Hydrofluoroarylation of alkynes with fluoroarenes

A combination of Ni(cod)(2) and PCyp(3) is found to be an effective catalyst for chemoselective activation of the C-H bond of fluoroarenes over C-F bonds followed by insertion of alkynes to allow direct alkenylation of the electron-deficient arenes. The characteristics of the reactions are: a C-H bond ortho to a fluorine substituent is selectively activated; the reactivity of fluorobenzenes is roughly proportional to the number of fluorine atoms. The reaction conditions tolerate a broad range of both alkynes and fluoroarenes containing both electron-withdrawing and -donating groups, thus allowing efficient synthesis of a variety of substituted ethenes containing a fluoroaryl motif in high regio- and stereoselective manners. Mechanistic studies including both labeling experiments and stoichiometric reactions reveal that oxidative addition of C-H bonds in fluoroarenes to nickel(0) is kinetically highly facile whereas that of C-F bonds is thermodynamically favoured.     

C-H bond activation of hydrocarbons by an imidozirconocene complex

Monomeric imidozirconocene complexes of the type Cp2(L)Zr=NCMe3 (Cp = cyclopentadienyl, L = Lewis base) have been shown to activate the carbon-hydrogen bonds of benzene, but not the C-H bonds of saturated hydrocarbons. To our knowledge, this singularly important class of C-H activation reactions has heretofore not been observed in imidometallocene systems. The M=NR bond formed on heating the racemic ethylenebis(tetrahydro)indenyl methyl tert-butyl amide complex, however, cleanly and quantitatively activates a wide range of n-alkane, alkene, and arene C-H bonds. Mechanistic experiments support the proposal of intramolecular elimination of methane followed by a concerted addition of the hydrocarbon C-H bond. Products formed by activation of sp2 C-H bonds are generally more thermodynamically stable than those formed by activation of sp3 C-H bonds, and those resulting from reaction at primary C-H bonds are preferred over secondary sp3 C-H activation products. There is also evidence that thermodynamic selectivity among C-H bonds is sterically rather than electronically controlled.     

Highly efficient copper-catalyzed nitro-Mannich type reaction: cross-dehydrogenative-coupling between sp3 C-H bond and sp3 C-H bond

A novel C-C bond formation method was developed via the cross-dehydrogenative-coupling (CDC) reaction catalyzed by using copper bromide in the presence of an oxidizing reagent, tert-BuOOH. The CDC reaction provides a simple and efficient catalytic method to construct beta-nitroamine via the reaction between sp3 C-H and sp3 C-H bonds.     

Synthesis, structure, and reductive elimination in the series Tp'Rh(PR3)(Ar(F))H; determination of rhodium-carbon bond energies of fluoroaryl substituents

A series of complexes of the type Tp'Rh(PR(3))(Ar(F))H, where PR(3) = PMe(3) (3) and PMe(2)Ph (9), Ar(F) = C(6)F(5) (a), 2,3,4,5-C(6)F(4)H (b), 2,3,5,6-C(6)F(4)H (c), 2,4,6-C(6)F(3)H(2) (d), 2,3-C(6)F(2)H(3) (e), 2,5-C(6)F(2)H(3) (g), and 2-C(6)FH(4) (h) and Tp' = tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate, has been synthesized as stable crystalline compounds by the reactions of the [Tp'Rh(PR(3))] fragment with the corresponding fluorinated aromatic hydrocarbons, and their structures were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis together with X-ray crystallography. The kinetics of the reductive eliminations of fluoroarenes from complexes 3a-h in benzene-d(6) solutions at 140 °C were investigated, but were complicated by the formation of the rhodium(I) bisphosphine complex, Tp'Rh(PMe(3))(2) (4). On the other hand, thermal reactions of (9) in THF-d(8) solutions at 120 °C resulted in the formation of an intramolecular C-H bond activated complex of the phenyl group on the phosphorus atom, Tp'Rh(κ(2)-C(6)H(4)-2-PMe(2))H (7), which prevents the formation of the corresponding bisphosphine complex. The experimentally determined rates of the reductive eliminations of fluoroarenes from the complexes 9a-h and their kinetic selectivities for formation in competition with the metallacycle have been used to determine relative Rh-CAr(F) bond energies. The Rh-CAr(F) bond energy is found to be dependent on the number of ortho fluorines. A plot of Rh-CAr(F) vs. C-H bond strengths resulted in a line with a slope R(M-C/C-H) of 2.15 that closely matches the DFT calculated value (slope = 2.05).     

Blue shifts of the C-H stretching vibrations in hydrogen-bonded and protonated trimethylamine. Effect of hyperconjugation on bond properties

The optimized geometry of isolated trimethylamine (TMA), its hydrogen bond complexes with phenol derivatives and protonated TMA is calculated at the B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p) level. A natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis on these systems is carried out at the same level of theory. In isolated TMA, one of the C-H bond in each of the three CH(3) groups is more elongated than the two other ones. As revealed by the NBO data, this results from a hyperconjugative interaction from the N lone pair to the sigma*(C-H) orbitals of the C-H bonds being in a transoid position with respect to the N lone pair. The formation of an intermolecular OH...N hydrogen bond with phenols results in a decrease of the lone pair effect. A linear correlation is found between the decrease in occupation of the sigma*(C-H) orbitals and the decrease in the hyperconjugative interaction energy in the complexes and isolated TMA. Complex formation with phenols results in a blue shift of 55-74 cm(-1) of the C-H stretching vibrations involved in the lone pair effect. Smaller blue shifts between 14 and 23 cm(-1) are predicted for the other C-H bonds. In these complexes, a linear correlation is found between the frequency shifts and the elongation of the C-H bonds. Protonation of TMA results in a nearly equalization of all the C-H distances and a blue shift of 180 cm(-1) of the C-H bonds involved in hyperconjugation with the N lone pair.     

Strain energy of small ring hydrocarbons. Influence of C-h bond dissociation energies

Ab initio calculations at the G2, G3, and CBS-Q levels of theory have been applied to the question of the origin of ring strain in a series of unsaturated hydrocarbons. In addition to the angular ring strain germane to all three-membered ring hydrocarbons, a general trend is in evidence that suggests that the increased ring strain (SE) of unsaturated small ring alkenes may be attributed in part to their relatively weak allylic C-H bonds. The high strain energy of cyclopropene (54.1 kcal/ mol) is attributed largely to angular strain. The anomalously low SE of cyclobutene relative to cyclobutane (DeltaSE = 4 kcal/mol) is a consequence of normal C-H bond dissociation energies for cyclobutane (100.6 kcal/mol) and very strong vinyl C-H bonds (111.9 kcal/mol) and a relatively strong pi-bond energy (63.5 kcal/mol) for cyclobutene. The greater SE of methylenecyclopropane (39.5 kcal/ mol), relative to methylcyclopropane (29.8 kcal/mol), can be attributed to the strong ring C-H bonds of methylcyclopropane (110.5 kcal/mol) and relatively weak allylic C-H bonds (99.3 kcal/mol) of methylenecyclopropane. The increased SE of 1-methylcyclopropene relative to isomeric methylenecyclopropane is ascribed to its weak ring C-H bonds and to angular strain. The relative thermodynamic stability of a series of small ring alkenes is determined by a measure of their hydrogenation enthalpies. Independent confirmation of the SEs of a series of substituted cyclopropenes is provided by their dimerization/combination with cyclopropane to form a six-membered ring reference compound.     

Gold-mediated C-H bond functionalisation

The transition metal-catalysed direct functionalisation of C-H bonds is an increasingly viable alternative to the multi-step strategies traditionally adopted. The use of powerful and environmentally benign gold(I) and gold(III) catalysts in such transformations has highlighted their remarkable reactivity and led to a significant increase in their utilisation. This tutorial review provides an overview of gold-catalysed C-H functionalisation, looking at transformations which rely on the ability of gold to perform C-H activation, as well as those exploiting its potent π-acidity.     

Remote C-H bond functionalization reveals the distance-dependent isotope effect

Iodination of remote aryl C-H bonds has been achieved using palladium acetate as the catalyst and iodoacetate (IOAc) as the oxidant. Systematic kinetic isotope studies imply a mechanistic regime shift as the number of bonds separating the directing heteroatom and the target C-H bond increases. Both isotope and electronic effects observed in remote C-H bond activation are consistent with an electrophilic palladation pathway in which the initial palladation is slower than the C-H bond cleavage.     

Manifestation of stereoelectronic effects on the calculated carbon-hydrogen bond lengths and one bond (1)J(C-H) NMR coupling constants in cyclohexane,six-membered heterocycles,and cyclohexanone derivatives

Cyclohexane (1), oxygen-, sulfur-, and/or nitrogen-containing six-membered heterocycles 2-5, cyclohexanone (6), and cyclohexanone derivatives 7-16 were studied theoretically [B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) and PP/IGLO-III//B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) methods] to determine the structural (in particular C-H bond distances) and spectroscopic (specifically, one bond (1)J(C-H) NMR coupling constants) consequences of stereoelectronic hyperconjugative effects. The results confirm the importance of n(X) --> sigma*(C-H)(app) (where X = O, N), sigma(C-H)(ax) --> pi*(C=O), sigma(S-C) --> sigma*(C-H)(app), sigma(C-S)-->sigma*(C-H)(app), beta-n(O) --> sigma*(C-H), and sigma(C-H) --> sigma*(C-H)(app) hyperconjugation, as advanced in previous theoretical models. Calculated r(C-H) bond lengths and (1)J(C-H) coupling constants for C-H bonds participating in more than one hyperconjugative interaction show additivity of the effects.     

Direct sp3 C-H bond activation adjacent to nitrogen in heterocycles

Activation of sp(3) C-H bonds adjacent to nitrogen in heterocycles is an attractive transformation that is emerging as a practical method in organic synthesis. This tutorial review aims to summarize the key examples of direct functionalization of nitrogen-containing heterocycles via metal-mediated and metal-catalyzed processes, which is meant to serve as a foundation for future investigations into this rapidly developing area of research. The review covers functionalization of N-heterocycles via alpha-lithiation with alkyllithium/diamine complexes, alpha-amino radical formation, metal-catalyzed direct C-H activation, C-H oxidations and oxidative couplings, and metal-catalyzed carbene insertions.     

Iron-catalyzed direct alkenylation of 2-substituted azaarenes with N-sulfonyl aldimines via C-H bond activation

A novel iron-catalyzed alkenylation of 2-substituted azaarenes through sp(3) C-H bond activation has been developed. A favorable E2-elimination is proposed as a key step to cleavage of C-H and C-N bonds for the construction of a C═C bond in high stereoselectivity. This transformation represents an efficient way to synthesize 2-alkenylated azaarenes from simple starting materials.     

Direct ortho-acetoxylation of anilides via palladium-catalyzed sp(2) C-H bond oxidative activation

Various anilides have been directly ortho-acetoxylated through a Pd(OAc)2-catalyzed C-H bond activation process. The amide group in anilides was found to functionalize as an elegant directing group to convert aromatic sp(2) C-H bonds into C-O bonds in high regioselectivity with acetic acid as the acetate source and K(2)S(2)O(8) as the oxidant.     

Regioselective C-H bond functionalizations of acridines using organozinc reagents

Despite the recent advance in C-H bond functionalization chemistry, the C-H bonds in the acridine ring system, which is an important scaffold in medicinal and material science, have met with limited success, due, in part, to the lack of activated C-H bonds adjacent to the ring nitrogen atom. Herein, several protocols that can effect the regioselective arylation and alkylation of acridines at the C-4 and C-9 positions are described.     

Metal-free oxidative C-C bond formation of active methylenic sp C-H bonds with benzylic sp C-H and allylic sp C-H bonds mediated by DDQ

An efficient and simple method for the oxidative coupling of benzylic and allylic sp³ C-H bonds with active methylenic sp³ C-H bonds under metal-free conditions was developed by employing 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone (DDQ) as an oxidant. The reaction was shown to proceed smoothly for various 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with a range of benzylic and allylic substrates in good to excellent yields.     

Ruthenium- and rhodium-catalyzed direct carbonylation of the ortho C-H bond in the benzene ring of N-arylpyrazoles

The direct carbonylation of C-H bonds in the benzene ring of N-phenylpyrazoles via catalysis by ruthenium or rhodium complexes is described. The reaction of N-phenylpyrazoles with carbon monoxide and ethylene in the presence of Ru(3)(CO)(12) or Rh(4)(CO)(12) resulted in the site-selective carbonylation of the ortho C-H bonds in the benzene ring to give the corresponding ethyl ketones. A variety of functional groups on the benzene ring can be tolerated. N-Phenylpyrazoles have higher reactivities than would be expected, based on the pK(a) values of the conjugate acid of pyrazole. The choice of solvent for this reaction is significant, and N, N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) gives the best result.     

A highly efficient catalyst-free protocol for C-H bond activation: sulfamidation of alkyl aromatics and aldehydes

A catalyst-free protocol has been developed for amidation of alkyl aromatics and aldehydes using TsNBr(2)via a nitrene transfer process in the presence of a base in excellent yield within a short time. The reaction was found to be selective for secondary and tertiary benzylic C-H bonds and C-H bonds of aldehydic groups.     

C-H activation of terminal alkynes by tris-(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)boraterhodiumneopentylisocyanide: new metal-carbon bond strengths

C-H bond activation of terminal alkynes by [Tp'Rh(CNneopentyl)] (Tp' = hydridotris-(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) resulted in the formation of terminal C-H bond activation products Tp'Rh(CNneopentyl)(C≡CR)H (R = t-Bu, SiMe(3), hexyl, CF(3), p-MeOC(6)H(4), Ph, and p-CF(3)C(6)H(4)). A combination of kinetic selectivity determined in competition reactions and activation energy for reductive elimination has allowed for the calculation of relative Rh-C(alkynyl) bond strengths. The bond strengths of Rh-C(alkynyl) products are noticeably higher than those of Rh-C(aryl) and Rh-C(alkyl) analogues. The relationship between M-C and C-H bond strengths showed a linear correlation (slope R(M-C/H-C) = 1.32), and follows energy correlations previously established for unsubstituted sp(2) and sp(3) C-H bonds in aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons.     

Copper-catalyzed oxidative sp3 C-H bond arylation with aryl boronic acids

An efficient method was developed for arylation of sp(3) C-H bonds using copper bromide as catalyst in absence of directing group with arylboronic acids. The oxidative arylation provides easy access to biologically active tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives and can either use peroxide or molecular oxygen as oxidant.     

Intermolecular copper-catalyzed carbon [bond] hydrogen bond activation via carbene insertion

A series of catalysts of general formula TpXCu (TpX = homoscorpionate ligand) promote the insertion of :CHCO2Et (ethyl diazoacetate as the carbene source) into the C-H bonds of cycloalkanes and cyclic ethers in moderate to high yield. A correlation between the steric hindrance of these catalysts and the yield of the transformation has been observed.     

Rhodium-catalyzed regioselective C-H functionalization via decarbonylation of acid chlorides and C-H bond activation under phosphine-free conditions

Efficient rhodium(I)-catalyzed regioselective functionalization of aromatic C-H bonds has been realized with acid chlorides as the coupling partners via decarbonylation and C-H activation under phosphine-free conditions.