Development of Molecular Complexity through Nitrene-Transfer Reactions Catalyzed by Copper and Silver Scorpionate Complexes

Abstract

AbstractFor years, metal–nitrene-transfer reactions have been mainly directed toward C=C bond aziridination or C–H bond amidation reactions. In the last decade, multiple efforts have been made to develop new synthetic approaches to expand the applicability of this powerful tool, resulting in the synthesis of complex structures from relatively simple starting materials. Here, we present our contributions to the area with several novel and, to some degree, unexpected transformations developed by our research group. The catalysts for these nitrene-transfer reactions are copper or silver complexes bearing hydrotrispyrazolyl (scorpionate) ligands. These transformations have contributed to an expansion of the scope of organic compounds accessible by nitrene-transfer reactions and to an understanding of the reactivity of metallonitrene species toward the oxidation of less-explored organic substrates.1 Introduction2 Synthesis of 1,2-Dihydropyridines from Furans3 Regio- and Stereoselective Aziridination of Dienes4 Chemoselective Synthesis of Aminimides from Amines5 Synthesis of Sulfinamides and Isothiazoles from Alkynes6 Formation of Azetidines and Methylene Aziridines from Allenes7 Conclusion