A novel transmetallation of arylzinc species into arylboronates from aryl halides in a barbier procedure.

A variety of functionalized arylboronates are obtained in moderate to excellent yield by a one-step chemical procedure from the corresponding halides and a haloboronic ester via an intermediate arylzinc species.

CoBr2(Bpy): an efficient catalyst for the direct conjugate addition of aryl halides or triflates onto activated olefins.

An efficient cobalt-catalyzed method devoted to the direct conjugate addition of functionalized aryl compounds onto Michael acceptors is described. The CoBr2(2,2'-bipyridine) complex appears to be an extremely suitable catalyst for the activation of a variety of aromatic reagents ranging from halides to triflates functionalized by reactive groups. This procedure allows for the synthesis of compounds resulting from 1,4-addition in good to excellent yields. The versatility of this original process represents a simple alternative to most known methods using organometallic reagents.

CoI- and Co0-bipyridine complexes obtained by reduction of CoBr2bpy: electrochemical behaviour and investigation of their reactions with aromatic halides and vinylic acetates.

The electrochemical behaviour of CoBr(2)bpy (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine) catalyst precursor in acetonitrile has been studied, revealing its possible reduction into the corresponding Co(I) and Co(0) complexes. These low-valent cobalt species appear to be stable on the time scale of cyclic voltammetry. In the presence of aromatic halides, both complexes undergo oxidative addition, the latter Co(0) species allowing the activation of poorly reactive aromatic chlorides. The arylcobalt(III) and arylcobalt(II) obtained are reduced at the same potential as the original Co(II) and Co(I) complexes, respectively, resulting in the observation of overall ECE mechanisms in both cases. The electrochemical study shows that vinylic acetates competitively react with electrogenerated Co(0) species, leading to a labile complex. Preparative scale electrolyses carried out from solutions containing aromatic halides (ArX), vinyl acetate (vinylOAc) and a catalytic amount of CoBr(2)bpy lead to a mixture of biaryl (Ar-Ar) and arene (ArH) as long as the potential is set on the plateau of the Co(II) right arrow over left arrow Co(I) reduction wave. The coupling product (Ar-vinyl) is formed only if the electrolysis is performed on the plateau of the Co(I)/Co(0) reduction wave. A mechanism is proposed for the overall cobalt-catalyzed coupling reaction between aromatic halides and allylic acetates.

New and simple one-step cobalt-catalyzed preparation of functionalized arylstannanes from the corresponding aryl bromides or iodides.

A variety of functionalized arylstannanes are obtained in moderate to excellent yields by a one-step chemical procedure from corresponding halides and tributylstannyl chloride via cobalt catalysis.

Convenient processes for the synthesis of aromatic ketones from aryl bromides and carboxylic anhydrides using a cobalt catalysis.

The cross-coupling of various para- and meta-substituted aromatic bromides, mostly bearing sensitive moieties, with several carboxylic acid anhydrides is reported. This reaction can be carried out in two steps, by forming an aromatic organozinc reagent via cobalt catalysis in the first step, or even more interestingly in a single step, also by using a cobalt-based catalyst. The aromatic ketones are obtained by these new, mild, and convenient methods in 30-79% yields versus starting aryl bromide. Results are also disclosed that suggest the role played by cobalt species in the coupling of organozinc reagents with electrophiles could be similar to those of more commonplace transition metal complexes.

Stabilization of CoI by ZnII in pure acetonitrile and its reaction with aryl halides.

The study of the electrochemical behavior of cobalt(II) bromide (CoBr(2)) in pure acetonitrile allowed us to demonstrate that Co(2+) is the catalyst precursor involved in the electrochemical and chemical conversions of arylhalides, ArX, to arylzinc compounds in that solvent. The reduction of Co(2+) leads to the Co(+) species, which disproportionates too rapidly to react further with aryl halides. However, the presence of zinc(II) bromide allows us to stabilize the electrogenerated cobalt(I) and to observe it on the timescale of slow cyclic voltammetry. Under such conditions, the Co(I) species has time to react with aryl halides and produce [Co(III)ArX](+) complexes that are reduced into [Co(II)ArX] by a single electron uptake at the same potential at which Co(2+) is reduced. Rate constants for the oxidative addition of ArX to Co(I) have been determined for various aryl halides and compared to the values obtained in an acetonitrile (ACN)/pyridine (9:1, v/v) mixture. It is shown that Co(I) is stabilized more by ZnBr(2) than by pyridine. A transmetallation reaction between [Co(II)ArX] and ZnBr(2) has also been observed. We finally propose a mechanism for the cobalt-catalyzed electrochemical conversion of aryl bromides into organozinc species in pure acetonitrile.

Iron-catalyzed electrochemical allylation of carbonyl compounds by allylic acetates.

Homoallylic alcohols were synthesized from aldehydes or ketones and allylic acetates, using an electrochemical process catalyzed by iron complexes. We first studied the reactivity of allyl acetate, using N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) or acetonitrile (AN) as solvent, FeBr(2) as catalyst, and Fe as the sacrificial anode. Then we tested the regioreactivity of crotyl acetate and other allylic derivatives.

New chemical synthesis of functionalized arylzinc compounds from aromatic or thienyl bromides under mild conditions using a simple cobalt catalyst and zinc dust.

A new chemical method for the preparation of arylzinc intermediates is described in acetonitrile, on the basis of the activation of aryl bromides by low-valent cobalt species arising from the reduction of cobalt halide by zinc dust. This procedure allows for the synthesis of a variety of functionalized aryl- and thienylzinc species in good to excellent yields. The versatility and the simplicity of that original method represent an alternative to most known procedures.

New chemical cross-coupling between aryl halides and allylic acetates using a cobalt catalyst.

[reaction: see text] The cobalt-catalyzed coupling reaction of aromatic halides and allylic acetates proceeds readily under mild conditions in the presence of the appropriate reducing agent to produce allylaromatic derivatives either in pure acetonitrile (aryl bromides) or in an acetonitrile/pyridine mixture (aryl chlorides).

Cobalt-catalyzed direct electrochemical cross-coupling between aryl or heteroaryl halides and allylic acetates or carbonates.

The electroreduction of a mixture of functionalized aromatic or heteroaromatic bromides or chlorides and allylic compounds such as acetates or carbonates in an electrochemical cell fitted with a sacrificial iron anode affords, in the presence of cobalt halide associated with pyridine as ligand in acetonitrile or DMF, the corresponding coupling product in good yields.

Iron-mediated electrochemical reaction of alpha-chloroesters with carbonyl compounds.

[reaction: see text] Reformatsky-type reactions have been performed efficiently using an electroassisted iron-complex catalysis. Valuable product such as beta-hydroxyesters, ketones or nitriles are thus prepared with high yields.

Mechanism of the electrochemical conversion of aryl halides to arylzinc compounds by cobalt catalysis in DMF/pyridine.

The study of the electrochemical behavior of cobalt bromide, CoBr2, in the presence of zinc bromide, ZnBr2, and aryl halides, ArX, in a dimethylformamide (DMF)/pyridine (9:1, v/v) mixture allowed us to complete the study of the mechanism of the electrochemical conversion of aryl halides into arylzinc compounds by using cobalt catalysis. The last step of the catalytic process has been shown to be a transmetalation reaction between the arylcobalt(II) species and zinc ions that regenerates the cobalt(II) catalyst. The effect of zinc bromide on each step of the catalytic cycle has been studied. It is especially shown that the presence of ZnBr2 stabilizes the electrogenerated Co1 but has no effect on the rate constant of the oxidative addition of aryl halides, ArX, to Co1. Rate constants for the disproportionation reaction of Co1 and the oxidative addition have been determined in the presence of ZnBr2 and compared with the values obtained in its absence.

Nickel-Catalyzed Direct Electrochemical Cross-Coupling between Aryl Halides and Activated Alkyl Halides.

The electrochemical reduction of a mixture of aryl halides and activated alkyl halides in DMF in the presence of catalytic amount of NiBr(2)bipy leads to cross-coupling products in good to high yields. The method applies to the synthesis of alpha-aryl ketones, alpha-aryl esters, and allylated compounds from readily available organic halides. Optimization of the process has been obtained by slowly adding the most reactive organic halide (usually the activated alkyl halide) during the electrolysis which is best conducted at 70 degrees C when aryl bromides are involved.