Oxidative C-arylation of free (NH)-heterocycles via direct (sp3) C-H bond functionalization

The development of a new chemical transformation, namely oxidative C-arylation of saturated (NH)-heterocycles, is described. This reaction combines dehydrogenation and arylation in one process, leading to cross-coupling of (NH)-heterocycles and haloarenes. Typical reaction conditions involve heating the reaction partners in anhydrous dioxane at 120-150 degrees C in the presence of RhCl(CO)[P(Fur)3]2 as the catalyst and Cs2CO3 as the base. Addition of tert-butylethylene as the hydrogen acceptor increases the chemical yield by diminishing the dehalogenation pathway. This method demonstrated a good substrate scope, allowing for cross-coupling of a variety of (NH)-heterocycles (e.g., pyrrolidine, piperidine, piperazine, morpholine) and halo(hetero)arenes to afford valuable heterocyclic products in one step. The preliminary mechanistic studies provided some insight regarding the key events in the proposed catalytic cycle, including beta-hydride elimination of an amido rhodium complex and carbometalation of the resulting imine. A large kinetic isotope effect [KIE (kC-H/kC-D) = 4.3] suggests that one or both beta-hydride elimination steps are rate determining. The central role for the phosphine ligand was established in controlling the partitioning between the oxidative C-arylation and N-arylation pathways.     

Diversity synthesis via C-H bond functionalization: concept-guided development of new C-arylation methods for imidazoles

Herein, we have formulated the concept of systematic derivatization of a structural motif via C-H bond functionalization. This concept may not only serve as a blueprint for new strategies in diversity synthesis but also provide systematic guidance for the identification of unsolved and important synthetic challenges. To illustrate this point, 2-phenylimidazole was selected as the core motif for this study, a choice inspired by numerous azole-based synthetics, including pharmaceuticals (compound SB 202190), and also fluorescent and chemiluminescent probes. We were able to show that systematic and comprehensive arylation of the 2-phenylimidazole core was feasible, and in the context of this study new arylation methods were developed. The direct 4-arylation of free 2-phenylimidazole was achieved with iodoarenes as the aryl donors in the presence of palladium catalyst (Pd/Ph(3)P) and magnesium oxide as the base. A complete switch from C-4 to C-2' arylation was accomplished using a ruthenium catalyst [CpRu(Ph(3)P)(2)Cl] and Cs(2)CO(3). The corresponding transformations for (N,2)-diphenylimidazole (C-5 and C-2' arylation) were accomplished via the palladium-based method [Pd(OAc)(2)/Ph(3)P/Cs(2)CO(3)] and a rhodium-catalyzed procedure [Rh(acac)(CO)(2)/Cs(2)CO(3)], respectively. All of the arylation methods described herein demonstrated broad synthetic scope, high efficiency, and exclusive selectivity. Furthermore, these new methods proved to be orthogonal to one another and applicable to sequential arylation schemes. With these methods in hand, arrays of arylated imidazoles may now be accessed in a direct manner from 2-phenylimidazole. This strategy stands in sharp contrast to a traditional approach, wherein a distinct and multistep synthesis would be required for each analogue.     

Rhodium(III)-catalyzed arylation of Boc-imines via C-H bond functionalization

The first rhodium-catalyzed arylation of imines proceeding via C-H bond functionalization is reported. Use of a non-coordinating halide abstractor is important to obtain reactivity. Aryl-branched N-Boc-amines are formed, and a wide range of functionality is compatible with the reaction.     

Arylation of heterocycles via rhodium-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization

[reaction: see text] A new method for the rhodium-catalyzed arylation of a variety of heterocycles has been developed. The reaction provided moderate to good yields of the arylated products. A preliminary mechanistic investigation of this reaction revealed the intermediacy of an isolable N-heterocyclic carbene complex.     

Pt(IV)-catalyzed cyclization of arene-alkyne substrates via C-H bond functionalization

We herein report that PtCl₄ has proven to be a hydroarylation catalyst with an efficiency and substrate scope superior to previously known methods. This catalyst demonstrated consistent performance with arene-yne substrates of diverse structural features, including propargyl ethers, propargylamines, and alkynoate esters, providing good to excellent yields of the 6-endo products (chromenes, dihydroquinolines, and coumarins). In contrast, Pt(II), Pd(II), and Ga(III) salts were shown to be sensitive to the substitution on the alkyne moiety. PtCl₄ is compatible with both terminal and disubstituted alkynes, as well as with various functionalities on the arene ring, including methyl, methoxyl, hydroxyl, protected amine, and halide.     

Pd-Catalyzed C-3 functionalization of indolizines via C-H bond cleavage

New transition metal-catalyzed methods for the arylation of indolizines by the direct cleavage of C-H bonds have been developed. A wide range of aryltrifluoroborate salts react with indolizines in the presence of Pd(OAc)(2) catalyst and AgOAc oxidant to give the arylated indolizines in high yields. Both electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups perform smoothly while bromide and chlorine substituents are tolerated. In addition, the indolizines display similar reactivities in the Pd-catalyzed reaction with 3-phenylpropiolic acid to afford the corresponding C-3 alkynylated indolizines. These methods allow the direct functionalization of indolizines in one step.     

Cobalt-catalyzed arylation of azole heteroarenes via direct C-H bond functionalization

[reaction: see text] We herein report a new cobalt-catalyzed method for arylation of azole heteroarenes, including thiazole, oxazole, imidazole, benzothiazole, benzoxazole, and benzimidazole. The direct arylation of thiazole and oxazole was achieved both with iodo- and bromoarenes as the aryl donors in the presence of cobalt catalyst [Co(OAc)(2)/IMes] and cesium carbonate, while imidazole required the use of zinc oxide as the base. A complete reversal of arylation from C-5 to C-2 was accomplished using the bimetallic Co/Cu/IMes system. A direct comparison of the new cobalt method and the previously developed palladium protocol revealed significant differences, in terms of both chemical yield and selectivity.     

Metal-free intermolecular oxidative C-N bond formation via tandem C-H and N-H bond functionalization

The development of a novel intermolecular oxidative amination reaction, a synthetic transformation that involves the simultaneous functionalization of both a N-H and C-H bond, is described. The process, which is mediated by an I(III) oxidant and contains no metal catalysts, provides a rapid and green method for synthesizing protected anilines from simple arenes and phthalimide. Mechanistic investigations indicate that the reaction proceeds via nucleophilic attack of the phthalimide on an aromatic radical cation, as opposed to the electrophilic aromatic amination that has been reported for other I(III) amination reactions. The application of this new reaction to the synthesis of a variety of substituted aniline derivatives is demonstrated.     

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of silicon-stereogenic dibenzosiloles via enantioselective C-H bond functionalization

A Pd-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of Si-stereogenic dibenzosiloles is developed through enantioselective C-H bond functionalization of prochiral 2-(arylsilyl)aryl triflates. High chemo- and enantioselectivities are achieved by employing a Josiphos-type ligand under mild conditions.     

Selective and catalytic arylation of N-phenylpyrrolidine: sp3 C-H bond functionalization in the absence of a directing group

We herein describe our studies on arylation of N-phenylpyrrolidine, which led to the development of a new transformation for the direct and selective arylation of sp3 C-H bonds in the absence of a directing group. In this method, Ru(H)2(CO)(PCy3)3 4 was used as the catalyst, and preliminary mechanistic studies suggested that Ru(Ph)(I)(CO)(PCy3)2 5 is the key intermediate of the catalytic cycle. A large kinetic isotope effect (kH/kD = 5.4) was observed, which supports the proposal that C-H bond metalation is the slow step. Preliminary examination of the substrate scope showed that in addition to N-phenylpyrrolidine, N-methyl- and N-benzylpyrrolidine, as well as N-benzoylpyrrolidine, were arylated under the reaction conditions.     

Synthesis of condensed pyrroloindoles via Pd-catalyzed intramolecular C-H bond functionalization of pyrroles

A new strategy for the synthesis of condensed hetero- or carbocycles such as pyrroloindoles or fluorenes has been developed that involves the Pd-catalyzed cyclization of readily available N-(2-halobenzyl)pyrroles or their phenyl derivatives. The reaction is proposed to proceed via oxidative addition of benzylic halides to Pd(0) followed by base-assisted C-H bond activation. A broad range of condensed cyclic products could be obtained in good to excellent yields under mild conditions.     

Synthesis of pyridines from ketoximes and terminal alkynes via C-H bond functionalization

An expedient one-pot rhodium catalyzed C-H bond functionalization/electrocyclization/dehydration procedure has been developed for the synthesis of highly substituted pyridine derivatives from terminal alkynes and α,β-unsaturated ketoximes. The use of electron-deficient phosphite ligands is important to suppress dimerization of the terminal alkynes to enynes.     

Dinuclear gold-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization of cyclopropenes

Science China Chemistry - We report an unprecedented C–H bond functionalization of cyclopropenes enabled by dinuclear gold catalysis. Highly selective C–H allylation, alkynylation and...     

Rhodium-catalyzed regioselective C-H functionalization via decarbonylation of acid chlorides and C-H bond activation under phosphine-free conditions

Efficient rhodium(I)-catalyzed regioselective functionalization of aromatic C-H bonds has been realized with acid chlorides as the coupling partners via decarbonylation and C-H activation under phosphine-free conditions.     

Palladium-catalyzed C-N bond formation via direct C-H bond functionalization. Recent developments in heterocyclic synthesis

The formation of carbon-nitrogen bonds by reaction between a nitrogen atom and an unactivated carbon-hydrogen bond is a highly atom-economical process that attracted the attention of the chemists in the last two decades. The widely useful amination and hydroamination reactions, which furnish acyclic or cyclic products, give access to various nitrogen-containing basic and fine chemicals. This review highlights recent progress in the development of palladium-catalyzed reactions that occur by direct functionalization of simple carbon-hydrogen bonds to give heterocyclic products. Pd(0)- and Pd(II)-catalyzed reactions are described separately, emphasizing the different behavior of the metal in these two oxidation states.     

Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of cyclopentane-fused benzocyclobutenes via tandem directed carbopalladation/C-H bond functionalization

A new Pd-catalyzed reaction for the stereoselective synthesis of cyclopentane-fused benzocyclobutenes is described. These transformations likely proceed via carbamate-directed carbopalladation followed by intramolecular C-H activation of an alkylpalladium intermediate. The mechanistic relationship between these transformations and Pd-catalyzed reactions of gamma-(n-Boc-amino)alkenes with aryl bromides that afford pyrrolidines is discussed. Differences in reactivity between Pd-amino and Pd-amido complexes appear to play a key role in the outcome of these transformations.     

Mechanism of the rhodium(III)-catalyzed arylation of imines via C-H bond functionalization: inhibition by substrate

Rh(III)-catalyzed arylation of imines provides a new method for C-C bond formation while simultaneously introducing an α-branched amine as a functional group. This detailed mechanistic study provides insights for the rational future development of this new reaction. Relevant intermediate Rh(III) complexes have been isolated and characterized, and their reactivities in stoichiometric reactions with relevant substrates have been monitored. The reaction was found to be first order in the catalyst resting state and inverse first order in the C-H activation substrate.