Mechanism of Copper-Catalyzed Hydroalkylation of Alkynes: An Unexpected Role of Dinuclear Copper Complexes.

This article describes a mechanistic study of copper-catalyzed hydroalkylation of terminal alkynes. Relying on the established chemistry of N-heterocyclic carbene copper hydride (NHCCuH) complexes, we previously proposed that the hydroalkylation reaction proceeds by hydrocupration of an alkyne by NHCCuH followed by alkylation of the resulting alkenylcopper intermediate by an alkyl triflate. NHCCuH is regenerated from NHCCuOTf through substitution with CsF followed by transmetalation with silane.

Copper-catalyzed hydroalkylation of terminal alkynes.

We have developed a copper-catalyzed hydroalkylation of terminal alkynes using alkyl triflates as coupling partners and (Me(2)HSi)(2)O as a hydride donor. The hydroalkylation proceeds with excellent anti-Markovnikov regioselectivity and provides exclusively (E)-alkenes. We have demonstrated that both alkyl- and aryl-substituted alkynes can be used as substrates, together with 1° alkyl and benzylic triflates.

Divergence between organometallic and single-electron-transfer mechanisms in copper(II)-mediated aerobic C-H oxidation.

Copper(II)-mediated C-H oxidation is the subject of extensive interest in synthetic chemistry, but the mechanisms of many of these reactions are poorly understood. Here, we observe different products from Cu(II)-mediated oxidation of N-(8-quinolinyl)benzamide, depending on the reaction conditions. Under basic conditions, the benzamide group undergoes directed C-H methoxylation or chlorination.

Copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative C-H functionalizations: trends and mechanistic insights.

The selective oxidation of C-H bonds and the use of O(2) as a stoichiometric oxidant represent two prominent challenges in organic chemistry. Copper(II) is a versatile oxidant, capable of promoting a wide range of oxidative coupling reactions initiated by single-electron transfer (SET) from electron-rich organic molecules. Many of these reactions can be rendered catalytic in Cu by employing molecular oxygen as a stoichiometric oxidant to regenerate the active copper(II) catalyst.