Halogen-metal Exchange Reaction Research Articles

Recent Advances in Halogen-Metal Exchange Reactions.

ConspectusThe halogen-metal exchange reaction is a very powerful method for preparing functionalized organometallic reagents in the fields of organic and organometallic chemistry. Since its inception, significant interest has been directed toward the on-demand development of new halogen-metal exchange reactions, primarily through the upgrading of exchange reagents. The enduring quest for optimal reactivity, superior functional group compatibility, and innovative synthetic applications of exchange reagents remains a fundamental objective. In the past several years, the emergence of some significant discoveries in halogen-metal exchange reactions has proclaimed a renaissance to this field. This Account outlines the latest advances within the domain contributed by the Knochel group, including the main points as follows.The stereoretentive I/Li exchange on stereodefined secondary alkyl iodides was developed for the synthesis of nonstabilized chiral secondary alkyllithium reagents. This provided a straightforward method to access chiral organolithium reagents, which can be trapped by various electrophiles or transmetalated with other metals such as copper, zinc, and magnesium, thus enabling the stereoselective synthesis of a series of functionalized compounds and natural products.Faster halogen-magnesium and halogen-zinc exchanges in toluene were realized using a novel kind of exchange reagent complexed with lithium alkoxide. These highly efficient exchange reactions are much faster than traditional ones and performed in an industrially friendly solvent. These advantages are of great value in practical synthesis, paving the way for new developments in this evolving area.Halogen-lanthanide exchanges and their novel applications in organic synthesis were established. These new exchanges introduced the lanthanide metals into halogen-metal exchange reactions for the first time, thereby opening new avenues in synthetic chemistry. Building on these achievements, a comparative analysis of the exchange reaction rates by kinetic study has quantified the relationship between the electronegativity of metals and the rates of halogen-metal exchanges.Br/Na exchange in continuous flow was achieved using a hexane-soluble exchange reagent, 2-ethylhexylsodium. This approach effectively circumvented the poor solubility of the organosodium reagent, which has proven to be of significant practical value and greatly enhanced the synthetic utility of the organosodium reagent in organic synthesis.These remarkable breakthroughs as mentioned above are fueled mainly by upgrading the exchange reagents, resulting in the development of new halogen-metal exchange reactions and innovative applications in organic synthesis. Given the importance of halogen-metal exchanges in synthetic chemistry, the pursuit of other types of exchange reactions, particularly those involving new metals, will be in continuous demand. This Account provides a timely summary of recent progress and will undoubtedly inspire further advances to drive this research field forward.

Synthesis of Diarylaminoacridinium Photocatalysts by Halogen‐Metal Exchange Combined with Directed ortho Metalations

Photostability is an essential design aspect for the overall performance of photocatalysts, particularly as groups introduced to adjust redox properties often constitute sites of potential reactivity. Herein, we describe a modular and flexible synthetic approach to incorporate diarylamino moieties with increased photostability that allow to efficiently tune the redox behavior of a new generation of organic acridinium photocatalysts. A series of cross-coupling reactions gave access to precursors for halogen metal exchange reactions combined with directed ortho-metalations to provide reagents that allow the formation of acridinium salts with adjustable redox properties and enhanced photostability in good yields.

Structural and metal-halogen exchange reactivity studies of sodium magnesiate biphenolate complexes.

Bimetallic sodium magnesiates have been employed in metal-halogen exchange for the first time. Utilising the racemic phenoxide ligand 5,5',6,6'-tetramethyl-3,3'-di-tert-butyl-1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-diol [(rac)-BIPHEN-H2], the dialkyl sodium magnesiates [(rac)-BIPHEN]Na2MgBu2(TMEDA)23 and [(rac)-BIPHEN]Na2MgBu2(PMDETA)24 have been synthesised. Both 3 and 4 can be easily prepared through co-complexation of di-n-butylmagnesium with the sodiated (rac)-BIPHEN precursor which can be prepared in situ in hydrocarbon solvent. Prior to the main investigation, synthesis of the sodiated precursor [BIPHEN]2Na4(THF)41 was explored in order to better understand the formation of sodium magnesiates utilising the dianionic (rac)-BIPHEN ligand as the parent ligand. In addition, a BIPHEN-rich sodium magnesiate [BIPHEN]2Na2Mg(THF)42 was prepared and characterised, and its formation was rationalised. Complex 1 and 4 have also been fully characterised in both solid and solution state. In terms of onward reactivity, 3 and 4 have been tested as potential exchange reagents with aryl and heteroaryl iodides to produce aryl and heteroaryl magnesium phenoxides utilising toluene as a non-polar hydrocarbon solvent. Complex 3 reacted smoothly to give a range of aryl and heteroaryl magnesium phenoxides, whilst 4's reactivity is more sluggish.

Metalated azolo[1,2,4]triazines. II. Generation, C(4)-substituent dependent stability and electrophile trapping of 7-lithiopyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazines

7-Lithio-3-tert-butylpyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazines have been generated for the first time using one-pot nucleophilic addition and metal-halogen exchange reactions in 7-bromopyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazines. It was found that the stability of 7-lithio species depends highly on the substitution pattern at the C(4) ring position. The rate of the pyrazole ring opening reaction roughly followed the order of the electronegativity of substituents: rapid cycle cleavage took place already at −97 °C for C(4) = O, CH–Ar, CH–C≡CPh, while CH–Alk and CH2 substituted derivatives were stable in these conditions (Ar = Ph, 4-tolyl; Alk = t-Bu, n-Bu, n-Pr). Quantum chemical modeling showed that the ring opening is accompanied with simultaneous shift of the Li atom towards N(6). Calculated free activation energies are in range from 12.7 to 15.0 kcal*mol−1. Electrophile trapping of fairly stable 4-alkyl-1,7-metalated derivatives at −97 °C using H2O, DMF or PhCHO allowed the selective side-chain functionalization. Tautomeric exo- and endocyclic double bond equilibrium in the isolated 4-oxo and 4-aryl substituted ring opening products is also discussed on the basis of IR, 1H, 13C NMR, high resolution mass spectra and X-ray powder diffraction analysis.

Organocerium: A New Contender for Halogen–Metal Exchanges

In the context of our current research on dependable and sustainable methods for C–C bond-forming reactions, we have recently developed new strategies to generate organocerium reagents through simple bromide–cerium exchanges. n-Bu3Ce enabled a fast and general access to functionalized triaryl- and alkenyl cerium species from the corresponding aryl- and alkenyl bromides. A broad range of these new organocerium species was engaged in Zweifel’s olefination, allowing for the synthesis of widely substituted alkene derivatives in a stereospecific way. Herein, we place the formation of organocerium species in the context of known organometallic reagents (Li, Mg, Zn, Cu, Ca, La, and Sm) generated through halogen–metal exchange reactions and their application in further transformations.

Alkali metal and stoichiometric effects in intermolecular hydroamination catalysed by lithium, sodium and potassium magnesiates.

Main group bimetallic complexes, while being increasingly used in stoichiometric deprotonation and metal-halogen exchange reactions, have not yet made a significant impact in catalytic applications. This paper explores the ability of alkali metal magnesiates to catalyse the intermolecular hydroamination of alkynes and alkenes using sytrene and diphenylacetylene as principle setting model substrates. By systematically studying the role of the alkali-metal and the formulation of the heterobimetallic precatalyst, this study establishes higher order potassium magnesiate [(PMDETA)2K2Mg(CH2SiMe3)4] (7) as a highly effective system capable of catalysing hydroamination of styrene and diphenylacetylene with several amines while operating at room temperature. This high reactivity contrasts with the complete lack of catalytic ability of neutral Mg(CH2SiMe3)2, even when harsher reaction conditions are employed (24 h, 80 °C). A pronounced alkali metal effect is also uncovered proving that the alkali metal (Li, Na, or K) is not a mere spectating counterion. Through stoichiometric reactions, and structural and spectroscopic (DOSY NMR) investigations we shed some light on the potential reaction pathway as well as the constitution of key intermediates. This work suggests that the enhanced catalytic activity of 7 can be rationalised in terms of the superior nucleophilic power of the formally dianionic magnesiate {Mg(NR2)4}2- generated in situ during the hydroamination process, along with the ability of potassium to engage in π-interactions with the unsaturated organic substrate, enhancing its susceptibility towards a nucleophilic attack by the amide anion.

Synthesis of Isotactic-block-Syndiotactic Poly(methyl Methacrylate) via Stereospecific Living Anionic Polymerizations in Combination with Metal-Halogen Exchange, Halogenation, and Click Reactions.

Isotactic (it-) and syndiotactic (st-) poly(methyl methacrylate)s (PMMAs) form unique crystalline stereocomplexes, which are attractive from both fundamental and application viewpoints. This study is directed at the efficient synthesis of it- and st-stereoblock (it-b-st-) PMMAs via stereospecific living anionic polymerizations in combination with metal-halogen exchange, halogenation, and click reactions. The azide-capped it-PMMA was prepared by living anionic polymerization of MMA, which was initiated with t-BuMgBr in toluene at –78 °C, and was followed by termination using CCl4 as the halogenating agent in the presence of a strong Lewis base and subsequent azidation with NaN3. The alkyne-capped st-PMMA was obtained by living anionic polymerization of MMA, which was initiated via an in situ metal-halogen exchange reaction between 1,1-diphenylhexyl lithium and an α-bromoester bearing a pendent silyl-protected alkyne group. Finally, copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) between these complimentary pairs of polymers resulted in a high yield of it-b-st-PMMAs, with controlled molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions. The stereocomplexation was evaluated in CH3CN and was affected by the block lengths and ratios.

Generation of an 4‐Isoxazolyl Anion Species: Facile Access to Multifunctionalized Isoxazoles

AbstractA direct functionalization of unsubstituted isoxazole (1) was achieved by generation of 4‐isoxazolyl anion species (3). An efficient 4‐iodination of isoxazole and halogen–metal exchange reaction using a turbo Grignard reagent (iPrMgCl⋅ LiCl) were essential for the generation of 3, which reacted with various electrophiles to give 4‐functionalized isoxazoles in good to high yields. Isoxazolyl boronate, boronic acid, and stannane were also synthesized as useful building blocks from 1. The current methods enabled us to synthesize multi‐functionalized isoxazoles by introducing each substituent into the desired positions. Furthermore, total synthesis of triumferol, which was isolated from Triumfetta rhomboidea, was achieved from 1 in only three steps.

Generation of an 4-Isoxazolyl Anion Species: Facile Access to Multifunctionalized Isoxazoles.

A direct functionalization of unsubstituted isoxazole (1) was achieved by generation of 4-isoxazolyl anion species (3). An efficient 4-iodination of isoxazole and halogen-metal exchange reaction using a turbo Grignard reagent (iPrMgCl⋅ LiCl) were essential for the generation of 3, which reacted with various electrophiles to give 4-functionalized isoxazoles in good to high yields. Isoxazolyl boronate, boronic acid, and stannane were also synthesized as useful building blocks from 1. The current methods enabled us to synthesize multi-functionalized isoxazoles by introducing each substituent into the desired positions. Furthermore, total synthesis of triumferol, which was isolated from Triumfetta rhomboidea, was achieved from 1 in only three steps.

Synthesis, Structure, and Coordination Chemistry of Phosphine-Functionalized Imidazole/Imidazolium Salts and Cleavage of a C–P Bond in an NHC–Phosphenium Salt using a Pd(0) Precursor

A simple method involving metal–halogen exchange reaction(s) to prepare various phosphine-functionalized imidazole/imidazolium salts and their coordination chemistry with different metal precursors has been described. Interestingly, the reaction of 1,3-dimethyl-2-(diphenylphosphino)-4-iodoimidazolium iodide (6) with Pd2(dba)3 in the presence of triphenylphosphine affords a Pd(II)–NHC complex which involves the cleavage of a C–P bond presumably occurring via oxidative addition of Pd(0) to a C–I bond to afford an in situ generated Pd(II) species, which subsequently reacts with another 1 equiv of 6 through the phosphine center to form an adduct followed by a dephosphinylation reaction.

Synthesis of 5-N-tert-butylaminoxylcytidine and EPR studies on its base pairing properties

5-N-tert-Butylaminoxylcytidine was synthesized as a new spin-labelled cytidine to detect guanosine by EPR spectroscopy. Metal-halogen exchange reaction of TBS-protected N-benzoyl-5-iodocytidine followed by a reaction with 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane afforded 5-N-tert-butylhydroxylaminocytidine with considerable affinity for guanosine and its oxidation gave 5-N-tert-butylaminoxylcytidine. Changes in EPR parameters monitored its selective base pairing with guanosine derivatives and the formation of a 2:2 complex with 8-oxoguanosine.

Highly Strained Tertiary sp3 Scaffolds: Synthesis of Functionalized Cubanes and Exploration of Their Reactivity under Pd(II) Catalysis

A series of chemically distinct, highly strained, activated cubane scaffolds were synthesized through optimization of the metal–halogen exchange reactions of iodinated cubane derivatives. This included the first reported successful attachment of both boron and phosphorus, key elements in potential transition-metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions, on the cubane scaffold. Additionally, Zn, Sn, Si, S, and various C-based systems were also attached in a high-yielding, one-pot reaction from readily available precursors. A comprehensive program investigating the reactivity of these tertiary cubane nucleophiles toward Suzuki–Miyaura, Negishi, and Stille cross-coupling methods, never previously reported with the cubane scaffold, is also described, but proved unsuccessful.

Transition-metal-free access to primary anilines from boronic acids and a common (+)NH2 equivalent.

Diversely substituted anilines are prepared by treatment of functionalized arylboronic acids with a common, inexpensive source of electrophilic nitrogen (H2N-OSO3H, HSA) under basic aqueous conditions. Electron-rich substrates are found to be the most reactive by this method. However, even moderately electron-poor substrates are well tolerated under the room temperature conditions. Sterically hindered substrates appear to be equally effective compared to unhindered ones. Highly electron-deficient substrates afford product in very low yields at room temperature, but moderate to good yields are obtained at refluxing temperatures. Our method is also amenable to electrophilic amination of several common boronic acid derivatives (e.g., pinacol esters). We demonstrate that it can be combined with metal-halogen exchange reactions or a variety of directed ortho metalation protocols in a "one-pot" sequence for the synthesis of aromatic amines with unique substitution patterns. DFT studies, in combination with experimental results, suggest that the reaction occurs via base-mediated activation of HSA, followed by 1,2 aryl B-N migration. This mode of activation appears to be critical for the success of the reaction and allows, for the first time, a general, electrophilic amination of boronic acids at ambient temperature.

Preparation of an Ester-Containing Grignard Reagent by Halogen–Metal Exchange

In this experiment, students carry out a halogen–metal exchange reaction of methyl 2-iodobenzoate with isopropylmagnesium chloride in THF at 0 °C to afford 2-carbomethoxyphenylmagnesium chloride, which is treated with p-methoxybenzaldehyde to give a lactone (phthalide) product. This reaction introduces students to the modern method of preparation of Grignard and organolithium reagents by halogen–metal exchange rather than by using metallic magnesium or lithium, which is rarely done in a research laboratory. It also demonstrates that Grignard reagents bearing reactive functionality can be prepared and utilized in synthesis, although students are still often taught otherwise. The IR spectrum of the crude product provides semiquantitative information on the success of the reaction because the lactone product and starting material ester and aldehyde have very different carbonyl absorptions, demonstrating the power of this technique to distinguish between functional groups. The product can be purified by chrom...

Structural Studies of (rac)-BIPHEN Organomagnesiates and Intermediates in the Halogen–Metal Exchange of 2-Bromopyridine

Four lithium magnesiate complexes (2–5) containing the dianionic (rac)-BIPHEN ligand have been prepared and characterized using X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. (THF)3·Li2Mg{(rac)-BIPHEN}nBu2, 2, (THF)3·Li2Mg{(rac)-BIPHEN}(CH2SiMe3)2, 3, and (THF)2·Li2Mg{(rac)-BIPHEN}neoPe2, 4, have been prepared by complexation of the appropriate dialkylmagnesium compound with in situ prepared Li(rac)-BIPHEN in a mixture of hydrocarbon/THF. For all structures, the Mg centers are four-coordinate (and retain the alkyl groups); however, in 2 and 3 the two Li centers have different coordination spheres (one binding to one THF molecule, the other to two). The solid-state structures of 2 and 3 are essentially isostructural with that of 4 except that both Li atoms in this molecule have equivalent coordination spheres. The solution behaviors of these three molecules have been studied by 1H, 13C, and DOSY NMR spectroscopy. During the synthesis of 2, it was discovered that a (rac)-BIPHEN-rich (or n-butyl-free) lithium magnesiate, (THF)4Li2Mg{(rac)-BIPHEN}fo2, 2b, could be isolated. The lithium precursor to 2–5, (THF)4·Li4{(rac)-BIPHEN)}2, 1, has also been isolated. Within the molecular structure of this tetranuclear complex, there are three different Li coordination environments. Finally, 2 has already shown promise as a reagent in a halogen–metal exchange reaction with 2-bromopyridine. The structural chemistry at play in this reaction was probed by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. The organometallic intermediate pyridyl-magnesiated 5, (THF)2·Li2Mg{(rac)-BIPHEN}(2-pyridyl)2, was isolated in high yield.

Synthesis of Molecular Tripods Based on a Rigid 9,9′-Spirobifluorene Scaffold

The efficient synthesis of a new tripodal platform based on a rigid 9,9'-spirobifluorene with three acetyl protected thiol groups in the positions 2, 3' and 6' for deposition on Au(111) surfaces is reported. The modular 9,9'-spirobifluorene platform provides both a vertical arrangement of the molecular rod in position 7 and its electronic coupling to the gold substrate. To demonstrate the validity of the molecular design, the model compound 24 exposing a para-cyanophenylethynyl rod is synthesized. Our synthetic approach is based on a metal-halogen exchange reaction of 2-iodobiphenyl derivative and his subsequent reaction with 2,7-disubstituted fluoren-9-one to afford the carbinol 16. Further electrophilic cyclization and separation of regioisomers provided the corresponding 2,7,3',6'-tetrasubstituted 9,9'-spirobifluorene 17 as the key intermediate. The molecular structure of 17 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction crystallography. The self-assembly features of the target compound 24 were analyzed in preliminary UHV-STM experiments. These results already demonstrated the promising potential of the concept of the tripodal structure to stabilize the molecule on a Au(111) surface in order to control the spatial arrangement of the molecular rod.

Synthesis, chiral resolution, and absolute configuration of dissymmetric 4,15-difunctionalized [2.2]paracyclophanes.

Despite the fact that functionalized planar chiral [2.2]paracyclophanes have received a lot of attention, the chemistry of pseudo-meta 4,15-distubstituted [2.2]paracyclophanes is largely unexplored. This is mainly due to the fact that the 4,5-dibromo-functionalized [2.2]paracyclophane is much less prone to halogen-metal exchange reactions than its constitutional pseudo-ortho or pseudo-para isomers. Here, we give an account of an efficient protocol to achieve this, which allows the synthesis of a broad variety of 4,15-disubstituted [2.2]paracyclophanes. Furthermore, we were able to resolve several of the racemic compounds via chiral HPLC and assign the absolute configurations of the isolated enantiomers by X-ray diffraction and/or by the comparison of calculated and measured CD-spectra.

Modular synthesis of phenanthro[9,10-c]thiophenes by a sequence of C-H activation, suzuki cross-coupling and photocyclization reactions.

A total number of 15 different 3,4-diarylthiophenes were synthesized, which bear a chlorine atom in ortho-position of one of the aryl substituents. One aryl group was introduced by an oxidative cross-coupling reaction, involving a CH activation at C4(3) of the thiophene core. The other aryl group was in most cases introduced by a Suzuki cross-coupling reaction, which succeeded the oxidative cross-coupling step. Photocyclization reactions of the 3,4-diarylthiophenes were performed in a solvent mixture of benzene and acetonitrile (50:50 v/v) at λ=254 nm and proceeded to the title compounds in yields of 60-82 %. The selectivity of the photocyclization was determined at the ortho-chloro-substituted aryl ring by the position of the chlorine substituent. At the other ring, a single regioisomer was observed for phenyl and para-substituted phenyl groups. For 2-naphthyl and ortho-substituted phenyl rings a clear preference was observed in favor of a major regioisomer, while meta-substitution in the phenyl ring led to a about 1:1 mixture of 5- and 7-substituted phenanthro[9,10-c]thiophenes. Mechanistically, the photocyclization is likely to occur as a photochemically allowed, conrotatory [(4n+2)π] process accompanied by elimination of HCl. It was shown for two phenanthro[9,10-c]thiophene products that they can be readily brominated in positions C1 and C3 (74-77 %), which in turn allows for further functionalization at these positions, for example, in the course of halogen-metal exchange and polymerization reactions.

Synthesis of Bromo- and Carboxylic Acid-Substituted Methylenepyrans

In this contribution we describe a series of pyranylidene derivatives bearing bromine atoms in various positions. Some of these bromo derivatives have been converted in carboxylic acid by halogen-metal exchange reaction using gaseous CO2 as electrophile. Selected compounds have been studied by UV-visible absorption and cyclic voltametry to study the influence of the substituent on the pyranylidene core. Keywords: Methylenepyrans, wittig reaction, halogen-metal exchange, aromatic bromide, carboxylic acid, electroactive compounds.

Backbone Thio-Functionalized Imidazol-2-ylidene–Metal Complexes: Synthesis, Structure, Electronic Properties, and Catalytic Activity

A new synthetic route to prepare imidazolium salts with heteroatom-containing functional groups at the backbone has been reported. Accordingly, the first example of a backbone bis-thiofunctionalized imidazolium salt (4) was prepared by sequential metal–halogen exchange reaction of 1-methyl-4,5-diiodoimidazole (1) followed by a quaternization reaction with methyl iodide. The metal–carbene complexes 6, 8, and 10 were synthesized conveniently through three different routes, namely, (a) an in situ generated carbene route, (b) a transmetalation method, and (c) direct reaction with a basic metal precursor, and structurally characterized. Subsequently the electronic properties of the newly prepared 1,3-dimethyl-4,5-bis(phenylthio)-imidazol-2-ylidene ((SPh)2IMe) was studied by measuring the carbonyl stretching frequency of the corresponding [Ir{(SPh)2IMe}(CO)2(Cl)] complex. In addition, the air-stable palladium–NHC complex 10 was found to be catalytically active in Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions of aryl bromides.