Mathieu Lesieur

[Pd(IPr*)(cinnamyl)Cl]: An Efficient Pre‐catalyst for the Preparation of Tetra‐ortho‐substituted Biaryls by Suzuki–Miyaura Cross‐Coupling

The bigger the better: The new well-defined [Pd(IPr*)(cin)Cl] pre-catalyst is described. This complex proves to be highly active in the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling for the synthesis of tetra-ortho-substituted biaryls under mild conditions. IPr* is reported as the largest N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) to date for [Pd(NHC)(cin)Cl] complexes, explaining the high reactivity observed for this complex in this challenging transformation.

Versatile Relay and Cooperative Palladium(0) N-Heterocyclic Carbene/Copper(I) N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalysis for the Synthesis of Tri- and Tetrasubstituted Alkenes

Two new and efficient dual catalytic procedures for the synthesis of tri‐ and tetrasubstituted alkenes using aryl bromides and chlorides are reported. The formation of these vinyl arenes occurs independently in a one‐pot relay and a one‐pot cooperative procedure using well‐defined Pd and Cu N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes. Mechanistic studies were performed to elucidate the key role of the solvent in each procedure as well as the formation of the key intermediate, [Cu(alkenylboron)(NHC)], which allows transmetalation with the Pd‐NHC co‐catalyst in the cooperative catalysis.

A cooperative Pd-Cu system for direct C-H bond arylation.

A novel and efficient method for C-H arylation using well-defined Pd- and Cu-NHC systems has been developed. This process promotes the challenging construction of C-C bonds from arenes or heteroarenes using aryl bromides and chlorides. Mechanistic studies show that [Cu(OH)(NHC)] plays a key role in the C-H activation and is involved in the transmetallation with the Pd-NHC co-catalyst.

Copper N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes As Active Catalysts for the Synthesis of 2-Substituted Oxazolines from Nitriles and Aminoalcohols

The reaction between nitriles and aminoalcohols to access 2-substituted oxazolines was investigated. Using copper-NHC complexes, various nitriles were successfully converted into the corresponding oxazolines, under milder and less wasteful conditions than those of previously reported methods.

Light‐Stable Silver N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Catalysts for the Alkynylation of Ketones in Air

N‐Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) silver(I) complexes were employed efficiently in the alkynylation of ketones. These cationic complexes were highly active and efficient under mild conditions and in air without the need for an additive. The mechanism of this transformation was investigated. Experiments suggest that the formation of a silver acetylide key intermediate and the release of one ligand from the silver centre enable the transformation.

A straightforward metal-free synthesis of 2-substituted thiazolines in air

A base-catalysed procedure for the synthesis of 2-substituted thiazolines from nitriles and cysteamine hydrochloride under solvent-free conditions is presented. This straightforward approach allows high conversion for a broad range of nitriles and an easy isolation of the desired products.