(Bio)isosteres of ortho- and meta-substituted benzenes

• H. Erik Diepers and
• Johannes C. L. Walker

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 859–890, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.78

• were rare, but a number of practical approaches have been disclosed in recent years. Many of these utilise the ability of bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes (BCBs) to undergo [2σ-2π]-type cycloadditions with alkene reaction partners [37]. Brown and co-workers used this approach to synthesise a variety of 1,2-BCHs

• (±)-30. In a related strategy, Procter and co-workers prepared 1,2-BCHs (±)-33a–e from BCBs 32 via a SmI2-catalysed radical relay alkene insertion (Scheme 3C) [35]. This approach relied on single-electron reduction of the ketone moiety and ring-expansion from the ketyl radical anion. Electron-deficient

• homologation and hydrolysis led to aldehyde (±)-46 which could then be oxidised to acid (±)-47 using a Pinnick oxidation. BCH 42b also led to ester (±)-48 via a Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reaction followed by hydrogenation of the formed alkene. 1,2-BCH 44 could be turned into amine (±)-49 by oxime formation and

Skeletal rearrangement of 6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-4-ols promoted by thionyl chloride or Appel conditions

• Martyn Jevric,
• Julian Klepp,
• Johannes Puschnig,
• Oscar Lamb,
• Christopher J. Sumby and
• Ben W. Greatrex

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 823–829, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.74

• 18 containing an exocyclic alkene was subjected to the reaction conditions, a mixture of benzylic chlorides (20) was formed in low yields, and trace amounts of the allylic chloride 19 was also isolated, the materials differentiated on the basis of the coupling of the acetal H5 with the respective

Advancements in hydrochlorination of alkenes

• Daniel S. Müller

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 787–814, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.72

• provide a better overall understanding. The hydrochlorination of alkenes can be categorized into three main classes (Scheme 1; only a terminal alkene is shown as a substrate, although polysubstituted and conjugated alkenes can also serve as substrates). 1) Polar reactions: These involve the protonation of

• the alkene in the first step, providing a carbocation that subsequently reacts with a chloride anion to yield the Markovnikov product. While this ionic mechanism is commonly illustrated in textbooks by showing “naked” cations as intermediates, several recent studies suggest a molecular concerted or

• alkene reactivity is essential. Two reactivity scales for alkenes are available in the literature, one considering the reactivity of the alkene itself (Mayr scale) [25] and the other the stability of the corresponding cation after protonation (hydride affinities) [26]. In the polar hydrochlorination

SOMOphilic alkyne vs radical-polar crossover approaches: The full story of the azido-alkynylation of alkenes

• Julien Borrel and
• Jerome Waser

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 701–713, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.64

• , greatly increasing the molecular complexity of the starting substrate. Using radical chemistry would lead to a regioselective addition of azide radicals to the alkene, forming selectively the most stabilized C-centered radical. A prominent method for the generation of azide radicals relies on hypervalent

• would initially involve the addition of azide radicals to an alkene, generating a carbon-centered radical. Then, different trapping of this intermediate could be performed (Scheme 1B). First, C-centered radicals are known to recombine with metal-acetylides, in particular copper [27]. Reductive

• ]. On the other hand, the nature of the alkene might be limited as it would strongly influence the oxidation potential of the carbon radical and the stability of the resulting carbocation. Recently, we reported the first successful application of an RPC strategy for the azido-alkynylation of styrenes

Palladium-catalyzed three-component radical-polar crossover carboamination of 1,3-dienes or allenes with diazo esters and amines

• Geng-Xin Liu,
• Xiao-Ting Jie,
• Ge-Jun Niu,
• Li-Sheng Yang,
• Xing-Lin Li,
• Jian Luo and
• Wen-Hao Hu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 661–671, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.59

• alkene followed by a nucleophilic addition, is unknown (Scheme 1b, bottom). The radical-polar crossover strategy has been steadily emerging in synthetic organic chemistry during the last few years [43][44][45][46]. This strategy allows complex chemicals to be assembled with high step economy that would

Enhanced reactivity of Li⁺@C₆₀ toward thermal [2 + 2] cycloaddition by encapsulated Li⁺ Lewis acid

• Hiroshi Ueno,
• Yu Yamazaki,
• Hiroshi Okada,
• Fuminori Misaizu,
• Ken Kokubo and
• Hidehiro Sakurai

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 653–660, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.58

• of N,N,N',N'-tetraethylethynediamine and 1-morpholino-1-cyclopentene with empty C60 has been reported [17][23], while electron-rich styrene derivatives 1 and 2 can react with empty C60 only through a photoinduced SET pathway [19][22]. From these results, the energy gap between the HOMO of the alkene

Switchable molecular tweezers: design and applications

• Pablo Msellem,
• Maksym Dekthiarenko,
• Nihal Hadj Seyd and
• Guillaume Vives

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 504–539, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.45

Ligand effects, solvent cooperation, and large kinetic solvent deuterium isotope effects in gold(I)-catalyzed intramolecular alkene hydroamination

• Ruichen Lan,
• Brock Yager,
• Yoonsun Jee,
• Cynthia S. Day and
• Amanda C. Jones

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 479–496, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.43

• both within the context of a classic gold π-activation/protodeauration mechanism and a general acid-catalyzed mechanism without intermediate gold alkyls. Keywords: alkene hydroamination; general acid catalysis; gold catalysis; isotope effect; phosphine ligand effect; solvent effect; Introduction

• tackle catalyst stability by changing the chloride scavenger [23] or adding other coordinating moieties [24][25]. Hartwig et al. have argued that a Brønsted acid generated in situ from metal triflates may be the “real” catalyst promoting some alkene functionalizations [26]. Therefore, the possibility of

• competing Brønsted acid catalysis in gold-catalyzed alkene functionalization remains a consideration [2], and while it is assumed that alkene activations follow the same prototypical mechanisms as allene and alkyne activations, that is (1) π-activation with nucleophilic attack followed by (2

Mechanisms for radical reactions initiating from N-hydroxyphthalimide esters

• Carlos R. Azpilcueta-Nicolas and
• Jean-Philip Lumb

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 346–378, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.35

• Z-monofluoroalkene product 136 is achieved through anticoplanar elimination of fluoride. Shuhua Li and co-workers reported the generation of alkyl radicals from NHPI esters, mediated by a pyridine-boryl radical reductant species in the context of alkene hydroalkylation [104] and cross

Nucleophilic functionalization of thianthrenium salts under basic conditions

• Xinting Fan,
• Duo Zhang,
• Xiangchuan Xiu,
• Bin Xu,
• Yu Yuan,
• Feng Chen and
• Pan Gao

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 257–263, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.26

• -stage C–H functionalization of arenes, Wickens’s group has introduced an oxidative alkene aziridination strategy that relies on thianthrenation of an alkene under electrochemical conditions [27]. Subsequently, cyclopropanation, [28] aziridination, [29] allylic C–H functionalization, [30][31] transition

Tandem Hock and Friedel–Crafts reactions allowing an expedient synthesis of a cyclolignan-type scaffold

• Viktoria A. Ikonnikova,
• Cristina Cheibas,
• Oscar Gayraud,
• Alexandra E. Bosnidou,
• Nicolas Casaretto,
• Gilles Frison and
• Bastien Nay

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 162–169, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.15

• mention that allylic hydroperoxides are conveniently produced by the photooxygenation of alkene substrates [14][15][16]. Taking all these informations together, since alkenes can be easier intermediates than aldehydes to handle, we envisaged to use a prenyl (= 3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl) group as an aldehyde

• surrogate readilly unmasked under Hock cleavage conditions. The oxidative cleavage of this alkene would not only release the aldehyde group, but also volatile acetone originated from the traceless isopropylidene motif. Overall, a three-reaction process will thus be performed in one pot (Scheme 1c

• ), successively involving a Schenck-ene photooxygenation of an alkene A, an acid-catalyzed Hock cleavage of hydroperoxide B generating an aldehyde derivative C, and an acid-catalyzed Friedel–Crafts reaction in the presence of an aromatic nucleophile leading to D [17]. In principle, a second Friedel–Crafts

Perspectives on push–pull chromophores derived from click-type [2 + 2] cycloaddition–retroelectrocyclization reactions of electron-rich alkynes and electron-deficient alkenes

• Michio Yamada

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 125–154, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.13

• process. The [2 + 2] CA–RE sequence proceeds successively, as depicted in Scheme 1, where electron-donating groups are denoted as EDGs. During the [2 + 2] CA process, the nucleophilic attack by the terminal alkyne carbon of an electron-rich alkyne on an electron-deficient alkene, such as TCNE and 7,7,8,8

• cyclopentadiene moieties. TCBD 4, obtained through the [2 + 2] CA–RE reaction, continues to function as an electron-accepting alkene, as shown in Scheme 4. Subsequent [2 + 2] CA–RE reactions involving electron-rich alkynes yield tetracyano-1,3,5-hexatrienes (TCHTs). These reactions occur seamlessly in a one-pot

Visible-light-induced radical cascade cyclization: a catalyst-free synthetic approach to trifluoromethylated heterocycles

• Chuan Yang,
• Wei Shi,
• Jian Tian,
• Lin Guo,
• Yating Zhao and
• Wujiong Xia

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 118–124, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.12

• (Table 1, entry 16). With the optimized conditions in hand, we started to explore the scope of this photoinduced transformation. Various alkene-tethered indole derivatives were subjected to the reaction. Remarkably, a range of dihydropyrido[1,2-a]indolones bearing a trifluoromethyl group were obtained in

• , Umemoto’s reagent undergoes a homolysis process to generate the trifluoromethyl radical species. The trifluoromethyl radical is trapped by the terminal alkene and forms a relayed radical intermediate 6, which is intercepted by the indole ring realizing an intramolecular cyclization (6-exo-trig). The newly

• moderate to good yields. Experimental To a vial equipped with a stirring bar, alkene-tethered indole substrate 1a (0.3 mmol), Umemoto's reagent (2b, 0.1 mmol), and DCM (2 mL) were added. Then, the vial was degassed and backfilled with N2 three times to remove oxygen. The reaction mixture was stirred at

Photoinduced in situ generation of DNA-targeting ligands: DNA-binding and DNA-photodamaging properties of benzo[c]quinolizinium ions

• Julika Schlosser,
• Olga Fedorova,
• Yuri Fedorov and
• Heiko Ihmels

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 101–117, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.11

• spectrometry. In all cases, the E-configuration of the alkene double bonds was indicated by characteristic coupling constants of the alkene protons (3JH–H = 16 Hz). Absorption properties and photoreactions of styrylpyridine derivatives In acetonitrile solution, the styrylpyridines 2a–g exhibited long

• by the reaction with C-radicals 4 and 5 to give peroxides such as 6 (Scheme 4), by cycloaddition of 1O2 to alkene and diene units, or by deactivation of the excited state in a triplet-triplet annihilation [90], all of which leading to a reduced photocleavage efficiency. However, with much longer

Synthesis of 7-azabicyclo[4.3.1]decane ring systems from tricarbonyl(tropone)iron via intramolecular Heck reactions

• Aaron H. Shoemaker,
• Elizabeth A. Foker,
• Elena P. Uttaro,
• Sarah K. Beitel and
• Daniel R. Griffith

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1615–1619, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.118

• cyclized product 16 in 75% yield. These results suggest that these Heck cyclizations are quite sensitive to the identity of the alkene substituent that is cis to the halogen. We were also interested in engaging vinyl iodide 17 in a 7-exo-trig cyclization to form 18. Z-Iodoalkene 17 appeared to react

• amine protection – can potentially take place in one pot). We have shown that this protocol can be applied to the synthesis of several analogs bearing different substitution patterns on the alkene. The structural diversity that can be readily obtained utilizing this chemistry underscores the versatility

Radical chemistry in polymer science: an overview and recent advances

• Zixiao Wang,
• Feichen Cui,
• Yang Sui and
• Jiajun Yan

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1580–1603, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.116

• catalyst to produce radicals at the 2- and 5-positions of thiophene and synthesized four types of poly(3-alkylthiophene)s (PATs) with different linking ways (Scheme 10). 2.2 Polymerization by thiol–ene chemistry The thiol–ene reaction (also called alkene hydrothiolation) is the anti-Markovnikov addition of

N-Sulfenylsuccinimide/phthalimide: an alternative sulfenylating reagent in organic transformations

• Fatemeh Doraghi,
• Seyedeh Pegah Aledavoud,
• Mehdi Ghanbarlou,
• Bagher Larijani and
• Mohammad Mahdavi

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1471–1502, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.106

• sulfur atom to Fe3+ to generate Fe2+ and radical cation I. Subsequent cleavage of the N–S bond led to cation II and radical III. Interaction of III with Fe2+ regenerated the Fe3+ species and IV. At the same time, electrophilic addition of II to alkene 9 yielded intermediate V, which was subjected to the

• , and TMSOTf resulted in good chemical yields. In the transformation, the selectivity of the endo or exo cyclization depended on the atom number of the chain between alkene and arene, leading to the formation of 6-, 7-, or 8-membered rings. In addition to N-(thio)phthalimides, benzenesulfenyl chloride

• exo ratio was either related to the electron density of the alkene or the steric effect of a substituent. The tether lengths could affect the cyclization. For example, the two-carbon-tethered substrate completely showed endo selectivity, while the four-carbon-tethered substrate exclusively led to

Application of N-heterocyclic carbene–Cu(I) complexes as catalysts in organic synthesis: a review

• Nosheen Beig,
• Varsha Goyal and
• Raj K. Bansal

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1408–1442, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.102

• catalyst when products were obtained with excellent enantioselectivity (92% ee) (Scheme 46). 2.3 [3 + 2] Cycloaddition reactions In a [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction, a three atoms dipolar moiety (1,3-dipole) adds across two atoms of an alkene or alkyne (1,3-dipolarophile) (Scheme 47). It is also known as

Synthesis of ether lipids: natural compounds and analogues

• Marco Antônio G. B. Gomes,
• Alicia Bauduin,
• Chloé Le Roux,
• Romain Fouinneteau,
• Wilfried Berthe,
• Mathieu Berchel,
• Hélène Couthon and
• Paul-Alain Jaffrès

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1299–1369, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.96

Radical ligand transfer: a general strategy for radical functionalization

• David T. Nemoto Jr,
• Kang-Jie Bian,
• Shih-Chieh Kao and
• Julian G. West

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1225–1233, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.90

• , such as hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), alkene addition, and decarboxylation. At least as important has been innovation in radical functionalization methods, including radical–polar crossover (RPC), enabling these intermediates to be engaged in productive and efficient bond-forming steps. However, direct

• functionalization of alkyl radicals, with successful synthetic reactions requiring efficiency and selectivity in both of these processes and inherent compatibility between each. Radical generation has benefitted from many general mechanistic approaches, including hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) [5], alkene addition [6

• charge transfer (LMCT) which, following cage escape, could add to the alkene to generate an alkyl radical. This alkyl radical could then be chlorinated via RLT from a second Cu(II) chloride species, furnishing the dichlorinated product. While copper was unable to be used catalytically in this early

Exploring the role of halogen bonding in iodonium ylides: insights into unexpected reactivity and reaction control

• Carlee A. Montgomery and
• Graham K. Murphy

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1171–1190, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.86

• initial halogen-bonded complex 42, whose irradiation with blue light was proposed to produce acyclic excited state 43*, where possible bond rotation could account for the convergence of alkene isomers into a single product (40c). Radical coupling would then lead to the typical iodocyclobutane intermediate

• EDA complexes between alkenes and iodonium ylides with blue light was believed to induce intramolecular iodocyclobutane formation, followed by cyclopropane formation. These reactions were believed to either involve 1,2-diradicals on the ylide, which could engage the complexed alkene, or to involve

• direct cycloaddition between the ylide and alkene. Murphy’s report of formal X–H insertions with iodonium ylides was similarly proposed to initiate upon complex formation with a Lewis base. Adduct formation was believed to both increase the acidity of halogen bond acceptor’s attached protons, as well as

Photoredox catalysis harvesting multiple photon or electrochemical energies

• Mattia Lepori,
• Simon Schmid and
• Joshua P. Barham

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1055–1145, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.81

• mechanism follows a ‘monophotonic’ oxidative quenching (OQ) route in which [FeIII(btz)3]3+ is oxidatively quenched to [FeIV(btz)3]4+ by the alkyl halide substrate after excitation with green light. After addition of the alkyl radical to the alkene or alkyne substrate, the catalyst is regenerated by

The unique reactivity of 5,6-unsubstituted 1,4-dihydropyridine in the Huisgen 1,4-diploar cycloaddition and formal [2 + 2] cycloaddition

• Xiu-Yu Chen,
• Hui Zheng,
• Ying Han,
• Jing Sun and
• Chao-Guo Yan

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 982–990, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.73

• act as activated alkene to take part in various cycloaddition reactions [35][36][37][38][39][40]. For example, Lavilla and co-workers developed a Sc(OTf)3-catalyzed three-component reaction of 5,6-unsubstituted 1,4-dihydropyridines, arylamines and ethyl glyoxylate for the preparation of various pyrido

Aromatic C–H bond functionalization through organocatalyzed asymmetric intermolecular aza-Friedel–Crafts reaction: a recent update

• Anup Biswas

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 956–981, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.72

• after recrystallization. Subsequent ozonolysis of the terminal alkene functionality with a follow-up reduction furnished primary alcohol 134 which was transformed into the azide 135. Reduction of the azide 135 was accompanied by debenzylation, was followed by tosylation of the primary amine and exchange

• of the Boc-protecting group with the Teoc group then gave phenol 136. Compound 136 was then subjected to a highly diastereoselective oxidative phenolic coupling giving fused tetracyclic architecture 137. Follow-up acid-mediated intramolecular aza-Michael addition and subsequent alkene reduction

Photoredox catalysis enabling decarboxylative radical cyclization of γ,γ-dimethylallyltryptophan (DMAT) derivatives: formal synthesis of 6,7-secoagroclavine

• Alessio Regni,
• Francesca Bartoccini and
• Giovanni Piersanti

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 918–927, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.70

• -dimethylallyltryptophan (DMAT) derivatives containing unactivated alkene moieties has been developed, providing green and efficient access to various six-, seven-, and eight-membered ring 3,4-fused tricyclic indoles. This type of cyclization, which was hitherto very difficult to comprehend in ergot biosynthesis and to

• generated by reductive decarboxylation, could add in an 8-endo-trig manner (common in radical chemistry) to the alkene and the resulting radical could be oxidized to the cation by the oxidized form of the photocatalyst to close the photocatalytic cycle, followed by formation of the double bond. Even though

• intramolecular 7-endo-trig ring closure) may well be the thermodynamic product based on the more stabilized benzylic radical that is produced [101]. As largely reported in the literature [102][103], radicals generated next to alcohols do not normally undergo β-elimination to give alkene/carbon–carbon double-bond