Grignard Synthesis Research Articles

Innenrücktitelbild: Mechanochemistry‐Amended Barbier Reaction as an Expedient Alternative to Grignard Synthesis (Angew. Chem. 39/2023)

Innenrücktitelbild: Mechanochemistry‐Amended Barbier Reaction as an Expedient Alternative to Grignard Synthesis (Angew. Chem. 39/2023)

Inside Back Cover: Mechanochemistry‐Amended Barbier Reaction as an Expedient Alternative to Grignard Synthesis (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 39/2023)

Inside Back Cover: Mechanochemistry‐Amended Barbier Reaction as an Expedient Alternative to Grignard Synthesis (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 39/2023)

Mechanochemistry-Amended Barbier Reaction as an Expedient Alternative to Grignard Synthesis.

Organomagnesium halides (Grignard reagents) are essential carbanionic building blocks widely used in carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond-forming reactions with various electrophiles. In the Barbier variant of the Grignard synthesis, the generation of air- and moisture-sensitive Grignard reagents occurs concurrently with their reaction with an electrophile. Although operationally simpler, the classic Barbier approach suffers from low yields due to multiple side reactions, thereby limiting the scope of its application. Here, we report a mechanochemical adaptation of the Mg-mediated Barbier reaction, which overcomes these limitations and facilitates the coupling of versatile organic halides (e.g., allylic, vinylic, aromatic, aliphatic) with a diverse range of electrophilic substrates (e.g., aromatic aldehydes, ketones, esters, amides, O-benzoyl hydroxylamine, chlorosilane, borate ester) to assemble C-C, C-N, C-Si, and C-B bonds. The mechanochemical approach has the advantage of being essentially solvent-free, operationally simple, immune to air, and surprisingly tolerant to water and some weak Brønsted acids. Notably, solid ammonium chloride was found to improve yields in the reactions of ketones. Mechanistic studies have clarified the role of mechanochemistry in the process, indicating the generation of transient organometallics facilitated by improved mass transfer and activation of the surface of magnesium metal.

Mechanochemistry‐Amended Barbier Reaction as an Expedient Alternative to Grignard Synthesis**

AbstractOrganomagnesium halides (Grignard reagents) are essential carbanionic building blocks widely used in carbon‐carbon and carbon‐heteroatom bond‐forming reactions with various electrophiles. In the Barbier variant of the Grignard synthesis, the generation of air‐ and moisture‐sensitive Grignard reagents occurs concurrently with their reaction with an electrophile. Although operationally simpler, the classic Barbier approach suffers from low yields due to multiple side reactions, thereby limiting the scope of its application. Here, we report a mechanochemical adaptation of the Mg‐mediated Barbier reaction, which overcomes these limitations and facilitates the coupling of versatile organic halides (e.g., allylic, vinylic, aromatic, aliphatic) with a diverse range of electrophilic substrates (e.g., aromatic aldehydes, ketones, esters, amides, O‐benzoyl hydroxylamine, chlorosilane, borate ester) to assemble C−C, C−N, C−Si, and C−B bonds. The mechanochemical approach has the advantage of being essentially solvent‐free, operationally simple, immune to air, and surprisingly tolerant to water and some weak Brønsted acids. Notably, solid ammonium chloride was found to improve yields in the reactions of ketones. Mechanistic studies have clarified the role of mechanochemistry in the process, indicating the generation of transient organometallics facilitated by improved mass transfer and activation of the surface of magnesium metal.

Non-nucleophilic Grignard Synthesis of Bridged Pyridine–Oxazoline Ligands and Evaluation in Palladium-Catalysed Allylic Alkylation

AbstractThe synthesis of eight pyridine-oxazoline ligands, five of which have never been reported previously, is described. The ligands were prepared in two efficient steps, initially preparing 2-pyridyl alkylnitriles, followed by their conversion into oxazolines ligands using chiral amino alcohols and zinc chloride. The 2-pyridyl nitriles are prepared via a novel SNAr alkylation reaction of 2-bromopyridine with alkyl nitriles using methylmagnesium chloride as a non-nucleophilic base in conjunction with an amine mediator. This methodology allows preparation of the existing gem-dimethyl motif and its elaboration beyond previously prepared ligands in fewer steps with simplicity and scalability. The toleration of variation in the nitrile, halopyridine, and amino alcohol starting materials allows for other novel bridging substitution which gives new ligands with enhanced reactivity. The library of bridging ligands was applied to the Pd-catalysed allylic alkylation of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-enyl acetate with dimethyl malonate and afforded conversions of up to 100% and enantioselectivities of up to 68%.

Asymmetric addition of Grignard reagents to ketones: culmination of the ligand-mediated methodology allows modular construction of chiral tertiary alcohols.

A new class of biaryl chiral ligands derived from 1,2-diaminocyclohexane (1,2-DACH) has been designed to enable the asymmetric addition of aliphatic and, for the first time, aromatic Grignard reagents to ketones for the preparation of highly enantioenriched tertiary alcohols (up to 95% ee). The newly developed ligands L12 and L12′ together with the previously reported L0 and L0′ define a set of complementary chiral promoters, which provides access to the modular construction of a broad range of structurally diverse non-racemic tertiary alcohols, bearing challenging quaternary stereocenters. The present advancements bring to completion our asymmetric Grignard methodology by expanding the scope to aromatic organomagnesium reagents, while facilitating its implementation in organic synthesis thanks to improved synthetic routes for the straightforward access to the chiral ligands. The synthetic utility of the method has been demonstrated by the development of a novel and highly enantioselective formal synthesis of the antihistamine API clemastine via intermediate (R)-3a. Exploiting the power of the 3-disconnection approach offered by the Grignard synthesis, (R)-3a is obtained in 94% ee with ligand (R,R)-L12. The work described herein marks the finalization of our ongoing effort towards the establishment of an effective and broadly applicable methodology for the asymmetric Grignard synthesis of chiral tertiary alcohols.

Harnessing the Power of the Asymmetric Grignard Synthesis of Tertiary Alcohols: Ligand Development and Improved Scope Exemplified by One-Step Gossonorol Synthesis.

A series of N-substituted cyclohexyldiaminophenolic ligands for the asymmetric Grignard synthesis of tertiary alcohols is reported. The 2,5-dimethylpyrrole-decorated ligand led to improved enantioselectivities and broadened the scope of the methodology. As an exemplar, we report an unprecedented highly selective one-step synthesis of gossonorol in 93% ee, also constituting the shortest formal syntheses of natural products boivinianin B and yingzhaosu C.

New preparative Grignard synthesis of (m-carboranylmethyl)siloxanes from chlorodimethylsiloxanes

New m-carborane-containing siloxanes were obtained by the Grignard reaction based on chloromethyl-m-carboranes and chlorodimethylsiloxanes. In case of (7-methyl-m-carboran-1-yl)methyl chloride, side processes of isomerization and transmetalation do not occur, which provides the yield of the desired product as high as 87%.

Very short highly enantioselective Grignard synthesis of 2,2-disubstituted tetrahydrofurans and tetrahydropyrans.

Phenones with elongated chains are shown to be excellent substrates for ligand-promoted asymmetric Grignard synthesis of tertiary alcohols. In turn this enables the simple, short and highly enantioselective (up to 96% ee) preparation of chiral 2,2-disubstituted THFs and THPs. Thus, asymmetric addition of Grignard reagents to γ-chlorobutyrophenones and δ-chlorovalerophenones takes place in the presence of a chiral diaminocyclohexyl-derived tridentate ligand and subsequent base-promoted intramolecular cyclisation occurs with complete retention of asymmetry. As examples of the methodology, we report the shortest syntheses of gossonorol, γ-ethyl-γ-phenylbutyrolactone and δ-methyl-δ-tolylvalerolactone, the joint-shortest and flexible synthesis of boivinianin A and the shortest formal syntheses of boivinianin B and yingzhaosu C.

Grignard synthesis of fluorinated nanoporous element organic frameworks based on the heteroatoms P, B, Si, Sn and Ge

We present the synthesis and characterization of fluorinated polymers based on P, B, Si, Sn and Ge as heteroatoms via Grignard activation.

Corrigendum: Asymmetric Grignard Synthesis of Tertiary Alcohols through Rational Ligand Design.

In Scheme 2 of this Communication, compound A is shown with the wrong configuration at the tertiary alcohol centre. The correct structure is shown below. The related text (page 4274, right column) should substitute “was identified by polarimetry as (R,R,R)-α-tocopherol precursor” by “was identified by polarimetry as (S,R,R)-α-tocopherol precursor”. Further details can be found in Ref. 1.

Asymmetric Grignard Synthesis of Tertiary Alcohols through Rational Ligand Design

A simple, general and practical method is reported for highly enantioselective construction of tertiary alcohols through the direct addition of organomagnesium reagents to ketones. Discovered by rational ligand design based on a mechanistic hypothesis, it has an unprecedented broad scope. It utilizes a new type of chiral tridentate diamine/phenol ligand that is easily removed from the reaction mixture. It is exemplified by application to a formal asymmetric synthesis (>95:5 d.r.) of vitamin E.

Asymmetric Grignard Synthesis of Tertiary Alcohols through Rational Ligand Design

AbstractA simple, general and practical method is reported for highly enantioselective construction of tertiary alcohols through the direct addition of organomagnesium reagents to ketones. Discovered by rational ligand design based on a mechanistic hypothesis, it has an unprecedented broad scope. It utilizes a new type of chiral tridentate diamine/phenol ligand that is easily removed from the reaction mixture. It is exemplified by application to a formal asymmetric synthesis (>95:5 d.r.) of vitamin E.

ChemInform Abstract: Hydrocarbon Soluble Recyclable Silylation Reagents and Purification Auxiliaries.

Procedures using heptane-phase-selectively soluble octadecyldimethylsilyl groups to facilitate separations and silyl reagent regeneration are described. These results show that alcohols and alkynes protected by these groups are phase-selectively soluble in hydrocarbon solvents. In a thermomorphic cyclohexane/DMF system, >96% of the silylated alcohols are in the cyclohexane phase, allowing these compounds to be purified by a simple liquid/liquid extraction. Applications of these silylating agents in a Grignard synthesis and Sonogashira reaction are described.

Hydrocarbon Soluble Recyclable Silylation Reagents and Purification Auxiliaries.

Procedures using heptane-phase-selectively soluble octadecyldimethylsilyl groups to facilitate separations and silyl reagent regeneration are described. These results show that alcohols and alkynes protected by these groups are phase-selectively soluble in hydrocarbon solvents. In a thermomorphic cyclohexane/DMF system, >96% of the silylated alcohols are in the cyclohexane phase, allowing these compounds to be purified by a simple liquid/liquid extraction. Applications of these silylating agents in a Grignard synthesis and Sonogashira reaction are described.

ChemInform Abstract: Catalytic Highly Enantioselective Alkylation of Aldehydes with Deactivated Grignard Reagents and Synthesis of Bioactive Intermediate Secondary Arylpropanols.

Because of the high reactivity of Grignard reagents, a direct, highly enantioselective Grignard reaction with aldehydes has rarely been disclosed. In this report, Grignard reagents were introduced with bis[2-(N,N′-dimethylamino)ethyl] ether (BDMAEE) to effectively deactivate their reactivity; thus, a highly enantioselective alkylation of aldehydes with Grignard reagents resulted from catalysis by (S)-BINOL-Ti(OiPr)2. It is thought that BDMAEE chelates the in situ generated salts MgBr2 from a Schlenk equilibrium of RMgBr and Mg(OiPr)Br from transmetalation of RMgBr with Ti(OiPr)4. The Mg salts can actively promote the undesired background reaction to give the racemate. The chelation definitely inhibits the catalytic activity of the Mg salts, suppresses the unwanted background reaction, and enables the highly enantioselective addition catalyzed by (S)-BINOL-Ti(OiPr)2. Consequently, the Mg salt byproducts were not removed, less Ti(OiPr)4 than RMgBr was used, and extremely low temperature was avoided in this ...

Application of LC-NMR and HR-NMR to the characterization of biphenyl impurities in the synthetic route development for vestipitant, a novel NK1 antagonist

Vestipitant ( 1) is a novel NK1 antagonist currently under investigation for the treatment of CNS disorders and emesis. The first synthetic step comprised a Grignard synthesis. An impurity was identified and initially expected to be a symmetric biphenyl. This paper reports the work to synthesise the supposed structure and the spectroscopic analyses (LC-NMR and HR-NMR) to correctly identify the real structure and understand the chemical pathway of the impurity.

Using a Premade Grignard Reagent To Synthesize Tertiary Alcohols in a Convenient Investigative Organic Laboratory Experiment

A commercially available Grignard reagent (3.0 M solution of phenyl magnesium bromide in ether) was used in a convenient Grignard synthesis in a second-year organic chemistry laboratory without any of the typical failures associated with the Grignard reaction. The reaction setup used oven-dried glassware and no extraordinary measures were taken to keep the reaction under inert atmosphere. The Grignard reagent was dispensed into students' reaction vessels by the instructor. The students then slowly added a solution of a ketone. The yields of the resulting tertiary alcohols were good to excellent. Additional activities included determination of recrystallization solvent and characterization of their purified products using TLC, mp, IR, and NMR spectroscopy. This lab was used as the student's first exposure to a synthesis-type experiment and occurred early in the second-semester organic course corresponding to the lecture material concerning Grignard reactions.

Synthesis of S-Pixyl Derivatives for Mass Spectrometric Applications

Synthesis of novel S-pixyls based on the thioxanthyl skeleton is described. Thioxanthone derivatives were prepared by a regioselective intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction and converted into S-pixyl derivatives by Grignard synthesis. S-Pixyl carbocations stabilised by electron donating groups on the thioxanthyl backbone produced exceptional mass spectra under (MA)LDI conditions (laser desorption ionisation, both with and without matrix), and can be detected down to femtomol levels.

Continuous and Batch Organomagnesium Synthesis of Ethyl-Substituted Silanes from Ethylchloride, Tetraethoxysilane, and Organotrichlorosilane for Production of Polyethylsiloxane Liquids. 1. Batch One-Step Synthesis of Ethylethoxysilanes and Ethylchlorosilanes

Development of batch one-step manufacturing process for ethylethoxy- and ethylchlorosilanes is desribed. The methodology of synthesis of ethyl-substituted silanes has been improved. The important factors for the successful synthesis have been determined. Among them are the replacement of the part tetraethoxysilane 3 by ethyltrichlorosilane 10, the optimum concentration of 3 and 10 resulting in high yield of triethylsilanes, low duration of synthesis, and high selectivity of Grignard reagent. Batch one-step synthesis has been assimilated into industry (up to a scale 240 kg of magnesium) for production of oligoethylsiloxanes with the high content (>40%) of a terminal triethylsiloxy group. The rules for R/D process of the Grignard synthesis are described.