Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Ullmann-type coupling reactions are one of the most important transformations in organic synthesis. Achieving catalyst-free Ullmann couplings under mild conditions is crucial to extending the scope of traditional carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom couplings. Herein, we show that Ullmann couplings can be effectively achieved at room temperature without the need for metal catalysts in MeOH/H2O microdroplets. Mechanistic investigations reveal that the Ullmann reaction in microdroplets is driven by •OH radicals and involves a single-electron transfer pathway via nitrogen-centered radicals. This work not only provides fundamental insights into the •OH radical-mediated coupling reactions in microdroplets but also offers a new strategy for catalyst-free Ullmann couplings. Achieving catalyst-free Ullmann couplings under mild conditions is crucial to extending the scope of traditional carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom couplings. Here, the authors show that Ullmann couplings can be effectively achieved at room temperature without the need for metal catalysts in MeOH/H2O microdroplets.
Source: Nature Communications
Authors: Ming-Yang Jia, Yue-Wen Zhou, Jun-Lei Yang, Qinlei Liu, Zhen-Feng Cai
Institution: Sichuan University
Language: English
Subfield: Organic Chemistry
Field: Chemistry
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,990
Awards: G2387040686, G4451179130
OpenAlex ID: W4413112008