Reductive Homocoupling Research Articles

C(sp3)\u2212C(sp3) bond formation via nickel-catalyzed deoxygenative homo-coupling of aldehydes/ketones mediated by hydrazine

Aldehydes and ketones are widely found in biomass resources and play important roles in organic synthesis. However, the direct deoxygenative coupling of aldehydes or ketones to construct C(sp3)−C(sp3) bond remains a scientific challenge. Here we report a nickel−catalyzed reductive homo-coupling of moisture- and air-stable hydrazones generated in-situ from naturally abundant aldehydes and ketones to construct challenging C(sp3)−C(sp3) bond. This transformation has great functional group compatibility and can suit a broad substrate scope with innocuous H2O, N2 and H2 as the by-products. Furthermore, the application in several biological molecules and the transformation of PEEK model demonstrate the generality, practicability, and applicability of this novel methodology.

Nickel-Catalyzed Homocoupling of Aryl Ethers with Magnesium Anthracene Reductant

AbstractNickel-catalyzed reductive homocoupling of aryl ethers has been achieved with Mg(anthracene)(thf)3 as a readily available low-cost reductant. DFT calculations provided a rationale for the specific efficiency of the diorganomagnesium-type two-electron reducing agent. The calculations show that the dianionic anthracene-9,10-diyl ligand reduces the two aryl ether substrates, resulting in the homocoupling reaction through supply of electrons to the Ni-Mg bimetallic system to form organomagnesium nickel(0)-ate complexes, which cause two sequential C–O bond cleavage reactions. The calculations also showed cooperative actions of Lewis acidic magnesium atoms and electron-rich nickel atoms in the C–O cleavage reactions.

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5‐Bromofuran‐2‐carboxylates were conducted in a palladium‐catalyzed reductive homocoupling reactions in the presence of alcohols as the reductant to afford [2,2’]bifuran‐5,5’‐dicarboxylic acid esters, which are essential monomers of poly(ethylene bifuranoate), serving as an green and versatile alternative polymer for traditional poly(ethylene terephthalate). More details are discussed in the article by Yin and Jiang et al. on page 62—68.image

Synthesis of [2,2’]Bifuranyl‐5,5’‐dicarboxylic Acid Esters via Reductive Homocoupling of 5‐Bromofuran‐2‐carboxylates Using Alcohols as Reductants†

Herein, we describe an environmentally benign and cost‐effective protocol for the synthesis of valuable bifuranyl dicarboxylates, starting with α‐bromination of readily accessible furan‐2‐carboxylates by LiBr and K2S2O8. Furthermore, the bromination intermediate product 5‐bromofuran‐2‐carboxylates were then conducted in a palladium‐catalyzed reductive homocoupling reactions in the presence of alcohols to afford bifuranyl dicarboxylates. One of the final products in this protocol, [2,2’]bifuran‐5,5’‐dicarboxylic acid esters, are essential monomers of poly(ethylene bifuranoate), which can be served as an green and versatile alternative polymer for traditional poly(ethylene terephthalate) that is currently common in technical plastics.

Synthesis of Dimeric Molecules via Ag-Catalyzed Electrochemical Homocoupling of Organic Bromides Paired with Electrooxidation of Urea

We present a sacrificial anode-free approach to reductive homocoupling of organohalides that does not require a co-catalyst. In this approach, a divided electrochemical cell with aprotic and aqueous compartments separated by an anion exchange membrane enables coupling of the cathodic homocoupling reaction with anodic oxidation of urea. We show that, in contrast with traditional one-compartment cells relying on sacrificial anodes, the proposed cell configuration maintains stable cell voltage in the course of galvanostatic electrolysis. A synthetic potential of this method was assessed using a series of 13 organic bromides that demonstrated a strong dependence of the reaction outcome on the structure of the organic substrate, more specifically, the dissociation energy of the C–Br bond and the redox properties of formed radicals, which are discussed in detail. While not being suitable for the synthesis of byarylstructures, this method is excellent for C(sp3)-C(sp3) coupling to corresponding dimeric products with up to quantitative yields. Simultaneous electrochemical treatment of nitrogenous waste in the adjacent half-cell provides an additional incentive for wide adaptation of this sustainable synthetic approach.

Synthesis of Double-Bridged Cofacial Nickel Porphyrin Dimers with 2,2'-Bipyridyl Pillars and Their Restricted Coordination Space.

Double-bridged cofacial Ni porphyrin dimers 2 with 2,2'-bipyridyl pillars were effectively prepared by a one-step reductive homocoupling reaction of bis(chloropyridyl)-substituted Ni porphyrin derivatives followed by a specific separation of a cyanopropyl-modified silica gel column using pyridine eluent systems. The structural analyses of 2 and its Pd complex were carried out in their solid and solution states by means of X-ray single crystal analysis and NMR, respectively. The complexation of η3-allylpalladium chloride (Pd) with 2 on the spatially restricted 2,2-bipyridine moieties on 2 gave a 2:1 (Pd:2) complex, in which the 2,2'-bipyridine ligands only provided one of the N atoms on a 2,2'-bipyridine ligand to a Pd. Therefore, the 2,2-bipyridine moieties acted as a monodentate ligand.

Enantioselective Ni-Catalyzed Electrochemical Synthesis of Biaryl Atropisomers.

A scalable enantioselective nickel-catalyzed electrochemical reductive homocoupling of aryl bromides has been developed, affording enantioenriched axially chiral biaryls in good yield under mild conditions using electricity as a reductant in an undivided cell. Common metal reductants such as Mn or Zn powder resulted in significantly lower yields in the absence of electric current under otherwise identical conditions, underscoring the enhanced reactivity provided by the combination of transition metal catalysis and electrochemistry.

Silicon‐Mediated Coupling of Carbon Monoxide, Ammonia, and Primary Amines to Form Acetamides

AbstractFor the first time, a direct transformation of CO, NH3, and primary amines into acetamides, mediated by a main‐group element (silicon), is reported. Starting point is the selective deoxygenative reductive homocoupling of two CO molecules by the Fc‐bis(silylene) 1 a (Fc=ferrocendiyl) as a reducing agent, which forms the ferrocendiyl‐bridged disila(μ‐O)(μ‐CCO)ketene intermediate 2 a. Exposing 2 a to NH3 (1 bar, 298 K) and benzylamine yields the Fc‐disiloxanediamines [Fc(RHNSi‐O‐SiNHR)] 5 a (R=H) and 5 b (R=benzyl) under release of the respective acetamides H3CC(O)NHR, as confirmed by 13C‐isotope‐labelling experiments. IR and NMR studies of the reaction reveal a four‐step mechanism involving an N‐silylated carboxamide that can be isolated and fully characterized. The striking reaction mechanism for this unprecedented transformation involves a facile Si−C bond cleavage and ammonolysis of a Si−O bond, and has been demonstrated experimentally and by quantum‐chemical calculations.

Silicon-Mediated Coupling of Carbon Monoxide, Ammonia, and Primary Amines to Form Acetamides.

For the first time, a direct transformation of CO, NH3 , and primary amines into acetamides, mediated by a main-group element (silicon), is reported. Starting point is the selective deoxygenative reductive homocoupling of two CO molecules by the Fc-bis(silylene) 1 a (Fc=ferrocendiyl) as a reducing agent, which forms the ferrocendiyl-bridged disila(μ-O)(μ-CCO)ketene intermediate 2 a. Exposing 2 a to NH3 (1 bar, 298 K) and benzylamine yields the Fc-disiloxanediamines [Fc(RHNSi-O-SiNHR)] 5 a (R=H) and 5 b (R=benzyl) under release of the respective acetamides H3 CC(O)NHR, as confirmed by 13 C-isotope-labelling experiments. IR and NMR studies of the reaction reveal a four-step mechanism involving an N-silylated carboxamide that can be isolated and fully characterized. The striking reaction mechanism for this unprecedented transformation involves a facile Si-C bond cleavage and ammonolysis of a Si-O bond, and has been demonstrated experimentally and by quantum-chemical calculations.

Ni/Co-Catalyzed Homo-Coupling of Alkyl Tosylates.

A direct reductive homo-coupling of alkyl tosylates has been developed by employing a combination of nickel and nucleophilic cobalt catalysts. A single-electron-transfer-type oxidative addition is a pivotal process in the well-established nickel-catalyzed coupling of alkyl halides. However, the method cannot be applied to the homo-coupling of ubiquitous alkyl tosylates due to the high-lying σ*(C–O) orbital of the tosylates. This paper describes a Ni/Co-catalyzed protocol for the activation of alkyl tosylates on the construction of alkyl dimers under mild conditions.

Piperazine as an Inexpensive and Efficient Ligand for Pd-Catalyzed Homocoupling Reactions to Synthesize Bipyridines and Their Analogues.

The synthesis of bipyridines, especially 2, 2'-bipyridines, remains challenging because the catalytic cycle can be inhibited due to coordination of bipyridine to transition metal. Thus, the development of efficient methods for the synthesis of bipyridines is highly desirable. In the present work, we presented a promising approach for preparation of bipyridines via a Pd-catalyzed reductive homocoupling reaction with simple piperazine as a ligand. Simple and inexpensive piperazine was used as a ligand for Pd-catalyzed homocoupling reaction. The combination of Pd(OAc)2 and piperazine in dimethylformamide (DMF) was observed to form an excellent catalyst and efficiently catalyzed the homocoupling of azaarenyl halides, in which DMF was used as the solvent without excess reductants although stoichiometric reductant was generally required to generate the low-oxidation-state active metal species in the catalytic cycles. In this case, good to excellent yields of bipyridines and their (hetero) aromatic analogues were obtained in the presence of 2.5 mol% of Pd(OAc)2 and 5 mol% of piperazine, using K3PO4 as a base in DMF at 140°C. According to the results, piperazine as an inexpensive and efficient ligand was used in the Pd(OAc)2-catalyzed homocoupling reaction of heteroaryl and aryl halides. The coupling reaction was operationally simple and displayed good substrate compatibility.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Diastereo‐ and Enantiopure Bioxahelicene 2,2′‐Bipyridines

A versatile asymmetric synthesis of five C2 symmetric enantio‐ and diastereopure bioxa[5]‐ and bioxa[6]helicene 2,2′‐bipyridines was developed. It relied either on a double intramolecular [2+2+2] cycloisomerization of dicyanotetrayne (forming simultaneously the 2,2′‐bipyridine unit and biazaoxahelicene backbone) or one‐pot/sequential intramolecular [2+2+2] cycloisomerization of triyne accompanied by an intermolecular haloazaoxahelicene reductive homocoupling. We reached an effective central‐to‐helical‐to‐axial chirality transfer that was controlled by the 1,3‐allylic‐type strain and sterically constricted atropoisomerization of the embedded 2,2′‐bipyridine unit. The chiroptical properties of the bioxahelicene 2,2′‐bipyridines were studied along with their fluorescence properties.

Synthesis of 1,4-Diketones via Titanium-Mediated Reductive Homocoupling of α-Haloketones

1,4-Diketones have been synthesized via a reductive homocoupling of α-haloketones. Addition of a Grignard reagent to titanium(IV) isopropoxide affords a low-valent titanium(III) intermediate that is believed to mediate a radical dimerization reaction. The reaction works well for a variety of aromatic α-haloketones including heteroaromatic compounds.

BABIPhos Family of Biaryl Dihydrobenzooxaphosphole Ligands for Asymmetric Hydrogenation.

Novel bidentate phosphine ligands BABIPhos featuring a biaryl bis-dihydrobenzooxaphosphole core are presented. Their synthesis was achieved via Pd-catalyzed reductive homocoupling of dihydrobenzooxaphosphole aryl triflates. An efficient route toward various analogues was also established, giving access to phosphines with different electronic and steric properties. The newly obtained ligands demonstrated high efficiency and selectivity in Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of di- and trisubstituted enamides. This new class of ligands is complementary to previously described bidentate benzooxaphosphole ligands BIBOP.

Palladium-mediated radical homocoupling reactions: a surface catalytic insight

In this work, we report a palladium nanoparticle-promoted reductive homocoupling of haloarenes, exhibiting a broad functional group tolerance. A mechanistic study was carried out, suggesting single-electron transfer processes on the metal surface.

Dehydrogenative coupling of 4-substituted pyridines mediated by a zirconium(ii) synthon: reaction pathways and dead ends.

The mechanism of the reductive homocoupling of pyridine derivatives mediated by the ZrII synthon [(PNP)Zr(η6-toluene)Cl] (1) has been investigated. Selective transformation into three different types of product complexes has been observed, depending on the N-heterocyclic substrate employed: the bipyridyl complexes 3-R (R = Me, Et, t Bu, Bn, Ph, CHCHPh), which are the homocoupling products, the η2-((4-dimethylamino)pyridyl) complex 4 as well as the bis(isoquinolinyl) complex 5. By deuterium labelling experiments the participation of the ligand backbone in the pyridine coupling reaction via potential cyclometallation steps was ruled out. Based on DFT modelling of the possible reaction sequences a reaction mechanism for the coupling sequence could be identified. The latter is initiated by a reductive syn C-C coupling rather than based on an initial C-H activation of the pyridine substrate.

Reductive Etherification via Anion-Binding Catalysis

Reductive condensations of alcohols with aldehydes/ketones to generate ethers are catalyzed by a readily accessible thiourea organocatalyst that operates in combination with HCl. 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane serves as a convenient reducing reagent. This strategy is applicable to challenging substrate combinations and exhibits functional group tolerance. Competing reductive homocoupling of the carbonyl component is suppressed.

Co-immobilization of Pd and Zn nanoparticles in chitosan/silica membranes for efficient, recyclable catalysts used in ullmann reaction

In this study, an efficient heterogeneous catalyst including palladium (Pd) and zinc (Zn) nanoparticles supported on chitosan/silica (CS/SiO2) composite membrane is synthesized using partially etching of SiO2 technique. N2 sorption isotherm results shows that the prepared Pd-Zn@CS/SiO2 (1/1) porous membrane had a BET surface area of 26.50m2/g. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), characterization of the catalyst shows that the Pd0 nanoparticles (below 5nm), and Zn0 aggregates (about 10–15nm) dispersed well in the CS/SiO2 matrix. Zinc crystal was also detected by X-ray diffraction study and HR-TEM observation. The prepared Pd-Zn@CS/SiO2 membrane catalyst is highly active for Ullmann reductive homocoupling reactions of aryl iodides and aryl bromides, and can be recycled 5 times without significant loss of activities. This work supplies a successful approach to realize Pd catalysts and Zn reducing reagent co-immobilized in the same carrier material with excellent catalytic performances.

Palladium‐catalyzed reductive homocoupling of aryl sulfonates via cleavage of C─O bond at room temperature

Palladium‐catalyzed reductive homocoupling of aryl sulfonates has been successfully achieved under mild conditions. This transformation is a new method for the homocoupling reaction of aryl sulfonates at room temperature via the cleavage of C─O bonds, thus providing an alternative synthesis of symmetric biaryls. The reported reductive homocoupling reaction is tolerant of many common functional groups regardless of electron‐donating or electron‐withdrawing nature, making this newly developed transformation important for complementing Ullmann coupling.Experimental Section.Typical procedure for the products.

ChemInform Abstract: Cobalt‐Catalyzed C(sp3)—C(sp3) Homocoupling.

AbstractA novel reductive homocoupling of unfunctionalized alkyl bromides and chlorides is described using manganese powder as reductant and CoBr2 as convenient catalyst.