Redox-active Ester Research Articles

Enantioselective Decarboxylative C(sp3)-C(sp3) Cross-Coupling of Aliphatic Redox-Active Esters with gem-Borazirconocene Alkanes.

Asymmetric decarboxylative cross-couplings of carboxylic acids are powerful methods for synthesizing chiral building blocks essential in medicinal chemistry and material science. Despite their potential, creating versatile chiral alkylboron derivatives through asymmetric decarboxylative C(sp3)-C(sp3) cross-coupling from readily available primary aliphatic acids and mild organometallic reagents remains challenging. In this study, we present a visible light-induced Ni-catalyzed enantioconvergent C(sp3)-C(sp3) cross-coupling of unactivated primary aliphatic acid NHPI esters with gem-borazirconocene alkanes, producing a diverse array of valuable chiral alkylboron building blocks. The method boasts a broad substrate scope, high functional group tolerance, and the ability for late-stage modification of complex drug molecules and natural products with high enantioselectivity, showcasing its synthetic potential. Mechanistic investigations suggest a nickel-catalyzed enantioconvergent radical cross-coupling pathway, wherein the primary radical from a redox-active ester is generated through single-electron reduction with ZrIII species. This represents an unprecedented example of enantioselective radical C(sp3)-C(sp3) cross-coupling in the absence of photocatalysts.

Nickel Catalyzed Carbonylative Cross Coupling for Direct Access to Isotopically Labeled Alkyl Aryl Ketones.

Here we present an effective nickel-catalyzed carbonylative cross-coupling for direct access to alkyl aryl ketones from readily accessible redox-activated tetrachlorophthalimide esters and aryl boronic acids. The methodology, which is run employing only 2.5 equivalents of CO and simple Ni(II) salts as the metal source, exhibits a broad substrate scope under mild conditions. Furthermore, this carbonylation chemistry provides an easy switch between isotopologues for stable (13CO) and radioactive (14CO) isotope labeling, allowing its adaptation to the late-stage isotope labeling of pharmaceutically relevant compounds. Based on DFT calculations as well as experimental evidence, a catalytic cycle is proposed involving a carbon-centered radical formed via nickel(I)-induced outer-sphere decarboxylative fragmentation of the redox-active ester.

N-Heterocyclic carbene catalytic 1,2-boron migrative acylation accelerated by photocatalysis.

The transformation of organoboron compounds plays an important role in synthetic chemistry, and recent advancements in boron-migration reactions have garnered considerable attention. Here, we report an unprecedented 1,2-boron migrative acylation upon photocatalysis-facilitated N-heterocyclic carbene catalysis. The design of a redox-active boronic ester substrate, serving as an excellent β-boron radical precursor, is the linchpin to the success of this chemistry. With the established protocol, a wide spectrum of β-boryl ketones has been rapidly synthesized, which could further undergo various C─B bond transformations to give multifunctionalized products. The robustness of this catalytic strategy is underscored by its successful application in late-stage modification of drug-derived molecules and natural products. Preliminary mechanistic investigations, including several control experiments, photochemistry measurements, and computational studies, shed light on the catalytic radical reaction mechanism.

Electrochemical Synthesis of a Sitagliptin Precursor.

A novel synthesis of sitagliptin based on a redox-active ester derived from the chiral pool is reported. The key step is an electrochemical nickel-catalyzed sp2-sp3 cross-coupling reaction using inexpensive nickel foam in an undivided cell. It was successfully applied to 21 examples in up to 88% yield. These sitagliptin-analogue precursors could potentially interact with the DPP4 enzyme. A full synthesis based on our new reaction pathway provided sitagliptin in an overall yield of 33%.

Mimicking Non‐Canonical Radical Cyclizations in the Synthesis of Dibenzocyclooctadiene Natural Products

AbstractUnique chemical structures that are often characteristic of biologically active natural products are often created by oxidative cyclizations. Many of these reactions are catalysed by ‘non‐canonical’ or ‘thwarted’ iron oxygenases that appear to involve long‐lived radicals. This perspective summarizes our group‘s efforts to mimic these biosynthetic transformations for the synthesis of highly oxidized dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan natural products using redox neutral photocatalysis. We describe the evolution of this research program, which hinges on the use of Okada's redox active ester, and show how multiple factors control the fate of the resulting radicals.

Catalyst-free decarboxylative cross-coupling of N-hydroxyphthalimide esters with tert-butyl 2-(trifluoromethyl)acrylate and its application.

Here, we demonstrate a practical method toward the facile synthesis of CF3-containing amino acids through visible light promoted decarboxylative cross-coupling of a redox-active ester with tert-butyl 2-(trifluoromethyl)acrylate. The reaction was driven by the photochemical activity of electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complexes that were formed by the non-covalent interaction between a Hantzsch ester and a redox-active ester. The advantages of this protocol are its synthetic simplicity, rich functional group tolerance, and a cost-effective reaction system.

Application of Redox-Active Ester Catalysis to the Synthesis of Pyranose Alkyl C-Glycosides.

The direct coupling of shelf-stable, tetrachloro-N-hydroxyphthalimide ester (TCNHPI) glycosyl donors with a variety of alkylzinc reagents under redox catalysis is described. Alkyl C-glycosides are formed directly by a decarboxylative, Negishi-type process in 31-73% yields without the need for photocatalytic activation or additional reductants. Extension of this approach to the coupling of TCNHPI donors with stereodefined α-alkoxy furan-containing alkylzinc halides enabled de novo synthesis of methylene-linked exo-C-disaccharides via an Achmatowicz rearrangement.

Construction of 3-Oxazolin-5-one via Visible Light-Induced Nondecarboxylative Coupling and Sequential Reactions

3-Oxazolin-5-ones are precursors of nitrile ylides and represent valuable 1,3-dipoles for constructing cyclic imines or pyrrole compounds. Harnessing the power of photocatalysis, we accomplished a straightforward synthesis of 3-oxazolin-5-ones from redox-active esters and secondary nitro compounds. Visible light-induced nondecarboxylative coupling of a redox-active ester, nitro aldol condensation, and subsequent visible light-induced N-oxide deoxygenation were accomplished within 2 h. The reaction mechanism was supported by experimental data and DFT calculations.

Redox Inversion: A Radical Analogue of Umpolung Reactivity for Base- and Metal-Free Catalytic C(sp3)-C(sp3) Coupling.

The construction of alkyl-alkyl bonds is a powerful tool in organic synthesis. Redox inversion, defined as switching the donor/acceptor profile of a functional group to its acceptor/donor profile, is used for C(sp3)-C(sp3) coupling. We report a photocatalytic coupling of carboxylic acids to form bibenzyls through a radical-radical coupling. Mechanistic insight is gained through control reactions. This unexplored redox-opposite relationship between a carboxylic acid and its redox-active ester is implemented in catalysis.

Synthesis of Sulfur-Containing Oxindoles by Photoinduced Alkene Difunctionalization via Sulfur 1,2-Relocation.

Organosulfur compounds are prevalent in various natural products, which have been widely applied in agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. Herein, a new approach for the efficient construction of sulfur-containing oxindoles by photoinduced alkene difunctionalization via sulfur 1,2-relocation is developed. The method exhibited a high functional group tolerance and broad substrate compatibility. A library of sulfur-containing oxindole derivatives were synthesized under mild conditions (metal-, photocatalyst-, and additive-free). Mechanistic investigations revealed this photochemical process was triggered by the formation of an EDA complex of oxindole enolates with a redox-active ester, and the in situ generation of alkenes from the C-S bond cleavage of β-sulfanyl radicals was a key step in this transformation.

Nickel‐Catalyzed Cascade Cyclization‐Negishi Coupling of Redox Active Esters for the Synthesis of Pyrrolidines

AbstractWe have developed a Ni‐catalyzed cascade cyclization/Negishi‐coupling reaction for the formation of pyrrolidines and pyrrolidinones starting from N‐protected allylamines and acrylamides which contain a redox active ester group. The reaction provides two C−C bonds in a single operation and takes place with both alkylzinc and arylzinc bromides as nucleophiles. Activation of RAE by low valent Ni complexes involving a radical pathway followed by a fast cyclization of intermediate carbon radicals is proposed.

Photocatalytic direct borylation of carboxylic acids

The preparation of high value-added boronic acids from cheap and plentiful carboxylic acids is desirable. To date, the decarboxylative borylation of carboxylic acids is generally realized through the extra step synthesized redox-active ester intermediate or in situ generated carboxylic acid covalent derivatives above 150 °C reaction temperature. Here, we report a direct decarboxylative borylation method of carboxylic acids enabled by visible-light catalysis and that does not require any extra stoichiometric additives or synthesis steps. This operationally simple process produces CO2 and proceeds under mild reaction conditions, in terms of high step economy and good functional group compatibility. A guanidine-based biomimetic active decarboxylative mechanism is proposed and rationalized by mechanistic studies. The methodology reported herein should see broad application extending beyond borylation.

Light-driven radical-polar crossover catalysis for cross-coupling with organosilanes

In this communication, we report a visible light-mediated organophotoredox catalysis enabling the cross-coupling between aliphatic carboxylic acid-derived redox active esters and organosilanes. In this protocol, a carbocation equivalent generated from the redox active ester by radical-polar crossover process could react with an organosilane reagent. This protocol allows to forge C(sp3)–C(sp3), C(sp3)–C(sp2) and C(sp3)–C(sp) bonds under transition-metal free and mild reaction conditions. The privileged feature of radical-mediated process was demonstrated as radical-relay type dicarbofunctionalization of styrene derivatives using organosilanes and aliphatic redox active esters.

(Invited, Digital Presentation) Carbocation Generation By Organophotoredox Catalyzed Radical-Polar Crossover

Carbocation is one of the most common and reactive chemical species in organic chemistry, which has been broadly utilized for alkylation of various nucleophiles and rearrangement reaction. Conventionally, carbocation is generated from alkyl electrophiles or alkenes in the presence of strong Lewis acids and Brønsted acids, which narrows usable nucleophiles and coexistable functional groups. The requirement of strong acidic conditions would originate from the difficulty of two electron abstraction from carbocation precursors at once. Recently, to solve this problem, activation of substrates via single electron transfer was presented. Knowles and co-workers reported the carbocation generation from the mesolytic cleavage of alkoxyamine-derived radical cation, that is generated by a visible-light mediated photoredox catalysis. Although this protocol does not require the strong acids, the low accessibility of alkoxyamine substrates restricted the introducible alkyl groups. In this presentation, a new approach to catalytic generation of carbocation by a visible light-mediated organophotoredox catalysis is provided. We were interested in an organocatalysis merging with the radical-polar crossover (RPC) mechanism as an approach to non-acidic and catalytic generation of carbocations. Details of our scenario for the RPC are described in Figure. We selected N-Ph-benzo[b]phenothiazine (PTH) as a suitable organophotoredox RPC catalyst due to three features: excitation in the UV-visible area, high reduction potential and potential persistent properties of the corresponding radical cation. Aliphatic carboxylic acid-derived redox active esters were chosen as carbocation precursors due to the availability and the well-studied reactivity. The catalytic system is initiated by single electron transfer from a phenothiazine catalyst to a redox active ester under irradiation of a blue light-emitting diode (LED) to generate the radical cation form of the catalyst (A) and an alkyl radical (B). Then, recombination process between A and B affords an alkylsulfonium intermediate C, which acts as a carbocation equivalent. The carbocation equivalent was applied to alkylation of various nucleophiles and the semipinacol rearrangement reactions. First, the catalytic system was exploited to alkylation of various nucleophiles. After screening of reaction conditions, the combination of N-phenyl benzo[b]phenothiazine and lithium tetrafluoroborate was found to be effective in this alkylation protocol. Aliphatic alcohol, water, amide, thiol, fluoride anion and allylsilane could participate in this organophotoredox catalysis as nucleophiles. This protocol allowed to use secondary or tertiary aliphatic carboxylic acid-derived redox active esters as alkylating reagents, providing sterically hindered molecules with functional group compatibility.Subsequently, we applied the photochemically-generated carbocation equivalent to the semipinacol rearrangement reaction. Although the semipinacol rearrangement reaction has been utilized in key steps for construction of complex carbon frameworks in total synthesis of natural products, the conventional methods require specific design of the substrates and harsh reaction conditions to control the reactivity and regioselectivity. Since our method has the advantage of using carboxylic acids as the carbocation precursors, the substrates are easily synthesized from the corresponding enolate species derived from aliphatic carboxylic acids and carbonyl compounds. Then, we found the b-hydroxy redox active ester derivatives underwent the decarboxylative semipinacol rearrangement reaction, affording the complex carbonyl compounds. For example, the reaction with substrate prepared from aromatic aldehyde and secondary aliphatic carboxylic acid proceeded to give the aldehyde bearing an a-quaternary carbon center through migration of the aromatic ring. The reactions with cyclic ketone-derived substrates also occurred to furnish the ring expansion products. Figure 1

Accessing Illusive E Isomers of α-Ester Hydrazones via Visible-Light-Induced Pd-Catalyzed Heck-Type Alkylation.

A visible-light-induced Pd-catalyzed stereoselective synthesis of alkylated ester hydrazones has been developed. This method operates via generation of a nucleophilic carbon-centered radical from alkyl bromide, iodide, or redox-active ester, followed by its addition to hydrazone, and a subsequent desaturation by palladium. The majority of products have E configuration, which are inaccessible by conventional condensation methods. In addition, a sequential C,N-alkylation protocol has been developed: a reaction between 1,3-dihalides and glyoxylate-derived hydrazone, delivering tetrahydropyridazines.

Minisci‐Type Alkylation of N‐Heteroarenes by N‐(Acyloxy)phthalimide Esters Mediated by a Hantzsch Ester And Blue LED Light

AbstractA synthetic method that enables the Hantzsch ester‐mediated Minisci‐type C2‐alkylation of quinolines, isoquinolines and pyridines by N‐(acyloxy)phthalimide esters (NHPI) under blue LED (light emitting diode) light (456 nm) is described. Achieved under mild reaction conditions at room temperature, the metal‐free synthetic protocol was shown to be applicable to primary, secondary and tertiary NHPIs to give the alkylated N‐heterocyclic products in yields of 21–99%. On introducing a chiral phosphoric acid, an asymmetric version of the reaction was also realised and provided product enantiomeric excess (ee) values of 53–99%. The reaction mechanism was delineated to involve excitation of an electron‐donor acceptor (EDA) complex, formed from weak electrostatic interactions between the Hantzsch ester and NHPI, which generates the posited radical species of the redox active ester that undergoes addition to the N‐heterocycle.magnified image

α-Branched amines through radical coupling with 2-azaallyl anions, redox active esters and alkenes.

α-Branched amines are fundamental building blocks in a variety of natural products and pharmaceuticals. Herein is reported a unique cascade reaction that enables the preparation of α-branched amines bearing aryl or alkyl groups at the β- or γ-positions. The cascade is initiated by reduction of redox active esters to alkyl radicals. The resulting alkyl radicals are trapped by styrene derivatives, leading to benzylic radicals. The persistent 2-azaallyl radicals and benzylic radicals are proposed to undergo a radical–radical coupling leading to functionalized amine products. Evidence is provided that the role of the nickel catalyst is to promote formation of the alkyl radical from the redox active ester and not promote the C–C bond formation. The synthetic method introduced herein tolerates a variety of imines and redox active esters, allowing for efficient construction of amine building blocks.

Total synthesis of proposed elgonene C and its (4R,5R)-diastereomer.

The total synthesis of the proposed elgonene C (1) and its (4R,5R)-diastereomer (1a) has been achieved using a second-generation oxazaborolidinium ion-catalysed Diels-Alder reaction, Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, and a Ni-catalysed cross-carboxyl coupling reaction via redox-active ester (RAE) formation as key reactions. The spectral and analytical data for our synthetic compounds 1 and 1a do not match the isolation data provided by Stadler et al. which indicates that structural revision is required for the proposed elgonene C.

Photoinduced copper-catalyzed dual decarboxylative coupling of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids with redox-active esters

The first photoinduced copper-catalyzed dual decarboxylative cross-coupling of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids and redox-active esters has been developed. This reaction enabled C(sp2)–C(sp3) bond formation, which afforded a variety of synthetically valuable alkene derivatives. Many α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids and redox-active ester derivatives were tolerant to this reaction. The reaction also tolerated many common functional groups.

Nickel-catalyzed site- and stereoselective reductive alkylalkynylation of alkynes

Nickel-catalyzed site- and stereoselective reductive alkylalkynylation of alkynes