Chemo- and Site-Selective Electro-Oxidative Alkane Fluorination by C(sp3)−H Cleavage

Electrochemical fluorinations of C(sp³)−H bonds with a nucleophilic fluoride source have been accomplished in a chemo- and site-selective fashion, avoiding the use of electrophilic F⁺ sources and stoichiometric oxidants. The introduced metal-free strategy exhibits high functional group tolerance, setting the stage for late-stage fluorinations of biorelevant motifs. The synthetic utility of the C(sp³)−H fluorination was reflected by subsequent one-pot arylation of the generated benzylic fluorides.     

Structurally Modelling the 2-His-1-Carboxylate Facial Triad with a Bulky N,N,O Phenolate Ligand

We present the synthesis and coordination chemistry of a bulky, tripodal N,N,O ligand, Im^Ph2NNO ^{t Bu} ( L ), designed to model the 2-His-1-carboxylate facial triad (2H1C) by means of two imidazole groups and an anionic 2,4-di-tert-butyl-subtituted phenolate. Reacting K-L with MCl₂ (M = Fe, Zn) affords the isostructural, tetrahedral non-heme complexes [Fe(L)(Cl)] ( 1 ) and [Zn(L)(Cl)] ( 2 ) in high yield. The tridentate N,N,O ligand coordination observed in their X-ray crystal structures remains intact and well-defined in MeCN and CH₂Cl₂ solution. Reacting 2 with NaSPh affords a tetrahedral zinc thiolate complex, [Zn(L)(SPh)] ( 4 ), that is relevant to isopenicillin N synthase (IPNS) biomimicry. Cyclic voltammetry studies demonstrate the ligand's redox non-innocence, where phenolate oxidation is the first electrochemical response observed in K-L , 2 and 4 . However, the first electrochemical oxidation in 1 is iron-centred, the assignment of which is supported by DFT calculations. Overall, Im^Ph2NNO ^{t Bu} provides access to well-defined mononuclear, monoligated, N,N,O-bound metal complexes, enabling more accurate structural modelling of the 2H1C to be achieved.     

Copper–Boxmi Complexes as Highly Enantioselective Catalysts for Electrophilic Trifluoromethylthiolations

The enantioselective trifluoromethylthiolation of β‐ketoesters using chiral copper–boxmi complexes as catalysts is reported. A number of α‐SCF₃‐substituted β‐ketoesters have been obtained with up to >99 % enantiomeric excess (ee), and the trifluoromethylthiolated products were then transformed diastereoselectively to α‐SCF₃‐β‐hydroxyesters with two adjacent quaternary stereocenters.     

Precision PEGylated Polymers Obtained by Sequence‐Controlled Copolymerization and Postpolymerization Modification

Copolymers containing water‐soluble poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) side chains and precisely controlled functional microstructures were synthesized by sequence‐controlled copolymerization of donor and acceptor comonomers, that is, styrene derivatives and N‐substituted maleimides. Two routes were compared for the preparation of these structures: a) the direct use of a PEG–styrene macromonomer as a donor comonomer, and b) the use of an alkyne‐functionalized styrenic comonomer, which was PEGylated by copper‐catalyzed alkyne–azide cycloaddition after polymerization. The latter method was found to be the most versatile and enabled the synthesis of high‐precision copolymers. For example, PEGylated copolymers containing precisely positioned fluorescent (e.g. pyrene), switchable (e.g. azobenzene), and reactive functionalities (e.g. an activated ester) were prepared.     

An Isolated Nitridyl Radical‐Bridged {Rh(N.)Rh} Complex

Photochemical activation of [(PNNH)Rh(N₃)] (PNNH=6‐di‐(tert‐butyl)phosphinomethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine) complex 2 produced the paramagnetic (S=1/2), [(PNN)Rh?N^.‐Rh(PNN)] complex 3 (PNN^?=methylene‐deprotonated PNNH), which could be crystallographically characterized. Spectroscopic investigation of 3 indicates a predominant nitridyl radical (^.N^2?) character, which was confirmed computationally. Complex 3 reacts selectively with CO, producing two equivalents of [(PNN)Rh^I(CO)] complex 4 , presumably by nitridyl radical N,N‐coupling.     

Aldehyde‐Assisted Ruthenium(II)‐Catalyzed CH Oxygenations

Versatile ruthenium(II) complexes allow for site‐selective C? H oxygenations with weakly‐coordinating aldehydes. The challenging C? H functionalizations proceed with high chemoselectivity by rate‐determining C? H metalation. The new method features an ample substrate scope, which sets the stage for the step‐economical preparation of various bioactive heterocycles.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed C?H Alkylations: Direct Secondary Alkylations and Trifluoroethylations of Arenes

A versatile nickel catalyst allowed for C H alkylations of unactivated arenes with challenging secondary alkyl bromides and chlorides. The high catalytic efficacy also set the stage for direct secondary alkylations of indoles as well as C H trifluoroethylations with ample substrate scope.     

Azaruthena(II)‐bicyclo[3.2.0]heptadiene: Key Intermediate for Ruthenaelectro(II/III/I)‐catalyzed Alkyne Annulations

A ruthenium‐catalyzed electrochemical dehydrogenative annulation reaction of imidazoles with alkynes has been established, enabling the preparation of various bridgehead N‐fused [5,6]‐bicyclic heteroarenes through regioselective electrochemical C?H/N?H annulation without chemical metal oxidants. Novel azaruthenabicyclo[3.2.0]heptadienes were fully characterized and identified as key intermediates. Mechanistic studies are suggestive of an oxidatively induced reductive elimination pathway within a ruthenium(II/III) regime.