Catalytic dehydrogenative cross-coupling: forming carbon-carbon bonds by oxidizing two carbon-hydrogen bonds

Electrochemistry represents one of the most intimate ways of interacting with molecules. This review discusses advances in synthetic organic electrochemistry since 2000. Enabling methods and synthetic applications are analyzed alongside innate advantages as well as future challenges of electroorganic chemistry.

Synthetic Organic Electrochemical Methods Since 2000: On the Verge of a Renaissance

Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions that form C–N bonds have become useful methods to synthesize anilines and aniline derivatives, an important class of compounds throughout chemical research. A key factor in the widespread adoption of these methods has been the continued development of reliable and versatile catalysts that function under operationally simple, user-friendly conditions. This review provides an overview of Pd-catalyzed N-arylation reactions found in both basic and applied chemical research from 2008 to the present. Selected examples of C–N cross-coupling reactions between nine classes of nitrogen-based coupling partners and (pseudo)aryl halides are described for the synthesis of heterocycles, medicinally relevant compounds, natural products, organic materials, and catalysts.

Applications of Palladium-Catalyzed C–N Cross-Coupling Reactions

Over the last decade, substantial research has led to the introduction of an impressive number of efficient procedures which allow the selective construction of CC bonds by directly connecting two different CH bonds under oxidative conditions. Common to these methodologies is the generation of the reactive intermediates in situ by activation of both CH bonds. This strategy was introduced by the group of Li as cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) and discloses waste-minimized synthetic alternatives to classic coupling procedures which rely on the use of prefunctionalized starting materials. This Review highlights the recent progress in the field of cross-dehydrogenative C sp 3C formations and provides a comprehensive overview on existing procedures and employed methodologies.

The Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling of C sp 3H Bonds: A Versatile Strategy for CC Bond Formations

Micromachining technology was used to prepare chemical analysis systems on glass chips (1 centimeter by 2 centimeters or larger) that utilize electroosmotic pumping to drive fluid flow and electrophoretic separation to distinguish sample components. Capillaries 1 to 10 centimeters long etched in the glass (cross section, 10 micrometers by 30 micrometers) allow for capillary electrophoresis-based separations of amino acids with up to 75,000 theoretical plates in about 15 seconds, and separations of about 600 plates can be effected within 4 seconds. Sample treatment steps within a manifold of intersecting capillaries were demonstrated for a simple sample dilution process. Manipulation of the applied voltages controlled the directions of fluid flow within the manifold. The principles demonstrated in this study can be used to develop a miniaturized system for sample handling and separation with no moving parts.

Micromachining a miniaturized capillary electrophoresis-based chemical analysis system on a chip

Recent advances in electro-organic chemistry involving miniaturization, integration, and combinatorial chemistry were reviewed. Microelectrode array technology for site-selective electro-organic reactions and addressable libraries provides a direct and unlabeled method for measuring small-molecule–protein interactions. Electrochemical systems using solid-supported bases and acids (“site separation”) can realize electrolysis without the addition of supporting electrolytes. Well-designed “bipolar electrodes” have enabled the production of patterned gradient polymer brushes and microfibers. For the display of combinatorial organic electrochemistry, batch and flow electrolysis systems for the optimization and screening of electro-organic reactions as well as the building of chemical libraries for organic compounds are described.

Miniaturization and Combinatorial Approach in Organic Electrochemistry

Carbocations, carbon radicals, and carbanions are important reactive carbon intermediates in organic chemistry, and their interconversions can be carried out by redox processes. Although, such relationships have been well recognized, experimental work has been limited to analytical studies on highly stabilized intermediates. In this study such interconversions were examined using electrochemical reduction of “cation pools”. Acyliminium cations, which were generated by low-temperature electrolysis of carbamates, were reduced electrochemically in the absence of radical acceptors. The homo coupling products formed effectively, suggesting that the one-electron reduction of the acyliminium cation produced the corresponding carbon-centered radical. Next, the electrochemical reduction of the acyliminium cations in the presence of electron-deficient olefins was examined. The cross coupling products were obtained in good-to-moderate yields. A mechanism involving radical addition to the double bond followed by the ...

Reduction of a "cation pool": a new approach to radical mediated C--C bond formation.

Sequential one-pot three-component coupling reactions have been developed based on the “cation pool” method. An N-acyliminium ion generated by the “cation pool” method adds to an electron-rich carbon−carbon double bond, such as enamine derivatives and vinyl sulfides, to form the second “cation pool”. The addition of nucleophiles such as allylsilanes, enol silyl ethers, Grignard reagents, and organoaluminum compounds led to the formation of the corresponding three-component coupling products.

Three-component coupling based on the "cation pool" method.

Generation of alkoxycarbenium ion pools from thioacetals and applications to glycosylation chemistry

Catalysts that can promote acyl transfer processes are important to enantioselective synthesis and their development has received significant attention in recent years. Despite noteworthy advances, discovery of small-molecule catalysts that are robust, efficient, recyclable and promote reactions with high enantioselectivity can be easily and cost-effectively prepared in significant quantities (that is, >10 g) has remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate that by attaching a binaphthyl moiety, appropriately modified to establish H-bonding interactions within the key intermediates in the catalytic cycle, and a 4-aminopyridyl unit, exceptionally efficient organic molecules can be prepared that facilitate enantioselective acyl transfer reactions. As little as 0.5 mol% of a member of the new catalyst class is sufficient to generate acyl-substituted all-carbon quaternary stereogenic centres in quantitative yield and in up to 98:2 enantiomeric ratio (er) in 5 h. Kinetic resolution or desymmetrization of 1,2-diol can be performed with high efficiency and enantioselectivity as well.

Seiji Suga

Papers

Miniaturization and Combinatorial Approach in Organic Electrochemistry

Reduction of a "cation pool": a new approach to radical mediated C--C bond formation.

Three-component coupling based on the "cation pool" method.

Generation of alkoxycarbenium ion pools from thioacetals and applications to glycosylation chemistry

Enantioselective acyl transfer catalysis by a combination of common catalytic motifs and electrostatic interactions