Yue Chi

Regioselective Ring Expansion of 2,4-Diiminoazetidines via Cleavage of C–N and C(sp3)–H Bonds: Efficient Construction of 2,3-Dihydropyrimidinesulfonamides

A highly regioselective base-mediated ring expansion of 2,4-diiminoazetidines via cleavage of C-N and C(sp(3))-H bonds is achieved for the first time to afford efficiently 2,3-dihydropyrimidinesulfonamides. The mechanism of the ring expansion via tandem 4π electrocyclic ring-opening/1,5-H shift/6π electrocyclic ring-closing is well confirmed by the trapping experiments of two key intermediates and deuterium labeling studies.

Aromatic Dicupra[10]annulenes

Metal-containing aromatic systems (metalla-aromatics) are unique and important both experimentally and theoretically. Among metalla-aromatics, six-membered metallabenzenes and metallabenzynes have attracted much attention in recent years. However, reports on their superior homologues are rare. In this work, the first series of aromatic dicupra[10]annulenes were isolated from the reaction of dilithio reagents and copper salts. Single-crystal X-ray structural analysis revealed dicupra[10]annulenes with averaged bond lengths. (7)Li NMR spectra and theoretical calculations revealed considerable aromatic character. XPS data suggested that the oxidation state of Cu atom in dicupra[10]annulenes was more likely to be Cu(I), indicating that the dilithio moieties in dicupra[10]annulenes participated as noninnocent ligands. This work demonstrates a novel approach to construct macrocyclic metalla-aromatics.

Oxidant-switchable selective synthesis of 2-aminobenzimidazoles via C-H amination/acetoxylation of guanidines.

The iodine(III) compound promoted C-H amination and tandem C-H amination/acetoxylation of guanidines are achieved for the first time to provide efficiently 2-aminobenzimidazoles and acetoxyl-substituted 2-aminobenzimidazoles, respectively. The amount and type of iodine(III) compounds control the selective syntheses of two types of 2-aminobenzimidazoles. This reaction shows good regioselectivity when unsymmetrical substrates are used.

Cleavage of the CN Bond in Carbodiimides via Release of High Ring Strain: A New Strategy for the Selective Synthesis of 2‐Aminoaryl Alkynyl Imines

A novel pattern of the cleavage and reorganization of C=N bond in the multicomponent reaction (MCR) of terminal alkynes or haloalkynes, carbodiimides, and benzynes is achieved for the first time to construct efficiently 2-aminoaryl alkynyl imines. The selective formation and ring-opening of the azetine intermediate with the high ring strain is essential for this reaction. Further transformation of 2-aminoaryl alkynyl imines via the Cu-catalyzed cycloisomerization is explored to provide steroselectively the bi-, tri-, and tetracyclic fused pyrrolines.

Spiro Metalla-aromatics of Pd, Pt, and Rh: Synthesis and Characterization

Since the concept of aromaticity represents one of the most fundamental principles in chemistry, the search for unprecedented and exciting aromatic systems, therefore, continues to drive research in this area. Herein we report the synthesis and characterization of spiro metalla-aromatics, in which the transition metal (Pd, Pt, or Rh) is the spiro atom, that cross-conjugates two aromatic five-membered metallacycles. These spiro metalla-aromatics tend to take square planar geometries, with the dihedral angle being influenced by the steric repulsion between the α-positioned substituents. Rationalized and classified via both experimental measurements (X-ray structural analysis, NMR spectroscopy, XPS, etc.) and theoretical analysis (DFT calculation, ISE, AICD, NICS, and CMOs), all these fundamental observations extend the concept of aromaticity and organometallic chemistry.

Mechanistic Study on the Cleavage and Reorganization of C(sp3)H and CN Bonds in Carbodiimides: Synthesis of 1,2‐Dihydrothiopyrimidines and 2,3‐Dihydropyrimidinthiones through Four‐Component Coupling

This study sheds light on the cleavage and reorganization of C(sp(3))-H and C=N bonds of carbodiimides in a three-component reaction of terminal alkynes, sulfur, and carbodiimides by a combination of methods including 1) isolation and X-ray analysis of six-membered-ring lithium species 2-S, 2) trapping of the oxygen-analogues (B-O and D-O) of both four-membered-ring intermediate B-S and ring-opening intermediate D-S, 3) deuterium labeling studies, and 4) theoretical studies. These results show that 1) the reaction rate-determining step is [2+2] cycloaddition, 2) the C=N bond cleavage takes place before C(sp(3))-H bond cleavage, 3) the hydrogen attached to C6 in 2-S originates from the carbodiimide, and 4) three types of new aza-heterocycles, such as 1,2-dihydrothiopyrimidines, N-acyl 2,3-dihydropyrimidinthiones, and 1,2-dihydropyrimidinamino acids are constructed efficiently based on 2-S. All results strongly support the idea that the reaction proceeds through [2+2] cycloaddition/4π electrocyclic ring-opening/1,5-H shift/6π electrocyclic ring-closing as key steps. The research strategy on the synthesis, isolation, and reactivity investigation of important intermediates in metal-mediated reactions not only helps achieve an in-depth understanding of reaction mechanisms but also leads to the discovery of new synthetically useful reactions based on the important intermediates.

Substituent-controlled selective synthesis of N-acyl 2-aminothiazoles by intramolecular Zwitterion-mediated C-N bond cleavage.

The cleavage of C-N bonds is an interesting and challenging subject in modern organic synthesis. We have achieved the first zwitterion-controlled C-N bond cleavage in the MCR reaction among lithium alkynethiolates, bulky carbodiimides, and acid chlorides to construct N-acyl 2-aminothiazoles. This is a simple, highly efficient, and general method for the preparation of N-acyl 2-aminothiazoles with a broad range of substituents. The selective synthesis of N-acyl 2-aminothiazoles significantly depends on the steric hindrance of carbodiimides. The result is in striking contrast with our previous convergent reaction giving 5-acyl-2-iminothiazolines via 1,5-acyl migration. It is indeed interesting that the slight change of the substituents on the carbodiimides can completely switch the product structure. Experimental and theoretical results demonstrate the reason why the C-N bond cleavage in the present system is prior to the acyl migration. The intramolecular hydrogen relay via unprecedented Hofmann-type elimination is essential for this totally new zwitterion-controlled C-N bond cleavage.

Synthesis of Quinoline Derivatives via Cu-Catalyzed Cascade Annulation of Heterocumulenes, Alkynes, and Diaryliodonium Salts

CuOTf-catalyzed substituent-controlled cascade [2 + 2 + 2] and [4 + 2] annulation reactions among heterocumulenes, alkynes, and diaryliodonium salts were achieved. Various quinoline derivatives could be obtained in good yields with excellent selectivity. This methodology provided a novel pathway to activate heterocumulenes via a unique highly reactive cationic intermediate. The reaction process was well elucidated by density functional theory calculations.

Synthesis and Mechanistic Study of Cyclic Oxoguanidines via Zn(OTf)2‐Catalyzed Guanylation/Amidation from Readily Available Amino Acid Esters and Carbodiimides

The Zn(OTf)2 -catalyzed guanylation/amidation from readily available amino acid esters and carbodiimides is achieved to provide efficiently various cyclic oxoguanidines, including 2-amino-1H-imidazol-5(4H)-ones and 2-aminoquinazolin-4(3H)-ones in medium-to-high yields. It is the first time that an ammonium salt has been used in a guanylation reaction. The application of cyclic oxoguanidines to provide the conjugated heterocyclic compounds via oxidative C-N formation or aldol reaction is explored. The reaction mechanism is well elucidated by the isolation and characterization of three important intermediates.

Direct Synthesis of Phospholyl Lithium from White Phosphorus

The selective construction of P-C bonds directly from P4 and nucleophiles is an ideal and step-economical approach to utilizing elemental P4 for the straightforward synthesis of organophosphorus compounds. In this work, a highly efficient one-pot reaction between P4 and 1,4-dilithio-1,3-butadienes was realized, which quantitatively affords phospholyl lithium derivatives. DFT calculations indicate that the mechanism is significantly different from that of the well-known stepwise cleavage of P-P bond in P4 activation. Instead, a cooperative nucleophilic attack of two Csp2 Li bonds on P4 , leading to simultaneous cleavage of two P-P bonds, is favorable. This mechanistic information offers a new view on the mechanism of P4 activation, as well as a reasonable explanation for the excellent yields and selectivity. This method could prove to be a useful route to P4 activation and the subsequent production of organophosphorus compounds.