Publications

2022

Highly Efficient Production of Optically Active (R)-Tetrahydrothiophene-3-ol in Batch and Continuous Flow by Using Immobilized Ketoreductase

Vyasa Williams, Yuxia Cui, Jiadong Zhao, Han Fu, Xuecheng Jiao, Yulei Ma, Xiang Li, Xin Du, and Na Zhang

Org. Process Res. Dev. 2022, 26, 7, 1984–1995

Publication Date: February 15, 2022

In this work, an engineered ketoreductase, apKRED-9, derived from Acetobacter pasteurianus 386B was successfully immobilized on two platforms, namely, glutaraldehyde-activated amino polymer beads, LX1000 HA, and cofactor enriched poly(ethylenimine) (CEP) mediated coaggregation followed by glutaraldehyde cross-linking, respectively. The enzyme apKRED-9 immobilized on LX1000HA was evaluated in a packed bed reactor (PBR) for continuous-flow synthesis of (R)-tetrahydrothiophene-3-ol from 3-keto tetrahydrothiophene in an aqueous-isopropanol mixture, while the enzyme apKRED-9 immobilized on CEP was tested in batch mode until pilot scale for the same reaction. The long-term operational stability of the enzyme in both continuous-flow and batch modes was demonstrated, with high conversion of >99.0% and ee > 99.5% in both the cases. From the pilot-scale application of apKRED-9-CEP, (R)-tetrahydrothiophene-3-ol was obtained (118.0 g, GC purity 99.9%, chiral purity ee 99.9% and yield 76.3%). In the PBR flow reactor, the productivity in terms of space time yield (STY) 729 g L–1 d–1 was achieved with 64 h of continuous usage. Based on performance metrics, both platforms are scalable and reproducible, while CEP offers additional advantages on effective cost and adaptability to other enzymes.

Commercial-Scale Visible Light Trifluoromethylation of 2-Chlorothiophenol Using CF3I Gas

Kaid C. Harper, En-Xuan Zhang, Zhi-Qing Liu, Timothy Grieme, Timothy B. Towne, Daniel J. Mack, Jeremy Griffin, Song-Yuan Zheng, Ning-Ning Zhang, Srinivas Gangula, Jia-Long Yuan, Robert Miller, Ping-Zhong Huang, James Gage, Moiz Diwan, and Yi-Yin Ku

Org. Process Res. Dev. 2022, 26, 2, 404–412

Publication Date: February 7, 2022

 

Despite the growth of photoredox methods in academia, application of photoredox at scale in the pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries has been slow. In this report, a photoredox trifluoromethylation of a thiophenol was modified from the original literature report, and the mechanism was investigated to define the key scale-up parameters. The mechanistic insight was leveraged in the design and execution of two different reactor designs: an LED-based plug flow photoreactor and a laser-based continuous stirred tank photoreactor. In one of the first examples of commercial-scale photoredox chemistry, the process was scaled to provide over 500 kg of the desired intermediate and amended to fully continuous manufacturing.

2021

Process Development of a Second Generation β‑Amyloid-Cleaving Enzyme InhibitorImproving the Robustness of Halogen-Metal Exchange Using Continuous Stirred-Tank Reactors

Bryan Li,* Richard W. Barnhart, Amelie Dion, Steven Guinness, Alan Happe, Cheryl M. Hayward, Jeffrey Kohrt, Teresa Makowski, Mark Maloney, Jade D. Nelson, Asaad Nematalla, J. Christopher McWilliams, Zhihui Peng, Jeffrey Raggon, John Sagal, Gerald A. Weisenburger, Denghui Bao, Miguel Gonzalez, Jiangping Lu, Mark D. McLaws, Jian Tao, and Baolin Wu

Org. Process Res. Dev. 2021, 25, 1440−1453

 

Process development for the synthesis of a second generation β-amyloid-cleaving enzyme (BACE1) inhibitor (1) is

described. The lithiothiazole addition to the isoxazolene (5) under batch conditions was not scalable because of reaction gelling and

anion instability. A continuous stirred-tank reactor flow process was developed and successfully executed on the 70 kg scale in

multiple runs. In a head-to-head comparison between the continuous and batch processes, the former was clearly superior as it gave a

higher yield (80 vs 63%) of the adduct (4) and better reaction control for handling the unstable lithiothiazole as a reaction

intermediate. Subsequently, 4 underwent Pd-catalyzed amination with t-butyl carbamate, reductive cleavage of the N−O bond,

thioamidine cyclization, and deprotection of the Boc group to provide hydropyranothiazine 2. The synthesis of 1 was completed by

amidation with 5-(difluoromethoxy)picolinic acid and the successive deprotection of the benzamide group with either Silicyclediamine

or L-lysine.

Tumor Vasculature-targeting PEGylated Peptide-drug Conjugate Prodrug Nanoparticles Improve Chemotherapy and Prevent Tumor Metastasis

Tiantian Hao, Ying Fu, Yao Yang, Shuyan Yang, Jian Liu, Jingjing Tang, Kadir Ahmad Ridwan, Yuou Teng, Zhen Liu, Jiuyuan Li, Na Guo, Peng Yu

European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, Volume 219,2021, 113430, ISSN 0223-5234, 5 July 2021

 

Metastasis is the main cause of death in cancer patients; therefore, new strategies or technologies that can inhibit the growth of primary tumors and their metastatic spread are extremely valuable. In this study, we selected an E-selectin-binding peptide as a targeting ligand and an inhibitor of metastasis, and conjugated this peptide with SN38 and PEG to produce an amphiphilic PEGylated peptide-drug conjugate (PDC). Novel self-assembled nanoparticles were then formed by the amphiphilic conjugate. The particles were actively targeted to the tumor vasculature by the peptide and passively to the tumor site by the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. As a nano-prodrug, this multifunctional conjugate (PEG-Pep-SN38) could reduce tumor growth, with an effect similar to that of irinotecan. Moreover, it could prolong the survival of mice bearing primary HCT116 tumors, which was not observed for its parent drug, SN38, nor the clinical prodrug of SN38 (irinotecan). Furthermore, this PDC prodrug prevented B16–F10 colonization in the lungs of mice. This study describes a new tumor vasculature-targeting PDC nano-prodrug with convenient preparation and high potential for cancer therapy, with the potential to be applied to other chemotherapeutic drugs.

Electrochemically Driven Desaturation of Carbonyl Compounds

Samer Gnaim, Yusuke Takahira, Henrik R. Wilke, Zhen Yao, Jinjun Li, Dominique Delbrayelle, Pierre-Georges Echeverria, Julien C. Vantourout & Phil S. Baran

Gnaim, S., Takahira, Y., Wilke, H.R. et al. Electrochemically driven desaturation of carbonyl compounds. Nat. Chem. 13, 367–372 (2021).

 

Electrochemical techniques have long been heralded for their innate sustainability as efficient methods to achieve redox reactions. Carbonyl desaturation, as a fundamental organic oxidation, is an oft-employed transformation to unlock adjacent reactivity through the formal removal of two hydrogen atoms. To date, the most reliable methods to achieve this seemingly trivial reaction rely on transition metals (Pd or Cu) or stoichiometric reagents based on I, Br, Se or S. Here we report an operationally simple pathway to access such structures from enol silanes and phosphates using electrons as the primary reagent. This electrochemically driven desaturation exhibits a broad scope across an array of carbonyl derivatives, is easily scalable (1–100 g) and can be predictably implemented into synthetic pathways using experimentally or computationally derived NMR shifts. Systematic comparisons to state-of-the-art techniques reveal that this method can uniquely desaturate a wide array of carbonyl groups. Mechanistic interrogation suggests a radical-based reaction pathway.

Ketoreductase/Transaminase, One-Pot, Multikilogram Biocatalytic Cascade Reaction

Michael Burns, Wenying Bi, Hui Kim, Manjinder S. Lall, Chao Li, Brian T. O’Neill

J. Org. Chem. 2021, 2021, 25, 4, 941–946
Publication Date: February 14, 2021

 

A biocatalytic cascade to produce tert-butyl ((2R,4R)-2-methyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)carbamate 6 has been demonstrated at the multikilogram scale. In this reaction, a racemic ketone is resolved by reducing the undesired ketone using a ketone reductase (KRED). The reduction is stereospecific for the 2-position of substrate (2S)-ketone leaving the (2R)-ketone unreacted. After the (2S)-ketone has been depleted, a transaminase is added to catalyze the enantioselective transamination of the ketone, resulting in formation of the (2R, 4R)-amine 6. The product is recovered from the aqueous reaction after Boc protection.

2020

Cooperative Stapling of Native Peptides at Lysine and Tyrosine or Arginine with Formaldehyde

Tiantian Hao, Ying Fu, Yao Yang, Shuyan Yang, Jian Liu, Jingjing Tang, Kadir Ahmad Ridwan, Yuou Teng, Zhen Liu, Jiuyuan Li, Na Guo, Peng Yu

Angewandte Chemie
Publication Date: 18 December 2020

 

Stapling of peptides by intramolecular crosslinking of two neighboring amino acid side chains offers an important tool to modulate the structure and properties of peptides. In comparison to the stapling of artificially engineered peptide substrates, methods for stapling native peptides are more desirable for easier accessibility and genetic encodability. However, the existing strategy for selectivity control in the stapling of native peptides is relatively limited: the site of anchoring is often dominated by Cys, and the means for achieving the position selectivity among the same type of residues at different locations is lacking. We have developed a simple and powerful strategy for stapling native peptides at lysine residues with formaldehyde by the cooperation of nearby tyrosine or arginine residues. The stapling reactions can proceed with high efficiency and residue selectivity under mild conditions, and generate linchpins with distinct physiochemical properties. The new method for peptide stapling enables unique control of position-selectivity for substrates bearing multiple reaction sites by reactivity that can be readily built in the peptide sequence.

Development and Proof of Concept for a Large-Scale Photoredox Additive-Free Minisci Reaction

Mark A. Graham*, Gary Noonan*, Janette H. Cherryman, James J. Douglas, Miguel Gonzalez, Lucinda V. Jackson, Kevin Leslie, Zhi-qing Liu, David McKinneyRachel H. MundayChris D. Parsons, David T. E. Whittaker, En-xuan Zhang, and Jun-wang Zhang

Org. Process Res. Dev.  2021, 25, 1, 57–67
Publication Date: December 15, 2020

New route development activities toward ceralasertib (AZD6738) have resulted in the discovery of an efficient, acid additive-free, photoredox Minisci reaction. Mechanistic understanding resulting from LED-NMR reaction profiling, quantum yield measurements, and Stern–Volmer quenching studies have enabled optimization of the catalyst system, resulting in a significant enhancement in the rate of reaction. A large-scale continuous photoflow process has been developed, providing encouraging proof-of-concept data for the future application of this technology in the clinical manufacture of ceralasertib.

Development and Scale-Up of an Improved Manufacturing Route to the ATR Inhibitor Ceralasertib

Mark A. Graham*, Hannah Askey, Andrew D. Campbell, Lai Chan, Katie G. Cooper, Zhaoshan Cui, Andrew Dalgleish, David Dave, Gareth Ensor, Rita Galan, Peter Hamilton, Claire Heffernan, Lucinda V. Jackson, Dajiang Jing, Martin F. Jones, Pengpeng Liu, Keith R. Mulholland, Mohammed Pervez, Michael Popadynec, Emma Randles, Simone Tomasi, and Shenghua Wang

Org. Process Res. Dev.  2021, 25, 1, 43–56
Publication Date: December 15, 2020

A user-friendly approach is presented to sidestep the venerable Grignard addition to unactivated ketones to access tertiary alcohols by reversing the polarity of the disconnection. In this work a ketone instead acts as a nucleophile when adding to simple unactivated olefins to accomplish the same overall transformation. The scope of this coupling is broad as enabled using an electrochemical approach, and the reaction is scalable, chemoselective, and requires no precaution to exclude air or water. Multiple applications demonstrate the simplifying nature of the reaction on multistep synthesis, and mechanistic studies point to an intuitive mechanism reminiscent of other chemical reductants such as SmI2 (which cannot accomplish the same reaction).

Electroreductive Olefin–Ketone Coupling

Pengfei Hupengfei Hu, Byron K. Peters, Christian A. Malapit, Julien C. Vantourout, Pan Wang, Jinjun Li, Lucas Mele, Pierre-Georges Echeverria, Shelley D. Minteer*, And Phil S. Baran*
 

J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2020, 142, 50, 20979–20986
Publication Date: December 1, 2020

A user-friendly approach is presented to sidestep the venerable Grignard addition to unactivated ketones to access tertiary alcohols by reversing the polarity of the disconnection. In this work a ketone instead acts as a nucleophile when adding to simple unactivated olefins to accomplish the same overall transformation. The scope of this coupling is broad as enabled using an electrochemical approach, and the reaction is scalable, chemoselective, and requires no precaution to exclude air or water. Multiple applications demonstrate the simplifying nature of the reaction on multistep synthesis, and mechanistic studies point to an intuitive mechanism reminiscent of other chemical reductants such as SmI2 (which cannot accomplish the same reaction).

Semicontinuous Process for GMP Manufacture of a Carbapenem Intermediate via Carbene Insertion Using an Immobilized Rhodium Catalyst

James R. Gage*, Furong Chen, Changming Dong, Miguel A. Gonzalez, Yong Jiang, Yong Luo, Mark D. McLaws, and Jian Tao

Org. Process Res. Dev. 2020, 2020, 24, 10, 2025–2033
Publication Date: June 15, 2020

A two-stage flow process for cGMP manufacture of a commercially important carbapenem intermediate was developed. Stage 1 featured an intramolecular N–H insertion reaction catalyzed by an immobilized rhodium catalyst. In stage 2, phosphorylation of the resulting keto ester intermediate afforded the target, which was isolated in batch mode. The equipment design and process control strategy leading to validation of the process at the 100 kg scale are discussed.

Development and Execution of a Production-Scale Continuous [2+2] Photocycloaddition

M. G. Beaver,* E. Zhang, * Z. Liu, S. Zheng, B. Wang, J. Lu, J. Tao, M. Gonzalez, S. Jones, J. S. Tedrow

Org. Process Res. Dev. 2020, 24, 10, 2139–2146
Publication Date: May 27, 2020

This article details the approach to large-scale production of cyclobutane 2 by the continuous-flow [2 + 2] photocycloaddition of maleic anhydride and ethylene, including (1) focused reaction optimization and development of a robust isolation protocol, (2) the approach to equipment design and process safety, and (3) the results of commissioning tests and production runs delivering the target compound at throughputs exceeding 5 kg/day.

Synthesis, Optimization, and Large-Scale Preparation of the LowDose Central Nervous System-Penetrant BACE1 Inhibitor LY3202626 via a [3 + 2] Nitrone Cycloaddition

P. Garcia-Losada,* A. C. DeBaillie, J. E. Diego, S. J. Green, M. M. Hansen, C. Jaramillo, M. Johnson, T. Kaoudi, J. Li, P. J. Lindsay-Scott, C. Mateos, D.J. Mergott, J. A. Rincon, R.R. Rothhaar, K. D. Seibert, B. M. Watson, L. L. Winneroski, S. Gangula, D. Jing, H. Sun, L. Zhang, and M. O. Frederick*

Org. Process Res. Dev. 2020, 24, 2, 306–314
Publication Date: January 29, 2020

Herein we report a summary of the synthetic development of LY3202626 from the initial discovery route to a final route that was scaled to make 150 kg. Key developments include the use of a [3 + 2] cyclization to set the cis ring junction of the formed isoxazoline, a one-pot thiazine formation, and three different ways to install the aniline: (1) Cu-catalyzed azide coupling and reduction, (2) nitration and reduction, and (3) Buchwald coupling with acetamide.

2019

Identification of an Oxalamide Ligand for Copper-Catalyzed C–O Couplings from a Pharmaceutical Compound Library

V. S. Chan, S. W. Krabbe, C. Li, L. Sun, Y. Liu, A. J. Nett

ChemCatChem, 2019, 11, 5748-5753

A simple and robust method for electrochemical alkyl C–H fluorination is presented. Using a simple nitrate additive, a widely available fluorine source (Selectfluor), and carbon-based electrodes, a wide variety of activated and unactivated C–H bonds are converted into their C–F congeners. The scalability of the reaction is also demonstrated with a 100 gram preparation of fluorovaline.

Electrochemical C(sp3)–H Fluorination

Takahira, M. Chen, Y. Kawamata, P. Mykhailiuk, H. Nakamura, B. K. Peters, S. H. Reisberg, C. Li, L. Chen, T. Hoshikawa, T. Shibuguchi, P. S. Baran

Synlett, 2019, 30,1178-1182

A simple and robust method for electrochemical alkyl C–H fluorination is presented. Using a simple nitrate additive, a widely available fluorine source (Selectfluor), and carbon-based electrodes, a wide variety of activated and unactivated C–H bonds are converted into their C–F congeners. The scalability of the reaction is also demonstrated with a 100 gram preparation of fluorovaline.

Electrochemically Driven, Ni-Catalyzed Aryl Amination: Scope, Mechanism, and Applications

Kawamata, J. C. Vantourout, D. P. Hickey, P. Bai,L. Chen, Q. Hou, W. Qiao, K. Barman, M. A. Edwards, A. F. G.-C., J. N. deGruyter, H. Nakamura, K.W. Knouse, C. Qin, K. J. Clay, D. Bao, C. Li, J. T. Starr, C. G. Irizarry, N. Sach, H. S. White, M. Neurock, S. D. M., P. S. Baran

J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2019, 141,6392-6402

C–N cross-coupling is one of the most valuable and widespread transformations in organic synthesis. Largely dominated by Pd- and Cu-based catalytic systems, it has proven to be a staple transformation for those in both academia and industry. The current study presents the development and mechanistic understanding of an electrochemically driven, Ni-catalyzed method for achieving this reaction of high strategic importance. Through a series of electrochemical, computational, kinetic, and empirical experiments, the key mechanistic features of this reaction have been unraveled, leading to a second generation set of conditions that is applicable to a broad range of aryl halides and amine nucleophiles including complex examples on oligopeptides, medicinally relevant heterocycles, natural products, and sugars. Full disclosure of the current limitations and procedures for both batch and flow scale-ups (100 g) are also described.

Scalable and safe synthetic organic electroreduction inspired by Li-ion battery chemistry

K. Peters, K. X. Rodriguez, S. H. Reisberg, S. B. Beil, D. P. Hickey, Y. Kawamata, M. Collins, J. Starr, L. Chen, S. Udyavara, K. Klunder, T. J. Gorey, S. L. Anderson, M. Neurock, S. D. Minteer, P. S. Baran

Science, 2019, 363, 838-845

Reductive electrosynthesis has faced long-standing challenges in applications to complex organic substrates at scale. Here, we show how decades of research in lithium-ion battery materials, electrolytes, and additives can serve as an inspiration for achieving practically scalable reductive electrosynthetic conditions for the Birch reduction. Specifically, we demonstrate that using a sacrificial anode material (magnesium or aluminum), combined with a cheap, nontoxic, and water-soluble proton source (dimethylurea), and an overcharge protectant inspired by battery technology [tris(pyrrolidino)phosphoramide] can allow for multigram-scale synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant building blocks. We show how these conditions have a very high level of functional-group tolerance relative to classical electrochemical and chemical dissolving-metal reductions. Finally, we demonstrate that the same electrochemical conditions can be applied to other dissolving metal–type reductive transformations, including McMurry couplings, reductive ketone deoxygenations, and epoxide openings.

2018

Continuous Production of Anhydrous tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide in Nonane Using Membrane Pervaporation and Its Application in Flow Oxidation of a γ‑Butyrolactam

Bryan Li Steven M. Guinness, Steve Hoagland, Michael Fichtner, Hui Kim, Shelly Li, Robert J. Maguire, J. Christopher McWilliams, Jason Mustakis, Jeffrey Raggon, Dan Campos, Chris. R. Voss, Evan Sohodski Bryan Feyock, Hannah Murnen, Miguel Gonzalez, Matthew Johnson, Jiangping Lu, Xichun Feng, Xingfang Sun, Songyuan Zheng, and Baolin Wu

Org. Process Res. Dev. 2018, 22, 707−720

Anhydrous tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) is a powerful oxidizing agent in many chemical transformations. Despite the versatility in organic reactions, the use of anhydrous TBHP has been greatly limited because of safety concerns over its shipping, handling, and storage, particularly on production scale. Herein we describe a membrane pervaporation method that allows the production of the anhydrous TBHP solution in continuous manner. The system consists of membrane modules in series that are made of perfluorinated polymer with very high gas permeability, allowing it to remove water efficiently. The pervaporation skid has been successfully implemented in production by continuously generating anhydrous 1.5 M TBHP solution in nonane at a rate of up to 100 mL·min–1 for more than 96 h, achieving the target of 0.15 wt % water. An integrated flow oxidation of a γ-butyrolactam substrate provides an efficient and diastereoselective synthesis of a key lactam intermediate for the preparation of a drug candidate targeting interleukin-1 receptor associated kinase 4 for the treatment of inflammation and oncology diseases.

Kinetically guided radical-based synthesis of C(sp3)−C(sp3) linkages on DNA

Wang, H. Lundberga, S. Asaia, P. Martín-Acostaa, J. S. Chena, S. Brownb, W. Farrellc, R.G. Dushin, C. J. O’Donnell, A. S. Ratnayakeb, P. Richardsonc, Z. Liu, T. Qin, D. G. Blackmond, P. S. Barana

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 2018, 115, E6404-E6410

DNA-encoded libraries (DEL)-based discovery platforms have recently been widely adopted in the pharmaceutical industry, mainly due to their powerful diversity and incredible number of molecules. In the two decades since their disclosure, great strides have been made to expand the toolbox of reaction modes that are compatible with the idiosyncratic aqueous, dilute, and DNA-sensitive parameters of this system. However, construction of highly important C(sp3)−C(sp3) linkages on DNA through cross-coupling remains unexplored. In this article, we describe a systematic approach to translating standard organic reactions to a DEL setting through the tactical combination of kinetic analysis and empirical screening with information captured from data mining. To exemplify this model, implementation of the Giese addition to forge high value C–C bonds on DNA was studied, which represents a radical-based synthesis in DEL.

Modular radical cross-coupling with sulfones enables access to sp3-rich (fluoro)alkylated scaffolds

R.R. Merchant, J. T. Edwards, T. Qin, M. M. Kruszyk, C. Bi,G. Che, D. Bao, W. Qiao L. Sun, M. R. Collins, O. O. Fadeyi, G. M. Gallego, J. J. Mousseau, P. Nuhant, P. S. Baran

Science, 2018, 360,75-80

Cross-coupling chemistry is widely applied to carbon-carbon bond formation in the synthesis of medicines, agrochemicals, and other functional materials. Recently, single-electron–induced variants of this reaction class have proven particularly useful in the formation of C(sp2 )–C(sp3 ) linkages, although certain compound classes have remained a challenge. Here, we report the use of sulfones to activate the alkyl coupling partner in nickel-catalyzed radical cross-coupling with aryl zinc reagents. This method’s tolerance of fluoroalkyl substituents proved particularly advantageous for the streamlined preparation of pharmaceutically oriented fluorinated scaffolds that previously required multiple steps, toxic reagents, and nonmodular retrosynthetic blueprints. Five specific sulfone reagents facilitate the rapid assembly of a vast set of compounds, many of which contain challenging fluorination patterns.

A General Protocol for Addressing Speciation of the Active Catalyst Applied to Ligand-Accelerated Enantioselective C(sp3)−H Bond Arylation

E. Hill, Q. Pei, E. Zhang, J. R. Gage, J. Yu, D. G. Blackmond

ACS Catal. 2018, 8, 1528−1531

The potential role of dimeric catalyst species on or off the catalytic cycle is considered for a case of Pd-catalyzed C–H functionalization, leading to the development of a general experimental protocol that uses the reaction itself to report on the presence and role of dimeric species in asymmetric catalytic reactions.

2017

CITU: A Peptide and Decarboxylative Coupling Reagent

J.N. deGruyter, L. R. Malins, L. Wimmer, K. J. Clay, J. Lopez-Ogalla, T. Qin, J. Cornella, Z. Liu, G. Che, D. Bao, J. M. Stevens, J. X. Qiao, M. P. Allen, M. A. Poss, P. S. Baran

Org. Lett. 2017, 19, 6196-6199

Tetrachloro-N-hydroxyphthalimide tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (CITU) is disclosed as a convenient and economical reagent for both acylation and decarboxylative cross-coupling chemistries. Within the former set of reactions, CITU displays reactivity similar to that of common coupling reagents, but with increased safety and reduced cost. Within the latter, increased yields, more rapid conversion, and a simplified procedure are possible across a range of reported decarboxylative transformations.

An Epoxide-Mediated Deprotection Method for Acidic Amide Auxiliary

Pei, G. Che,R. Zhu, J.He, J. Yu
Org. Lett. 2017, 19, 5860-5863

A practical method for the removal of a versatile acidic amide auxiliary has been developed. Facile alcoholysis of the amide in the presence of KOAc is enabled by an epoxide, which mechanistically resembles the removal of the Myers’ auxiliary. The protocol has been applied to the removal of a variety of amide substrates and their C–H functionalization products with high efficiency and low cost, representing a step forward toward the development of a versatile directing group for C–H activation.

Electrochemically Enabled, Ni-Catalyzed Amination

Li, Y. Kawamata, H. Nakamura, J. C. Vantourout, Z. Liu, Q. Hou, D. Bao, J.T. Starr, J.Chen, M. Yan, P.S. Baran
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2017, 56, 13088-13093

Along with amide bond formation, Suzuki cross‐coupling, and reductive amination, the Buchwald–Hartwig–Ullmann‐type amination of aryl halides stands as one of the most employed reactions in modern medicinal chemistry. The work herein demonstrates the potential of utilizing electrochemistry to provide a complementary avenue to access such critical bonds using an inexpensive nickel catalyst under mild reaction conditions. Of note is the scalability, functional‐group tolerance, rapid rate, and the ability to employ a variety of aryl donors (Ar−Cl, Ar−Br, Ar−I, Ar−OTf), amine types (primary and secondary), and even alternative X−H donors (alcohols and amides).

Decarboxylative Alkynylation

M. Smith, T. Qin, R. R. Merchant, J. T. Edwards, L. R. Malins,Z. Liu, G. Che, Z. Shen, S. A. Shaw, M. D. Eastgate, P. S. Baran*
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2017, 56, 11906-11910

The development of a new decarboxylative cross‐coupling method that affords terminal and substituted alkynes from various carboxylic acids is described using both nickel‐ and iron‐based catalysts. The use of N‐hydroxytetrachlorophthalimide (TCNHPI) esters is crucial to the success of the transformation, and the reaction is amenable to in situ carboxylic acid activation. Additionally, an inexpensive, commercially available alkyne source is employed in this formal homologation process that serves as a surrogate for other well‐established alkyne syntheses. The reaction is operationally simple and broad in scope while providing succinct and scalable avenues to previously reported synthetic intermediates.

Coupling of Challenging Heteroaryl Halides with Alkyl Halides via Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Electrophile Coupling

Hansen*, C. LiS. Yang, D. Pedro, D. Weix*
J. Org, Chem., 2017, 82, 7085-7694

Despite their importance, the synthesis of alkylated heterocycles from the cross-coupling of Lewis basic nitrogen heteroaryl halides with alkyl halides remains a challenge. We report here a general solution to this challenge enabled by a new collection of ligands based around 2-pyridyl-N-cyanocarboxamidine and 2-pyridylcarboxamidine cores. Both primary and secondary alkyl halides can be coupled with 2-, 3-, and 4-pyridyl halides as well as other more complex heterocycles in generally good yields (41 examples, 69% ave yield).

Scalable, Electrochemical Oxidation of Unactivated C−H Bonds

Kawamata, M. Yan, Z. Liu,D. Bao, J. Chen, J. T. Starr, P. S. Baran*
J. Am. Chem. Soc.,2017, 139, 7448–7451

A practical electrochemical oxidation of unactivated C–H bonds is presented. This reaction utilizes a simple redox mediator, quinuclidine, with inexpensive carbon and nickel electrodes to selectively functionalize “deep-seated” methylene and methine moieties. The process exhibits a broad scope and good functional group compatibility. The scalability, as illustrated by a 50 g scale oxidation of sclareolide, bodes well for immediate and widespread adoption.

Decarboxylative Alkenylation

T. Edwards, R. R. Merchant, K. S. McClymont, K. W. Knouse, T. Qin, L. R. Malins, B. Vokits, S. A. Shaw,D.Bao, F. Wei, T. Zhou, M. D. Eastgate, P. S. Baran*
Nature, 2017, 545,213-218

Olefin chemistry, through pericyclic reactions, polymerizations, oxidations, or reductions, has an essential role in the manipulation of organic matter. Despite its importance, olefin synthesis still relies largely on chemistry introduced more than three decades ago, with metathesis being the most recent addition. Here we describe a simple method of accessing olefins with any substitution pattern or geometry from one of the most ubiquitous and variegated building blocks of chemistry: alkyl carboxylic acids. The activating principles used in amide-bond synthesis can therefore be used, with nickel- or iron-based catalysis, to extract carbon dioxide from a carboxylic acid and economically replace it with an organozinc-derived olefin on a molar scale. We prepare more than 60 olefins across a range of substrate classes, and the ability to simplify retrosynthetic analysis is exemplified with the preparation of 16 different natural products across 10 different families.

2016

Chemoselective Synthesis of Polysubstituted Pyridines from Heteroaryl Fluorosulfates

Zhang*, J. Tang, S. Li, P. Wu, J. E. Moses, K. B. Sharpless*
Chem. Eur. J, 2016, 22, 5692 – 5697

A selection of heteroaryl fluorosulfates were readily synthesized using commercial SO2F2 gas. These substrates are highly efficient coupling partners in the Suzuki reaction. Through judicious selection of Pd catalysts the fluorosulfate functionality is differentiated from bromide and chloride; the order of reactivity being: ‐Br> ‐OSO2F> ‐Cl. Exploiting this trend allowed the stepwise chemoselective synthesis of a number of polysubstituted pyridines, including the drug Etoricoxib.

Scalable and sustainable electrochemical allylic C-H oxidation

J. Horn, B. R. Rose, Y. ChenJ. Tang, K. Chen, M. D. Eastgate, P. S. Baran*
Nature, 2016, 533, 78-81

New methods and strategies for the direct functionalization of C–H bonds are beginning to reshape the field of retrosynthetic analysis, affecting the synthesis of natural products, medicines and materials1. The oxidation of allylic systems has played a prominent role in this context as possibly the most widely applied C–H functionalization, owing to the utility of enones and allylic alcohols as versatile intermediates, and their prevalence in natural and unnatural materials2. Allylic oxidations have featured in hundreds of syntheses, including some natural product syntheses regarded as “classics”3. Despite many attempts to improve the efficiency and practicality of this transformation, the majority of conditions still use highly toxic reagents (based around toxic elements such as chromium or selenium) or expensive catalysts (such as palladium or rhodium)2. These requirements are problematic in industrial settings; currently, no scalable and sustainable solution to allylic oxidation exists. This oxidation strategy is therefore rarely used for large-scale synthetic applications, limiting the adoption of this retrosynthetic strategy by industrial scientists. Here we describe an electrochemical C–H oxidation strategy that exhibits broad substrate scope, operational simplicity and high chemoselectivity. It uses inexpensive and readily available materials, and represents a scalable allylic C–H oxidation (demonstrated on 100 grams), enabling the adoption of this C–H oxidation strategy in large-scale industrial settings without substantial environmental impact.

2012

High Output Continuous Nitration

J. R. Gage,*X. Guo, J.Tao, C. Zheng
Org. Process Res. Dev. 2012, 16, 930−933

The design and use of a flow reactor for scaling up an exothermic nitration reaction in a safe manner on production scale is described. The flow reactor is made of a jacketed, stainless steel coil. Two charging methods, pump and nitrogen pressure were tested on a substituted pyridine substrate. The transfer from kilogram scale in the laboratory to 100-kg scale in the plant was successfully accomplished.