Synthesis of cyclopropanes by Pd-catalyzed activation of alkyl C-H bonds

A novel synthesis of cyclopropanes has been developed via palladium-catalyzed C-H activation in which two new carbon-carbon bonds are formed in a single step. This method involves palladium-catalyzed activation of normally unreactive secondary alkyl C-H bonds and provides an efficient way to access cyclopropapyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles, analogues of mitomycin and cyclopropamitosenes.     

Synthesis of isochromenones and oxepines via Pd-catalyzed cascade cyclization of alkynes and benzynes involving C-H activation

A new method for the synthesis of various isochromen-6-ones and phenanthro[1,10-bc]oxepines via a palladium-catalyzed cascade carbocyclization of 2-iodobenzyl-3-phenylpropiolates and 1-iodo-2-(2-(phenylethynyl)benzyloxy)benzenes with arynes is described. The reactions involve interesting biscarbocyclization of alkynes and benzynes and C-H bond activation.     

Pd-catalyzed alkyl to aryl migration and cyclization: an efficient synthesis of fused polycycles via multiple C-H activation

A novel palladium migration methodology for the synthesis of complex fused polycycles has been developed. This process involves 1,4-palladium alkyl to aryl migrations via through-space C-H activation, followed by intramolecular arylation or an intermolecular Heck reaction providing a very efficient way to synthesize fused ring systems.     

Synthesis of dibenzofurans via palladium-catalyzed phenol-directed C-H activation/C-O cyclization

A practical, Pd(0)/Pd(II)-catalyzed reaction was developed for phenol-directed C-H activation/C-O cyclization using air as an oxidant. The turnover-limiting step of the process was found to be C-O reductive elimination instead of C-H activation. This reaction can tolerate a variety of functional groups and is complementary to the previous methods for the synthesis of substituted dibenzofurans.     

A mild, one-pot synthesis of 4-quinolones via sequential Pd-catalyzed amidation and base-promoted cyclization

A mild, one-pot synthesis of 4-quinolones is described. Under the optimal conditions, a variety of 2-substituted 4-quinolones were synthesized via sequential palladium-catalyzed amidation of 2'-bromoacetophenones followed by base-promoted intramolecular cyclization.     

Synthesis of indolo [1,2-a]quinoxalines via a Pd-catalyzed regioselective C-H olefination/cyclization sequence

A highly efficient approach to indolo [1,2-a]quinoxaline derivatives through a Pd-catalyzed regioselective C-H olefination/cyclization sequence has been developed. This transformation has a wide range of substrates with various functional groups, and the corresponding heterocyclic products were obtained in good yields.     

Highly efficient and enantioselective cyclization of aromatic imines via directed C-H bond activation

The first highly enantioselective catalytic reaction involving aromatic C-H bond activation is communicated. Enantioselective cyclization of aromatic ketimines containing alkenyl groups tethered at the meta position of an imine directing group has been achieved using 5 mol % [RhCl(coe)2]2 and 15 mol % of an (S)-binol-derived phosphoramidite ligand. Selectivities of up to 96% ee and up to quantitative yields were obtained. Moreover, the identified catalyst system enables the intramolecular alkylation reaction to be performed at temperatures 75 degrees C lower than our previously reported achiral system. The reaction can even be performed at room temperature for one of the optimal substrates.     

Efficient access to cyclic ureas via Pd-catalyzed cyclization

[Structure: see text] An efficient regioselective method for the preparation of structurally diverse imidazopyridinones and benzoimidazolones starting from readily available and economical starting materials is described. High-yielding reductive alkylation of electron-deficient o-haloarylamines followed by treatment with inexpensive N-chlorosulfonyl isocyanate afforded primary ureas in good overall yields. A Pd-catalyzed urea cyclization reaction furnished imidazopyridinones and benzoimidazolones in excellent yields. Overall, the developed chemistry provides rapid access to pharmaceutically important heterocyclic compounds with high efficiency.     

Pd(II)-catalyzed enantioselective C-H activation of cyclopropanes

Systematic ligand development has led to the identification of novel mono-N-protected amino acid ligands for Pd(II)-catalyzed enantioselective C-H activation of cyclopropanes. A diverse range of organoboron reagents can be used as coupling partners, and the reaction proceeds under mild conditions. These results provide a new retrosynthetic disconnection for the construction of enantioenriched cis-substituted cyclopropanecarboxylic acids.     

Synthesis of trifluoromethyl-substituted cyclopropanes via sequential Kharasch-dehalogenation reactions

A two-step process for the synthesis of trifluoromethyl-substituted cyclopropanes is described. Halothane, an anesthetic agent, is added to olefins in a ruthenium-catalyzed Kharasch reaction. The resulting 1,3-dihalides are converted into cyclopropanes by dehalogenation with magnesium. This procedure represents an alternative to metal-catalyzed cyclopropanations involving trifluoromethyl diazomethane.     

A concise synthesis of tetrabenazine: an intramolecular aza-Prins-type cyclization via oxidative C-H activation

A concise synthesis of tetrabenazine and dihydrotetrabenazine is described. The key feature of this synthesis is the intramolecular aza-Prins-type cyclization of an amino allylsilane via oxidative C-H activation.     

Synthesis of sterically congested bicyclic tetrahydrofurans via Pd-catalyzed cyclization

Prins-type cyclization followed by palladium-catalyzed cyclization provided sterically congested bi- or tricyclic tetrahydrofurans, which are very stereoselective as well. cis-2,5-Disubstituted tetrahydrofurans obtained from Prins-type cyclization have an allenyl group and a functional group such as alcohol, carboxylic acid, and aryl halide. The tetrahydrofurans bearing an allene group underwent palladium-catalyzed cyclization to give sterically congested bi- or tricyclic tetrahydrofurans.     

Synthesis of catechols from phenols via Pd-catalyzed silanol-directed C-H oxygenation

A silanol-directed, Pd-catalyzed C-H oxygenation of phenols into catechols is presented. This method is highly site selective and general, as it allows for oxygenation of not only electron-neutral but also electron-poor phenols. This method operates via a silanol-directed acetoxylation, followed by a subsequent acid-catalyzed cyclization reaction into a cyclic silicon-protected catechol. A routine desilylation of the silacyle with TBAF uncovers the catechol product.     

Synthesis of benzofurans via Pd-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of 2-allylphenols

Substituted 2-methylbenzofurans were obtained from 2-allylphenols via Pd²⁺-catalyzed oxidative cyclization using Cu(OAc)₂–LiCl as a reoxidant and wet DMF as a solvent.     

Pd-catalyzed ortho-arylation of 3,4-dihydroisoquinolones via C-H bond activation: synthesis of 8-aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines

An efficient route to synthesize biologically interesting 8-aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline has been developed. It involves the Pd-catalyzed direct arylation of 3,4-dihydroisoquinolones via C-H bond activation with aryl iodides to afford a variety of 8-arylated cross-coupling products, which are subsequently reduced to 8-aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines in good to excellent yields.     

Diastereotopos-differentiating C-H activation reactions at methylene groups

The activation of C-H bonds has become a widely used method which allows for the direct transformation of C-H bonds into synthetically more valuable C-C and C-X bonds in a selective manner. This critical review aims to summarize and to highlight a specific subgroup of these transformations, C-H activation reactions of chiral substrates bearing diastereotopic hydrogen atoms at methylene groups (95 references).     

Chemical libraries via sequential C-H functionalization of phenols

Phenols provide a useful template for diversification via sequential hydroarylation reactions. Specifically, a protocol has been developed that begins with the hydroarylation of cinnamic acids by 3,5-dimethoxyphenol to produce dihydrocoumarins. This activated ester undergoes facile ring-opening with amines to form a C-N bond and regenerate a phenol. The resulting phenol can be further functionalized via a second hydroarylation reaction. Thus, in 3-4 steps, a phenol is coupled with a cinnamic acid, an amine, and a cinnamic or propiolic acid.     

A facile synthesis of 2-methylquinolines via Pd-catalyzed aza-wacker oxidative cyclization

A novel Pd-catalyzed Wacker-type oxidative cyclization under air is described. By using this cyclization, a series of 2-methylquinolines are readily prepared with good yields under mild conditions.     

Synthesis of 1,2,3-triazole-fused heterocycles via Pd-catalyzed cyclization of 5-iodotriazoles

A convenient approach toward polycyclic frameworks containing fused 1,2,3-triazoles is described. The synthesis consists of a Cu-catalyzed cycloaddition and an intramolecular Pd-catalyzed direct arylation or Heck reaction, and affords the products in good to excellent yields.     

Synthesis of condensed pyrroloindoles via Pd-catalyzed intramolecular C-H bond functionalization of pyrroles

A new strategy for the synthesis of condensed hetero- or carbocycles such as pyrroloindoles or fluorenes has been developed that involves the Pd-catalyzed cyclization of readily available N-(2-halobenzyl)pyrroles or their phenyl derivatives. The reaction is proposed to proceed via oxidative addition of benzylic halides to Pd(0) followed by base-assisted C-H bond activation. A broad range of condensed cyclic products could be obtained in good to excellent yields under mild conditions.