Daniela Sustac Roman

Potassium tert-Butoxide Promoted Intramolecular Arylation via a Radical Pathway

Potassium tert-butoxide mediated intramolecular cyclization of aryl ethers, amines, and amides was efficiently performed under microwave irradiation to provide the corresponding products in high regioisomeric ratios. The reaction proceeds via single-electron transfer to initiate the formation of an aryl radical, followed by a kinetically favored 5-exo-trig and subsequent ring expansion.

C-H functionalization of cyclopropanes: a practical approach employing a picolinamide auxiliary.

A Pd-catalyzed, picolinamide-enabled, and efficient C-H arylation of cyclopropanes is described. The reaction can be promoted by either a silver additive or catalytic pivalic acid in the presence of a carbonate base. Various aryl iodides can be employed as coupling partners, providing exclusively cis-substituted cyclopropylpicolinamides.

Synthesis of 2- and 2,3-substituted pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines: scope and mechanistic considerations of a domino direct alkynylation and cyclization of N-iminopyridinium ylides using alkenyl bromides, alkenyl iodides, and alkynes.

Direct functionalization and tandem processes have both received considerable recent interest due to their cost and time efficiency. Herein we report the synthesis of difficult to obtain 2-substituted pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines through a tandem palladium-catalyzed/silver-mediated elimination/direct functionalization/cyclization reaction involving N-benzoyliminopyridinium ylides. As such, these biologically important molecules are prepared in an efficient, high-yielding manner, only requiring a two-step sequence from pyridine. Aryl-substituted alkenyl bromides and iodides are effective ylide coupling partners. Mechanistic studies led to the use of terminal alkynes, which extended the scope of the reaction to include alkyl substitution on the unsaturated reactive site. The optimization, scope, and mechanistic considerations of the process are discussed.

Ligand-controlled selectivity in the desymmetrization of meso cyclopenten-1,4-diols via rhodium(I)-catalyzed addition of arylboronic acids.

A highly enantioselective desymmetrization of meso cyclopent-2-ene-1,4-diethyl dicarbonates has been developed using a Rh-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution. Depending on the type of ligand used, each of two regioisomeric products can be obtained in good yield and excellent enantioselectivity. Under rhodium(I) catalysis, bisphosphine P-Phos ligands form trans-1,2-arylcyclopentenols as the major product, whereas Segphos ligands lead predominantly to trans-1,4-arylcyclopentenols.

TMP-magnesium and TMP-zinc bases for the regioselective metalation of the cinnoline scaffold.

A regioselective functionalization of cinnolines in positions 3 and 8 using metalations has been developed. This involves either the use of a frustrated Lewis pair consisting of BF3·Et2O and TMP2Mg·2LiCl or the in situ generated base TMP2Zn·2MgCl2·2LiCl. Successive metalations allow the preparation of 3,8-disubstituted cinnolines. Various functionalizations by acylation, allylation, and cross-coupling reactions with aryl halides or alkenyl iodides were carried out successfully.

Transition-Metal-Free Cross-Coupling of Aryl and N-Heteroaryl Cyanides with Benzylic Zinc Reagents.

Functionalized 4-benzylated pyridines can be efficiently prepared by a transition-metal-free cross-coupling between various benzylic zinc chlorides and substituted 4-cyanopyridines in THF/DMPU under microwave irradiation (40 °C, 0.5-1.5 h). Selective benzylations on polycyano-aromatics have also been achieved under these mild conditions. We also report a novel oxidative nucleophilic substitution of a hydrogen on 1,3-dicyanobenzene using benzylic zinc reagents.

Transition-Metal-Free Amination of Pyridine-2-sulfonyl Chloride and Related N-Heterocycles Using Magnesium Amides

A new transition-metal-free amination of pyridine-2-sulfonyl chloride and related N-heterocycles using magnesium amides of type R2NMgCl·LiCl is reported. Additionally, the directed ortho-magnesiation of pyridine-2-sulfonamides using TMPMgCl·LiCl was investigated. Reaction of the magnesium intermediates with various electrophiles and subsequent amination using magnesium amides led to a range of 2,3-functionalized pyridines. Also, cyclization reactions providing an aza-indole and an aza-carbazole were carried out.

Catalytic C–H Bond Functionalization of Cyclopropane Derivatives

The present work describes a comprehensive review of the functionalization of cyclopropyl C–H bonds via transition-metal catalysis. Compared to the enormous number of publications related to direct sp2 and sp3 bond transformations in the last two decades, the first full account of direct cyclopropyl C(sp3)–H bond functionalization was only disclosed in 2011. Both intra- and intermolecular transformations are detailed in the review, including asymmetric reactions. In addition, mechanistic aspects of various Pd-catalyzed cyclopropane functionalizations are discussed.