Reductive coupling carbonyl compounds

One of the most gentle methods for the generation of reactive allylmetallic reagents was introduced in 1977 by Hiyama and Nozaki1,2,3,33. By the action of two equivalents of chromi-um(II) chloride on allylic halides in tetrahydrofuran at 0°C in the presence of a carbonyl compound, reductive coupling with the formation of a homoallylic alcohol takes place. 

Reductive coupling of carbonyl compounds to yield olefins is achieved with titanium (0), which is freshly prepared by reduction of titanium(III) salts with LiAIH4 or with potassium. The removal of two carbonyl oxygen atoms is driven by T1O2 formation- Yields are often excellent even with sensitive or highly hindered olefins. (J.E. McMurry, 1974, 1976A,B). 

Organotelluriumfll and IV) compounds undergo transmetallation with Pd(II)[414], The carbonylation of the alkenylphenyltellurium(II) 459 gives the a,/3-Unsaturated ester 460 and benzoate, 460 being the main product[415], Reductive coupling of diaryl, dialkyl, and aryl alkyltellurides 461 to give 462 proceeds by treatment with Pd(OAc)2[416,417],... 

Among the appHcations of lower valent titanium, the McMurry reaction, which involves the reductive coupling of carbonyl compounds to produce alkenes, is the most weU known. An excellent review of lower valent titanium reactions is available (195). Titanium(II)-based technology is less well known. A titanium(II)-based complex has been used to mediate a stetio- and regio-specific reduction of isolated conjugated triple bonds to the corresponding polyenes (196). 

Two classes of charged radicals derived from ketones have been well studied. Ketyls are radical anions formed by one-electron reduction of carbonyl compounds. The formation of the benzophenone radical anion by reduction with sodium metal is an example. This radical anion is deep blue in color and is veiy reactive toward both oxygen and protons. Many detailed studies on the structure and spectral properties of this and related radical anions have been carried out. A common chemical reaction of the ketyl radicals is coupling to form a diamagnetic dianion. This occurs reversibly for simple aromatic ketyls. The dimerization is promoted by protonation of one or both of the ketyls because the electrostatic repulsion is then removed. The coupling process leads to reductive dimerization of carbonyl compounds, a reaction that will be discussed in detail in Section 5.5.3 of Part B. 

Metal-induced reductive dimerization of carbonyl compounds is a useful synthetic method for the formation of vicinally functionalized carbon-carbon bonds. For stoichiometric reductive dimerizations, low-valent metals such as aluminum amalgam, titanium, vanadium, zinc, and samarium have been employed. Alternatively, ternary systems consisting of catalytic amounts of a metal salt or metal complex, a chlorosilane, and a stoichiometric co-reductant provide a catalytic method for the formation of pinacols based on reversible redox couples.2 The homocoupling of aldehydes is effected by vanadium or titanium catalysts in the presence of Me3SiCl and Zn or A1 to give the 1,2-diol derivatives high selectivity for the /-isomer is observed in the case of secondary aliphatic or aromatic aldehydes. 

It has been suggested that a similar mechanism operates under some conditions in which the reductant is generated in situ by a Zn-Cu couple.255 The key intermediate in this mechanism is a complex of the carbonyl compound with TiCl2. The formation... 

R)-Benzoins and (/ )-2-hydroxypropiophcnonc derivatives are formed on a preparative scale by benzaldehyde lyase (BAL)-catalyzed C-C bond formation from aromatic aldehydes and acetaldehyde in aqueous buffer/DMSO solution with remarkable ease in high chemical yield and high optical purity (Eq. 8.112).303 Less-stable mixed benzoins were also generated via reductive coupling of benzoyl cyanide and carbonyl compounds by aqueous titanium(III) ions.304... 

Catalytic Reductive Coupling of Carbonyl Compounds -The Pinacol Coupling Reaction and Beyond... 

Catalytic Reductive Coupling of Alkenes and Alkynes to Carbonyl Compounds and Imines Mediated by Hydrogen... 

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