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

• presence of transition metal catalysts [11][12][13][14]. Currently, this motif is synthesized by sequential introduction of the two functional groups [11][12][13]. Addition of a lithium acetylide to an epoxide affords the corresponding homopropargylic alcohol which can then undergo a sequence of mesylation

Regioselective quinazoline C2 modifications through the azide–tetrazole tautomeric equilibrium

• Dāgs Dāvis Līpiņš,
• Andris Jeminejs,
• Una Ušacka,
• Anatoly Mishnev,
• Māris Turks and
• Irina Novosjolova

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 675–683, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.61

• position of quinazolines requires longer time, higher temperatures, and sometimes the use of expensive transition-metal catalysts [12]. A selective C2 modification can be achieved by using 2-chloroquinazolines IV, where the C4 position is blocked by an unreactive C–C or C–H bond (Scheme 1). Cyclization

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

•  26B). A novel approach for the activation of redox-active esters was recently reported by Cornella and co-workers [32]. In this study, low valent bismuth (Bi) complex Bi-1 was found to exhibit redox properties similar to those of first row-transition metal catalysts, enabling the activation of

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

• Abstract In recent years, S-(alkyl)thianthrenium salts have become an important means of functionalizing alcohol compounds. However, additional transition metal catalysts and/or visible light are required. Herein, a direct thioetherification/amination reaction of thianthrenium salts is realized under metal

• ]. Recently, Ritter and co-workers reported that alkylthianthrenium salts can be employed to undergo reactions with N/O-nucleophiles under photocatalytic conditions [46]. Nevertheless, additional transition metal catalysts, visible light, or electrochemical devices are required for the reported works

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

• radicals. This method allows the efficient synthesis of various indole derivatives without the need of photocatalysts or transition-metal catalysts. Mechanism experiments indicate that the process involves a radical chain process initiated by the homolysis of Umemoto's reagent. This straightforward method

• ], Friedel–Crafts acylation [12], radical cascade reactions [2][13], and photoinduced radical cyclizations [14][15][16][17]. However, these methods often suffer from drawbacks such as harsh reaction conditions and the requirement of transition-metal catalysts. Although photocatalyzed cyclization reactions

1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate as suitable solvent for BF₃: the case of alkyne hydration. Chemistry vs electrochemistry

• Marta David,
• Elisa Galli,
• Richard C. D. Brown,
• Marta Feroci,
• Fabrizio Vetica and
• Martina Bortolami

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1966–1981, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.147

• stimulated the search for alternative catalysts and conditions for the hydration of alkynes, in order to identify safer and more sustainable methods [11][12][13]. In particular, transition-metal catalysts containing Au(I) or (III) [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24], Ru(II) [25][26][27][28][29][30

• conditions, without transition metal catalysts, added oxidants, or strong acids involved, using Selectfluor (1-(chloromethyl)-4-fluoro-1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane-1,4-diium ditetrafluoroborate) as essential additive [73]. With regard to the reaction medium, the idea of replacing classic organic solvents

Recent advancements in iodide/phosphine-mediated photoredox radical reactions

• Tinglan Liu,
• Yu Zhou,
• Junhong Tang and
• Chengming Wang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1785–1803, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.131

• of fused ketones 34, eliminating the need for transition-metal catalysts or oxidants. The technique offered a broad substrate scope, remarkable selectivity, and simple reaction conditions. A plausible mechanism had been proposed for the photocatalytic decarboxylative [3 + 2]/[4 + 2] annulation, as

Lewis acid-promoted direct synthesis of isoxazole derivatives

• Dengxu Qiu,
• Chenhui Jiang,
• Pan Gao and
• Yu Yuan

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 1562–1567, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.113

• nitrogen source (Scheme 1, reaction 2). In 2017, Xu and co-workers [19] developed a copper-mediated annulation reaction to synthesize isoxazoles from two different alkynes. In fact, most methods mostly used highly toxic transition-metal catalysts such as copper metals. In order to develop cheaper and more

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

• -coupling, and direct sulfenylation reactions, which are classified into three categories: sulfenylation catalyzed by i) transition metal catalysts, ii) organocompound catalysts, and iii) catalyst-free sulfenylation. Review Sulfenylation of organic compounds by N-(sulfenyl)succinimides/phthalimides Metal

• conversion of 1-I to 2-II was confirmed by mechanistic studies due to the stability of the benzyl carbocation, followed by 6-endo-dig cyclization. In this method, toxic transition metal catalysts, oxidants, or bases are not used, which made it economically and environmentally reliable. In 2023, Gao et al

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

• have been found versatile synthons for medicinally important and naturally occurring nitrogen-containing compounds (Scheme 54) [72][73][74]. In the past, several transition-metal catalysts were used for this reaction and Li and co-workers reviewed the use of transition-metal salts for the A3 reactions

• conditions, although the transition-metal catalysts were preserved, the reactions require high temperature conditions [76]. In 2008, Wang and co-workers [77] for the first time employed an NHC–Cu(I) complex (2 mol %) and its silica-immobilized version 141 (2 mol %) as catalyst for an A3 coupling reaction

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

• cycloaddition reactions that occur without transition metal catalysts, the unexpected initiation of single electron transfer (SET) processes or photochemical transformations, and even proton transfers that appear to defy pKa limitations. The reaction pathways followed by iodonium ylides and Lewis basic reaction

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

Clauson–Kaas pyrrole synthesis using diverse catalysts: a transition from conventional to greener approach

• Dileep Kumar Singh and
• Rajesh Kumar

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 928–955, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.71

• acid catalysts and transition metal catalysts. The goal of this review is to summarize the synthesis of various N-substituted pyrrole derivatives using a modified Clauson–Kaas reaction under diverse conventional and greener reaction conditions. Keywords: catalyst; Clauson–Kaas pyrrole synthesis; 2,5

• -catalyzed reactions under heating conditions. However, due to environmental concerns, the second part of this review focuses on greener Clauson–Kaas reaction protocols. Various Brønsted acids, Lewis acids, transition metal catalysts, and organocatalysts have been used in water as a green solvent, under

Transition-metal-catalyzed domino reactions of strained bicyclic alkenes

• Austin Pounder,
• Eric Neufeld,
• Peter Myler and
• William Tam

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 487–540, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.38

• active Cu(I) catalyst. The reaction was broadly successful with the steric and electronic nature of the aryl iodide having little effect on the reaction. Iron-catalyzed reactions Being the most earth-abundant d-block element, as well as orders of magnitude less expensive than other transition-metal

• catalysts, iron is bringing a renaissance to the idea of sustainable, green catalysis. In 2011, Ito et al. reported a diastereoselective Fe-catalyzed carbozincation of heterobicyclic alkenes 1 with diphenylzinc (74a) (Scheme 13) [47]. Using an ortho-phenylene diphosphine ligand L3, the authors were able to

Group 13 exchange and transborylation in catalysis

• Dominic R. Willcox and
• Stephen P. Thomas

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2023, 19, 325–348, doi:10.3762/bjoc.19.28

• after In‒N/B‒H exchange with HBpin gave a borylimine iron complex 110. A second hydroelementation and In‒N/B‒H exchange gave the bisborylamine 113 and regenerated the HInCl2 107 co-catalyst (Scheme 27). Conclusion Increasing concerns over the sustainability and toxicity of many transition-metal

• catalysts has led synthetic chemists to seek alternative elements for catalysis. Group 13 compounds have been at the forefront of chemical research for the past century as organic reagents and functional handles. Group 13 exchange reactions have enabled these reagents to move beyond stoichiometric

Heterogeneous metallaphotoredox catalysis in a continuous-flow packed-bed reactor

• Wei-Hsin Hsu,
• Susanne Reischauer,
• Peter H. Seeberger,
• Bartholomäus Pieber and
• Dario Cambié

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 1123–1130, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.115

• catalytic approaches [9]. Especially the combination with other transition metal catalysts (metallaphotoredox catalysis), such as nickel complexes, resulted in a vast number of new methods to achieve cross-couplings under mild conditions [10]. However, the conditions of these methods are often hard to

Electrochemical formal homocoupling of sec-alcohols

• Kosuke Yamamoto,
• Kazuhisa Arita,
• Masashi Shiota,
• Masami Kuriyama and
• Osamu Onomura

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 1062–1069, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.108

• alcohol derivatives. The present transformations smoothly proceed in a simple undivided cell under constant current conditions without the use of external chemical oxidants/reductants, and transition-metal catalysts. Keywords: alcohols; dimerization; electrooxidation; electroreduction; paired

Automated grindstone chemistry: a simple and facile way for PEG-assisted stoichiometry-controlled halogenation of phenols and anilines using N-halosuccinimides

• Dharmendra Das,
• Akhil A. Bhosle,
• Amrita Chatterjee and
• Mainak Banerjee

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 999–1008, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.100

• with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) was carried out in toxic polar solvents (e.g., DMF), but no iodinated or chlorinated products were obtained because of the low reactivity of NIS and NCS (Scheme 1a) [24][25][26][27]. In recent time, the use of Lewis or Brønsted acids, Lewis bases, and transition-metal

• catalysts (Pd, Rh, Fe, etc.) were employed to boost the reactivity of NXS (Scheme 1b) [32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43]. However, the use of toxic and expensive metals, high catalyst loading, and heating conditions are some sheer hurdles to achieving sustainability. Among notable other

Heteroleptic metallosupramolecular aggregates/complexation for supramolecular catalysis

• Prodip Howlader and
• Michael Schmittel

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 597–630, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.62

• . Transition-metal catalysts play an important role for the development of intricate pharmaceutical drugs. Although transition-metal catalysts based on rhodium, cobalt, and palladium have been intensively studied, gold catalysis has received encouraging attention only recently [67][68]. Since selectivity of

Synthesis of piperidine and pyrrolidine derivatives by electroreductive cyclization of imine with terminal dihaloalkanes in a flow microreactor

• Yuki Naito,
• Naoki Shida and
• Mahito Atobe

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 350–359, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.39

• (route (5)). However, these methods involve the use of toxic acids, bases, or transition metal catalysts, and typically require elevated temperatures [14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. In addition, very recently, Molander and co-workers have developed a photoredox-mediated radical/polar crossover process

Me₃Al-mediated domino nucleophilic addition/intramolecular cyclisation of 2-(2-oxo-2-phenylethyl)benzonitriles with amines; a convenient approach for the synthesis of substituted 1-aminoisoquinolines

• Krishna M. S. Adusumalli,
• Lakshmi N. S. Konidena,
• Hima B. Gandham,
• Krishnaiah Kumari,
• Krishna R. Valluru,
• Satya K. R. Nidasanametla,
• Venkateswara R. Battula and
• Hari K. Namballa

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 2765–2772, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.186

• ] receptors. They are useful in the synthesis of phosphorescent materials [22][23][24], fluorosensors [25]. and also found as chiral ligands in a variety of transition metal catalysts [26][27][28][29][30]. Given the pharmacological promiscuity of this scaffold, extensive efforts from different groups led to

Recent advances in the asymmetric phosphoric acid-catalyzed synthesis of axially chiral compounds

• Alemayehu Gashaw Woldegiorgis and
• Xufeng Lin

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 2729–2764, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.185

• aryl–aryl cross-coupling using various transition-metal catalysts has rarely been successful for the enantioselective construction of hindered biaryls [39] due to the discord between the temperature tolerance of the rotational axis and the high temperature required for C–H activation and suffered from

Advances in mercury(II)-salt-mediated cyclization reactions of unsaturated bonds

• Sumana Mandal,
• Raju D. Chaudhari and
• Goutam Biswas

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 2348–2376, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.153

• toxicity concerns, Hg(II) salts are cheap, stable, and versatile in terms of reactivity, making them a viable option to similar transition metal catalysts. Schematic representation of Hg(II)-mediated addition to an unsaturated bond. First report of Hg(II)-mediated synthesis of 2,5-dioxane derivatives from

Transition-metal-free intramolecular Friedel–Crafts reaction by alkene activation: A method for the synthesis of some novel xanthene derivatives

• Tülay Yıldız,
• İrem Baştaş and
• Hatice Başpınar Küçük

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 2203–2208, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.142

• organometallic chemistry and using transition metal catalysts, which need expensive and toxic chemicals. With the increasing interest in these methods, new organocatalysts and reagents that are less toxic, easier to use, readily accessible, and cheap have been developed [37]. In particular, the synthesis of

• arenes using the FCA methods with π-activated alcohols and organocatalysts has begun to be preferred over using conventional reagents, such as organohalogens and transition metal catalysts, which are toxic and require working under harsher conditions [38]. After these developments, the intramolecular FCA

Catalyzed and uncatalyzed procedures for the syntheses of isomeric covalent multi-indolyl hetero non-metallides: an account

• Ranadeep Talukdar

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2021, 17, 2102–2122, doi:10.3762/bjoc.17.137

• with 5-iodoindole (182) in the presence of thiourea and a recyclable CuO nanoparticle catalyst (Scheme 26) [116]. This heterogeneous catalysis strategy bypasses the use of unpleasant aryl thiols, which are generally coupled with other aryl halides in the presence of transition-metal catalysts for