Rhodium‐Catalyzed C(sp2)‐ or C(sp3)−H Bond Functionalization Assisted by Removable Directing Groups

In recent years, transition‐metal‐catalyzed C?H activation has become a key strategy in the field of organic synthesis. Rhodium complexes are widely used as catalysts in a variety of C?H functionalization reactions because of their high reactivity and selectivity. The availability of a number of rhodium complexes in various oxidation states enables diverse reaction patterns to be obtained. Regioselectivity, an important issue in C?H activation chemistry, can be accomplished by using a directing group to assist the reaction. However, to obtain the target functionalized compounds, it is also necessary to use a directing group that can be easily removed. A wide range of directed C?H functionalization reactions catalyzed by rhodium complexes have been reported to date. In this Review, we discuss Rh‐catalyzed C?H functionalization reactions that are aided by the use of a removable directing group such as phenol, amine, aldehyde, ketones, ester, acid, sulfonic acid, and N‐heteroaromatic derivatives.     

1,4‐Iron Migration for Expedient Allene Annulations through Iron‐Catalyzed C−H/N−H/C−O/C−H Functionalizations

C?H activation bears great potential for enabling sustainable molecular syntheses in a step‐ and atom‐economical manner, with major advances having been realized with precious 4d and 5d transition metals. In contrast, we employed earth abundant, nontoxic iron catalysts for versatile allene annulations through a unique C?H/N?H/C?O/C?H functionalization sequence. The powerful iron catalysis occurred under external‐oxidant‐free conditions even at room temperature, while detailed mechanistic studies revealed an unprecedented 1,4‐iron migration regime for facile C?H activations.     

From para‐Benziporphyrin to Rhodium(III) 21‐Carbaporphyrins: Imprinting Rh⋅⋅⋅η2‐CC,Rh⋅⋅⋅η2‐CO,and Rh⋅⋅⋅η2‐CH Coordination Motifs

Rhodium(III) para‐benziporphyrin alters the fundamental reactivity of the built‐in para‐phenylene moiety. Due to additional macrocyclic stabilization, a sequence of intramolecular rearrangements are triggered to afford rhodium(III) 21‐carbaporphyrin, which incorporates the rhodacyclopropane motif. The peculiar reversible transformations of the bridging methylene unit provide an example of selective and reversible aliphatic C?H bond elimination. Rhodium(III) 21‐carbaporphyrin can be oxygenated to rhodium(III) 21‐oxy‐21‐carbaporphyrin, whereas the metal ion interacts with the C(21)?O(25) fragment in an η² fashion. This species demonstrates a remarkable axial affinity toward alkenes.     

Asymmetric Alkenyl C−H Functionalization by CpxRhIII forms 2H‐Pyrrol‐2‐ones through [4+1]‐Annulation of Acryl Amides and Allenes

An efficient Cp^xRh^III‐catalyzed enantioselective alkenyl C?H functionalization/[4+1] annulation of acryl amides and allenes is reported. The described transformation provides straightforward access to enantioenriched α,β‐unsaturated‐γ‐lactams bearing a quaternary stereocenter. The reaction operates under mild conditions, displays a broad functional‐group tolerance, and provides 2H‐pyrrol‐2‐ones with excellent selectivity of up to 97:3 er. Such scaffolds are frequently found in natural products and synthetic bioactive compounds and are of significant synthetic value. It is noteworthy that the allene serves as a one‐carbon unit in the [4+1]‐annulation.     

Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed [3+2] Annulation of 5‐Aryl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrroles with Internal Alkynes through C(sp2)H/Alkene Functionalization

This study describes a new rhodium(III)‐catalyzed [3+2] annulation of 5‐aryl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrroles with internal alkynes using a Cu(OAc)₂ oxidant for building a spirocyclic ring system, which includes the functionalization of an aryl C(sp²)? H bond and addition/protonolysis of an alkene C?C bond. This method is applicable to a wide range of 5‐aryl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrroles and internal alkynes, and results in the assembly of the spiro[indene‐1,2′‐pyrrolidine] architectures in good yields with excellent regioselectivities.     

Synthesis of Dibenzo[c,e]oxepin‐5(7H)‐ones from Benzyl Thioethers and Carboxylic Acids: Rhodium‐Catalyzed Double CH Activation Controlled by Different Directing Groups

A rhodium(III)‐catalyzed cross‐coupling of benzyl thioethers and aryl carboxylic acids through the two directing groups is reported. Useful structures with diverse substituents were efficiently synthesized in one step with the cleavage of four bonds (C? H, C? S, O? H) and the formation of two bonds (C? C, C? O). The formed structure is the privileged core in natural products and bioactive molecules. This work highlights the power of using two different directing groups to enhance the selectivity of a double C? H activation, the first of such examples in cross‐oxidative coupling.     

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.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of Highly Substituted Polyheteroaromatic Compounds by Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Multiple CH Activation and Annulation

A new method for the synthesis of highly substituted naphthyridine‐based polyheteroaromatic compounds in high yields proceeds through rhodium(III)‐catalyzed multiple C? H bond cleavage and C? C and C? N bond formation in a one‐pot process. Such highly substituted polyheteroaromatic compounds have attracted much attention because of their unique π‐conjugation, which make them suitable materials for organic semiconductors and luminescent materials. Furthermore, a possible mechanism, which involves multiple chelation‐assisted ortho C? H activation, alkyne insertion, and reductive elimination, is proposed for this transformation.     

Solvent‐Dependent Asymmetric Synthesis of Alkynyl and Monofluoroalkenyl Isoindolinones by CpRhIII‐Catalyzed C−H Activation

The asymmetric synthesis of alkynyl and monofluoroalkenyl isoindolinones from N‐methoxy benzamides and α,α‐difluoromethylene alkynes is enabled by C?H activation with a chiral CpRh^III catalyst. Remarkably, product formation is solvent‐dependent; alkynyl isoindolinones are afforded in MeOH (up to 86 % yield, 99.6 % ee) whereas monofluoroalkenyl isoindolinones are generated in ⁱPrCN (up to 98:2 Z/E, 93 % yield, 86 % ee). Mechanistic studies revealed chiral allene and E‐configured alkenyl rhodium species as reaction intermediates. The latter is transformed into the corresponding Z‐configured monofluoroalkene upon protonation in the ⁱPrCN system and into an alkyne by an unusual anti β‐F elimination in the MeOH system. Notably, kinetic resolution processes occur in this reaction. Despite the moderate enantiocontrol for the formation of the chiral allene, the Z‐monofluoroalkenyl isoindolinones and alkynyl isoindolinones were obtained in good enantiopurities by one or two sequential kinetic resolution processes.     

Catalytic 1,4‐Rhodium(III) Migration Enables 1,3‐Enynes to Function as One‐Carbon Oxidative Annulation Partners in CH Functionalizations

1,3‐Enynes containing allylic hydrogens cis to the alkyne are shown to act as one‐carbon partners, rather than two‐carbon partners, in various rhodium‐catalyzed oxidative annulations. The mechanism of these unexpected transformations is proposed to occur through double C? H activation, involving a hitherto rare example of the 1,4‐migration of a Rh^III species. This phenomenon is general across a variety of substrates, and provides a diverse range of heterocyclic products.     

Cobalt‐Catalyzed C8‐Dienylation of Quinoline‐N‐Oxides

An efficient Cp*Co^III‐catalyzed C8‐dienylation of quinoline‐N‐oxides was achieved by employing allenes bearing leaving groups at the α‐position as the dienylating agents. The reaction proceeds by Co^III‐catalyzed C?H activation of quinoline‐N‐oxides and regioselective migratory insertion of the allene followed by a β‐oxy elimination, leading to overall dienylation. Site‐selective C?H activation was achieved with excellent selectivity under mild reaction conditions, and 30 mol % of a NaF additive was found to be crucial for the efficient dienylation. The methodology features high stereoselectivity, mild reaction conditions, and good functional‐group tolerance. C8‐alkenylation of quinoline‐N‐oxides was achieved in the case of allenes devoid of leaving groups as coupling partners. Furthermore, gram‐scale preparation and preliminary mechanistic experiments were carried out to gain insights into the reaction mechanism.     

3‐(p‐Chloro­phenyl)‐4‐phenyl‐4,5‐di­hydro­isoxazole‐5‐spiro‐2′‐1′,2′,3′,4′‐tetra­hydro­naphthalen‐1′‐one

In the title compound, C₂₄H₁₈ClNO₂, the phenyl ring and the tetralone moiety are approximately orthogonal to the isoxazoline ring. The isoxazoline ring adopts an envelope conformation, while the cyclo­hexenone ring of the tetralone moiety has an intermediate sofa/half‐chair conformation. In this structure, one C—H?N intermolecular and two C—H?O intramolecular hydrogen bonds occur; the H?A distances are 2.60, and 2.35 and 2.57 Å, respectively. The mol­ecules are held together by an intermolecular C—H?N hydrogen bond, forming a one‐dimensional chain along the [100] direction.     

Synthesis of Highly Substituted γ‐Butyrolactones by a Gold‐Catalyzed Cascade Reaction of Benzyl Esters

Easily accessible benzylic esters of 3‐butynoic acids in a gold‐catalyzed cyclization/rearrangement cascade reaction provided 3‐propargyl γ‐butyrolactones with the alkene and the carbonyl group not being conjugated. Crossover experiments showed that the formation of the new C?C bond is an intermolecular process. Initially propargylic–benzylic esters were used, but alkyl‐substituted benzylic esters worked equally well. In the case of the propargylic–benzylic products, a simple treatment of the products with aluminum oxide initiated a twofold tautomerization to the allenyl‐substituted γ‐butyrolactones with conjugation of the carbonyl group, the olefin, and the allene. The synthetic sequence can be conducted stepwise or as a one‐pot cascade reaction with similar yields. Even in the presence of the gold catalyst the new allene remains intact.     

Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Selective ortho‐Olefinations of N‐Acyl and N‐Aroyl Sulfoximines by CH Bond Activation

Two new rhodium‐catalyzed oxidative couplings between sulfoximine derivatives and alkenes by regioselective C?H activation, affording ortho‐olefinated (Heck‐type) products, are reported. A synthetic application of the ortho‐alkenylated products into the corresponding cyclic derivatives has been demonstrated, and a mechanistic rational for the rhodium catalysis is presented.     

Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed [4+1] Annulation of Aromatic and Vinylic Carboxylic Acids with Allenes: An Efficient Method Towards Vinyl‐Substituted Phthalides and 2‐Furanones

A highly regio‐ and stereoselective synthesis of 3,3‐disubstituted phthalides from aryl carboxylic acids and allenes using a rhodium(III) catalyst has been demonstrated. The reaction features broad functional group tolerance and provides a simple and straightforward route to the synthesis of various 3‐vinyl‐substituted phthalides. Furthermore, the catalytic reaction can also be applied to the synthesis of biologically active 5‐vinyl‐substituted 2‐furanones from α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acids and allenes. The reactions proceed through a carboxylate‐assisted ortho‐C?H activation and [4+1] annulation. The preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that a C?H cleavage is the rate‐determining step.     

Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Alkenylation–Annulation of closo‐Dodecaborate Anions through Double B−H Activation at Room Temperature

1,2,3‐Trisubstituted closo‐dodecaborates with B?O, B?N, and B?C bonds as well as a fused borane oxazole ring have been synthesized by rhodium‐catalyzed direct cage B?H alkenylation and annulation of ureido boranes in the first reported example of regioselective B?H bond functionalization of the [B₁₂H₁₂]^2? cage by transition‐metal catalysis. This reaction proceeded at room temperature under ambient conditions and exhibited excellent selectivity for efficient monoalkenylation with good functional‐group tolerance. The urea moiety enabled B?H activation by acting as a directing group, was incorporated in the oxazole ring in situ, and also avoided multiple alkenylation. A possible mechanism is proposed on the basis of the isolation of a rhodium agostic intermediate and control experiments.     

2‐(4‐Bromophenyl)‐1,2‐dihydropyrimido[1,2‐a]benzimidazol‐4(3H)‐one and 4‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐3,4‐dihydropyrimido[1,2‐a]benzimidazol‐2(1H)‐one form hydrogen‐bonded base‐paired dimers

The title compounds, 2‐(4‐bromo­phenyl)‐1,2‐di­hydro­pyrimido­[1,2‐a]­benzimidazol‐4‐(3H)‐one, C₁₆H₁₂Br­N₃O, (IVa), and 4‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐3,4‐dihydropyrimido[1,2‐a]benzimidazol‐2‐(1H)‐one, C₁₇H₁₅N₃O, (Vb), both form R(8) centrosymmetric dimers via N—H?N hydrogen bonds. The N?N distance is 2.943 (3) Å for (IVa) and 2.8481 (16) Å for (Vb), with the corresponding N—H?N angles being 129 and 167°, respectively. However, in other respects, the supra­molecular structures of the two compounds differ. Both compounds contain different C—H?π interactions, in which the C—H?π(centroid) distances are 2.59 and 2.47 Å for (IVa) and (Vb), respectively (the latter being a short distance), with C—H?π(centroid) angles of 158 and 159°, respectively. The supramolecular structures also differ, with a short Br?O distance of 3.117 (2) Å in bromo derivative (IVa), and a C—H?O interaction with a C?O distance of 3.2561 (19) Å and a C—H?O angle of 127° in tolyl system (Vb). The di­hydro­pyrimido part of (Vb) is disordered, with a ratio of the major and minor components of 0.9:0.1. The disorder consists of two non‐interchangeable envelope conformers, each with an equatorial tolyl group and an axial methine H atom.     

Nitrone Directing Groups in Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed C−H Activation of Arenes: 1,3‐Dipoles versus Traceless Directing Groups

Functionalizable directing groups (DGs) are highly desirable in C?H activation chemistry. The nitrone DGs are explored in rhodium(III)‐catalyzed C?H activation of arenes and couplings with cyclopropenones. N‐tert‐butyl nitrones bearing a small ortho substituent coupled to afford 1‐naphthols, where the nitrone acts as a traceless DG. In contrast, coupling of N‐tert‐butyl nitrones bearing a bulky ortho group follows a C?H acylation/[3+2] dipolar addition pathway to give bicyclics. The coupling of N‐arylnitrones follows the same acylation/[3+2] addition process but delivers different bicyclics.     

Isomerization of Olefins Triggered by Rhodium‐Catalyzed CH Bond Activation: Control of Endocyclic β‐Hydrogen Elimination

Five‐membered metallacycles are typically reluctant to undergo endocyclic β‐hydrogen elimination. The rhodium‐catalyzed isomerization of 4‐pentenals into 3‐pentenals occurs through this elementary step and cleavage of two C? H bonds, as supported by deuterium‐labeling studies. The reaction proceeds without decarbonylation, leads to trans olefins exclusively, and tolerates other olefins normally prone to isomerization. Endocyclic β‐hydrogen elimination can also be controlled in an enantiodivergent reaction on a racemic mixture.     

(4R)‐3‐Allenyl‐4‐(di­phenyl­methyl)­oxazolidin‐2‐one,an unsubstituted allen­amide

The first X‐ray structure of an unsubstituted allen­amide, C₁₉H₁₇NO₂, is reported. The solid‐state phase supports the notion that a key minimum conformation of allen­amides can be invoked to rationalize the observed stereochemical outcomes in many of our methodological studies employing allen­amides. This minimum conformation involves two important factors, i.e. having approximate coplanarity between the planes of the oxazolidinone ring and the internal olefin, and having the allene moiety facing away from the carbamate carbonyl group. The C—N—C=C torsion angle that quantifies this approximate coplanarity between the plane of the oxazolidinone ring and that of the internal olefin, as determined from this crystallographic study, is −19.1 (2)°. A minimized structural calculation, which determined this angle to be −16.1°, is in close agreement. Additional structural features include a probable π–π interaction between the allene moiety and a benzene ring, and non‐classical hydrogen bonding in the form of weak C—H⋯O interactions that are responsible for the formation of two‐dimensional networks.