Anodic phenol-arene cross-coupling reaction on boron-doped diamond electrodes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/anie.200904763

(Figure Presented) Particularly sustainable: The anodic crosscoupling reaction between phenols and arenes can be performed on boron-doped diamond electrodes. The arylated products are formed directly and obtained, in some cases, with high selectivity. Since only hydrogen atoms are sacrificed in the course of reaction this methodology opens the door to a novel concept for biaryl formation.

Full text of DOI:10.1002/anie.200904763

Angewandte
Chemie
DOI: 10.1002/anie.200904763
Biaryls
Anodic Phenol–Arene Cross-Coupling Reaction on Boron-Doped
Diamond Electrodes**
Axel Kirste, Gregor Schnakenburg, Florian Stecker, Andreas Fischer, and
Siegfried R. Waldvogel*
The cross-coupling reaction to give nonsymmetric biaryls is a
very versatile and synthetically useful transformation.[1] This
is a very appealing innovative electrode material which opens
up novel synthetic pathways since alkoxyl or hydroxyl radicals
are formed directly with high efficiency.[16] The high reactivity
and oxidative power of such oxyl intermediates lead to
chemical incineration of substrates. Therefore, BDD electro-
des are mostly used for disinfection purposes or wastewater
treatment.[17] In particular, at high current densities the
mineralization presents a challenge in forming a specific
product without degradation. To exploit the advantages of
BDD electrodes and circumvent the mineralization, the
electrolysis can be conducted in almost neat substrates like
2,4-dimethylphenol.[18] Since this particular methodology is
limited to a few substrates, we recently developed a protocol
that employs highly fluorinated alcohols as additives in the
electrolyte, allowing conversion of a broad scope of phenolic
substrates into symmetric biphenols.[19] Best results were
obtained with 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropyl alcohol (HFIP)
as additive.
Herein we report the first anodic and selective phenol–
arene cross-coupling reaction employing boron-doped dia-
mond (BDD) electrodes. The chemoselectivity of the cross-
coupling reaction is induced by preferential formation of oxyl
spin centers on the BDD electrodes.
The screening of a variety of different electron-rich
phenols for the anodic conversion on the BDD electrodes
led to an unusual result for 4-methylguaiacol (1). A selective
and symmetric coupling ortho to the phenolic hydroxy group
was anticipated; however, the reactions exclusively provided
the ortho/meta coupled product 2 (Scheme 1). The previously
À
particular C C bond formation has found application in
natural product synthesis[2] and molecular catalysis,[3] as well
as material sciences.[4] In most examples leaving groups on
both reaction partners are required. Furthermore, toxic
transition-metal catalysts based, for example, on palladium
are necessary for the arylation reaction.[5] The most prom-
inent methods utilize arylboronic acids,[6] arylstannanes,[7]
benzoic acid derivatives,[8] arylzinc,[9] or arylmagnesium[10]
reagents, thereby creating waste by the employed leaving
groups. In a modern approach, the catalytically active
À
transition-metal species effects C H activation at one reac-
À
tion partner and accomplishes the C C bond formation by a
common cross-coupling step. This particular version of biaryl
formation requires only one leaving group and has recently
found significant attention.[11] The direct oxidative cross-
coupling of arenes is a cutting-edge concept which sacrifices
only hydrogen atom substituents and is consequently very
attractive in terms of atom economy. This approach requires a
specific reactivity of one reaction partner towards the
employed oxidant which induces the reaction sequence. The
oxidized intermediate then attacks the other partner and the
transformation can be accomplished. This concept was
demonstrated by Kita and co-workers using stoichiometric
amounts of phenyliodine(III) bis(trifluoroacetate).[12]
Electrochemical approaches for redox transformations
are highly attractive in ecological and economical terms since
solely electrons are used and virtually no reagent waste is
produced.[13] Anodic treatment of arenes results usually in the
formation of the homo-coupling product because the oxida-
tion potential is the key property.[14] In a few examples the
reactive radical cation can be trapped by an abundant
reaction partner which is not affected by the electrode in
the applied potential range.[15] Boron-doped diamond (BDD)
Scheme 1. Anodic coupling of 4-methylguaiacol (1).
[*] A. Kirste, Prof. Dr. S. R. Waldvogel
Kekulꢀ Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Bonn
University, Gerhard-Domagk-Strasse 1, 53121 Bonn (Germany)
E-mail: waldvogel@uni-bonn.de
elaborated electrolysis conditions with HFIP with respect to
temperature, applied current, and concentrations were
used.[20] The yield of 2 is strongly dependent on the current
density. In the range of 2.8–4.7 mAcmÀ2 2 is directly
obtainable in about 30% yield (Table 1, entries 1 and 2).
Much lower current densities result in decreased yields.
The anticipated reaction sequence requires a second electro-
chemical oxidation step which apparently does not occur
rapidly enough to form the stable product. Increased current
density rendered 2 in a significant lower yield as well (Table 1,
Dr. G. Schnakenburg
X-ray Analysis Department, Institute for Inorganic Chemistry
Bonn University, 53121 Bonn (Germany)
Dr. F. Stecker, Dr. A. Fischer
BASF SE, GCI/E—M311, 67056 Ludwigshafen (Germany)
[**] Support by the SFB 813 Chemistry at Spin Centers (DFG) and the
BASF SE is highly appreciated.
Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW
under http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/anie.200904763.
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Table 1: Variation of the current density j.[a]
Entry
j [mAcmÀ2
]
Yield [%]
Current efficiency [%]
1
2
3
2.8
4.7
9.5
27
33
14
27
33
14
[a] Current: 1.0 FmolÀ1 (based on 1).
entry 3). Since the current efficiency (CE) equals the
chemical yield, mineralization and over-oxidation of 2 are
plausible side reactions (see the Supporting Information).
Despite the anodic treatment of electron-rich arenes the
electrolyte is colorless. If slightly colored substrates are
subjected to this electrolysis a decolorizing effect is observed
which reveals the bleaching and mineralizing nature of oxyl
radicals. The architecture of previously unknown 2 is con-
firmed by a complete set of spectroscopic and spectrometric
data as well as by X-ray analysis of a suitable single crystal
(Figure 1). In the solid state the biaryl is tilted by 64.41(8)8.[21]
A hydrogen-bonding network between different molecules of
2 accounts for the dominating interactions for the dense
packing allowing a mutual distance between the similarly
arranged arene moieties of about 3.4 ꢀ.
Scheme 2. Concept of the anodic phenol–arene cross-coupling reaction
and the potential mechanism. HORF =fluorinated alcohol.
unique properties of HFIP allow realization of this novel
concept with a postulated mechanistic picture (Scheme 2).
Although the mean free path length of the phenoxyl species I
is increased, it is still a highly reactive intermediate. Con-
sequently, an excess of arene B for an efficient quenching step
is beneficial.[25] The intermediate II will be formed and is in a
tautomeric equilibrium with III. Final oxidation on the anode
furnishes product AB. In general, for the last step two
pathways are possible. Either a phenoxyl moiety is specifically
generated on the BDD electrode, or a cation, which
immediately undergoes extrusion of a proton.
A variety of different electron-rich arenes (component B)
were used for the cross-coupling with the 4-methylguaiacol
system A. Remarkably, under these conditions no dehydro
dimer 2 was detected. First, 4-methylguaiacol was electro-
lyzed in the presence of 1,2,4-trimethoxybenzene (Table 2,
entry 1), and due to the electron-rich nature of 3, this arene
undergoes oxidative homo-coupling. If the amount of electric
current is doubled, the yield, as well as the selectivity for the
cross-coupling product 11, is increased. The architecture of 11
was also unequivocally determined by X-ray analysis of a
suitable single crystal (see the Supporting Information). Most
probably the homo-coupling product is anodically degraded
to some extent. Dramatic amelioration with respect to
selectivity and yield is found by lowering the current density
to 2.8 mAcmÀ2. Enhancement of applied current at these
conditions leads to inferior results (Table 2, entry 1d). These
findings are supported by cyclovoltammetric studies at BDD
Figure 1. Molecular structure of 2 by X-ray analysis.
A rationale for the formation of 2 includes the generation
of phenoxyl radicals on the BDD electrode. The applied
conditions result in a concentration of oxyl spin centers far
too low for recombination to 2,2’-biphenol derivatives.
Anodic treatment might cause an umpolung effect because
the electron-rich phenol is oxidized.[15,22] Despite the libera-
tion of a proton after the oxidation step the phenoxyl species
still represents an electrophile.[23] Consequently, 1 experiences
an electrophilic attack on the most electron-rich position
which results in the connectivity of 2 (Scheme 1). This
reaction pathway points the strategy for a novel anodic
cross-coupling reaction exploiting oxyl spin-center formation
and then electrophilic arylation, and subsequent anodic
termination. The specific role of HFIP is not yet clear, but
without it the conversion does not proceed.[19] The previously
anticipated role as mediator[19] can definitely be excluded
since the electrochemical window on BDD is larger than the
individual oxidation potentials of the substrates (see the
Supporting Information). However, the non-nucleophilic and
protic nature of HFIP enhances the stability of radical
intermediates by several magnitudes.[24]
After oxidation the acidity of the phenol radical cation is
increased by several magnitudes and in contrast to the studies
of Eberson,[24] deprotonation occurs immediately. These
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Table 2: Converted substrates under electrolysis conditions.[a]
useful coupling partner, providing
15 in very good selectivity (Table 2,
entry 5). If the less electron-rich
arene component 5-methylbenzo-
[1,3]dioxole (8) is subjected to the
protocol, only the mixed biaryl is
detected (Table 2, entry 6). The
anodic cross-coupling is also appli-
cable to methoxylated naphtha-
lenes; 2-methoxynaphthalene (9)
is arylated in the 1-position to
give biaryl 17 in good yield and
acceptable selectivity (Table 2,
entry 7). Increased electron density
on the arene component yields
inferior results as well as lower
selectivity in the formation of 18
(Table 2, entry 8).
All cross-coupling products 11–
18 are novel compounds and acces-
sible in a single step. In the workup
procedure HFIP is almost com-
pletely recovered as it represents
the most volatile component in the
reaction mixture. Subsequently, the
nonconverted starting materials
can be recovered by short-path
distillation in about 80% effi-
ciency. Detailed studies of the
conversion including mass balance
reveal that only a small part of the
reaction mixture undergoes elec-
trochemical incineration and the
cross-coupling products seem to
undergo over-oxidation to give oli-
gomeric and polymeric by-prod-
ucts (see the Supporting Informa-
tion).
Entry
Arene B
j
Current
Coupling
product
AB
AB/BB Yield of Current
[mAcmÀ2
]
[FmolÀ1 [28]
]
(GC)
AB [%] efficiency
[%]
a
4.7
4.7
2.8
2.8
1.0
2.0
2.0
3.0
1:1 17
1.5:1 39
5:1 47
34
39
47
22
b
c
d
1
2
3
4
1.5:1 34
a
b
4.7
4.7
1.0
2.0
11:1 12
7:1 16
23
16
a
b
c
4.7
4.7
2.8
1.0
2.0
2.0
>50:1 18
15:1 14
37
15
8
>50:1
8
a
b
4.7
4.7
1.0
2.0
>50:1 11
13:1 18
23
15
a
b
4.7
2.8
2.0
2.0
9:1 30
23:1 25
30
25
5
6
7
8
a
b
4.7
4.7
1.0
2.0
>50:1 10
>50:1 18
19
15
4.7
4.7
2.0
1.0
12:1 33
33
22
Compared to a Suzuki coupling
sequence starting from arenes
without the leaving functionalities,
our approach is competitive in
respect to the overall yield (see
the Supporting Information). In
2.5:1 11
[a] BDD anode, nickel cathode, 30 mL HFIP, 508C, A/B 1:10.
electrodes with the employed electrolyte, wherein 1 and 2 addition, the presented approach is faster and definitely
show similar oxidation potentials. Furthermore, product 11 is more sustainable. The unique character of BDD is obvious
more easily oxidized than the corresponding starting materi- when platinum or other carbon electrodes like graphite or
als, which limits the chemical yield as a result of over- glassy carbon are used instead (see the Supporting Informa-
oxidation (see the Supporting Information). Employing 1,3,5- tion). In control experiments using carbon electrodes only the
trimethoxybenzene (4) affords the mixed biaryl in good homo-dehydro dimers were found since the component with
selectivity, wherein alteration of current density has only little the lowest oxidation potential converts first.[26] The trans-
influence on the formation of 12 (Table 2, entry 2). The cross- formation can successfully be extended to other 2,4-substi-
coupling reaction is compatible with bromo substituents. The tuted electron-rich phenols, for example, 2,4-dimethylphe-
biaryl 13 is almost exclusively observed when 4-bromo-1,3- nol.[27]
dimethoxybenzene (5) is anodically treated on BDD electro-
des (Table 2, entry 3).
In conclusion, we have discovered the first anodic phenol–
arene cross-coupling, which is performed on BDD electrodes.
Electrochemical conversion of 3,4,5-trimethoxytoluene Our results demonstrate that such electrodes can be used for
(6) results in the exclusive formation of the mixed biaryl 14 more than just destructive purposes. BDD electrodes repre-
(Table 2, entry 4). O-methylated sesamol 7 turns out to be a sent a novel and innovative material to generate oxyl spin
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Received: August 26, 2009
Revised: September 16, 2009
Published online: December 22, 2009
À
Keywords: biaryls · C C coupling · electrochemistry · oxidation ·
phenols
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[25] Systematic variation of the 1/3 ratio was carried out. The
formation of biphenol 2 was not observed as long as an excess of
3 was present in the electrolyte. For good selectivity and a
practical workup an A/B ratio of 1:10 turned out to be useful.
[26] Electrolysis conditions: Methyltriethylammonium methylsulfate
(MTES) as the supporting electrolyte, HFIP as additive,
5 mAcmÀ2, 508C.
[27] Analogous electrolysis of 2,4-dimethylphenol and 1,2,4-trime-
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