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From simple linear cinnamyl ethers to complex tetrahydropyranes with high diastereocontrol via Ag(i) initiation of a cationic chain.

We present herein the first synthesis of tetrahydropyranes promoted by a silver salt. Cinnamyl ethers undergo a formal dimerization affording the target heterocycle

The abundant and inexpensive carbon monoxide (CO) is widely exploited as a C1 source for the synthesis of both fine and bulk chemicals. In this context, photochemical carbonylation reactions have emerged as a powerful tool for the sustainable synthesis of carbonyl-containing compounds (esters, amides, ketones, etc.). This review aims at giving a general overview on visible light-promoted carbonylation reactions in the presence of metal (Palladium, Iridium, Cobalt, Ruthenium, Copper) and organocatalysts as well, highlighting the main features of the presented protocols and providing useful insights on the reaction mechanisms.

The hydroamination reaction is a convenient alternative strategy for the formation of C–N bonds. Herein, we report a new versatile and convenient protocol for the hydroamination of arylacetylenes with anilines using palladium iodide in the absence of any added ligand as catalyst. Mild conditions, excellent regio- and stereoselectivity, and high functional group tolerance are the main features of this methodology. A subsequent reduction step gives access to a wide variety of secondary aromatic amines.

A new protocol for the alkoxycarbonylation of α-olefins to the corresponding unsaturated esters has been developed. Differently substituted styrenes were selectively converted to cinnamate derivatives, via C H bond functionalization. Various palladium sources, including heterogeneous ones, in combination with CuI exhibited a high catalytic efficiency using oxygen as the most cheap oxidant. Monocarbonylated products were obtained in good yields and high chemoselectivity working with a low CO pressure (2 atm) and an excess of air (35 atm) avoiding in this way explosion risks. Commercial cinnamate derivatives were prepared in good to excellent yields by this very simple one-pot procedure.

Herein, we report a novel catalytic synthesis of substituted 9H-fluoren-9-ols starting from aryl iodides and secondary ortho-bromobenzyl alcohols in the presence of palladium/norbornene as a catalytic system. The present protocol exhibits high functional group tolerance, mild reaction conditions and moderate to good yields. This transformation is based on two sequential pathways: (i) Pd(II)-mediated oxidation of the secondary alcohol to the corresponding ketone and (ii) Pd(0)/norbornene-catalyzed reaction of the in situ generated ortho-bromoacetophenone with the aryl iodide.

The first organo-catalyzed synthesis of imidazolidin-2-ones and imidazol-2-ones via intramolecular hydroamidation of propargylic ureas is reported. The phosphazene base BEMP turned out to be the most active organo-catalyst compared with guanidine and amidine bases. Excellent chemo- and regioselectivities to five-membered cyclic ureas have been achieved under ambient conditions, with a wide substrate scope and exceptionally short reaction times (down to 1 min). A base-mediated isomerization step to an allenamide intermediate is the most feasible reaction pathway to give imidazol-2-ones, as suggested by DFT studies.

A practical homogeneous and gas‐liquid palladium‐catalyzed Catellani‐type reaction using a continuous‐flow platform is described. The implementation of continuous‐flow technology allowed the acceleration of the transformation and, for the first time, expansion of the chemical space to gaseous olefins (i.e., ethylene, propylene and 3,3,3‐trifluoropropene), thus providing a safe and practical approach to sterically hindered ortho‐disubstituted styrenes and vinyl arenes. The complete control over the stoichiometry of gaseous reagents through flow technology proved essential for directing the selectivity of the Catellani reaction to the desired products.

Dihydrodibenzo[b,f]azepines and dibenzo[b,f]azepines can be efficiently synthesized from aryl bromides, o-bromoanilines and norbornene or norbornadiene by means of palladium catalysis. This protocol gives access to dibenzo[b,f]azepine core containing a variety of electron-withdrawing substituents on both aromatic rings and complements the previously reported methodology where electron rich aryl iodides were preferentially used. The presence of KI, even in sub-stoichiometric amount, is crucial for this three-component reaction. The proper addition of iodide anions has a dramatic effect on reaction rate and selectivity. A formal three-step synthesis of the tricyclic antidepressant Clomipramine (Anafranil (R)) is also described.

Developments are reported in the catalytic synthesis of biaryls containing an ortho -carbaldehyde or 6 H -dibenzopyrans in the presence of palladium/norbornene as catalyst. The reaction of o -substituted aryl iodides and o -bromobenzyl alcohols proceeds by unsymmetrical aryl-aryl coupling to form a seven-membered oxapalladacycle intermediate, which may undergo an intramolecular redox process to form carbonyl groups or a C–O coupling to six-membered cyclic ethers. The predominant formation of dibenzopyrans as well as of biaryl structures containing the oxidized CHO group in one ring and the reduced CH 2 OH in the other is described along with some mechanistic insights.

The solid state structure of two arylnorbornyl palladacycles containing phenanthroline as ancillary ligand was elucidated through X-ray diffraction analysis. Both compounds, the phenylnorbornyl palladacycle (1a) and the o-tolylnorbornyl palladacycle (1b), possess very similar geometrical parameters in spite of the presence of an ortho methyl group in 1b.

Organometallic and organo-catalysts are cooperatively at work in the enantioselective synthesis of dibenzopyran derivatives; palladium/norbornene and a cinchona alkaloid base guarantee good yields and satisfactory enantioselectivities in a one-pot reaction.

A variety of isocoumarins have been synthesized directly from 2-halobenzoates and ketones through a palladium-catalyzed α-arylation step followed by an intramolecular cyclization process. The addition of iodide anions to the reaction mixture increased yields and selectivities especially when 2-bromobenzoates were employed. This phosphine-free one-pot synthesis features a high functional group tolerance and gives access to richly decorated isocoumarins. This general methodology was successful in the total synthesis of Xyridin A, an important natural product with antibacterial and antifungal activity.

The title compound, (Z)-4-(carbomethoxymethylene)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4H-benzo[d][1,3]oxazine, was synthesized in 68% isolated yield by palladium-catalyzed oxidative cyclization-methoxycarbonylation of 4-fluoro-N-(2-((trimethylsilyl)ethynyl)phenyl)benzamide. This new heterocyclic derivative was fully characterized by IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR spectroscopies, MS spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The Z configuration around the double bond was unequivocally established by 2D NOESY experiments.

2-Imidazolidinone and its analogues are omnipresent structural motifs of pharmaceuticals, natural products, chiral auxiliaries, and intermediates in organic syntheses. Over the years, continuous efforts have been addressed to the development of sustainable and more efficient protocols for the synthesis of these heterocycles. This review gives a summary of the catalytic strategies to access imidazolidin-2-ones and benzimidazolidin-2-ones that have appeared in the literature from 2010 to 2018. Particularly important contributions beyond the timespan will be mentioned. The review is organized in four main chapters that identify the most common approaches to imidazolidin-2-one derivatives: (1) the direct incorporation of the carbonyl group into 1,2-diamines, (2) the diamination of olefins, (3) the intramolecular hydroamination of linear urea derivatives and (4) aziridine ring expansion. Methods not included in this classification will be addressed in the miscellaneous section.

ConspectusDirect C–H bond activation is an important reaction in synthetic organic chemistry. This methodology has the potential to simplify reactions by avoiding the use of prefunctionalized reagents. However, selectivity, especially site selectivity, remains challenging. Sequential reactions, in which different molecules or groups are combined in an ordered sequence, represent a powerful tool for the construction of complex molecules in a single operation.We have discovered and developed a synthetic methodology that combines selective C–H bond activation with sequential reactions. This procedure, which is now known as the “Catellani reaction”, enables the selective functionalization of both the ortho and ipso positions of aryl halides. The desired molecules are obtained with high selectivity from a pool of simple precursors. These molecules are assembled under the control of a palladacycle, which is formed through the joint action of a metal (Pd) and an olefin such as norbornene. These two species act c...

Direct C-H bond activation is an important reaction in synthetic organic chemistry. This methodology has the potential to simplify reactions by avoiding the use of prefunctionalized reagents. However, selectivity, especially site selectivity, remains challenging. Sequential reactions, in which different molecules or groups are combined in an ordered sequence, represent a powerful tool for the construction of complex molecules in a single operation. We have discovered and developed a synthetic methodology that combines selective C-H bond activation with sequential reactions. This procedure, which is now known as the "Catellani reaction", enables the selective functionalization of both the ortho and ipso positions of aryl halides. The desired molecules are obtained with high selectivity from a pool of simple precursors. These molecules are assembled under the control of a palladacycle, which is formed through the joint action of a metal (Pd) and an olefin such as norbornene. These two species act cooperatively with an aryl halide to construct the palladacycle, which is formed through ortho-C-H activation of the original aryl halide. The resulting complex acts as a scaffold to direct the reaction (via Pd(IV)) of other species, such as alkyl or aryl halides and amination or acylation agents, toward the sp(2) C-Pd bond. At the end of this process, because of steric hindrance, the scaffold is dismantled by norbornene extrusion. Pd(0) is cleaved from the organic product through C-C, C-H, C-N, C-O, or C-B coupling, in agreement with the well-known reactivity of aryl-Pd complexes. The cycle involves Pd(0), Pd(II), and Pd(IV) species. In particular, our discovery relates to alkylation and arylation reactions. Recently, remarkable progress has been made in the following areas: (a) the installation of an amino or an acyl group at the ortho position of aryl halides, (b) the formation of a C-B bond at the ipso position, (c) the achievement of meta-C-H bond activation of aryl rings bearing a chelating directing group by Pd(II)/Pd(IV)/norbornene catalysis, and (d) the activation of N-H and C-H bonds in sequence for indole 2-alkylation. In this Account, we explain the main features of this methodology, describe its synthetic potential, and illustrate some remarkable progress that has been made, emphasizing the most recent developments and applications in total synthesis.

A series of biaryls is synthesized in the presence of a palladium/norbornene catalyst system.

o-Biaryl carbaldeydes and ketones are obtained through the one-pot reaction of o-aryl iodides with o-bromobenzyl alcohols under the catalytic action of Pd and norbornene, in the presence of a base. The same reaction can also give dibenzopyrans by Pd and norbornene catalysis with a different termination, leading to C-O ring closure. In both cases the process first leads to a five-membered palladacycle, which controls C-C coupling, then to a seven-membered oxapalladacycle, which gives aldehydes and ketones or dibenzopyrans.

Mechanistic questions concerning palladium and norbornene catalyzed aryl-aryl coupling reactions are treated in this paper: how aryl halides react with the intermediate palladacycles, formed by interaction of the two catalysts with an aryl halide, and what is the rational explanation of the "ortho effect" (caused by an ortho substituent in the starting aryl halide), which leads to aryl-aryl coupling with a second molecule of aryl halide rather than to aryl-norbornyl coupling. Two possible pathways have been proposed, one involving aryl halide oxidative addition to the palladacycle, the other passing through a palladium(II) transmetalation, also involving the palladacycle, as previously proposed by Cardenas and Echavarren. Our DFT calculations using M06 show that, in palladium-catalyzed reaction of aryl halides, not containing ortho substituents, and norbornene, the intermediate palladacycle formed has a good probability to undergo transmetalation, energetically favored over the oxidative addition leading to Pd(IV). The unselective sp(2)-sp(2) and sp(2)-sp(3) coupling, experimentally observed in this case, can be explained in the framework of the transmetalation pathway since the energetic difference between aryl attack onto the aryl or norbornyl carbon of the palladacycle intermediate is quite small. On the other hand, according to the experimentally observed "ortho effect", selective aryl-aryl coupling only occurs in the reactions of ortho-substituted metallacycles. The present work offers the first possible rationalization of this finding. These in situ formed palladacycles containing an ortho substituent could more easily undergo oxidative addition of an aryl halide rather than reductive elimination from the transmetalation intermediate as a result of a steric clash in the transition state of the latter. The now energetically accessible Pd(IV) intermediate, featuring a Y-distorted trigonal bipyramidal structure, can account for the reported selective aryl-aryl coupling through a reductive elimination which is easier than aryl-norbornyl coupling. Thus, the steric effect represents the main factor that dictates the energetic convenience of the system to follow the Pd(IV) or the transmetalation pathway. Ortho substituents cause a higher energy transition state for reductive elimination from the transmetalation intermediate than for oxidative addition to the metallacycle palladium(II) and the pathway based on the latter predominates.

A catalytic synthesis of selectively substituted phenanthridines is achieved through a reaction sequence involving palladium/norbornene-catalyzed unsymmetrical aryl-aryl and Heck couplings followed by aza-Michael and retro-Mannich reactions. In spite of the many steps involved the method is very simple and allows the formation of selectively substituted phenanthridines under mild conditions in a straightforward one-pot reaction starting from readily available aryl iodides and bromides.

In the process of developing our aryl coupling methodology according to which aryl iodides are caused to react with aryl bromides under the catalytic action of a dual palladium/norbornene catalyst, we have worked out new protocols to cause appropriate functional groups in the aryl halides to form heterocyclic rings condensed with the first-formed biaryl intermediate. Carbazoles, dibenzopyrans, phenanthridines and azaphenanthrenes have been obtained with good yields in one-pot reactions under mild conditions.

The present review refers to catalytic methods to arylate arene or heteroarene compounds. The resulting compounds are ubiquitous in biology and in pharmaceuticals or fine chemicals production. Until a few decades ago they were prepared according to laborious procedures often involving a series of steps all requiring product isolation. Catalytic methods are much simpler and convenient and often consist of one-pot procedures leading to highly selective reactions. The reaction types described here encompass intermolecular as well as intramolecular reactions. Assistance by chelating groups, heteroatoms and metallacycles are considered for metal-catalyzed reactions not involving the use of oxygen or stoichiometric oxidants.

Selectively substituted phenanthridine derivatives are obtained by a facile reaction of o-alkylated aryl iodides, o-bromoarenesulfonylanilines and activated olefins in the presence of palladium and norbornene as catalysts. The reaction takes place under mild conditions to give the products in satisfactory yields using readily available starting materials.

Catalytic methods are important tools for the synthesis of C-C bonds under mild and ambient conditions. Palladium chemistry predominates in this area because it offers the opportunity to form several different types of bonds in one pot. Palladium can also tolerate a variety of functional groups. Among the many investigations of catalytic aryl-aryl couplings, the most successful technique has been the Suzuki reaction, which uses an arylboronic acid to attack an aryl-Pd bond. This Account reports our methodology, based on the cooperative action of Pd and norbornene, that achieves selective aryl-aryl coupling through C-halide and C-H activation. We are primarily interested in Pd-catalyzed sequential reactions. These reactions combine palladium as an inorganic catalyst and a strained olefin such as norbornene as an organic catalyst and can lead to biphenyl derivatives. While the palladium facilitates C-C bond formation through C-halide and C-H activation, the norbornene contributes to the construction of a palladacycle, an intermediate structure that controls and directs the subsequent reaction steps selectively. To achieve regioselective arylation at the carbon ortho to the original C-halide bond, palladacycles require an additional ortho substituent (R(1)). The palladacycle opens, giving rise to a biphenylylnorbornylpalladium complex. Because of the steric hindrance exerted by the two ortho groups, norbornene deinsertion readily occurs to form a biphenylylpalladium complex. Thus, norbornene acts as a removable scaffold. We used this biphenylylpalladium species to form C-C (with olefins, alkynes, or arylboronic acids) or C-H bonds (by hydrogenolysis). Using nonidentical aryl or heteroaryl halides, we also formed a biaryl-bonded Pd species able to undergo the final termination reaction (C-C, C-N, or C-O bond formation) either inter- or intramolecularly. We used this method to synthesize a variety of aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds. We also obtained the key metallacycle able to selectively direct the reactions by replacing norbornene with an aryl-bonded aminocarbonyl group. This method provided a diverse series of condensed heterocycles.

Palladium-catalyzed dehydrogenation of suitable chains bonded to an ortho position of an iodoarene has been achieved by two methods both involving oxidative addition of the iodoarene to palladium(0) and palladacycle formation under mild conditions.

Organometallic and organo-catalysts are cooperatively at work in the enantioselective synthesis of dibenzopyran derivatives; palladium/norbornene and a cinchona alkaloid base guarantee good yields and satisfactory enantioselectivities in a one-pot reaction.

In the presence of Pd(OAc)2 and norbornene as catalysts, two molecules of an ortho-substituted aryl iodide undergo aryl–aryl coupling to a palladium-bonded biphenylyl intermediate, which is hydrogenolyzed by benzyl alcohol to give 2,3′-disubstituted biaryl derivatives in satisfactory yields. A curious behaviour was observed with o-chloroiodobenzene, which gave activation of the C—Cl bond with four-membered ring formation.Key words: biphenyls, aryl–aryl coupling, multistep reactions, palladium, palladacycles, C-H activation, catalysis.

Joint palladium and norbornene catalysis for selective aromatic functionalization via palladacycles is reported. Both alkylation and arylation of aromatics are considered after a brief outlook on the mechanism. These are multistep reactions that proceed in ordered sequences and are chemio-, regio-, and stereoselective. The study of the single steps with isolation of the organometallic species involved has allowed us to detect subtle steric and electronic effects which have been exploited to achieve catalytic reactions. Recent developments of aromatic alkylation and arylation are reported, in particular, condensed heterocyclic ring formation involving dialkylated arylpalladium complexes or both symmetrically and unsymmetrically substituted biphenylylpalladium complexes.

Catalytic one-pot reactions of aromatic iodides with alkyl halides, phenylacetylene or diphenylacetylene, potassium acetate or carbonate, norbornene and palladium acetate in DMF or DMA are reported. A high selectivity towards dialkylsubstituted diarylacetylenes and diarylalkylidenehexahydromethanofluorenes, respectively, has been reached.

A one-pot catalytic synthesis of selectively substituted terphenyl derivatives is reported. The method is based on the combination of a new palladium- and norbornene-mediated aryl–aryl coupling of two molecules of an ortho-substituted aryl iodide with a Suzuki-type arylation. Under the reported conditions, the reaction follows a precisely ordered sequence of steps and the Suzuki coupling only occurs at the end of the sequence. While proposing a new pathway for CC coupling, the process provides a simple and efficient tool for preparing an interesting class of ortho-substituted terphenyls catalytically and with satisfactory yields.

In the presence of Pd(OAc) 2 and norbornene as catalysts, ortho-substituted aryl iodides and terminal olefins react to afford selectively substituted ortho-vinylbiphenyl derivatives in good yields. The reaction proceeds through a series of steps including norbornene insertion and C-H activation with formation of pallada-cycles able to promote arylation of their aromatic part. Norbornene deinsertion then leads to the selective formation of a palladium-bonded biphenylyl group able to react with terminal olefins.

The palladium-catalysed reaction of iodobenzene with norbornene was carried out in the presence of an excess of methyl acrylate in order to intercept palladium-bonded aryl groups. Species of this kind result from a complex sequence of norbornene insertion into arylpalladium bonds, aromatic substitution and arylation of the palladacycle thus formed, followed by a variety of steps including new norbornene insertion and its eventual expulsion when steric hindrance is generated by the process.

Palladium-promoted selective arylation of aromatic substrates can be achieved with aryl iodides or bromides in the presence of bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene. On the basis of isolation of products corresponding to multiple arylations, evidence is provided that the process occurs according to a complex sequence of steps, involving bicycloheptene insertion into arylpalladium bonds and its expulsion when steric hindrance is generated by the process.

An excess of norbornene has to be used, the molar ratio of norbornene to Pd varies between 5:1 to 20:1.

In spite of many steps involved, the title reaction is very simple and allows the synthesis of phenanthridines such as (IV) or (VII) using a one-pot protocol.

The palladium/norbornene-catalyzed sequential one-pot-reaction of aryl iodides, aryl bromides and aryl boronic acids affords o-teraryls in high yields.

o-Alkyl- or o-aryl-substituted arylnorbornylpalladium chloride complexes react with aromatic iodides in dimethylformamide (DMF) via palladacycles to give after hydrogenolysis m-alkylbiphenyls or m-terphenyls.

The title compounds are made readily accessible by a catalytic procedure, occurring under mild conditions, based on palladium-mediated ortho alkylation of aromatic iodides with alkyl bromides followed by reaction with arylboronic acids.

C–H activation of benzylic methyl groups has been realized catalytically under mild conditions through intramolecular reaction on a palladium complex.

[reaction--see text] 1,5-Selectively disubstituted 9,10-diphenyl- or alkylphenylphenanthrenes are obtained by reaction of ortho-substituted aryl iodides and diphenyl- or alkylphenylacetylenes in the presence of palladium and norbornene as catalysts. The reaction outcome is controlled by the steric effect exerted by the ortho substituent in the aryl iodide.