Synthesis and applications of alkenyl chlorides (vinyl chlorides): a review
- Daniel S. Müller
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2026, 22, 1–63, doi:10.3762/bjoc.22.1
Graphical Abstract
Figure 1: Representative alkenyl chloride motifs in natural products. References: Pinnaic acid [8], haterumalide ...
Figure 2: Representative alkenyl chloride motifs in pharmaceuticals and pesticides. References: clomifene [25], e...
Figure 3: Graphical overview of previously published reviews addressing the synthesis of alkenyl chlorides.
Figure 4: Classification of synthetic approaches to alkenyl chlorides.
Scheme 1: Early works by Friedel, Henry, and Favorsky.
Scheme 2: Product distribution obtained by H NMR integration of crude compound as observed by Kagan and co-wo...
Scheme 3: Side reactions observed for the reaction of 14 with PCl5.
Scheme 4: Only compounds 15 and 18 were observed in the presence of Hünig’s base.
Scheme 5: Efficient synthesis of dichloride 15 at low temperatures.
Scheme 6: Various syntheses of alkenyl chlorides on larger scale.
Scheme 7: Scope of the reaction of ketones with PCl5 in boiling cyclohexane.
Scheme 8: Side reactions occur when using excess amounts of PCl5.
Scheme 9: Formation of versatile β-chlorovinyl ketones.
Scheme 10: Mixture of PCl5 and PCl3 used for the synthesis of 49.
Scheme 11: Catechol–PCl3 reagents for the synthesis of alkenyl chlorides.
Scheme 12: (PhO)3P–halogen-based reagents for the synthesis of alkenyl halides.
Scheme 13: Preparation of alkenyl chlorides from alkenyl phosphates.
Scheme 14: Preparation of alkenyl chlorides by treatment of ketones with the Vilsmeier reagent.
Scheme 15: Preparation of electron-rich alkenyl chlorides by treatment of ketones with the Vilsmeier reagent.
Scheme 16: Cu-promoted synthesis of alkenyl chlorides from ketones and POCl3.
Figure 5: GC yield of 9 depending on time and reaction temperature.
Figure 6: Broken reaction flask after attempts to clean the polymerized residue.
Figure 7: GC yield of 9 depending on the amount of CuCl and time.
Scheme 17: Treatment of 4-chromanones with PCl3.
Scheme 18: Synthesis of alkenyl chlorides from the reaction of ketones with acyl chlorides.
Scheme 19: ZnCl2-promoted alkenyl chloride synthesis.
Scheme 20: Regeneration of acid chlorides by triphosgene.
Scheme 21: Alkenyl chlorides from ketones and triphosgene.
Scheme 22: Various substitution reactions.
Scheme 23: Vinylic Finkelstein reactions reported by Evano and co-workers.
Scheme 24: Challenge of selective monohydrochlorination of alkynes.
Scheme 25: Sterically encumbered internal alkynes furnish the hydrochlorination products in high yield.
Scheme 26: Recent work by Kropp with HCl absorbed on alumina.
Scheme 27: High selectivities for monhydrochlorination with nitromethane/acetic acid as solvent.
Figure 8: Functionalized alkynes which typically afford the monhydrochlorinated products.
Scheme 28: Related chorosulfonylation and chloroamination reactions.
Scheme 29: Reaction of organometallic reagents with chlorine electrophiles.
Scheme 30: Elimination reactions of dichlorides to furnish alkenyl chlorides.
Scheme 31: Elimination reactions of allyl chloride 182 to furnish alkenyl chloride 183.
Scheme 32: Detailed studies by Schlosser on the elimination of dichloro compounds.
Scheme 33: Stereoselective variation caused by change of solvent.
Scheme 34: Elimination of gem-dichloride 189 to afford alkene 190.
Scheme 35: Oxidation of enones to dichlorides and in situ elimination thereof.
Scheme 36: Oxidation of allylic alcohols to dichlorides and in situ elimination thereof.
Scheme 37: Chlorination of styrenes with SOCl2 and elimination thereof.
Scheme 38: Chlorination of styrenes with SOCl2 and elimination thereof.
Scheme 39: Fluorine–chlorine exchange followed by elimination.
Scheme 40: Intercepting cations with alkynes and trapping of the alkenyl cation intermediate with chloride.
Scheme 41: Investigations by Mayr and co-workers.
Scheme 42: In situ activation of benzyl alcohol 230 with BCl3.
Scheme 43: In situ activation of benzylic alcohols with TiCl4.
Scheme 44: In situ activation of benzylic alcohols with FeCl3.
Scheme 45: In situ activation of benzylic alcohols with FeCl3.
Scheme 46: In situ activation of aliphatic chlorides and alcohols with ZnCl2, InCl3, and FeCl3.
Scheme 47: In situ generation of benzylic cations and trapping thereof with alkynes.
Scheme 48: Intramolecular trapping reactions affording alkenyl halides.
Scheme 49: Intramolecular trapping reactions affording alkenyl chlorides.
Scheme 50: Intramolecular trapping reactions of oxonium and iminium ions affording alkenyl chlorides.
Scheme 51: Palladium and nickel-catalyzed coupling reactions to afford alkenyl chlorides.
Scheme 52: Rhodium-catalyzed couplings of 1,2-trans-dichloroethene with arylboronic esters.
Scheme 53: First report on monoselective coupling reactions for 1,1-dichloroalkenes.
Scheme 54: Negishi’s and Barluenga’s contributions.
Scheme 55: First mechanistic investigation by Johnson and co-workers.
Scheme 56: First successful cross-metathesis with choroalkene 260.
Scheme 57: Subsequent studies by Johnson.
Scheme 58: Hoveyda and Schrock’s work on stereoretentive cross-metathesis with molybdenum-based catalysts.
Scheme 59: Related work with (Z)-dichloroethene.
Scheme 60: Further ligand refinement and traceless protection of functional groups with HBpin.
Scheme 61: Alkenyl chloride synthesis by Wittig reaction.
Scheme 62: Alkenyl chloride synthesis by Julia olefination.
Scheme 63: Alkenyl chloride synthesis by reaction of ketones with Mg/TiCl4 mixture.
Scheme 64: Frequently used allylic substitution reactions which lead to alkenyl chlorides.
Scheme 65: Enantioselective allylic substitutions.
Scheme 66: Synthesis of alkenyl chlorides bearing an electron-withdrawing group.
Scheme 67: Synthesis of α-nitroalkenyl chlorides from aldehydes.
Scheme 68: Synthesis of alkenyl chlorides via elimination of an in situ generated geminal dihalide.
Scheme 69: Carbenoid approach reported by Pace.
Scheme 70: Carbenoid approach reported by Pace.
Scheme 71: Ring opening of cyclopropenes in the presence of MgCl2.
Scheme 72: Electrophilic chlorination of alkenyl MIDA boronates to Z- or E-alkenyl chlorides.
Scheme 73: Hydroalumination and hydroboration of alkynyl chlorides.
Scheme 74: Carbolithiation of chloroalkynes.
Scheme 75: Chlorination of enamine 420.
Scheme 76: Alkyne synthesis by elimination of alkenyl chlorides.
Scheme 77: Reductive lithiation of akenyl chlorides.
Scheme 78: Reactions of alkenyl chlorides with organolithium reagents.
Scheme 79: Reactions of alkenyl chlorides with organolithium reagents.
Scheme 80: Addition–elimination reaction of alkenyl chloride 9 with organolithium reagents.
Scheme 81: C–H insertions of lithiumcarbenoids.
Scheme 82: Pd-catalyzed coupling reactions with alkenyl chlorides as coupling partner.
Scheme 83: Ni-catalyzed coupling of alkenylcopper reagent with alkenyl chloride 183.
Scheme 84: Ni-catalyzed coupling of heterocycle 472 with alkenyl chloride 473.
Scheme 85: Synthesis of α-chloroketones by oxidation of alkenyl chlorides.
Scheme 86: Tetrahalogenoferrate(III)-promoted oxidation of alkenyl chlorides.
Scheme 87: Chlorine–deuterium exchange promoted by a palladium catalyst.
Scheme 88: Reaction of alkenyl chlorides with thiols in the presence of AIBN (azobisisobutyronitrile).
Scheme 89: Chloroalkene annulation.
Advancements in hydrochlorination of alkenes
- Daniel S. Müller
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 787–814, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.72
Graphical Abstract
Scheme 1: Classes of hydrochlorination reactions discussed in this review.
Figure 1: Mayr’s nucleophilicity parameters for several alkenes. References for each compound can be consulte...
Figure 2: Hydride affinities relating to the reactivity of the corresponding alkene towards hydrochlorination....
Scheme 2: Distinction of polar hydrochlorination reactions.
Scheme 3: Reactions of styrenes with HCl gas or HCl solutions.
Figure 3: Normal temperature dependence for the hydrochlorination of (Z)-but-2-ene.
Figure 4: Pentane slows down the hydrochlorination of 11.
Scheme 4: Recently reported hydrochlorinations of styrenes with HCl gas or HCl solutions.
Scheme 5: Hydrochlorination reactions with di- and trisubstituted alkenes.
Scheme 6: Hydrochlorination of fatty acids with liquified HCl.
Scheme 7: Hydrochlorination with HCl/DMPU solutions.
Scheme 8: Hydrochlorination with HCl generated from EtOH and AcCl.
Scheme 9: Hydrochlorination with HCl generated from H2O and TMSCl.
Scheme 10: Regioisomeric mixtures of chlorooctanes as a result of hydride shifts.
Scheme 11: Regioisomeric mixtures of products as a result of methyl shifts.
Scheme 12: Applications of the Kropp procedure on a preparative scale.
Scheme 13: Curious example of polar anti-Markovnikov hydrochlorination.
Scheme 14: Unexpected and expected hydrochlorinations with AlCl3.
Figure 5: Ex situ-generated HCl gas and in situ application for the hydrochlorination of activated alkenes (*...
Scheme 15: HCl generated by Grob fragmentation of 92.
Scheme 16: Formation of chlorophosphonium complex 104 and the reaction thereof with H2O.
Scheme 17: Snyder’s hydrochlorination with stoichiometric amounts of complex 104 or 108.
Scheme 18: In situ generation of HCl by mixing of MsOH with CaCl2.
Scheme 19: First hydrochlorination of alkenes using hydrochloric acid.
Scheme 20: Visible-light-promoted hydrochlorination.
Scheme 21: Silica gel-promoted hydrochlorination of alkenes with hydrochloric acid.
Scheme 22: Hydrochlorination with hydrochloric acid promoted by acetic acid or iron trichloride.
Figure 6: Metal hydride hydrogen atom transfer reactions vs cationic reactions; BDE (bond-dissociation energy...
Scheme 23: Carreira’s first report on radical hydrochlorinations of alkenes.
Figure 7: Mechanism for the cobalt hydride hydrogen atom transfer reaction reported by Carreira.
Scheme 24: Radical “hydrogenation” of alkenes; competing chlorination reactions.
Scheme 25: Bogers iron-catalyzed radical hydrochlorination.
Scheme 26: Hydrochlorination instead of hydrogenation product.
Scheme 27: Optimization of the Boger protocol by researchers from Merck [88,89].
Figure 8: Proposed mechanism for anti-Markovnikov hydrochlorination by Nicewicz.
Scheme 28: anti-Markovnikov hydrochlorinations as reported by Nicewicz.
Figure 9: Mechanism for anti-Markovnikov hydrochlorination according to Ritter.
Scheme 29: anti-Markovnikov hydrochlorinations as reported by Nicewicz; rr (regioisomeric ratio) corresponds t...
Scheme 30: anti-Markovnikov hydrochlorinations as reported by Liu.
A tutorial review of stereoretentive olefin metathesis based on ruthenium dithiolate catalysts
- Daniel S. Müller,
- Olivier Baslé and
- Marc Mauduit
Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2018, 14, 2999–3010, doi:10.3762/bjoc.14.279
Graphical Abstract
Scheme 1: Synthesis of first Ru-dithiolate metathesis catalysts.
Figure 1: Most efficient Ru-dithiolate catalysts for stereoretentive olefin metathesis with Z- and E-alkenes ...
Figure 2: Selected examples of sterically or electronically modified ruthenium dithiolate complexes.
Figure 3: Model for stereoretentive metathesis proposed by Pederson and Grubbs [3].
Figure 4: Decrease in the benzylidene signal over time upon reaction with (E)-2-hexenyl acetate.
Scheme 2: Selected applications, part 1.
Scheme 3: Selected applications, part 2.
Figure 5: Catalyst loading required for different types of metathesis reactions.
Scheme 4: Proposed catalyst decomposition pathway occurring via attack of the electron-rich sulfide into meth...
Scheme 5: In situ methylene capping strategy for stereoretentive metathesis.
Scheme 6: Stereoretentive cross-metathesis with (Z)-butene (Z-25) as in situ methylene capping agent; selecte...
Scheme 7: Cross metathesis with Z- and E-trisubstituted allylic alcohols.
Scheme 8: In situ synthesis of Ru-3 and application thereof in the cross-metathesis of 12 and 50.
Figure 6: Examples of biologically active and fragrance molecules synthesized by stereoretentive metathesis.
