A catalyst-free protocol for direct oxidative esterification of alcohols and aldehydes

A fast, simple, and efficient protocol for the direct conversion of alcohols and aldehydes to methyl ester has been developed using TsNBr₂ without any catalyst. The one pot reaction proceeds in the presence of a base at room temperature in methanol, to produce the corresponding methyl ester in high yield within a short time.     

Highly efficient copper-catalyzed amidation of aldehydes by C-H activation

We have developed a highly efficient method for the copper-catalyzed amidation of aldehydes in the presence of N-bromosuccinimide (NBS). This method is simple, economical, and has practical advantages for synthesis of imides.     

A catalyst-free benzylic C-H bond olefination of azaarenes for direct Mannich-like reactions

A highly efficient synthesis of trans-alkenylazaarene under catalyst-free conditions was developed via the addition of methylazaarenes to N-sulfonyl aldimines and a subsequent C-N elimination in situ. A one-pot procedure for this addition-elimination was also developed. The reaction could tolerate a broad substrate scope and give the corresponding alkenylazaarenes in high yields.     

A versatile gold synthon for acetylene C-H bond activation

The reaction of N,N'-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene gold hydroxide ([Au(OH)(IPr)]; 1) with acetylene and trimethylsilylacetylene derivatives cleanly leads to the formation of a gold-acetylide bond with the concomitant formation of water or trimethylsilanol. All compounds were isolated in high yield (>85%). The crystal structures of selected gold acetylides in conjunction with their UV-vis absorption/emission properties were investigated. Finally, DFT calculations were performed in an attempt to gain an insight into the mechanism of the general reaction.     

Highly efficient and enantioselective cyclization of aromatic imines via directed C-H bond activation

The first highly enantioselective catalytic reaction involving aromatic C-H bond activation is communicated. Enantioselective cyclization of aromatic ketimines containing alkenyl groups tethered at the meta position of an imine directing group has been achieved using 5 mol % [RhCl(coe)2]2 and 15 mol % of an (S)-binol-derived phosphoramidite ligand. Selectivities of up to 96% ee and up to quantitative yields were obtained. Moreover, the identified catalyst system enables the intramolecular alkylation reaction to be performed at temperatures 75 degrees C lower than our previously reported achiral system. The reaction can even be performed at room temperature for one of the optimal substrates.     

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.     

A computational study of ethylene C-H bond activation by

It has previously been demonstrated that both [(C5Me5)Ir(PMe3)(CH=CH2)H] and [(C5Me5)Ir(PMe3)(H2C=CH2)] are formed when [(C5Me5)Ir(PMe3)] is thermolytically generated in the presence of ethylene. At higher temperatures, the vinyl hydride is converted to the eta2-ethylene adduct. Density functional theory has now been used to investigate this reaction, using the B3LYP functional, two types of basis sets (LanL2DZ and TZV*), and two models of the [(C5R5)Ir(PR3)] species (R=H and CH3). The study consists of full optimizations of local minima, first-order saddle points, and minimum energy crossing points (MECP). The experimental results are best accounted for by considering both singlet and triplet spin surfaces. The relative energies of singlet [(C5R5)Ir(PR3)(CH3)H], [(C5R5)Ir(PR3)(CH=CH2)H], and [(C5R5)Ir(PR3)(H2C=CH2)] are in good agreement with experiment, as is the calculated barrier for the conversion from the vinyl hydride to the eta2-alkene complex. However, the singlet surface alone fails to explain the experimentally observed product ratio, or the intermediate inferred from experimental isotope effect studies. Locating the MECP between singlet and triplet surfaces indicates that the thermolysis of the singlet alkyl hydride precursor directly forms triplet [(C5R5)Ir(PR3)]. The weak vanderWaals adduct of triplet [(C5R5)Ir(PR3)] and ethylene is proposed to be the key intermediate in the overall reaction. The interchanging of the available ethylene C-H bonds in this triplet sigma complex accounts for the observed kinetic isotope effects, and partitioning between alkene pi-complexation and C-H bond activation may also occur from this common intermediate. The possible role of steric factors and molecular dynamics are also discussed.     

Pd-catalyzed alkyl to aryl migration and cyclization: an efficient synthesis of fused polycycles via multiple C-H activation

A novel palladium migration methodology for the synthesis of complex fused polycycles has been developed. This process involves 1,4-palladium alkyl to aryl migrations via through-space C-H activation, followed by intramolecular arylation or an intermolecular Heck reaction providing a very efficient way to synthesize fused ring systems.     

A simple and highly efficient solvent- and catalyst-free synthesis of novel N-sulfamoyl imines

The reaction of aldehydes with primary sulfonamides under solvent- and catalyst-free conditions is described. This method affords the N-sulfamoyl imines in short reaction times and high yields. Mild conditions, simplicity, inexpensive and easily available reagents, and absence of any auxiliary substances are some other advantages of this procedure.     

Synthesis of new class of alkyl azarene pyridinium zwitterions via iodine mediated sp3 C-H bond activation

An efficient and conceptually different approach toward C-H bond activation by using iodine mediated sp(3) C-H functionalization for the synthesis of alkyl azaarene pyridinium zwitterions is described. This work has the interesting distinction of being the first synthesis of a new class of alkyl azaarene pyridinium zwitterion via transition-metal-free sp(3) C-H bond activation of an alkyl azaarene.     

A highly efficient electrochemical route for the conversion of aldehydes to nitriles

Using NH4 I as the supporting electrolyte as well as the precursor of an I2 promoter and nitrogen source, a highly efficient electrochemical route was developed to convert aldehydes to nitriles with excellent yields under mild reaction conditions. This electrochemical process could effectively avoid the direct use of NH3 gas, molecular iodine, and oxidants.     

Alkane C-H bond activation in zeolites: evidence for direct protium exchange

The mechanism of alkane C-H bond activation in heterogeneous acid catalysis is unknown. (1)H solid-state NMR techniques have been used to simultaneously detect the reactivity of both catalyst and alkane reactant protons in a true in-situ experimental design. Specifically, the activation of isobutane C-H bonds by the solid acid zeolite HZSM-5 is directly observed, and the rate of proton transfer between the solid catalyst surface and gaseous isobutane is quantitatively measured using isotopic (1)H/(2)H exchange methods. An observable adsorption complex forms between the isobutane and the primary Bronsted acid site of ZSM-5, which leads to proton exchange between the zeolite surface and the isobutane methyl groups at temperatures (273 K) much lower than previously reported. The secondary acid site in ZSM-5 is less accessible to or less reactive with the isobutane molecule. Simultaneous detection of protium loss from the Bronsted acid site and protium gain by perdeuterated isobutane reveals a common rate constant equal to 4.1-4.6 x 10(-4) s(-1) at 298 K, but at lower temperatures, the transition between this and a much slower rate process is resolved. The measured activation energy for isobutane H/D exchange is 57 kJ/mol. In all experiments, the isobutane reagent was purified to eliminate any unsaturated impurities that might serve as initiators for carbenium-ion mechanisms, and the active catalyst was free of any organic contaminants that might serve as a source of unsaturated initiators. In total, our results are consistent with direct proton exchange between the zeolite surface and the methyl groups of isobutane.     

An efficient C-H oxidation protocol for alpha-hydroxylation of cyclic steroidal ethers

[reaction: see text] Various C-16 hydroxy steroids have been prepared with the aid of CrO(3)/Bu(4)NIO(4). Out of the two possible reaction courses, transition state B is favored because of less steric interference between substrate and CrO(4). Thus, C-H bonds at C-16 are oxidized selectively.