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.     

The rotational spectrum of the NiS radical in the X3Sigma- state

The rotational spectrum of the NiS radical in the X(3)Sigma(-) state was observed by employing a source-modulation microwave spectrometer. The NiS radical was generated in a free space cell by a dc glow discharge in H(2)S diluted with Ar. The nickel atoms were supplied by the sputtering reaction from a nickel cathode. Rotational transitions with J = 11-10 to 25-24 were measured in the region between 135 and 314 GHz. Rotational, centrifugal distortion and several fine-structure constants were determined by a least-squares analysis. Other spectroscopic parameters such as dissociation energy, vibrational wavenumber and equilibrium bond length were also derived from the determined molecular constants. Excitation energies of the lowest (3)Pi and (1)Sigma(+) states were estimated from the fine-structure constants, lambda and gamma.     

Site‐Selective Remote Radical C−H Functionalization of Unactivated C−H Bonds in Amides Using Sulfone Reagents

A general and practical strategy for remote site‐selective functionalization of unactivated aliphatic C?H bonds in various amides by radical chemistry is introduced. C?H bond functionalization is achieved by using the readily installed N‐allylsulfonyl moiety as an N‐radical precursor. The in situ generated N‐radical engages in intramolecular 1,5‐hydrogen atom transfer to generate a translocated C radical which is subsequently trapped with various sulfone reagents to afford the corresponding C?H functionalized amides. The generality of the approach is documented by the successful remote C?N₃, C?Cl, C?Br, C?SCF₃, C?SPh, and C?C bond formation. Unactivated tertiary and secondary C?H bonds, as well as activated primary C?H bonds, can be readily functionalized by this method.     

Bonding of multiple noble-gas atoms to CUO in solid neon: CUO(Ng)n (Ng=Ar, Kr, Xe; n=1, 2, 3, 4) complexes and the singlet-triplet crossover point

Laser-ablated U atoms co-deposited with CO in excess neon produce the novel CUO molecule, which forms distinct Ng complexes (Ng=Ar, Kr, Xe) with the heavier noble gases. The CUO(Ng) complexes are identified through CO isotopic and Ng reagent substitution and comparison to results of DFT frequency calculations. The U[bond]C and U[bond]O stretching frequencies of CUO(Ng) complexes are slightly red-shifted from neon matrix (1)Sigma(+) CUO values, which indicates a (1)A' ground state for the CUO(Ng) complexes. The CUO(Ng)(2) complexes in excess neon are likewise singlet molecules. However, the CUO(Ng)(3) and CUO(Ng)(4) complexes exhibit very different stretching frequencies and isotopic behaviors that are similar to those of CUO(Ar)(n) in a pure argon matrix, which has a (3)A" ground state based on DFT vibrational frequency calculations. This work suggests a coordination sphere model in which CUO in solid neon is initially solvated by four or more Ne atoms. Up to four heavier Ng atoms successively displace the Ne atoms leading ultimately to CUO(Ng)(4) complexes. The major changes in the CUO stretching frequencies from CUO(Ng)(2) to CUO(Ng)(3) provides evidence for the crossover from a singlet ground state to a triplet ground state.     

A Mechanistic Investigation of the Oxidative Addition of Alkyl Halides to Palladium Atoms

Palladium atoms (vapor) have been cocondensed at low temperature with a series of alkyl halides. Oxidative addition to form RMX occurs. Trapping experiments, free radical scavenging experiments, and decomposition product distributions suggest that the metal atom CX bond insertion occurs direclty $\text{via}$ a caged radical pair.     

Rapid, one-pot synthesis of highly-soluble carbon nanotubes functionalized by L-arginine

Functionalization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is a necessary step to exploit their valuable properties. Due to having several steps and especially acid treatment, most of current methods of functionalization result in irrecoverable defects on CNTs structure. Here, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were functionalized with L-arginine in a simple, one-pot and rapid microwave-assisted technique without any acid treatment step. The CNT functionalities were analyzed with infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results confirmed the covalent functionalization of L-arginine with very low defects on CNTs. Also it is found that increase of input powers of microwave in the range 500–900 W, monotonically increase the degree of functionalization. The maximum dispersibility of MWCNT was found ～1.03 mg/mL corresponding to 900 W irradiation. Accounting considerable low treatment time, the method may be applied for large-scale solubilization of MWCNTs in an industrial scale.     

Selective α‐Oxyamination and Hydroxylation of Aliphatic Amides

Compared to the α‐functionalization of aldehydes, ketones, even esters, the direct α‐modification of amides is still a challenge because of the low acidity of α‐CH groups. The α‐functionalization of N−H (primary and secondary) amides, containing both an unactived α‐C−H bond and a competitively active N−H bond, remains elusive. Shown herein is the general and efficient oxidative α‐oxyamination and hydroxylation of aliphatic amides including secondary N−H amides. This transition‐metal‐free chemistry with high chemoselectivity provides an efficient approach to α‐hydroxy amides. This oxidative protocol significantly enables the selective functionalization of inert α‐C−H bonds with the complete preservation of active N−H bond.     

N‐Centered Radical Directed Remote C−H Bond Functionalization via Hydrogen Atom Transfer

The N‐centered radical directed remote C?H bond functionalization via hydrogen‐atom‐transfer at distant sites has developed as an enormous potential tool for the organic synthetic chemists. Unactivated and remote secondary and tertiary, as well as selected primary C?H bonds, can be utilized for functionalization by following these methodologies. The synthesis of the heterocyclic scaffolds provides them extra attention for the modern days′ developments in this field of unactivated remote C?H bonds functionalizations.     

Electron attachment-induced DNA single strand breaks: C3'-O3' sigma-bond breaking of pyrimidine nucleotides predominates

A detailed understanding of DNA strand breaks induced by low energy electrons (LEE) is of crucial importance for the advancement of many areas of molecular biology and medicine. To elucidate the mechanism of DNA strand breaks by LEEs, theoretical investigations of the electron attachment-induced C3'-O3' sigma-bond breaking of the pyrimidine nucleotides have been performed. Calculations of 2'-deoxycytidine-3'-monophosphate and 2'-deoxythymidine-3'-monophosphate in their protonated form (denoted as 3'-dCMPH and 3'-dTMPH) have been carried out with the reliably calibrated B3LYP/DZP++ theoretical approach. Our results demonstrate that the transfer of the negative charge from the pi*-orbital of the radical anion of pyrimidines to the DNA backbone does not pass through the N1-glycosidic bond. Instead, the migration of the excessive negative charge through the atomic orbital overlap between the C6 of pyrimidine and the C3' of ribose most likely represents a pathway that subsequently leads to the strand breaks. The proposed mechanism of the LEE-induced single strand breaks in DNA assumes that the formation of the base-centered radical anions is the first step in this process. Subsequently, these electronically stable radical anions may undergo either C-O bond breaking or N-glycosidic bond rupture. The present investigation of 3'-dCMPH and 3'-dTMPH yields an energy barrier of 6.2-7.1 kcal/mol for the C3'-O3' sigma-bond cleavage. This is much lower than the energy barriers required for the C5'-O5' sigma-bond and the N1-glycosidic bond break. Therefore, we conclude that the C3'-O3' sigma-bond rupture dominates the LEE-induced single strand breaks of DNA.     

Selective Functionalization of Graphene at Defect‐Activated Sites by Arylazocarboxylic tert‐Butyl Esters

The development of versatile functionalization concepts for graphene is currently in the focus of research. Upon oxo‐functionalization of graphite, the full surface of graphene becomes accessible for C?C bond formation to introduce out‐of‐plane functionality. Herein, we present the arylation of graphene with arylazocarboxylic tert‐butyl esters, which generates aryl radicals after activation with an acid. Surprisingly, the degree of functionalization is related to the concentration of lattice vacancy defects in the graphene material. Consequently, graphene materials that are free from lattice defects are not reactive. The reaction can be applied to graphene dispersed in solvents and leads to bitopic functionalization as well as monotopic functionalization when the graphene is deposited on surfaces. As the arylazocarboxylic tert‐butyl ester moiety can be attached to various molecules, the presented method paves the way to functional graphene derivatives, with the density of defects determining the degree of functionalization.     

α‐Aminoxy‐Acid‐Auxiliary‐Enabled Intermolecular Radical γ‐C(sp3)−H Functionalization of Ketones

A method for site‐specific intermolecular γ‐C(sp³)?H functionalization of ketones has been developed using an α‐aminoxy acid auxiliary applying photoredox catalysis. Regioselective activation of an inert C?H bond is achieved by 1,5‐hydrogen atom abstraction by an oxidatively generated iminyl radical. Tertiary and secondary C‐radicals thus formed at the γ‐position of the imine functionality undergo radical conjugate addition to various Michael acceptors to provide, after reduction and imine hydrolysis, the corresponding γ‐functionalized ketones.     

C（sp3）-H bond functionalization of oximes derivatives via 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer induced by iminyl radical

Oximes derivatives have been vastly used in organic synthesis. In this review, C（sp³）-H bond functionalization of oximes derivatives via iminyl radical induced 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer was discussed. According to the different type of products, this review was divided into three parts:（1） C（sp³）-H bond functionalization for C-C bond formation.（2） C（sp³）-H bond functionalization for C-N bond formation.（3） C（sp³）-H bond functionalization for C-S, C-F b...     

Effects of substituents on aryl groups during the reaction of triarylphosphine radical cation and oxygen

In a previous report (S. Yasui, S. Tojo and T. Majima, J. Org. Chem., 2005, 70, 1276), we presented the results from the laser flash photolysis (LFP) and product analysis of the 9,10-dicyanoanthracene (DCA)-photosensitized oxidation of triarylphosphine (Ar(3)P) in acetonitrile under air, which showed that the photoreaction results in the oxidation of Ar(3)P to give the corresponding phosphine oxide (Ar(3)P=O) in a nearly quantitative yield, and that the reaction is initiated by the electron transfer (ET) from Ar(3)P to DCA in the singlet excited state ((1)DCA*), producing the triarylphosphine radical cation Ar(3)P (+). This radical cation decays through radical coupling with O(2) to afford the peroxy radical cation Ar(3)P(+)-O-O*, which we proposed to be the intermediate leading to the product Ar(3)P=O. We now examined this photoreaction in more detail using ten kinds of Ar(3)P with various electronic and steric characteristics. The decay rate of Ar(3)P*(+) measured by the LFP was only slightly affected by the substituents on the aryl groups of Ar(3)P. During the photolysis of trimesitylphosphine (Mes(3)P), the peroxy radical cation intermediate (Mes(3)P(+)-O-O*) had a lifetime long enough to be spectrophotometrically detected. The quantum yields of Ar(3)P=O increased with either electron-withdrawing or -releasing substituents on the aryl groups, suggesting that a radical center is developed on the phosphorus atom during the step when the quantum yield is determined. In addition, the o-methyl substituents in Ar(3)P decreased the quantum yield. These results clearly indicated that Ar(3)P(+)-O-O* undergoes radical attack upon the parent phosphine Ar(3)P that eventually produces the final product, Ar(3)P=O.     

碳纳米管的聚合物功能化与结构控制:聚合物接枝碳纳米管

碳纳米管高分子化是发展高性能的聚合物基纳米功能材料的重要研究方向,本文从"grafting-to"和"grafting-from"两种方式对聚合物接枝碳纳米管的最新进展进行了系统综述。"Grafting-to"方法主要包括羧基衍生反应(酰化、酯化)、加成反应(大分子自由基加成、叠氮环加成)和硫醇偶联反应。"Grafting-from"方法包括普通自由基聚合、可控/活性自由基聚合、离子聚合、开环聚合和逐步聚合反应,其中碳纳米管表面引发活性自由基聚合进一步分为原子转移自由基聚合、氮氧稳定自由基聚合和可逆加成-断链转移聚合。此外,本文还简述了碳纳米管自身的聚合反应,并探讨了目前聚合物修饰碳纳米管所面临的问题和今后的发展方向。     

Influence of oxygen/sulfur-termination on electronic structure and surface electrostatic potential of (6,0) carbon nanotube: a DFT study

A density functional theory study was carried out to investigate the electronic and structural properties of oxygen- and sulfur-terminated models of zigzag (6,0) carbon nanotube (CNT). In general, the C–C bond lengths are significantly changed upon O/S-termination in the considered models. Our calculations indicate that due to the O/S-doping at the tip(s) of pristine CNT, the evaluated electron density tends to increase slightly at the axial C–C bond critical points. In order to characterize and provide valuable information of the origin of noncovalent interactions, electrostatic potentials are computed on the surface of the CNTs. Our results reveal that the characteristic surface patterns are considerably influenced by O/S-termination and the dopant atoms tend to activate the surface toward electrophilic/radical attack.     

C–F bond functionalizations of trifluoromethyl groups via radical intermediates

Selective functionalization of C–F bonds in trifluoromethyl groups has recently received a growing interest, as it offers atom-and step-economic pathways to access highly valuable mono-and difluoroalkylsubstituted organic molecules using simple and inexpensive trifluoromethyl sources as the starting materials. In this regard, impressive progress has been made on the defluorinative functionalization reactions that proceed via radical intermediates. Nevertheless, it is still a great challenge to p...     

Functionalization of carbon nanotubes with Vaska's complex: a theoretical approach

The functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with Vaska's complex trans-Ir(CO)Br(PPh(3))(2) has been investigated by means of hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations. The formation of a stable adduct has been experimentally evidenced by Wong et al. (Nano Lett. 2002, 2, 49), but microscopical details on the metal-nanotube interaction are still unclear. Our calculations show a low propensity to eta(2) coordination of Vaska's complex with the perfect hexagonal network of CNTs. Rather, a stronger interaction takes place when the transition metal center coordinates to carbon atoms belonging to pentagonal rings, as in topological defects or end-caps.     

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.     

Monofluoroalkenylation of Dimethylamino Compounds through Radical–Radical Cross‐Coupling

An unprecedented and challenging radical–radical cross‐coupling of α‐aminoalkyl radicals with monofluoroalkenyl radicals derived from gem‐difluoroalkenes was achieved. This first example of tandem C(sp³)?H and C(sp²)?F bond functionalization through visible‐light photoredox catalysis offers a facile and flexible access to privileged tetrasubstituted monofluoroalkenes under very mild reaction conditions. The striking features of this redox‐neutral method in terms of scope, functional‐group tolerance, and regioselectivity are illustrated by the late‐stage fluoroalkenylation of complex molecular architectures such as bioactive (+)‐diltiazem, rosiglitazone, dihydroartemisinin, oleanic acid, and androsterone derivatives, which represent important new α‐amino C?H monofluoroalkenylations.     

Functionalization as a way to enhance dispersion of carbon nanotubes in matrices: a review

The past 3 decades of thorough scientific scrutiny of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) revealed that, in spite of their remarkable properties, some technological applications are adversely affected by certain difficulties in handling the CNTs, along with their tendencies, arising out of their graphitic structure, to form agglomerates and exhibit limited interaction with other materials. These issues play a crucial role when CNTs are applied as nanofillers inside matrices, in particular polar ones. In this case, unless several preliminary steps are taken, an efficient and uniform dispersion of the CNTs becomes impossible, thus the nanocomposite cannot exhibit the expected final properties. Unfortunately, a universal procedure does not exist since the problem of the dispersion of CNTs is very complex, and its solution requires an advanced understanding of the properties of the CNTs (e.g. whether the CNTs are single- or multiwalled, size, length, lattice defects etc.) as well as of the matrices used. This review aims to help the reader to select the appropriate dispersion procedure by acquiring fundamental knowledge regarding: (1) the synthesis and properties of pristine CNTs; (2) methods of chemical functionalization and properties of functionalized CNTs; and (3) methodologies for the mechanical dispersion of CNTs. A brief overview regarding chemo-physical characterization techniques is also given to enable a better evaluation of the properties of the CNTs, both before and after functionalization.