C-H and C-C bond activation of primary amines through dehydrogenation and transimination

[structure: see text]. Dehydrogenation and subsequent transimination of primary amines offer a new pathway for C-H bond activation, ortho-alkylation, and C-C bond activation to afford a variety of ketones in the reaction of 1-alkene by a cocatalyt system of Rh(I) and 2-amino-3-picoline.     

Catalytic addition of C-H bonds to multiple bonds with the aid of ruthenium complexes

Ruthenium complexes, e.g., RuH2(CO)(PPh3)3, have been found to catalyze the direct addition of ortho carbon-hydrogen bonds of aromatic ketones to olefins and acetylenes with high efficiency and selectivity. The C-H/olefin coupling reaction is applicable to not only C-H bonds in aromatic ketones but also to those in a,b-enones and aro-matic esters. Catalytic addition of ortho carbon-hydrogen bonds of aromatic imines to olefins is found to be catalyzed by Ru3(CO)12.     

Room-temperature regioselective C-H/olefin coupling of aromatic ketones using an activated ruthenium catalyst with a carbonyl ligand and structural elucidation of key intermediates

Mechanistic studies of the ruthenium-catalyzed reaction of aromatic ketones with olefins are presented. Treatment of the original catalyst, RuH(2)(CO)(PPh(3))(3), with trimethylvinylsilane at 90 °C for 1-1.5 h afforded an activated ruthenium catalyst, Ru(o-C(6)H(4)PPh(2))(H)(CO)(PPh(3))(2), as a mixture of four geometric isomers. The activated complex showed high catalytic activity for C-H/olefin coupling, and the reaction of 2'-methylacetophenone with trimethylvinylsilane at room temperature for 48 h gave the corresponding ortho-alkylation product in 99% isolated yield. The activated catalyst was thermally robust and showed excellent catalytic activity under refluxing toluene conditions. (1)H and (31)P NMR studies of the C-H/olefin coupling at room temperature suggested that an ortho-ruthenated complex, P,P'-cis-C,H-cis-Ru(2'-(6'-MeC(6)H(4)C(O)Me))(H)(CO)(PPh(3))(2), participated in the reaction as a key intermediate. Isotope labeling studies using acetophenone-d(5) indicated that the rate-limiting step was the C-C bond formation, not the C-H bond cleavage, and that each step prior to the reductive elimination was reversible. The rate of C-H/olefin coupling was found to exhibit pseudo first-order kinetics and to show first-order dependence on the ruthenium complex concentration.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed ortho-alkenylation of aromatic ketones with alkenes by C-H bond activation

A ruthenium-catalyzed chelation-assisted C-H bond activation of aromatic ketones and the reaction with olefins to provide Heck-type products in good to excellent yields with a high regio- and stereoselective manner is described.     

Chelation-assisted carbon-hydrogen and carbon-carbon bond activation by transition metal catalysts

Herein we describe the chelation-assisted C-H and C-C bond activation of carbonyl compounds by Rh1 catalysts. Hydroacylation of olefins was accomplished by utilizing 2-amino-3-picoline as a chelation auxiliary. The same strategy was employed for the C-C bond activation of unstrained ketones. Allylamine 24 was devised as a synthon of formaldehyde. Hydroiminoacylation of alkynes with allylamine 24 was applied to the alkyne cleavage by the aid of cyclohexylamine.     

Heterobismetal complexes of [26]hexaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1)

Au(III)Cu(III) and Au(III)Rh(I) heterobismetal complexes of meso-aryl-substituted [26]hexaphyrin were rationally prepared from a monometal Au(III) complex. The Au(III)Cu(III) complex is an aromatic molecule with a rectangular shape, while Au(III)Rh(I) complexes are out-of-plane macrocycles, being either aromatic or antiaromatic depending upon the number of conjugated pi electrons. The 26pi Au(III)Rh(I) complex was converted into an aromatic and planar 26pi Au(III)Rh(III) complex via double C-H bond activation upon refluxing in pyridine.     

A new route to hindered tertiary amines

The Rh(2)(OAc)(4)-stabilized carbenoid derived from dimethyl diazomalonate has been found to insert into the N-H bond of sterically hindered secondary aliphatic amines to afford hindered tertiary aliphatic amines in quite satisfactory yields. For example dimethyl 2-(dicyclohexylamino)propanedioate was formed in 85% yield from dicyclohexylamine, and the severely hindered dimethyl 2-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyl)propanedioate was formed in 38% yield from 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine. The Rh(2)(OAc)(4) - dimethyl diazomalonate reaction was found to work also for arylalkylamines and diarylamines. In these cases, small amounts of products resulting from formal insertion of the carbenoid into an aromatic C-H bond were detected. Substitution at ortho positions caused the yield of C-H insertion products to increase. Other diazo compounds, viz. ethyl diazoacetoacetate, 2-diazocyclohexane-1,3-dione, and 2-diazo-5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione, performed satisfactorily in Rh(2)(OAc)(4)-catalyzed reactions with arylalkylamines and diarylamines, but led to complicated reaction mixtures with dialkylamines.     

Direct carbonylation at a C-H bond in the benzene ring of 2-phenyloxazolines catalyzed by Ru(3)(CO)(12). Scope, limitations, and mechanistic aspects

The ruthenium-catalyzed carbonylation at a C-H bond in the benzene ring of a 2-phenyloxazoline is described. The reaction of 2-phenyloxazolines with CO and ethylene in toluene in the presence of a catalytic amount of Ru(3)(CO)(12) resulted in propionylation at an ortho C-H bond in the benzene ring. The presence of the oxazoline ring on the benzene ring is essential for the carbonylation to proceed. Other heterocycles, such as oxazine, oxazole, and thiazoline rings, also served as acceptable directing groups as did the oxazoline ring. A wide functional group compatibility was observed. The site selectivity of the carbonylation was examined using meta-substituted phenyloxazolines. It was found that the carbonylation took place exclusively at the less-hindered C-H bond, irrespective of the nature of substituents, indicating that the site selectivity was determined by steric factors. The reaction was also applicable, not only to a benzene ring, but also to naphthyl and thiophenyl rings. Olefins such as propene and trimethylvinylsilane in place of ethylene could also be used in the carbonylation reaction, while other olefins, such as 1-hexene, tert-butylethylene, vinylcyclohexane, isoprene, 1,5-hexadiene, cyclohexene, 1, 5-cyclooctadiene, styrene, methyl acrylate, vinyl acetate, allyltrimethylsilane, and triethoxyvinylsilane did not afford the coupling products. An equilibrium between 2-phenyloxazolines, carbon monoxide, and olefins exists on one hand and the corresponding ketones on the other hand, and product composition is governed by the equilibrium thermodynamics of the system. The results of deuterium labeling experiments suggest that the catalysis involves a reversible C-H bond cleavage and that the rate-determining step is not the cleavage of a C-H bond. The results of kinetic study of the effects of CO pressure show that the reaction rate accelerates with decreasing CO pressure.     

Cobalt-catalyzed, room-temperature addition of aromatic imines to alkynes via directed C-H bond activation

A quaternary catalytic system consisting of a cobalt salt, a triarylphosphine ligand, a Grignard reagent, and pyridine has been developed for chelation-assisted C-H bond activation of an aromatic imine, followed by insertion of an unactivated internal alkyne that occurs at ambient temperature. The reaction not only tolerates potentially senstitive functional groups (e.g., Cl, Br, CN, and tertiary amide), but also displays a unique regioselectivity. Thus, the presence of substituents such as methoxy, halogen, and cyano groups at the meta-position of the imino group led to selective C-C bond formation at the more sterically hindered ortho positions. Under acidic conditions, the hydroarylation products of dialkyl- and alkylarylacetylenes underwent cyclization to afford benzofulvene derivatives, while those of diarylacetylenes afforded the corresponding ketones in moderate to good yields. A mechanistic investigation into the reaction with the aid of deuterium-labeling experiments and kinetic analysis has indicated that oxidative addition of the ortho C-H bond is the rate-limiting step of the reaction. The kinetic analysis has also shed light on the complexity of the quaternary catalytic system.     

Catalytic intermolecular C-alkylation of 1,2-diketones with simple olefins: a recyclable directing group strategy

We describe the first example of Rh-catalyzed intermolecular C-alkylation of cyclic 1,2-diketones using simple terminal olefins as alkylating agents. Aminopyridine is employed as a recyclable directing group. First, it reacts with ketones to give enamines and delivers Rh to activate the vinyl C-H bonds in the same pot; second, it can be cleaved off and recovered via hydrolysis. A broad range of olefins can be utilized as substrates, including aliphatic, aromatic olefins and vinyl esters. The efficiency of this method is also demonstrated in the synthesis of a natural flavoring compound, 3-ethyl-5-methyl-1,2-cyclopentadione (one-pot 53% yield vs a previous four-step route 16% yield from the same starting material). This work is expected to serve as a seminal study toward catalytic ketone α-alkylation with unactivated olefins.     

Ruthenium-catalysed ortho alkylation of hydroxyacetophenones; the functionalisation of ring C aromatic diterpenoids

Ortho C-H bond coupling of some 2-alkoxyacetophenones with olefins catalysed by ruthenium complexes results in a high yield of the ortho alkylated product, providing that a suitable protecting group is employed. No such protection was required for a para-alkoxy group; an activating effect was also observed. Bicyclic and tricyclic analogues react similarly.     

Theoretical investigation on regioselectivity of aromatic ketones in the addition with olefin catalyzed by RuH2(CO)(PPh3)3

Ab initio method is employed to study the structures of twelve aromatic ketones at HF/3-21G, HF/6-31G and HF/6-31G levels, respectively. A theoretical analysis is also carried out to study the regioselectivity and reactivity of aromatic ketones in the addition with olefin catalyzed by RuH2(CO)(PPh3)3. The results indicate that a U shape LUMO conjugation of aromatic ketones in a plane plays an important role in regioselectivity on the cleavage of p C-H bond and is a nec-essary factor to success of addition with olefin, and that sterle effect is an indispensable factor in forming additional ortho-product. Meanwhile, electronic effect may influence the rate of addition for the structures alike which only have different replacements in the same site of aromatic ring, such as furan, thiophene and pyrole. A possible catalytic reaction mechanism is proposed that the addition of C-H bond may be carried out by a coordination of aromatic ketones with Ru complex.     

Ruthenium- and rhodium-catalyzed direct carbonylation of the ortho C-H bond in the benzene ring of N-arylpyrazoles

The direct carbonylation of C-H bonds in the benzene ring of N-phenylpyrazoles via catalysis by ruthenium or rhodium complexes is described. The reaction of N-phenylpyrazoles with carbon monoxide and ethylene in the presence of Ru(3)(CO)(12) or Rh(4)(CO)(12) resulted in the site-selective carbonylation of the ortho C-H bonds in the benzene ring to give the corresponding ethyl ketones. A variety of functional groups on the benzene ring can be tolerated. N-Phenylpyrazoles have higher reactivities than would be expected, based on the pK(a) values of the conjugate acid of pyrazole. The choice of solvent for this reaction is significant, and N, N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) gives the best result.     

Theoretical study of reaction pathways for the rhodium phosphine-catalysed borylation of C-H bonds with pinacolborane

The reaction mechanism of the rhodium-phosphine catalysed borylation of methyl-substituted arenes using pinacolborane (HBpin) has been investigated theoretically using DFT calculations at the B3PW91 level. Factors affecting selectivity for benzylic vs. aromatic C-H bond activation have been examined. It was found that [Rh(PR3)2(H)] is the active species which oxidatively adds the C-H bond leading to an eta3-benzyl complex which is the key to determining the unusual benzylic regioselectivity observed experimentally for this catalyst system. Subsequent reaction with HBpin leads to a [Rh(PR3)2(eta3-benzyl)(H)(Bpin)] complex from which B-C reductive elimination provides product and regenerates the catalyst. The electrophilic nature of the boryl ligand assists in the reductive elimination process. In contrast to Ir(L)2(boryl)3-based catalysts, for which Ir(III)-Ir(V) cycles have been proposed, the Rh(I)-Rh(III) cycle is operating with the system addressed herein.     

A highly reactive mononuclear non-heme manganese(IV)-oxo complex that can activate the strong C-H bonds of alkanes

A mononuclear non-heme manganese(IV)-oxo complex has been synthesized and characterized using various spectroscopic methods. The Mn(IV)-oxo complex shows high reactivity in oxidation reactions, such as C-H bond activation, oxidations of olefins, alcohols, sulfides, and aromatic compounds, and N-dealkylation. In C-H bond activation, the Mn(IV)-oxo complex can activate C-H bonds as strong as those in cyclohexane. It is proposed that C-H bond activation by the non-heme Mn(IV)-oxo complex does not occur via an oxygen-rebound mechanism. The electrophilic character of the non-heme Mn(IV)-oxo complex is demonstrated by a large negative ρ value of -4.4 in the oxidation of para-substituted thioanisoles.     

Oxidative coupling of NH isoquinolones with olefins catalyzed by Rh(III)

Rh(III)-catalyzed oxidative coupling reactions between isoquinolones with 3-aryl groups and activated olefins have been achieved using anhydrous Cu(OAc)(2) as an oxidant to give tetracyclic products. The nitrogen atom acts as a directing group to facilitate ortho C-H activation. This reaction can be one-pot starting from methyl benzohydroxamates, without the necessity of the isolation of isoquinolone products. A broad scope of substrates has been demonstrated, and both terminal and internal activated olefins can be applied. In the coupling of N-methylmaleimide, a Wacker-like mechanism was proposed, where backside attack of the NH group in isoquinolones is suggested as a key step. Selective C-H activation has also been achieved at the 8-position of 1-naphthol, leading to an olefination product.     

Rh(I)-catalyzed direct ortho-alkenylation of aromatic ketimines with alkynes and its application to the synthesis of isoquinoline derivatives

[reaction: see text] Novel synthetic methods of both ortho-alkenylated aromatic ketones and isoquinoline derivatives have been developed through the Rh(I)-catalyzed direct ortho-alkenylation of common aromatic ketimines with alkynes. Furthermore, a highly efficient one-pot synthesis of isoquinoline derivatives was achieved by simply mixing aromatic ketone, benzylamine, and alkyne under a Rh(I) catalyst.     

Aromatic vs aliphatic C-H bond activation by rhodium(I) as a function of agostic interactions: catalytic H/D exchange between olefins and methanol or water

The aryl-PC type ligand 3, benzyl(di-tert-butyl)phosphane, reacts with [Rh(coe)(2)(solv)(n)()]BF(4) (coe = cyclooctene, solv = solvent), producing the C-H activated complexes 4a-c (solv = (a). acetone, (b). THF, (c). methanol). Complexes 4a-c undergo reversible arene C-H activation (observed by NMR spin saturation transfer experiments, SST) and H/D exchange into the hydride and aryl ortho-H with ROD (R = D, Me). They also promote catalytic H/D exchange into the vinylic C-H bond of olefins, with deuterated methanol or water utilized as D-donors. Unexpectedly, complex 2, based on the benzyl-PC type ligand 1 (analogous to 3), di-tert-butyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzyl)phosphane, shows a very different reversible C-H activation pattern as observed by SST. It is not active in H/D exchange with ROD and in catalytic H/D exchange with olefins. To clarify our observations regarding C-H activation/reductive elimination in both PC-Rh systems, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed. Both nucleophilic (oxidative addition) and electrophilic (H/D exchange) C-H activation proceed through eta(2)-C,H agostic intermediates. In the aryl-PC system the agostic interaction causes C-H bond acidity sufficient for the H/D exchange with water or methanol, which is not the case in the benzyl PC-Rh system. In the latter system the C-H coordination pattern of the methyl controls the reversible C-H oxidative addition leading to energetically different C-H activation processes, in accordance with the experimental observations.     

Theoretical investigation on regioselectivity of aromatic ketones in the addition with olefin catalyzed by RuH2(CO)(PPh3)3

Ab initio method is employed to study the structures of twelve aromatic ketones at HF/3-21G, HF/6-31G and HF/6-31G* levels, respectively. A theoretical analysis is also carried out to study the regioselectivity and reactivity of aromatic ketones in the addition with olefin catalyzed by RuH₂(CO)(PPh₃)₃. The results indicate that a U shape LUMO conjugation of aromatic ketones in a plane plays an important role in regioselectivity on the cleavage of β C-H bond and is a necessary factor to success of addition with olefin, and that steric effect is an indispensable factor in forming additional ortho-product. Meanwhile, electronic effect may influence the rate of addition for the structures alike which only have different replacements in the same site of aromatic ring, such as furan, thiophene and pyrole. A possible catalytic reaction mechanism is proposed that the addition of C-H bond may be carried out by a coordination of aromatic ketones with Ru complex.     

Rh(III)-catalyzed oxidative coupling of unactivated alkenes via C-H activation

Oxime directed aromatic C-H bond activation and oxidative coupling to alkenes is reported using a cationic Rh(III) catalyst. Significantly, the method can be used to oxidatively couple unactivated, aliphatic alkenes.