Miyuki Yamaguchi

Catalytic Silicon-Mediated Carbon−Carbon Bond-Forming Reactions of Unactivated Amides

In the presence of catalytic amounts of trialkylsilyl triflate and triethylamine, unactivated amides react with imines to afford the corresponding Mannich-type adducts in high yields with high anti selectivities. While silicon enolates have been widely used in organic synthesis for four decades, this is the first example of the catalytic use of the silicon species, to the best of our knowledge. Moreover, it is noteworthy that unactivated simple amides bearing α-protons that are less acidic than those of ketones and aldehydes can be successfully used in catalytic direct-type addition reactions. Finally, a preliminary trial of an asymmetric catalytic version was conducted and showed promising enantioselectivity of the desired product.

One-Pot Synthesis of Substituted Benzo[b]furans from Mono- and Dichlorophenols Using Palladium Catalysts Bearing Dihydroxyterphenylphosphine

A dihydroxyterphenylphosphine bearing cyclohexyl groups on the phosphorus atom (Cy-DHTP) was found to be a powerful ligand for the palladium-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of substituted benzo[b]furans from 2-chlorophenols and terminal alkynes. This catalyst system was also applicable to the sequential one-pot synthesis of disubstituted benzo[b]furans from dichlorophenols via the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of chlorobenzo[b]furan with boronic acids. The use of two ligands, Cy-DHTP and XPhos, is the key to promoting the reactions. Mechanistic studies suggest that the Pd-Cy-DHTP catalyst is the active species in the Sonogashira cross-coupling step, while the Pd-XPhos catalyst accelerates the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling step.

One-pot synthesis of 2,4-disubstituted indoles from N-tosyl-2,3-dichloroaniline using palladium-dihydroxyterphenylphosphine catalyst.

4-Chloroindoles were synthesized from readily available 2,3-dichloroaniline derivatives and terminal alkynes. The catalyst composed of palladium and dicyclohexyl(dihydroxyterphenyl)phosphine (Cy-DHTP) enabled ortho-selective Sonogashira coupling, and subsequent cyclization afforded 4-chloroindoles in high yields. This transformation was successfully applied to the one-pot synthesis of 2,4-disubstituted indoles via Suzuki-Miyaura coupling after indole formation.

One-Pot Synthesis of Substituted Benzo[b]furans and Indoles from Dichlorophenols/Dichloroanilines Using a Palladium–Dihydroxyterphenylphosphine Catalyst

Disubstituted benzo[b]furans were synthesized by ortho-selective Sonogashira coupling of dichlorophenols and terminal alkynes, followed by cyclization and Suzuki-Miyaura coupling in one pot, using a palladium-dihydroxyterphenylphosphine (Cy-DHTP) catalyst. The use of substoichiometric amounts of tetrabutylammonium chloride was effective in accelerating the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling. This protocol was also successfully applied to the one-pot synthesis of disubstituted indoles from dichloroaniline derivatives.

Imidazole Derivatives as Accelerators for Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Hydroesterification and Hydrocarbamoylation of Alkenes: Extensive Ligand Screening and Mechanistic Study

Imidazole derivatives are effective ligands for promoting the [Ru3(CO)12]‐catalyzed hydroesterification of alkenes using formates. Extensive ligand screening was performed to identify 2‐hydroxymethylated imidazole as the optimal ligand. Neither carbon monoxide gas nor a directing group was required, and the reaction also showed a wide substrate generality. The Ru–imidazole catalyst system also promoted intramolecular hydrocarbamoylation to afford lactams. A Ru–imidazole complex was unambiguously analyzed by X‐ray crystallography, and it had a trinuclear structure derived from one [Ru3(CO)12] and two ligands. This complex was also successfully used for hydroesterification. The mechanism was examined in detail by using D‐ and 13C‐labeled formates, indicating that the hydroesterification reaction proceeds by a decarbonylation–recarbonylation pathway.

Palladium-Catalyzed Direct C3-Selective Arylation of N-Unsubstituted Indoles with Aryl Chlorides and Triflates

The direct C3-arylation of N-unsubstituted indoles with aryl chlorides and triflates has been realized using a palladium-dihydroxyterphenylphosphine (DHTP) catalyst. The site selectivity is different from that obtained with other structurally related ligands. This unique feature of the DHTP ligand is attributed to complex formation between the lithium salts of the ligand and the indole. The method was applied to the late-stage derivatization of pharmaceuticals having a chloro group.

Three-Step Synthesis of Fluoranthenes through Pd-Catalyzed Inter- and Intramolecular C-H Arylation.

A three-step synthetic method for the preparation of fluoranthenes, involving Miuras intermolecular C-H arylation, nonaflation, and intramolecular C-H arylation, has been developed. Various 1-naphthols and haloarenes were successfully used as substrates. Reaction conditions that afford high site selectivity have been developed for the intramolecular C-H arylation step.

Repetitive Two-Step Method for o,o,p- and o,p-Oligophenylene Synthesis through Pd-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Hydroxyterphenylboronic Acid

A repetitive two-step method involving the Pd-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of hydroxyterphenylboronic acid and the subsequent nonaflation of the hydroxy group has been developed for the synthesis of oligophenylenes. This method readily afforded o,o,p- and o,p-oligophenylenes with defined chain lengths. X-ray crystallography was employed to obtain the structure of the o,p-oligophenylene 9-mer.

Ligand-Controlled Site-Selective Cross-Coupling

Site-selective mono-cross-coupling reactions involving dichloro- or dibromo(hetero)aryl substrates are utilized to prepare substituted monochloro- or monobromo(hetero)arenes, which are used as drug components and synthetic precursors. In these reactions, selectivity toward the preferred reaction site of a dihalo(hetero)arene can vary depending on the ancillary ligand of the transition metal catalyst. This review summarizes the examples of ligand-controlled site-selective cross-coupling reactions, specifically those mediated by Pd complexes.