Copper‐Catalyzed Remote C(sp3)−H Trifluoromethylation of Carboxamides and Sulfonamides

Reported herein is an unprecedented protocol for trifluoromethylation of unactivated aliphatic C(sp³)?H bonds. With Cu(OTf)₂ as the catalyst, the reaction of N‐fluoro‐substituted carboxamides (or sulfonamides) with Zn(CF₃)₂ complexes provides the corresponding δ‐trifluoromethylated carboxamides (or sulfonamides) in satisfactory yields under mild reaction conditions. A radical mechanism involving 1,5‐hydrogen atom transfer of N‐radicals followed by CF₃‐transfer from Cu^II?CF₃ complexes to the thus formed alkyl radicals is proposed.     

Hydroxoiridium‐Catalyzed Hydroalkylation of Terminal Alkenes with Ureas by C(sp3)−H Bond Activation

Direct alkylation of a methyl group, on di‐ and trisubstituted ureas, with terminal alkenes by C(sp³)−H bond activation proceeded in the presence of a hydroxoiridium/bisphosphine catalyst to give high yields of the corresponding addition products. The hydroxoiridium/bisphosphine complex generates an amidoiridium intermediate by reaction with ureas having an N−H bond.     

Iminyl‐Radicals by Oxidation of α‐Imino‐oxy Acids: Photoredox‐Neutral Alkene Carboimination for the Synthesis of Pyrrolines

The visible‐light‐promoted decarboxylation of α‐imino‐oxy propionic acids for the generation of iminyl radicals has been accomplished through the use of Ir(dFCF₃ppy)₂(dtbbpy)PF₆ as a photoredox catalyst. Different from visible‐light‐promoted homolysis and single‐electron reduction of oxime derivatives, this strategy provides a novel catalytic cycle for alkene carboimination through a sequence comprising N‐radical generation, iminyl radical cyclization, intermolecular conjugate addition to a Michael acceptor, and single‐electron reduction to afford various pyrroline derivatives in an overall redox‐neutral process. The indolizidine alkaloid skeleton could be easily constructed from a pyrroline derivative prepared by this synthetic method.     

Enantioselective Formal α‐Methylation and α‐Benzylation of Aldehydes by Means of Photo‐organocatalysis

Detailed herein is the photochemical organocatalytic enantioselective α‐alkylation of aldehydes with (phenylsulfonyl)alkyl iodides. The chemistry relies on the direct photoexcitation of enamines to trigger the formation of reactive carbon‐centered radicals from iodosulfones, while the ground‐state chiral enamines provide effective stereochemical control over the radical trapping process. The phenylsulfonyl moiety, acting as a redox auxiliary group, facilitates the generation of radicals. In addition, it can eventually be removed under mild reducing conditions to reveal methyl and benzyl groups.     

Base‐Mediated Defluorosilylation of C(sp2)−F and C(sp3)−F Bonds

The ability to selectively forge C–heteroatom bonds by C?F scission is typically accomplished by metal catalysts, specialized ligands and/or harsh reaction conditions. Described herein is a base‐mediated defluorosilylation of unactivated C(sp²)?F and C(sp³)?F bonds that obviates the need for metal catalysts. This protocol is characterized by its simplicity, mild reaction conditions, and wide scope, even within the context of late‐stage functionalization, constituting a complementary approach to existing C?Si bond‐forming protocols.     

Selective Carbonyl−C(sp3) Bond Cleavage To Construct Ynamides,Ynoates, and Ynones by Photoredox Catalysis

Carbon–carbon bond cleavage/functionalization is synthetically valuable, and selective carbonyl−C(sp³) bond cleavage/alkynylation presents a new perspective in constructing ynamides, ynoates, and ynones. Reported here is the first alkoxyl‐radical‐enabled carbonyl−C(sp³) bond cleavage/alkynylation reaction by photoredox catalysis. The use of novel cyclic iodine(III) reagents are essential for β‐carbonyl alkoxyl radical generation from β‐carbonyl alcohols, including alcohols with high redox potential ( >2.2 V vs. SCE in MeCN). β‐Amide, β‐ester, and β‐ketone alcohols yield ynamides, ynoates, and ynones, respectively, for the first time, with excellent regio‐ and chemoselectivity under mild reaction conditions.     

β‐Selective Aroylation of Activated Alkenes by Photoredox Catalysis

Late‐stage synthesis of α,β‐unsaturated aryl ketones remains an unmet challenge in organic synthesis. Reported herein is a photocatalytic non‐chain‐radical aroyl chlorination of alkenes by a 1,3‐chlorine atom shift to form β‐chloroketones as masked enones that liberate the desired enones upon workup. This strategy suppresses side reactions of the enone products. The reaction tolerates a wide array of functional groups and complex molecules including derivatives of peptides, sugars, natural products, nucleosides, and marketed drugs. Notably, addition of 2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methyl‐pyridine enhances the quantum yield and efficiency of the cross‐coupling reaction. Experimental and computational studies suggest a mechanism involving PCET, formation and reaction of an α‐chloro‐α‐hydroxy benzyl radical, and 1,3‐chlorine atom shift.     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed para‐Selective C−H Alkylation of Aniline Derivatives

The para ‐selective C−H alkylation of aniline derivatives furnished with a pyrimidine auxiliary is herein reported. This reaction is proposed to take place via an N−H‐activated cyclometalate formed in situ. Experimental and DFT mechanistic studies elucidate a dual role of the ruthenium catalyst. Here the ruthenium catalyst can undergo cyclometalation by N−H metalation (as opposed to C−H metalation in meta ‐selective processes) and form a redox active ruthenium species, to enable site‐selective radical addition at the para position.     

Radical‐Promoted C−C Bond Cleavage: A Deconstructive Approach for Selective Functionalization

Just as “Deconstructivism” appeared as a novel movement in architecture in the 1980s, deconstructive approaches have recently emerged as excellent strategies for scaffold hopping modifications in chemistry. The deconstruction and functionalization of cyclic molecules mainly involves the cleavage of the carbon–carbon (C?C) bond followed by the construction of new bonds. The cleavage of inert C?C single bonds, especially in unstrained cycles, and their subsequent functionalization is still one of the most sought‐after challenges in chemistry. In this vein, radical‐mediated strategies provide an excellent approach for achieving this aim. This minireview is an outline of the history of homolytic cleavage and highlights the recent advances in exploring new chemical space by deconstructive functionalization.     

Copper Photoredox Catalyzed A3’ Coupling of Arylamines,Terminal Alkynes,and Alcohols through a Hydrogen Atom Transfer Process

The first successful example of the three‐component coupling of N‐alkylanilines, terminal alkynes, and alcohols was achieved at room temperature by a visible‐light‐mediated copper‐catalyzed photoredox hydrogen‐atom transfer process. This method allows preparation of propargylamines through uniquely selective α‐C?H bond activation of unactivated alkylalcohols. Preliminary studies indicate that formation of α‐oxy radical is operative. This approach facilitates rapid access to biologically important propargylamines from methanol as an abundant feedstock.     

Aliphatic Radical Relay Heck Reaction at Unactivated C(sp3)−H Sites of Alcohols

The Mizoroki–Heck reaction is one of the most efficient methods for alkenylation of aryl, vinyl, and alkyl halides. Given its innate nature, this protocol requires the employment of compounds possessing a halogen atom at the site of functionalization. However, the accessibility of organic molecules possessing a halogen atom at a particular site in aliphatic systems is extremely limited. Thus, a protocol that allows a Heck reaction to occur at a specific nonfunctionalized C(sp³)?H site is desirable. Reported here is a radical relay Heck reaction which allows selective remote alkenylation of aliphatic alcohols at unactivated β‐, γ‐, and δ‐C(sp³)?H sites. The use of an easily installed/removed Si‐based auxiliary enables selective I‐atom/radical translocation events at remote C?H sites followed by the Heck reaction. Notably, the reaction proceeds smoothly under mild visible‐light‐mediated conditions at room temperature, producing highly modifiable and valuable alkenol products from readily available alcohols feedstocks.     

Photoredox‐Coupled F‐Nucleophilic Addition: Allylation of gem‐Difluoroalkenes

A novel strategy for the expedient construction of CF₃‐embeded tertiary/quarternary carbon centers was developed by taking advantage of photoredox catalysis. Thanks to a key step of single‐electron oxidation, electron‐rich gem‐difluoroalkenes, which otherwise are essentially reluctant towards F‐nucleoplilic addition, now readily participate in this fluoroallylation reaction. Furthermore, this strategy provides an elegant example for the generation, as well as functionalization, of α‐CF₃‐substituted benzylic radical intermediates using cheap and readily available starting materials.     

Buttressing Salicylaldehydes: A Multipurpose Directing Group for C(sp3)−H Bond Activation

A palladium‐catalyzed reaction of primary amines with iodoarenes produces γ‐arylated primary amines. A bulky salicylaldehyde, which is marked as easily available, installable, removable, and recoverable, plays a key role in directing palladium to site‐selectively activate the C−H bond located γ to the amino group.     

Synthesis of α‐Trifluoromethylated Ketones from Vinyl Triflates in the Absence of External Trifluoromethyl Sources

A novel method for the conversion of vinyl triflates into α‐trifluoromethylated ketones in the absence of external trifluoromethyl sources is described. This process accomplishes an efficient migration of the trifluoromethyl group of the triflate to the α‐position in the ketone through a radical process. The reaction proceeds by the addition of a trifluoromethyl radical to the vinyl triflate and subsequent fragmentation of the trifluoromethane sulfonyl radical. Based on this reaction, a one‐pot two‐step procedure for the trifluoromethylation of ketones was developed. The method presented herein also allows the transfer of perfluoroalkyl groups from vinyl perfluoroalkanesulfonates, which are readily accessible from alkynes and perfluoroalkanesulfonic acids.     

Visible‐Light‐Driven N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed γ‐ and ϵ‐Alkylation with Alkyl Radicals

The merging of photoredox catalysis and N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis for γ‐ and ?‐alkylation of enals with alkyl radicals was developed. The alkylation reaction of γ‐oxidized enals with alkyl halides worked well for the synthesis γ‐multisubstituted‐α,β‐unsaturated esters, including those with challenging vicinal all‐carbon quaternary centers. The synthesis of ?‐multisubstituted‐α,β‐γ,δ‐diunsaturated esters by an unprecedented NHC‐catalyzed ?‐functionalization was also established.     

Visible‐Light‐Driven Palladium‐Catalyzed Radical Alkylation of C−H Bonds with Unactivated Alkyl Bromides

Reported herein is a novel visible‐light photoredox system with Pd(PPh₃)₄ as the sole catalyst for the realization of the first direct cross‐coupling of C(sp³)−H bonds in N‐aryl tetrahydroisoquinolines with unactivated alkyl bromides. Moreover, intra‐ and intermolecular alkylations of heteroarenes were also developed under mild reaction conditions. A variety of tertiary, secondary, and primary alkyl bromides undergo reaction to generate C(sp³)−C(sp³) and C(sp²)−C(sp³) bonds in moderate to excellent yields. These redox‐neutral reactions feature broad substrate scope (>60 examples), good functional‐group tolerance, and facile generation of quaternary centers. Mechanistic studies indicate that the simple palladium complex acts as the visible‐light photocatalyst and radicals are involved in the process.     

Selective α‐Oxyamination and Hydroxylation of Aliphatic Amides

Compared to the α‐functionalization of aldehydes, ketones, even esters, the direct α‐modification of amides is still a challenge because of the low acidity of α‐CH groups. The α‐functionalization of N−H (primary and secondary) amides, containing both an unactived α‐C−H bond and a competitively active N−H bond, remains elusive. Shown herein is the general and efficient oxidative α‐oxyamination and hydroxylation of aliphatic amides including secondary N−H amides. This transition‐metal‐free chemistry with high chemoselectivity provides an efficient approach to α‐hydroxy amides. This oxidative protocol significantly enables the selective functionalization of inert α‐C−H bonds with the complete preservation of active N−H bond.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Bromination of C(sp3)−H Bonds Distal to Functional Groups

Selective bromination of γ‐methylene C(sp³)−H bonds of aliphatic amides and δ‐methylene C(sp³)−H bonds of nosyl‐protected alkyl amines are developed using NBS as the brominating reagent and catalytic amount of Cu^II/phenanthroline complexes as the catalyst. Aryl and benzylic C−H bonds at other locations remain intact during this directed radical abstraction reaction.     

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.