Ni-catalyzed Cross-coupling Research Articles

Active template rotaxane synthesis through the Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling of alkylzinc reagents with redox-active esters.

The synthesis of unsymmetrical axle [2]rotaxanes through a recently developed Ni-catalyzed C(sp3)-C(sp3) cross-coupling of redox-active esters (formed directly from carboxylic acids) and organozinc reagents (derived from alkyl bromides) is reported. The method also furnishes, as a minor product, the symmetrical axle [2]rotaxanes resulting from the homo-coupling of the organozinc half-thread. The rotaxanes are formed in up to 56% yield with the ratio of unsymmetrical rotaxane increasing with the cavity size of the macrocycle. In the absence of the redox-active ester neither rotaxane is formed, even though the homo-coupling rotaxane product does not incorporate the redox-active ester building block. A Ni(iii) intermediate is consistent with these observations, providing support for the previously postulated mechanism of the Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction.

Computational studies on Ni-catalyzed amide C-N bond activation.

Recently, remarkable advances in the mechanistic understanding of Ni-catalyzed amide C-N bond activation have been achieved by computational chemists. These computational studies revealed the key mechanistic processes of Ni-catalyzed amide C-N bond cleavage, providing the molecular basis for the rationalization of reactivities and selectivities. This review summarizes the general mechanistic models of Ni-catalyzed amide C-N bond activation, and discusses their applications in the understanding and design of Ni-catalyzed cross coupling reactions involving amides.

Nickel-catalyzed carboxylation of aryl zinc reagent with CO2: A theoretical and experimental study

Two Ni-complexes with 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppf) and tricyclohexylphosphine (PCy3) ligands were tested for the Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling of aryl zinc reagent with CO2 to form aryl carboxylic acid. Theoretical study with the aid of density functional theory (DFT) was carried out to understand the detailed reaction mechanism. The reasonable reaction pathway was deduced. The simulation results suggested that the free energy barrier of the rate-limiting step with (dppf)Ni is only 1.64 kcal mol−1 higher than the barrier with (PCy3)2Ni. However, our experiment provided an unexpectedly low yield by using (dppf)Ni complex as the catalyst. Further theoretical study ascribed the shortage of the reaction yield to the weak CO2 capture ability of the (dppf)Ni complex. Two additional ligands 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) and 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane (dppb) were also taken into account to verify the ligand effect in our reactions.

Practical Ni-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Unsaturated Zinc Pivalates with Unsaturated Nonaflates and Triflates.

A practical nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of (hetero)aryl or alkynylzinc pivalates with various unsaturated nonaflates or triflates is described. Organozinc pivalates allow these cross-couplings to take place with high yields and a low catalyst loading (0.5 mol %). Couplings with ( E)- and ( Z)-alkenyl triflates proceed with retention of configuration.

Ni-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Dimethyl Aryl Amines with Arylboronic Esters under Reductive Conditions

Herein, we reported a successful Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of dimethyl aryl amines to forge biaryl skeleton via Ni catalysis in the absence of directing groups and preactivation. This transformation proceeded with high efficiency in the presence of magnesium. Preliminary mechanism studies demonstrated dual roles of magnesium: (i) a reductant that reduced Ni(II) species to active Ni(I) catalyst; (ii) a unique promoter that facilitated the Ni(I)/Ni(III) catalytic cycle.

Ni-Catalyzed cross-coupling of aryl thioethers with alkyl Grignard reagents via C-S bond cleavage.

A Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling of aryl thioethers with alkyl Grignard reagents, accompanied by the cleavage of the C(aryl)-SMe bond, has been presented. This method is distinguished by its mild conditions and moderate functional group tolerance, such as hydroxyl, halogen, and heterocycles, which should provide a straightforward access to the modification of sulfur-containing molecules.

Synthesis of Enantioenriched Allylic Silanes via Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive Cross-Coupling.

An asymmetric Ni-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling has been developed to prepare enantioenriched allylic silanes. This enantioselective reductive alkenylation proceeds under mild conditions and exhibits good functional group tolerance. The chiral allylic silanes prepared here undergo a variety of stereospecific transformations, including intramolecular Hosomi-Sakurai reactions, to set vicinal stereogenic centers with excellent transfer of chirality.

Ni-Catalyzed Reductive Cross-Coupling of Amides with Aryl Iodide Electrophiles via C–N Bond Activation

A Ni-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling reaction between two electrophiles, amides and aryl iodides, has been developed. This work is the first example using amide as an electrophile to couple with another electrophile, instead of using highly basic and pyrophoric nucleophiles. Furthermore, the Ni catalyst chemoselectively inserting the C-N bond of amide triggered the reductive cross-coupling reaction, which solves the problem that the Ni catalyst preferentially inserts the more reactive C-I bond to form a self-coupling product.

Nickel-Catalyzed Asymmetric Reductive Cross-Coupling To Access 1,1-Diarylalkanes.

An asymmetric Ni-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling of (hetero)aryl iodides and benzylic chlorides has been developed to prepare enantioenriched 1,1-diarylalkanes. As part of these studies, a new chiral bioxazoline ligand, 4-heptyl-BiOX (L1), was developed in order to obtain products in synthetically useful yield and enantioselectivity. The reaction tolerates a variety of heterocyclic coupling partners, including pyridines, pyrimidines, indoles, and piperidines.

Nickel-Catalyzed Enantioselective Reductive Cross-Coupling of Styrenyl Aziridines.

A Ni-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling of styrenyl aziridines with aryl iodides is reported. This reaction proceeds by a stereoconvergent mechanism and is thus amenable to asymmetric catalysis using a chiral bioxazoline ligand for Ni. The process allows facile access to highly enantioenriched 2-arylphenethylamines from racemic aziridines. Multivariate analysis revealed that ligand polarizability, among other features, influences the observed enantioselectivity, shedding light on the success of this emerging ligand class for enantioselective Ni catalysis.

Nickel-Catalyzed Enantioselective Cross-Coupling of N-Hydroxyphthalimide Esters with Vinyl Bromides.

An enantioselective Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling of N-hydroxyphthalimide esters with vinyl bromides is reported. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions and uses tetrakis(N,N-dimethylamino)ethylene as a terminal organic reductant. Good functional group tolerance is demonstrated, with over 20 examples of reactions that proceed with >90% ee.

NiI Catalyzes the Regioselective Cross-Coupling of Alkylzinc Halides and Propargyl Bromides to Allenes.

We describe the unprecedented formation of allenes by Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling of propargyl bromides with alkylzinc halides. The reaction regioselectivity is complementary to the previously reported formation of propargyl-coupled compounds. Experiments support the formation of NiI complexes as the active species and the participation of radical intermediates. Kinetic studies showed that the reaction is first order with respect to the electrophile, zero-order with respect to the nucleophile (fast transmetalation), and one-half order with respect to the metal catalyst. Mechanistic studies support a bimetallic NiI -based pathway that involves fast homolytic cleavage of the C-Br bond by an alkyl-NiI complex, followed by radical coordination to NiI that determines the observed regioselectivity.

NBu4NI-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling of carbon dioxide, amines, and aryl ketones: access to O-β-oxoalkyl carbamates.

The first nBu4NI-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling reaction of carbon dioxide, amines and arylketones has been successfully developed by using TBHP as the oxidant, providing an efficient, atom-economical and metal-free strategy for the synthesis of a range of O-β-oxoalkyl carbamates.

ChemInform Abstract: Nickel‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Arylation of Pyridine.

We report an enantioselective Ni-catalyzed cross coupling of arylzinc reagents with pyridinium ions formed in situ from pyridine and a chloroformate. This reaction provides enantioenriched 2-aryl-1,2-dihydropyridine products that can be elaborated to numerous piperidine derivatives with little or no loss in ee. This method is notable for its use of pyridine, a feedstock chemical, to build a versatile, chiral heterocycle in a single synthetic step.

Bu4NI-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling between Sulfonyl Hydrazides and Diazo Compounds To Construct β-Carbonyl Sulfones Using Molecular Oxygen

A new cross-coupling reaction between sulfonyl hydrazides and diazo compounds has been established, leading to a variety of β-carbonyl sulfones in good yields. This methodology was distinguished by simple manipulation, easily available starting materials, and wide substrate scope. A plausible mechanism involving a radical process was proposed based upon the experimental observations and literature.

Photoredox Mediated Nickel Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Thiols With Aryl and Heteroaryl Iodides via Thiyl Radicals.

Ni-catalyzed cross-couplings of aryl, benzyl, and alkyl thiols with aryl and heteroaryl iodides were accomplished in the presence of an Ir-photoredox catalyst. Highly chemoselective C-S cross-coupling was achieved versus competitive C-O and C-N cross-couplings. This C-S cross-coupling method exhibits remarkable functional group tolerance, and the reactions can be carried out in the presence of molecular oxygen. Mechanistic investigations indicated that the reaction proceeded through transient Ni(I)-species and thiyl radicals. Distinct from nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions involving carbon-centered radicals, control experiments and spectroscopic studies suggest that this C-S cross-coupling reaction does not involve a Ni(0)-species.

Ni-Catalyzed cross coupling of aryl grignard reagents with aryl halides in a nonpolar solvent and an efficient synthesis of biaryls under neat conditions

This study details Ni-catalyzed cross coupling of aryl Grignard reagents with aryl halides in toluene, a nonpolar solvent with a high boiling point. The reaction was applied for the synthesis of various biaryls in good yields without the introduction of a large steric ligand. The Kumada-Tamao-Corriu(KTC) reaction in toluene was then successfully modified to proceed under neat conditions for the efficient syntheses of symmetrical biaryls, particularly in large-scale preparations. Unactivated aryl chlorides show higher reactivity than aryl bromides, particularly under neat conditions. Mechanistic investigations suggest a radical procedure for the catalytic cycle, and the origin of the radical intermediates being aryl halides.

ChemInform Abstract: Nickel‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Reductive Cross‐Coupling Between Heteroaryl Iodides and α‐Chloronitriles.

A Ni-catalyzed asymmetric reductive cross-coupling of heteroaryl iodides and α-chloronitriles has been developed. This method furnishes enantioenriched α,α-disubstituted nitriles from simple organohalide building blocks. The reaction tolerates a variety of heterocyclic coupling partners, including pyridines, pyrimidines, quinolines, thiophenes, and piperidines. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions at room temperature and precludes the need to pregenerate organometallic nucleophiles.

Nickel-catalyzed enantioselective arylation of pyridine.

We report an enantioselective Ni-catalyzed cross coupling of arylzinc reagents with pyridiniumions formed in situ from pyridine and a chloroformate. This reaction provides enantioenriched 2-aryl-1,2-dihydropyridine products that can be elaborated to numerous piperidine derivatives with little or no loss in ee. This method is notable for its use of pyridine, a feedstock chemical, to build a versatile, chiral heterocycle in a single synthetic step.

Synthesis of E-Alkyl Alkenes from Terminal Alkynes via Ni-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Alkyl Halides with B-Alkenyl-9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes.

The first Ni-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of alkyl halides with alkenyl-(9-BBN) reagents is reported. Both primary and secondary alkyl halides including alkyl chlorides can be coupled. The coupling method can be combined with hydroboration of terminal alkynes, allowing the expedited synthesis of functionalized alkyl alkenes from readily available alkynes with complete (E)-selectivity in one pot. The method was applied to the total synthesis of (±)-Recifeiolide, a natural macrolide.