Direct Acylation of C(sp3)−H Bonds Enabled by Nickel and Photoredox Catalysis

Using nickel and photoredox catalysis, the direct functionalization of C(sp³)?H bonds of N‐aryl amines by acyl electrophiles is described. The method affords a diverse range of α‐amino ketones at room temperature and is amenable to late‐stage coupling of complex and biologically relevant groups. C(sp³)?H activation occurs by photoredox‐mediated oxidation to generate α‐amino radicals which are intercepted by nickel in catalytic C(sp³)?C coupling. The merger of these two modes of catalysis leverages nickel's unique properties in alkyl cross‐coupling while avoiding limitations commonly associated with transition‐metal‐mediated C(sp³)?H activation, including requirements for chelating directing groups and high reaction temperatures.     

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.     

Transition‐Metal‐Free C(sp2)–C(sp2) Cross‐Coupling of Diazo Quinones with Catechol Boronic Esters

A transition‐metal‐free C(sp²)?C(sp²) bond formation reaction by the cross‐coupling of diazo quinones with catechol boronic esters was developed. With this protocol, a variety of biaryls and alkenyl phenols were obtained in good to high yields under mild conditions. The reaction tolerates various functionalities and is applicable to the derivatization of pharmaceuticals and natural products. The synthetic utility of the method was demonstrated by the short synthesis of multi‐substituted triphenylenes and three bioactive natural products, honokiol, moracin M, and stemofuran A. Mechanistic studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the reaction involves attack of the boronic ester by a singlet quinone carbene followed by a 1,2‐rearrangement through a stepwise mechanism.     

Synthesis and Reactivity of Paramagnetic Nickel Polypyridyl Complexes Relevant to C(sp2)–C(sp3)Coupling Reactions

A number of new transition metal catalyzed methods for the formation of C(sp²)–C(sp³) bonds have recently been described. These reactions often utilize bidentate polypyridyl‐ligated Ni catalysts, and paramagnetic Ni^I halide or aryl species are proposed in the catalytic cycles. However, there is little knowledge about complexes of this type. Here, we report the synthesis of paramagnetic bidentate polypyridyl‐ligated Ni halide and aryl complexes through elementary reactions proposed in catalytic cycles for C(sp²)–C(sp³) bond formation. We investigate the ability of these complexes to undergo organometallic reactions that are relevant to C(sp²)–C(sp³) coupling through stoichiometric studies and also explore their catalytic activity.     

A Chemoselective Polarity-Mismatched Photocatalytic C(sp3)−C(sp2) Cross-Coupling Enabled by Synergistic Boron Activation**

We report the development of a C(sp³)−C(sp²) coupling reaction using styrene boronic acids and redox-active esters under photoredox catalysis. The reaction proceeds through an unusual polarity-mismatched radical addition mechanism that is orthogonal to established processes. Synergistic activation of the radical precursor and organoboron are critical mechanistic events. Activation of an N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) ester by coordination to boron enables electron transfer, with decomposition leading to a nucleofuge rebound, activating the organoboron to radical addition. The unique mechanism enables chemoselective coupling of styrene boronic acids in the presence of other alkene radical acceptors. The scope and limitations of the reaction, and a detailed mechanistic investigation are presented.     

Construction of C(sp2)−C(sp3) Bond between Quinoxalin‐2(1H)‐ones and N‐Hydroxyphthalimide Esters via Photocatalytic Decarboxylative Coupling

A novel visible‐light‐driven decarboxylative coupling of alkyl N‐hydroxyphthalimide esters (NHP esters) with quinoxalin‐2(1H)‐ones has been developed. This C(sp²)?C(sp³) bond‐forming transformation exhibits excellent substrate generality with respect to both the coupling partners. Of note, a series of 3‐primary alkyl‐substituted quinoxalin‐2(1H)‐ones that were difficult to synthesize by previous methods could be obtained in moderate to excellent yields. Additionally, the mild conditions, easy availability of substrates, wide functional group tolerance and operational simplicity make this protocol practical in the synthesis of 3‐alkylated quinoxalin‐2(1H)‐ones.     

Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed Sequential C(sp)C(sp3) and C(sp3)C(sp3) Bond Formation through Migratory Carbene Insertion

A Rh^I‐catalyzed three‐component reaction of tert‐propargyl alcohol, diazoester, and alkyl halide has been developed. This reaction can be considered as a carbene‐involving sequential alkyl and alkynyl coupling, in which C(sp)? C(sp³) and C(sp³)? C(sp³) bonds are built successively on the carbenic carbon atom. The Rh^I‐carbene migratory insertion of an alkynyl moiety and subsequent alkylation are proposed to account for the two separate C? C bond formations. This reaction provides an efficient and tunable method for the construction of all‐carbon quaternary center.     

Nitrimines as Reagents for Metal‐Free Formal C(sp2)–C(sp2) Cross‐Coupling Reactions

Nitrimines are employed as powerful reagents for metal‐free formal C(sp²)–C(sp²) cross‐coupling reactions. The new chemical process is tolerant of a wide array of nitrimine and heterocyclic coupling partners giving rise to the corresponding di‐ or trisubstituted alkenes, typically in high yield and with high stereoselectivity. This method is ideal for the metal‐free construction of heterocycle‐containing drug targets, such as phenprocoumon.     

Direct C(sp2)C(sp3) Cross‐Coupling of Diaryl Zinc Reagents with Benzylic,Primary, Secondary,and Tertiary Alkyl Halides

The direct C(sp²)? C(sp³) cross‐coupling of diaryl zinc reagents with benzylic, primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl halides proceeded in the absence of coordinating ethereal solvents at ambient temperature without the addition of a catalyst. The C(sp²)? C(sp³) cross‐coupling showed excellent functional‐group tolerance, and products were isolated in high yields, generally without the requirement for purification by chromatography. This process represents an expedient, operationally simple method for the construction of new C(sp²)? C(sp³) bonds.     

Direct C(sp2)?C(sp3) Cross‐Coupling of Diaryl Zinc Reagents with Benzylic,Primary, Secondary,and Tertiary Alkyl Halides

The direct C(sp²) C(sp³) cross‐coupling of diaryl zinc reagents with benzylic, primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl halides proceeded in the absence of coordinating ethereal solvents at ambient temperature without the addition of a catalyst. The C(sp²) C(sp³) cross‐coupling showed excellent functional‐group tolerance, and products were isolated in high yields, generally without the requirement for purification by chromatography. This process represents an expedient, operationally simple method for the construction of new C(sp²) C(sp³) bonds.     

Dual C(sp3)−H Bond Functionalization of N‐Heterocycles through Sequential Visible‐Light Photocatalyzed Dehydrogenation/[2+2] Cycloaddition Reactions

Herein we describe a mild method for the dual C(sp³)?H bond functionalization of saturated nitrogen‐containing heterocycles through a sequential visible‐light photocatalyzed dehydrogenation/[2+2] cycloaddition procedure. As a complementary approach to the well‐established use of iminium ion and α‐amino radical intermediates, the elusive cyclic enamine intermediates were effectively generated by photoredox catalysis under mild conditions and efficiently captured by acetylene esters to form a wide array of bicyclic amino acid derivatives, thus enabling the simultaneous functionalization of two vicinal C(sp³)?H bonds.     

Amine‐Catalyzed Highly Regioselective and Stereoselective C(sp2)–C(sp2) Cross‐Coupling of Naphthols with trans‐α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes

A metal‐free C(sp²)–C(sp²) cross‐coupling approach to highly congested (E)‐α‐naphtholylenals from simple naphthols and enals is described. The mild reaction conditions with pyridine hydrobromideperbromide (PHBP) as the bromination reagent in the presence of piperidine or diphenylprolinol trimethylsilyl (TMS) ether as promoters enable the process in good yields and with high chemoselectivity, regioselectivity, and stereoselectivity. The process involves an unprecedented pathway of in situ regioselective 4‐bromination of 1‐naphthols and the subsequent unusual aromatic nucleophilic substitution of the resulting 4‐bromo‐1‐naphthols with the α‐C(sp²) of enals through a Michael‐type Friedel–Crafts alkylation–dearomatization followed by a cyclopropanation ring‐opening cascade process. The noteworthy features of this strategy are highlighted by the highly efficient creation of a C(sp²)–C(sp²) bond from readily available unfunctionalized naphthols and enals catalyzed by non‐metal, readily available cyclic secondary amines under mild reaction conditions.     

Visible‐Light‐Catalyzed Direct Benzylic C(sp3)–H Amination Reaction by Cross‐Dehydrogenative Coupling

A conceptually new and synthetically valuable cross‐dehydrogenative benzylic C(sp³)–H amination reaction is reported by visible‐light photoredox catalysis. This protocol employs DCA (9,10‐dicyanoanthracene) as a visible‐light‐absorbing photoredox catalyst and an amide as the nitrogen source without the need of either a transition metal or an external oxidant.     

Rollover‐Assisted C(sp2)C(sp3) Bond Formation

Rollover cyclometalation involves bidentate heterocyclic donors, unusually acting as cyclometalated ligands. The resulting products, possessing a free donor atom, react differently from the classical cyclometalated complexes. Taking advantage of a “rollover”/“retro‐rollover” reaction sequence, a succession of oxidative addition and reductive elimination in a series of platinum(II) complexes [Pt(N,C)(Me)(PR₃)] resulted in a rare C(sp²)?C(sp³) bond formation to give the bidentate nitrogen ligands 3‐methyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine, 3,6‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine, and 3‐methyl‐2‐(2′‐pyridyl)‐quinoline, which were isolated and characterized. The nature of the phosphane PR₃ is essential to the outcome of the reaction. This route constitutes a new method for the activation and functionalization of C?H bond in the C(3) position of bidentate heterocyclic compounds, a position usually difficult to functionalize.     

The Combination of Benzaldehyde and Nickel‐Catalyzed Photoredox C(sp3)−H Alkylation/Arylation

Herein we report a highly selective photoredox C(sp³)?H alkylation/arylation of ethers through the combination of a photo‐organocatalyst (benzaldehyde) and a transition‐metal catalyst (nickel). This method provides a simple and general strategy for the C(sp³)?H alkylation/arylation of ethers. A selective late‐stage modification of (?)‐ambroxide has also been conducted to demonstrate the applicability of the method.     

Intermolecular Pummerer Coupling with Carbon Nucleophiles in Non‐Electrophilic Media

A new Pummerer‐type C−C coupling protocol is introduced based on turbo‐organomagnesium amides, which unlike traditional Pummerer reactions, does not require strong electrophilic activators, engages a broad range of C(sp³)‐, C(sp²)‐, and C(sp)‐nucleophiles, and seamlessly integrates with C−H and C−X magnesiation. Given the central character of sulfur compounds in organic chemistry, this protocol allows access to unrelated carbonyls, olefins, organometallics, halides, and boronic esters through a single strategy.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura Cross‐Coupling of Secondary α‐(Trifluoromethyl)benzyl Tosylates

A palladium‐catalyzed C(sp³)−C(sp²) Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling of aryl boronic acids and α‐(trifluoromethyl)benzyl tosylates is reported. A readily available, air‐stable palladium catalyst was employed to access a wide range of functionalized 1,1‐diaryl‐2,2,2‐trifluoroethanes. Enantioenriched α‐(trifluoromethyl)benzyl tosylates were found to undergo cross‐coupling to give the corresponding enantioenriched cross‐coupled products with an overall inversion in configuration. The crucial role of the CF₃ group in promoting this transformation is demonstrated by comparison with non‐fluorinated derivatives.     

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.     

Mechanistic Insights into C(sp2)−C(sp)N Reductive Elimination from Gold(III) Cyanide Complexes

A new family of phosphine‐ligated dicyanoarylgold(III) complexes has been prepared and their reactivity towards reductive elimination has been studied in detail. Both, a highly positive entropy of activation and a primary ^12/13C KIE suggest a late concerted transition state while Hammett analysis and DFT calculations indicate that the process is asynchronous. As a result, a distinct mechanism involving an asynchronous concerted reductive elimination for the overall C(sp²)?C(sp)N bond forming reaction is characterized herein, for the first time, complementing previous studies reported for C(sp³)?C(sp³), C(sp²)?C(sp²), and C(sp³)?C(sp²) bond formation processes taking place on gold(III) species.     

Mechanism of Nickel(II)‐Catalyzed Oxidative C(sp2)−H/C(sp3)−H Coupling of Benzamides and Toluene Derivatives

The Ni‐catalyzed C(sp²)?H/C(sp³)?H coupling of benzamides with toluene derivatives was recently successfully achieved with mild oxidant iC₃F₇I. Herein, we employ density functional theory (DFT) methods to resolve the mechanistic controversies. Two previously proposed mechanisms are excluded, and our proposed mechanism involving iodine‐atom transfer (IAT) between iC₃F₇I and the Ni^II intermediate was found to be more feasible. With this mechanism, the presence of a carbon radical is consistent with the experimental observation that (2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐yl)oxyl (TEMPO) completely quenches the reaction. Meanwhile, the hydrogen‐atom abstraction of toluene is irreversible and the activation of the C(sp²)?H bond of benzamides is reversible. Both of these conclusions are in good agreement with Chatani's deuterium‐labeling experiments.