Tales of the Unexpected: Selectivity of Nucleophilic Additions to Zigzag Nanographene Diones

Nucleophilic addition of carbon-centered nucleophiles to nanographene ketones represents a valuable late-stage method for the functionalization of zigzag nanographenes, but its use is rare in the chemical literature. Using two model systems, non-Kekulé triangulene-4,8-dione and Kekulé anthanthrone, we identify unexpected regioselectivities and uncover the rules that govern these reactions. Considering the large number of nanographene ketones that have been reported since the pioneering work of Eric Clar, this method enables synthesis and exploration of hitherto unknown functionalized nanographenes.

Tales of the Unexpected: Selectivity of Nucleophilic Additions to Zigzag Nanographene Diones

Nucleophilic addition of carbon-centered nucleophiles to nanographene ketones represents a valuable late-stage method for the functionalization of zigzag nanographenes, but its use is rare in the chemical literature. Using two model systems, non-Kekulé triangulene-4,8-dione and Kekulé anthanthrone, we identify unexpected regioselectivities and uncover the rules that govern these reactions. Considering the large number of nanographene ketones that have been reported since the pioneering work of Eric Clar, this method enables synthesis and exploration of hitherto unknown functionalized nanographenes.

N-Arylbenzo[b]phenothiazines as Reducing Photoredox Catalysts for Nucleophilic Additions of Alcohols to Styrenes: Shift towards Visible Light

N-Phenylphenothiazines are an important class of photoredox catalysts because they are synthetically well accessible, they allow the tuning of the optoelectronic properties by different substituents, and they have strong reduction properties for activation of alkenes. One of the major disadvantages of N-phenylphenothiazines, however, is the excitation at 365 nm in the UV-A light range. We synthesized three differently dialkylamino-substituted N-phenylbenzo[b]phenothiazines as alternative photoredox catalysts and applied them for the nucleo­philic addition of alkohols to α-methyl styrene. The additional benzene ring shift the absorbance bathochromically and allows performing the photocatalyses by excitation at 385 nm and 405 nm. This type of photoredox catalysis tolerates other functional groups, as representatively shown for alcohols as substrates with C–C and C–N triple bonds.

Recent Progress in Utilization of Functionalized Organometallic Reagents in Cross Coupling Reactions and Nucleophilic Additions

Organometallic compounds have become increasingly important in organic synthesis because of their high chemoselectivity and excellent reactivity. Recently, a variety of organometallic reagents were found to facilitate transition-metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions and nucleophilic addition reactions. Here, we have summarized the latest progress in cross-coupling reactions and in nucleophilic addition reactions with functionalized organometallic reagents present to illustrate their application value. Due to the tremendous contribution made by the Knochel group towards the development of novel organometallic reagents, this review draws extensively from their work in this area in recent years.Introduction1 Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Cross Couplings Involving Organo­zinc Reagents2 Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Cross Couplings Involving Organomagnesium Reagents3 Transition-Metal-Free Cross Couplings Involving Zn and Mg ­Organometallic Reagents4 Nucleophilic Additions Involving Zn and Mg Organometallic Reagents5 Cross-Coupling Reactions or Nucleophilic Additions Involving Mn, Al-, La-, Li-, Sm- and In-Organometallics6 Conclusion