Electrophotocatalytic Decarboxylative C−H Functionalization of Heteroarenes

Decarboxylative C?H functionalization reactions are highly attractive methods for forging carbon–carbon bonds considering their inherent step‐ and atom‐economical features and the pervasiveness of carboxylic acids and C?H bonds. An ideal approach to achieve these dehydrogenative transformations is through hydrogen evolution without using any chemical oxidants. However, effective couplings by decarboxylative carbon–carbon bond formation with proton reduction remain an unsolved challenge. Herein, we report an electrophotocatalytic approach that merges organic electrochemistry with photocatalysis to achieve the efficient direct decarboxylative C?H alkylation and carbamoylation of heteroaromatic compounds through hydrogen evolution. This electrophotocatalytic method, which combines the high efficiency and selectivity of photocatalysis in promoting decarboxylation with the superiority of electrochemistry in effecting proton reduction, enables the efficient coupling of a wide range of heteroaromatic bases with a variety of carboxylic acids and oxamic acids. Advantageously, this method is scalable to decagram amounts, and applicable to the late‐stage functionalization of drug molecules.     

Arene‐Limited Nondirected C−H Activation of Arenes

The nondirected C(sp²)−H activation of simple arenes has advanced significantly in recent years through the discovery of new catalyst systems that are able to perform transformations with the arene as the limiting reagent. Important developments in catalyst and ligand design that have improved reactivity and selectivity are reviewed.     

Manganese‐Mediated C−H Alkylation of Unbiased Arenes Using Alkylboronic Acids

The alkylation of arenes is an essential synthetic step of interest not only from the academic point of view but also in the bulk chemical industry. Despite its limitations, the Friedel–Crafts reaction is still the method of choice for most of the arene alkylation processes. Thus, the development of new strategies to synthesize alkyl arenes is a highly desirable goal, and herein, we present an alternative method to those conventional reactions. Particularly, a simple protocol for the direct C?H alkylation of unbiased arenes with alkylboronic acids in the presence of Mn(OAc)₃?2H₂O is reported. Primary or secondary unactivated alkylboronic acids served as alkylating agents for the direct functionalization of representative polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or benzene. The results are consistent with a free‐radical mechanism.     

Catalytic Oxidative Trifluoromethoxylation of Allylic C−H Bonds Using a Palladium Catalyst

A catalytic intermolecular allylic C−H trifluoromethoxylation reaction of alkenes has been developed based on the use of a palladium catalyst, CsOCF₃ as the trifluoromethoxide source, and benzoquinone as the oxidant. This reaction provides an efficient route for directly accessing allylic trifluoromethoxy derivatives with excellent regioselectivities from terminal alkenes via an allylic C−H bond activation process.     

Dual Ligand‐Enabled Nondirected C−H Olefination of Arenes

The application of the Pd‐catalyzed oxidative C?H olefination of arenes, also known as the Fujiwara–Moritani reaction, has traditionally been limited by the requirement for directing groups on the substrate or the need to use the arene in large excess, typically as a (co)solvent. Herein the development of a catalytic system is described that, through the combined action of two complementary ligands, makes it possible to use directing‐group‐free arenes as limiting reagents for the first time. The reactions proceed under a combination of both steric and electronic control and enable the application of this powerful reaction to valuable arenes, which cannot be utilized in excess.     

Sulfoximidations of Benzylic C−H bonds by Photocatalysis

An efficient photocatalytic functionalization of compounds with benzylic C?H bonds by sulfoximidation in visible light is described. The mild reaction conditions allow the use of a broad array of substrates, including diarylmethane, alkyl arenes, arylacetonitrile, 2‐arylacetate, and alkynyl aryl methanes. The sulfoximidation process is highly chemoselective and leads to the corresponding sulfoximines in generally good yields. Mechanistic investigations suggested the intermediacy of sulfoximidoyl radicals.     

Diverse meta‐C−H Functionalization of Arenes across Different Linker Lengths

Arenes containing conformationally flexible long alkyl chains have been successfully functionalized at the meta‐position. Good to excellent meta selectivity is achieved for systems with up to 20 atoms between the target C?H bond and the coordinating heteroatom of the directing group. The palladium‐catalyzed functionalization reactions include alkylation, cyanation, olefination, and acetoxylation. The meta selectivity is exclusively governed by the design of flexible pyrimidine‐based scaffolds.     

Beyond Friedel and Crafts: Directed Alkylation of C−H Bonds in Arenes

Alkylation of arenes is one of the most fundamental transformations in chemical synthesis and leads to privileged scaffolds in many areas of science. Classical methods for the introduction of alkyl groups to arenes are mostly based on the Friedel–Crafts reaction, radical additions, metalation, or prefunctionalization of the arene: these methods, however, suffer from limitations in scope, efficiency, and selectivity. Moreover, they are based on the innate reactivity of the starting arene, favoring the alkylation at a certain position and rendering the introduction of alkyl chains at other positions much more challenging. This can be addressed by the use of a directing group that facilitates, in the presence of a metal catalyst, the regioselective alkylation of a C?H bond. These directed alkylations of C?H bonds in arenes will be comprehensively summarized in this Review.     

Beyond Friedel and Crafts: Innate Alkylation of C−H Bonds in Arenes

Alkylated arenes are ubiquitous molecules and building blocks commonly utilized in most areas of science. Despite its apparent simplicity, the regioselective alkylation of arenes is still a challenging transformation in a lot of cases. Classical methods for the introduction of alkyl groups to arenes, such as the venerable Friedel–Crafts reaction, radical additions, metalation or prefunctionalization of the arene followed by further alkylation, as well as alternatives such as the directed alkylation of C?H bonds, still suffer from severe limitations in terms of scope, efficiency, and selectivity. This can be addressed by exploiting the innate reactivity of some (hetero)arenes, in which electronic and steric properties, governed (or not) by the presence of one (or multiple) heteroatom(s), ensure high levels of regioselectivity. These innate alkylations of C?H bonds in (hetero)arenes will be overviewed comprehensively in this Review.     

Towards Uniform Iodine Catalysis: Intramolecular C−H Amination of Arenes under Visible Light

A photochemical catalytic amination of arenes is presented. The reaction proceeds under benign iodine catalysis in the presence of visible light as the initiator and provides access to a range of differently substituted arylamines. A total of 29 examples demonstrate the broad applicability of this mild oxidation method. The scope of the reaction could further be expanded to silyl‐tethered derivatives, which undergo intramolecular amination upon formation of seven‐membered heterocycles. Cleavage of the silicon tether provides access to the corresponding 3‐substituted anilines.     

Silver‐Promoted Oxidative Benzylic C−H Trifluoromethoxylation

A silver‐promoted oxidative benzylic C?H trifluoromethoxylation has been reported for the first time. With trifluoromethyl arylsulfonate as the trifluoromethoxylation reagent, various arenes, having diverse functional groups, undergo trifluoromethoxylation of their benzylic C?H bonds to form trifluoromethyl ethers under mild reaction conditions. In addition, the trifluoromethoxylation and the fluorination of methyl groups of electron‐rich arenes have been achieved to prepare α‐fluorobenzyl trifluoromethyl ethers in one step.     

Site‐Selective Alkoxylation of Benzylic C−H Bonds by Photoredox Catalysis

Methods that enable the direct C?H alkoxylation of complex organic molecules are significantly underdeveloped, particularly in comparison to analogous strategies for C?N and C?C bond formation. In particular, almost all methods for the incorporation of alcohols by C?H oxidation require the use of the alcohol component as a solvent or co‐solvent. This condition limits the practical scope of these reactions to simple, inexpensive alcohols. Reported here is a photocatalytic protocol for the functionalization of benzylic C?H bonds with a wide range of oxygen nucleophiles. This strategy merges the photoredox activation of arenes with copper(II)‐mediated oxidation of the resulting benzylic radicals, which enables the introduction of benzylic C?O bonds with high site selectivity, chemoselectivity, and functional‐group tolerance using only two equivalents of the alcohol coupling partner. This method enables the late‐stage introduction of complex alkoxy groups into bioactive molecules, providing a practical new tool with potential applications in synthesis and medicinal chemistry.     

Selective Methylation of Arenes: A Radical C−H Functionalization/Cross‐Coupling Sequence

A selective, nonchelation‐assisted methylation of arenes has been developed. The overall transformation, which combines a C?H functionalization reaction with a nickel‐catalyzed cross‐coupling, offers rapid access to methylated arenes with high para selectivity. The reaction is amenable to late‐stage methylation of small‐molecule pharmaceuticals.     

Photoelectrochemical C−H Alkylation of Heteroarenes with Organotrifluoroborates

A photoelectrochemical method for the C?H alkylation of heteroarenes with organotrifluoroborates has been developed. The merger of electrocatalysis and photoredox catalysis provides a chemical oxidant‐free approach for the generation and functionalization of alkyl radicals from organotrifluoroborates. A variety of heteroarenes were functionalized using primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyltrifluoroborates with excellent regio‐ and chemoselectivity.     

Visible‐Light‐Induced Direct Oxidative C−H Amidation of Heteroarenes with Sulfonamides

A direct oxidative C?H amidation of heteroarenes with sulfonamides via nitrogen‐centered radicals has been achieved. Nitrogen‐centered radicals are directly generated from oxidative cleavage of N?H bonds under visible‐light photoredox catalysis. Sulfonamides, which are easily accessed, are used as tunable nitrogen sources and bleach (aqueous NaClO solution) is used as the oxidant. A variety of heteroarenes, including indoles, pyrroles and benzofurans, can undergo this amidation with high yields (up to 92 %). These reactions are highly regioselective, and all the products are isolated as single regioisomer.     

Cobalt‐Catalyzed Oxidative C−H/C−H Cross‐Coupling between Two Heteroarenes

The first example of cobalt‐catalyzed oxidative C?H/C?H cross‐coupling between two heteroarenes is reported, which exhibits a broad substrate scope and a high tolerance level for sensitive functional groups. When the amount of Co(OAc)₂?4 H₂O is reduced from 6.0 to 0.5 mol %, an excellent yield is still obtained at an elevated temperature with a prolonged reaction time. The method can be extended to the reaction between an arene and a heteroarene. It is worth noting that the Ag₂CO₃ oxidant is renewable. Preliminary mechanistic studies by radical trapping experiments, hydrogen/deuterium exchange experiments, kinetic isotope effect, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) suggest that a single electron transfer (SET) pathway is operative, which is distinctly different from the dual C?H bond activation pathway that the well‐described oxidative C?H/C?H cross‐coupling reactions between two heteroarenes typically undergo.     

Pyridyl Radical Cation for C−H Amination of Arenes

Electron‐transfer photocatalysis provides access to the elusive and unprecedented N‐pyridyl radical cation from selected N‐substituted pyridinium reagents. The resulting C(sp²)?H functionalization of (hetero)arenes furnishes versatile intermediates for the development of valuable aminated aryl scaffolds. Mechanistic studies that include the first spectroscopic evidence of a spin‐trapped N‐pyridyl radical adduct implicate SET‐triggered, pseudo‐mesolytic cleavage of the N?X pyridinium reagents mediated by visible light.     

Heterogeneous Platinum‐Catalyzed CH Perfluoroalkylation of Arenes and Heteroarenes

Fluorinated organic compounds are gaining increasing interest for life science applications. The replacement of hydrogen in arenes or heteroarenes by a perfluoroalkyl group has a profound influence on the physical and biological properties of such building blocks. Here, an operationally simple protocol for the direct C? H perfluoroalkylation of (hetero)arenes with R_fI or R_fBr has been developed, using a robust supported platinum catalyst. The ready availability of the starting materials, the excellent substrate tolerance, and the reusability of the catalyst make this method attractive for the synthesis of a variety of perfluoroalkyl‐substituted aromatic compounds. Preliminary mechanistic studies revealed the formation of radicals to be crucial in the reaction system.