Convergent Synthesis of 1,4-Dicarbonyl Z-Alkenes through Three-Component Coupling of Alkynes, α-Diazo Sulfonium Triflate, and Water

J Am Chem Soc. 2022 Mar 23;144(11):4952-4965. doi: 10.1021/jacs.1c12874. Epub 2022 Mar 11.

Abstract

We report a general protocol for the convergent synthesis of 1,4-dicarbonyl Z-alkenes form alkynes using α-diazo sulfonium triflate and water. The C═O, C═C, and C-H bonds are formed under mild conditions with a wide range of functional groups tolerated. The reaction exhibits excellent Z-selectivity and complete regioselectivity. The resulting 1,4-dicarbonyl Z-alkenes can smoothly undergo follow-up conversion to a variety of heteroaromatic scaffolds. Moreover, the reaction also provides a facile access to the corresponding deuterated Z-alkenes and deuterated heteroarenes with a high level of deuterium incorporation (90-97% D-inc.) by directly using D2O, thus rendering the method highly valuable. The comprehensive mechanistic studies indicate that a free carbyne radical intermediate is formed via the photocatalytic single electron transfer process, and KH2PO4 plays a crucial role in significant improvements on yield and selectivity based on density-functional theory calculations, providing a new direction for radical coupling reactions of diazo compounds.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkenes* / chemistry
  • Alkynes* / chemistry
  • Catalysis
  • Free Radicals
  • Water

Substances

  • Alkenes
  • Alkynes
  • Free Radicals
  • Water