Synlett 2024; 35(03): 352-356
DOI: 10.1055/a-2153-6594
cluster
Organic Chemistry Under Visible Light: Photolytic and Photocatalytic Organic Transformations

Desulfonylative Radical Truce–Smiles Rearrangement Utilizing the Benzimidazoline and Benzimidazolium Redox Couple

Ryo Miyajima
a   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi-2, Nishi-ku, Niigata 950-2181, Japan
,
Manon Okamura
a   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi-2, Nishi-ku, Niigata 950-2181, Japan
,
Kazuki Oomori
a   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi-2, Nishi-ku, Niigata 950-2181, Japan
,
Hajime Iwamoto
a   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi-2, Nishi-ku, Niigata 950-2181, Japan
,
Kan Wakamatsu
b   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University of Science, 1-1 Ridai-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-0005, Japan
,
Eietsu Hasegawa
a   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi-2, Nishi-ku, Niigata 950-2181, Japan
› Author Affiliations

This study was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS KAKENHI, Grant JP 19K05435 for E.H.).
 


This letter is dedicated to Professor Dennis P. Curran (University of Pittsburgh), who is a distinguished chemist for synthetic application of free radical chemistry, on the occasion of his Koki anniversary (70th birthday).

Abstract

We have developed protocols for promoting redox reactions utilizing the 2-substituted 1,3-dimethylbenzimidazoline (BIH–R) and benzimidazolium (BI+–R) couples which were applied to the desulfonylative radical Truce–Smiles rearrangement. Expected rearrangement products formed in modest to good yields in these processes, in which added or in situ generated BIH–R serve as electron- and hydrogen-atom-donating reagents or photocatalysts. DFT calculations were carried out to gain the information about the radical intermediates involved in the rearrangement reaction.


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Reduction and oxidation (redox) reactions in chemical and biological systems frequently proceed through mechanistic pathways involving single-electron transfer (SET) between electron donors and acceptors.[1] SET from or to neutral organic substances to or from appropriate redox reagents or catalysts produces radical ions which often undergo bond cleavage to form radical and ionic intermediates.[2] Benzimidazolines (dihydrobenzimidazoles, BIH–R), which are analogues of the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), serve as effective electron and hydrogen (hydride, hydrogen atom, and proton) donors (Scheme [1]).[3] Applications of BIH–R in a variety of chemical processes have been reported.[4] In contrast, the redox reactivity of the corresponding oxidized forms, benzimidazoliums (BI+–R) has been explored to a lesser extent.[5] Our past studies of thermal as well as photochemical reactions involving BIH–R and BI+–R redox couples[4d] [k] led to the development of a new series of BIH–R photoreductants[6] and BI+–R photocatalysts.[7] [8] [9]

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Scheme 1 Benzimidazoline (BIH–R) and benzimidazolium (BI+–R) redox couple

The classical Truce–Smiles rearrangement is an intramolecular nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction involving aryl migration of anionic intermediates.[10] Recently, the radical version of this process promoted by photoinduced electron transfer (PET) has received attention.[11] Several years ago, Zhang et al. reported that α-bromo-N-aryl-N-arylsulfonyl amides undergo desulfonylative aryl migration reactions, recognized as Truce–Smiles rearrangement, promoted by an iridium photocatalyst.[12] These findings stimulated our interest in applying the protocol utilizing the BIH–R and BI+–R redox couple to promote this radical Truce–Smiles rearrangement. In a preliminary effort aimed at this goal, we found that 2-bromo-2-methyl-N-phenyl-N-phenylsulfonylpropaneamide undergoes the rearrangement to form 2-methyl-2-phenyl-N-phenyl-propaneamide when our originally developed organophotocatalysts, such as triarylamine-substituted benzimidazoliums (BI+–PhNAr2), along with N,N-diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA) and acetic acid are used (above in Scheme [2]).[8] In a recent investigation, we also developed processes in which BIH–R are employed to induce debrominative oxygenation reactions of α-bromoketones and -esters under an air atmosphere, at room temperature, and without light irradiation.[13] This observation suggests that the newly developed redox-based activation protocol would also be applicable to Truce–Smiles rearrangement reaction of 2-bromo-N-phenylsulfonylpropaneamides. A study guided by this proposal demonstrated that, as expected, BIH–R 1-H reductants and photocatalytic system of BI+–R 1 cooperating with appropriate additives to promote radical Truce–Smiles rearrangements of 2-bromo-2-methyl-N-aryl-N-arylsulfonylpropaneamides (2, below in Scheme [2]). The results of this effort are described and discussed below.

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Scheme 2 BIH–R 1-H and BI+–R 1 redox-couple-promoted desulfonylative Truce–Smiles rearrangements

In the first stage of this study, we explored desulfonylative Truce–Smiles rearrangement reactions of amides 2ae photocatalyzed by 1f using the conditions recently developed.[8] Unfortunately, except for the reaction of 2a that generates 3a in good yield (67%), the processes proceed in unexpectedly low yields of other 3 (23–35%, Scheme [3], see details in Table S1 in the Supporting Information).

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Scheme 3 Desulfonylative Truce–Smiles rearrangement of α-bromo-N-arylsulfonylamides 2 photocatalyzed by 1f·ClO4 in the presence of DIPEA

These observations prompted us to develop alternative protocols to promote these rearrangement reactions. As suggested by the results of a previous investigation,[13] we examined reactions of amide 2a using benzimidazolines 1-H in the absence of light irradiation, which showed that several factors influence the yield of 3a. As shown in Table [1] (also Table S2), employing the appropriate benzimidazolines 1a-H, 1b-H, and 1e-H is essential for optimization of the desulfonylative Truce–Smiles rearrangement reaction. In addition, the quantity of each benzimidazoline utilized influences the yield of 3a (see entries 1–4, compare entry 6 to 7 and entry 8 to 9). Moreover, both DMF and DMSO are suitable solvents (entries 4 and 5), and others including MeCN, CH2Cl2 THF, and PhMe are not (Table S2). Finally, the presence of proton donors such as H2O and AcOH leads to slight increases in the yield of 3a (entries 10 and 11), while addition of Et2NH appears to have the reverse effect. The combined results show that conditions in which 1e-H is the promoter, DMF is the solvent, and AcOH is an additive are optimal for carrying out the conversion of 2 into 3 (Scheme [4]).[14a]

Table 1 Desulfonylative Truce–Smiles Rearrangement of α-Bromo-N-phenylsulfonylamide 2a Mediated by 1-H in the Presence and Absence of Additivesa

Entry

1-H (equiv)

Solvent

Additive (equiv)

Conv. of 2a (%)b

Yield of 3a (%)b

 1

1a-H (1.0)

DMF

 97

48

 2

1a-H (1.1)

DMF

 98

44

 3

1a-H (1.2)

DMF

100

40

 4

1a-H (1.5)

DMF

100

43

 5

1a-H (1.5)

DMSO

100

43

 6

1b-H (1.0)

DMF

 93

46

 7

1b-H (1.5)

DMF

100

29

 8

1e-H (1.0)

DMF

 71

27

 9

1e-H (1.5)

DMF

100

53

10

1e-H (1.5)

DMF

H2O (15.0)

100

58

11

1e-H (1.5)

DMF

AcOH (2.0)

100

63

12

1e-H (1.5)

DMF

HNEt2 (12.0)

100

44

a 2a (0.10 mmol), solvent (2.0 mL), stirred at r.t. for 1 h.

b Determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy.

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Scheme 4 Desulfonylative Truce–Smiles rearrangement of α-bromo-N-arylsulfonylamides 2 mediated by 1e-H in the absence and presence of AcOH. Reagents and conditions: 2 (0.10 mmol), DMF (2.0 mL), AcOH (2.0 equiv), stirred at r.t. for 1 h. Yields were determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Yields in parentheses are those in the absence of AcOH. Data for 3a are the same as entries 9 and 11 of Table [1]. a Isolated by using column chromatography.

Next, the application of a catalytic protocol for the promotion of the radical Truce–Smiles rearrangement was probed. We previously developed a new photocatalytic system for redox reactions in which catalytic quantities of benzimidazolines 1-H, generated in situ from benzimidazoliums 1 by using stoichiometric quantities of a hydride reagent, serve as electron and hydrogen atom donor (eh-donor) photocatalysts.[7b] [9] An assessment of this approach showed that utilizing picoline borane (pic-BH3) to catalytically generate 1e-H from 1e does not promote the rearrangement of 2a in the absence of light irradiation, but it successfully induces the process when the reaction mixture is irradiated using a white light-emitting diode (LED; Scheme [5]).

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Scheme 5 Desulfonylative Truce–Smiles rearrangement of α-bromo-N-phenylsulfonylamide 2a catalyzed by 1e·ClO4 and pic-BH3 in the absence and presence of LED

A screen of several different conditions demonstrated that 1f·ClO4 displays a better performance than 1e·ClO4 and that the use of a Xe lamp as the light source shortens the time required to complete the process. The results of a study surveying the substrate compatibility of these processes showed that eh-donor-photocatalyzed reactions of 2 utilizing 1f·ClO4 and pic-BH3 in the presence of AcOH generate 3 in modest to good yields (Scheme [6]).[14b]

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Scheme 6 Desulfonylative Truce–Smiles rearrangement of α-bromo-N-arylsulfonylamide 2 photocatalyzed by 1f·ClO4 containing pic-BH3 in the presence of AcOH. Reagents and conditions: 2 (0.10 mmol), 1f·ClO4 (20 mol%), pic-BH3 (1.2 equiv), AcOH (5.0 equiv) in DMF (2.0 mL), using 500 W Xe (λ > 360 nm) for 1 h. Yields were determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy.
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Figure 1 DFT (ωB97X-D/6-31+G(d) level) derived structures and relative free energies (ΔG, kcal mol–1) of radicals 4a7a and transition states TS1TS3 in the radical route for the desulfonylative Truce–Smiles rearrangement

Several radical mechanisms could be responsible for the desulfonylative Truce–Smiles rearrangement reactions described above.[11] [12] Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed on 2a, its radical anion 2a •–, derived radicals 4a7a, and transition states for their interconversion to gain information about the intermediates that are possibly involved in the pathway (Figure [1], also see Figures S1–S4 and Tables S3–S5 in the Supporting Information).[15] The calculations show that the α-amide alkyl radical 4a exists in two conformations, designated as A and B in Figure S4, and that conformer A has a large distance between the alkyl radical center and the ipso carbon on the phenylsulfonyl group (4.38 Å). Because this distance is much smaller in conformer B (3.04 Å, Table S5), B is likely the precursor of cyclized radical 5a. It is also suggested that transformation of 4a to 5a via transition state (TS1) is rate-determining in the radical pathway for this rearrangement. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the calculations indicate that sulfonyl radical 6a exists as an energy minimum structure in the mechanistic route although such a possibility has not been previously considered.[12] Finally, the calculations show that the overall process transforming 4a into 7a is highly exergonic.

Based on the results of related studies carried out by us[8] and others,[12] as well as those arising from the DFT calculations for 2a, a plausible mechanistic pathway for 2a is depicted in Scheme [7], which could be also applicable for the desulfonylative Truce–Smiles rearrangement reactions of other substrates 2. In a similar manner to α-bromo ketones previously studied by us,[13] initial SET from reductant 1-H or in situ generated photocatalysts 1-H to LUMO of 2a (Figure S2) causes dissociative electron transfer,[16] because the activation energy of fragmentation of 2a •– appears to be minimal (Figure S3). Radical cations of 1-H (1-H•+ ) are co-generated in these SET processes. In the fragmentation step of 2a •–, C–Br bond cleavage occurs selectively to form 4a and bromide ion rather than an amide enolate and bromine radical that is further supported by DFT calculations (Table S4). Intramolecular radical addition of 4a giving 5a and subsequent C–S bond cleavage leads to generation of the rearranged sulfonyl radical 6a. Finally, desulfonylation of 6a takes place to generate amidyl radical 7a in which hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) from either 1-H•+ and/or DMF undergoes to produce 3a and 1. As we previously discussed,[8] an alternative route for completion of the Truce–Smiles reaction involves SET reduction of 7a followed by proton transfer (PT) to the resulting amide anion 8a from a proton donor such as AcOH. The catalytic cycle is completed by pic-BH3-promoted conversion of 1 into 1-H.

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Scheme 7 Mechanistic pathway for the desulfonylative radical Truce–Smiles rearrangement of 2a

In conclusion, we have shown that the protocol utilizing the benzimidazoline and benzimidazolium redox couple, we developed previously, can be applied to the radical Truce–Smiles rearrangement. Characteristically, in these processes the benzimidazoline serves as an electron- and hydrogen-atom-donor (eh-donor) reagent without light[13] and photocatalysts regenerated from the benzimidazolium by hydride reagent.[7b] [9] Moreover, DFT calculations were performed to analyze the structure and energy changes taking place in the proposed radical mechanism. Further efforts will be aimed at optimization of conditions to achieve higher yields of the rearranged products, as well as at applications of the developed protocols to a wide range of substrates. Clearly, the results coming from this unprecedented application of benzimidazoline and benzimidazolium redox couples to the desulfonylative Truce–Smiles rearrangement, as well as those arising from the theoretical investigation of this process provide valuable information that is useful not only in the area of organic synthesis but also for other fields such as photochemistry, electron transfer chemistry, and radical chemistry.


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Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Supporting Information


Corresponding Author

Eietsu Hasegawa
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Niigata University
8050 Ikarashi-2, Nishi-ku, Niigata 950-2181
Japan   

Publication History

Received: 30 May 2023

Accepted after revision: 14 August 2023

Accepted Manuscript online:
14 August 2023

Article published online:
19 September 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved

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Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany


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Scheme 1 Benzimidazoline (BIH–R) and benzimidazolium (BI+–R) redox couple
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Scheme 2 BIH–R 1-H and BI+–R 1 redox-couple-promoted desulfonylative Truce–Smiles rearrangements
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Scheme 3 Desulfonylative Truce–Smiles rearrangement of α-bromo-N-arylsulfonylamides 2 photocatalyzed by 1f·ClO4 in the presence of DIPEA
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Scheme 4 Desulfonylative Truce–Smiles rearrangement of α-bromo-N-arylsulfonylamides 2 mediated by 1e-H in the absence and presence of AcOH. Reagents and conditions: 2 (0.10 mmol), DMF (2.0 mL), AcOH (2.0 equiv), stirred at r.t. for 1 h. Yields were determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Yields in parentheses are those in the absence of AcOH. Data for 3a are the same as entries 9 and 11 of Table [1]. a Isolated by using column chromatography.
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Scheme 5 Desulfonylative Truce–Smiles rearrangement of α-bromo-N-phenylsulfonylamide 2a catalyzed by 1e·ClO4 and pic-BH3 in the absence and presence of LED
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Scheme 6 Desulfonylative Truce–Smiles rearrangement of α-bromo-N-arylsulfonylamide 2 photocatalyzed by 1f·ClO4 containing pic-BH3 in the presence of AcOH. Reagents and conditions: 2 (0.10 mmol), 1f·ClO4 (20 mol%), pic-BH3 (1.2 equiv), AcOH (5.0 equiv) in DMF (2.0 mL), using 500 W Xe (λ > 360 nm) for 1 h. Yields were determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy.
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Figure 1 DFT (ωB97X-D/6-31+G(d) level) derived structures and relative free energies (ΔG, kcal mol–1) of radicals 4a7a and transition states TS1TS3 in the radical route for the desulfonylative Truce–Smiles rearrangement
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Scheme 7 Mechanistic pathway for the desulfonylative radical Truce–Smiles rearrangement of 2a