Modular Assembly of Spirocarbocyclic Scaffolds through Pd0‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Dearomatizing [2+2+1] Annulation of Bromonaphthols with Aryl Iodides and Alkynes

A novel palladium(0)‐catalyzed dearomatizing [2+2+1] spiroannulation of 1‐bromo‐2‐naphthols with aryl iodides and alkynes was developed for the rapid assembly of spiro[indene‐1,1′‐naphthalen]‐2′‐ones. This three‐component cascade reaction was realized through consecutive Catellani‐type C−H activation, unsymmetrical biaryl coupling, alkyne migratory insertion, and arene dearomatization. The potential utility of our method is illustrated by the one‐step construction of the polycyclic skeletons of dalesconols A and B from alkyne‐tethered aryl iodides and 1‐bromo‐2‐naphthol.     

Cu‐Mediated Amination of (Hetero)Aryl C−H bonds with NH Azaheterocycles

Direct synthesis of N‐(hetero)arylated heteroarenes has been realized through Cu‐mediated C?N coupling of NH azaheterocycles with aryl C?H bonds under aerobic conditions. This method features a broad scope of both heterocyclic arenes (pyridine, quinoline, pyrazole, imidazole, furan, thiophene, benzofuran, and indole) and NH azaheterocycles (imidazole, pyrazole, indole, azindole, purine, indazole, benzimidazole, pyridone, carbazole), providing a versatile method for the synthesis of pharmaceutically important N‐(hetero)arylated heteroarenes. The versatility of this reaction was further demonstrated through late‐stage modification of marketed drugs and the synthesis of a key intermediate for accessing a class of angiotensin II receptor 1 antagonists.     

A Convergent Synthesis of Functionalized Alkenyl Halides through Cobalt(III)‐Catalyzed Three‐Component C−H Bond Addition

A Co^III‐catalyzed three‐component coupling of C(sp²)−H bonds, alkynes, and halogenating agents to give alkenyl halides is reported. This transformation proceeds with high regio‐ and diastereoselectivity, and is effective for a broad range of aryl and alkyl terminal alkynes. Diverse C−H bond partners also exhibit good reactivity for a range of heteroaryl and aryl systems as well as synthetically useful secondary and tertiary amide, urea, and pyrazole directing groups. This multicomponent transformation is also compatible with allenes in place of alkynes to furnish tetrasubstituted alkenyl halides, showcasing the first halo‐arylation of allenes.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Pyrazole‐Directed sp3 C−H Bond Arylation for the Synthesis of β‐Phenethylamines

We have developed a method for palladium‐catalyzed, pyrazole‐directed sp³ C−H bond arylation by aryl iodides. The reaction employs a Pd(OAc)₂ catalyst at 5–10 mol % loading and silver(I) oxide as a halide‐removal agent, and it proceeds in acetic acid or acetic acid/hexafluoroisopropanol solvent. Ozonolysis of the pyrazole moiety affords pharmaceutically important β‐phenethylamines.     

Nitroarenes as the Nitrogen Source in Intermolecular Palladium‐Catalyzed Aryl C–H Bond Aminocarbonylation Reactions

A three‐component palladium‐catalyzed aminocarbonylation of aryl and heteroaryl sp² C−H bonds using nitroarenes as the nitrogen source was achieved using Mo(CO)₆ as the reductant and origin of the CO. This intermolecular C−H bond functionalization does not requires any exogenous ligand to be added, and our mechanism experiments indicate that the palladacycle catalyst serves two roles in the aminocarbonylation reaction: reduce the nitroarene to a nitrosoarene and activate the sp² C−H bond.     

Direct Assembly of 3,4‐Difunctionalized Benzofurans and Polycyclic Benzofurans by Phenol Dearomatization and Palladium‐Catalyzed Domino Reaction

A method to directly convert 2‐alkynylphenols to 3,4‐difunctionalized benzofurans and polycyclic benzofurans was developed. This protocol involves a hypervalent‐iodine‐mediated oxidative dearomatization to break the aromaticity of 2‐alkynylphenols, and a palladium‐catalyzed domino reaction to install two functional groups at the C3 and the C4 positions and restore the aromaticity of benzofurans.     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed para‐Selective C−H Alkylation of Aniline Derivatives

The para ‐selective C−H alkylation of aniline derivatives furnished with a pyrimidine auxiliary is herein reported. This reaction is proposed to take place via an N−H‐activated cyclometalate formed in situ. Experimental and DFT mechanistic studies elucidate a dual role of the ruthenium catalyst. Here the ruthenium catalyst can undergo cyclometalation by N−H metalation (as opposed to C−H metalation in meta ‐selective processes) and form a redox active ruthenium species, to enable site‐selective radical addition at the para position.     

Palladium/Norbornene‐Catalyzed C−H Alkylation/Alkyne Insertion/Indole Dearomatization Domino Reaction: Assembly of Spiroindolenine‐Containing Pentacyclic Frameworks

Reported is a highly chemoselective intermolecular annulation of indole‐based biaryls with bromoalkyl alkynes by using palladium/norbornene (Pd/NBE) cooperative catalysis. This reaction is realized through a sequence of Catellani‐type C?H alkylation, alkyne insertion, and indole dearomatization, by forming two C(sp²)?C(sp³) and one C(sp²)?C(sp²) bonds in a single chemical operation, thus providing a diverse range of pentacyclic molecules, containing a spiroindolenine fragment, in good yields with excellent functional‐group tolerance. Preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that C?H bond cleavage is likely involved in the rate‐determining step, and the indole dearomatization might take place through an olefin coordination/insertion and β‐hydride elimination Heck‐type pathway.     

Synthesis of Homoallylic Alcohols with Acyclic Quaternary Centers through CoIII‐Catalyzed Three‐Component C−H Bond Addition to Internally Substituted Dienes and Carbonyls

An efficient Co^III‐catalyzed three‐component strategy to prepare homoallylic alcohols containing acyclic quaternary centers is disclosed. This transformation enables the introduction of two C?C σ bonds through C?H bond activation and sequential addition to internally substituted dienes and a wide range of aldehydes and activated ketones. Isoprene and other internally monosubstituted dienes are effective inputs, with the reaction proceeding with high diastereoselectivity for those substrate combinations that result in more than one stereogenic center. Moreover, the opposite relative stereochemistry can be achieved by employing 1,2‐disubstituted dienes. A mechanism for the transformation is proposed based upon the relative stereochemistry of the products and studies with isotopically labeled starting materials.     

Assembly of Functionalized 4‐Alkynylisoxazoles by Palladium‐Catalyzed Three‐Component Cascade Cyclization/Alkynylation

A novel N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐palladium‐catalyzed three‐component cascade cyclization/alkynylation for the synthesis of structurally diverse 4‐alkynylisoxazoles was efficiently developed in ionic liquids. The operational simplicity, without additives, no additional ligands, and 0.5 mol % catalyst loading under air are some of the attractive features of this present protocol.