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.     

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.     

Site‐Selective Late‐Stage Aromatic [18F]Fluorination via Aryl Sulfonium Salts

Site‐selective functionalization of C?H bonds in small complex molecules is a long‐standing challenge in organic chemistry. Herein, we report a broadly applicable and site‐selective aromatic C?H dibenzothiophenylation reaction. The conceptual advantage of this transformation is further demonstrated through the two‐step C?H [¹⁸F]fluorination of a series of marketed small‐molecule drugs.     

Hydrogen‐bonding patterns in three substituted N‐benzyl‐N‐(3‐tert‐butyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐yl)acetamides

The molecules of N‐(3‐tert‐butyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐yl)‐2‐chloro‐N‐(4‐methoxybenzyl)acetamide, C₂₃H₂₆ClN₃O₂, are linked into a chain of edge‐fused centrosymmetric rings by a combination of one C—H...O hydrogen bond and one C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bond. In N‐(3‐tert‐butyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐yl)‐2‐chloro‐N‐(4‐chlorobenzyl)acetamide, C₂₂H₂₃Cl₂N₃O, a combination of one C—H...O hydrogen bond and two C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds, which utilize different aryl rings as the acceptors, link the molecules into sheets. The molecules of S‐[N‐(3‐tert‐butyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐yl)‐N‐(4‐methylbenzyl)carbamoyl]methyl O‐ethyl carbonodithioate, C₂₆H₃₁N₃O₂S₂, are also linked into sheets, now by a combination of two C—H...O hydrogen bonds, both of which utilize the amide O atom as the acceptor, and two C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds, which utilize different aryl groups as the acceptors.     

Site‐Selective Functionalization of (sp3)C−H Bonds Catalyzed by Artificial Metalloenzymes Containing an Iridium‐Porphyrin Cofactor

The selective functionalization of one C?H bond over others in nearly identical steric and electronic environments can facilitate the construction of complex molecules. We report site‐selective functionalizations of C?H bonds, differentiated solely by remote substituents, catalyzed by artificial metalloenzymes (ArMs) that are generated from the combination of an evolvable P450 scaffold and an iridium‐porphyrin cofactor. The generated systems catalyze the insertion of carbenes into the C?H bonds of a range of phthalan derivatives containing substituents that render the two methylene positions in each phthalan inequivalent. These reactions occur with site‐selectivity ratios of up to 17.8:1 and, in most cases, with pairs of enzyme mutants that preferentially form each of the two constitutional isomers. This study demonstrates the potential of abiotic reactions catalyzed by metalloenzymes to functionalize C?H bonds with site selectivity that is difficult to achieve with small‐molecule catalysts.     

Regioselective Arene C−H Alkylation Enabled by Organic Photoredox Catalysis

Expanding the toolbox of C?H functionalization reactions applicable to the late‐stage modification of complex molecules is of interest in medicinal chemistry, wherein the preparation of structural variants of known pharmacophores is a key strategy for drug development. One manifold for the functionalization of aromatic molecules utilizes diazo compounds and a transition‐metal catalyst to generate a metallocarbene species, which is capable of direct insertion into an aromatic C?H bond. However, these high‐energy intermediates can often require directing groups or a large excess of substrate to achieve efficient and selective reactivity. Herein, we report that arene cation radicals generated by organic photoredox catalysis engage in formal C?H functionalization reactions with diazoacetate derivatives, furnishing sp²–sp³ coupled products with moderate‐to‐good regioselectivity. In contrast to previous methods utilizing metallocarbene intermediates, this transformation does not proceed via a carbene intermediate, nor does it require the presence of a transition‐metal catalyst.     

Hydrogen‐bonded sheet structures in methyl 4‐(4‐chloroanilino)‐3‐nitrobenzoate and methyl 1‐benzyl‐2‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole‐5‐carboxylate

In methyl 4‐(4‐chloroanilino)‐3‐nitrobenzoate, C₁₄H₁₁ClN₂O₄, (I), there is an intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond and the intramolecular distances provide evidence for electronic polarization of the o‐quinonoid type. The molecules are linked into sheets built from N—H...O, C—H...O and C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds, together with an aromatic π–π stacking interaction. The molecules of methyl 1‐benzyl‐2‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole‐5‐carboxylate, C₂₂H₁₇ClN₂O₂, (II), are also linked into sheets, this time by a combination of C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds and aromatic π–π stacking interactions.     

Predictable Selectivity in Remote C−H Oxidation of Steroids: Analysis of Substrate Binding Mode

Predictability is a key requirement to encompass late‐stage C?H functionalization in synthetic routes. However, prediction (and control) of reaction selectivity is usually challenging, especially for complex substrate structures and elusive transformations such as remote C(sp³)?H oxidation, as it requires distinguishing a specific C?H bond from many others with similar reactivity. Developed here is a strategy for predictable, remote C?H oxidation that entails substrate binding to a supramolecular Mn or Fe catalyst followed by elucidation of the conformation of the host‐guest adduct by NMR analysis. These analyses indicate which remote C?H bonds are suitably oriented for the oxidation before carrying out the reaction, enabling prediction of site selectivity. This strategy was applied to late‐stage C(sp³)?H oxidation of amino‐steroids at C15 (or C16) positions, with a selectivity tunable by modification of catalyst chirality and metal.     

Ethyl N‐(2‐benzyl­amino‐6‐benzyl­oxy‐5‐nitro­sopyrimidin‐4‐yl)­glycinate: sheets built from a three‐centre N—H⋯(N,O), and two‐centre C—H⋯O and C—H⋯π(arene) hydrogen bonds

In the title compound, C₂₂H₂₃N₅O₄, the mol­ecules are linked into chains by a three‐centre N—H?(N,O) hydrogen bond, reinforced by a two‐centre C—H?O hydrogen bond, and the chains are further linked into sheets by a combination of C—H?O and C—H?π(arene) hydrogen bonds.     

Remote C−H Activation of Quinolines through Copper‐Catalyzed Radical Cross‐Coupling

Achieving site selectivity in carbon–hydrogen (C?H) functionalization reactions is a formidable challenge in organic chemistry. Herein, we report a novel approach to activating remote C?H bonds at the C5 position of 8‐aminoquinoline through copper‐catalyzed sulfonylation under mild conditions. Our strategy shows high conversion efficiency, a broad substrate scope, and good toleration with different functional groups. Furthermore, our mechanistic investigations suggest that a single‐electron‐transfer process plays a vital role in generating sulfonyl radicals and subsequently initiating C?S cross‐coupling. Importantly, our copper‐catalyzed remote functionalization protocol can be expanded for the construction of a variety of chemical bonds, including C?O, C?Br, C?N, C?C, and C?I. These findings provide a fundamental insight into the activation of remote C?H bonds, while offering new possibilities for rational design of drug molecules and optoelectronic materials requiring specific modification of functional groups.     

Two N‐(2‐phenylethyl)nitroaniline derivatives as precursors for slow and sustained nitric oxide release agents

Notwithstanding its simple structure, the chemistry of nitric oxide (NO) is complex. As a radical, NO is highly reactive. NO also has profound effects on the cardiovascular system. In order to regulate NO levels, direct therapeutic interventions include the development of numerous NO donors. Most of these donors release NO in a single high‐concentration burst, which is deleterious. N‐Nitrosated secondary amines release NO in a slow, sustained, and rate‐tunable manner. Two new precursors to sustained NO‐releasing materials have been characterized. N‐[2‐(3,4‐Dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]‐2,4‐dinitroaniline, C₁₆H₁₇N₃O₆, (I), crystallizes with one independent molecule in the asymmetric unit. The adjacent amine and nitro groups form an intramolecular N—H…O hydrogen bond. The anti conformation about the phenylethyl‐to‐aniline C—N bond leads to the planes of the arene and aniline rings being approximately perpendicular. Molecules are linked into dimers by weak intermolecular N—H…O hydrogen bonds such that each amine H atom participates in a three‐center interaction with two nitro O atoms. The dimers pack so that the arene rings of adjacent molecules are not parallel and π–π interactions do not appear to be favored. N‐(4‐Methylsulfonyl‐2‐nitrophenyl)‐l ‐phenylalanine, C₁₆H₁₆N₂O₆S, (II), with an optically active center, also crystallizes with one unique molecule in the asymmetric unit. The l enantiomer was established via the configuration of the starting material and was confirmed by refinement of the Flack parameter. As in (I), there is an intramolecular N—H…O hydrogen bond between adjacent amine and nitro groups. The conformation of the molecule is such that the arene rings display a dihedral angle of ca 60°. Unlike (I), molecules are not linked via intermolecular N—H…O hydrogen bonds. Rather, the carboxylic acid H atom forms a classic, approximately linear, O—H…O hydrogen bond with a sulfone O atom. Pairs of molecules related by twofold rotation axes are linked into dimers by two such interactions. The packing pattern features a zigzag arrangement of the arene rings without apparent π–π interactions. These structures are compared with reported analogues, revealing significant differences in molecular conformation, intermolecular interactions, and packing that result from modest changes in functional groups. The structures are discussed in terms of potential NO‐release capability.     

Diaryliodoniums by Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed CH Activation: Mild Synthesis and Diversified Functionalizations

Diaryliodonium salts play an increasingly important role as an aryl source. Reported is the first synthesis of diaryliodoniums by rhodium(III)‐catalyzed C? H hyperiodination of electron‐poor arenes under chelation assistance. This C? I coupling reaction occurred at room temperature with high regio‐selectivity and functional‐group compatibility. Subsequent diversified nucleophilic functionalization of a diaryliodonium allowed facile construction of C? C, C? N, C? O, C? S, C? P and C? Br bonds, and in all cases the initial functionalization occurred at the arene containing the chelating‐group.     

Triphenylsilanol–4,4′‐bipyridyl (4/1): the Z′ = 4 polymorph revisited

A fully ordered structure is reported for the polymorph of triphenylsilanol–4,4′‐bipyridyl (4/1), 4C₁₈H₁₆OSi·C₁₀H₈N₂, having Z′ = 4. The asymmetric unit contains four similar but distinct five‐molecule aggregates, in which the central bipyridyl unit is linked to two molecules of triphenylsilanol via O—H...N hydrogen bonds, with a further pair of triphenylsilanol molecules linked to the first pair via O—H...O hydrogen bonds. An extensive series of C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds links these aggregates into complex sheets. This structure is compared with a previously reported structure [Bowes, Ferguson, Lough & Glidewell (2003). Acta Cryst. B 59 , 277–286], which was based on an erroneous disordered structural model arising from a false direct‐methods solution with reference to a strong pseudo‐inversion centre.     

Iridium‐Catalyzed β‐Alkynylation of Aliphatic Oximes as Masked Carbonyl Compounds and Alcohols

An Ir‐catalyzed C(sp³)?H alkynylation of aliphatic ketones, aldehydes, and alcohols was achieved by using the corresponding oxime derivatives and a Ir^III catalyst. This general reaction is selective towards primary C(sp³)?H bonds and can be used for the late‐stage C?H alkynylation of complex molecules.     

Three closely related thienyl‐substituted 1,4‐epoxynaphtho[1,2‐b]azepines: hydrogen‐bonded assembly in one,two and three dimensions

(2R,4S)‐2‐(3‐Methylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1,4‐epoxynaphtho[1,2‐b]azepine, C₁₉H₁₇NOS, (I), crystallizes with a single enantiomer in each crystal, whereas its geometrical isomer (2RS,4SR)‐2‐(5‐methylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1,4‐epoxy‐naphtho[1,2‐b]azepine, (II), and (2RS,4SR)‐2‐(5‐bromothiophen‐2‐yl)‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1,4‐epoxynaphtho[1,2‐b]azepine, C₁₈H₁₄BrNOS, (III), both crystallize as racemic mixtures. A combination of one C—H...O hydrogen bond and two C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds links the molecules of (I) into a three‐dimensional framework; the molecules of (II) are linked into a C(4)C(4)[R₂²(7)] chain of rings by a combination of C—H...N and C—H...O hydrogen bonds; and in (III), where Z′ = 2, a combination of four C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds and two C—H...π(thienyl) hydrogen bonds links the molecules into complex sheets. Comparisons are made with the assembly patterns in some aryl‐substituted 1,4‐epoxynaphtho[1,2‐b]azepines.     

Divergent and Stereoselective Synthesis of β‐Silyl‐α‐Amino Acids through Palladium‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Silylation of Unactivated Primary and Secondary C−H Bonds

A general and practical Pd^II‐catalyzed intermolecular silylation of primary and secondary C?H bonds of α‐amino acids and simple aliphatic acids is reported. This method provides divergent and stereoselective access to a variety of optical pure β‐silyl‐α‐amino acids, which are useful for genetic technologies and proteomics. It can also be readily performed on a gram scale and the auxiliary can be easily removed with retention of configuration. The synthetic importance of this method is further demonstrated by the late‐stage functionalization of biological small molecules, such as (?)‐santonin and β‐cholic acid. Moreover, several key palladacycles were successfully isolated and characterized to elucidate the mechanism of this β?C(sp³)‐H silylation process.     

Hydrogen Bonding of Fluorinated Saccharides in Solution: F Acting as H‐Bond Acceptor in a Bifurcated H‐Bond of 4‐Fluorinated Levoglucosans

4‐Fluorinated levoglucosans were synthesised to test if OH???F H‐bonds are feasible even when the O???F distance is increased. The fluorinated 1,6‐anhydro‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoses were synthesised from 1,6 : 3,4‐dianhydro‐β‐D ‐galactopyranose ( 8 ). Treatment of 8 with KHF₂ and KF gave 43% of 4‐deoxy‐4‐fluorolevoglucosan ( 9 ), which was transformed into the 3‐O‐protected derivatives 13 by silylation and 15 by silylation, acetylation, and desilylation. 4‐Deoxy‐4‐methyllevoglucosan ( 19 ) and 4‐deoxylevoglucosan ( 21 ) were prepared as reference compounds that can only form a bivalent H‐bond from HO? C(2) to O? C(5). They were synthesised from the ⁱPr₃Si‐protected derivative of 8 . Intramolecular bifurcated H‐bonds from HO? C(2) to F? C(4) and O? C(5) of the 4‐fluorinated levoglucosans in CDCl₃ solution are evidenced by the ¹H‐NMR scalar couplings ^h1J(F,OH) and ³J(H,OH). The OH???F H‐bond over an O???F distance of ca. 3.0 Å is thus formed in apolar solvents, at least when favoured by the simultaneous formation of an OH???O H‐bond.     

The Mechanism of NO Bond Cleavage in Rhodium‐Catalyzed CH Bond Functionalization of Quinoline N‐oxides with Alkynes: A Computational Study

Metal‐catalyzed C?H activation not only offers important strategies to construct new bonds, it also allows the merge of important research areas. When quinoline N‐oxide is used as an arene source in C?H activation studies, the N?O bond can act as a directing group as well as an O‐atom donor. The newly reported density functional theory method, M11L, has been used to elucidate the mechanistic details of the coupling between quinoline N?O bond and alkynes, which results in C?H activation and O‐atom transfer. The computational results indicated that the most favorable pathway involves an electrophilic deprotonation, an insertion of an acetylene group into a Rh?C bond, a reductive elimination to form an oxazinoquinolinium‐coordinated Rh^I intermediate, an oxidative addition to break the N?O bond, and a protonation reaction to regenerate the active catalyst. The regioselectivity of the reaction has also been studied by using prop‐1‐yn‐1‐ylbenzene as a model unsymmetrical substrate. Theoretical calculations suggested that 1‐phenyl‐2‐quinolinylpropanone would be the major product because of better conjugation between the phenyl group and enolate moiety in the corresponding transition state of the regioselectivity‐determining step. These calculated data are consistent with the experimental observations.     

5‐Amino‐1‐benzoyl‐3‐methylpyrazole: complex sheets built from N—H...N,C—H...O and C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds

Molecules of the title compound [systematic name: (5‐amino‐3‐methylpyrazol‐1‐yl)(phenyl)methanone], C₁₁H₁₁N₃O, contain an intramolecular hydrogen bond. The molecules are linked into sheets by a combination of N—H...N, C—H...O and C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds. Comparisons are made with the hydrogen‐bonded structures of some related compounds.     

Assembling an isomer grid: the isomorphous 4‐, 3‐ and 2‐fluoro‐N′‐(4‐pyridyl)benzamides

The three title isomers, 4‐, (I), 3‐, (II), and 2‐fluoro‐N′‐(4‐pyridyl)benzamide, (III), all C₁₂H₉FN₂O, crystallize in the P2₁/c space group (No. 14) with similar unit‐cell parameters and are isomorphous and isostructural at the primary hydrogen‐bonding level. An intramolecular C—H...O=C interaction is present in all three isomers [C...O = 2.8681 (17)–2.884 (2) Å and C—H...O117–118°], with an additional N—H...F [N...F = 2.7544 (15) Å] interaction in (III). Intermolecular amide–pyridine N—H...N hydrogen bonds link molecules into one‐dimensional zigzag chains [graph set C(6)] along the [010] direction as the primary hydrogen bond [N...N = 3.022 (2), 3.049 (2) and 3.0213 (17) Å]. These are augmented in (I) by C—H...π(arene) and cyclic C—F...π(arene) contacts about inversion centres, in (II) by C—F...F—C interactions [C...F = 3.037 (2) Å] and weaker C—H...π(arene)/C—H...F contacts, and in (III) by C—H...π(arene) and C=O...O=C interactions, linking the alternating chains into two‐dimensional sheets. Typical amide N—H...O=C hydrogen bonds [as C(4) chains] are not present [N...O = 3.438 (2) Å in (I), 3.562 (2) Å in (II) and 3.7854 (16) Å in (III)]; the C=O group is effectively shielded and only participates in weaker interactions/contacts. This series is unusual as the three isomers are isomorphous (having similar unit‐cell parameters, packing and alignment), but they differ in their interactions and contacts at the secondary level.