Computational, Mechanistic, and Experimental Insights into Regioselective Catalytic C-C Bond Activation in Linear 1-Aza-[3]triphenylene.

C-C bond activation by transition metal complexes in ring-strained compounds followed by annulation with unsaturated compounds is an efficient approach to generate structurally more complex compounds. However, the site of catalytic C-C bond activation is difficult to predict in unsymmetrically substituted polycyclic systems. Here, we report a study on the (regio)selective catalytic cleavage of selected C-C bonds in 1-aza-[3]triphenylene, followed by annulation with alkynes, forming products with extended π-conjugated frameworks. Based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we established the stability of possible transition metal intermediates formed by oxidative addition to the C-C bond and thus identified the likely site of C-C bond activation. The computationally predicted selectivity was confirmed by the following experimental tests for the corresponding Ir-catalyzed C-C cleavage reaction followed by an alkyne insertion that yielded mixtures of two mono-insertion products isolated with yields of 34-36%, due to the close reactivity of two bonds during the first C-C bond activation. Similar results were obtained for twofold Ir- or Rh-catalyzed insertion reactions, with higher yields of 72-77%. In a broader context, by combining DFT calculations, which provided insights into the relative reactivity of individual C-C bonds, with experimental results, our approach allows us to synthesize previously unknown pentacyclic azaaromatic compounds.

Nickel-Catalyzed Decarbonylative Stannylation of Acyl Fluorides under Ligand-Free Conditions.

Nickel-catalyzed decarbonylative stannylation of acyl fluorides under ligand-free conditions was disclosed. A variety of aromatic acyl fluorides are capable of reacting with silylstannanes in the presence of cesium fluoride. A one-pot decarbonylative stannylation/Migita-Kosugi-Stille reaction of benzoyl fluoride, giving rise to the direct formation of the corresponding cross-coupled products, further demonstrated the synthetic utility of the present method. This newly developed methodology with a good functional-group compatibility via C-F bond cleavage and C-Sn bond formation under nickel catalysis opens a new area for the functionalization of acyl fluorides in terms of carbon-heteroatom bond formation.

Synthesis of 2-Substituted Propenes by Bidentate Phosphine-Assisted Methylenation of Acyl Fluorides and Acyl Chlorides with AlMe3.

Bidentate phosphine-assisted methylenation of acyl fluorides and acyl chlorides with substituted with aryl, alkenyl, and alkyl groups trimethylaluminum afforded an array of 2-substituted propene derivatives. The addition of a catalytic amount of DPPM increased an efficiency of the reactions. Trimethylaluminum as the methylenation reagent not only eliminates the presynthesis of methylene transfer reagent, but provides an efficient method for the synthesis of a series of 2-substituted propenes.