Nickel‐Catalyzed Site‐Selective Amidation of Unactivated C(sp3)H Bonds

Intramolecular dehydrogenative cyclization of aliphatic amides was achieved on unactivated sp³ carbon atoms by a nickel‐catalyzed C?H bond functionalization process with the assistance of a bidentate directing group. The reaction favors the C?H bonds of β‐methyl groups over the γ‐methyl or β‐methylene groups. Additionally, a predominant preference for the β‐methyl C?H bonds over the aromatic sp² C?H bonds was observed. Moreover, this process also allows for the effective functionalization of benzylic secondary sp³ C?H bonds.     

Site‐Selective δ‐C(sp3)−H Alkylation of Amino Acids and Peptides with Maleimides via a Six‐Membered Palladacycle

The site‐selective functionalization of unactivated C(sp³)?H bonds remains one of the greatest challenges in organic synthesis. Herein, we report on the site‐selective δ‐C(sp³)?H alkylation of amino acids and peptides with maleimides via a kinetically less favored six‐membered palladacycle in the presence of more accessible γ‐C(sp³)?H bonds. Experimental studies revealed that C?H bond cleavage occurs reversibly and preferentially at γ‐methyl over δ‐methyl C?H bonds while the subsequent alkylation proceeds exclusively at the six‐membered palladacycle that is generated by δ‐C?H activation. The selectivity can be explained by the Curtin–Hammett principle. The exceptional compatibility of this alkylation with various oligopeptides renders this procedure valuable for late‐stage peptide modifications. Notably, this process is also the first palladium(II)‐catalyzed Michael‐type alkylation reaction that proceeds through C(sp³)?H activation.     

Tuned C?H Functionalization to Construct Aza‐Podophyllotoxin/Aza‐Conidendrin Derivatives by Means of Domino Cyclization

An efficient domino cyclization method for the construction of aza‐podophyllotoxin/aza‐conidendrin derivatives has been established. Reactions of different dienes with aryl halides in the presence of a palladium catalytic system produced different kinds of podophyllotoxin derivatives through a highly regioselective C? H functionalization. Treatment of dienes with aryl halides that have electron‐withdrawing substituents on the phenyl ring created aza‐podophyllotoxin derivatives by means of the functionalization of the C? H bonds ortho to the C? halide bonds of the incoming aryl halides. The reaction of dienes with 1‐iodobenzene or aryl halides that incorporate electron‐donating groups produced aza‐conidendrin derivatives by means of the functionalization of both sp³ C? H and sp² C? H bonds. The regioselective C? H functionalization for the formation of different pseudo‐podophyllotoxin/‐conidendrin derivatives is proven by analyses of the ¹H NMR spectra of the products and selective X‐ray analyses of the structures of the products. Thus, the palladium‐catalyzed domino cyclization of 1,6‐dienes for the preparation of aza‐podophyllotoxin/aza‐conidendrin derivatives can be controlled by selectively controlling the C? H functionalization.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Site‐Selective Intramolecular Amidation of Unactivated C(sp3)H Bonds

The intramolecular dehydrogenative amidation of aliphatic amides, directed by a bidentate ligand, was developed using a copper‐catalyzed sp³ C? H bond functionalization process. The reaction favors predominantly the C? H bonds of β‐methyl groups over the unactivated methylene C? H bonds. Moreover, a preference for activating sp³ C? H bonds of β‐methyl groups, via a five‐membered ring intermediate, over the aromatic sp² C? H bonds was also observed in the cyclometalation step. Additionally, sp³ C? H bonds of unactivated secondary sp³ C? H bonds could be functionalized by favoring the ring carbon atoms over the linear carbon atoms.     

Regioselective Vinylation of Remote Unactivated C(sp3)−H Bonds: Access to Complex Fluoroalkylated Alkenes

Regioselective incorporation of a particular functional group into aliphatic sites by direct activation of unreactive C?H bonds is of great synthetic value. Despite advances in radical‐mediated functionalization of C(sp³)?H bonds by a hydrogen‐atom transfer process, the site‐selective vinylation of remote C(sp³)?H bonds still remains underexplored. Reported herein is a new protocol for the regioselective vinylation of unactivated C(sp³)?H bonds. The remote C(sp³)?H activation is promoted by a C‐centered radical instead of the commonly used N and O radicals. The reaction possesses high product diversity and synthetic efficiency, furnishing a plethora of synthetically valuable E alkenes bearing tri‐/di‐/mono‐fluoromethyl and perfluoroalkyl groups.     

Copper‐Catalyzed C(sp3)−H Amidation: Sterically Driven Primary and Secondary C−H Site‐Selectivity

Undirected C(sp³)?H functionalization reactions often follow site‐selectivity patterns that mirror the corresponding C?H bond dissociation energies (BDEs). This often results in the functionalization of weaker tertiary C?H bonds in the presence of stronger secondary and primary bonds. An important, contemporary challenge is the development of catalyst systems capable of selectively functionalizing stronger primary and secondary C?H bonds over tertiary and benzylic C?H sites. Herein, we report a Cu catalyst that exhibits a high degree of primary and secondary over tertiary C?H bond selectivity in the amidation of linear and cyclic hydrocarbons with aroyl azides ArC(O)N₃. Mechanistic and DFT studies indicate that C?H amidation involves H‐atom abstraction from R‐H substrates by nitrene intermediates [Cu](κ²‐N,O‐NC(O)Ar) to provide carbon‐based radicals R^. and copper(II)amide intermediates [Cu^II]‐NHC(O)Ar that subsequently capture radicals R^. to form products R‐NHC(O)Ar. These studies reveal important catalyst features required to achieve primary and secondary C?H amidation selectivity in the absence of directing groups.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Carbene Insertion into C(sp3)−H Bonds

A palladium‐catalyzed carbene insertion into C(sp³)?H bonds leading to pyrrolidines was developed. The coupling reaction can be catalyzed by both Pd⁰ and Pd^II, is regioselective, and shows a broad functional group tolerance. This reaction is the first example of palladium‐catalyzed C(sp³)?C(sp³) bond assembly starting from diazocarbonyl compounds. DFT calculations revealed that this direct C(sp³)?H bond functionalization reaction involves an unprecedented concerted metalation–deprotonation step.     

The Redox‐Neutral Approach to C?H Functionalization

The direct functionalization of C? H bonds is an attractive strategy in organic synthesis. Although several advances have been made in this area, the selective activation of inert sp³ C? H bonds remains a daunting challenge. Recently, a new type of sp³ C? H activation mode through internal hydride transfer has demonstrated the potential to activate remote sp³ C? H linkages in an atom‐economic manner. This Minireview attempts to classify recent advances in this area including the transition to non‐activated sp³ C? H bonds and asymmetric hydride transfers.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Remote C(sp3)−H Trifluoromethylation of Carboxamides and Sulfonamides

Reported herein is an unprecedented protocol for trifluoromethylation of unactivated aliphatic C(sp³)?H bonds. With Cu(OTf)₂ as the catalyst, the reaction of N‐fluoro‐substituted carboxamides (or sulfonamides) with Zn(CF₃)₂ complexes provides the corresponding δ‐trifluoromethylated carboxamides (or sulfonamides) in satisfactory yields under mild reaction conditions. A radical mechanism involving 1,5‐hydrogen atom transfer of N‐radicals followed by CF₃‐transfer from Cu^II?CF₃ complexes to the thus formed alkyl radicals is proposed.     

Synergistic Catalysis for the Umpolung Trifluoromethylthiolation of Tertiary Ethers

The first transition‐metal‐free, site‐specific umpolung trifluoromethylthiolation of tertiary alkyl ethers has been developed, achieving the challenging tertiary C(sp³)–SCF₃ coupling under redox‐neutral conditions. The synergism of organophotocatalyst 4CzIPN and BINOL‐based phosphorothiols can site‐selectively cleave tertiary sp³ C(sp³)–O ether bonds in complex molecules initiated by a polarity‐matching hydrogen‐atom‐transfer (HAT) event. The incorporation of several competing benzylic and methine C(sp³)?H bonds in alkyl ethers has little influence on the regioselectivity. Selective difluoromethylthiolation of C?O bonds has also been achieved. This represents not only an important step forward in trifluoromethylthiolation but also a promising means for site‐selective C?O bond functionalization of unsymmetrical tertiary alkyl ethers.     

Easily Accessible Auxiliary for Palladium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Amination of C(sp2)H and C(sp3)H Bonds at δ‐ and ε‐Positions

An easily synthesized and accessible N,O‐bidentate auxiliary has been developed for selective C? H activation under palladium catalysis. The novel auxiliary showed its first powerful application in C? H functionalization of remote positions. Both C(sp²)? H and C(sp³)? H bonds at δ‐ and ε‐positions were effectively activated, thus giving tetrahydroquinolines, benzomorpholines, pyrrolidines, and indolines in moderate to excellent yields by palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular C? H amination.     

Functionalization of C‐H Bonds by Photoredox Catalysis

Visible‐light photoredox catalysis has been successfully used in the functionalization of inert C?H bonds including C(sp²)‐H bonds of arenes and C(sp³)‐H bonds of aliphatic compounds over the past decade. These transformations are typically promoted by the process of single‐electron‐transfer (SET) between substrates and photo‐excited photocatalyst upon visible light irradiation (household bulbs or LEDs). Compared with other synthetic strategies, such as the transition‐metal catalysis and traditional radical reactions, visible‐light photoredox approach has distinct advantages in terms of operational simplicity and practicability. Versatile direct functionalization of inert C(sp²)‐H and C(sp³)‐H bonds including alkylation, trifluoromethylation, arylation and amidation, has been achieved using this practical strategy.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Bromination of C(sp3)−H Bonds Distal to Functional Groups

Selective bromination of γ‐methylene C(sp³)−H bonds of aliphatic amides and δ‐methylene C(sp³)−H bonds of nosyl‐protected alkyl amines are developed using NBS as the brominating reagent and catalytic amount of Cu^II/phenanthroline complexes as the catalyst. Aryl and benzylic C−H bonds at other locations remain intact during this directed radical abstraction reaction.     

Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Alkylation of Polyfluoroarenes through Direct CH Bond Functionalization

The copper(I)‐catalyzed alkylation of electron‐deficient polyfluoroarenes with N‐tosylhydrazones and diazo compounds has been developed. This reaction uses readily available starting materials and is operationally simple, thus representing a practical method for the construction of C(sp²)? C(sp³) bonds with polyfluoroarenes through direct C? H bond functionalization. Mechanistically, copper(I) carbene formation and subsequent migratory insertion are proposed as the key steps in the reaction pathway.     

Visible‐Light/Photoredox‐Mediated sp3 CH Functionalization and Coupling of Secondary Amines with Vinyl Azides in Flow Microreactors

Structurally diverse imidazole derivatives were synthesized by a visible‐light/[Ru(bpy)₃][(PF₆)₂]‐mediated coupling of vinyl azides and secondary amines in flow microreactors. This operationally simple and atom‐economical protocol allows the formation of three new C?N bonds through the functionalization of sp³ C?H bonds adjacent to the secondary nitrogen atom. In order to get mechanistic insight of the coupling reaction, several control experiments were carried out and discussed.     

Copper‐Promoted Site‐Selective Acyloxylation of Unactivated C(sp3)H Bonds

The site‐selective acyloxylation of aliphatic amides was achieved via a copper‐promoted C(sp³)? H bond functionalization process directed by a bidentate ligand. The reaction showed a great preference for activating C? H bonds of β‐methyl groups over those of γ‐methyl and unactivated methylene groups.     

Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Amidation of Unactivated C(sp3)?H Bonds

Nitrogenation by direct functionalization of C H bonds represents an important strategy for constructing C N bonds. Rhodium(III)‐catalyzed direct amidation of unactivated C(sp³) H bonds is rare, especially under mild reaction conditions. Herein, a broad scope of C(sp³) H bonds are amidated under rhodium catalysis in high efficiency using 3‐substituted 1,4,2‐dioxazol‐5‐ones as the amide source. The protocol broadens the scope of rhodium(III)‐catalyzed C(sp³) H activation chemistry, and is applicable to the late‐stage functionalization of natural products.     

Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Amidation of Unactivated C(sp3)?H Bonds

Nitrogenation by direct functionalization of C H bonds represents an important strategy for constructing C N bonds. Rhodium(III)‐catalyzed direct amidation of unactivated C(sp³) H bonds is rare, especially under mild reaction conditions. Herein, a broad scope of C(sp³) H bonds are amidated under rhodium catalysis in high efficiency using 3‐substituted 1,4,2‐dioxazol‐5‐ones as the amide source. The protocol broadens the scope of rhodium(III)‐catalyzed C(sp³) H activation chemistry, and is applicable to the late‐stage functionalization of natural products.     

Complementary Strategies for Directed C(sp3)−H Functionalization: A Comparison of Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed Activation,Hydrogen Atom Transfer,and Carbene/Nitrene Transfer

The functionalization of C(sp³)?H bonds streamlines chemical synthesis by allowing the use of simple molecules and providing novel synthetic disconnections. Intensive recent efforts in the development of new reactions based on C?H functionalization have led to its wider adoption across a range of research areas. This Review discusses the strengths and weaknesses of three main approaches: transition‐metal‐catalyzed C?H activation, 1,n‐hydrogen atom transfer, and transition‐metal‐catalyzed carbene/nitrene transfer, for the directed functionalization of unactivated C(sp³)?H bonds. For each strategy, the scope, the reactivity of different C?H bonds, the position of the reacting C?H bonds relative to the directing group, and stereochemical outcomes are illustrated with examples in the literature. The aim of this Review is to provide guidance for the use of C?H functionalization reactions and inspire future research in this area.     

Phenyltrimethylammonium Salts as Methylation Reagents in the Nickel‐Catalyzed Methylation of C−H Bonds

Methylation of C(sp²)?H bonds was achieved through the Ni^II‐catalyzed reaction of benzamides with phenyltrimethylammonium bromide or iodide as the source of the methyl group. The reaction has a broad scope and shows high functional‐group compatibility. The reaction is also applicable to the methylation of C(sp³)?H bonds in aliphatic amides.