Weak O‐Assistance Outcompeting Strong N,N‐Bidentate Directing Groups in Copper‐Catalyzed C−H Chalcogenation

A copper‐mediated C?H chalcogenation of triazoles has been achieved by weak coordination. The user‐friendly protocol showed high functional‐group tolerance and ample substrate scope, yielding fully substituted 1,2,3‐triazoles with complete positional site‐selectivity. The C?H selenylation could likewise be achieved by means of copper catalysis. Our findings highlight for the first time that weak O‐coordination can outcompete the strong N,N‐bidentate coordination mode in C?H functionalization technology.     

CuBr/proline‐catalyzed cross‐coupling of unactivated benzene with aryl halides

Direct C? H arylation of unactivated benzene with aryl halides was achieved using a readily available copper catalyst. The reaction was carried out at 80 °C, using CuBr as catalyst, proline as ligand and t‐BuOK as base. This radical cross‐coupling reaction between unactivated benzene and aryl iodides proceeds via homolytic aromatic substitution and offers an efficient method for the synthesis of various biaryls in good to excellent yields. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.     

Visible‐Light‐Enabled Ruthenium‐Catalyzed meta‐C−H Alkylation at Room Temperature

Visible‐light‐induced ruthenium catalysis has enabled remote C?H alkylations with excellent levels of position control under exceedingly mild conditions at room temperature. The metallaphotocatalysis occurred under exogenous‐photosensitizer‐free conditions and features an ample substrate scope. The robust nature of the photo‐induced mild meta‐C?H functionalization is reflected by the broad functional group tolerance, and the reaction can be carried out in an operationally simple manner, setting the stage for challenging secondary and tertiary meta‐C?H alkylations by ruthenaphotoredox catalysis.     

Synthesis of Aryl Tri‐ and Difluoromethyl Thioethers via a CH‐Thiocyanation/Fluoroalkylation Cascade

An AlCl₃‐catalyzed C?H thiocyanation was discovered and combined with a Langlois‐type trifluoromethylation to afford aryl trifluoromethyl thioethers directly from arenes, N‐thiocyanatosuccinimide (NTS) and Ruppert–Prakash reagent. An analogous combination with a copper‐mediated difluoromethylation gives access to aryl difluoromethyl thioethers. Both processes proceed with exceptional regioselectivity for the most electron‐rich, sterically least hindered position of the arene. The sulfur and fluoroalkyl groups originate from different sources, so that the use of expensive, preformed fluoroalkylthiolation reagents is avoided.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Regioselective Cascade Alkylation and Cyclocondensation of Quinoline N‐Oxides with Diazo Esters: Direct Access to Conjugated π‐Systems

An inexpensive copper‐catalyzed cascade regioselective alkylation, followed by cyclocondensation of quinoline N‐oxides with α‐diazo esters has been achieved successfully to provide heteroarene‐containing conjugated π‐systems. The developed method is simple, straightforward, and economical with a broad range of substrate scope. The dual role of copper catalyst in the C?H bond functionalization and in Lewis acid‐promoted cyclization was explored.     

Efficient Synthesis of 1,2,3‐Triazoles by Copper‐Mediated CN and NN Bond Formation Starting From N‐Tosylhydrazones and Amines

An effective copper‐mediated synthesis of 1,5‐dialkyl‐4‐aryl‐1,2,3‐triazoles and 1,4‐dialkyl‐5‐aryl‐1,2,3‐triazoles has been achieved by the use of different N‐tosylhydrazones and alkyl amines. The scope of the substrates could be extended from anilines to aliphatic amines when 30 mol % amino acid is added into the reaction mixture. This methodology exhibits many notable features, such as broad substrates scope, high efficiency, and good regioselectivity. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that the reaction probably proceeded through a 1‐tosyl‐2‐vinyldiazene intermediate and subsequent aza‐Michael addition and N?N bond formation process.     

Pd(0)‐Catalyzed Direct C−H Functionalization of 2‐H‐4‐Benzylidene Imidazolones: Friendly and Large‐Scale Access to GFP and Kaede Protein Fluorophores

The first one‐pot synthesis of N‐substituted 2‐H‐4‐benzylidene imidazolones and their subsequent palladium‐catalyzed and copper‐assisted direct C2?H arylation and alkenylation with aryl‐ and alkenylhalides are described. This innovative synthesis is step‐economical, azide‐free, high yielding, highly flexible in the introduction of a variety of electronically different groups, and can be operated on large‐scale. Moreover, the method allows direct access to C2‐arylated or alkenylated imidazolone‐based green fluorescent protein (GFP) and Kaede protein fluorophores, including ortho‐hydroxylated models.     

Ruthenium Catalyzed C−H Acylmethylation of N‐Arylphthalazine‐1,4‐diones with α‐Carbonyl Sulfoxonium Ylides: Highway to Diversely Functionalized Phthalazino‐fused Cinnolines

A direct ortho‐Csp²‐H acylmethylation of 2‐aryl‐2,3‐dihydrophthalazine‐1,4‐diones with α‐carbonyl sulfoxonium ylides is achieved through a Ru^II‐catalyzed C?H bond activation process. The protocol featured high functional group tolerance on the two substrates, including aryl‐, heteroaryl‐, and alkyl‐substituted α‐carbonyl sulfoxonium ylides. Thereafter, 2‐(ortho‐acylmethylaryl)‐2,3‐dihydrophthalazine‐1,4‐diones were used as potential starting materials for the expeditious synthesis of 6‐arylphthalazino[2,3‐a]cinnoline‐8,13‐diones and 5‐acyl‐5,6‐dihydrophthalazino[2,3‐a]cinnoline‐8,13‐diones under Lawesson's reagent and BF₃?OEt₂ mediated conditions, respectively. Of these, the BF₃?OEt₂‐mediated cyclization proceeded in DMSO as a solvent and a methylene source via dual C?C and C?N bond formations.     

Regioselective Conversion of Arenes to N‐aryl‐1,2,3‐triazoles Using CH Borylation

A one‐pot protocol for the synthesis of N‐aryl 1,2,3‐triazoles from arenes by an iridium‐catalyzed C?H borylation/copper catalyzed azidation/click sequence is described. 1 mol % of Cu(OTf)₂ was found to efficiently catalyze both the azidation and the click reaction. The applicability of this method is demonstrated by the late‐stage chemoselective installation of 1,2,3‐triazole moiety into unactivated molecules of pharmaceutical importance.     

Copper‐Catalyzed (2+1) Annulation of Acetophenones with Maleimides: Direct Synthesis of Cyclopropanes

A practical copper‐catalyzed direct oxidative cyclopropanation of electron‐deficient alkenes with acetophenone derivatives is reported. The dehydrogenative annulation involves a double C? H bond functionalization at the α‐position of the ketone using di‐tert‐butyl peroxide as oxidant. The broad scope of the reaction and excellent functional‐group tolerance is demonstrated for the stereoselective synthesis of fused cyclopropanes. The developed transformation revealed an unprecedented reactivity for copper‐catalyzed processes.     

Pd‐Catalyzed C−H Alkylation of Arenes Using PyrDipSi,a Transformable and Removable Silicon‐Tethered Directing Group

An efficient Pd‐catalyzed ortho‐C?H alkylation reaction of arenes using a transformable and removable Si‐tethered pyridyldiisopropylsilyl (PyrDipSi) directing group has been developed. In addition, the PyrDipSi directing group allows for an efficient sequential double‐fold C?H alkylation/oxygenation of arenes to produce meta‐alkylated phenols. This directing group can easily be removed or converted into valuable functionalities, such as aryl, iodo, boronic ester, or phenol.     

A Convenient Synthesis of N‐Aryl Benzamides by Rhodium‐Catalyzed ortho‐Amidation and Decarboxylation of Benzoic Acids

The rhodium‐catalyzed amidation of substituted benzoic acids with isocyanates by directed C?H functionalization followed by decarboxylation to afford the corresponding N‐aryl benzamides is demonstrated, in which the carboxylate serves as a unique, removable directing group. Notably, less common meta‐substituted N‐aryl benzamides are generated readily from more accessible para‐ or ortho‐substituted groups by employing this strategy.     

Cu‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Amidation of Unactivated C(sp3)−H Bonds To Synthesize N‐Substituted Indolines

A copper‐catalyzed intramolecular amidation of unactivated C(sp³)?H bonds to construct indoline derivatives has been developed. Such an amidation proceeded well at primary C?H bonds preferred to secondary C?H bonds. The transformation owned a broad substrate scope. The corresponding indolines were obtained in good to excellent yields. N‐Formal and other carbonyl groups were suitable and were easily deprotected and transformed into methyl or long‐chained alkyl groups. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggested a radical pathway.     

Decarboxylative C(sp3)−O Cross‐Coupling

Alkyl aryl ethers are an important class of compounds in medicinal and agricultural chemistry. Catalytic C(sp³)?O cross‐coupling of alkyl electrophiles with phenols is an unexplored disconnection strategy to the synthesis of alkyl aryl ethers, with the potential to overcome some of the major limitations of existing methods such as C(sp²)?O cross‐coupling and S_N2 reactions. Reported here is a tandem photoredox and copper catalysis to achieve decarboxylative C(sp³)?O coupling of alkyl N‐hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) esters with phenols under mild reaction conditions. This method was used to synthesize a diverse set of alkyl aryl ethers using readily available alkyl carboxylic acids, including many natural products and drug molecules. Complementarity in scope and functional‐group tolerance to existing methods was demonstrated.     

Highly Stereoselective Cobalt(III)‐Catalyzed Three‐Component C−H Bond Addition Cascade

A highly stereoselective three‐component C(sp²)?H bond addition across alkene and polarized π‐bonds is reported for which Co^III catalysis was shown to be much more effective than Rh^III. The reaction proceeds at ambient temperature with both aryl and alkyl enones employed as efficient coupling partners. Moreover, the reaction exhibits extremely broad scope with respect to the aldehyde input; electron rich and poor aromatic, alkenyl, and branched and unbranched alkyl aldehydes all couple in good yield and with high diastereoselectivity. Multiple directing groups participate in this transformation, including pyrazole, pyridine, and imine functional groups. Both aromatic and alkenyl C(sp²)?H bonds undergo the three‐component addition cascade, and the alkenyl addition product can readily be converted into diastereomerically pure five‐membered lactones. Additionally, the first asymmetric reactions with Co^III‐catalyzed C?H functionalization are demonstrated with three‐component C?H bond addition cascades employing N‐tert‐butanesulfinyl imines. These examples represent the first transition metal catalyzed C?H bond additions to N‐tert‐butanesulfinyl imines, which are versatile and extensively used intermediates for the asymmetric synthesis of amines.     

Triazole‐Assisted Ruthenium‐Catalyzed CH Arylation of Aromatic Amides

Site‐selective ruthenium(II)‐catalyzed direct arylation of amides was achieved through C?H cleavages with modular auxiliaries, derived from easily accessible 1,2,3‐triazoles. The triazolyldimethylmethyl (TAM) bidentate directing group was prepared in a highly modular fashion through copper(I)‐catalyzed 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition and allowed for ruthenium‐catalyzed C?H arylations on arenes and heteroarenes, as well as alkenes, by using easy‐to‐handle aryl bromides as the arylating reagents. The triazole‐assisted C?H activation strategy was found to be widely applicable, to occur under mild reaction conditions, and the catalytic system was tolerant of important electrophilic functionalities. Notably, the flexible triazole‐based auxiliary proved to be a more potent directing group for the optimized ruthenium(II)‐catalyzed direct arylations, compared with pyridyl‐substituted amides or substrates derived from 8‐aminoquinoline.     

Through‐Space 1,4‐Palladium Migration and 1,2‐Aryl Shift: Direct Access to Dibenzo[a,c]carbazoles through a Triple CH Functionalization Cascade

A palladium‐catalyzed expeditious synthesis of dibenzofused carbazoles from readily available 2‐arylindoles and diaryliodonium salts is reported. Interestingly, after the electrophilic C3 palladation of indole, an unexpected “through‐space” 1,4‐palladium migration to the 2‐aryl moiety, by remote C?H bond activation followed by C?H arylation with diaryliodonium salt, and an unprecedented 1,2‐aryl shift take place. Finally, an intramolecular cross‐dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) at the C2 position affords dibenzo[a,c]carbazoles in high yields. Remarkably, the present migratory annulation occurs through three C?H bond activation one C?C bond cleavage, and the simultaneous construction of three new C?C bonds in a single operation.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Benzophenanthrosilines by C−H/C−H Coupling through 1,4‐Palladium Migration/Alkene Stereoisomerization

A new and efficient synthesis of 8H‐benzo[e]phenanthro[1,10‐bc]silines from 2‐((2‐(arylethynyl)aryl)silyl)aryl triflates under palladium catalysis has been developed. The reaction mechanism was experimentally investigated and a catalytic cycle involving C?H/C?H coupling through a new mode of 1,4‐palladium migration with concomitant alkene stereoisomerization is proposed.     

Manganese‐Catalyzed Synthesis of cis‐β‐Amino Acid Esters through Organometallic CH Activation of Ketimines

Manganese‐catalyzed C? H functionalization reactions of ketimines set the stage for the expedient synthesis of cis‐β‐amino acid esters through site‐ and regioselective alkene annulations. The organometallic C? H activation occurred efficiently with high functional group tolerance, delivering densely functionalized β‐amino acid derivatives with ample scope.