Organomagnesium Reagents Research Articles

Nickel‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of Aryl Alkyl Selenides with Aryl Bromides: Cross‐Coupling Between Two Electrophiles

AbstractA nickel‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reaction has been developed using two distinct electrophiles: an aryl alkyl selenide and an aryl bromide. The organoselenium compound, due to the lower bond dissociation energy of the C−Se bond, acts as a pseudohalide. This one‐pot reaction proceeds by cleaving the C−Se bond, producing the desired biaryls in moderate to good yields. The use of commercially available aryl bromides eliminates the handling of pre‐formed organomagnesium reagents, enhancing the practicality and applicability of this approach.

Mechanochemical C-H Arylation and Alkylation of Indoles Using 3 d Transition Metal and Zero-Valent Magnesium.

Although the 3 d transition-metal catalyzed C-H functionalization have been extensively employed to promote the formation of valuable carbon-carbon bonds, the persistent problems, including the use of sensitive Grignard reagents and the rigorous operations (solvent-drying, inert gas protection, metal pre-activation and RMgX addition rate control), still leave great room for further development of sustainable methodologies. Herein, we report a mechanochemical technology toward in-situ preparation of highly sensitive organomagnesium reagents, and thus building two general 3 d transition-metal catalytic platforms that enables regioselective arylation and alkylation of indoles with a wide variety of halides (including those containing post transformable functionalities and heteroaromatic rings). This mechanochemical strategy also brings unique reactivity and high step-economy in producing functionalized N-free indole products.

Mixed-magnesium/zinc calix[4]arene complexes: structure, and ring opening polymerisation studies.

Different combinations of organomagnesium reagents and zinc bromide react with either 1,3-dimethoxy-4-tert-butylcalix[4]areneH2 (L(OMe)2H2) or trialkoxycalix[4]arenes (L(OR)3H) (R = n-Pr, n-pentyl) to afford mixed-metal calix[4]arene systems. Intriguing molecular structures are formed and the systems are capable of the ring opening polymerisation of ε-caprolactone under N2, air, or as melts.

Directing the Stereoselectivity of the Claisen Rearrangement to Form Cyclic Ketones with Full Substitution at the α-Positions.

We report an enantioselective synthesis of cyclic ketones with full substitutions at the α-positions in a highly diastereoselective manner. Our method is achieved by subjecting substrate motifs in 2-allyloxyenones to chiral organomagnesium reagents, which trigger the Claisen rearrangement upon direct 1,2-carbonyl addition. The observed diastereoselectivity of the allyl migration is proposed to originate from the intramolecular chelation of the magnesium alkoxide to the allyloxy moiety.

Zinc-Mediated C–H Metalations in Modern Organic Synthesis

AbstractC–H Deprotometalations have long occupied a key role in modern organic synthesis in both the research laboratory and pharmaceutical and fine chemical manufacture, thanks to readily accessible reagents and well-established procedures. Typically, organolithiums are the reagent of choice thanks to high reactivity and ease of use but these are incompatible with base- and nucleophile-sensitive functional groups. In comparison, organozinc base complexes offer a milder approach to deprotonative C–H functionalisations, and compatibility with a wide range of functionalities which would be problematic when using the alternative organolithium or organomagnesium reagents has now been demonstrated. Here, we review the current state of the art in zinc-mediated C–H metalations at substituted arenes, heteroarenes, and Csp3–H sites.1 Introduction2 Csp2–H Functionalisation Using Zinc Bases2.1 Functionalised Arenes2.2 Heterocycles3 Csp3–H Functionalisation Using Zinc Bases3.1 Zinc Enolate Formation: Traditional Approach3.2 Zinc Enolate Formation via Zinc Bases3.3 Non-Enolic Csp3–H Zincations4 Conclusion

Towards a qualitative understanding of the carbonyl reactivity of α-substituted ethyl 5-oxohomoadamantyl-4-carboxylates.

Substituted ethyl 5-oxohomoadamantane-4-carboxylates were subjected to reactions with several nucleophiles to establish some aspects of the carbonyl reactivity. However, only one example of the desired Claisen retro-reaction was observed as 3,7-disubstituted bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane formation. Most of the reactions yielded α-substituted homoadamantan-5-ones or some products of their further transformations. Reductive amination of substituted homoadamantane-5-ones gave several homoadamantane-fused nitrogen heterocycles, which could be considered as GABA- and/or ∂-aminovaleric acid analogues. Reduction products of several substituted ketones were observed as single products when treated with organomagnesium reagents. These deviations from the general chemical reactivity patterns are associated with steric factors and the geometry of the cage unit and could be a particular case, which is reflecting the overall specificity of the chemistry of cage carbonyl compounds.

Rational design of functionalized near-infrared absorbing phthalocyanines by three-component coupling strategy

Near-infrared (NIR) dyes are used in various applications such as organic solar cells and photodynamic therapy sensitizers. One example of a class of dyes, octa-arylthio-substituted phthalocyanines (Pcs), can effectively absorb NIR light above 800 nm. The substitution of the Pc’s peripheral sulfur effectively introduces extra functions without significant perturbation of the optical properties. However, the synthesis of phthalonitrile precursors containing various functionalized arylthio groups has been limited. Herein, we provide the three-component-type coupling reactions for synthesizing phthalonitriles with various functionalized chalcogen-aryl groups. Organometallic reagents were prepared from aryl halides, elemental chalcogen, and 3,6-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy)phthalonitrile can lead to functionalized phthalonitriles in a one-pot procedure. Commonly used methods were utilized to prepare the corresponding Pcs. This reaction can be extended to other group-16 elements, chemoselective organomagnesium, and organozincate reagents. The NIR absorption and fluorescence properties of Pcs were also revealed and rationalized under substitution effects.

Continuous, stable, and safe organometallic reactions in flow at room temperature assisted by deep eutectic solvents

<h2>Summary</h2> This work demonstrates the first continuous, stable, and safe operation of organometallic reactions in flow under ambient conditions with high moisture tolerance and clogging resistance. The addition of deep eutectic solvents (DESs), such as glyceline (choline chloride/glycerol) and reline (choline chloride/urea), overcomes the previous limitations associated with the need for cryogenic conditions (long residence times and high energy requirements) and clogging. The immiscibility of the different solvents leads to a segmented flow where the reactive organic substrates are dispersed in a continuous DES-containing carrier phase. This system provides intimate contact between solvents, favoring the dissolution of lithium species (by-product) into the DES phase, avoiding the clogging under a wide range of conditions. In addition, the microfluidic scale provides excellent heat management (recirculation flow patterns) and a high surface area/volume ratio, enabling safe operation. The benefits of DESs were studied with a selection of two organolithiums and two organomagnesium reagents, and different imine/ketone substrates.

Iron-Catalyzed Cross-Electrophile Coupling of Inert C–O Bonds with Alkyl Bromides

Iron-Catalyzed Cross-Electrophile Coupling of Inert C–O Bonds with Alkyl Bromides

Modular synthesis of 2-furyl carbinols from 3-benzyldimethylsilylfurfural platforms relying on oxygen-assisted C-Si bond functionalization.

3-Silylated furfurals, readily prepared in three steps from biomass-derived furfural and 5-methylfurfural, are converted into 3-silylated 2-furyl carbinols upon condensation with organomagnesium or organolithium reagents. The hydroxy unit of the carbinol adducts can be exploited to promote C3(sp2)–Si bond functionalization through intramolecular activation. Two approaches were contemplated for this purpose. Activation by alkoxides of the C3–SiEt3 or C3–SiMe2t-Bu bonds was ineffective. Conversely, treatment of the C3-benzyldimethylsilyl-appended derivatives with tetrabutylammonium fluoride led to cyclic siloxanes, which revealed to be competent donors for copper-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions, such as arylation reactions catalyzed by Pd2(dba)3/CuI, as well as allylation and methylation reactions catalyzed by CuI⋅PPh3. C3-Benzyldimethylsilyl-appended furfurals are thus introduced as versatile platforms, providing a modular access to 3-substituted 2-furyl carbinols from renewable feedstock.

Assessing Alkali-Metal Effects in the Structures and Reactivity of Mixed-Ligand Alkyl/Alkoxide Alkali-Metal Magnesiates.

Advancing the understanding of using alkali‐metal alkoxides as additives to organomagnesium reagents in Mg−Br exchange reactions, a homologous series of mixed‐ligand alkyl/alkoxide alkali‐metal magnesiates [MMg(CH2SiMe3)2(dmem)]2 [dmem=2‐{[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl]methylamino} ethoxide; M=Li, 1; Na, 2; (THF)K, 3] has been prepared. Structural and spectroscopic studies have established the constitutions of these heteroleptic/heterometallic species, which are retained in arene solution. Evaluation of their reactivity towards 2‐bromoanisole has uncovered a marked alkali‐metal effect with potassium magnesiate 3 being the most efficient of the three ate reagents. Studies probing the constitution of the exchange product from this reaction suggest that the putative [KMgAr2(dmem)]2 (Ar=o‐OMe−C6H4) intermediate undergoes redistribution into its single metal components [KAr]n and [MgAr(dmem)]2 (5). This process can be circumvented by using a different potassium alkoxide containing an aliphatic chain such as KOR’ (R’=2‐ethylhexyl) which undergoes co‐complexation with Mg(CH2SiMe3) to give [KMg(CH2SiMe3)2(OR’)]2 (7). This ate, in turn, reacts quantitatively with 2‐bromoanisole furnishing [KMgAr2(OR’)]2 (9) which is stable in solution as a bimetallic compound. Collectively this work highlights the complexity of these alkali‐metal mediated Mg−Br exchange reactions, where each reaction component can have a profound effect not only on the success of the reaction; but also the stability of the final metalated intermediates prior to their electrophilic interception.

Generation of organo-alkaline earth metal complexes from non-polar unsaturated molecules and their synthetic applications.

Organomagnesium compounds, represented by the Grignard reagents, are one of the most classical yet versatile carbanion species which have widely been utilized in synthetic chemistry. These reagents are typically prepared via oxidative addition of organic halides to magnesium metals, via halogen–magnesium exchange between halo(hetero)arenes and organomagnesium reagents or via deprotonative magnesiation of prefunctionalized (hetero)arenes. On the other hand, recent studies have demonstrated that the organo-alkaline earth metal complexes including those based on heavier alkaline earth metals such as calcium, strontium and barium could be generated from readily available non-polar unsaturated molecules such as alkenes, alkynes, 1,3-enynes and arenes through unique metallation processes. Nonetheless, the resulting organo-alkaline earth metal complexes could be further functionalized with a variety of electrophiles in various reaction modes. In particular, organocalcium, strontium and barium species have shown unprecedented reactivity in the downstream functionalization, which could not be observed in the reactivity of organomagnesium complexes. This perspective will focus on the newly emerging protocols for the generation of organo-alkaline earth metal complexes from non-polar unsaturated molecules and their applications in chemical synthesis and catalysis.

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.

One Pot Conversion of Carboxylic Acid to Ketone Using Trimethylsilyl Chloride

Background: Ketone is abundant in many natural products and in pharmaceuticals. It is believed to be one of the important functional groups in organic chemistry. Till date,several research approaches have been made to access ketone from a readily available starting materials. One such notable transformation consists of the conversion of carboxylic acid to the corresponding ketone in a one pot manner. Objective: We aimed to develop a simple one pot reaction for the conversion of carboxylic acid to ketone. This reaction could be useful to convert all types of carboxylic acid to ketone in a facile manner. Methods: In this procedure, a carboxylic acid has been converted to the corresponding trimethylsilyl ester using trimethylsilyl chloride in the presence of a base. A suitable organometallic reagent can interact with the ester formed at 20°C to produce the corresponding ketone. Results: Under the optimized reaction conditions, various aromatic, aliphatic and heteroaromatic carboxylic acids have been converted to the corresponding ketones using organolithium reagents, in a one pot manner. Moderate to good yields of the desired ketones were observed in most of the transformations. Conclusion: Conversion of carboxylic acid to ketone has been reported in a one pot fashion, where carboxylic acid has been transformed to its silyl ester. Organolithium reagents were used as nucleophile for our reaction purpose, whereas the organomagnesium reagents were not useful for this transformation. Aliphatic, aromatic and heteroaromatic carboxylic acids have been converted to the ketones following a simple process.

Enantioselective Catalytic Dearomative Addition of Grignard Reagents to 4-Methoxypyridinium Ions

We describe a general catalytic methodology for the enantioselective dearomative alkylation of pyridine derivatives with Grignard reagents, allowing direct access to nearly enantiopure chiral dihydro-4-pyridones with yields up to 98%. The methodology involves dearomatization of in situ-formed N-acylpyridinium salts, employing alkyl organomagnesium reagents as nucleophiles and a chiral copper (I) complex as the catalyst. Computational and mechanistic studies provide insights into the origin of the reactivity and enantioselectivity of the catalytic process.

Carbon-carbon cross-coupling reactions of organomagnesium reagents with a variety of electrophilic substrates mediated by iron catalysts

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Palladium‐Phenylpyrazolylphosphine‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of Alkenyl Pivalates

AbstractPalladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions are indispensable tools for C−C bond formation, and new catalyst development remains a powerful driving force in this field. In this study, a new type of easily accessible phenylpyrazole phosphine ligand is developed. The catalyst generated from Pd(OAc)2 and PP‐Phos (L15) is highly effective in the palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling of alkenyl pivalates with organomagnesium reagents. The reaction accommodates a broad scope of alkenyl carboxylates under mild conditions, providing an alternative but practical way to the synthesis of multi‐substituted alkenes in value.

Copper(I)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Vinylogous Aldol-Type Reaction of Allylazaarenes.

A vinylogous aldol-type reaction of allylazaarenes and aldehydes is disclosed that affords a series of chiral γ-hydroxyl-α,β-unsaturated azaarenes in moderate to excellent yields with high to excellent regio- and enantioselectivities. With (R,RP )-TANIAPHOS and (R,R)-QUINOXP* as the ligand, the carbon-carbon double bond in the products is generated in (E)-form. With (R)-DTBM-SEGPHOS as the ligand, (Z)-form carbon-carbon double bond is formed in the major product. In this vinylogous reaction, aromatic, α,β-unsaturated, and aliphatic aldehydes are competent substrates. Moreover, a variety of azaarenes, such as pyrimidine, pyridine, pyrazine, quinoline, quinoxaline, quinazoline, and benzo[d]imidazole are well-tolerated. At last, the chiral vinylogous product is demonstrated as a suitable Michael acceptor towards CuI-catalyzed nucleophilic addition with organomagnesium reagents.

Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Vinylogous Aldol‐Type Reaction of Allylazaarenes

AbstractA vinylogous aldol‐type reaction of allylazaarenes and aldehydes is disclosed that affords a series of chiral γ‐hydroxyl‐α,β‐unsaturated azaarenes in moderate to excellent yields with high to excellent regio‐ and enantioselectivities. With (R,RP)‐TANIAPHOS and (R,R)‐QUINOXP* as the ligand, the carbon‐carbon double bond in the products is generated in (E)‐form. With (R)‐DTBM‐SEGPHOS as the ligand, (Z)‐form carbon‐carbon double bond is formed in the major product. In this vinylogous reaction, aromatic, α,β‐unsaturated, and aliphatic aldehydes are competent substrates. Moreover, a variety of azaarenes, such as pyrimidine, pyridine, pyrazine, quinoline, quinoxaline, quinazoline, and benzo[d]imidazole are well‐tolerated. At last, the chiral vinylogous product is demonstrated as a suitable Michael acceptor towards CuI‐catalyzed nucleophilic addition with organomagnesium reagents.

Computational and Experimental Study of Turbo-Organomagnesium Amide Reagents: Cubane Aggregates as Reactive Intermediates in Pummerer Coupling.

The dynamic equilibria of organomagnesium reagents are known to be very complex, and the relative reactivity of their components is poorly understood. Herein, a combination of DFT calculations and kinetic experiments is employed to investigate the detailed reaction mechanism of the Pummerer coupling between sulfoxides and turbo‐organomagnesium amides. Among the various aggregates studied, unprecedented heterometallic open cubane structures are demonstrated to yield favorable barriers through a concerted anion‐anion coupling/ S−O cleavage step. Beyond a structural curiosity, these results introduce open cubane organometallics as key reactive intermediates in turbo‐organomagnesium amide mixtures.