, Fe4(μ-Ph)6(THF)4. Further synthetic studies demonstrate that analogous tetranuclear iron clusters can be formed with both 4-F-PhMgBr and p-tolylMgBr, illustrating the generality of this structural motif for reactions of simple ferric salts and aryl Grignard reagents in THF. Additional studies isolate and define key iron species involved in the synthetic pathway leading to the formation of the tetranuclear iron-aryl species. While reaction studies demonstrate that [FePh2(μ-Ph)]2 2- is unreactive towards electrophile, Fe4(μ-Ph)6(THF)4 is found to rapidly react with bromocyclohexane to selectively form phenylcyclohexane. Based on this reactivity, a new catalytic reaction protocol has been developed that enables efficient cross-couplings using Fe4(μ-Ph)6(THF)4, circumventing the current need for additives such as TMEDA or supporting ligands to achieve effective cross-coupling of PhMgBr and a secondary alkyl halide.

Syntheses, Properties, and Catalytic Activities of Metal(II) Complexes and Free Bases of Redox-Switchable 20π, 19π, and 18π 5,10,15,20-Tetraaryl-5,15-diazaporphyrinoids.

In spite of significant advances in redox-active porphyrin-based materials and catalysts, little attention has been paid to 20π and 19π porphyrins because of their instability in air. Here we report the meso-modification of 5,10,15,20-tetraarylporphyrin with two nitrogen atoms, which led to redox-switchable 20π, 19π, and 18π 5,10,15,20-tetraaryl-5,15-diazaporphyrinoids (TADAPs). Three kinds of metal(II) complexes and free bases of TADAP were prepared by the metal-templated annulation of the corresponding metal-bis(dipyrrin) complexes. The inductive and resonance effects of the meso-nitrogen atoms on the aromatic, optical, electrochemical, and magnetic properties of the entire TADAP π-systems were assessed by using various spectroscopic measurements and density functional theory calculations. The aromaticity and π-π* electronic transition energies of the TADAPs varied considerably, and were shown to be dependent on the oxidation states of the π-systems. In contrast to the isoelectronic 5,10,15,20-tetraarylporphyrin derivatives, the 20π and 19π TADAPs were chemically stable under air. In particular, the 19π TADAP radical cations were extremely stable towards dioxygen, moisture, and silica gel. This reflected the low-lying singly occupied molecular orbitals of their π-systems and the efficient delocalization of their unshared electron spin. The capability of MgTADAP to catalyze aerobic biaryl formation from aryl Grignard reagents was demonstrated, which presumably involved a 19π/20π redox cycle.

The Manganese‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reaction and the Influence of Trace Metals

The substrate scope of the MnCl2‐catalyzed cross‐coupling between aryl halides and Grignard reagents has been extended to several methyl‐substituted aryl iodides by performing the reaction at elevated temperature in a microwave oven. A radical clock experiment revealed the presence of an aryl radical as an intermediate leading to the proposal of an SRN1 pathway for the coupling. The mechanistic information gave rise to suspicion about two previously published cross‐coupling reactions catalyzed by manganese(II) salts. As a result, the coupling between aryl halides and organostannanes as well as between aryl halides and amines were revisited. Both reactions were found impossible to reproduce without the addition of small amounts of palladium or copper and are therefore not believed to be catalyzed by manganese.

Manganese‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of Aryl Halides and Grignard Reagents by a Radical Mechanism

The substrate scope and the mechanism have been investigated for the MnCl2‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reaction between aryl halides and Grignard reagents. The transformation proceeds rapidly and in good yield when the aryl halide component is an aryl chloride containing a cyano or an ester group in the para position or a cyano group in the ortho position. A range of other substituents gave no conversion of the aryl halide or led to the formation of side products. A broader scope was observed for the Grignard reagents, where a variety of alkyl‐ and arylmagnesium chlorides participated in the coupling. Two radical‐clock experiments were carried out, and in both cases an intermediate aryl radical was successfully trapped. The cross‐coupling reaction is therefore believed to proceed by an SRN1 mechanism, with a triorganomanganate complex serving as the most likely nucleophile and single‐electron donor. Other mechanistic scenarios were excluded based on the substrate scope of the aryl halide.