ABSTRACT
The rising demand and financial costs of noble transition metal catalysts have emphasized the need for sustainable catalytic approaches. Over the past few years, base-metal catalysts have emerged as ideal candidates to replace their noble-metal counterparts because of their abundance and easiness of handling. Despite the significant advancements achieved with precious transition metals, earth-abundant cobalt catalysts have emerged as efficient alternatives for allylic substitution reactions. In this review, allylic alkylations at sp3-carbon centers mediated by cobalt will be discussed, with a special focus on the mechanistic features, scope, and limitations.
ABSTRACT
The cost-effective and efficient synthesis of alkenes is highly significant due to their extensive applications in both synthetic and polymer industries. A transition metal-free approach has been devised for the chemoselective olefination of carboxylic acid salts. This modular approach provides direct access to valuable electron-deficient styrenes in moderate to good yields. Detailed mechanistic studies suggest anionic decarboxylation is followed by halogen ion transfer. This halogen transfer leads to an umpolung of reactant electronics, allowing for a rate-limiting rebound elimination.
ABSTRACT
The selective installation of fluorine-containing groups into biologically relevant molecules has been used as a common strategy for the development of pharmaceutically active molecules. However, the selective incorporation of gem-difluoromethylene groups next to sterically demanding secondary and tertiary alkyl groups remains a challenge. Herein, we report the first cobalt-catalyzed regioselective difluoroalkylation of carboxylic acid salts. The reaction allows for the facile construction of various difluoroalkylated products in good yields tolerating a wide range of functionalities on either reaction partner. The potential of the method is illustrated by the late-stage functionalization of molecules of biological relevance. Mechanistic studies support the in situ formation of a cobalt(i) species and the intermediacy of difluoroalkyl radicals, thus suggesting a Co(i)/Co(ii)/Co(iii) catalytic cycle.
ABSTRACT
A photocatalytic methodology for the single step synthesis of γ-ketoacids from α-ketoacids has been developed. This method employs maleic anhydrides as traceless synthetic equivalents of acrylic acids, achieving a selective cross-coupling via a dual decarboxylative strategy, where molecular CO2 is released as the only waste byproduct. The method has also been expanded to incorporate a highly regioselective, 3-component coupling with various alcohols to access functionalized γ-ketoesters.
ABSTRACT
In recent years, there has been a concerted drive to develop methods that are greener and more sustainable. Being an earth-abundant transition metal, cobalt offers an attractive substitute for commonly employed precious metal catalysts, though reactions engaging cobalt are still less developed. Herein, we report a method to achieve the decarboxylative allylation of nitrophenyl alkanes, nitroalkanes, and ketones employing cobalt. The reaction allows for the formation of various substituted allylated products in moderate-excellent yields with a broad scope. Additionally, the synthetic potential of the methodology is demonstrated by the transformation of products into versatile heterocyclic motifs. Mechanistic studies revealed an inâ situ activation of the Co(II)/dppBz precatalyst by the carboxylate salt to generate a Co(I)-species, which is presumed to be the active catalyst.
ABSTRACT
Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Jon Tunge at the University of Kansas. The image depicts the direct cross-coupling of α-oxo acids and styrenes through the release of CO2 and H2 gas in a metallaphotoredox process. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202202781.
ABSTRACT
A photoredox/cobalt dual catalytic procedure has been developed that allows benzoylation of olefins. Here the photoredox catalyst effects the decarboxylation of α-ketoacids to form benzoyl radicals. After addition of this radical to styrenes, the cobalt catalyst abstracts a H-atom. Hydrogen evolution from the putative cobalt hydride intermediate allows a Heck-like aroylation without the need for a stoichiometric oxidant. Mechanistic studies reveal that electronically different styrenes lead to a curved Hammett plot, thus suggesting a change in product-determining step in the catalytic mechanism.
Subject(s)
Alkenes , Keto Acids , Cobalt , Catalysis , StyrenesABSTRACT
Grignard addition is one of the most important methods used for syntheses of alcohol compounds and has been known for over a hundred years. However, research on asymmetric catalysis relies on the use of organometallic nucleophiles. Here, we report the first visible-light-induced cobalt-catalyzed asymmetric reductive Grignard-type addition for synthesizing chiral benzyl alcohols (>50 examples, up to 99% yield, and 99% ee). This methodology has the advantages of mild reaction conditions, good functionality tolerance, excellent enantiocontrol, the avoidance of mass metal wastes, and the use of precious metal catalysts. Kinetic realization studies suggested that migratory insertion of an aryl cobalt species into the aldehyde was the rate-determining step of the reductive addition reaction.
Subject(s)
Cobalt , Organometallic Compounds , Aldehydes , Catalysis , IodidesABSTRACT
Recently, dual-catalytic strategies towards the decarboxylative elimination of carboxylic acids have gained attention. Our lab previously reported a photoredox/cobaloxime dual catalytic method that allows the synthesis of enamides and enecarbamates directly from N-acyl amino acids and avoids the use of any stoichiometric reagents. Further development, detailed herein, has improved upon this transformation's utility and further experimentation has provided new insights into the reaction mechanism. These new developments and insights are anticipated to aid in the expansion of photoredox/cobalt dual-catalytic systems.
ABSTRACT
A dual catalytic decarboxylative allylation and benzylation method for the construction of new C(sp3)-C(sp3) bonds between readily available carboxylic acids and functionally diverse carbonate electrophiles has been developed. The new process is mild, operationally simple, and has greatly improved upon the efficiency and generality of previous methodology. In addition, new insights into the reaction mechanism have been realized and provide further understanding of the harnessed reactivity.
ABSTRACT
Organic molecules bearing acetoxy moieties are important functionalities in natural products, drugs, and agricultural chemicals. Synthesis of such molecules via transition metal-catalyzed C-O bond formation can be achieved in the presence of a carefully chosen directing group to alleviate the challenges associated with regioselectivity. An alternative approach is to use ubiquitous carboxylic acids as starting materials and perform a decarboxylative coupling. Herein, we report conditions for a photocatalytic decarboxylative C-O bond formation reaction that provides rapid and facile access to the corresponding acetoxylated products. Mechanistic investigations suggest that the reaction operates via oxidation of the carboxylate followed by rapid decarboxylation and oxidation by Cu(OAc)2.
Subject(s)
Acetates/chemical synthesis , Carboxylic Acids/chemistry , Acetates/chemistry , Decarboxylation , Molecular StructureABSTRACT
Decarboxylative elimination of easily accessible N-acyl amino acids to provide enamide and enecarbamate building blocks has been realized through the combination of an organophotoredox catalyst and copper acetate as the terminal oxidant. This operationally simple process utilizes inexpensive and readily available reagents without preactivation of the carboxylic acid. Enamides and enecarbamates are now accessible directly from N-acyl amino acids consequently improving upon the utility of Kochi's oxidative decarboxylation of carboxylic acids.
Subject(s)
Alkenes/chemical synthesis , Amides/chemical synthesis , Amino Acids/chemistry , Carbamates/chemical synthesis , Decarboxylation , Photochemical ProcessesABSTRACT
A method where an allyl alcohol is formed from a Tsuji-Trost allylation between a vinyl epoxide and an acyl containing nucleophile is described. Subsequently, a retro-Claisen condensation is utilized as a means of through-space anion relay. The anion relay results in the formation of a reactive carbanion and simultaneously activates an allylic alcohol toward intramolecular Tsuji-Trost cyclopropanation. Hence, in one pot, Tsuji-Trost allylation, retro-Claisen activation, and Tsuji-Trost cyclopropanation are combined to access synthetically useful vinyl cyclopropanes from vinyl epoxides using a mild and operationally simple procedure.
Subject(s)
Allyl Compounds/chemistry , Cyclopropanes/chemical synthesis , Propanols/chemistry , Vinyl Compounds/chemistry , Anions/chemistry , Catalysis , Cyclization , Epoxy Compounds/chemistry , Molecular Structure , Oxidation-Reduction , StereoisomerismABSTRACT
A palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative coupling of enol carbonates with diarylmethyl electrophiles that are derived from secondary benzylic alcohols has been developed. This method allows the generation of a variety of ß-diaryl ketones through an efficient and highly stereospecific coupling. In addition, detailed mechanistic insight into the coupling suggests that the reaction is a rare example of an intramolecular decarboxylative coupling that proceeds without crossover between reactants.
Subject(s)
Benzene/chemistry , Carbonates , Catalysis , Ketones , Molecular Structure , Palladium , StereoisomerismABSTRACT
A new strategy to access conjugated allenynes via a decarboxylative coupling of propargyl esters of propiolates has been developed. In this process, allenyl-palladium intermediates are coupled with acetylides that are generated in situ to form the conjugated allenynes. Finally, the coupling is demonstrated to be highly stereospecific, providing a route to enantioenriched allenes.
Subject(s)
Alkadienes/chemistry , Catalysis , Esters , Molecular Structure , PalladiumABSTRACT
A new method is developed for the synthesis of spirooxindoles from amines and isatins via C-H functionalization. The reaction leverages the tert-amino effect to form an enolate-iminium intermediate via [1,5]-hydride shift followed by cyclization. Interestingly the hydride migrates to the N atom of a CâN, which is atypical for hydride additions to imines.
Subject(s)
Amines/chemistry , Oxindoles/chemical synthesis , Spiro Compounds/chemical synthesis , Catalysis , Cyclization , Imines/chemistry , Isatin/chemistry , Isomerism , Molecular Structure , Solvents , StereoisomerismABSTRACT
The palladium(0)-catalyzed, ligand-controlled, regioselective addition of diaryl acetonitrile pronucleophiles to propargylic carbonates is reported. Selective formation of either terminal 1,3-dienyl or propargylated products is proposed to arise from a change in reaction mechanism controlled by the denticity of the coordinating ligand.
ABSTRACT
We report the first example of a palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative dearomatization reaction that occurs via Pd-π-benzyl intermediates. In fact, the Pd-catalyzed decarboxylative cross-coupling reaction of benzyl enol carbonates can lead to either the dearomatized alicyclic ketones or α-monoarylated ketone products depending on the catalyst and ligand employed.
ABSTRACT
Aminodecarboxylation of unactivated alkyl carboxylic acids has been accomplished utilizing an organic photocatalyst. This operationally simple reaction utilizes readily available carboxylic acids to chemoselectively generate reactive alkyl intermediates that are not accessible via conventional two-electron pathways. The organic radical intermediates are efficiently trapped with electrophilic diazo compounds to provide aminated alkanes.
ABSTRACT
The room temperature radical decarboxylative allylation of N-protected α-amino acids and esters has been accomplished via a combination of palladium and photoredox catalysis to provide homoallylic amines. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the stability of the α-amino radical, which is formed by decarboxylation, dictates the predominant reaction pathway between competing mechanisms.