Integrating CuO−Fe2O3 Nanocomposites and Supramolecular Assemblies of Phenazine for Visible‐Light Photoredox Catalysis

A photoredox catalytic ensemble consisting of CuO‐Fe₂O₃ nanocomposites and oligomeric derivative of phenazine has been developed. The prepared system acts as an efficient photoredox catalyst for C?N bond formation reaction via SET mechanism under ‘green’ conditions (aerial environment, mixed aqueous media, recyclable), requiring less equivalents of base and amine substrate. The present study demonstrates the significant role of supramolecular assemblies as photooxidants and reductants upon irradiation and their important contribution towards the activation of the metallic centre through energy transfer and electron transfer pathways. The potential of oligomer 4 : CuO‐Fe₂O₃ has also been explored for C?C bond formation reactions via the Sonogashira protocol.     

Facile Hydrogen‐Bond‐Assisted Polymerization and Immobilization Method to Synthesize Hierarchical Fe3O4@Poly(4‐vinylpyridine‐co‐divinylbenzene)@Au Nanostructures and Their Catalytic Applications

Hierarchical Fe₃O₄@poly(4‐vinylpyridine‐co‐divinylbenzene)@Au (Fe₃O₄@P(4‐VP–DVB)@Au) nanostructures were fabricated successfully by means of a facile two‐step synthesis process. In this study, well‐defined core–shell Fe₃O₄@P(4‐VP–DVB) microspheres were first prepared with a simple polymerization method, in which 4‐VP was easily polymerized on the surface of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles by means of strong hydrogen‐bond interactions between ? COOH groups on poly(acrylic acid)‐modified Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and a 4‐VP monomer. HAuCl₄ was adsorbed on the chains of a P(4‐VP) shell and then reduced to Au nanoparticles by NaBH₄, which were embedded into the P(4‐VP) shell of the composite microspheres to finally form the Fe₃O₄@P(4‐VP–DVB)@Au nanostructures. The obtained Fe₃O₄@P(4‐VP–DVB)@Au catalysts with different Au loadings were applied in the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP) and exhibited excellent catalytic activity (up to 3025 h^?1 of turnover frequency), facile magnetic separation (up to 31.9 emu g^?1 of specific saturation magnetization), and good durability (over 98 % of conversion of 4‐NP after ten runs of recyclable catalysis and almost negligible leaching of Au).     

Copper‐Catalyzed Oxidative C−H Bond Functionalization of N‐Allylbenzamide for Regioselective C−N and C−O Bond Formation

Copper‐catalyzed oxidative couplings of N‐allylbenzamides for C?N and C?O bond formations have been developed through C?H bond functionalization. To demonstrate the utility of this approach, it was applied to the synthesis of β‐aminoimides and imides. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first examples in which different classes of N‐containing compounds have been directly prepared from the readily available N‐allylbenzamides using an inexpensive catalyst/oxidant/base (CuSO₄/TBHP/Cs₂CO₃) system.     

B(C6F5)3‐Catalyzed Tandem Friedel‐Crafts and C−H/C−O Coupling Reactions of Dialkylanilines

Tandem Friedel‐Crafts (FC) and C?H/C?O coupling reactions catalyzed by tris(pentafluorophenyl) borane (B(C₆F₅)₃) were achieved without using any other additive in the absence of solvent. This process can be used for the reactions between a series of dialkylanilines and vinyl ethers with good isolated yields of bis(4‐dialkylaminophenyl) compounds. Based on combined theoretical and experimental studies, the possible reaction mechanism was proposed. B(C₆F₅)₃ can activate the C=C and C?O bond for FC and C?H/C?O coupling reactions respectively. The FC reaction is slow, which is followed by a fast C?H/C?O coupling.     

Boron‐Based Catalysts for C−C Bond‐Formation Reactions

Because the construction of the C?C bond is one of the most significant reactions in organic chemistry, the development of an efficient strategy has attracted much attention throughout the synthetic community. Among various protocols to form C?C bonds, organoboron compounds are not just limited to stoichiometric reagents, but have also made great achievements as catalysts because of the easy modification of the electronic and steric impacts on the boron center. This review presents recent developments of boron‐based catalysts applied in the field of C?C bond‐formation reactions, which are classified into four kinds on the basis of the type of boron catalyst: 1) highly Lewis acidic borane, B(C₆F₅)₃; 2) organoboron acids, RB(OH)₂, and their ester derivatives; 3) borenium ions, (R₂BL)X; and 4) other miscellaneous kinds.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Stereoselective Palladium‐Catalyzed C−F Bond Alkynylation of Tetrasubstituted gem‐Difluoroalkenes

A stereoselective Pd(PPh₃)₄‐catalyzed C?F bond alkynylation of tetrasubstituted gem‐difluoroalkenes with terminal alkynes has been developed. This method gives access to a great variety of conjugated monofluoroenynes bearing a tetrasubstituted alkene moiety with well‐defined stereochemistry. Chelation‐assisted oxidative addition of Pd to the C?F bond is proposed to account for the high level of stereocontrol. An X‐ray crystal structure of a key monofluorovinyl Pd^II intermediate has been obtained for the first time as evidence for the proposed mechanism.     

Constructing magnetic Fe3O4‐Au@CeO2 hybrid nanofibers for selective catalytic degradation of organic dyes

Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) play a vital role in heterogeneous catalytic reactions. However, pristine Au NPs usually suffer from poor selectivity and difficult recyclability. In this work, Fe₃O₄‐Au@CeO₂ hybrid nanofibers were prepared via a simple one‐pot redox reaction between HAuCl₄ and Ce (NO₃)₃ in the presence of Fe₃O₄ nanofibers. CeO₂ shell was uniformly coated on the surface of Fe₃O₄ nanofibers to form a unique core‐shell structure, while Au NPs were encapsulated inside the CeO₂ shell. The as‐prepared Fe₃O₄‐Au@CeO₂ hybrid nanofibers have been proved to be positively surface charged due to the formation of CeO₂ shell, enabling them to be good candidates for predominant selective catalytic activity towards the degradation of negatively charged organic dyes. In addition, the Fe₃O₄‐Au@CeO₂ hybrid nanofibers showed magnetic properties, offering them excellent recyclable usability. This work presents a facile and effective solution to prepare magnetic noble metal/metal oxide hybrid nanomaterials with unique chemical structure and surface characteristic for promising applications in heterogeneous catalysis.     

Utilising Sodium‐Mediated Ferration for Regioselective Functionalisation of Fluoroarenes via C−H and C−F Bond Activations

Pairing iron bis(amide) Fe(HMDS)₂ with Na(HMDS) to form new sodium ferrate base [(dioxane)_0.5?NaFe(HMDS)₃] ( 1 ) enables regioselective mono and di‐ferration (via direct Fe?H exchange) of a wide range of fluoroaromatic substrates under mild reaction conditions. Trapping of several ferrated intermediates has provided key insight into how synchronised Na/Fe cooperation operates in these transformations. Furthermore, using excess 1 at 80 °C switches on a remarkable cascade process inducing the collective twofold C?H/threefold C?F bond activations, where each C?H bond is transformed to a C?Fe bond whereas each C?F bond is transformed into a C?N bond.     

Manganese‐Catalyzed Redox‐Neutral C−H Olefination of Ketones with Unactivated Alkenes

Since 1987, stoichiometric cyclomanganation of ketones and subsequent reactions with olefins in the presence of either palladium salts or trimethylamine N‐oxide (Me₃N⁺O^?) have been reported, but the catalytic versions remain untouched so far. Herein, the first manganese‐catalyzed redox‐neutral C?H olefination of ketones with unactivated alkenes is described, and shows a distinct reactivity with its parent stoichimetric reactions. Remarkably, mechanistic experiments and DFT calculations uncovers a unique concerted bis‐metalation deprotonation (CBMD) mechanism of the Mn‐Zn‐enabled C?H bond activation.     

Fe3O4@SiO2@sulfated boric acid as superparamagnetic and recyclable nanocatalyst‐assisted,one‐pot,pseudo four‐component synthesis of 5‐amino‐2‐aryl‐3H‐chromeno[4,3,2‐de][1,6]naphthyridine‐4‐carbonitrile derivatives

The catalytic performance of the superparamagnetic nanocatalyst Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Sulfated boric acid as a green, recyclable, and acidic solid catalyst in the synthesis of chromeno[4,3,2‐de][1,6]naphthyridine derivatives has been studied. Chromeno[4,3,2‐de][1,6]naphthyridine derivatives via a pseudo four‐component reaction from aromatic aldehydes (1 mmol), malononitrile (2 mmol), and 2′‐hydroxyacetophenone in the presence of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Sulfated boric acid (0.004 g) as a nanocatalyst in 3 mL of water as a green solvent at 80°C has been synthesized. The advantages of this method are higher product yields in shorter reaction times, easy recyclability and reusability of the catalyst, and easy work‐up procedures. The nanocatalyst was reused at least six times. The nanocatalyst retained its stability in the reaction, and after reusability, it was separated easily from the reaction by an external magnet.     

C−H and C−F Bond Activation Reactions of Fluorinated Propenes at Rhodium: Distinctive Reactivity of the Refrigerant HFO‐1234yf

The reaction of [Rh(H)(PEt₃)₃] ( 1 ) with the refrigerant HFO‐1234yf (2,3,3,3‐tetrafluoropropene) affords an efficient route to obtain [Rh(F)(PEt₃)₃] ( 3 ) by C?F bond activation. Catalytic hydrodefluorinations were achieved in the presence of the silane HSiPh₃. In the presence of a fluorosilane, 3 provides a C?H bond activation followed by a 1,2‐fluorine shift to produce [Rh{(E)‐C(CF₃)=CHF}(PEt₃)₃] ( 4 ). Similar rearrangements of HFO‐1234yf were observed at [Rh(E)(PEt₃)₃] [E=Bpin ( 6 ), C₇D₇ ( 8 ), Me ( 9 )]. The ability to favor C?H bond activation using 3 and fluorosilane is also demonstrated with 3,3,3‐trifluoropropene. Studies are supported by DFT calculations.     

Rh‐Catalyzed Direct Carboxylation of Alkenyl C−H Bonds of Alkenylpyrazoles

The Rh‐catalyzed direct carboxylation of alkenyl C?H bonds was achieved by using pyrazole as a removable directing group. In the presence of 5 mol% RhCl₃ ? 3H₂O, 6 mol% P(Mes)₃, and 2 equiv. of AlMe₂(OMe), the alkenyl C?H bond of various alkenylpyrazoles was directly carboxylated in good yields under CO₂ atmosphere. Furthermore, several useful transformations of the pyrazole moiety of the product were achieved to afford synthetically useful carboxylic acid derivatives in good yields.     

6‐TIPS‐β‐Cyclodextrin‐Modified Fe3O4 for Facile Enantioseparation of 1‐(1‐Naphthyl)ethylamine

A new type of chiral magnetic nanoparticle was prepared from covalently linked magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄) and heptakis‐(6‐O‐triisopropylsilyl)‐β‐cyclodextrin (6‐TIPS‐β‐CD). The resulting selectors (TIPS‐β‐CD‐MNPs) combined the good magnetic properties Fe₃O₄ and efficient chiral recognition ability of 6‐TIPS‐β‐CD. The enantioselectivity of TIPS‐β‐CD‐MNPs towards 1‐(1‐naphthyl)ethylamine was six times higher than that of the parent β‐CD modified Fe₃O₄ particles.     

Facile P−C/C−H Bond‐Cleavage Reactivity of Nickel Bis(diphosphine) Complexes

Unusual cleavage of P?C and C?H bonds of the P₂N₂ ligand, in heteroleptic [Ni(P₂N₂)(diphosphine)]²⁺ complexes under mild conditions, results in the formation of an iminium formyl nickelate featuring a C,P,P‐tridentate coordination mode. The structures of both the heteroleptic [Ni(P₂N₂)(diphosphine)]²⁺ complexes and the resulting iminium formyl nickelate have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to investigate the mechanism of the P?C/C?H bond cleavage, which involves C?H bond cleavage, hydride rotation, Ni?C/P?H bond formation, and P?C bond cleavage.     

Development of a Simple Adjustable Zinc Acid/Base Hybrid Catalyst for C−C and C−O Bond‐Forming and C−C Bond‐Cleavage Reactions

A newly designed zinc Lewis acid/base hybrid catalyst was developed. By adjusting the Lewis acidity of the zinc center, aldol‐type additions of 2‐picolylamine Schiff base to aldehydes proceeded smoothly to afford syn‐aldol adduct equivalents, trans‐N,O‐acetal adducts, in high yields with high selectivities. NMR experiments, including microchanneled cell for synthesis monitoring (MICCS) NMR analysis, revealed that anti‐aldol adducts were formed at the initial stage of the reactions under kinetic control, but the final products were the trans‐(syn)‐N,O‐acetal adducts that were produced through a retro‐aldol process under thermodynamic control. In the whole reaction process, the zinc catalyst played three important roles: i) promotion of the aldol process (C?C bond formation), ii) cyclization process to the N,O‐acetal product (C?O bond formation), and iii) retro‐aldol process from the anti‐aldol adduct to the syn‐aldol adduct (C?C bond cleavage and C?C bond formation).     

C−N,C−S and S−S Bond Cleavage by Rhodium PCcarbeneP Pincer Complexes

Rhodium PC_carbeneP complexes 1‐L {L=PPh₃, PPh₂(C₆F₅)} react with isothiocyanate, carbodiimide and disulphide to enable C?S, C?N and S?S bond cleavage. The cleaved molecules are sequestered by the metal center and the pincer alkylidene linkage, forming η²‐coordinated sulfide or imide centered pincer complexes. When a C?S or S?S bond is cleaved, the resulting complexes can bridge two rhodium centers through sulphur forming dimeric complexes and eliminating a monodentate phosphine ligand.     

Cobalt‐Catalyzed C−H Nitration of Indoles by Employing a Removable Directing Group

A mild and efficient C(sp²)?H nitration of 3‐substituted indoles, by using the economical and non‐toxic cobalt nitrate hexahydrate [Co(NO₃)₂ ? 6 H₂O] as a catalyst and tert‐butyl nitrite (TBN) as the nitro source, is reported. This approach provides a unique methodology involving a site‐selective C?N bond formation for preparation of C‐2 substituted nitro indoles. Utilization of the tBoc as the removable directing group enhances the synthetic utility of the method.