Iron Catalysis in Organic Synthesis

The coupling of aryl or vinyl halides with terminal acetylenes catalysed by palladium and other transition metals, commonly termed as Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction, is one of the most important and widely used sp2–sp carbon–carbon bond formation reactions in organic synthesis, frequently employed in the synthesis of natural products, biologically active molecules, heterocycles, molecular electronics, dendrimers and conjugated polymers or nanostructures. This critical review focuses on developments in the Sonogashira reaction achieved in recent years concerning catalysts, reaction conditions and substrates (352 references).

Recent advances in Sonogashira reactions

Chemistries that Facilitate Nanotechnology Kim E. Sapsford,† W. Russ Algar, Lorenzo Berti, Kelly Boeneman Gemmill,‡ Brendan J. Casey,† Eunkeu Oh, Michael H. Stewart, and Igor L. Medintz*,‡ †Division of Biology, Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland 20993, United States ‡Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering Code 6900 and Division of Optical Sciences Code 5611, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375, United States College of Science, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22030, United States Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California 95817, United States Sotera Defense Solutions, Crofton, Maryland 21114, United States

Functionalizing nanoparticles with biological molecules: developing chemistries that facilitate nanotechnology.

Over the past 40 years, transition metal catalysis has enabled bond formation between aryl and olefinic (sp(2)) carbons in a selective and predictable manner with high functional group tolerance. Couplings involving alkyl (sp(3)) carbons have proven more challenging. Here, we demonstrate that the synergistic combination of photoredox catalysis and nickel catalysis provides an alternative cross-coupling paradigm, in which simple and readily available organic molecules can be systematically used as coupling partners. By using this photoredox-metal catalysis approach, we have achieved a direct decarboxylative sp(3)-sp(2) cross-coupling of amino acids, as well as α-O- or phenyl-substituted carboxylic acids, with aryl halides. Moreover, this mode of catalysis can be applied to direct cross-coupling of C(sp³)-H in dimethylaniline with aryl halides via C-H functionalization.

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Merging photoredox with nickel catalysis: Coupling of α-carboxyl sp3-carbons with aryl halides

Conventional oxidations of organic compounds formally transfer hydrogen atoms from the substrate to an acceptor molecule such as oxygen, a metal oxide, or a sacrificial olefin. In acceptorless dehydrogenation (AD) reactions, catalytic scission of C-H, N-H, and/or O-H bonds liberates hydrogen gas with no need for a stoichiometric oxidant, thereby providing efficient, nonpolluting activation of substrates. In addition, the hydrogen gas is valuable in itself as a high-energy, clean fuel. Here, we review AD reactions selectively catalyzed by transition metal complexes, as well as related transformations that rely on intermediates derived from reversible dehydrogenation. We delineate the methodologies evolving from this recent concept and highlight the effect of these reactions on chemical synthesis.

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/341/6143/1229712.full.pdf

Applications of acceptorless dehydrogenation and related transformations in chemical synthesis.

Direct Synthesis of Pyrroles by Dehydrogenative Coupling of β-Aminoalcohols with Secondary Alcohols Catalyzed by Ruthenium Pincer Complexes

The catalytic hydrogenation of nitriles to primary amines represents an atom-efficient and environmentally benign reduction methodology in organic chemistry. This has been accomplished in recent years mainly with precious-metal-based catalysts, with a single exception. Here we report the first homogeneous Co-catalyzed hydrogenation of nitriles to primary amines. Several (hetero)aromatic, benzylic, and aliphatic nitriles undergo hydrogenation to the corresponding primary amines in good to excellent yields under the reaction conditions.

Selective Hydrogenation of Nitriles to Primary Amines Catalyzed by a Cobalt Pincer Complex.

Iron Pincer Complex Catalyzed, Environmentally Benign, E‐Selective Semi‐Hydrogenation of Alkynes

Direct synthesis of pyridines and quinolines by coupling of γ-amino-alcohols with secondary alcohols liberating H2 catalyzed by ruthenium pincer complexes

The atom-efficient and environmentally benign catalytic hydrogenation of carboxylic acid esters to alcohols has been accomplished in recent years mainly with precious-metal-based catalysts, with few exceptions. Presented here is the first cobalt-catalyzed hydrogenation of esters to the corresponding alcohols. Unexpectedly, the evidence indicates the unprecedented involvement of ester enolate intermediates.

Dipankar Srimani

Papers

Direct Synthesis of Pyrroles by Dehydrogenative Coupling of β-Aminoalcohols with Secondary Alcohols Catalyzed by Ruthenium Pincer Complexes

Selective Hydrogenation of Nitriles to Primary Amines Catalyzed by a Cobalt Pincer Complex.

Iron Pincer Complex Catalyzed, Environmentally Benign, E‐Selective Semi‐Hydrogenation of Alkynes

Direct synthesis of pyridines and quinolines by coupling of γ-amino-alcohols with secondary alcohols liberating H2 catalyzed by ruthenium pincer complexes

Cobalt‐Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Esters to Alcohols: Unexpected Reactivity Trend Indicates Ester Enolate Intermediacy