Catalyst‐Controlled Chemodivergent Carbene Transfer Reactions With Bicyclo[1.1.0]butane‐Derived Acceptor Metallocarbenes

ABSTRACT Transition‐metal‐catalyzed carbene transfer reactions are powerful tools in organic synthesis, yet they traditionally rely on diazo compounds, which raise stability and safety concerns. While alternative precursors have emerged, a general, redox‐neutral, and atom‐economical platform for metallocarbenes generation remains a persistent challenge. Herein, we introduce carboxamide‐functionalized BCBs as versatile carbene precursors that undergo catalyst‐controlled chemodivergent reactions. Under nickel catalysis, cyclopropanation of multisubstituted alkenes proceeds via an acceptor‐type Ni‐carbene, affording azabicyclo[n.1.0] architectures bearing up to three contiguous stereocenters with excellent diastereocontrol. In contrast, copper catalysis promotes efficient and chemoselective formal C(sp 2 )─H insertion to access allyl oxindoles. Both protocols exhibit broad substrate scope, high functional group tolerance, and exceptional atom economy, and their synthetic utility is highlighted through the preparation of core structures of bioactive compounds. Computational and experimental studies reveal that Ni‐carbene generation proceeds via a stepwise dual C─C cleavage, contrasting with the concerted dual cleavage and subsequent electrophilic aromatic substitution manifold established for the copper system.

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Publication Details

Journal
Angewandte Chemie
Published
2026-05-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.9286701
Primary Topic
Cyclopropane Reaction Mechanisms
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Catalyst‐Controlled Chemodivergent Carbene Transfer Reactions With Bicyclo[1.1.0]butane‐Derived Acceptor Metallocarbenes

Pei‐Pei Xie, Jun Zheng, Hao-Song Ren, Si-Wen Liu et al.
Angewandte Chemie
Cyclopropane Reaction Mechanisms
article

Catalyst‐Controlled Chemodivergent Carbene Transfer Reactions With Bicyclo[1.1.0]butane‐Derived Acceptor Metallocarbenes

Pei‐Pei Xie, Jun Zheng, Hao-Song Ren, Si-Wen Liu, Wei Cheng, Peng Liu
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Transition‐metal‐catalyzed carbene transfer reactions are powerful tools in organic synthesis, yet they traditionally rely on diazo compounds, which raise stability and safety concerns. While alternative precursors have emerged, a general, redox‐neutral, and atom‐economical platform for metallocarbenes generation remains a persistent challenge. Herein, we introduce carboxamide‐functionalized BCBs as versatile carbene precursors that undergo catalyst‐controlled chemodivergent reactions. Under nickel catalysis, cyclopropanation of multisubstituted alkenes proceeds via an acceptor‐type Ni‐carbene, affording azabicyclo[n.1.0] architectures bearing up to three contiguous stereocenters with excellent diastereocontrol. In contrast, copper catalysis promotes efficient and chemoselective formal C(sp 2 )─H insertion to access allyl oxindoles. Both protocols exhibit broad substrate scope, high functional group tolerance, and exceptional atom economy, and their synthetic utility is highlighted through the preparation of core structures of bioactive compounds. Computational and experimental studies reveal that Ni‐carbene generation proceeds via a stepwise dual C─C cleavage, contrasting with the concerted dual cleavage and subsequent electrophilic aromatic substitution manifold established for the copper system.

Angewandte Chemie
East China University of Science and Technology (CN), University of Pittsburgh (US)
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Openalex Percentile: Top 11%
Cyclopropane Reaction Mechanisms
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