10.1002/anie.201801130
Angewandte Chemie International Edition
COMMUNICATION
Pd(TFA)2 (x mol%)
IPr-HCl (2x mol%)
Ag2CO3
(2+0.x equiv.)
AgTFA (1 equiv.)
R1
R1
Accordingly, coupling between 1a and ortho-iodotoluene 2A was
selected as a test reaction (Scheme 1). Although initial attempts
using standard reaction conditions for direct arylation failed,[14]
desired product 3aA was formed in small amount when using a
large catalyst loading of Pd(OAc)2 in combination with N-
heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand, Ag2CO3 salt and
trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) as additive. Detailed optimization of the
reaction conditions revealed that: 1) Pd(TFA)2 is more effective
catalyst than Pd(OAc)2 as side reactions are limited (formation
of 4a); 2) replacement of TFA by AgTFA salt is essential for
reactivity and 3) the coupling is highly water sensitive thus
addition of an optimized amount of 4Å molecular sieve is crucial
to prevent deactivation of the catalyst. Accordingly, under the
optimal reaction conditions, i.e. Pd(TFA)2 (25 mol%) and IPr-HCl
ligand, Ag2CO3 (2.5 equiv.) together with AgTFA (1 equiv.) and
4Å MS, in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) at 85 °C, the
desired product was isolated in 49% yield within 4h. Remarkably,
1H NMR analysis of the crude reaction mixture shows formation
of 3aA with excellent diastereoselectivity (d.r. of 49 : 2 : 1) and
the purified product is a single atropisomer.
SOpTol
R3
SOpTol
SOpTol
Ar-I
+
H
4 Å MS, HFIP,
85 °C, 4 h
R2
R2
1a-h
2A-M
3
Me
Me
Me
SOpTol
Me
SOpTol
Me
Me
O
O
O
O
O
O
Me
OMe
3aA: 83% conv. (25 mol% Pd)
49 : 2 : 1 d. r. (crude)a
49% yield; ≥ 98 : 2 d. r.b
3aB: 96% conv. (15 mol% Pd) 3aC: 90% conv. (15 mol% Pd)
22 : 1 : 1 d. r. (crude)a
21 : 1 : 0 d. r. (crude)a
65% yield; ≥ 98 : 2 d.r.b
73% yield; ≥ 98 : 2 d. r.b
Me
Me
Me
SOpTol
SOpTol
SOpTol
Me
Me
Me
O
O
O
OMe
Me
3bA: 56% conv. (10 mol% Pd) 3bB: 80% conv. (10 mol% Pd)
3bC: 96% conv. (10 mol% Pd)
213 : 4 : 1 d. r. (crude)a
63% yield; ≥ 98 : 2 d. r.b
23 : 2 : 1 d. r. (crude)a
44% yield ; 98 : 2 d. r.b
45 : 2 : 1 d. r. (crude)a
62% yield; ≥ 98 : 2 d. r.b
Me
Me
Me
SOpTol
SOpTol
SOpTol
Me
Me
Me
O
O
O
OCF3
Br
Cl
3bD: 76% conv. (15 mol% Pd) 3bE: 95% conv. (20 mol% Pd) 3bF: > 95 conv. (25 mol% Pd)
Pdcat (x mol%)
iPr-HCl (2x mol%)
Agsalt (y equiv.)
62 : 2 : 0 d. r. (crude)a
49% yield; ≥ 98 : 2 d. r.b
Me
53 : 2 : 1 d. r. (crude)a
70% yield; 97 : 3 d. r.b
Me
20 : b : 1 d. r. (crude)a
49% yield; > 98 : 2 d. r.b
Me
Me
Me
Me
I
Me Additive (z equiv.)
pTol
SOpTol
SOpTol
OR
S
+
MeO
H
O
O
O
85 °C, 4 h
SOpTol
OMe
SOpTol
SOpTol
O
O
Me
3aA
Me
Me
Me
4a-OAc (R = Ac)
4a-OPiv (R = Piv)
1a
2A
6 equiv.
O
O
O
Me
Br
OMe
OMe
NPhth
3bH: 95% conv. (30 mol% Pd)c
3bG: > 95 conv. (20 mol% Pd)
20 : b : 1 d. r. (crude)a
3bI: 97% conv. (15 mol% Pd)
29 : 2 : 1 d. r. (crude)a
Scheme 1. Test reaction for the synthesis of terphenyls via asymmetric direct
arylation
51% yield; 97 : 3 d. r.b
53% yield; 98 : 2 d. r.b
72% yield; ≥ 98 : 2 d. r.b
Me
Me
Me
SOpTol
SOpTol
SOpTol
Cl
O
O
Next, the coupling of 1a with electron-rich 2-iodotoluene
derivatives 2A-C was completed delivering 3aA, 3aB and 3aC in
moderate to good yields, with no loss of the atroposelection
(Scheme 2). An additional electron donating substituent on 2
increased the reactivity of this coupling partner and therefore
catalytic loading for 3aB and 3aC could be decreased to 15
mol%. In contrast, less electron rich biaryl substrate 1b was
more effective than 1a as the desired arylation was achieved
with only 10 mol% of Pd (3bA-C). The reaction is compatible
with different heteroatoms; not only Cl- and Br-atoms were
tolerated but also coordinating motifs such as NPhth or OMe.
Besides, ortho-position of the aryl-iodide may be substituted by
Cl or OMe group (products 3bJ and 3bK, 3bL). More sterically
demanding Me substituent could also be introduced at the key,
meta position of Ar1 and 3cL and 3cK were isolated as
atropoisomerically pure compounds albeit in low yield. Finally,
electron donating and electron withdrawing substituents are well
tolerated on Ar2, delivering 3dG, 3eG, 3fG, 3gM and 3hG in 44-
68 % yield. Noteworthy, crystal structure of 3aC shows the
expected spatial proximity of Ar2 and Ar3 and the “cavity-like”
architecture of the molecule.[15]
O
O
O
OMe
Me
3bJ: 89% conv. (20 mol% Pd)
625 : 1 : 10 d. r. (crude)a
69% yield.; 97 : 3 d. r.b
3bL: 76% conv. (10 mol% Pd)
78 : 16 : 1 d. r. (crude)a
33% yield; 94 : 6 d. r.b
3bK: 84% conv. (10 mol% Pd)
6 : 1 : 1 d. r. (crude)a
66% yield; 97 : 3 d. r.b
CF3
Me
Me
Me
SOpTol
SOpTol
SOpTol
O
O
Me
Me
Me
O
OMe
Me
Br
3cL: 55% conv. (30 mol% Pd)d
15 : 2 : 0 d. r. (crude)a
3cK: 39% conv. (30 mol% Pd)d 3dG: > 95% conv. (20 mol% Pd)
24 : 2 : 0 (crude)a
16% yield; ≥ 98 : 2 d. r.b
64 : 2 : 3 (crude)a
24% yield; 94 : 6 d. r.b
49% yield; 98 : 2 d. r.b
Cl
OMe
Me
Me
Me
Me
SOpTol
SOpTol
SOpTol
Me
Me
Me
O
O
O
Me
Br
OMe
Br
Me
Br
3eG: > 95% conv. (20 mol% Pd) 3fG: > 95% conv. (20 mol% Pd) 3gM: > 95 % conv. (10 mol% Pd)
223 : 4 : 1 d. r. (crude)a
67% yield; ≥ 98 : 2 d. r.b
54 : 1 : 0 d. r. (crude)a
68% yield; ≥ 98 : 2 d. r.b
58 : 1 : b d. r. (crude)a
47% yield; > 95 d. r.b
Me
Me
(R)
2
SOpTol
SOpTol
Me
1
Me
O
(S)
3
O
O
Me
Br
OMe
3hG: > 95 % conv. (20 mol% Pd)
3aC
37 : 1 : 0 d. r. (crude)a
44% yield; 98 : 2 d. r.b
In order to unambiguously prove the optical purity of the
products, few fundamental tests were performed and the
rotational barriers were determined (Figure 2). Firstly, the
configurational stability of the sulfoxide was proved by chiral
HPLC analysis. Subsequently, the rotational barrier for the Ar1-
Scheme 2. Scope of the terphenyls with two axial chiralities (a)
4
diastereomers could be potentially obtained and 3 of them were identified in
“crude” 1H NMR spectra, b) 2 diastereomers detected on the 1H NMR spectra
of the purified products, c) for details see SI; d) reaction performed at 115 °C).
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