Copper‐Catalyzed Intramolecular C(sp3)?H and C(sp2)?H Amidation by Oxidative Cyclization

The first copper‐catalyzed intramolecular C(sp³) H and C(sp²) H oxidative amidation has been developed. Using a Cu(OAc)₂ catalyst and an Ag₂CO₃ oxidant in dichloroethane solvent, C(sp³) H amidation proceeded at a terminal methyl group, as well as at the internal benzylic position of an alkyl chain. This reaction has a broad substrate scope, and various β‐lactams were obtained in excellent yield, even on gram scale. Use of CuCl₂ and Ag₂CO₃ under an O₂ atmosphere in dimethyl sulfoxide, however, leads to 2‐indolinone selectively by C(sp²) H amidation. Kinetic isotope effect (KIE) studies indicated that C H bond activation is the rate‐determining step. The 5‐methoxyquinolyl directing group could be removed by oxidation.     

Asymmetric Organocatalytic Direct C(sp2)?H/C(sp3)?H Oxidative Cross‐Coupling by Chiral Iodine Reagents

An asymmetric organocatalytic direct C H/C H oxidative coupling reaction of N¹,N³‐diphenylmalonamides has been well established by using chiral organoiodine compounds as catalysts, wherein four C H bonds were stereoselectively functionalized to give structurally diverse spirooxindoles with high levels of enantioselectivity. More importantly, the findings indicated that chiral hypervalent organoiodine reagents can serve as alternative catalysts for the creation of enantioselective functionalization of inactive C H bonds.     

Cobalt‐Catalyzed C(sp2)?H Alkoxylation of Aromatic and Olefinic Carboxamides

The cobalt‐catalyzed alkoxylation of C(sp²) H bonds in aromatic and olefinic carboxamides has been developed. The reaction proceeded under mild conditions in the presence of Co(OAc)₂⋅4H₂O as the catalyst and tolerates a wide range of both alcohols and benzamide substrates, including even olefinic carboxamides. In addition, this reaction is the first example of the direct alkoxylation of alkenes through C H bond activation.     

Cobalt‐Catalyzed,Aminoquinoline‐Directed C(sp2)?H Bond Alkenylation by Alkynes

A method for cobalt‐catalyzed, aminoquinoline‐ and picolinamide‐directed C(sp²) H bond alkenylation by alkynes was developed. The method shows excellent functional‐group tolerance and both internal and terminal alkynes are competent substrates for the coupling. The reaction employs a Co(OAc)₂⋅4 H₂O catalyst, Mn(OAc)₂ co‐catalyst, and oxygen (from air) as a terminal oxidant.     

Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Amidation of Unactivated C(sp3)?H Bonds

Nitrogenation by direct functionalization of C H bonds represents an important strategy for constructing C N bonds. Rhodium(III)‐catalyzed direct amidation of unactivated C(sp³) H bonds is rare, especially under mild reaction conditions. Herein, a broad scope of C(sp³) H bonds are amidated under rhodium catalysis in high efficiency using 3‐substituted 1,4,2‐dioxazol‐5‐ones as the amide source. The protocol broadens the scope of rhodium(III)‐catalyzed C(sp³) H activation chemistry, and is applicable to the late‐stage functionalization of natural products.     

Redox‐Neutral Rhodium‐Catalyzed C?H Functionalization of Arylamine N‐Oxides with Diazo Compounds: Primary C(sp3)?H/C(sp2)?H Activation and Oxygen‐Atom Transfer

An unprecedented rhodium(III)‐catalyzed regioselective redox‐neutral annulation reaction of 1‐naphthylamine N‐oxides with diazo compounds was developed to afford various biologically important 1H‐benzo[g]indolines. This coupling reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions and does not require external oxidants. The only by‐products are dinitrogen and water. More significantly, this reaction represents the first example of dual functiaonalization of unactivated a primary C(sp³) H bond and C(sp²) H bond with diazocarbonyl compounds. DFT calculations revealed that an intermediate iminium is most likely involved in the catalytic cycle. Moreover, a rhodium(III)‐catalyzed coupling of readily available tertiary aniline N‐oxides with α‐diazomalonates was also developed under external oxidant‐free conditions to access various aminomandelic acid derivatives by an O‐atom‐transfer reaction.     

Rücktitelbild: The Mo?Mo Quintuple Bond as a Ligand to Stabilize Transition‐Metal Complexes (Angew. Chem. 31/2015)

Herein, we report the employment of the Mo Mo quintuple bonded amidinate complex to stabilize Group 10 metal fragments {(Et₃P)₂M} (M=Pd, Pt) and give rise to the isolation of the unprecedented δ complexes. X‐ray analysis unambiguously revealed short contacts between Pd or Pt and two Mo atoms and a slight elongation of the Mo Mo quintuple bond in these two compounds. Computational studies show donation of the Mo Mo quintuple‐bond δ electrons to an empty σ orbital on Pd or Pt, and back‐donation from a filled Pd or Pt d_π orbital into the Mo Mo δ* level (LUMO), consistent with the Dewar–Chatt–Duncanson model.     

Mild ArI‐Catalyzed C(sp2)?H or C(sp3)?H Functionalization/C?O Formation: An Intriguing Catalyst‐Controlled Selectivity Switch

A tandem C(sp²) H and C(sp³) H functionalization/C O bond formation catalyzed by iodine(III) reagents generated in situ has been developed. The method shows wide scope under mild conditions and exhibits an unprecedented selectivity profile that can be switched depending on the catalyst employed.     

Rücktitelbild: C?H Activation Generates Period‐Shortening Molecules That Target Cryptochrome in the Mammalian Circadian Clock (Angew. Chem. 24/2015)

The synthesis and functional analysis of KL001 derivatives, which are modulators of the mammalian circadian clock, are described. By using cutting‐edge C H activation chemistry, a focused library of KL001 derivatives was rapidly constructed, which enabled the identification of the critical sites on KL001 derivatives that induce a rhythm‐changing activity along with the components that trigger opposite modes of action. The first period‐shortening molecules that target the cryptochrome (CRY) were thus discovered. Detailed studies on the effects of these compounds on CRY stability implicate the existence of an as yet undiscovered regulatory mechanism.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Direct C?H Functionalization of Benzoquinone

A direct Pd‐catalyzed C H functionalization of benzoquinone (BQ) can be controlled to give either mono‐ or disubstituted BQ, including the installation of two different groups in a one‐pot procedure. BQ can now be directly functionalized with aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, and cycloalkene groups and, moreover, the reaction is conducted in environmentally benign water or acetone as solvents.