Migratory insertion of isocyanide into a ketenyl–tungsten bond as key step in cyclization reactions

The prototype ketenyl ligand is bound end-on despite a formal 16 valence electron count at the metal. This situation opens a reaction pathway for a multicomponent cyclization centred on the migration of the ketenyl ligand.

Electrophilic Sulfur Reagent Design Enables Catalytic syn-Carbosulfenylation of Unactivated Alkenes

A multi-component approach to structurally complex organosulfur products is described via the nickel-catalyzed 1,2-carbosulfenylation of unactivated alkenes with organoboron nucleophiles and tailored organosulfur electrophiles. Key to the development of this transformation is the identification of a modular N-alkyl-N-(arylsulfenyl)arenesulfonamide family of sulfur electrophiles. Tuning the electronic and steric properties of the leaving group in these reagents controls pathway selectivity, favoring three-component coupling and suppressing side reactions, as examined via computational studies. The unique syn-stereoselectivity differs from traditional electrophilic sulfenyl transfer processes involving a thiiranium ion intermediate and arises from the directed arylnickel(I) migratory insertion mechanism, as elucidated through reaction kinetics and control experiments. Reactivity and regioselectivity are facilitated by a collection of monodentate, weakly coordinating native directing groups, including sulfonamides, alcohols, amines, amides, and azaheterocycles.

Rhodium-catalyzed intermolecular enantioselective Alder–ene type reaction of cyclopentenes with silylacetylenes

The Alder–ene type reaction between alkenes and alkynes provides an efficient and atom-economic method for the construction of C-C bond, which has been widely employed in the synthesis of natural products and other functional molecules. The intramolecular enantioselective Alder-ene cycloisomerization reactions of 1,n-enynes have been extensively investigated. However, the intermolecular asymmetric version has not been reported, and remains a challenging task. Herein, we describe a rhodium-catalyzed intermolecular enantioselective Alder-ene type reaction of cyclopentenes with silylacetylenes. A variety of chiral (E)-vinylsilane tethered cyclopentenes bearing one quaternary carbon and one tertiary carbon stereocenters are achieved in high yields and enantioselectivities. The reaction undergoes carbonyl-directed migratory insertion, β-H elimination and desymmetrization of prochiral cyclopentenes processes.

Factors Promoting Alkene Migratory Insertion into Metal-Nitrogen Bond during Hydroamination in Recent Studies

: Migratory insertion is a fundamental organometallic transformation that enables the functionalization of an unsaturated bond. Recent reports on catalytic hydroamination provide evidence that supports an intermolecular migratory insertion pathway featuring alkene insertion into metal-nitrogen (M-N) bonds. This article presents factors influencing the rate of migratory insertion in late-transition metal-catalyzed hydroamination, including steric and electronic effects from ligands, alkenes, and metal centers, along with stabilization from coordinated amine intermediates and ordered transition states.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Alkylation of Cyclopropanols with Sulfoxonium Ylides via C-C Bond Cleavage: Formation of Diverse 1,5-Diketones

A novel ruthenium-catalyzed alkylation of cyclopropanols with sulfoxonium ylides has been developed, which afford diverse 1,5-diketones with good efficiency and broad substrate scope. To illustrate the synthetic utilities of obtained 1,5-diketones, aldol and cyclization reactions have been investigated. The preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that this process involves a sequential C-C activation and carbene migratory insertion.