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.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Oxidative C−H/N−H Isocyanide Insertion: An Efficient Synthesis of Iminoisoindolinone Derivatives

Transition metal‐catalyzed isocyanide insertion has served as a fundamental and important chemical transformation. Classical isocyanide insertion usually occurs between organohalides and nucleophiles, which normally involves tedious and non‐atom‐economical prefunctionalization processes. However, oxidative C?H/N?H isocyanide insertion offers an efficient and green alternative. Herein, a nickel‐catayzed oxidative C?H/N?H isocyanide insertion of aminoquinoline benzamides has been developed. Different kinds of iminoisoindolinone derivatives could be synthesized in good yields by utilizing Ni(acac)₂ as the catalyst. In this transformation, isocyanide serves as an efficient C1 connector, which further inserted into two simple nucleophiles (C?H/N?H), representing an effective way to construct heterocycles.     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Cascade CH Functionalization of Phenylacetophenones

Three orthogonal cascade C? H functionalization processes are described, based on ruthenium‐catalyzed C? H alkenylation. 1‐Indanones, indeno indenes, and indeno furanones were accessed through cascade pathways by using arylacetophenones as substrates under conditions of catalytic [{Ru(p‐cymene)Cl₂}₂] and stoichiometric Cu(OAc)₂. Each transformation uses C? H functionalization methods to form C? C bonds sequentially, with the indeno furanone synthesis featuring a C? O bond formation as the terminating step. This work demonstrates the power of ruthenium‐catalyzed alkenylation as a platform reaction to develop more complex transformations, with multiple C? H functionalization steps taking place in a single operation to access novel carbocyclic structures.     

Cobalt‐Catalyzed Oxidative C−H/C−H Cross‐Coupling between Two Heteroarenes

The first example of cobalt‐catalyzed oxidative C?H/C?H cross‐coupling between two heteroarenes is reported, which exhibits a broad substrate scope and a high tolerance level for sensitive functional groups. When the amount of Co(OAc)₂?4 H₂O is reduced from 6.0 to 0.5 mol %, an excellent yield is still obtained at an elevated temperature with a prolonged reaction time. The method can be extended to the reaction between an arene and a heteroarene. It is worth noting that the Ag₂CO₃ oxidant is renewable. Preliminary mechanistic studies by radical trapping experiments, hydrogen/deuterium exchange experiments, kinetic isotope effect, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) suggest that a single electron transfer (SET) pathway is operative, which is distinctly different from the dual C?H bond activation pathway that the well‐described oxidative C?H/C?H cross‐coupling reactions between two heteroarenes typically undergo.     

Electrooxidative Rhodium‐Catalyzed C−H/C−H Activation: Electricity as Oxidant for Cross‐Dehydrogenative Alkenylation

Rhodium(III) catalysis has enabled a plethora of oxidative C?H functionalizations, which predominantly employ stoichiometric amounts of toxic and/or expensive metal oxidants. In contrast, we herein describe the first electrochemical rhodium‐catalyzed C?H activation that avoids hazardous chemical oxidants. Environmentally benign twofold C?H/C?H functionalizations were accomplished with weakly coordinating benzoic acids and benzamides, employing electricity as the terminal oxidant and generating H₂ as the sole byproduct.     

Cobalt(III)‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Cross‐Dehydrogenative C−H/X−H Coupling: Efficient Synthesis of Indoles and Benzofurans

An efficient cobalt(III)‐catalyzed intramolecular cross‐dehydrogenative C?H/N?H coupling of ortho‐alkenylanilines has been developed utilizing O₂ as a terminal oxidant. The developed reaction tolerates various reactive functional groups and allows the synthesis of diverse indole derivatives in good to excellent yields. The method was successfully extended to the synthesis of benzofurans through the intramolecular cross‐dehydrogenative C?H/O?H coupling of ortho‐alkenylphenols.     

Cobalt‐Catalyzed Oxidase C−H/N−H Alkyne Annulation: Mechanistic Insights and Access to Anticancer Agents

Cp*‐free cobalt‐catalyzed alkyne annulations by C?H/N?H functionalizations were accomplished with molecular O₂ as the sole oxidant. The user‐friendly oxidase strategy proved viable with various internal and terminal alkynes through kinetically relevant C?H cobaltation, providing among others step‐economical access to the anticancer topoisomerase‐I inhibitor 21,22‐dimethoxyrosettacin. DFT calculations suggest that electronic effects control the regioselectivity of the alkyne insertion step.     

Manganese‐Catalyzed Dehydrogenative [4+2] Annulation of NH Imines and Alkynes by CH/NH Activation

Described herein is a manganese‐catalyzed dehydrogenative [4+2] annulation of N? H imines and alkynes, a reaction providing highly atom‐economical access to diverse isoquinolines. This transformation represents the first example of manganese‐catalyzed C? H activation of imines; the stoichiometric variant of the cyclomanganation was reported in 1971. The redox neutral reaction produces H₂ as the major byproduct and eliminates the need for any oxidants, external ligands, or additives, thus standing out from known isoquinoline synthesis by transition‐metal‐catalyzed C? H activation. Mechanistic studies revealed the five‐membered manganacycle and manganese hydride species as key reaction intermediates in the catalytic cycle.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Electrooxidative C−H Olefination of Benzamides

Metal‐catalyzed chelation‐assisted C?H olefinations have emerged as powerful tools for the construction of functionalized alkenes. Herein, we describe the rhoda‐electrocatalyzed C?H activation/alkenylation of arenes. The olefinations of challenging electron‐poor benzamides were thus accomplished in a fully dehydrogenative fashion under electrochemical conditions, avoiding stoichiometric chemical oxidants, and with H₂ as the only byproduct. This versatile alkenylation reaction also features broad substrate scope and used electricity as a green oxidant.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Cross‐Coupling Reaction between Allylic CH Bonds and α‐CH Bonds of Ketones or Aldehydes

A dehydrogenative cross‐coupling reaction between allylic C?H bonds and the α‐C?H bond of ketones or aldehydes was developed using Cu(OTf)₂ as a catalyst and DDQ as an oxidant. This synthetic approach to γ,δ‐unsaturated ketones and aldehydes has the advantages of broad scope for both ketones and aldehydes as reactants, mild reaction conditions, good yields and atom economy. A plausible mechanism using Cu(OTf)₂ as a Lewis acid catalyst was also proposed (DDQ=2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone; Tf=trifluoromethanesulfonate).     

Oxidative C−H/C−H Cross‐Coupling Reactions between N‐Acylanilines and Benzamides Enabled by a Cp*‐Free RhCl3/TFA Catalytic System

By making use of a dual‐chelation‐assisted strategy, a completely regiocontrolled oxidative C?H/C?H cross‐coupling reaction between an N‐acylaniline and a benzamide has been accomplished for the first time. This process constitutes a step‐economic and highly efficient pathway to 2‐amino‐2′‐carboxybiaryl scaffolds from readily available substrates. A Cp*‐free RhCl₃/TFA catalytic system was developed to replace the [Cp*RhCl₂]₂/AgSbF₆ system generally used in oxidative C?H/C?H cross‐coupling reactions between two (hetero)arenes (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, TFA=trifluoroacetic acid). The RhCl₃/TFA system avoids the use of the expensive Cp* ligand and AgSbF₆. As an illustrative example, the procedure developed herein greatly streamlines the total synthesis of the naturally occurring benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloid oxynitidine, which was accomplished in excellent overall yield.     

Catalytic Electrophilic CH Silylation of Pyridines Enabled by Temporary Dearomatization

A C? H silylation of pyridines that seemingly proceeds through electrophilic aromatic substitution (S_EAr) is reported. Reactions of 2‐ and 3‐substituted pyridines with hydrosilanes in the presence of a catalyst that splits the Si? H bond into a hydride and a silicon electrophile yield the corresponding 5‐silylated pyridines. This formal silylation of an aromatic C? H bond is the result of a three‐step sequence, consisting of a pyridine hydrosilylation, a dehydrogenative C? H silylation of the intermediate enamine, and a 1,4‐dihydropyridine retro‐hydrosilylation. The key intermediates were detected by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and prepared through the individual steps. This complex interplay of electrophilic silylation, hydride transfer, and proton abstraction is promoted by a single catalyst.     

Configurational assignment in alkyl‐branched sugars via the geminal C,H coupling constants

The measurement of the magnitude and sign of ²J(C,H) couplings offers a reliable way to determine the absolute configuration at a carbon center in a fixed cyclic system. A decrease of the dihedral angle ? in the O—C_A—C_B—H fragment always leads to a change of the ²J(C_A,H_B) coupling to more negative values, independent of the type and position of substituents at the two carbon centers. The orientations of the two substituents at C‐3 of the epimeric pair 1 and 2 were determined unambiguously through the measurement of the geminal coupling constants between C‐3 and the hydrogen atoms at C‐2 and C‐4. In particular, ²J(C‐3,H‐2ax) with ?1.5 Hz, ? = 174° in 1 and ?6.6 Hz, ? = 47° in 2 , and ²J(C‐3,H‐4) with +1.5 Hz, ? = 175° in 1 and ?4.7 Hz, ? = 49° in 2 showed the greatest differences between the two epimers. Both couplings therefore allow the determination of the absolute configuration at C‐3. It should be noted, however, that the size of the coupling constants can be different for dihedral angles of nearly identical size, when there are different numbers of electronegative substituents on the two coupling pathways, i.e. no O‐substituent at C‐2, but one axial O‐substituent at C‐4. It becomes clear that it is not sufficient to measure the magnitude of ²J coupling constants only, but that the sign of the geminal coupling is needed to identify the absolute configuration at a chiral center. The coupling of C‐3 with H‐2eq is not useful for the determination of the configuration at C‐3, as the similarity of the dihedral angles ? (O—C‐3—C‐2—H‐2eq) (57° in 1 and 70° in 2 ) leads to identical coupling constants (?6.1 Hz) for both epimers. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Catalytic Methylation of CH Bonds Using CO2 and H2

Formation of C? C bonds from CO₂ is a much sought after reaction in organic synthesis. To date, other than C? H carboxylations using stoichiometric amounts of metals, base, or organometallic reagents, little is known about C? C bond formation. In fact, to the best of our knowledge no catalytic methylation of C? H bonds using CO₂ and H₂ has been reported. Described herein is the combination of CO₂ and H₂ for efficient methylation of carbon nucleophiles such as indoles, pyrroles, and electron‐rich arenes. Comparison experiments which employ paraformaldehyde show similar reactivity for the CO₂/H₂ system.     

Iron‐Carbonyl‐Catalyzed Redox‐Neutral [4+2] Annulation of N−H Imines and Internal Alkynes by C−H Bond Activation

Stoichiometric C?H bond activation of arenes mediated by iron carbonyls was reported by Pauson as early as in 1965, yet the catalytic C?H transformations have not been developed. Herein, an iron‐catalyzed annulation of N?H imines and internal alkynes to furnish cis‐3,4‐dihydroisoquinolines is described, and represents the first iron‐carbonyl‐catalyzed C?H activation reaction of arenes. Remarkablely, this is also the first redox‐neutral [4+2] annulation of imines and alkynes proceeding by C?H activation. The reaction also features only cis stereoselectivity and excellent atom economy as neither base, nor external ligand, nor additive is required. Experimental and theoretical studies reveal an oxidative addition mechanism for C?H bond activation to afford a dinuclear ferracycle and a synergetic diiron‐promoted H‐transfer to the alkyne as the turnover‐determining step.     

An Enantioselective Bidentate Auxiliary Directed Palladium‐Catalyzed Benzylic C−H Arylation of Amines Using a BINOL Phosphate Ligand

A new enantioselective palladium(II)‐catalyzed benzylic C?H arylation reaction of amines is enabled by the bidentate picolinamide (PA) directing group. This reaction provides the first example of enantioselective benzylic γ‐C?H arylations of alkyl amines, and proceeds with up to 97 % ee. The 2,2′‐dihydroxy‐1,1′‐binaphthyl (BINOL) phosphoric acid ligand, Cs₂CO₃, and solvent‐free conditions are essential for high enantioselectivity. Mechanistic studies suggest that multiple BINOL ligands are involved in the stereodetermining C?H palladation step.     

Zinc‐Catalyzed Dual C–X and C–H Borylation of Aryl Halides

A zinc‐catalyzed combined C? X and C? H borylation of aryl halides using B₂pin₂ (pin=OCMe₂CMe₂O) to produce the corresponding 1,2‐diborylarenes under mild conditions was developed. Catalytic C? H bond activation occurs ortho to the halide groups if such a site is available or meta to the halide if the ortho position is already substituted. This method thus represents a novel use of a group XII catalyst for C? H borylation. This transformation does not proceed via a free aryne intermediate, but a radical process seems to be involved.     

Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Alkenylation–Annulation of closo‐Dodecaborate Anions through Double B−H Activation at Room Temperature

1,2,3‐Trisubstituted closo‐dodecaborates with B?O, B?N, and B?C bonds as well as a fused borane oxazole ring have been synthesized by rhodium‐catalyzed direct cage B?H alkenylation and annulation of ureido boranes in the first reported example of regioselective B?H bond functionalization of the [B₁₂H₁₂]^2? cage by transition‐metal catalysis. This reaction proceeded at room temperature under ambient conditions and exhibited excellent selectivity for efficient monoalkenylation with good functional‐group tolerance. The urea moiety enabled B?H activation by acting as a directing group, was incorporated in the oxazole ring in situ, and also avoided multiple alkenylation. A possible mechanism is proposed on the basis of the isolation of a rhodium agostic intermediate and control experiments.     

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.     

Site‐Selective CH Borylation of Quinolines at the C8 Position Catalyzed by a Silica‐Supported Phosphane–Iridium System

Site‐selective C? H borylation of quinoline derivatives at the C8 position has been achieved by using a heterogeneous Ir catalyst system based on a silica‐supported cage‐type monophosphane ligand SMAP. The efficient synthesis of a corticotropin‐releasing factor₁ (CRF₁) receptor antagonist based on a late‐stage C? H borylation strategy demonstrates the utility of the C8 borylation reaction.