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Title: Unusual C–H Bond Activation and C(sp 3 )–C(sp 3 ) Bond Formation at an Fe(II) Bis(amide) Carbene Complex
Award ID(s):
1900651
NSF-PAR ID:
10376820
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Organometallics
Volume:
39
Issue:
1
ISSN:
0276-7333
Page Range / eLocation ID:
116 to 122
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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  2. Abstract

    Electrochemical approaches to form C(sp2)−C(sp3) bonds have focused on coupling C(sp3) electrophiles that form stabilized carbon‐centered radicals upon reduction or oxidation. Whereas alkyl bromides are desirable C(sp3) coupling partners owing to their availability and cost‐effectiveness, their tendency to undergo radical‐radical homocoupling makes them challenging substrates for electroreductive cross‐coupling. Herein, we disclose a metal‐free regioselective cross‐coupling of 1,4‐dicyanobenzene, a useful precursor to aromatic nitriles, and alkyl bromides. Alkyl bromide reduction is mediated directly by 1,4‐dicyanobenzene radical anions, leading to negligible homocoupling and high cross‐selectivity to form 1,4‐alkyl cyanobenzenes. The cross‐coupling scheme is compatible with oxidatively sensitive and acidic functional groups such as amines and alcohols, which have proven difficult to incorporate in alternative electrochemical approaches using carboxylic acids as C(sp3) precursors.

     
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  3. Abstract

    Electrochemical approaches to form C(sp2)−C(sp3) bonds have focused on coupling C(sp3) electrophiles that form stabilized carbon‐centered radicals upon reduction or oxidation. Whereas alkyl bromides are desirable C(sp3) coupling partners owing to their availability and cost‐effectiveness, their tendency to undergo radical‐radical homocoupling makes them challenging substrates for electroreductive cross‐coupling. Herein, we disclose a metal‐free regioselective cross‐coupling of 1,4‐dicyanobenzene, a useful precursor to aromatic nitriles, and alkyl bromides. Alkyl bromide reduction is mediated directly by 1,4‐dicyanobenzene radical anions, leading to negligible homocoupling and high cross‐selectivity to form 1,4‐alkyl cyanobenzenes. The cross‐coupling scheme is compatible with oxidatively sensitive and acidic functional groups such as amines and alcohols, which have proven difficult to incorporate in alternative electrochemical approaches using carboxylic acids as C(sp3) precursors.

     
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