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Azaindoles and azaindolines are important core structures in pharmaceuticals and natural products, which have found wide applications in the field of medicinal chemistry. In this study, we developed a novel one-pot method for selectively synthesizing 7-azaindoles and 7-azaindolines, which can be generated by reactions between the readily available 2-fluoro-3-methylpyridine and arylaldehydes. The chemoselectivity is counterion dependent, with LiN(SiMe 3 ) 2 generating 7-azaindolines and KN(SiMe 3 ) 2 furnishing 7-azaindoles. A range of substituents can be introduced under these conditions, providing handles for further elaboration and functionalization. 

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug derivatives (NSAIDs) are an important class of medications. Here we show a visible-light-promoted photoredox/nickel catalyzed approach to construct enantioenriched NSAIDs via a three-component alkyl arylation of acrylates. This reductive cross-electrophile coupling avoids preformed organometallic reagents and replaces stoichiometric metal reductants by an organic reductant (Hantzsch ester). A broad range of functional groups are well-tolerated under mild conditions with high enantioselectivities (up to 93% ee) and good yields (up to 90%). A study of the reaction mechanism, as well as literature precedence, enabled a working reaction mechanism to be presented. Key steps include a reduction of the alkyl bromide to the radical, Giese addition of the alkyl radical to the acrylate and capture of the α-carbonyl radical by the enantioenriched nickel catalyst. Reductive elimination from the proposed Ni(III) intermediate generates the product and forms Ni(I).

 

A direct and convenient method for the palladium‐catalyzed reductive cross‐coupling of aryl iodides or alkenyl bromides and secondary benzyl halides under ambient CO pressure to generate a diverse array of aryl/alkenyl alkyl ketones has been developed. This strategy successfully achieves a three‐component carbonylative reaction with Zn as the reducing agent for C−C bond formation, overcoming the well‐known homocoupling of aryl or alkenyl halides, direct cross‐coupling between two different electrophiles and other carbonylative coupling reactions. In addition, this method avoids use of preformed organometallic nucleophiles, such as organo‐magnesium, zinc and boron reagents. This approach enables the construction of valuable aryl alkyl/alkenyl ketone derivatives (60 examples, 56–95% yields). Reactivity studies indicate that in situ formed benzylic zinc reagents are intermediates in the catalytic system.