skip to main content


Title: Fe-Catalyzed dicarbofunctionalization of electron-rich alkenes with Grignard reagents and (fluoro)alkyl halides
An iron-catalyzed regioselective dicarbofunctionalization of electron-rich alkenes is described. In particular, aryl- and alkyl vinyl ethers are used as effective linchpins to couple alkyl or (fluoro)alkyl halides and sp 2 -hybridized Grignard nucleophiles. Preliminary results demonstrate the ability to engage thioethers as linchpins and control enantioselectivity in these transformations, an area which is largely unexplored in iron-catalyzed three-component cross-coupling reactions.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1751568
NSF-PAR ID:
10316908
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Chemical Communications
Volume:
57
Issue:
93
ISSN:
1359-7345
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
More Like this
  1. Aryl benzoates are compounds of high importance in organic synthesis. Herein, we report the iron-catalyzed C(sp2)–C(sp3) Kumada cross-coupling of aryl chlorobenzoates with alkyl Grignard reagents. The method is characterized by the use of environmentally benign and sustainable iron salts for cross-coupling in the catalytic system, employing benign urea ligands in the place of reprotoxic NMP (NMP = N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone). It is notable that high selectivity for the cross-coupling is achieved in the presence of hydrolytically-labile and prone to nucleophilic addition phenolic ester C(acyl)–O bonds. The reaction provides access to alkyl-functionalized aryl benzoates. The examination of various O-coordinating ligands demonstrates the high activity of urea ligands in promoting the cross-coupling versus nucleophilic addition to the ester C(acyl)–O bond. The method showcases the functional group tolerance of iron-catalyzed Kumada cross-couplings. 
    more » « less
  2. Abstract

    N,N,N′,N′‐Tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) has been one of the most prevalent and successful additives used in iron catalysis, finding application in reactions as diverse as cross‐coupling, C−H activation, and borylation. However, the role that TMEDA plays in these reactions remains largely undefined. Herein, studying the iron‐catalyzed hydromagnesiation of styrene derivatives using TMEDA has provided molecular‐level insight into the role of TMEDA in achieving effective catalysis. The key is the initial formation of TMEDA–iron(II)–alkyl species which undergo a controlled reduction to selectively form catalytically active styrene‐stabilized iron(0)–alkyl complexes. While TMEDA is not bound to the catalytically active species, these active iron(0) complexes cannot be accessed in the absence of TMEDA. This mode of action, allowing for controlled reduction and access to iron(0) species, represents a new paradigm for the role of this important reaction additive in iron catalysis.

     
    more » « less
  3. Abstract

    N,N,N′,N′‐Tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) has been one of the most prevalent and successful additives used in iron catalysis, finding application in reactions as diverse as cross‐coupling, C−H activation, and borylation. However, the role that TMEDA plays in these reactions remains largely undefined. Herein, studying the iron‐catalyzed hydromagnesiation of styrene derivatives using TMEDA has provided molecular‐level insight into the role of TMEDA in achieving effective catalysis. The key is the initial formation of TMEDA–iron(II)–alkyl species which undergo a controlled reduction to selectively form catalytically active styrene‐stabilized iron(0)–alkyl complexes. While TMEDA is not bound to the catalytically active species, these active iron(0) complexes cannot be accessed in the absence of TMEDA. This mode of action, allowing for controlled reduction and access to iron(0) species, represents a new paradigm for the role of this important reaction additive in iron catalysis.

     
    more » « less
  4. Abstract

    We developed intramolecular carboxyamidations of alkyne‐tetheredO‐acylhydroxamates followed by either thermally induced spontaneous or 4‐(dimethylamino)pyridine‐catalyzed O→O or O→N acyl group migration. Under iron‐catalyzed conditions, the carboxyamidation products were generated in high yield from bothZ‐alkene and arene‐tethered substrates. DFT calculations indicate that the iron‐catalyzed carboxyamidation proceeds via a stepwise mechanism involving iron‐imidyl radical cyclization followed by intramolecular acyloxy transfer from the iron center to the alkenyl radical center to furnish thecis‐carboxyamidation product. Upon treatment with 4‐(dimethylamino)pyridine, theZ‐alkene‐tethered carboxyamidation products underwent selective O→O acyl migration to generate 2‐acyloxy‐5‐acyl pyrroles. Thermal O→N acyl migration occurs during carboxyamidation if theZ‐alkene linker contains an alkyl or an aryl substituent at the β‐position of the carbonyl group. On the other hand, the arene linker‐containing compounds selectively undergo O→N acyl migration to generateN‐acyl‐3‐acylisoindolinones, and the corresponding O→O acyl migration forming isoindole derivatives was not observed.

     
    more » « less
  5. Although iron catalyzed cross-coupling reactions show extraordinary promise in reducing the environmental impact of more toxic and scarce transition metals, one of the main challenges is the use of reprotoxic NMP (NMP = N -methylpyrrolidone) as the key ligand to iron in the most successful protocols in this reactivity platform. Herein, we report that non-toxic and sustainable N -butylpyrrolidone (NBP) serves as a highly effective substitute for NMP in iron-catalyzed C(sp 2 )–C(sp 3 ) cross-coupling of aryl chlorides with alkyl Grignard reagents. This challenging alkylation proceeds with organometallics bearing β-hydrogens with efficiency superseding or matching that of NMP with ample scope and broad functional group tolerance. Appealing applications are demonstrated in the cross-coupling in the presence of sensitive functional groups and the synthesis of several pharmaceutical intermediates, including a dual NK1/serotonin inhibitor, a fibrinolysis inhibitor and an antifungal agent. Considering that the iron/NMP system has emerged as one of the most powerful iron cross-coupling technologies available in both academic and industrial research, we anticipate that this method will be of broad interest. 
    more » « less