Recent advances in synthetic approaches for bioactive cinnamic acid derivatives

• Betty A. Kustiana,
• Galuh Widiyarti and
• Teni Ernawati

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1031–1086, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.85

• construction, alkyne hydrogenation, ylide and carbene reaction, metathesis, E/Z isomerization, and other methods, including Cα and Cβ functionalizations. Preparing various functional group-tethered aromatic groups can be achieved by directly installing an aromatic group via cross-coupling reactions and other

• interesting transformation of cinnamic acid to its derivatives can be achieved through decarboxylative cross-coupling. Recently, Wang and co-workers (2024) reported the Ag-catalyzed decarboxylative cross-coupling of cinnamic acids with isocyanide to give the corresponding amides 258–260. The reaction involves

• and using ylide 397 altered the stereoselectivity to E-isomeric products 400 and 401 [144]. Wu and co-workers (2020) employed Pd to mediate the cross-coupling reaction of sulfoxonium ylide 402 and benzyl bromides to give the corresponding (Z)-ethyl cinnamates 403–406 in good yields via carbene

Synthesis of pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine-2,4(3H)-diones by domino C–N coupling/hydroamination reactions

• Ruben Manuel Figueira de Abreu,
• Robin Tiedemann,
• Peter Ehlers and
• Peter Langer

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 1010–1017, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.82

• obtained for product 3e derived from 3-tolylacetylene. However, the yield for compound 3f dropped to 60% because of the more sterically hindered 2-tolylacetylene. The domino C–N cross-coupling/hydroamination reaction of 3a–h with various anilines was studied next (Scheme 2) [28][29]. The conditions were

• , 4l, and 4m in dichloromethane (c = 1·10−5 M). Synthesis of 3a–h. Conditions: i) Br2 (1.0 equiv), Ac2O (1.5 equiv), AcOH, 25 °C, 1 h [25]; ii) aryl acetylene (1.2 equiv), Pd(PPh3)Cl2 (5 mol %), CuI (5 mol %), NEt3 (10 equiv), DMSO, 25 °C, 6 h [26]. Yields of isolated products. C–N cross-coupling

On the photoluminescence in triarylmethyl-centered mono-, di-, and multiradicals

• Daniel Straub,
• Markus Gross,
• Mona E. Arnold,
• Julia Zolg and
• Alexander J. C. Kuehne

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 964–998, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.80

• iodine should break the symmetry; however, no effect on the absorption spectra and especially on the lower energy |D1⟩ transition has been reported [45]. Interestingly, substitution of one of the para-chlorines in TTM by iodine (I-TTM) has been reported to enable Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling, allowing

• precise C–C and C–N cross-coupling reactions only at the site of the iodine – donors were attached to TTM by radical-mediated nucleophilic aromatic substitution SRN1. The leaving group is the para-chlorine atom, of which a TTM molecule has three. It is therefore less than surprising that during this SRN1

Studies on the syntheses of β-carboline alkaloids brevicarine and brevicolline

• Benedek Batizi,
• Patrik Pollák,
• András Dancsó,
• Péter Keglevich,
• Gyula Simig,
• Balázs Volk and
• Mátyás Milen

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 955–963, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.79

• position 4 of β-carboline by cross-coupling reactions. Thanks to its scalability, this novel approach ensures a broad accessibility to the target compound for potential pharmacological measurements. Using detailed NMR studies, the NMR signals have been assigned for both the base and its dihydrochloride

• reactions: reduction of ring A of the β-carboline skeleton or trifluoroethylation of the pyrrole moiety occurred, leading to interesting and potentially useful derivatives. Keywords: alkaloid; β-carboline; Carex brevicollis DC; cross-coupling reaction; trifluoroethylation; Introduction Carex brevicollis

• , versatile key triflate intermediate 3, which allowed the introduction of substituents attached by a C–C bond to position 4 of the β-carboline scaffold by cross-coupling reactions. Sonogashira reaction of compound 3 with N-(3-butynyl)phthalimide (4) led to coupled compound 5. Cleavage of the phthalimide

Recent advances in controllable/divergent synthesis

• Jilei Cao,
• Leiyang Bai and
• Xuefeng Jiang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 890–914, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.73

• annulations of strained cyclic allenes with π-allyl palladium complexes and proposed mechanism [22]. Ring expansion of benzosilacyclobutenes with alkynes [23]. Photoinduced regiodivergent and enantioselective cross-coupling [24]. Catalyst-controlled regiodivergent and enantioselective formal hydroamination of

Light-enabled intramolecular [2 + 2] cycloaddition via photoactivation of simple alkenylboronic esters

• Lewis McGhie,
• Hannah M. Kortman,
• Jenna Rumpf,
• Peter H. Seeberger and
• John J. Molloy

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 854–863, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.69

• excitation [66][67], product derivatization was explored (Scheme 2A). While initial efforts for oxidation proved challenging, due to a competing retro-aldol ring-opening reaction, employing a buffered system enabled access to β-alcohol 5. Given the previous power of trifluoroborates in cross-coupling

Synthesis and photoinduced switching properties of C₇-heteroatom containing push–pull norbornadiene derivatives

• Daniel Krappmann and
• Andreas Hirsch

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 807–816, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.64

• a subsequent Suzuki cross-coupling reaction with (4-(diphenylamino)phenyl)boronic acid was performed. The reaction conditions were adapted from prior experiments with C-NBD1 [40] and further refined for the heterocyclic analogues. Optimal results were achieved using K2CO3, Pd(OAc)2 and RuPhos with

Recent advances in the electrochemical synthesis of organophosphorus compounds

• Babak Kaboudin,
• Milad Behroozi,
• Sepideh Sadighi and
• Fatemeh Asgharzadeh

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 770–797, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.61

• to give I–P(O)(R)2. The exact mechanism of this coupling reaction is not yet fully understood; however, the possibility of direct radical cross-coupling between the nitrogen radical derived from carbazole and the phosphoryl radical intermediate cannot be completely ruled out. In another

Orthogonal photoswitching of heterobivalent azobenzene glycoclusters: the effect of glycoligand orientation in bacterial adhesion

• Leon M. Friedrich and
• Thisbe K. Lindhorst

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 736–748, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.57

• and excellent yield of 94% (Scheme 1). A chemoselective deprotection of the mannosyl thioacetate 7 to yield the glycosyl thiol 8 was achieved using 0.95 equivalents of sodium carbonate. The crude product was in turn submitted to a Buchwald–Hartwig–Migita cross-coupling reaction [33] with the

• azobenzene derivative 9 [34] to furnish 10. This reaction had to be carried out at −78 °C in order to suppress nucleophilic substitution of the ortho-fluorine substituents in 9 by the thiol 8, a reaction that competes with the desired cross-coupling. For the second Buchwald–Hartwig–Migita cross-coupling, the

• 3-O-(mannosyloxyazobenzene)-6-thio-mannoside 11 was employed, which was prepared according to a known procedure applied for the synthesis of the heterobivalent glycocluster 6βGlc3αMan 1 (cf. Supporting Information File 1, Scheme S1). The cross-coupling of thiol 11 with the azobenzene

Synthesis of HBC fluorophores with an electrophilic handle for covalent attachment to Pepper RNA

• Raphael Bereiter and
• Ronald Micura

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 727–735, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.56

• provide fluorophore 19. Subsequent palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling with tributyl(vinyl)tin resulted in the installation of the vinyl group (compound 20). Finally, cleavage of the silyl ether gave the free alcohol 21, which was converted into the corresponding mesyloxypropyl HBC ligand 22. The

Photocatalyzed elaboration of antibody-based bioconjugates

• Marine Le Stum,
• Eugénie Romero and
• Gary A. Molander

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 616–629, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.49

• particularly useful and important tool in which azides and other dipolar species engage with reactive alkenes and alkynes on non-canonical amino acids [20]. Transition-metal-mediated processes, including metathesis reactions, aryl cross-coupling reactions, and conjugate addition reactions with dehydroalanine

Synthesis of N-acetyl diazocine derivatives via cross-coupling reaction

• Thomas Brandt,
• Pascal Lentes,
• Jeremy Rudtke,
• Michael Hösgen,
• Christian Näther and
• Rainer Herges

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 490–499, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.36

• switching efficiency in aqueous solutions. In order to investigate the chemistry of this promising photoswitch and to unlock further applications, we now investigate strategies for the synthesis of derivatives, which are based on cross-coupling reactions. Fourteen vinyl-, aryl-, cyano-, and amino

• -substituted diazocines were prepared via Stille, Suzuki, and Buchwald–Hartwig reactions. X-ray structures are presented for derivatives 1, 2 and 7. Keywords: cross-coupling; diazocine; N-acetyl diazocine; photoisomerization; photoswitch; thermal relaxation; Introduction Diazocines are frequently used

• substitution. Substituents such as halogen atoms must be introduced into the N-acetyl diazocine structure during the synthesis of the building blocks. In the present work we start from mono- and dihalogenated N-acetyl diazocine 2–4 (Figure 2) and focus on the further derivatization via cross-coupling reactions

Red light excitation: illuminating photocatalysis in a new spectrum

• Lucas Fortier,
• Corentin Lefebvre and
• Norbert Hoffmann

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 296–326, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.22

• , thereupon highlighting potential for broad applications in photoredox catalysis on an industrial scale. In this context, T. Rovis et al. have studied a C–N cross-coupling Buchwald–Hartwig-like reaction using dual nickel and osmium catalysis under red-light activation, addressing common challenges such as

• . While transition metals such as copper, palladium, cobalt, and nickel are well-established in catalyzed cross-coupling reactions, J. Cornella et al. have highlighted the reactivity of main-group elements like bismuth, which can mimic transition-metal behavior through oxidative addition. In their recent

• 9,10-dicyanoanthracene radical anion (DCA•−) [29]. This system effectively drives photoredox-mediated reduction and C–C cross-coupling reactions under mild red-light conditions with various aryl halides, an aliphatic iodide, and O- and N-tosylated substrates (Scheme 4a). The authors discuss two

Recent advances in electrochemical copper catalysis for modern organic synthesis

• Yemin Kim and
• Won Jun Jang

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 155–178, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.9

• electrochemistry and copper catalysis for various organic transformations. Keywords: copper; electrochemistry; radical chemistry; single-electron transfer; sustainable catalysis; Introduction Transition-metal-catalyzed cross-coupling has emerged as an effective method for forming carbon–carbon (C–C) and carbon

• –heteroatom (C–X, where X = N, O, or halogens) bonds in organic synthesis. Copper was one of the first transition metals employed in cross-coupling to form C–C and C–X bonds [1][2]. In 1901, Ullmann reported the first cross-coupling reaction for the formation of biaryl compounds in the presence of

• stoichiometric quantities of a copper reagent [3]. This pioneering work, known as the “classical Ullmann reaction”, was extended by Ullmann and Goldberg to enable the C–N and C–O bond formation [4][5][6]. Subsequently, key developments in Cu-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions were achieved, including the

Nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of 2-fluorobenzofurans with arylboronic acids via aromatic C–F bond activation

• Takeshi Fujita,
• Haruna Yabuki,
• Ryutaro Morioka,
• Kohei Fuchibe and
• Junji Ichikawa

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 146–154, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.8

• coupling reactions of aromatic C–F and C–Br bonds with arylboronic acids. Keywords: arylboronic acid; benzofuran; C–F bond activation; cross-coupling; nickel; Introduction The metal-catalyzed activation of aromatic carbon–fluorine (C–F) bonds is widely recognized as a challenging task in synthetic

• (Scheme 1c). In this study, we demonstrate nickel-catalyzed defluorinative cross-coupling [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37] of 2-fluorobenzofurans 1 with arylboronic acids 2 at ambient temperature, with nickelacyclopropanes E serving as crucial intermediates for the

Cu(OTf)₂-catalyzed multicomponent reactions

• Sara Colombo,
• Camilla Loro,
• Egle M. Beccalli,
• Gianluigi Broggini and
• Marta Papis

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 122–145, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.7

• Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions, allowing the formation of C–C and C–N bonds in the o-position of the aryl chalcogen compounds. α-Aminophosphonates 14 were the result of a one-pot condensation of an aldehyde, a primary amine and phosphite P(OMe)3 with copper triflate acting as Lewis acid

• multicomponent synthesis of acyclic and heteropolycyclic systems under copper(II) triflate catalysis are reported. Using alkenes and alkynes as substrates, various types of reactions were considered, including hydroamination, condensation, cross-coupling, C–H functionalization, cycloaddition, aza-Diels–Alder

Recent advances in organocatalytic atroposelective reactions

• Henrich Szabados and
• Radovan Šebesta

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 55–121, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.6

• organocatalytic cross-coupling reaction of 1-azonaphthalenes 238 with 2-naphthols 239 catalyzed by chiral N-triflylphosphoramide C56 was done in 2023 (Scheme 70) [104]. A remarkable number of axially chiral products 240 were prepared with excellent enantiomeric purities and high yields. Undiminished yields and

Emerging trends in the optimization of organic synthesis through high-throughput tools and machine learning

• Pablo Quijano Velasco,
• Kedar Hippalgaonkar and
• Balamurugan Ramalingam

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2025, 21, 10–38, doi:10.3762/bjoc.21.3

• were explored, using a total volume of 4.5 mL reaction mixture, and the screening results can be readily translated to continuous flow synthesis. The application of segmented flow or microslug reactors was demonstrated in the decarboxylative arylation cross-coupling reaction promoted by catalysts and

• different conditions. This parallel reactor setup was successfully utilized for the multistep synthesis of 18 compounds of an anticonvulsant drug, employing various reaction pathways to perform photoredox carbon–nitrogen cross-coupling reactions. A parallel droplet flow system was developed by Eyke et al

• various reaction categories. The system consists of a liquid–liquid separator and an in-line/online analytical tool to facilitate closed-loop autonomous optimization. The capability of the system was demonstrated in the optimization of C–C and C–N cross-coupling, olefination, reductive amination

Synthesis of acenaphthylene-fused heteroarenes and polyoxygenated benzo[j]fluoranthenes via a Pd-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura/C–H arylation cascade

• Merve Yence,
• Dilgam Ahmadli,
• Damla Surmeli,
• Umut Mert Karacaoğlu,
• Sujit Pal and
• Yunus Emre Türkmen

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3290–3298, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.273

• %). This cascade involves an initial Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction between 1,8-dihalonaphthalenes and heteroarylboronic acids or esters, followed by an intramolecular C–H arylation under the same conditions to yield the final heterocyclic fluoranthene analogues. The method was further employed to

• )-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition reactions with 1,8-dialkynylnaphthalenes to access azafluoranthenes and 2-pyridone-fused naphthalenes [27]. In 2017, we reported a Pd-catalyzed cascade reaction that involves a sequential Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling and a subsequent intramolecular C–H arylation between

• analogues via a Pd-catalyzed reaction cascade that consists of a Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction followed by an intramolecular C–H arylation. These heterocyclic fluoranthene analogues include a variety of acenaphthylene-fused heteroarenes such as thiophene, furan, benzofuran, pyrazole, pyridine and

Efficient synthesis of fluorinated triphenylenes with enhanced arene–perfluoroarene interactions in columnar mesophases

• Yang Chen,
• Jiao He,
• Hang Lin,
• Hai-Feng Wang,
• Ping Hu,
• Bi-Qin Wang,
• Ke-Qing Zhao and
• Bertrand Donnio

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3263–3273, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.270

• commercial perfluoroarene chemical blocks and reagents, involving catalyzed C–F-bond activation and cross-coupling reactions, usually requiring precious transition-metal catalysts and tedious synthetic routes [28][29][30][31][32][33][34]. Therefore, low-cost and facile synthetic strategies are desired to

Germanyl triazoles as a platform for CuAAC diversification and chemoselective orthogonal cross-coupling

• John M. Halford-McGuff,
• Thomas M. Richardson,
• Aidan P. McKay,
• Frederik Peschke,
• Glenn A. Burley and
• Allan J. B. Watson

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3198–3204, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.265

• further diversification of the triazole products, including chemoselective transition metal-catalysed cross-coupling reactions using bifunctional boryl/germyl species. Keywords: chemoselectivity; click chemistry; copper; germanium; triazole; Introduction Since its inception, click chemistry has been

• cross-couplings. Schoenebeck and co-workers have shown that Ge-based compounds are versatile reagents within chemoselective cross-coupling processes for the formation of a variety of C–C and C–X bonds [55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63]. Importantly, these transformations can take place in the presence

• of borylated functional groups, allowing orthogonal cross-coupling, whilst also offering excellent stability compared to boron-based reagents [57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67]. Based on their utility and stability, germanium units could therefore be useful within CuAAC reactions and offer

Multicomponent reactions driving the discovery and optimization of agents targeting central nervous system pathologies

• Lucía Campos-Prieto,
• Aitor García-Rey,
• Eddy Sotelo and
• Ana Mallo-Abreu

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3151–3173, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.261

• strategic approach allows precise control of the stereogenic centers at the C3-position during cyclization (Scheme 16). Ugi-4CR/metal-catalyzed reaction: The fusion of MCRs with cross-coupling reactions represents an attractive approach as a result of the increased intricacy and effectiveness [62]. Moreover

• -benzodiazepin-5-ones employing Ugi–reduction–cyclization (URC) approach. Ugi cross-coupling (U-4CRs) to synthesize triazolobenzodiazepines. Azido-Ugi four component reaction cyclization to obtain imidazotetrazolodiazepinones. Synthesis of oxazolo- and thiazolo[1,4]benzodiazepine-2,5-diones via Ugi/deprotection

Enantioselective regiospecific addition of propargyltrichlorosilane to aldehydes catalyzed by biisoquinoline N,N’-dioxide

• Noble Brako,
• Sreerag Moorkkannur Narayanan,
• Amber Burns,
• Layla Auter,
• Valentino Cesiliano,
• Rajeev Prabhakar and
• Norito Takenaka

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3069–3076, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.255

• -difunctionalization of borylenynes by catalytic conjugative cross-coupling [42]. Allenylation reagents that require regio-controlling auxiliaries such as a trimethylsilyl group (Scheme 2a) add steps before and/or after the reaction, thus they are less efficient in terms of atom- and step-economy [21][22][23][24][33

Cyclodextrin-based rotaxanes for polymer materials: challenge on simultaneous realization of inexpensive production and defined structures

• Yosuke Akae

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 3026–3049, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.252

• substitution/addition reactions became the standard for end-capping reactions, although a transition metal–catalyzed cross-coupling reaction has also been used to synthesize CD-based rotaxane. Typically, water-soluble components are prepared, after which the Suzuki coupling reaction in water is used to

• into the polymer system, further modification and structural analyses were performed [48][74]. The axle end was easily modified by bromination of the benzene ring and successive transition metal–catalyzed cross-coupling reaction, such as Suzuki or Sonogashira coupling (Figure 10A). Furthermore, the

Advances in radical peroxidation with hydroperoxides

• Oleg V. Bityukov,
• Pavel Yu. Serdyuchenko,
• Andrey S. Kirillov,
• Gennady I. Nikishin,
• Vera A. Vil’ and
• Alexander O. Terent’ev

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2024, 20, 2959–3006, doi:10.3762/bjoc.20.249

• the presence of Cu/TBHP. The cyclohexyl radical C attacks at the α-carbon of α,β-unsaturated ketone D generating a benzylic radical E. Finally, a radical cross-coupling between B and benzylic radical E furnish the formation of cycloalkyl–peroxy product 106. The acid-catalyzed radical additions of

• radical A generated from TBHP abstracts a hydrogen atom from cyclohexane 83 to give a cyclohexyl radical B. Further, tert-butoxy radical reacts with TBHP to give tert-butylperoxy radical C. Coumarin 102 was oxidized by tert-butylperoxy radical C to give C-center radical D. Finally, the radical cross

• -coupling between cyclohexyl radical B and C-center radical D provides the difunctionalized product 103. Related methods were subsequently proposed for the modification of indene 104 [42] (Scheme 37). The target peroxides 106 were synthesized in good yields. In the case of indenes 104 a different