Copper‐Catalyzed C(sp3)−H Amidation: Sterically Driven Primary and Secondary C−H Site‐Selectivity

Undirected C(sp³)?H functionalization reactions often follow site‐selectivity patterns that mirror the corresponding C?H bond dissociation energies (BDEs). This often results in the functionalization of weaker tertiary C?H bonds in the presence of stronger secondary and primary bonds. An important, contemporary challenge is the development of catalyst systems capable of selectively functionalizing stronger primary and secondary C?H bonds over tertiary and benzylic C?H sites. Herein, we report a Cu catalyst that exhibits a high degree of primary and secondary over tertiary C?H bond selectivity in the amidation of linear and cyclic hydrocarbons with aroyl azides ArC(O)N₃. Mechanistic and DFT studies indicate that C?H amidation involves H‐atom abstraction from R‐H substrates by nitrene intermediates [Cu](κ²‐N,O‐NC(O)Ar) to provide carbon‐based radicals R^. and copper(II)amide intermediates [Cu^II]‐NHC(O)Ar that subsequently capture radicals R^. to form products R‐NHC(O)Ar. These studies reveal important catalyst features required to achieve primary and secondary C?H amidation selectivity in the absence of directing groups.     

Two‐component molecular crystals composed of chloronitrobenzoic acids and 4‐aminopyridine

The crystal structures of the four isomeric organic salts 4‐amino­pyridinium 2‐chloro‐4‐nitro­benzoate, (I), 4‐amino­pyridinium 2‐chloro‐5‐nitro­benzoate, (II), 4‐amino­pyridinium 5‐chloro‐2‐nitro­benzoate, (III), and 4‐amino­pyridinium 4‐chloro‐2‐nitro­benzoate, (IV), all C₅H₇N₂⁺·C₇H₃ClNO₄^?, are presented. Compound (I) has one intramolecular hydrogen bond, one intermolecular C—H?O hydrogen bond and π–π‐stacking interactions. Compound (II) has N—H?O, C—H?O and C—H?Cl hydrogen bonds, and Cl?O—C electrostatic interactions. Compound (III) has N—H?O and C—H?O hydrogen bonds. Compound (IV) has a π–π‐stacking interaction, but no C—H?O hydrogen bonds.     

Aldehyde‐Assisted Ruthenium(II)‐Catalyzed CH Oxygenations

Versatile ruthenium(II) complexes allow for site‐selective C? H oxygenations with weakly‐coordinating aldehydes. The challenging C? H functionalizations proceed with high chemoselectivity by rate‐determining C? H metalation. The new method features an ample substrate scope, which sets the stage for the step‐economical preparation of various bioactive heterocycles.     

2‐Iodo‐N‐(3‐nitrobenzyl)aniline and 3‐iodo‐N‐(3‐nitrobenzyl)aniline exhibit entirely different patterns of supramolecular aggregation

In 2‐iodo‐N‐(3‐nitro­benzyl)­aniline, C₁₃H₁₁IN₂O₂, the mol­ecules are linked into a three‐dimensional structure by a combination of C—H?O hydrogen bonds, iodo–nitro interactions and aromatic π–π‐stacking interactions, but N—H?O and C—H?π(arene) hydrogen bonds are absent. In the isomeric 3‐iodo‐N‐(3‐nitro­benzyl)­aniline, a two‐dimensional array is generated by a combination of N—H?O, C—H?O and C—H?π(arene) hydrogen bonds, but iodo–nitro interactions and aromatic π–π‐stacking interactions are both absent.     

α‐Halogenoacetanilides as Hydrogen‐Bonding Organocatalysts that Activate Carbonyl Bonds: Fluorine versus Chlorine and Bromine

α‐Halogenoacetanilides (X=F, Cl, Br) were examined as H‐bonding organocatalysts designed for the double activation of C?O bonds through NH and CH donor groups. Depending on the halide substituents, the double H‐bond involved a nonconventional C?H???O interaction with either a H?CX_n (n=1–2, X=Cl, Br) or a H?C_Ar bond (X=F), as shown in the solid‐state crystal structures and by molecular modeling. In addition, the catalytic properties of α‐halogenoacetanilides were evaluated in the ring‐opening polymerization of lactide, in the presence of a tertiary amine as cocatalyst. The α‐dichloro‐ and α‐dibromoacetanilides containing electron‐deficient aromatic groups afforded the most attractive double H‐bonding properties towards C?O bonds, with a N?H???O???H?CX₂ interaction.     

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.     

Distal Weak Coordination of Acetamides in Ruthenium(II)‐Catalyzed C−H Activation Processes

C?H activations with challenging arylacetamides were accomplished by versatile ruthenium(II) biscarboxylate catalysis. The distal C?H functionalization offers ample scope—including twofold oxidative C?H functionalizations and alkyne hydroarylations—through facile base‐assisted internal electrophilic‐type substitution (BIES) C?H ruthenation by weak O‐coordination.     

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.     

1‐Silacyclopent‐2‐enes and 1‐silacyclohex‐2‐enes bearing functionally substituted silyl groups in 2‐positions. Novel electron‐deficient Si?H?B bridges

The reactions of alkyn‐1‐yl(vinyl)silanes R₂Si[C?C‐Si(H)Me₂]CH?CH₂ [R = Me (1a), Ph (1b)], Me₂Si[C?C‐Si(Br)Me₂]CH?CH₂ (2a), and of alkyn‐1‐yl(allyl)silanes R₂Si[C?C‐Si(H)Me₂]CH₂CH?CH₂ (R = Me (3a), R = Ph (3b)] with 9‐borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane in a 1:1 ratio afford in high yield the 1‐silacyclopent‐2‐ene derivatives 4a, b and 5a, and the 1‐silacyclohex‐2‐ene derivatives 6a, b, respectively, all of which bear a functionally substituted silyl group in 2‐position and the boryl group in 3‐position. This is the result of selective intermolecular 1,2‐hydroboration of the vinyl or allyl group, followed by intramolecular 1,1‐organoboration of the alkynyl group. In the cases of 4a, b, potential electron‐deficient Si? H? B bridges are absent or extremely weak, whereas in 6a,b the existence of Si? H? B bridges is evident from the NMR spectroscopic data (¹H, ¹¹B, ¹³C and ²⁹Si NMR). The molecular structure of 4b was determined by X‐ray analysis. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Late‐Stage Diversification through Manganese‐Catalyzed C−H Activation: Access to Acyclic,Hybrid, and Stapled Peptides

Bioorthogonal C?H allylation with ample scope was accomplished through a versatile manganese(I)‐catalyzed C?H activation for the late‐stage diversification of structurally complex peptides. The unique robustness of the manganese(I) catalysis manifold was reflected by full tolerance of sensitive functional groups, such as iodides, esters, amides, and OH‐free hydroxy groups, thereby setting the stage for the racemization‐free synthesis of C?H fused peptide hybrids featuring steroids, drug molecules, natural products, nucleobases, and saccharides.     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Cascade CH Functionalization of Phenylacetophenones

Three orthogonal cascade C? H functionalization processes are described, based on ruthenium‐catalyzed C? H alkenylation. 1‐Indanones, indeno indenes, and indeno furanones were accessed through cascade pathways by using arylacetophenones as substrates under conditions of catalytic [{Ru(p‐cymene)Cl₂}₂] and stoichiometric Cu(OAc)₂. Each transformation uses C? H functionalization methods to form C? C bonds sequentially, with the indeno furanone synthesis featuring a C? O bond formation as the terminating step. This work demonstrates the power of ruthenium‐catalyzed alkenylation as a platform reaction to develop more complex transformations, with multiple C? H functionalization steps taking place in a single operation to access novel carbocyclic structures.     

Late‐Stage Diversification through Manganese‐Catalyzed C−H Activation: Access to Acyclic,Hybrid, and Stapled Peptides

Bioorthogonal C?H allylation with ample scope was accomplished through a versatile manganese(I)‐catalyzed C?H activation for the late‐stage diversification of structurally complex peptides. The unique robustness of the manganese(I) catalysis manifold was reflected by full tolerance of sensitive functional groups, such as iodides, esters, amides, and OH‐free hydroxy groups, thereby setting the stage for the racemization‐free synthesis of C?H fused peptide hybrids featuring steroids, drug molecules, natural products, nucleobases, and saccharides.     

Site‐Selective δ‐C(sp3)−H Alkylation of Amino Acids and Peptides with Maleimides via a Six‐Membered Palladacycle

The site‐selective functionalization of unactivated C(sp³)?H bonds remains one of the greatest challenges in organic synthesis. Herein, we report on the site‐selective δ‐C(sp³)?H alkylation of amino acids and peptides with maleimides via a kinetically less favored six‐membered palladacycle in the presence of more accessible γ‐C(sp³)?H bonds. Experimental studies revealed that C?H bond cleavage occurs reversibly and preferentially at γ‐methyl over δ‐methyl C?H bonds while the subsequent alkylation proceeds exclusively at the six‐membered palladacycle that is generated by δ‐C?H activation. The selectivity can be explained by the Curtin–Hammett principle. The exceptional compatibility of this alkylation with various oligopeptides renders this procedure valuable for late‐stage peptide modifications. Notably, this process is also the first palladium(II)‐catalyzed Michael‐type alkylation reaction that proceeds through C(sp³)?H activation.     

Synthesis of Polysubstituted Iodoarenes Enabled by Iterative Iodine‐Directed para and ortho C−H Functionalization

Among halogenated aromatics, iodoarenes are unique in their ability to produce the bench‐stable halogen(III) form. Earlier, such iodine(III) centers were shown to enable C?H functionalization ortho to iodine via halogen‐centered rearrangement. The broader implications of this phenomenon are explored by testing the extent of an unusual iodane‐directed para C?H benzylation, as well as by developing an efficient C?H coupling with sulfonyl‐substituted allylic silanes. Through the combination of the one‐shot nature of the coupling event and the iodine retention, multisubstituted arenes can be prepared by sequentially engaging up to three aromatic C?H sites. This type of iodine‐based iterative synthesis will serve as a tool for the formation of value‐added aromatic cores.     

Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed CC and CO Coupling of Quinoline N‐Oxides with Alkynes: Combination of CH Activation with O‐Atom Transfer

[Cp*Rh^III]‐catalyzed C? H activation of arenes assisted by an oxidizing N? O or N? N directing group has allowed the construction of a number of hetercycles. In contrast, a polar N? O bond is well‐known to undergo O‐atom transfer (OAT) to alkynes. Despite the liability of N? O bonds in both C? H activation and OAT, these two important areas evolved separately. In this report, [Cp*Rh^III] catalysts integrate both areas in an efficient redox‐neutral coupling of quinoline N‐oxides with alkynes to afford α‐(8‐quinolyl)acetophenones. In this process the N? O bond acts as both a directing group for C? H activation and as an O‐atom donor.     

Influence of the Homopolar Dihydrogen Bonding CH⋅⋅⋅HC on Coordination Geometry: Experimental and Theoretical Studies

The reaction of the N‐thiophosphorylated thiourea (HOCH₂)(Me)₂CNHC(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂ (HL), deprotonated by the thiophosphorylamide group, with NiCl₂ leads to green needles of the pseudotetrahedral complex [Ni(L‐1,5‐S,S′)₂] ? 0.5 (n‐C₆H₁₄) or pale green blocks of the trans square‐planar complex trans‐[Ni(L‐1,5‐S,S′)₂]. The former complex is stabilized by homopolar dihydrogen C?H???H?C interactions formed by n‐hexane solvent molecules with the [Ni(L‐1,5‐S,S′)₂] unit. Furthermore, the dispersion‐dominated C?H??? H?C interactions are, together with other noncovalent interactions (C?H???N, C?H???Ni, C?H???S), responsible for pseudotetrahedral coordination around the Ni^II center in [Ni(L ‐1,5‐S,S′)₂] ? 0.5 (n‐C₆H₁₄).     

Nickel‐Catalyzed C−H Chalcogenation of Anilines

The C?H thiolation of aniline derivatives was accomplished with a versatile nickel(II) catalyst under ligand‐free conditions. The robust nature of the nickel catalysis system was reflected by the C?H thiolation with a good functional group tolerance and an ample scope, employing anilines possessing removable directing groups. The widely applicable nickel catalyst also allowed for aniline C?H selenylations, while mechanistic studies provided strong support that the rate‐determining step is the C?H activation.     

Blue‐shifted and red‐shifted hydrogen bonds: Theoretical study of the CH3CHO· · ·HNO complexes

The blue‐shifted and red‐shifted H‐bonds have been studied in complexes CH₃CHO…HNO. At the MP2/6‐31G(d), MP2/6‐31+G(d,p) MP2/6‐311++G(d,p), B3LYP/6‐31G(d), B3LYP/6‐31+G(d,p) and B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) levels, the geometric structures and vibrational frequencies of complexes CH₃CHO…HNO are calculated by both standard and CP‐corrected methods, respectively. Complex A exhibits simultaneously red‐shifted C? H…O and blue‐shifted N? H…O H‐bonds. Complex B possesses simultaneously two blue‐shifted H‐bonds: C? H…O and N? H…O. From NBO analysis, it becomes evident that the red‐shifted C? H…O H‐bond can be explained on the basis of the two opposite effects: hyperconjugation and rehybridization. The blue‐shifted C? H…O H‐bond is a result of conjunct C? H bond strengthening effects of the hyperconjugation and the rehybridization due to existence of the significant electron density redistribution effect. For the blue‐shifted N? H…O H‐bonds, the hyperconjugation is inhibited due to existence of the electron density redistribution effect. The large blue shift of the N? H stretching frequency is observed because the rehybridization dominates the hyperconjugation. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006     

Through‐Space 1,4‐Palladium Migration and 1,2‐Aryl Shift: Direct Access to Dibenzo[a,c]carbazoles through a Triple CH Functionalization Cascade

A palladium‐catalyzed expeditious synthesis of dibenzofused carbazoles from readily available 2‐arylindoles and diaryliodonium salts is reported. Interestingly, after the electrophilic C3 palladation of indole, an unexpected “through‐space” 1,4‐palladium migration to the 2‐aryl moiety, by remote C?H bond activation followed by C?H arylation with diaryliodonium salt, and an unprecedented 1,2‐aryl shift take place. Finally, an intramolecular cross‐dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) at the C2 position affords dibenzo[a,c]carbazoles in high yields. Remarkably, the present migratory annulation occurs through three C?H bond activation one C?C bond cleavage, and the simultaneous construction of three new C?C bonds in a single operation.