Practical Metal‐Free C(sp3)H Functionalization: Construction of Structurally Diverse α‐Substituted N‐Benzyl and N‐Allyl Carbamates

Described is a practical and universal C? H functionalization of readily removable N‐benzyl and N‐allyl carbamates, with a wide range of nucleophiles at ambient temperature promoted by Ph₃CClO₄. The metal‐free reaction has an excellent functional‐group tolerance, and displays a broad scope with respect to both N‐carbamates and nucleophile partners (a variety of organoboranes and C? H compounds). The synthetic utility in target‐ as well as diversity‐oriented syntheses is demonstrated.     

A Bioinspired Catalytic Aerobic Oxidative CH Functionalization of Primary Aliphatic Amines: Synthesis of 1,2‐Disubstituted Benzimidazoles

Aerobic oxidative C?H functionalization of primary aliphatic amines has been accomplished with a biomimetic cooperative catalytic system to furnish 1,2‐disubstituted benzimidazoles that play an important role as drug discovery targets. This one‐pot atom‐economical multistep process, which proceeds under mild conditions, with ambient air and equimolar amounts of each coupling partner, constitutes a convenient environmentally friendly strategy to functionalize non‐activated aliphatic amines that remain challenging substrates for non‐enzymatic catalytic aerobic systems.     

A Highly Efficient Gold‐Catalyzed Photoredox α‐C(sp3)H Alkynylation of Tertiary Aliphatic Amines with Sunlight

A new α‐C(sp³)? H alkynylation of unactivated tertiary aliphatic amines with 1‐iodoalkynes as radical alkynylating reagents in the presence of [Au₂(μ‐dppm)₂]²⁺ in sunlight provides propargylic amines. Based on mechanistic studies, a C? C coupling of an α‐aminoalkyl radical and an alkynyl radical is proposed for the C(sp³)? C(sp) bond formation. The mild, convenient, efficient, and highly selective C(sp³)? H alkynylation reaction shows excellent regioselectivity and good functional‐group compatibility. A scale‐up to gram quantities is possible with sunlight used as a clean and sustainable energy source.     

Direct Metal‐Catalyzed Regioselective Functionalization of Enamides

Enamides are stable enamine surrogates and provide key intermediates for the synthesis of small but complex nitrogen‐containing compounds. Metal‐catalyzed regioselective functionalization of enamides provides a rapid method to synthesize useful nitrogen containing heterocycles. This review discloses the recent progress made in the development of the C?H functionalization of enamides involving efficient and atom‐economical routes. Syntheses of different heterocycles are classified based on the site reactivity of enamides and key mechanistic insights are given for each transformation.     

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.     

Easily Accessible Auxiliary for Palladium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Amination of C(sp2)H and C(sp3)H Bonds at δ‐ and ε‐Positions

An easily synthesized and accessible N,O‐bidentate auxiliary has been developed for selective C? H activation under palladium catalysis. The novel auxiliary showed its first powerful application in C? H functionalization of remote positions. Both C(sp²)? H and C(sp³)? H bonds at δ‐ and ε‐positions were effectively activated, thus giving tetrahydroquinolines, benzomorpholines, pyrrolidines, and indolines in moderate to excellent yields by palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular C? H amination.     

Oxidative CH Bond Functionalization and Ring Expansion with TMSCHN2: A Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Approach to Dibenzoxepines and Dibenzoazepines

Tricyclic dibenzoxepines and dibenzazepines are important therapeutic agents for the pharmaceutical industry and academic research. However, their syntheses are generally rather tedious, requiring several steps that involve a Wagner–Meerwein‐type rearrangement under harsh conditions. Herein, we present the first copper(I)‐catalyzed oxidative C? H bond functionalization and ring expansion with TMSCHN₂ to yield these important derivatives in a facile and straightforward way.     

Chemo‐ and Regioselective C(sp3)H Arylation of Unactivated Allylarenes by Deprotonative Cross‐Coupling

The combination of aryl bromides, allylbenzene, base and a palladium catalyst usually results in a Heck reaction. Herein we combine these same reagents, but override the Heck pathway by employing a strong base. In the presence of LiN(SiMe₃)₂, allylbenzene derivatives undergo reversible deprotonation. Transmetalation of the resulting allyllithium intermediate to LPdAr(Br) and reductive elimination provide the 1,1‐diarylprop‐2‐enes, which are not accessible by the Heck reaction. The regioselectivity in this deprotonative cross‐coupling process is catalyst‐controlled and very high.     

Redox‐Neutral α,β‐Difunctionalization of Cyclic Amines

In contrast to the continuously growing number of methods that allow for the efficient α‐functionalization of amines, few strategies exist that enable the direct functionalization of amines in the β‐position. A general redox‐neutral strategy is outlined for amine β‐functionalization and α,β‐difunctionalization that utilizes enamines generated in situ. This concept is demonstrated in the context of preparing polycyclic N,O‐acetals from simple 1‐(aminomethyl)‐β‐naphthols and 2‐(aminomethyl)‐phenols.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Phenanthridine/Benzoxazine‐Fused Quinazolinones by Intramolecular CH Bond Activation

A highly efficient synthesis of phenanthridine/benzoxazine‐fused quinazolinones by ligand‐free palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular C?H bond activation under mild conditions has been developed. The C?C coupling provides the corresponding N‐fused polycyclic heterocycles in good to excellent yields and with wide functional group tolerance.     

Direct α‐Arylation of Ethers through the Combination of Photoredox‐Mediated CH Functionalization and the Minisci Reaction

The direct α‐arylation of cyclic and acyclic ethers with heteroarenes has been accomplished through the design of a photoredox‐mediated C? H functionalization pathway. Transiently generated α‐oxyalkyl radicals, produced from a variety of widely available ethers through hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), were coupled with a range of electron‐deficient heteroarenes in a Minisci‐type mechanism. This mild, visible‐light‐driven protocol allows direct access to medicinal pharmacophores of broad utility using feedstock substrates and a commercial photocatalyst.     

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.     

Dimethylzinc‐Initiated Radical Coupling of β‐Bromostyrenes with Ethers and Amines

A new coupling reaction has been developed in which β‐bromostyrenes react with ethers and tertiary amines to introduce the styryl group in the α‐position. The transformation is mediated by Me₂Zn/O₂ with 10 % MnCl₂ and is believed to proceed by a radical addition–elimination mechanism. The ether and the amine are employed as solvent and the coupling takes place through the most stable α radical for unsymmetrical substrates. The products are obtained in moderate to good yields as the pure E isomers. The coupling can be achieved with a range of smaller cyclic and acyclic ethers/amines as well as various substituted β‐bromostyrenes.     

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.     

Diversity Oriented Synthesis of Indoloazepinobenzimidazole and Benzimidazotriazolobenzodiazepine from N1‐Alkyne‐1,2‐diamines

A one‐pot protocol for the diversity oriented synthesis of two N‐polyheterocycles indoloazepinobenzimidazole and benzimidazotriazolobenzodiazepine from a common N¹‐alkyne‐1,2‐diamine building block is described. The approach involves sequential formation of benzimidazole through cyclocondensation and oxidation, which is followed by the formation of either an azepine ring (through alkyne activation and 6‐endo‐dig cyclization, 1,2‐migration with ring expansion, and re‐aromatization), or diazepine and triazole rings through 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition.     

Regioselective Hydroarylation Reactions of C3 Electrophilic N‐Acetylindoles Activated by FeCl3: An Entry to 3‐(Hetero)arylindolines

A method for the direct and rare umpolung of the 3 position of indoles is reported. The activation of N‐acetylindole with iron(III) chloride allows the C?H addition of aromatic and heteroaromatic substrates to the C2?C3 double bond of the indole nucleus to generate a quaternary center at C3 and leads regioselectively to 3‐arylindolines. Optimization, scope (50 examples), practicability (gram scale, air atmosphere, room temperature), and mechanistic insights of this process are presented. Synthetic transformations of the indoline products into drug‐like compounds are also described.     

Phosphine‐Catalyzed Remote β‐CH Functionalization of Amines Triggered by Trifluoromethylation of Alkenes: One‐Pot Synthesis of Bistrifluoromethylated Enamides and Oxazoles

An unprecedented phosphine‐catalyzed remote β‐C? H functionalization of amine derivatives triggered by trifluoromethylation of an alkene with Togni’s reagent was disclosed. This reaction proceeded through the highly selective and concomitant activation of an unactivated alkene and the β‐C? H bond of an amine derivative, providing bistrifluoromethylated enamides in excellent yields with good regio‐, chemo‐, and stereoselectivity. Furthermore, the newly developed one‐pot protocol provides a facile and step‐economical access to valuable trisubstituted 5‐(trifluoromethyl)oxazoles. Mechanistic studies showed that this reaction may initiate with a novel phosphine‐catalyzed radical trifluoromethylation of unactivated alkene via a phosphorus radical cation.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Regioselective C7‐Functionalization of N‐Pivaloylindoles

An efficient rhodium‐catalyzed method for direct C? H functionalization at the C7 position of a wide range of indoles has been developed. Good to excellent yields of alkenylation products were observed with acrylates, styrenes, and vinyl phenyl sulfones, whereas the saturated alkylation products were obtained in good yield with α,β‐unsaturated ketones. Both the N‐pivaloyl directing group and the rhodium catalyst proved to be crucial for high regioselectivity and conversion.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Cross‐Dehydrogenative Functionalization of C(sp2)H Bonds

The catalytic cross‐dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction has received intense attention in recent years. The attractive feature of this coupling process is the formation of a C? C bond from two C? H moieties under oxidative conditions. In this Focus Review, recent advances in the palladium‐catalyzed CDC reactions of C(sp²)? H bond are summarized, with a focus on the period from 2011 to early 2013.     

Copper‐Catalyzed α‐Amination of Phosphonates and Phosphine Oxides: A Direct Approach to α‐Amino Phosphonic Acids and Derivatives

A direct approach to important α‐amino phosphonic acids and its derivatives has been developed by using copper‐catalyzed electrophilic amination of α‐phosphonate zincates with O‐acyl hydroxylamines. This amination provides the first example of C? N bond formation which directly introduces acyclic and cyclic amines to the α‐position of phosphonates in one step. The reaction is readily promoted at room temperature with as little as 0.5 mol % of catalyst, and demonstrates high efficiency on a broad substrate scope.