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Background: Oxidation is a valuable tool in preparative organic chemistry. Oxoammonium salts and nitroxides have proven valuable as reagents and catalysts in this endeavor., Objective: The objective of this study is to scale up the oxidative amidation, ester formation, and nitrile formation using nitroxide as an organocatalyst., Methods: Oxidative functionalization reactions were scaled from the 1 mmol to the 1 mole level. Sodium persulfate was used as the primary oxidant, and a nitroxide was employed as a catalyst. The products of the reactions were isolated in analytically pure form by extraction with no need for column chromatography., Results: The oxidative amidation and esterification of aldehydes can be scaled up from 1 mmol to 1 mole effectively, with comparable product yields being obtained at each increment. This work shows that conditions developed on a small scale can be transferred to a larger scale without reoptimization. The oxidative functionalization of aldehydes to prepare nitriles is not amenable to direct scale-up due to the concomitant formation of significant quantities of the corresponding carboxylic acid, thereby compromising the product yield., Conclusion: Two of the three oxidative transformations studied here can be scaled up successfully from the 1 mmol to the 1 mole level., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

An apparatus for real-time in situ monitoring of electrochemical processes using UV-visible spectrophotometry has been used to optimise the electrochemically-activated persulfate decolorisation of Acid Orange 7. The impacts of varying electrode composition, current density, persulfate loading, and stirring speed on the rate of decolorisation have been probed. Decolorisation through this activated persulfate approach was compared to that using anodic oxidation for nine dyes; three from each of the azo, triarylmethane, and xanthene families. The core structure and presence of functional groups have a significant impact on the rate of decolorisation. Azo and xanthene dyes decolorise faster than triarylmethane dyes, while electron-withdrawing groups and halogens are especially detrimental to the rate of decolorisation. Electrochemically-activated persulfate resulted in faster decolorization than anodic oxidation for almost every dye, an effect that was enhanced with the electron-deficient substrates. This type of systematic structural comparison study is essential for designing electrochemical degradation procedures for the remediation of real wastewater., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

A protocol for the oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes and ketones employing an electrochemical aminoxyl-mediated reaction is presented. The approach employs a catalytic amount of the radical and the use of a base is not required. It is performed using readily available electrodes in a commercially available electrochemistry apparatus and does not require a reference electrode. The methodology is applicable to a range of structurally and electronically diverse substrates, including the oxidation of primary alcohols to aldehydes rather than the more commonly formed carboxylic acids., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

A range of acyl azoles have been prepared from aromatic, heteroaromatic, and aliphatic aldehydes by means of an oxidative amidation reaction. The methodology employs a substoichiometric quantity of an oxoammonium salt as the oxidant. It avoids the need for additives such as a base, is run solvent-free, and the oxoammonium salt is recyclable.

A methodology for the preparation of nitriles from aldehydes by means of an oxidative functionalisation reaction is reported. It employs ammonium persulfate as both the primary oxidant and the nitrogen source, and a catalytic amount of a nitroxide. It is applicable to a range of structurally diverse (hetero)aromatic aldehydes furnishing the nitrile products in 30-97% isolated yield. Given the ready accessibility of aldehydes and that ammonium persulfate is cheap and less toxic than many other reagents for generating nitriles, this methodology offers a simple and easy to use approach to this valuable class of compounds.

A simple, metal-free route for the oxidative esterification of aldehydes to yield hexafluoroisopropyl esters is reported. The methodology employs sodium persulfate and a catalytic quantity of a nitroxide and is applicable to aromatic, heteroaromatic, and aliphatic aldehydes.

Experimental and computational studies have been performed in order to investigate an unusual carbon-carbon bond cleavage that occurs in the preparation of certain benzimidazole N-oxides from anilines. The key factor determining the outcome of the reaction was found to be the substituents on the amine functionality of the aniline.

A methodology is reported for preparing amides using amines as an acyl source. The protocol involves the visible-light-promoted oxidative amidation of amines with pyrazole to synthesize N -acyl pyrazoles followed by transamidation. By combining photoredox catalysis with oxoammonium cations in the presence of sodium persulfate as a terminal oxidant, the N -acyl pyrazoles could be prepared efficiently and effectively using blue LEDs. The transamidation step was performed without the need to purify the N -acyl pyrazole intermediate, and a range of amides were generated in good to excellent yields.

A mild and efficient route to prepare nitriles from aldehydes by combining photoredox catalysis with oxoammonium cations is reported. The reaction is performed using ammonium carbamate as the nitrogen source. The practicality of the method is increased by the extension of the dual catalytic system to one-pot two-step conversion of alcohols to nitriles.

A methodology is reported for the preparation of 2-aryl-benzimidazole-3-oxide derivatives. By means of a one-pot two-step protocol, a library of 42 new compounds has been prepared. Reactions were performed in a total time of 40 min using microwave heating as a tool. A streamlined work-up process was also developed, allowing for facile isolation of the products. The methodology offers a more sustainable approach than previous routes, with only water and ethanol being used as solvents, and the products being isolated by means of a simple filtration without the need for any further purification.

We present an alcohol oxidation strategy to access α-trifluoromethyl ketones (TFMKs) merging catalytic oxoammonium cation oxidation with visible-light photoredox catalysis. This work uses 4-acetamido-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidin-1-yl)oxyl as an organic oxidant capable of generating TFMKs in good yields. The methodology serves as an improvement over previous reports of an analogous oxidation strategy requiring superstoichiometric quantities of oxidant. Both primary and secondary non-fluorinated alcohols can also be oxidised in good yields.

We present a new paradigm for nitroxyl-mediated processes via the merger of oxoammonium cation-mediated oxidation with visible-light photoredox catalysis. The integration of these two forms of catalysis has been realised for the oxidative amidation of aldehydes, furnishing N-acylated heterocycles. Extension of this process to the oxidative amidation of alcohols via the intermediacy of an aldehyde was successfully pursued, thus proffering a general oxidation platform. The activated amides synthesised here are excellent synthetic handles for acylation.

A systematic study of the oxidation of a range of terminal diols is reported, employing the oxoammonium salt 4-acetamido-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxoammonium tetrafluoroborate (4-NHAc-TEMPO + BF 4 - ) as the oxidant. For substrates bearing a hydrocarbon chain of seven carbon atoms or more, the sole product is the dialdehyde. A series of post-oxidation reactions have been performed showing that the product mixture resulting from the oxidation step can be taken on directly to a subsequent transformation. For diols containing four to six carbon atoms, the lactone product is the major product upon oxidation. In the case of 1,2-ethanediol and 1,3-propanediol, when using a 1 : 0.5 stoichiometric ratio of substrate to oxidant, the corresponding monoaldehyde is formed which reacts rapidly with further diol to yield the acetal product. This is of particular synthetic value given both the difficulty of their preparation using other approaches and also their potential application in further reaction chemistry.

An operationally simple, robust, metal-free approach to the synthesis of N-acyl azoles from both alcohols and aldehydes is described. Oxidative amidation is facilitated by a commercially available organic oxidant (4-acetamido-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxoammonium tetrafluoroborate) and proceeds under very mild conditions for an array of structurally diverse substrates. Tandem reactions of these activated amides, such as transamidation and esterification, enable further elaboration. Also, the spent oxidant can be recovered and used to regenerate the oxoammonium salt.

The propensity of oxoammonium cations to facilitate the oxidative ring-opening of cyclic ethers to their corresponding distal hydroxy ketones is investigated. The reaction has been evaluated using experimental and computational methods to gain deeper insight into trends in reactivity.

Shape is an inherent trait of a molecule that dictates how it interacts with other molecules, either in binding events or intermolecular reactions. Large-ring macrocyclic compounds in particular leverage their shape when they are selectively bound by biomolecules and also when they exhibit macrocyclic diastereoselectivity. Nonetheless, rules that link structural parameters to the conformation of a macrocycle are still rudimentary. Here we use a structural investigation of a family of [13]-macrodilactones as a case study to develop rules that can be applied generally to macrocycles of different sizes and with a variety of functionality. A characteristic "ribbon" shape is adopted by the [13]-macrodilactones in the absence of stereogenic centres, which exhibits planar chirality. When one stereogenic centre at key positions on the backbone is incorporated into the structure, the planar chirality is dictated by the configuration of the centre. In cases where two stereogenic centres are present, their relationships can either reinforce the characteristic ribbon shape or induce alternative shapes to be adopted. The rules established in the case study are then applied to the analysis of a structure of the natural product migrastatin. They lay the groundwork for the development of models to understand macrocycle-biomolecule interactions and for the preparation of macrocycles with designed properties and activities., (© 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

By using inline monitoring, it is possible to optimize reactions performed using continuous-flow processing in a simple and rapid way. It is also possible to ensure consistent product quality over time using this technique. We here show how to interface a commercially available flow unit with a Raman spectrometer. The Raman flow cell is placed after the back-pressure regulator, meaning that it can be operated at atmospheric pressure. In addition, the fact that the product stream passes through a length of tubing before entering the flow cell means that the material is at RT. It is important that the spectra are acquired under isothermal conditions since Raman signal intensity is temperature dependent. Having assembled the apparatus, we then show how to monitor a chemical reaction, the piperidine-catalyzed synthesis of 3-acetylcoumarin from salicylaldehyde and ethyl acetoacetate being used as an example. The reaction can be performed over a range of flow rates and temperatures, the in-situ monitoring tool being used to optimize conditions simply and easily.

A range of oxoammonium salt-based oxidation reactions have been explored computationally using density functional theory (DFT), and the results have been correlated with experimentally derived trends in reactivity. Mechanistically, most reactions involve a formal hydride transfer from an activated C-H bond to the oxygen atom of the oxoammonium cation. Several new potential modes of reactivity have been uncovered and validated experimentally.

A method to oxidatively cleave allyl ethers to their corresponding aldehydes mediated by an oxoammonium salt is described. Using a biphasic solvent system and mild heating, cleavage proceeds readily, furnishing a variety of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones.

A scalable, high yielding, rapid route to access an array of nitriles from aldehydes mediated by an oxoammonium salt (4-acetylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxoammonium tetrafluoroborate) and hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) as an ammonia surrogate has been developed. The reaction likely involves two distinct chemical transformations: reversible silyl-imine formation between HMDS and an aldehyde, followed by oxidation mediated by the oxoammonium salt and desilylation to furnish a nitrile. The spent oxidant can be easily recovered and used to regenerate the oxoammonium salt oxidant., (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

This viewpoint will discuss the impact of the 2000 Chem. Commun. report that the palladium-catalysed Suzuki coupling can be performed quickly and easily in a room-temperature ionic liquid. This work has helped fuel what have now become whole areas of chemistry of their own: the use of ionic liquids as reaction media for catalytic transformations, and the application of palladium complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands in the Suzuki coupling and beyond.

An operationally simple, inexpensive, and rapid route for the olefination of a wide array of trifluoromethyl ketones to yield 3,3,3-trifluoromethylpropenes is reported. Using a Peterson olefination approach, the reaction gives good to excellent yields of the alkene products and can be performed without purification of the β-hydroxysilyl intermediate. The reaction can be extended to other perfluoroalkyl substituents and is easily scaled up. The alkenes prepared can be readily transformed into a variety of other perfluoroalkyl-containing compounds.

Trifluoromethyl ketones (TFMKs) are exceedingly valuable synthetic targets in their own right and as synthons in the construction of fluorinated pharmacons. This Feature Article provides an overview of the properties of TFMKs, an in-depth discussion of the methods available for their synthesis, and two illustrative examples of their application as key intermediates in medicinal chemistry.

An apparatus is reported for real-time Raman monitoring of reactions performed using continuous-flow processing. Its capability is assessed by studying four reactions, all involving formation of products bearing α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moieties; synthesis of 3-acetylcoumarin, Knoevenagel and Claisen-Schmidt condensations, and a Biginelli reaction. In each case it is possible to monitor the reactions and also in one case, by means of a calibration curve, determine product conversion from Raman spectral data as corroborated by data obtained using NMR spectroscopy.

A simple, high yielding, rapid route for the oxidative esterification of a wide range aldehydes to hexafluoroisopropyl (HFIP) esters using the oxoammonium salt 4-acetylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxoammonium tetrafluoroborate (1a) is reported. These esters can be readily transformed into a variety of other functional groups. The spent oxidant (1b) can be recovered and conveniently reoxidized to regenerate the oxoammonium salt, 1a.

We describe the synthesis of the lesser-known stoichiometric oxidation reagent 4-acetamido-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxoammonium tetrafluoroborate (1, Bobbitt's salt), as well as of 4-acetamido-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidin-1-yl)oxyl (2, AcNH-TEMPO). Several representative oxidation reactions are also presented to demonstrate the salt's oxidative capabilities. Bobbitt's salt has a range of applications, from the oxidation of various alcohols to their corresponding carbonyl derivatives to the oxidative cleavage of benzyl ethers, whereas 2 has been shown to serve as a catalytic or stoichiometric oxidant. The oxyl radical can be obtained in 85% yield over two steps on a 1-mole scale from commercially available 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (5), and is far more cost-effective to prepare in-house than purchase commercially. An additional step converts the oxyl radical into the oxoammonium salt (1, Bobbitt's salt) in 88% yield, with an overall yield of 75%. The synthesis of the salt takes ∼5 d to complete. Oxoammonium salts are metal-free, nontoxic and environmentally friendly oxidants. Preparation of 1 is also inherently 'green', as water can be used as the solvent and the use of environmentally unfriendly materials is minimal. Moreover, after it has been used, the spent oxidant can be recovered and used to regenerate 1, thereby making the process recyclable.

A novel route to access trifluoromethylketones (TFMKs) from Weinreb amides is reported. This represents the first documented case of the Ruppert-Prakash reagent (TMS-CF(3)) reacting in a constructive manner with an amide and enables synthesis of TMFKs without risk of over-trifluoromethylation.

A simple, mild method for the oxidation of α-trifluoromethyl alcohols to trifluoromethyl ketones (TFMKs) using the oxoammonium salt 4-acetylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxoammonium tetrafluoroborate (1) is described. Under basic conditions, oxidation proceeds rapidly and affords good to excellent yields of TFMKs, without concomitant formation of the hydrate. The byproduct of the oxidation, 4-acetylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (1c), is easily recovered and can be conveniently reoxidized to regenerate the oxoammonium salt.

The quality of medicines reaching the consumer is strictly controlled and maintained by the regulatory agencies of the world. Pharmaceutical companies have to meet and maintain these regulatory quality standards. For this purpose, an increasing number of processes are incorporating quality by design (QbD) principles. Implementation of QbD involves chemistry in several ways, such as in the development of new synthetic and analytical methods, avoiding formation of genotoxic impurities and designing drug-like compounds to improve the quality of biological profile of medicines. A combined effort from regulatory authorities, pharmaceutical industries and academic research groups could also facilitate QbD implementation.

Here we describe the oxidation of 1,3-cyclohexanediones with 4-acetamido-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxoammonium tetrafluoroborate (Bobbitt's salt) to generate 5-ene-1,2,4-triones in moderate-to-good (40-80%) yields. This inexpensive oxidant facilitated an unprecedented cascade of oxidation and elimination to yield novel ene-triketones. The reactivity of these products was explored in the Diels-Alder reaction and provided moderate-to-good yields of cycloaddition products. The products described in this study represent unique, densely functionalized, and versatile building blocks for the synthesis of more complex molecules., (© 2011 American Chemical Society)

A prototype tube-in-tube reactor in which it is possible to load gas and heat simultaneously has been used in a continuous-flow approach to alkoxycarbonylation reactions of aryl iodides. In the stainless steel coil, liquid flows on the outside of a gas-permeable membrane. The coil can be heated and the temperature can be measured accurately via a probe touching the outer steel surface. A range of aryl iodides can be transformed to the corresponding esters in excellent conversion by reaction at 120 °C using 0.5 mol% palladium acetate as the catalyst with no additional ligand required. Small-scale optimization and substrate screening runs were followed by scale-up.

An IR probe has been interfaced with a scientific microwave unit, this allowing for real-time in situ monitoring of microwave-assisted reactions using IR spectroscopy. A number of organic transformations have been probed and the apparatus shown to work effectively as a tool for qualitative studies.

Background: Esters can be biologically active against a range of potential targets. In addition, esterification has been used successfully to facilitate the penetration of polar compounds into cells, where the ester group can then be removed by nonspecific cellular esterases unmasking drug molecules. While direct esterification of carboxylic acids with alcohols using acid catalysts can prove effective in many cases, there are instances when substrates are acid sensitive or where the use of strong acids leads to side reactions and product decomposition. To overcome this, other methods are needed for the preparation of esters in the laboratory., Results: A methodology for titanium-catalyzed esterification and transesterification using microwave heating as a tool is presented. The reactions are complete within 1 h of heating at 160 °C. The substrate scope of the methodology has been investigated. It is possible to use aromatic, aliphatic and heteroaromatic acids in the esterification protocol. Acid-sensitive alcohols, including furfuryl alcohol, are also suitable substrates. For transesterification, the reaction is again amenable to microwave heating., Conclusion: A range of esters can be prepared using a methodology based around the application of microwave heating and the use of a titanium catalyst.

The use of in situ Raman spectroscopy is reported as a tool for probing the effects of microwave irradiation on molecules. Our results show no evidence for localized superheating, an often-cited specific microwave effect. While the microwave energy may interact with the polar molecules more so than with non-polar ones, the conversion of electromagnetic energy into kinetic energy is slower than conversion of kinetic energy into thermal energy. As a result, more polar molecules are not at a temperature greater than that of the bulk.

A novel route to the synthesis of diarylmethanes via a Pd-catalyzed alpha-arylation of benzyl ketones is reported. By harnessing the inherent reactivity of enolates, it is possible to circumvent the need for a transmetalating reagent such as boron for the coupling. Additionally, the two phenyl rings of the intermediate are exploited to stabilize the high-energy carbanionic leaving group in a straightforward synthesis.

The use of two silicon carbide plates is reported for the preparation of three libraries of organic molecules using microwave heating. In addition, a preliminary study has been carried out, showing that one of the plates can also be used in a proteomics setting. Both the 24-position and 48-position plates heated evenly when irradiated with microwave energy. The 48-position plate was used to prepare a library of N-aryl functionalized beta-amino esters via an aza-Michael reaction between anilines and Michael acceptors. The 24-position plate was used to prepare a library of biaryls via a Suzuki coupling methodology and a library of 1,4-dihydropyridines via a Hantzsch synthesis. The 48-position plate was also used to perform the proteolytic digestion of insulin chain B by trypsin.

Raman spectroscopy in conjunction with microwave heating is a convenient and robust tool for monitoring organic reactions from a qualitative perspective. Its validity as a method for obtaining quantitative data is shown. Activation enthalpies for the synthesis of a range of substituted chalcones are determined and the results compared with well-established previous data and reactivity trends for this aldol condensation. The methodology is used for obtaining previously unreported pK(a) data for substituted acetophenones.

Microwave heating greatly accelerates Pd-catalyzed decarboxylative coupling of aromatic acids and aryl iodides, and allows the coupling of benzoic acids with unactivated arenes.

We present here a strategy for the preparation of nonsymmetrically substituted stilbenes using a one-pot two-step double Heck strategy. First a protocol is developed for the selective preparation of a range of styrenes using ethene as the alkene coupling partner. Then conditions are found for the effective coupling of the styrenes with aryl halides using a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio of the two components. The use of the microwave apparatus to perform the reactions offers a convenient method for synthesis as well as for safely, easily, and accurately loading vessels with gaseous reagents.

The scope and limitations of microwave heating as a tool for insertion of Group 10 metals into meso-tetraphenyl-porphyrin, -porpholactone, and -2,3-dihydroxychlorin derivatives are discussed. In some cases it is possible to reduce reaction times dramatically while obtaining good yields of the metallated products while in others new issues arise relating to the metal salt used as well as acceleration not only of the metallation reaction but also of byproduct formation.

The progress of microwave-promoted reactions can be monitored by interfacing a Raman spectrometer with a scientific microwave unit. The apparatus is assembled from commercially available components. It is used in this protocol to follow the base-catalyzed reaction of salicylaldehyde with ethylacetoacetate to yield 3-acetylcoumarin. It is possible to watch the reaction spectroscopically in real time, determine when it reaches completion and thus use it as a tool for rapid reaction optimization.

Raman spectroscopy has been used as an in situ tool to obtain kinetic data for an organic transformation. The model reaction studied was the synthesis of 3-acetylcoumarin from the condensation between salicylaldehyde and ethyl acetoacetate with piperidine as a catalyst. The study shows that precise kinetic data can be obtained quickly and reproducibly, allowing for the facile determination of both overall reaction order and reaction order with respect to each component of the reaction. Additionally, Arrhenius parameters such as activation energy for a reaction can be readily obtained. In conjunction with computational modeling, this data-rich analysis technique also allows for in-depth probing of mechanistic aspects of reactions. Microwave heating proves to be an ideal tool for aiding in kinetic studies. It offers reproducible noncontact heating as well as precise temperature monitoring and data recording.

We report the use of in situ Raman spectroscopy as a probe for the effect of power on microwave-promoted Suzuki coupling reactions. We find that increased initial microwave power leads to greater acceleration of the reaction but that the product yield obtained is essentially independent of initial microwave power. The application of simultaneous cooling lengthens the reaction time but does not alter the relative rates of the Suzuki coupling and deboronation processes. Performing the reaction at an initial microwave power of 5 W leads to an improvement in product yield.

As the range of techniques for microwave heating has expanded, so have the areas in which it can have a profound impact. Two emerging areas are the application of microwave heating for the synthesis of peptides, peptoids, oligopeptides and carbohydrates and in the field of proteomics.

The lipase-catalysed transesterification reaction of methyl acetoacetate in toluene as a solvent has been studied using carefully controlled conditions. Results suggest that microwave heating does not have a noticeable effect on reaction rate or product conversion.

Microwave-promoted esterification reactions have been monitored using in situ Raman spectroscopy. Having optimised a reaction on a 23 mmol scale, it was transferred to a larger reaction vessel and scaled up to 0.26 mol, again with Raman monitoring. With conditions in hand, an automated stop-flow apparatus was used to prepare 5.7 moles of product.

The microwave-promoted alkoxycarbonylation of aryl iodides using reaction vessels pre-pressurized with carbon monoxide is reported. Reactions are performed using 0.1 mol% palladium acetate as catalyst, DBU as base and are complete within 20-30 min. A range of aryl iodide substrates can be converted to the corresponding esters using this methodology. Primary and secondary alcohols work well whereas a tertiary alcohol substrate proves less reactive. The potential for scale-up of the reaction has also been explored.

The progress of microwave-promoted Suzuki reactions has been monitored using an in situ Raman spectroscopy apparatus assembled from commercially available components. It was possible to see if any reaction occurred and, if so, when it reached completion. In addition, the monitoring technique has given us an insight into the reaction, confirming that, when run in aqueous media, the coupling is in competition with the rapid deboronation of the boronic acid.