Ligand‐Enabled Alkynylation of C(sp3)−H Bonds with Palladium(II) Catalysts

The palladium(II)‐catalyzed β‐ and γ‐alkynylation of amide C(sp³)−H bonds is enabled by pyridine‐based ligands. This alkynylation reaction is compatible with substrates containing α‐tertiary or α‐quaternary carbon centers. The β‐methylene C(sp³)−H bonds of various carbocyclic rings were also successfully alkynylated.     

Synthesis of Active Hexafluoroisopropyl Benzoates through a Hydrogen‐Bond‐Enabled Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed C−H Alkoxycarbonylation Reaction

A Pd^II‐catalyzed ortho C−H alkoxycarbonylation reaction of aryl silanes toward active hexafluoroisopropyl (HFIP) benzoate esters has been developed. This efficient reaction features high selectivity and good functional‐group tolerance. Notably, given the general nature of the silyl‐tethered directing group, this method delivers products bearing two independently modifiable sites. NMR studies reveal the presence of hydrogen bonding between HFIP and a pyrimidine nitrogen atom of the directing group, and it is thought to be crucial for the success of this alkoxycarbonylation reaction.     

Copper‐Catalyzed C(sp3)−H/C(sp3)−H Cross‐Dehydrogenative Coupling with Internal Oxidants: Synthesis of 2‐Trifluoromethyl‐Substituted Dihydropyrrol‐2‐ols

The first oxidative C(sp³)−H/C(sp³)−H cross‐dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction promoted by an internal oxidant is reported. This copper‐catalyzed CDC reaction of oxime acetates and trifluoromethyl ketones provides a simple and efficient approach towards 2‐trifluoromethyldihydropyrrol‐2‐ol derivatives in a highly diastereoselective manner by cascade C(sp³)−C(sp³) bond formation and cyclization. These products were further transformed into various significant and useful trifluoromethylated heterocyclic compounds, such as trifluoromethylated furan, thiophene, pyrrole, dihydropyridazine, and pyridazine derivatives. A trifluoromethylated analogue of an Aβ₄₂ lowering agent was also synthesized smoothly. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that this reaction involves a copper(I)/copper(III) catalytic cycle with the oxime acetate acting as an internal oxidant.     

Synthesis of β‐Lactams by Palladium(0)‐Catalyzed C(sp3)−H Carbamoylation

A general and user‐friendly synthesis of β‐lactams is reported that makes use of Pd⁰‐catalyzed carbamoylation of C(sp³)−H bonds, and operates under stoichiometric carbon monoxide in a two‐chamber reactor. This reaction is compatible with a range of primary, secondary and activated tertiary C−H bonds, in contrast to previous methods based on C(sp³)−H activation. In addition, the feasibility of an enantioselective version using a chiral phosphonite ligand is demonstrated. Finally, this method can be employed to synthesize valuable enantiopure free β‐lactams and β‐amino acids.     

Stapled Peptides by Late‐Stage C(sp3)−H Activation

Despite the importance of stapled peptides for drug discovery, only few practical processes to prepare cross‐linked peptides have been described; thus the structural diversity of available staple motifs is currently limited. At the same time, C−H activation has emerged as an efficient approach to functionalize complex molecules. Although there are many reports on the C−H functionalization of amino acids, examples of post‐synthetic peptide C−H modification are rare and comprise almost only C(sp²)−H activation. Herein, we report the development of a palladium‐catalyzed late‐stage C(sp³)−H activation method for peptide stapling, affording an unprecedented hydrocarbon cross‐link. This method was first employed to prepare a library of stapled peptides in solution. The compatibility with various amino acids as well as the influence of the size (i ,i +3 and i ,i +4) and length of the staple were investigated. Finally, a simple solid‐phase procedure was also established.     

PdII‐Catalyzed Enantioselective C(sp3)−H Activation/Cross‐Coupling Reactions of Free Carboxylic Acids

Pd^II‐catalyzed enantioselective C(sp³)?H cross‐coupling of free carboxylic acids with organoborons has been realized using either mono‐protected amino acid (MPAA) ligands or mono‐protected aminoethyl amine (MPAAM) ligands. A diverse range of aryl‐ and vinyl‐boron reagents can be used as coupling partners to provide chiral carboxylic acids. This reaction provides an alternative approach to the enantioselective synthesis of cyclopropanecarboxylic acids and cyclobutanecarboxylic acids containing α‐chiral tertiary and quaternary stereocenters. The utility of this reaction was further demonstrated by converting the carboxylic acid into cyclopropyl amine without loss of optical activity.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Alkylation with Alkyl Halides by C(sp3)−H Activation

Utilizing halogens as traceless directing goups represents an attractive strategy for C−H functionalization. A two C−H alkylation system, initiated by the oxidative addition of organohalides to Pd⁰, has been developed. The first reaction involves an intermolecular alkylation of palladacycles to form C(sp³)−C(sp²) bonds followed by C(sp²)−H activation/cyclization to deliver alkylated benzocyclobutenes as the final products. In the second reaction, two C−C bonds are formed by the reaction of palladacycles with CH₂Br₂, and provides a facile and efficient method for the synthesis of indanes. The alkylated benzocyclobutene products can be transformed into tricyclic hyrocarbons, and the indane derivatives are essential structural motifs in bioactive and odorant molecules.     

Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Site‐Selective C(sp3)−H Alkynylation of Oligopeptides: A Linchpin Approach for Oligopeptide–Drug Conjugation

The palladium(II)‐catalyzed C(sp³)−H alkynylation of oligopeptides was developed with tetrabutylammonium acetate as a key additive. Through molecular design, the acetylene motif served as a linchpin to introduce a broad range of carbonyl‐containing pharmacophores onto oligopeptides, thus providing a chemical tool for the synthesis and modification of novel oligopeptide–pharmacophore conjugates by C−H functionalization. Dipeptide conjugates with coprostanol and estradiol were synthesized by this method for potential application in targeted drug delivery to tumor cells with overexpressed nuclear hormone receptors.     

Asymmetric Cycloisomerization of o‐Alkenyl‐N‐Methylanilines to Indolines by Iridium‐Catalyzed C(sp3)−H Addition to Carbon–Carbon Double Bonds

Highly enantioselective cycloisomerization of N ‐methylanilines, bearing o ‐alkenyl groups, into indolines is established. An iridium catalyst bearing a bidentate chiral diphosphine effectively promotes the intramolecular addition of the C(sp³)−H bond across a carbon–carbon double bond in a highly enantioselective fashion. The reaction gives indolines bearing a quaternary stereogenic carbon center at the 3‐position. The reaction mechanism involves rate‐determining oxidative addition of the N ‐methyl C−H bond, followed by intramolecular carboiridation and subsequent reductive elimination.     

Utilizing Carbonyl Coordination of Native Amides for Palladium‐Catalyzed C(sp3)−H Olefination

Pd^II‐catalyzed C(sp³)?H olefination of weakly coordinating native amides is reported. Three major drawbacks of previous C(sp³)?H olefination protocols, 1) in situ cyclization of products, 2) incompatibility with α‐H‐containing substrates, and 3) installation of exogenous directing groups, are addressed by harnessing the carbonyl coordination ability of amides to direct C(sp³)?H activation. The method enables direct C(sp³)?H functionalization of a wide range of native amide substrates, including secondary, tertiary, and cyclic amides, for the first time. The utility of this process is demonstrated by diverse transformations of the olefination products.     

Buttressing Salicylaldehydes: A Multipurpose Directing Group for C(sp3)−H Bond Activation

A palladium‐catalyzed reaction of primary amines with iodoarenes produces γ‐arylated primary amines. A bulky salicylaldehyde, which is marked as easily available, installable, removable, and recoverable, plays a key role in directing palladium to site‐selectively activate the C−H bond located γ to the amino group.     

meta‐C−H Arylation and Alkylation of Benzylsulfonamide Enabled by a Palladium(II)/Isoquinoline Catalyst

Palladium(II)‐catalyzed meta ‐C−H arylation and alkylation of benzylsulfonamide using 2‐carbomethoxynorbornene (NBE‐CO₂Me) as a transient mediator are realized by using a newly developed electron‐deficient directing group and isoquinoline as a ligand. This protocol features broad substrate scope and excellent functional‐group tolerance. The meta ‐substituted benyzlsulfonamides can be readily transformed into sodium sulfonates, sulfonate esters, and sulfonamides, as well as styrenes by Julia‐type olefination. The unique impact of the isoquinoline ligand underscores the importance of subtle matching between ligands and the directing groups.     

Methylenecyclopropane Annulation by Manganese(I)‐Catalyzed Stereoselective C−H/C−C Activation

C−H/C−C functionalizations with methylenecyclopropanes (MCPs) were accomplished with a versatile base‐metal catalyst. A robust manganese(I) complex enabled the expedient annulation of MCPs by synthetically meaningful ketimines to deliver, upon one‐pot hydroarylation, densely substituted polycylic anilines in a step‐economical fashion. Mechanistic studies provided strong support for a facile organometallic C−H manganation, while typical cobalt, ruthenium, rhodium, and palladium catalysts were found completely ineffective.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Intermolecular [4+1] Spiroannulation by C(sp3)−H Activation and Naphthol Dearomatization

A novel palladium‐catalyzed [4+1] spiroannulation was developed by using a C(sp³)?H activation/naphthol dearomatization approach. This bimolecular domino reaction of two aryl halides was realized through a sequence of cyclometallation‐facilitated C(sp³)?H activation, biaryl cross‐coupling, and naphthol dearomatization, thus rendering the rapid assembly of a new class of spirocyclic molecules in good yields with broad functional‐group tolerance. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that C?H cleavage is likely involved in the rate‐determining step, and a five‐membered palladacycle was identified as the key intermediate for the intermolecular coupling.     

Thioamide‐Directed Cobalt(III)‐Catalyzed Selective Amidation of C(sp3)−H Bonds

A mild, oxidant‐free, and selective Cp*Co^III‐catalyzed amidation of thioamides with robust dioxazolone amidating agents via C(sp³)−H bond activation to generate the desired amidated products is reported. The method is efficient and allows for the C−H amidation of a wide range of functionalized thioamides with aryl‐, heteroaryl‐, and alkyl‐substituted dioxazolones under the Cp*Co^III‐catalyzed conditions. The observed regioselectivity towards primary C(sp³)−H activation is supported by computational studies and the cyclometalation is proposed to proceed by means of an external carboxylate‐assisted concerted metalation/deprotonation mechanism. The reported method is a rare example of the use of a directing group other than the commonly used pyridine and quinolone classes for Cp*Co^III‐catalyzed C(sp³)−H functionalization and the first to exploit thioamides.     

Aliphatic Radical Relay Heck Reaction at Unactivated C(sp3)−H Sites of Alcohols

The Mizoroki–Heck reaction is one of the most efficient methods for alkenylation of aryl, vinyl, and alkyl halides. Given its innate nature, this protocol requires the employment of compounds possessing a halogen atom at the site of functionalization. However, the accessibility of organic molecules possessing a halogen atom at a particular site in aliphatic systems is extremely limited. Thus, a protocol that allows a Heck reaction to occur at a specific nonfunctionalized C(sp³)?H site is desirable. Reported here is a radical relay Heck reaction which allows selective remote alkenylation of aliphatic alcohols at unactivated β‐, γ‐, and δ‐C(sp³)?H sites. The use of an easily installed/removed Si‐based auxiliary enables selective I‐atom/radical translocation events at remote C?H sites followed by the Heck reaction. Notably, the reaction proceeds smoothly under mild visible‐light‐mediated conditions at room temperature, producing highly modifiable and valuable alkenol products from readily available alcohols feedstocks.     

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.     

Enantioselective Palladium‐Catalyzed Carbene Insertion into the N−H Bonds of Aromatic Heterocycles

C3‐substituted indoles and carbazoles react with α‐aryl‐α‐diazoesters under palladium catalysis to form α‐(N‐indolyl)‐α‐arylesters and α‐(N‐carbazolyl)‐α‐arylesters. The products result from insertion of a palladium‐carbene ligand into the N−H bond of the aromatic N‐heterocycles. Enantioselection was achieved using a chiral bis(oxazoline) ligand, in many cases with high enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee). The method was applied to synthesize the core of a bioactive carbazole derivative in a concise manner.     

Two‐in‐One Strategy for Palladium‐Catalyzed C−H Functionalization in Water

Transition metal catalyzed C?H functionalizations have been developed as powerful methods for C?C bond formations. Directing groups, removable directing groups, traceless directing groups, and transient directing groups (TDGs) have been successfully used to improve the reaction efficiencies. For the development of greener and more sustainable methods, C?H functionalization using a TDG that also serves as a reagent in aqueous solvent was investigated. The palladium‐catalyzed C?H functionalization of tryptamine derivatives using ketones in water successfully generated tetrahydro‐β‐carbolines with a quaternary carbon center at C1. Deuterium‐labeling experiments are discussed to provide insight into the mechanism. The C2‐position of pyridine was also successfully functionalized by this strategy.     

Enantioselective Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Aminoarylation of Alkenes by Dual N−H and Aryl C−H Bond Cleavage

An asymmetric palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular oxidative aminoarylation of alkenes has been developed with quinoline–oxazoline chiral ligands and Ag₂CO₃ as the oxidant. Various indolines containing a quaternary stereogenic center were synthesized in high yield with excellent enantioselectivity. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that the addition of a catalytic amount of phenylglyoxylic acid significantly accelerates the reaction and slightly enhances the enantioselectivity.