Synthesis 2017; 49(15): 3347-3356
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1588490
short review
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Nucleophile/Electrophile Combinations in Aromatic Substitution: From Wheland to Wheland–Meisenheimer Intermediates Using Strongly Activated Arenes

Gabriele Micheletti
Department of Industrial Chemistry ‘Toso Montanari’ University of Bologna, Viale del Risorginento 4 40136 Bologna, Italy   Email: carla.boga@unibo.it
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Department of Industrial Chemistry ‘Toso Montanari’ University of Bologna, Viale del Risorginento 4 40136 Bologna, Italy   Email: carla.boga@unibo.it
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 16 May 2017

Accepted after revision: 16 June 2017

Publication Date:
13 July 2017 (online)


Dedicated to Prof. H. Mayr on the occasion of his 70th birthday

Abstract

This short review provides an overview on the interaction between 1,3,5-triaminobenzene derivatives and different kinds of electrophiles. Due to the ambident reactivity of these nucleophiles (i.e., at the nitrogen atom of the substituents and at the aromatic carbon atom) different compounds can be obtained. Particular attention is devoted to the detection, isolation, and characterization of covalent intermediates of aromatic substitution, starting from Wheland intermediates until the first detection and characterization of Wheland–Meisenheimer intermediates.

1 Introduction

2 Reactions between 1,3,5-Triaminobenzene Derivatives and Charged Electrophiles

2.1 The Proton as an Electrophile

2.2 Arenediazonium Salts as Electrophiles

3 Reactions between 1,3,5-Triaminobenzene Derivatives and Neutral­ Electrophiles

3.1 Alkyl Halides as Electrophiles

3.2 Acyl Halides and Sulfonyl Chlorides as Electrophiles

3.3 Aryl Halides and Heteroaryl Halides as Electrophiles

3.4 Polynitroheteroaromatics as Electrophiles

4 Conclusion