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Efficient Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized Benzenes in Water via Persulfate-promoted Benzannulation of α,β-Unsaturated Compounds and Alkynes
Published on: December 16, 2019
Programmable Triple Functionalization of Benzenes by Merging Dearomative Functionalization and Skeletal Editing
Qin He1, Chu-Qiao Li1, Qian Huang1
1State Key Laboratory of Soil Pollution Control and Safety, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310058, China.
This study introduces a new method for precisely adding three substituents to simple benzene rings. This programmable approach enables the creation of complex substituted benzenes for medicinal chemistry and materials science.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Synthetic Chemistry
Background:
- Polysubstituted benzenes are crucial in bioactive molecules and materials.
- Direct, selective synthesis of polysubstituted benzenes from unadorned benzene is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a programmable method for triple functionalization of simple arenes.
- To enable independent alteration of substituents and predictable regioselectivity.
Main Methods:
- Merging dearomative functionalization with double-atom swap.
- Utilizing electronic effects to govern regioselectivity.
- Employing cascade reactions involving dearomative functionalization, cycloaddition, and cycloreversion.
Main Results:
- Achieved programmable 1,2,3-trifunctionalization of diverse arenes.
- Tolerated various arenes, nucleophiles, and dienophiles without preinstalled groups.
- Synthesized tri- to hexa-substituted benzene derivatives, including a novel hexabenzocoronene nanographene with enhanced fluorescence.
Conclusions:
- Established a step-economic and programmable platform for densely functionalized arenes.
- Overcame limitations of prefunctionalized handles in arene synthesis.
- Demonstrated utility in synthesizing advanced materials with desirable photophysical properties.
Related Concept Videos
Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution: Elimination–Addition
[4+2] Cycloaddition of Conjugated Dienes: Diels–Alder Reaction
Directing and Steric Effects in Disubstituted Benzene Derivatives
Diels–Alder Reaction Forming Cyclic Products: Stereochemistry
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Sulfonation of Benzene
Cycloaddition Reactions: MO Requirements for Thermal Activation

