Diastereo- and enantioselective intramolecular C(sp3)-H arylation for the synthesis of fused cyclopentanes

All C-H bonds are not equal: The intramolecular arylation of unactivated C(sp(3))-H bonds in the presence of a chiral Pd/binepine catalyst allows the synthesis of fused cyclopentanes efficiently and in an diastereo- and enantioselective manner (see scheme).     

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.     

Efficient alkyl ether synthesis via palladium-catalyzed, picolinamide-directed alkoxylation of unactivated C(sp3)-H and C(sp2)-H bonds at remote positions

We report the efficient synthesis of alkyl ethers by the functionalization of unactivated sp(3)- and sp(2)-hybridized C-H bonds. In the Pd(OAc)(2)-catalyzed, PhI(OAc)(2)-mediated reaction system, picolinamide-protected amine substrates undergo facile alkoxylation at the γ or δ positions with a range of alcohols, including t-BuOH, to give alkoxylated products. This method features a relatively broad substrate scope for amines and alcohols, inexpensive reagents, and convenient operating conditions. This method highlights the emerging value of unactivated C-H bonds, particularly the C(sp(3))-H bond of methyl groups, as functional groups in organic synthesis.     

Palladium-catalyzed direct ortho-alkynylation of aromatic carboxylic acid derivatives

The palladium-catalyzed direct alkynylation of C-H bonds in aromatic carboxylic acid derivatives is described. The use of 8-aminoquinoline as a directing group facilitates the alkynylation of an electronically diverse range of C(sp(2))-H bonds.     

Highly efficient syntheses of azetidines, pyrrolidines, and indolines via palladium catalyzed intramolecular amination of C(sp3)-H and C(sp2)-H bonds at γ and δ positions

Efficient methods have been developed to synthesize azetidine, pyrrolidine, and indoline compounds via palladium-catalyzed intramolecular amination of C-H bonds at the γ and δ positions of picolinamide (PA) protected amine substrates. These methods feature relatively a low catalyst loading, use of inexpensive reagents, and convenient operating conditions. Their selectivities are predictable. These methods highlight the use of unactivated C-H bond, especially the C(sp(3))-H bond of methyl groups, as functional groups in organic synthesis.     

Highly regioselective carbonylation of unactivated C(sp3)-H bonds by ruthenium carbonyl

The regioselective carbonylation of unactivated C(sp(3))-H bonds of aliphatic amides was achieved using Ru(3)(CO)(12) as a catalyst. The presence of a 2-pyridinylmethylamine moiety in the amide is crucial for a successful reaction. The reaction shows a preference for C-H bonds of methyl groups as opposed to methylene C-H bonds and tolerates a variety of functional groups. The stoichiometric reaction of an amide with Ru(3)(CO)(12) gave a dinuclear ruthenium complex in which the 2-pyridinylmethylamino moiety was coordinated to the ruthenium center in an N,N manner.     

Highly regioselective arylation of sp3 C-H bonds catalyzed by palladium acetate

A new palladium-catalyzed arylation process based on C-H activation has been developed. The utilization of pyridine-containing directing groups allows the beta-arylation of carboxylic acid derivatives and gamma-arylation of amine derivatives. Both primary and secondary sp3 C-H bonds, as well as sp2 C-H bonds, are reactive.     

Selective and catalytic arylation of N-phenylpyrrolidine: sp3 C-H bond functionalization in the absence of a directing group

We herein describe our studies on arylation of N-phenylpyrrolidine, which led to the development of a new transformation for the direct and selective arylation of sp3 C-H bonds in the absence of a directing group. In this method, Ru(H)2(CO)(PCy3)3 4 was used as the catalyst, and preliminary mechanistic studies suggested that Ru(Ph)(I)(CO)(PCy3)2 5 is the key intermediate of the catalytic cycle. A large kinetic isotope effect (kH/kD = 5.4) was observed, which supports the proposal that C-H bond metalation is the slow step. Preliminary examination of the substrate scope showed that in addition to N-phenylpyrrolidine, N-methyl- and N-benzylpyrrolidine, as well as N-benzoylpyrrolidine, were arylated under the reaction conditions.     

DFT study of the mechanism of benzocyclobutene formation by palladium-catalysed C(sp3)-H activation: role of the nature of the base and the phosphine

DFT(B3PW91) calculations of the mechanism of the intramolecular C(sp(3))-H arylation of 2-bromo-tert-butylbenzene to form benzocyclobutene catalysed by Pd(PR(3)) (R = Me, (t)Bu) and a base (acetate, bicarbonate, carbonate) show that the preferred mechanism is highly dependent on the nature of the phosphine and the base used in the calculations. With the experimental reagents (P(t)Bu(3) and carbonate) the rate-determining step is C-H activation with the base coordinated trans to the C-H bond. An agostic interaction of a geminal C-H bond with respect to the bond to be cleaved induces a lowering of the activation barrier.     

Photochemically induced radical transformation of C(sp3)-H bonds to C(sp3)-CN bonds

A general protocol for direct transformation of unreactive C(sp(3))-H bonds to C(sp(3))-CN bonds has been developed. The C-H activation was effected by photoexcited benzophenone, and the generated carbon radical was subsequently trapped with tosyl cyanide to afford the corresponding nitrile in a highly efficient manner. The present methodology is widely applicable to versatile starting materials and, thus, serves as a powerful tool for selective one-carbon elongation for construction of architecturally complex molecules.     

Iron-facilitated direct oxidative C-H transformation of allylarenes or alkenes to alkenyl nitriles

This paper describes the first direct approach to alkenyl nitriles from allylarenes or alkenes facilitated by an inexpensive homogeneous iron catalyst. Three C-H bond cleavages occur under the mild conditions during this process. Mechanistic studies indicate that the cleavage of the allyl C(sp(3))-H bond is involved in the rate-determining step. This observation may provide an opportunity to achieve C(sp(3))-H functionalization catalyzed by an iron catalyst.     

Synthesis of tricyclic nitrogen heterocycles by a sequence of palladium-catalyzed N-H and C(sp3)-H arylations

A range of tricyclic nitrogen heterocycles were synthesized in a straightforward and efficient manner via a sequence involving palladium-catalyzed N-arylation and C(sp(3))-H arylation as the key steps. Whereas the C(sp(3))-H arylation furnished fused 6,5,6-membered ring systems efficiently, the formation of the more strained 6,5,5-membered systems proved to be more challenging and required a subtle adjustment of the reaction conditions.     

Palladium-catalyzed oxidative carbonylation of benzylic C-H bonds via nondirected C(sp3)-H activation

A new strategy for generating benzylpalladium reactive species from toluenes via nondirected C(sp(3))-H activation has been developed. This led to construction of an efficient Pd-catalyzed reaction protocol for the oxidative carboxylation of benzylic C-H bonds to form substituted 2-phenylacetic acid esters and derivatives from inexpensive, commercially available starting materials.     

Catalytic Functionalization of C(sp2)?H and C(sp3)?H Bonds by Using Bidentate Directing Groups

C? H bonds are ubiquitous in organic compounds. It would, therefore, appear that direct functionalization of substrates by activation of C? H bonds would eliminate the multiple steps and limitations associated with the preparation of functionalized starting materials. Regioselectivity is an important issue because organic molecules can contain a wide variety of C? H bonds. The use of a directing group can largely overcome the issue of regiocontrol by allowing the catalyst to come into proximity with the targeted C? H bonds. A wide variety of functional groups have been evaluated for use as directing groups in the transformation of C? H bonds. In 2005, Daugulis reported the arylation of unactivated C(sp³)? H bonds by using 8‐aminoquinoline and picolinamide as bidentate directing groups, with Pd(OAc)₂ as the catalyst. Encouraged by these promising results, a number of transformations of C? H bonds have since been developed by using systems based on bidentate directing groups. In this Review, recent advances in this area are discussed.     

Original palladium pincer complexes deriving from 1,3-bis(thiophosphinoyl)indene proligands: C(sp3)-H versus C(sp2)-H bond activation

A series of original 2-indenylidene palladium pincer complexes {PdL[Ind(Ph(2)P==S)(2)]} (L = HNCy(2), PPh(3), Cl(-)) have been prepared by double C-H activation of a 1,3-bis(thiophosphinoyl)indene proligand. Crystallographic analyses and DFT calculations indicate that the bonding situation of the {Pd[Ind(Ph(2)P==S)(2)]} fragment is essentially governed by the conjugated and rigid nature of the dianionic pincer ligand, the nature of the coligand having little influence. The formation of the 2-indenylidene complexes involves either a 2-indenyl pincer or a four-membered cyclometalated complex as an intermediate, suggesting that C(sp(2))-H or C(sp(3))-H bond activation takes place. However, deuterium labelling experiences show that in all cases, C(sp(3))-H bond activation occurs followed eventually by a Pd/H exchange. Nevertheless, evidence for direct C(sp(2))-H bond activation under mild conditions is obtained when a methyl group is introduced at the indene proligand to prevent C(sp(3))-H bond activation. The ensuing dissymmetrical 2-indenyl palladium pincer complex has been fully characterized.     

Sequential protocol for C(sp3)-H carboxylation with CO2: transition-metal-catalyzed benzylic C-H silylation and fluoride-mediated carboxylation

One of the most challenging transformations in current organic chemistry is the catalytic carboxylation of a C(sp(3))-H bond using CO(2) gas, an inexpensive and ubiquitous C1 source. A sequential protocol for C(sp(3))-H carboxylation by employing a nitrogen-directed, metal-assisted, C-H activation/catalytic silylation reaction in conjunction with fluoride-mediated carboxylation with CO(2) was established. The carboxylation proceeded only at the benzylic C(sp(3))-Si bond, not at the aromatic C(sp(2))-Si, which is advantageous for further manipulations of the products.     

Palladium-catalyzed cascade synthesis of spirocyclic oxindoles via regioselective C2-H arylation and C8-H alkylation of naphthalene ring

A simultaneous C2-H arylation and C8-H alkylation of naphthalene ring has been achieved by palladiumcatalyzed cascade reaction of N-(2-halophenyl)-2-(naphthalen-1-yl)acrylamides with aryl iodides,which provides an efficient method for synthesizing various aryl-substituted spirocyclic oxindoles.The protocol enables three C-C bonds formation via an intramolecular Heck reaction and sequentially regioselective C-H bond activation.     

Improved protocol for indoline synthesis via palladium-catalyzed intramolecular C(sp2)-H amination

An efficient method has been developed for the synthesis of indoline compounds from picolinamide (PA)-protected β-arylethylamine substrates via palladium-catalyzed intramolecular amination of ortho-C(sp(2))-H bonds. These reactions feature high efficiency, low catalyst loadings, mild operating conditions, and the use of inexpensive reagents.     

Mechanistic analysis of iridium(III) catalyzed direct C-H arylations: a DFT study

In a recent experimental work the Ir complex [Ir(cod)(py)(PCy(3))](PF(6)) (that is, Crabtree's catalyst) has been shown to catalyze the C-H arylation of electron-rich heteroarenes with iodoarenes using Ag(2)CO(3) as base. For this process, an electrophilic metalation mechanism, (S(E)Ar) has been proposed as operative mechanism rather than the concerted metalation-deprotonation (CMD) mechanism, widely implicated in Pd-catalyzed arylation reactions. Herein we have investigated the C-H activation step for several (hetero)arenes catalyzed by a Ir(III) catalyst and compared the data obtained with the results for the Pd(II)-catalyzed C-H bond activation. The calculations demonstrate that, similar to Pd(II)-catalyzed reactions, the Ir(III)-catalyzed direct C-H arylation occurs through the CMD pathway which accounts for the experimentally observed regioselectivity. The transition states for Ir(III)-catalyzed direct C-H arylation feature stronger metal-C((arene)) interactions than those for Pd(II)-catalyzed C-H arylation. The calculations also demonstrate that ligands with low trans effect may decrease the activation barrier of the C-H bond cleavage.     

C-H...N and C-H...S hydrogen bonds--influence of hybridization on their strength

Simple complexes connected through C-H...S and C-H...N interactions are investigated: CH4...NH3, C2H4...NH3, C2H2...NH3, CH4...SH2, C2H4...SH2, and C2H2...SH2. Ab initio and DFT calculations are performed (SCF, MP2, B3LYP) using different basis sets up to the MP2/aug-cc-pVQZ//MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ level of approximation. The Bader theory is applied since MP2/6-311++G(d,p) wave functions are used to find and to characterize bond critical points in terms of electron densities and their Laplacians. The influence of hybridization on the properties of C-H...S and C-H...N systems is also studied showing that the strength of such interactions increases in the following order: C(sp3)-H...Y, C(sp2)-H...Y, C(sp)-H...Y, where Y = S, N--it is in line with the previous findings on C-H...O hydrogen bonds. The results also show that CH4...SH2 and C2H4...SH2 complexes should be rather classified as van der Waals interactions and not as hydrogen bonds. The frequency associated with the C-H stretch of C(sp3)-H...S is blue-shifted.