This tutorial review is aimed at highlighting recent developments in transition-metal-free carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond-forming reactions utilizing a versatile class of reactive intermediates, viz., arynes, which hold the potential for numerous applications in organic synthesis. Key to the success of the resurgence of interest in the rich chemistry of arynes is primarily the mild condition for their generation by the fluoride-induced 1,2-elimination of 2-(trimethylsilyl)aryl triflates. Consequently, arynes have been employed for the construction of multisubstituted arenes with structural diversity and complexity. The versatile transition-metal-free applications of arynes include cycloaddition reactions, insertion reactions and multicomponent reactions. In addition, arynes have found applications in natural product synthesis. Herein, we present a concise account of the major developments that occurred in this field during the past eight years.

Arynes are highly reactive intermediates having several applications in organic synthesis for the construction of various ortho-disubstituted arenes. Traditionally, arynes are generated in solution from haloarenes under strongly basic conditions. However, the scopes of many of the aryne reactions are limited because of the harsh conditions used for their generation. The renaissance of interest in aryne chemistry is mainly due to the mild conditions for their generation by the fluoride-induced 1,2-elimination of 2-(trimethylsilyl)aryl triflates. This Account is focused on the Diels-Alder reaction of arynes and their transition-metal-free application in multicomponent couplings as well as arylation reactions. The Diels-Alder reaction of arynes is a powerful tool for constructing benzo-fused carbocycles and heterocycles. In 2012, we developed an efficient, broad-scope, and scalable Diels-Alder reaction of pentafulvenes with arynes affording benzonorbornadiene derivatives. Subsequently, we accomplished the Diels-Alder reaction of arynes with dienes such as 1,2-benzoquinones and tropones. Moreover, we uncovered a transition-metal-free protocol for the synthesis of 9,10-dihydrophenanthrenes by the reaction of arynes with styrenes that proceeds via a Diels-Alder/ene-reaction cascade. In addition, we demonstrated the reaction of arynes with indene/benzofurans, which proceeds via a tandem [4 + 2]/[2 + 2] sequence. Multicomponent coupling (MCC) involving arynes mainly comprises the initial addition of a nucleophile to the aryne followed by interception of the aryl anion intermediate with an electrophile (provided the nucleophilic and electrophilic moieties do not belong to the same molecule). We have disclosed aryne MCCs initiated by N-heterocycles such as (iso)quinoline, pyridine, and aziridines. When (iso)quinoline is used as the nucleophilic trigger and N-substituted isatin as the third component, the reaction affords spirooxazino(iso)quinolines via 1,4-dipolar intermediates. Unexpectedly, using pyridine affords indolin-2-ones, where the reaction proceeds via the pyridylidene intermediate. Additionally, we developed the phosphine-triggered aryne MCCs for the synthesis of functionalized benzooxaphospholes. In another phase of our work, we studied the synthetic utility of CO2 as a one-carbon synthon in aryne MCCs for the synthesis of phthalimides. Engaging arynes as an aryl source is one of the transition-metal-free methods for arylation reactions. We have demonstrated the N-arylation of aromatic tertiary amines and O-arylation of aliphatic alcohols using arynes. It is anticipated that the chemistry of arynes will continue to prosper and will lead to surprising developments for the synthesis of various 1,2-disubstituted arenes of molecular complexity and structural diversity. Future challenges in this area include the utility of arynes in enantioselective transformations and the synthesis and reactions of exotic heterocyclic arynes.

Hydration of alkenes using first row transition metals (Fe, Co,M n) under oxygen atmosphere (Mukaiyamatype hydration) is highly practical for alkene functionalization in complex synthesis.Different hydration protocols have been developed, however,c ontrol of the stereoselectivity remains ac hallenge.H erein, highly diastereoselective Fe-catalyzed anaerobic Markovnikov-selective hydration of alkenes using nitroarenes as oxygenation reagents is reported. The nitro moiety is not well explored in radical chemistry and nitroarenes are knownt os uppress free radical processes.O ur findings show the potential of cheap nitroarenes as oxygen donors in radical transformations.S econdary and tertiary alcohols were prepared with excellent Markovnikov-selectivity.T he method features large functional group tolerance and is also applicable for late-stage chemical functionalization. The anaerobic protocol outperforms existing hydration methodology in terms of reaction efficiency and selectivity. Scheme 1. Literature backgrounda nd suggestedp rocess.

Radical 1,3-trifluoromethylation/alkynylation of various allylboronic esters with concomitant 1,2-boron shift with alkynyl triflones is reported. These chain reactions proceed via CF 3-radical addition to the allylic double bond, and the adduct radical undergoes 1,2-boron migration to give a translocated C-radical that is trapped by the alkynyl triflone. As products, 1,2,3-trisubstituted alkanes with the trifluoromethyl group at position 1 and the alkynyl functionality at position 3 are formed. The valuable boron moiety is retained in the product and is rearranged to position 2. By using trifluoromethanesulfonyl azide as the radical trapping reagent, the cascade provides a 1-trifluoromethyl-3-azidyl-alk-2-ylboronic ester as the product and Michael acceptors as trapping reagents in combination with the Langlois reagent as the CF 3-radical precursor applying photoredox catalysis afford the corresponding 3-alkylated congeners in a three-component process. Further, the stereochemical course of the 1,2-boron migration and the trapping reaction are investigated.

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