Metal‐Free Oxidative CC Bond Formation through CH Bond Functionalization

The formation of C?C bonds embodies the core of organic chemistry because of its fundamental application in generation of molecular diversity and complexity. C?C bond‐forming reactions are well‐known challenges. To achieve this goal through direct functionalization of C?H bonds in both of the coupling partners represents the state‐of‐the‐art in organic synthesis. Oxidative C?C bond formation obviates the need for prefunctionalization of both substrates. This Minireview is dedicated to the field of C?C bond‐forming reactions through direct C?H bond functionalization under completely metal‐free oxidative conditions. Selected important developments in this area have been summarized with representative examples and discussions on their reaction mechanisms.     

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.     

Enantioselective ortho‐CH Cross‐Coupling of Diarylmethylamines with Organoborons

The commonly used para‐nitrobenzenesulfonyl (nosyl) protecting group is employed to direct the C? H activation of amines for the first time. An enantioselective ortho‐C? H cross‐coupling between nosyl‐protected diarylmethylamines and arylboronic acid pinacol esters has been achieved utilizing chiral mono‐N‐protected amino acid (MPAA) ligands as a promoter.     

Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed Regiospecific Dimerization of Aromatic Acids: Two Direct CH Bond Activations in Water

2,2′‐Diaryl acids are key building blocks for some of the most important and high‐performance polymers such as polyesters and polyamides (imides), as well as structural motifs of MOFs (metal–organic frameworks) and biological compounds. In this study, a direct, regiospecific and practical dimerization of simple aromatic acids to generate 2,2′‐diaryl acids has been discovered, which proceeds through two rhodium‐catalyzed C? H activations in water. This reaction can be easily scaled up to gram level by using only 0.4–0.6 mol % of the rhodium catalyst. As a proof‐of‐concept, the natural product ellagic acid was synthesized in two steps by this method.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Cross‐Coupling Reaction between Allylic CH Bonds and α‐CH Bonds of Ketones or Aldehydes

A dehydrogenative cross‐coupling reaction between allylic C?H bonds and the α‐C?H bond of ketones or aldehydes was developed using Cu(OTf)₂ as a catalyst and DDQ as an oxidant. This synthetic approach to γ,δ‐unsaturated ketones and aldehydes has the advantages of broad scope for both ketones and aldehydes as reactants, mild reaction conditions, good yields and atom economy. A plausible mechanism using Cu(OTf)₂ as a Lewis acid catalyst was also proposed (DDQ=2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone; Tf=trifluoromethanesulfonate).     

Aerobic Asymmetric Dehydrogenative Cross‐Coupling between Two CH Groups Catalyzed by a Chiral‐at‐Metal Rhodium Complex

A sustainable C? C bond formation is merged with the catalytic asymmetric generation of one or two stereocenters. The introduced catalytic asymmetric cross‐coupling of two C? H groups with molecular oxygen as the oxidant profits from the oxidative robustness of a chiral‐at‐metal rhodium(III) catalyst and exploits an autoxidation mechanism or visible‐light photosensitized oxidation. In the latter case, the catalyst serves a dual function, namely as a chiral Lewis acid for catalyzing enantioselective enolate chemistry and at the same time as a visible‐light‐driven photoredox catalyst.     

Modular Synthesis of Phenanthro[9,10‐c]thiophenes by a Sequence of CH Activation,Suzuki Cross‐Coupling and Photocyclization Reactions

A total number of 15 different 3,4‐diarylthiophenes were synthesized, which bear a chlorine atom in ortho‐position of one of the aryl substituents. One aryl group was introduced by an oxidative cross‐coupling reaction, involving a C?H activation at C4(3) of the thiophene core. The other aryl group was in most cases introduced by a Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction, which succeeded the oxidative cross‐coupling step. Photocyclization reactions of the 3,4‐diarylthiophenes were performed in a solvent mixture of benzene and acetonitrile (50:50 v/v) at λ=254 nm and proceeded to the title compounds in yields of 60–82 %. The selectivity of the photocyclization was determined at the ortho‐chloro‐substituted aryl ring by the position of the chlorine substituent. At the other ring, a single regioisomer was observed for phenyl and para‐substituted phenyl groups. For 2‐naphthyl and ortho‐substituted phenyl rings a clear preference was observed in favor of a major regioisomer, while meta‐substitution in the phenyl ring led to a about 1:1 mixture of 5‐ and 7‐substituted phenanthro[9,10‐c]thiophenes. Mechanistically, the photocyclization is likely to occur as a photochemically allowed, conrotatory [(4n+2)π] process accompanied by elimination of HCl. It was shown for two phenanthro[9,10‐c]thiophene products that they can be readily brominated in positions C1 and C3 (74–77 %), which in turn allows for further functionalization at these positions, for example, in the course of halogen–metal exchange and polymerization reactions.     

Hypervalent Activation as a Key Step for Dehydrogenative ortho CC Coupling of Iodoarenes

Building on earlier results, a direct metal‐free α‐ arylation of substituted cyclic 1,3‐diones using ArI(O₂CCF₃)₂ reagents has been developed; unlike other arylative approaches, the arylated products retain the iodine substituent ortho to the newly formed C?C bond. The mechanism is explored by using DFT calculations, which show a vanishingly small activation barrier for the C?C bond‐forming step. In fact, taking advantage of an efficient in situ hypervalent activation, the iodoarenes are shown to undergo a cross‐ dehydrogenative C?C coupling at the C?H ortho to the iodine. When Oxone is used as terminal oxidant, the process is found to benefit from a rapid initial formation of the hypervalent ArI(OR)₂ species and the sulfate‐accelerated final coupling with a ketone. This method complements the ipso selectivity obtained in the metal‐catalyzed α‐arylation of carbonyl compounds.     

Aniline Carbamates: A Versatile and Removable Motif for Palladium‐Catalyzed Directed CH Activation

The aniline carbamate is introduced as a new removable directing group for C?H activation. Its versatility and ability as a directing group are demonstrated by its use in the ortho‐arylation of a wide variety of aniline derivatives under palladium(II) catalysis, with symmetric diaryliodonium salts as aryl donors. The reaction differs from previously reported arylations in its selectivity and its mechanism, as elucidated by kinetic and isotopic experiments. The directing group can also be easily removed under a variety of conditions.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Construction of Heteroatom‐Containing π‐Conjugated Systems by Intramolecular Oxidative CH/CH Coupling Reaction

Synthesis of heteroatom‐containing ladder‐type π‐conjugated molecules was successfully achieved via a palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular oxidative C?H/C?H cross‐coupling reaction. This reaction provides a variety of π‐conjugated molecules bearing heteroatoms, such as nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur atoms, and a carbonyl group. The π‐conjugated molecules were synthesized efficiently, even in gram scale, and larger π‐conjugated molecules were also obtained by a double C?H/C?H cross‐coupling reaction and successive oxidative cycloaromatization.     

Manganese‐Catalyzed Dehydrogenative [4+2] Annulation of NH Imines and Alkynes by CH/NH Activation

Described herein is a manganese‐catalyzed dehydrogenative [4+2] annulation of N? H imines and alkynes, a reaction providing highly atom‐economical access to diverse isoquinolines. This transformation represents the first example of manganese‐catalyzed C? H activation of imines; the stoichiometric variant of the cyclomanganation was reported in 1971. The redox neutral reaction produces H₂ as the major byproduct and eliminates the need for any oxidants, external ligands, or additives, thus standing out from known isoquinoline synthesis by transition‐metal‐catalyzed C? H activation. Mechanistic studies revealed the five‐membered manganacycle and manganese hydride species as key reaction intermediates in the catalytic cycle.     

Mild and Versatile Nitrate‐Promoted CH Bond Fluorination

A novel and facile C? H bond fluorination proceeds under remarkably mild conditions (close to room temperature in most cases). Both aromatic and olefinic C(sp²)? H bonds with a wide range of electronic properties are selectively fluorinated in the presence of a catalytic amount of simple, cheap, and nontoxic nitrate as the promoter. A Pd^II/Pd^IV catalytic cycle that is initiated by an in situ generated cationic [Pd(NO₃)]⁺ species was proposed based on preliminary mechanistic studies.     

Carboxylate Assisted Ni‐Catalyzed CH Bond Allylation of Benzamides

A one‐step synthetic method was developed for allylation of benzamides using Ni(COD)₂/RCO₂H and [Ni(μ‐H₂O)(OOCCMe₃)₂(HOOCCMe₃)₂]₂ ( A′ ) catalytic system. Efficient, well‐defined, air and moisture‐stable Ni–pivalate complex was isolated and employed in catalytic allylation. The influence of solvent on product selectivity was also investigated.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed/Norbornene‐Mediated CH Activation/ N‐Tosylhydrazone Insertion Reaction: A Route to Highly Functionalized Vinylarenes

A straightforward method for the synthesis of highly functionalized vinylarenes through palladium‐catalyzed, norbornene‐mediated C?H activation/carbene migratory insertion is described. Extension to a one‐pot procedure is also developed. Furthermore, this method can also be used to generate polysubstituted bicyclic molecules. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions to give the products in satisfactory yields using readily available starting materials. This is a Catellani–Lautens reaction that incorporates different types of coupling partners. Additionally, this reaction is the first to demonstrate the possibility of combining Pd‐catalyzed insertion of diazo compounds and Pd‐catalyzed C?H activation.     

Mechanistic Study on Rh‐Catalyzed Stereoselective CC/CH Activation of tert‐Cyclobutanols

A mechanistic study was performed on the Rh‐catalyzed stereoselective C?C/C?H activation of tert‐cyclobutanols. The present study corroborated the previous proposal that the reaction occurs by metalation, β‐C elimination, 1,4‐Rh transfer, C?O insertion, and a final catalyst‐regeneration step. The rate‐determining step was found to be the 1,4‐Rh transfer step, whereas the stereoselectivity‐determining step did not correspond to any of the aforementioned steps. It was found that both the thermodynamic stability of the product of the β‐C elimination and the kinetic feasibility of the 1,4‐Rh transfer and C?O insertion steps made important contributions. In other words, three steps (i.e., β‐C elimination, 1,4‐Rh transfer, and C?O insertion) were found to be important in determining the configurations of the two quaternary stereocenters.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Inert CC and CN Bond Cleavage: A New Strategy for the Synthesis of Tertiary Amides

A copper‐catalyzed aerobic oxidative amidation reaction of inert C?C bonds with tertiary amines has been developed for the synthesis of tertiary amides, which are significant units in many natural products, pharmaceuticals, and fine chemicals. This method combines C?C bond activation, C?N bond cleavage, and C?H bond oxygenation in a one‐pot protocol, using molecular oxygen as the sole oxidant without any additional ligands.     

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.     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed meta‐Selective CH Bromination

The first example of a transition‐metal‐catalyzed, meta‐selective C? H bromination procedure is reported. In the presence of catalytic [{Ru(p‐cymene)Cl₂}₂], tetrabutylammonium tribromide can be used to functionalize the meta C? H bond of 2‐phenylpyridine derivatives, thus affording difficult to access products which are highly predisposed to further derivatization. We demonstrate this utility with one‐pot bromination/arylation and bromination/alkenylation procedures to deliver meta‐arylated and meta‐alkenylated products, respectively, in a single step.