PdII‐Catalyzed Regio‐ and Enantioselective Oxidative C−H/C−H Cross‐Coupling Reaction between Ferrocenes and Azoles

Asymmetric C?H bond functionalization reaction is one of the most efficient and straightforward methods for the synthesis of optically active molecules. Herein we disclose an asymmetric C?H/C?H cross‐coupling reaction of ferrocenes with azoles such as oxazoles and thiazoles. Palladium(II)/monoprotected amino acid (MPAA) catalytic system which exhibits excellent reactivity and regioselectivity for oxazoles and thiazoles. This method offers a powerful strategy for constructing planar chiral ferrocenes. Mechanistic studies suggest that the C?H bond cleavage of azoles is likely proceeding through a S_EAr process and may not be a turnover limiting step.     

Copper‐Catalyzed C(sp3)−H Amidation: Sterically Driven Primary and Secondary C−H Site‐Selectivity

Undirected C(sp³)?H functionalization reactions often follow site‐selectivity patterns that mirror the corresponding C?H bond dissociation energies (BDEs). This often results in the functionalization of weaker tertiary C?H bonds in the presence of stronger secondary and primary bonds. An important, contemporary challenge is the development of catalyst systems capable of selectively functionalizing stronger primary and secondary C?H bonds over tertiary and benzylic C?H sites. Herein, we report a Cu catalyst that exhibits a high degree of primary and secondary over tertiary C?H bond selectivity in the amidation of linear and cyclic hydrocarbons with aroyl azides ArC(O)N₃. Mechanistic and DFT studies indicate that C?H amidation involves H‐atom abstraction from R‐H substrates by nitrene intermediates [Cu](κ²‐N,O‐NC(O)Ar) to provide carbon‐based radicals R^. and copper(II)amide intermediates [Cu^II]‐NHC(O)Ar that subsequently capture radicals R^. to form products R‐NHC(O)Ar. These studies reveal important catalyst features required to achieve primary and secondary C?H amidation selectivity in the absence of directing groups.     

para‐Selective C−H Borylation of (Hetero)Arenes by Cooperative Iridium/Aluminum Catalysis

para ‐Selective C−H borylation of benzamides and pyridines has been achieved by cooperative iridium/aluminum catalysis. A combination of iridium catalysts commonly employed for arene C−H borylation and bulky aluminum‐based Lewis acid catalysts provides an unprecedented strategy for controlling the regioselectivity of C−H borylation to give variously substituted (hetero)arylboronates, which are versatile synthetic intermediates for complex multi‐substituted aromatic compounds.     

S‐((Phenylsulfonyl)difluoromethyl)thiophenium Salts: Carbon‐Selective Electrophilic Difluoromethylation of β‐Ketoesters, β‐Diketones,and Dicyanoalkylidenes

S‐((Phenylsulfonyl)difluoromethyl)thiophenium salts were designed and prepared by a triflic acid catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of ortho‐ethynyl aryldifluoromethyl sulfanes. The thiophenium salts were found to be efficient as electrophilic difluoromehtylating reagents for introduction of a CF₂H group to sp³‐hybridized carbon nucleophiles such as of β‐ketoesters and dicyanoalkylidenes. The (phenylsulfonyl)difluoromethyl group can be readily transformed into CF₂H under mild reaction conditions. Enantioselective electrophilic difluoromethylation was also achieved in the presence of bis(cinchona) alkaloids.