Ylide Intermediates Research Articles

Porous covalent cages for visualizing the adsorbed iodine and stabilizing ylide intermediates

Porous covalent cages for visualizing the adsorbed iodine and stabilizing ylide intermediates

Lewis Acid-Initiated Ring-Opening Reactions of Five- and Six-Membered Cyclic Ethers Based on the Oxonium Ylide Intermediates

Lewis Acid-Initiated Ring-Opening Reactions of Five- and Six-Membered Cyclic Ethers Based on the Oxonium Ylide Intermediates

Uncatalyzed Diboron Activation by a Strained Hydrocarbon: Experimental and Theoretical Study of [1.1.1]Propellane Diborylation.

The synthesis of strained carbocyclic building blocks is relevant for Medicinal Chemistry, and methylenecyclobutanes are particularly challenging with current synthetic technology. Careful inspection of the reactivity of [1.1.1]propellane and diboron reagents has revealed that bis(catecholato)diboron (B2cat2) can produce a bis(borylated) methylenecyclobutane in a few minutes at room temperature. This reaction constitutes the first example of B-B bond activation by a special apolar hydrocarbon and also the first time that propellane is electrophilically activated by boron. Mechanistic studies including in situ NMR kinetics and DFT calculations demonstrate that the diboron moiety can be directly activated through coordination with the inverted sigma bond of propellane, and reveal that DMF is involved in the stabilization of diboronate ylide intermediates rather than the activation of the B-B bond. These results enable new possibilities for both diboron and propellane chemistry, and for further developments in the synthesis of methylenecyclobutanes based on propellane strain release.

Photoswitched Stereodivergent Synthesis of Allylic Sulfones.

The present Letter demonstrates a photoswitched stereodivergent synthesis of allylic sulfones from sodium sulfinates, triphenylvinylphosphonium chloride, and (hetero)aromatic aldehydes in a single step. Mechanistically, cis-allylic sulfones, generated from the unstabilized ylide intermediates and aldehydes in situ, could be finally converted to trans-allylic sulfones via photochemical isomerization in the presence of a catalytic amount of bis(2-thienyl) ketone.

Synthesis of Secondary Amines via Self-Limiting Alkylation.

N-centered nucleophilicity increases upon alkylation, and thus selective partial alkylation of ammonia and primary amines can be challenging: Poor selectivity and overalkylation are often observed. Here we introduce N-aminopyridinium salts as ammonia surrogates for the synthesis of secondary amines via self-limiting alkylation chemistry. Readily available N-aryl-N-aminopyridinium salts engage in N-alkylation and in situ depyridylation to afford secondary aryl-alkyl amines without any overalkylation products. The method overcomes classical challenges in selective amine alkylation by accomplishing alkylation via transient, highly nucleophilic pyridinium ylide intermediates and can be applied in the context of complex molecular scaffolds. These findings establish N-aminopyridinium salts as ammonia synthons in synthetic chemistry and a strategy to control the extent of amine alkylation.

Green Light Promoted Iridium(III)/Copper(I)-Catalyzed Addition of Alkynes to Aziridinoquinoxalines Through the Intermediacy of Azomethine Ylides.

This manuscript describes the development of alkyne addition to the aziridine moiety of aziridinoquinoxalines using dual Ir(III)/Cu(I) catalytic system under green light-emitting diode (LED) photolysis (λmax =525 nm). This mild method features high levels of chemo- and regioselectivity and was used to generate 30 highly functionalized substituted dihydroquinoxalines in 36-98 % yield. This transformation was also carried asymmetrically using phthalazinamine-based chiral ligand to provide 9 chiral addition products in 96 : 4 to 86 : 14 e.r. The experimental and quantum chemical explorations of this reaction suggest a mechanism that involves Ir(III)-catalyzed triplet energy transfer followed by a ring-opening reaction ultimately leading to the formation of azomethine ylide intermediates. These azomethine intermediates undergo sequential protonation/copper(I) acetylide addition to provide the products.

Green Light Promoted Iridium(III)/Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Addition of Alkynes to Aziridinoquinoxalines Through the Intermediacy of Azomethine Ylides

AbstractThis manuscript describes the development of alkyne addition to the aziridine moiety of aziridinoquinoxalines using dual Ir(III)/Cu(I) catalytic system under green light‐emitting diode (LED) photolysis (λmax=525 nm). This mild method features high levels of chemo‐ and regioselectivity and was used to generate 30 highly functionalized substituted dihydroquinoxalines in 36–98 % yield. This transformation was also carried asymmetrically using phthalazinamine‐based chiral ligand to provide 9 chiral addition products in 96 : 4 to 86 : 14 e.r. The experimental and quantum chemical explorations of this reaction suggest a mechanism that involves Ir(III)‐catalyzed triplet energy transfer followed by a ring‐opening reaction ultimately leading to the formation of azomethine ylide intermediates. These azomethine intermediates undergo sequential protonation/copper(I) acetylide addition to provide the products.

Rhodium-Catalyzed One-Carbon Ring Expansion of Aziridines with Vinyl-N-triftosylhydrazones for the Synthesis of 2-Vinyl Azetidines.

Azetidines, being four-membered N-heterocycles, possess significant potential in contemporary medicinal chemistry owing to their favorable pharmacokinetic properties. Regrettably, the incorporation of functionalized azetidines into pharmaceutical lead structures has been impeded by the absence of efficient synthetic methods for their synthesis. In this study, a Rh-catalyzed one-carbon ring expansion of aziridines with vinyl-N-triftosylhydrazones is presented, which facilitates the synthesis of high value-added 2-alkenyl azetidine products. This research represents the first example of ring expansion of aziridines enabled by vinyl carbenes. Additionally, a one-pot two-step protocol, initiated from cinnamaldehyde, was successfully achieved, offering a step-economical and facile approach for the synthesis of these compounds. The pivotal aspect of this successful transformation lies in the in situ formation of an alkenyl aziridinium ylide intermediate. Experimental investigations, coupled with computational studies, suggest that a diradical pathway is involved in the reaction mechanism.

Rhodium‐Catalyzed One‐Carbon Ring Expansion of Aziridines with Vinyl‐N‐triftosylhydrazones for the Synthesis of 2‐Vinyl Azetidines

AbstractAzetidines, being four‐membered N‐heterocycles, possess significant potential in contemporary medicinal chemistry owing to their favorable pharmacokinetic properties. Regrettably, the incorporation of functionalized azetidines into pharmaceutical lead structures has been impeded by the absence of efficient synthetic methods for their synthesis. In this study, a Rh‐catalyzed one‐carbon ring expansion of aziridines with vinyl‐N‐triftosylhydrazones is presented, which facilitates the synthesis of high value‐added 2‐alkenyl azetidine products. This research represents the first example of ring expansion of aziridines enabled by vinyl carbenes. Additionally, a one‐pot two‐step protocol, initiated from cinnamaldehyde, was successfully achieved, offering a step‐economical and facile approach for the synthesis of these compounds. The pivotal aspect of this successful transformation lies in the in situ formation of an alkenyl aziridinium ylide intermediate. Experimental investigations, coupled with computational studies, suggest that a diradical pathway is involved in the reaction mechanism.

1,5‐X Insertions of Free Alkylidene Carbenes: A Theoretical Study

Abstract1,5‐X insertions of alkylidene carbenes are powerful methods to construct five‐membered carbocycles and heterocycles, but the mechanisms of these 1,5‐X insertions of alkylidene carbenes remain unclear (concerted or stepwise?). Here we disclose different mechanisms of 1,5‐X insertions of free alkylidene carbenes based on DFT calculations. Except for the 1,5 S−H insertion, all 1,5‐X insertions proceed through stepwise processes via forming ylide intermediates. However, subsequent 1,2 rearrangements of ylides occur through different mechanisms. The formal 1,5 O−H/N−H insertion except S−H insertion happens through deprotonation rather than insertion reaction, while other pathways including nucleophilic substitution, 2,3‐sigmatropic rearrangement, and homolysis of O−C bond are invoked in various 1,5 O−C insertions. The competition between 1,5‐X insertions and other side reactions (such as 1,2 migration, dealkylation) has been discussed to answer why the target insertion products were not obtained in some cases.

Non-Classical Molecular Activation by Phosphines and N-Heterocyclic Carbenes and Its Application to Catalytic Reactions

Abstract This Award Account reports our recent studies concerning the catalytic transformations that involve a non-classical mode of molecular activation by tertiary phosphines and N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs). Regarding organophosphine catalysis, we successfully designed reactions based on a P(III)/P(V) redox couple. A catalytic protocol for generating pentacoordinate P(V) species was devised by the reaction of tertiary phosphines, acyl fluorides and alkynoates. The ability of the thus generated fluorophosphoranes to participate in ligand coupling and ligand metathesis with organosilicon nucleophiles enables synthetic transformations that are otherwise unattainable, including the intermolecular carbofluorination of alkynes and the hydroalkenylation of enol ethers. Regarding nucleophilic NHC catalysis, the use of imidazolium-based NHCs can generate deoxy-Breslow intermediates that are sufficiently nucleophilic to promote the aromatic substitution of aryl halides, aryl ethers and anilides. The protocol can also be used for the nucleophilic activation of styrene derivatives, allowing for the generation of a series of ylide intermediates that can serve as non-stabilized vinyl anion equivalents. These results demonstrate that synthetic transformations involving non-stabilized carbanions can be conducted under catalytic conditions without the use of strong organometallic nucleophiles.

Mechanochemical Degradation of Poly(vinyl chloride) into Nontoxic Water-Soluble Products via Sequential Dechlorination, Heterolytic Oxirane Ring-Opening, and Hydrolysis.

As one of the most widely used commodity plastics, poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) is extensively used worldwide, yet is difficult to recycle and is often discarded immediately after use. Its end-of-life treatment often generates toxic hydrogen chloride and dioxins that pose a critical threat to ecosystems. To address this challenge, the mechanochemical degradation of PVC into water-soluble biocompatible products is presented herein. Oxirane mechanophores are strategically introduced into the polymeric backbone via sequential dechlorination followed by epoxidation. The oxirane mechanophore in the polymer backbone undergoes a force-induced heterolytic ring-opening to carbonyl ylide intermediates, which eventually generates acetals during the course of the reaction. The subsequent hydrolysis of the backbone acetals affords the scission of the polymeric chain into water-soluble low-molecular-weight fragments. Combined with its low cytotoxicity and phytotoxicity, this solvent-free mechanochemical degradation process offers a green alternative for the degradation of PVC.

Recent Advances in Asymmetric [1,2]-Stevens-Type Rearrangement via Metal Carbenes

AbstractThe [1,2]-Stevens rearrangement is a widely used transformation in synthetic organic chemistry. However, enantioselective versions are relatively limited and most of them rely on substrate-induced methodologies. In recent years, metal carbene chemistry has been extensively investigated, and the related asymmetric [1,2]-Stevens rearrangement has experienced rapid development by employing ylide intermediates generated from the reaction of metal carbenes with heteroatoms. This review summarizes recent advances in the asymmetric [1,2]-Stevens-type rearrangement via metal carbenes by presenting their product diversity, selectivity, and mechanistic rationale, which is organized based on the mode of chirality control.1 Introduction2 Substrate-Induced Asymmetric [1,2]-Stevens-Type Rearrangement3 Catalyst-Controlled Asymmetric [1,2]-Stevens-Type Rearrangement4 Conclusion and Outlook

Design, synthesis and in vitro antitubercular evaluation of novel 7-methoxy pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoline analogues as CYP 121 inhibitors

A novel series of pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoline analogues (4a-n) was designed via a heterocyclic fusion approach for their antitubercular evaluation. The targeted compounds were synthesized by reacting 6-methoxy quinoline with different substituted phenacyl bromides, to get quinolinium ylide intermediates (2a-i), which have further undergone [3+2] cycloaddition with electron-deficient acetylenes to furnish novel 7-methoxy pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoline derivatives (4a-n). All these newly synthesized intermediate products and final compounds have been characterized by spectroscopic techniques such as 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HRMS, and FT-IR. The intermediate ylides and final pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoline analogues were evaluated for their antitubercular potential against the Mtb H37Rv strain (ATCC 27294). All the tested compounds exhibited antitubercular activity with the MIC99 in the range of 25–50 µM (10.4–25.7 µg/mL), compared to the standard drug Isoniazid (0.195 µM=0.026 µg/mL). An in silico molecular docking study revealed the strong binding affinity of target compounds with the enzyme Mtb CYP 121. The pharmacokinetic properties and toxicity predictions indicate overall drug-likeness for synthesized compounds. In this study, the compounds 4i, 4j, and 4k displayed considerable anti-TB activity against Mtb H37Rv with MIC99 values of 25 µM (10.43, 10.54, and 11.65 µg/mL respectively). CC50 of the test compounds were determined by cell viability assay using THP-1 macrophages. The compounds having methoxy and halogen substitution at the para position of the benzoyl fragment of designed molecules exhibited the best activity among the series.

A Spiro Phosphamide Catalyzed Enantioselective Proton Transfer of Ylides in a Free Carbene Insertion into N−H Bonds

AbstractFree carbene readily causes multiple side reactions due to its high energy, thus its asymmetric transformation is very difficult. We present here our findings of high‐pKa Brønsted acid catalysts that enable free carbene insertion into N−H bonds of amines to prepare chiral α‐amino acid derivatives with high enantioselectivity. Under irradiation with visible light, diazo compounds produce high‐energy free carbenes that are captured by amines to form free ylide intermediates, and then the newly designed high‐pKa Brønsted acids, chiral spiro phosphamides, promote the proton transfer of ylides to afford the products. Computational and kinetic studies uncover the principle for the rational design of proton‐transfer catalysts and explain how the catalysts accelerate this transformation and provide stereocontrol.

A Spiro Phosphamide Catalyzed Enantioselective Proton Transfer of Ylides in a Free Carbene Insertion into N-H Bonds.

Free carbene readily causes multiple side reactions due to its high energy, thus its asymmetric transformation is very difficult. We present here our findings of high-pKa Brønsted acid catalysts that enable free carbene insertion into N-H bonds of amines to prepare chiral α-amino acid derivatives with high enantioselectivity. Under irradiation with visible light, diazo compounds produce high-energy free carbenes that are captured by amines to form free ylide intermediates, and then the newly designed high-pKa Brønsted acids, chiral spiro phosphamides, promote the proton transfer of ylides to afford the products. Computational and kinetic studies uncover the principle for the rational design of proton-transfer catalysts and explain how the catalysts accelerate this transformation and provide stereocontrol.

Synthesis and Characterization of Donor-Acceptor Iron Porphyrin Carbenes and Their Reactivities in N-H Insertion and Related Three-Component Reaction.

Iron porphyrin carbenes (IPCs) have been extensively recognized as the reactive intermediates in various iron porphyrin-catalyzed carbene transfer reactions. While donor-acceptor diazo compounds have been frequently used for such transformations, the structures and reactivities of donor-acceptor IPCs are less explored. To date, no crystal structures of donor-acceptor IPC complexes have been reported, and therefore, the involvement of IPC intermediacy for such transformations lacks direct evidence. Here we report the synthesis and NMR characterization of several donor-acceptor IPC complexes from iron porphyrin and corresponding donor-acceptor diazo compounds. The X-ray crystal structure of an IPC complex derived from a morpholine-substituted diazo amide was obtained. The carbene transfer reactivities of those IPCs were tested by the N-H insertion reactions with aniline or morpholine as well as the three-component reaction with aniline and γ,δ-unsaturated α-keto ester based on electrophilic trapping of an ammonium ylide intermediate. Based on these results, IPCs were identified as the real intermediates for iron porphyrin-catalyzed carbene transfer reactions from donor-acceptor diazo compounds.

Rhodium-Catalyzed 1,4-Aryl Rearrangement of Sulfur Ylide for the Synthesis of 2-Pyridyl Thioethers

We report a novel rhodium-catalyzed rearrangement involving N-substituted 2-thiopyridones and diazoesters. This reaction proceeds through the rhodium-catalyzed formation of sulfur ylides, followed by a direct C-N bond cleavage to achieve N-to-C 1,4-pyridyl migration. The protocol can be used to construct various thiopyridines possessing tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters in moderate to excellent yields, which expands the transformation pattern of sulfur ylide intermediates in rearrangement reactions.

Access to functionalized 2-pyrones through cascade reactions of α-halothioesters involving DBU-derived ammonium ylides.

Facile access to 4-aryl-6-oxycarbonyl-2-pyrones from α-halothioesters with β,γ-unsaturated α-keto esters is achieved via a DBU-promoted Michael addition/lactonization/elimination cascade reaction. The reaction mechanism is tentatively elucidated by performing control experiments and high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis, which indicates that the cascade sequence may involve DBU-derived ammonium ylides.

Benzo[1,4]diazocinone/Pyrrole Ensembles via the Catalyst‐Free Insertion of Pyrrolylacetylenic Ketones into Benzimidazoles

AbstractEarly unknown pharmaceutically oriented heterocyclic systems of benzo[1,4]diazocinone/pyrrole ensembles have been synthesized in up to 93 % yields by the catalyst‐free mild insertion of pyrrolylacetylenic ketones into benzimidazoles. The reaction represents an extraordinary easy expansion of the aromatic five‐membered heterocyclic ring up to pyrrole‐ringed, highly unsaturated eight‐membered heterocyclic system. The proposed mechanism of the reaction proceeding through dipole and ylide intermediates is confirmed by quantum chemical calculations (DFT).