In studying the evolution of organic chemistry and grasping its essence, one comes quickly to the conclusion that no other type of reaction plays as large a role in shaping this domain of science than carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions. The Grignard, Diels-Alder, and Wittig reactions are but three prominent examples of such processes, and are among those which have undeniably exercised decisive roles in the last century in the emergence of chemical synthesis as we know it today. In the last quarter of the 20th century, a new family of carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions based on transition-metal catalysts evolved as powerful tools in synthesis. Among them, the palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions are the most prominent. In this Review, highlights of a number of selected syntheses are discussed. The examples chosen demonstrate the enormous power of these processes in the art of total synthesis and underscore their future potential in chemical synthesis.

Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions in total synthesis.

The substituted indole nucleus [indole is the acronym from indigo (the natural dye) and oleum (used for the isolation)] is a structural component of a vast number of biologically active natural and unnatural compounds. The synthesis and functionalization of indoles has been the object of research for over 100 years, and a variety of well-established classical methods are now available, to name a few of them, the Fisher indole synthesis, the Gassman synthesis of indoles from N-halo-anilines, the Madelung cyclization of N-acyl-o-toluidines, the Bischler indole synthesis, the Batcho-Leimgruber synthesis of indoles from o-nitrotoluenes and dimethylformamide acetals, and the reductive cyclization of o-nitrobenzyl ketones.1 In the last 40 years or so, however, palladiumcatalyzed reactions, generally tolerant of a wide range of functionalities and therefore applicable to complex molecules, have achieved an important place in the arsenal of the practicing organic chemist. Since the invention of an industrial process for the palladium-catalyzed production of acetaldehyde from ethylene in the presence of PdCl2 and CuCl2, an everincreasing number of organic transformations have been based on palladium catalysis. Almost every area of the organic synthesis has been deeply influenced by the profound potential of this versatile transition metal, modifying the way organic chemists design and realize synthetic processes.2,3 Because of its catalytic nature, palladium-catalyzed synthesis can provide access to fine chemicals, agrochemical and pharmaceutical intermediates, and active ingredients in fewer steps and with less waste than classical † In memory of Prof. Bianca Rosa Pietroni, a colleague and very close friend. * To whom correspondence should be addressed. Phone: + 39 (06) 4991-2785. Fax: + 30 (06) 4991-2780. E-mail: sandro.cacchi@ uniroma1.it. 2873 Chem. Rev. 2005, 105, 2873−2920

Synthesis and functionalization of indoles through palladium-catalyzed reactions

Palladium-catalyzed carbonylation reactions of aromatic halides in the presence of various nucleophiles have undergone rapid development since the pioneering work of Heck and co-workers in 1974, such that nowadays a plethora of palladium catalysts are available for different carbonylative transformations. The carboxylic acid derivatives, aldehydes, and ketones prepared in this way are important intermediates in the manufacture of dyes, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and other industrial products. In this Review, the recent academic developments in this area and the first industrial processes are summarized.

Palladium-catalyzed carbonylation reactions of aryl halides and related compounds.

Isolation and synthesis of biologically active carbazole alkaloids

Synthesis of Heterocycles via Palladium-Catalyzed Carbonylations

An Efficient Synthesis of 3-Heteroarylpyridines via Diethyl-(3-pyridyl)-borane

Starting from ortho-alkynylbenzaldehydes and ortho-alkynylanilines, In(OTf)3-catalyzed synthesis of ring-condensed heteroaromatic compounds was developed via a domino intramolecular nucleophilic attack/intermolecular cycloaddition/dehydration reaction.

Minoru Ishikura

Papers

An Efficient Synthesis of 3-Heteroarylpyridines via Diethyl-(3-pyridyl)-borane

Indium(III)-catalyzed tandem reaction with alkynylbenzaldehydes and alkynylanilines to heteroaromatic compounds.

Palladium-Catalyzed Carbonylative Cross-Coupling Reaction with Triethyl(1-methylindol-2-yl)borate: A Simple Route to 1-Methyl-2-indolyl Ketones

Cleavage of carbon-carbon triple bond: direct transformation of alkynes to nitriles.

A simple and regioselective preparation of 2- or 3-substituted quinoline derivatives via dialkylquinolylboranes