Abstract:
The transition metal‐catalyzed direct coupling reactions involving electron‐rich Fischer carbene species are largely underdeveloped and remain a big challenge. Here, a direct coupling reaction of azoles and azine
N
‐oxides is reported with Fischer copper carbene species bearing an
α
‐siloxy group i, which can be in situ generated from acylsilanes catalytically under photoirradiation and redox‐neutral conditions. This coupling reaction between electron‐rich
α
‐siloxy Fischer Cu‐carbene species with hard carbanion nucleophiles may undergo a bimetallic relay process, which is confirmed by the kinetic analysis and in situ NMR analysis. This reaction features mild conditions and remarkable heterocycle compatibility. Notably, this protocol tolerates a series of azole or azine
N
‐oxide derivatives, including benzoxazole, benzothiazole, benzoimidazole, benzoisoxazole, oxazole, oxadiazole, triazolo[4,3
‐a
]pyridine, purine, caffeine, pyridine
N
‐oxide, quinoline
N
‐oxide, pyrazine
N
‐oxide, pyridazine
N
‐oxide, etc. The synthetic value of this approach is demonstrated by the efficient synthesis of a histamine h4 receptor ligand and a marketed drug carbinoxamine.