Ligand-Free Bioinspired Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling Reactions using Aryltrifluoroborates as Effective Partners in Deep Eutectic Solvents

ChemSusChem. 2018 Oct 11;11(19):3495-3501. doi: 10.1002/cssc.201801382. Epub 2018 Sep 5.

Abstract

Pd-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling between (hetero)aryl halides (Cl, Br, I) and versatile, moisture-stable mono- and bifunctional potassium aryltrifluoroborates proceeded efficiently and chemoselectively in air and under generally mild conditions; a catalyst loading as low as 1 mol % combined with Na2 CO3 as a base in choline chloride/glycerol (1:2) deep eutectic solvent (DES) was used as a sustainable and environmentally responsible medium. The catalyst, base, and DES were easily and successfully recycled up to six times with an E-factor as low as 8.74. Valuable biaryls and terphenyl derivatives were furnished in yields of up to 98 %; over 50 reactions were compared and discussed. The methodology was applied for the synthesis of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Felbinac and Diflunisal.

Keywords: Suzuki-Miyaura coupling; aryltrifluoroborates; catalysis; deep eutectic solvents; sustainable chemistry.