Secondary Alkyl Chlorides Research Articles

Photoinduced Radical Borylation of Alkyl Chlorides

AbstractThe traditional method for the preparation of alkylboronic esters involves transition metal catalysis or transition metal‐free methods relying on single electron transfer. Each method relies on the suitable choice of catalyst or electron transfer mediator. In this study, we have developed a new method for the synthesis of alkylboronic esters from alkyl chlorides and diboron(4) compounds, without the need for additional metal or non‐metal catalysts. We discovered that under 400 nm visible light irradiation, alkyl chlorides can be activated in the presence of bis(neopentyl glycolato)diboron and an alkoxide base to form alkyl radical intermediates, which then react with diboron(4) compounds, resulting in high yields of alkylboronic esters. The reaction is applicable to both primary and secondary alkyl chlorides. The simplicity of operation and the broad substrate scope of this method make it practical for the synthesis of valuable alkylboronic ester intermediates.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Electroreductive Alkylation of Unactivated Alkyl Chlorides with Conjugated Olefins.

Reactions of unactivated alkyl chlorides under mild and sustainable conditions are rare compared to those of alkyl bromides or iodides. As a result, synthetic methods capable of modifying the vast chemical space of chloroalkane reagents, wastes, and materials are limited. We report the cobalt-catalyzed reductive addition of unactivated alkyl chlorides to conjugated alkenes. Co-catalyzed activation of alkyl chlorides is performed under electroreductive conditions, and the resulting reactions constitute formal alkyl-alkyl bond formation. In addition to developing an operationally simple methodology, detailed mechanistic studies provide insights into the elementary steps of a proposed catalytic cycle. In particular, we propose a switch in the mechanism of C-Cl bond activation from nucleophilic substitution to halogen atom abstraction, which is critical for efficiently generating alkyl radicals. These mechanistic insights were leveraged in designing ligands that enable couplings of primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl chlorides.

Cobalt‐Catalyzed Electroreductive Alkylation of Unactivated Alkyl Chlorides with Conjugated Olefins

AbstractReactions of unactivated alkyl chlorides under mild and sustainable conditions are rare compared to those of alkyl bromides or iodides. As a result, synthetic methods capable of modifying the vast chemical space of chloroalkane reagents, wastes, and materials are limited. We report the cobalt‐catalyzed reductive addition of unactivated alkyl chlorides to conjugated alkenes. Co‐catalyzed activation of alkyl chlorides is performed under electroreductive conditions, and the resulting reactions constitute formal alkyl‐alkyl bond formation. In addition to developing an operationally simple methodology, detailed mechanistic studies provide insights into the elementary steps of a proposed catalytic cycle. In particular, we propose a switch in the mechanism of C−Cl bond activation from nucleophilic substitution to halogen atom abstraction, which is critical for efficiently generating alkyl radicals. These mechanistic insights were leveraged in designing ligands that enable couplings of primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl chlorides.

A Solid‐Phase Assisted Flow Approach to In Situ Wittig‐Type Olefination Coupling

AbstractDescribed herein is the development of a continuous flow, solid‐phase triphenylphosphine (PS‐PPh3) assisted protocol to facilitate the in situ coupling of reciprocal pairs of halogen and carbonyl functionalised molecular pairs by a Wittig olefination within 15 mins. The protocol entails injecting a single solution (1 : 1 CHCl3 : EtOH) containing the halogenated and carbonyl‐based substrates into a continuously flowing stream of CHCl3 : EtOH (1 : 1), passed through a fixed bed of K2CO3 and PS‐PPh3. With advancement to the previous PS‐PPh3 coupling procedures, the method employs a traditional polystyrene‐based immobilisation matrix, the substrate scope of the protocol extended to substituted ketones, secondary alkyl chlorides, and an unprotected maleimide scaffold.

Iron-Catalyzed Borylation and Silylation of Unactivated Tertiary, Secondary, and Primary Alkyl Chlorides

Herein, we describe an iron-catalyzed borylation and silylation of unactivated alkyl chlorides, delivering the tertiary, secondary, and primary alkylboronic esters, and secondary, primary alkylsila...

Synthesis of Alkyl Silanes via Reaction of Unactivated Alkyl Chlorides and Triflates with Silyl Lithium Reagents.

The reaction of unactivated secondary and primary alkyl chlorides as well as primary alkyl triflates with silyl lithium reagents to access tetraorganosilanes is reported. These nucleophilic substitutions proceed in the absence of any transition metal catalyst under mild conditions in moderate to very good yields. The silyl lithium reagents are readily generated from the corresponding commercially available chlorosilanes. Enantioenriched secondary alkyl chlorides react with high stereospecificity under inversion of configuration.

Iron-Catalyzed C(sp2)–H Alkylation of Indolines and Benzo[h]quinoline with Unactivated Alkyl Chlorides through Chelation Assistance

Regioselective C–H bond alkylation of indolines and benzo[h]quinoline with a wide range of unactivated and highly demanded primary and secondary alkyl chlorides is accomplished using a low-cost iron catalyst. This reaction tolerates diverse functionalities, such as C(sp2)–Cl, fluoro, alkenyl, silyl, ether, thioether, pyrrolyl, and carbazolyl groups including cyclic and acyclic alkyls as well as alkyl-bearing fatty-alcohol and polycyclic-steroid moieties. The demonstrated iron-catalyzed protocol proceeded via either a five-membered or a six-membered metallacycle. Intriguingly, the C-7-alkylated indolines can be readily functionalized into free-NH indolines/indoles and tryptamine derivatives. A detailed mechanistic investigation highlights the participation of an active Fe(I) catalyst and the involvement of a halogen-atom transfer process via a single-electron-based mechanism. Deuterium labeling and kinetics analysis indicate that the C–H metalation of indoline is the probable turnover-limiting step. Overall, the experimental and theoretical studies supported an Fe(I)/Fe(III) pathway for the alkylation reaction comprising the two-step, one-electron oxidative addition of alkyl chloride.

Organocatalytic Chlorination of Alcohols by P(III)/P(V) Redox Cycling.

A catalytic system for the chlorination of alcohols under Appel conditions was developed. Benzotrichloride is used as a cheap and readily available chlorinating agent in combination with trioctylphosphane as the catalyst and phenylsilane as the terminal reductant. The reaction has several advantages over other variants of the Appel reaction, e.g., no additional solvent is required and the phosphane reagent is used only in catalytic amounts. In total, 27 different primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl chlorides were synthesized in yields up to 95%. Under optimized conditions, it was also possible to convert epoxides and an oxetane to the dichlorinated products.

Nickel-catalyzed, ring-forming aromatic C–H alkylations with unactivated alkyl halides

The development of a nickel-catalyzed C–H alkylation of aromatic substrates with unactivated alkyl halides is described. This carbocyclization facilitates the synthesis of diverse fused ring systems from simple aromatic substrates and is an attractive alternative to traditional polar or radical-mediated ring formations. The present system uses unactivated primary and secondary alkyl bromides and chlorides, while avoiding the use of precious palladium catalysts and more reactive alkyl halides commonly used in related C–H alkylations.

Nickel-Catalyzed Cyanation of Unactivated Alkyl Chlorides or Bromides with Zn(CN)2.

A nickel-catalyzed cyanation of unactivated secondary alkyl chlorides or bromides using less toxic Zn(CN)2 as the cyanide source has been developed. The reaction features the use of air-stable and inexpensive NiCl2·6H2O or Ni(acac)2 as the precatalysts and offers an efficient synthesis of a broad range of alkyl nitriles. Cyanation of primary alkyl chlorides or bromides was also achieved by reaction with Zn(CN)2 in the presence of n-Bu4NCl without the need of nickel catalyst.

Ti-Catalyzed Radical Alkylation of Secondary and Tertiary Alkyl Chlorides Using Michael Acceptors.

Alkyl chlorides are common functional groups in synthetic organic chemistry. However, the engagement of unactivated alkyl chlorides, especially tertiary alkyl chlorides, in transition-metal-catalyzed C-C bond formation remains challenging. Herein, we describe the development of a TiIII-catalyzed radical addition of 2° and 3° alkyl chlorides to electron-deficient alkenes. Mechanistic data are consistent with inner-sphere activation of the C-Cl bond featuring TiIII-mediated Cl atom abstraction. Evidence suggests that the active TiIII catalyst is generated from the TiIV precursor in a Lewis-acid-assisted electron transfer process.

Radical Deoxychlorination of Cesium Oxalates for the Synthesis of Alkyl Chlorides.

A radical deoxychlorination of cesium oxalates has been developed for the preparation of hindered secondary and tertiary alkyl chlorides. The reaction tolerates a number of functional groups, including ketones, alcohols, and amides, and provides complementary reactivity to standard deoxychlorination reactions proceeding by heterolytic mechanisms. Preliminary studies demonstrate that the developed conditions can also be applied to deoxybromination and deoxyfluorination reactions.

Copper-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of non-activated primary, secondary or tertiary alkyl chlorides with phenylmagnesium bromide

Efficient copper-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of non-activated alkyl chlorides, including primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl chlorides, with phenyl Grignard reagents were achieved. Preparation of phenylmagnesium bromide in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran is critical for the success of the reaction. This protocol expands the synthetic toolbox for the construction of CC bonds of non-activated primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl chlorides via copper-catalyzed cross-coupling.

Cobalt‐Catalyzed C−H Functionalizations by Imidate Assistance with Aryl and Alkyl Chlorides

AbstractA catalytic system comprising the inexpensive cobalt(II) acetylacetonate [Co(acac)2] and an N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand enabled versatile C−H arylations by oxazoline assistance. The broadly applicable, low‐valent cobalt catalyst displayed a wide substrate scope, and even proved applicable to challenging C−H alkylations with β‐hydrogen‐containing primary and secondary alkyl chlorides. The power of the cobalt‐catalyzed C−H arylation protocol was among others reflected by facile C−H activation at a room temperature of 23 °C, and efficient late‐stage diversification, providing access to bioactive biaryls.magnified image

ChemInform Abstract: Iron‐Mediated Inter‐ and Intramolecular Reductive Cross‐Coupling of Unactivated Alkyl Chlorides with Aryl Bromides.

An efficient one-pot intermolecular reductive cross-coupling of unactivated primary and secondary alkyl chlorides bearing β-hydrogens with aryl bromides is described. A combination of magnesium turnings and a catalytic amount of the commercially available iron(III) complex Fe(PPh3)2Cl3 was used, and the conditions were also successfully extended to an intramolecular reaction for the first time. Both types of cross-coupling reactions proceed under mild conditions, involving the in situ generation of aryl Grignard reagents, and show good applicability to a variety of readily available unactivated alkyl chlorides, which have previously been challenging substrates in iron-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling reactions.

Ni-Catalyzed Carboxylation of Unactivated Alkyl Chlorides with CO2.

A catalytic carboxylation of unactivated primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl chlorides with CO2 at atmospheric pressure is described. This protocol represents the first intermolecular cross-electrophile coupling of unactivated alkyl chlorides, thus leading to new knowledge in the cross-coupling arena.

ChemInform Abstract: Photoinduced, Copper‐Catalyzed Carbon—Carbon Bond Formation with Alkyl Electrophiles: Cyanation of Unactivated Secondary Alkyl Chlorides at Room Temperature.

We have recently reported that, in the presence of light and a copper catalyst, nitrogen nucleophiles such as carbazoles and primary amides undergo C–N coupling with alkyl halides under mild conditions. In the present study, we establish that photoinduced, copper-catalyzed alkylation can also be applied to C–C bond formation, specifically, that the cyanation of unactivated secondary alkyl chlorides can be achieved at room temperature to afford nitriles, an important class of target molecules. Thus, in the presence of an inexpensive copper catalyst (CuI; no ligand coadditive) and a readily available light source (UVC compact fluorescent light bulb), a wide array of alkyl halides undergo cyanation in good yield. Our initial mechanistic studies are consistent with the hypothesis that an excited state of [Cu(CN)2]− may play a role, via single electron transfer, in this process. This investigation provides a rare example of a transition metal-catalyzed cyanation of an alkyl halide, as well as the first illustr...

Iron-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Secondary Alkyl Chloride and the Alkynes Grignard Reagent

A green, practical and efficient iron-catalyzed, base free cross-coupling reaction of non-activated secondary alkyl halides with the alkynes Grignard reagent has been developed to afford a variety of alkyl alkynes in high yields, using iron(III) chlorides as catalyst. This approach is quick and easy to operate. It exhibits promising in industry since utilizing the low-cost iron as a catalyst instead of expensive palladium or nickel.

Photoinduced, Copper-Catalyzed Carbon-Carbon Bond Formation with Alkyl Electrophiles: Cyanation of Unactivated Secondary Alkyl Chlorides at Room Temperature.

We have recently reported that, in the presence of light and a copper catalyst, nitrogen nucleophiles such as carbazoles and primary amides undergo C-N coupling with alkyl halides under mild conditions. In the present study, we establish that photoinduced, copper-catalyzed alkylation can also be applied to C-C bond formation, specifically, that the cyanation of unactivated secondary alkyl chlorides can be achieved at room temperature to afford nitriles, an important class of target molecules. Thus, in the presence of an inexpensive copper catalyst (CuI; no ligand coadditive) and a readily available light source (UVC compact fluorescent light bulb), a wide array of alkyl halides undergo cyanation in good yield. Our initial mechanistic studies are consistent with the hypothesis that an excited state of [Cu(CN)2](-) may play a role, via single electron transfer, in this process. This investigation provides a rare example of a transition metal-catalyzed cyanation of an alkyl halide, as well as the first illustrations of photoinduced, copper-catalyzed alkylation with either a carbon nucleophile or a secondary alkyl chloride.

ChemInform Abstract: Cobalt‐Catalyzed Directed Alkylation of Olefinic C—H Bond with Primary and Secondary Alkyl Chlorides.

AbstractThe reaction succeeds using a 2‐pyridyl group as the directing group, but is delivered with low or no yield when switching to a pyrazole or imine group.