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One of the simplest organic functional groups, the alkyne, offers a broad canvas for the design of cascade transformations in which up to three new bonds can be added to each of the two sterically unencumbered, energy-rich carbon atoms. However, kinetic protection provided by strong π-orbital overlap makes the design of new alkyne transformations a stereoelectronic puzzle, especially on multifunctional substrates. This Review describes the electronic properties contributing to the unique utility of alkynes in radical cascades. We describe how to control the selectivity of alkyne activation by various methods, from dynamic covalent chemistry with kinetic self-sorting to disappearing directing groups. Additionally, we demonstrate how the selection of reactive intermediates directly influences the propagation and termination of the cascade. Diverging from a common departure point, a carefully planned reaction route can allow access to a variety of products. 

The reaction of Ni(II) acetate with diacyl peroxides produces high-valence Ni-species capable of catalytic oxidative acyloxylation of C(sp3)–H bonds in ethers, ketones, and alkanes. The desired esters were obtained in 20–82% yields. Computational analysis suggests that activation of the peroxide moiety produces a dynamically interconverting mixture of catalytic Ni-species in the formal Ni(III) state. Remarkably, in these species, coordination of the RCO2 group at Ni preserves radical character at the carboxylate moiety (i.e., carboxylate radical acts as an “L-ligand”), so the latter can induce fast C–H abstraction. The spirocyclopropyl moiety prevents premature radical decarboxylation via a combination of hybridization factors and stereoelectronic effects. A variety of viable C–H activation patterns were identified experimentally and computationally. 

We describe reductive dehydrogenative cyclizations that form hepta-, nona-, and decacyclic anionic graphene subunits from mono- and bis-helicenes with an embedded five-membered ring. The reaction of bis-helicenes can either proceed to the full double annulation or be interrupted by addition of molecular oxygen at an intermediate stage. The regioselectivity of the interrupted cyclization cascade for bis-helicenes confirms that relief of antiaromaticity is a dominant force for these facile ring closures. Computational analysis reveals the unique role of the preexisting negatively charged cyclopentadienyl moiety in directing the second negative charge at a specific remote location and, thus, creating a localized antiaromatic region. This region is the hotspot that promotes the initial cyclization. Computational studies, including MO analysis, molecular electrostatic potential maps, and NICS(1.7)ZZ calculations, evaluate the interplay of the various effects including charge delocalization, helicene strain release, and antiaromaticity. The role of antiaromaticity relief is further supported by efficient reductive closure of the less strained monohelicenes where the relief of antiaromaticity promotes the cyclization even when the strain is substantially reduced. The latter finding significantly expands the scope of this reductive alternative to the Scholl ring closure.