Asymmetric Desymmetrization via Metal‐Free C−F Bond Activation: Synthesis of 3,5‐Diaryl‐5‐fluoromethyloxazolidin‐2‐ones with Quaternary Carbon Centers

We disclose the first asymmetric activation of a non‐activated aliphatic C?F bond in which a conceptually new desymmetrization of 1,3‐difluorides by silicon‐induced selective C?F bond scission is a key step. The combination of a cinchona alkaloid based chiral ammonium bifluoride catalyst and N,O‐bis(trimethylsilyl)acetoamide (BSA) as the silicon reagent enabled the efficient catalytic cycle of asymmetric C_sp3?F bond cleavage under mild conditions with high enantioselectivities. The ortho effect of the aryl group at the prostereogenic center is remarkable. This concept was applied for the asymmetric synthesis of promising agrochemical compounds, 3,5‐diaryl‐5‐fluoromethyloxazolidin‐2‐ones bearing a quaternary carbon center.     

Electrocatalytic Oxidant‐Free Dehydrogenative C−H/S−H Cross‐Coupling

An environmentally friendly electrocatalytic protocol has been developed for dehydrogenative C−H/S−H cross‐coupling. This method enabled C−S bond formation under catalyst‐ and oxidant‐free conditions. Under undivided electrolysis conditions, various aryl/heteroaryl thiols and electron‐rich arenes afforded the C−S bond‐formation products in 24–99 % yield. A preliminary mechanistic study indicated that the generation of aryl radical cation intermediates is key to the success of this transformation.     

Gold‐Catalyzed Formal C−C Bond Insertion Reaction of 2‐Aryl‐2‐diazoesters with 1,3‐Diketones

The transition‐metal‐catalyzed formal C−C bond insertion reaction of diazo compounds with monocarbonyl compounds is well established, but the related reaction of 1,3‐diketones instead gives C−H bond insertion products. Herein, we report a protocol for a gold‐catalyzed formal C−C bond insertion reaction of 2‐aryl‐2‐diazoesters with 1,3‐diketones, which provides efficient access to polycarbonyl compounds with an all‐carbon quaternary center. The aryl ester moiety plays a crucial role in the unusual chemoselectivity, and the addition of a Brønsted acid to the reaction mixture improves the yield of the C−C bond insertion product. A reaction mechanism involving cyclopropanation of a gold carbenoid with an enolate and ring‐opening of the resulting donor–acceptor‐type cyclopropane intermediate is proposed. This mechanism differs from that of the traditional Lewis‐acid‐catalyzed C−C bond insertion reaction of diazo compounds with monocarbonyl compounds, which involves a rearrangement of a zwitterion intermediate as a key step.     

Non‐coordinating‐Anion‐Directed Reversal of Activation Site: Selective C−H Bond Activation of N‐Aryl Rings

An Rh‐catalyzed selective C?H bond activation of diaryl‐substituted anilides is described. In an attempt to achieve C?H activation of C‐aryl rings, we unexpectedly obtained an N‐aryl ring product under non‐coordinating anion conditions, whereas the C‐aryl ring product was obtained in the absence of a non‐coordinating anion. This methodology has proved to be an excellent means of tuning and adjusting selective C?H bond activation of C‐aryl and N‐aryl rings. The approach has been rationalized by mechanistic studies and theoretical calculations. In addition, it has been found and verified that the catalytic activity of the rhodium catalyst is obviously improved by non‐coordinating anions, which provides an efficient strategy for obtaining a highly chemoselective catalyst. Mechanistic experiments also unequivocally ruled out the possibility of a so‐called “silver effect” in this transformation involving silver.     

Synthesis of Rationally Halogenated Buckybowls by Chemoselective Aromatic C−F Bond Activation

Halogenated buckybowls or bowl‐shaped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (BS‐PAHs) are key building blocks for the “bottom‐up” synthesis of various carbon‐based nanomaterials with outstanding potential in different fields of technology. The current state of the art provides quite a limited number of synthetic pathways to BS‐PAHs; moreover, none of these approaches show high selectivity and tolerance of functional groups. Herein we demonstrate an effective route to BS‐PAHs that includes directed intramolecular aryl–aryl coupling through C−F bond activation. The coupling conditions were found to be completely tolerant toward aromatic C−Br and C−Cl bonds, thus allowing the facile synthesis of rationally halogenated buckybowls with an unprecedented level of selectivity. This finding opens the way to functionalized BS‐PAH systems that cannot be obtained by alternative methods.     

Towards Nonalternant Nanographenes through Self-Promoted Intramolecular Indenoannulation Cascade by C−F Bond Activation

Large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) containing pentagons represent an important class of compounds that are considered to be superior materials in future nano-electronic applications. From this perspective, the development of synthetic approaches to large PAHs and nanographenes (NGs) is a matter of great importance. In this context indenoannulation appears to be the most practical way to introduce pentagons into NGs. Here we report that alumina-mediated C−F bond activation is an attractive tool for the synthesis of non-alternant NGs bearing several pentagons. The unique nature of the reaction leads to a rather counter-intuitive outcome and allows considering each previous aryl–aryl coupling as a promoter of the following one, despite the continuous increase in the strain energy. Thus, the presented strategy combines both facile synthesis and significant yields for large nonalternant PAHs and NGs.     

Rapid Access to Nanographenes and Fused Heteroaromatics by Palladium‐Catalyzed Annulative π‐Extension Reaction of Unfunctionalized Aromatics with Diiodobiaryls

Efficient and rapid access to nanographenes and π‐extended fused heteroaromatics is important in materials science. Herein, we report a palladium‐catalyzed efficient one‐step annulative π‐extension (APEX) reaction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heteroaromatics, producing various π‐extended aromatics. In the presence of a cationic Pd complex, triflic acid, silver pivalate, and diiodobiaryls, diverse unfunctionalized PAHs and heteroaromatics were directly transformed into larger PAHs, nanographenes, and π‐extended fused heteroaromatics in a single step. In the reactions that afford [5]helicene substructures, simultaneous dehydrogenative ring closures occur at the fjord regions to form unprecedented larger nanographenes. This successive APEX reaction is notable as it stiches five aryl–aryl bonds by C−H functionalization in a single operation. Moreover, the unique molecular structures, crystal‐packing structures, photophysical properties, and frontier molecular orbitals of the thus‐formed nanographenes were elucidated.     

Efficient Aryl Migration from an Aryl Ether to a Carboxylic Acid Group To Form an Ester by Visible‐Light Photoredox Catalysis

We have developed a highly efficient aryl migration from an aryl ether to a carboxylic acid group through retro‐Smiles rearrangement by visible‐light photoredox catalysis at ambient temperature. Transition metals and a stoichiometric oxidant and base are avoided in the transformation. Inspired by the high efficiency of this transformation and the fundamental importance of C−O bond cleavage, we developed a novel approach to the C−O cleavage of a biaryl ether to form two phenolic compounds, as demonstrated by a one‐pot, two‐step gram‐scale reaction under mild conditions. The aryl migration exhibits broad scope and can be applied to the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, such as guacetisal. Primary mechanistic studies indicate that the catalytic cycle occurs by a reductive quenching pathway.     

Encapsulating Au‐Fe3O4 Nanodots into AIE‐active Supramolecular Assemblies: Ambient Visible‐light Harvesting “Dip‐Strip” Photocatalyst for C−C/C−N Bond Formation Reactions

The present study demonstrates the development of a supramolecular porous ensemble consisting of hetero‐oligophenylene derivative 6 and Au‐Fe₃O₄ nanodots. Supramolecular assemblies of AIE‐active hetero‐oligophenylene derivative 6 served as reactors for the generation of Au‐Fe₃O₄ nanodots. The as prepared supramolecular ensemble functioned as an efficient recyclable photocatalytic system for C(sp²)?H bond activation of anilines for the construction of quinoline carboxylates. Interestingly, the “dip catalyst” prepared by depositing PTh‐co‐PANI‐6: Au‐Fe₃O₄ nanodots on a filter paper served as a recyclable strip (up to 10 cycles) for C?C/C?N bond formation reaction.     

Transformations of Aryl Ketones via Ligand‐Promoted C−C Bond Activation

The coupling of aromatic electrophiles (aryl halides, aryl ethers, aryl acids, aryl nitriles etc.) with nucleophiles is a core methodology for the synthesis of aryl compounds. Transformations of aryl ketones in an analogous manner via carbon–carbon bond activation could greatly expand the toolbox for the synthesis of aryl compounds due to the abundance of aryl ketones. An exploratory study of this approach is typically based on carbon–carbon cleavage triggered by ring‐strain release and chelation assistance, and the products are also limited to a specific structural motif. Here we report a ligand‐promoted β‐carbon elimination strategy to activate the carbon–carbon bonds, which results in a range of transformations of aryl ketones, leading to useful aryl borates, and also to biaryls, aryl nitriles, and aryl alkenes. The use of a pyridine‐oxazoline ligand is crucial for this catalytic transformation. A gram‐scale borylation reaction of an aryl ketone via a simple one‐pot operation is reported. The potential utility of this strategy is also demonstrated by the late‐stage diversification of drug molecules probenecid, adapalene, and desoxyestrone, the fragrance tonalid as well as the natural product apocynin.     

Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive Allyl−Aryl Cross-Electrophile Coupling via Allylic C−F Bond Activation

Nickel-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling of allylic difluorides with aryl iodides was achieved via allylic C−F bond activation. Based on this protocol, a series of γ-arylated monofluoroalkenes were synthesized in moderate to high yields with high Z-selectivities. Mechanistic studies suggest that the C−I bonds of the aryl iodides and the C−F bonds of the allylic difluorides were cleaved via oxidative addition and β-fluorine elimination, respectively, where the oxidative addition of less reactive C−F bonds was avoided to permit their transformation.     

Iridium‐Catalyzed Regio‐ and Enantioselective Hydroarylation of Alkenyl Ethers by Olefin Isomerization

Iridium‐catalyzed hydroarylation of alkenyl ethers, such as allylic and homoallylic ethers, by C−H bond activation gave high yields of the corresponding addition products, where the aryl groups were selectively installed at the α‐carbon atom to the alkoxy group. The reaction involves an isomerization of the alkenyl ethers into the corresponding 1‐alkenyl ethers, which then undergo the regio‐ and enantioselective hydroarylation.     

Transition‐metal‐free Chemoselective Oxidative C−C Coupling of the sp3 C−H Bond of Oxindoles with Arenes and Addition to Alkene: Synthesis of 3‐Aryl Oxindoles,and Benzofuro‐ and Indoloindoles

A transition‐metal (TM)‐free and halogen‐free NaOt Bu‐mediated oxidative cross‐coupling between the sp³ C−H bond of oxindoles and sp² C−H bond of nitroarenes has been developed to access 3‐aryl substituted and 3,3‐aryldisubstituted oxindoles in DMSO at room temperature in a short time. Interestingly, the sp³ C−H bond of oxindoles could also react with styrene under TM‐free conditions for the practical synthesis of quaternary 3,3‐disubstituted oxindoles. The synthesized 3‐oxindoles have also been further transformed into advanced heterocycles, that is, benzofuroindoles, indoloindoles, and substituted indoles. Mechanistic experiments of the reaction suggests the formation of an anion intermediate from the sp³ C−H bond of oxindole by tert ‐butoxide base in DMSO. The addition of nitrobenzene to the in‐situ generated carbanion leads to the 3‐(nitrophenyl)oxindolyl carbanion in DMSO which is subsequently oxidized to 3‐(nitro‐aryl) oxindole by DMSO.     

Highly para‐Selective C−H Alkylation of Benzene Derivatives with 2,2,2‐Trifluoroethyl α‐Aryl‐α‐Diazoesters

Compared to the most popular directing‐group‐assisted strategy, the “undirected” strategy for C−H bond functionalization represents a more flexible but more challenging approach. Reported herein is a gold‐catalyzed highly site‐selective C(sp²)−H alkylation of unactivated arenes with 2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl α‐aryl‐α‐diazoesters. This protocol demonstrates that high site‐selective C−H bond functionalization can be achieved without the assistance of a directing group. In this transformation, both the gold catalyst and trifluoroethyl group on the ester of the diazo compound play vital roles for achieving the chemo‐ and regioselectivity.     

Carbon Origami via an Alumina-Assisted Cyclodehydrofluorination Strategy

The synthesis of pristine non-planar nanographenes (NGs) via a cyclodehydrofluorination strategy is reported and the creation of highly strained systems via alumina-assisted C−F bond activation is shown. Steric hindrance could execute an alternative coupling program leading to rare octagon formation offering access to elusive non-classical NGs. The combination of two alternative ways of folding could lead to the formation of various 3D NG objects, resembling the Japanese art of origami. The power of the presented “origami” approach is proved by the assembly of 12 challenging nanographenes that are π-isoelectronic to planar hexabenzocoronene but forced out of planarity.     

Synthesis of Thiophene‐annulated Naphthalene Diimide‐based Small‐Molecular Acceptors via Two‐step C−H Activation

Thiophene‐annulated naphthalene diimide (NTI)‐based molecules have recently emerged as an important class of n‐type electronic materials. However, their synthesis has predominantly been achieved by Stille or Suzuki coupling reactions despite the presence of a potential C?H bond in NTI. Additionally, the synthesis of NTI or more generally mono‐functionalization of naphthalene diimide (NDI) starts with a cumbersome bromination that results in a low yield, is unselective, and requires tedious purification. We herein thus address these issues via a two‐step C?H activation: a rhodium‐catalyzed direct C?H iodinization is first presented for NDI, followed by establishing an efficient direct arylation protocol for NTI with high yield and robustness. Coupling of up to four NTI units on a benzene or pyrene core is demonstrated along with other aryl bromide substrates. All the herein reported NTI‐based small molecules showed n‐type semiconductor behavior under air.     

Gold‐Catalyzed [3+2]/Retro‐[3+2]/[3+2] Cycloaddition Cascade Reaction of N‐Alkoxyazomethine Ylides

A novel cascade reaction has been developed for the synthesis of 2,6‐methanopyrrolo[1,2‐b]isoxazoles based on the gold‐catalyzed generation of an N‐allyloxyazomethine ylide. This reaction involves sequential [3+2]/retro‐[3+2]/[3+2] cycloaddition reactions, thus providing facile access to fused and bridged heterocycles which would be otherwise difficult to prepare using existing synthetic methods. Notably, this reaction allows the efficient construction of three C−C bonds, one C−O bond, one C−N bond and one C−H bond, as well as the cleavage of one C−C bond, one C−O bond and one C−H bond in a single operation. The intermolecular cycloaddition of an N‐allyloxyazomethine ylide and the subsequent application of the product to the synthesis of tropenol is also described.     

Consecutive Transformations of Tetrafluoropropenes: Hydrogermylation and Catalytic C−F Activation Steps at a Lewis Acidic Aluminum Fluoride

Functionalization reactions of the refrigerants HFO‐1234yf (2,3,3,3‐tetrafluoropropene) and HFO‐1234ze (1,3,3,3‐tetrafluoropropene) were developed. The selectivity and reactivity towards CF₃ groups of C−F activation reactions can be controlled by employing either a germane or a silane as the hydrogen source. Unique transformations were designed to accomplish consecutive hydrogermylation and C−F activation steps. This allowed for an unprecedented transformation of an olefinic C−F bond into a C−H bond by heterogeneous catalysis. These reactions are catalyzed by nanoscopic aluminum chlorofluoride (ACF) under very mild conditions.     

Direct Palladium‐Catalyzed β‐Arylation of Lactams

A direct and catalytic method is reported here for β‐arylation of N‐protected lactams with simple aryl iodides. The transformation is enabled by merging soft enolization of lactams, palladium‐catalyzed desaturation, Ar?X bond activation, and aryl conjugate addition. The reaction is operated under mild reaction conditions, is scalable, and is chemoselective. Application of this method to concise syntheses of pharmaceutically relevant compounds is demonstrated.     

Single C−F Bond Cleavage of Trifluoromethylarenes with an ortho‐Silyl Group

The transformation of a single C−F bond of trifluoromethylarenes bearing a hydrosilyl group at the ortho position was achieved. The activation of the hydrosilyl group with a trityl cation in the presence of nucleophiles allowed for selective C−F bond functionalization, for example, by allylation, carboxylation, or chlorination. Further derivatization of the resulting fluorosilylarenes afforded various aromatic difluoromethylene compounds.