Site‐Selective C−S Bond Formation at C−Br over C−OTf and C−Cl Enabled by an Air‐Stable,Easily Recoverable,and Recyclable Palladium(I) Catalyst

This report widens the repertoire of emerging Pd^I catalysis to carbon–heteroatom, that is, C−S bond formation. While Pd⁰‐catalyzed protocols may suffer from the formation of poisonous sulfide‐bound off‐cycle intermediates and lack of selectivity, the mechanistically diverse Pd^I catalysis concept circumvents these challenges and allows for C−S bond formation (S–aryl and S–alkyl) of a wide range of aryl halides. Site‐selective thiolations of C−Br sites in the presence of C−Cl and C−OTf were achieved in a general and a priori predictable fashion. Computational, spectroscopic, X‐ray, and reactivity data support dinuclear Pd^I catalysis to be operative. Contrary to air‐sensitive Pd⁰, the active Pd^I species was easily recovered in the open atmosphere and subjected to multiple rounds of recycling.     

C−H and C−N Activation at Redox‐Active Pyridine Complexes of Iron

Pyridine activation by inexpensive iron catalysts has great utility, but the steps through which iron species can break the strong (105–111 kcal mol⁻¹) C−H bonds of pyridine substrates are unknown. In this work, we report the rapid room‐temperature cleavage of C−H bonds in pyridine, 4‐tert‐butylpyridine, and 2‐phenylpyridine by an iron(I) species, to give well‐characterized iron(II) products. In addition, 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) undergoes room‐temperature C−N bond cleavage, which forms a dimethylamidoiron(II) complex and a pyridyl‐bridged tetrairon(II) square. These facile bond‐cleaving reactions are proposed to occur through intermediates having a two‐electron reduced pyridine that bridges two iron centers. Thus, the redox non‐innocence of the pyridine can play a key role in enabling high regioselectivity for difficult reactions.     

C−I‐Selective Cross‐Coupling Enabled by a Cationic Palladium Trimer

While there is a growing interest in harnessing synergistic effects of more than one metal in catalysis, relatively little is known beyond bimetallic systems. This report describes the straightforward access to an air‐stable Pd trimer and presents unambiguous reactivity data of its privileged capability to differentiate C?I over C?Br bonds in C?C bond formations (arylation and alkylation) of polyhalogenated arenes, which typical Pd⁰ and Pd^I‐Pd^I catalysts fail to deliver. Experimental and computational reactivity data, including the first location of a transition state for bond activation by the trimer, are presented, supporting direct trimer reactivity to be feasible.     

Selective Palladium‐Catalyzed Allenic C−H Bond Oxidation for the Synthesis of [3]Dendralenes

A highly selective palladium‐catalyzed allenic C−H bond oxidation was developed, and it provides a novel and straightforward synthesis of [3]dendralene derivatives. A variety of [3]dendralenes with diverse substitution patterns are accessible with good efficiency and high stereoselectivity. The reaction tolerates a broad substrate scope containing various functional groups on the allene moiety, including ketone, aldehyde, ester, and phenyl groups. Also, a wide range of olefins with both electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing aryls, acrylate, sulfone, and phosphonate groups are tolerated.     

C−H Arylation on Nickel Nanoparticles Monitored by In Situ Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Bifunctional Au@Ni core–satellite nanostructures synthesized by a one‐step assembly method were employed for in situ surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopic (SERS) monitoring of Ni‐catalyzed C?C bond‐forming reactions. Surprisingly, the reaction that was thought to be an Ullmann‐type self‐coupling reaction, was found to be a cross‐coupling reaction proceeding by photoinduced aromatic C?H bond arylation. In situ SERS monitoring enabled the discovery, and a series of biphenyl compounds were synthesized photocatalytically, and at room temperature, using cheap Ni nanoparticle catalysts.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Chemo‐ and Enantioselective C−O Bond Cleavage of α‐Acyloxy Ketones by Hydrogenolysis

A chemoselective C−O bond cleavage of the ester alkyl side‐chain of α‐acyloxy ketones was realized for the first time by a highly efficient palladium‐catalyzed hydrogenolysis (S/C=6000, the highest catalytic efficiency by far). Furthermore, a kinetic resolution of α‐acyloxy ketones was first developed by enantioselective hydrogenolysis with good yields and up to 99 % ee.     

Surface‐Dependent Chemoselectivity in C−C Coupling Reactions

Surface‐confined covalent coupling reactions of the linear compound 4‐(but‐3‐en‐1‐ynyl)‐4′‐ethynyl‐1,1′‐biphenyl ( 1 ), which contains one alkyne and one enyne group on opposing ends, have been investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The reactions show a surface‐dependent chemoselectivity: on Au(111), compound 1 preferentially yields cyclotrimerization products, while on Cu(111), a selective coupling between the enyne and alkyne groups is observed. Linear, V‐shaped string formations combined with Y‐shaped bifurcation motifs result in a random reticulation on the entire surface. DFT calculations show that the C?H???π^δ? transition state of the reaction between the deprotonated alkyne group and a nearby H‐donor of the alkene group plays a key role in the mechanism and high chemoselectivity. This study highlights a concept that opens new avenues to the surface‐confined synthesis of covalent carbon‐based sp–sp² polymers.     

Modular Functionalization of Arenes in a Triply Selective Sequence: Rapid C(sp2) and C(sp3) Coupling of C−Br,C−OTf,and C−Cl Bonds Enabled by a Single Palladium(I) Dimer

Full control over multiple competing coupling sites would enable straightforward access to densely functionalized compound libraries. Historically, the site selection in Pd⁰‐catalyzed functionalizations of poly(pseudo)halogenated arenes has been unpredictable, being dependent on the employed catalyst, the reaction conditions, and the substrate itself. Building on our previous report of C−Br‐selective functionalization in the presence of C−OTf and C−Cl bonds, we herein complete the sequence and demonstrate the first general arylations and alkylations of C−OTf bonds (in <10 min), followed by functionalization of the C−Cl site (in <25 min), at room temperature using the same air‐ and moisture‐stable Pd^I dimer. This allowed the realization of the first general and triply selective sequential C−C coupling (in 2D and 3D space) of C−Br followed by C−OTf and then C−Cl bonds.     

Multicomponent Reactions with Cyclic Tertiary Amines Enabled by Facile C−N Bond Cleavage

A novel and catalyst‐free multicomponent reaction with cyclic tertiary amines, electron‐deficient aryl halides or heteroaromatic halides, and Na₂S enabled by facile C−N bond cleavage of the cyclic tertiary amines was developed. This direct and operationally simple method can be applied with a wide range of functional groups and provides an efficient and rapid approach to potentially drug‐like products containing amine, azaarene, thioether, or phenol ether functionalities in good to excellent yields. The utility of this method was demonstrated by the rapid synthesis of the analgesic ruzadolane.     

Interconverting Lanthanum Hydride and Borohydride Catalysts for C=O Reduction and C−O Bond Cleavage

The high catalytic reactivity of homoleptic tris(alkyl) lanthanum La{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ is highlighted by C?O bond cleavage in the hydroboration of esters and epoxides at room temperature. The catalytic hydroboration tolerates functionality typically susceptible to insertion, reduction, or cleavage reactions. Turnover numbers (TON) up to 10 000 are observed for aliphatic esters. Lanthanum hydrides, generated by reactions with pinacolborane, are competent for reduction of ketones but are inert toward esters. Instead, catalytic reduction of esters requires activation of the lanthanum hydride by pinacolborane.     

Diastereoselective C−H Bond Amination for Disubstituted Pyrrolidines

We report herein the improved diastereoselective synthesis of 2,5‐disubstituted pyrrolidines from aliphatic azides. Experimental and theoretical studies of the C−H amination reaction mediated by the iron dipyrrinato complex (^AdL)FeCl(OEt₂) provided a model for diastereoinduction and allowed for systematic variation of the catalyst to enhance selectivity. Among the iron alkoxide and aryloxide catalysts evaluated, the iron phenoxide complex exhibited superior performance towards the generation of syn 2,5‐disubstituted pyrrolidines with high diastereoselectivity.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of C−N Axially Chiral N‐Aryloxindoles by Asymmetric Rhodium‐Catalyzed Dual C−H Activation

The first enantioselective Satoh–Miura‐type reaction is reported. A variety of C?N axially chiral N‐aryloxindoles have been enantioselectively synthesized by an asymmetric rhodium‐catalyzed dual C?H activation reaction of N‐aryloxindoles and alkynes. High yields and enantioselectivities were obtained (up to 99 % yield and up to 99 % ee). To date, it is also the first example of the asymmetric synthesis of C?N axially chiral compounds by such a C?H activation strategy.     

Ni‐Catalyzed Stannylation of Aryl Esters via C−O Bond Cleavage

A Ni‐catalyzed stannylation of aryl esters with air‐ and moisture‐insensitive silylstannyl reagents via C −O cleavage is described. This protocol is characterized by its wide scope, including challenging combinations, thus enabling access to versatile building blocks and orthogonal C−heteroatom bond formations.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed meta‐C−H Functionalization of Arenes

Rhodium‐catalyzed ortho ‐C−H functionalization is well known in the literature. Described herein is the Xphos‐supported rhodium catalysis of meta ‐C−H olefination of benzylsulfonic acid and phenyl acetic acid frameworks with the assistance of a para ‐methoxy‐substituted cyano phenol as the directing group. Complete mono‐selectivity is observed for both scaffolds. A wide range of olefins and functional groups attached to arene are tolerated in this protocol.     

Synthesis of Chiral Aldehyde Catalysts by Pd‐Catalyzed Atroposelective C−H Naphthylation

Chiral aldehyde catalysis opens new avenues for the activation of simple amines. However, the lack of easy access to structurally diverse chiral aldehyde catalysts has hampered the development of this cutting‐edge field. Herein, we report a Pd‐catalyzed atroposelective C?H naphthylation with 7‐oxabenzonorbornadienes for the preparation of axially chiral biaryls with excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99 % ee). This reaction is scalable and robust, which serves as a key step to provide a rapid access to axially chiral aldehyde catalysts through a three‐step C?H functionalization sequence. These chiral aldehydes exhibit better activities and enantioselectivities than the previously reported organocatalysts in the asymmetric activation of glycine derived amides and dipeptides. Moreover, preliminary investigation also discloses that the aldehyde catalyst can effectively override the intrinsic facial selectivity of chiral dipeptide substrates, showcasing the strong chiral induction ability of this type of novel aldehyde catalysts.     

Full Selectivity Control in Cobalt(III)‐Catalyzed C−H Alkylations by Switching of the C−H Activation Mechanism

Selectivity control in hydroarylation‐based C−H alkylation has been dominated by steric interactions. A conceptually distinct strategy that exploits the programmed switch in the C−H activation mechanism by means of cobalt catalysis is presented, which sets the stage for convenient C−H alkylations with unactivated alkenes. Detailed mechanistic studies provide compelling evidence for a programmable switch in the C−H activation mechanism from a linear‐selective ligand‐to‐ligand hydrogen transfer to a branched‐selective base‐assisted internal electrophilic‐type substitution.     

Selective C−H Bond Cleavage in Methane by Small Gold Clusters

Methane represents the major constituent of natural gas. It is primarily used only as a source of energy by means of combustion, but could also serve as an abundant hydrocarbon feedstock for high quality chemicals. One of the major challenges in catalysis research nowadays is therefore the development of materials that selectively cleave one of the four C−H bonds of methane and thus make it amenable for further chemical conversion into valuable compounds. By employing infrared spectroscopy and first‐principles calculations it is uncovered herein that the interaction of methane with small gold cluster cations leads to selective C−H bond dissociation and the formation of hydrido methyl complexes, H‐Au_x ⁺‐CH₃. The distinctive selectivity offered by these gold clusters originates from a fine interplay between the closed‐shell nature of the d states and relativistic effects in gold. Such fine balance in fundamental interactions could prove to be a tunable feature in the rational design of a catalyst.     

para‐Selective C−H Borylation of (Hetero)Arenes by Cooperative Iridium/Aluminum Catalysis

para ‐Selective C−H borylation of benzamides and pyridines has been achieved by cooperative iridium/aluminum catalysis. A combination of iridium catalysts commonly employed for arene C−H borylation and bulky aluminum‐based Lewis acid catalysts provides an unprecedented strategy for controlling the regioselectivity of C−H borylation to give variously substituted (hetero)arylboronates, which are versatile synthetic intermediates for complex multi‐substituted aromatic compounds.