Synthesis of (2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)methyl acetates involving a C-H functionalization process

A novel palladium-catalyzed oxidative C-H functionalization protocol for the synthesis of (2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)methyl acetates has been developed. In the presence of Pd(OAc)2 and PhI(OAc)2, a variety of N-arylpropiolamides underwent the C-H functionalization reaction with acids to afford the corresponding (E)-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)methyl acetates selectively in moderate to excellent yields.     

A sulfoxide-promoted, catalytic method for the regioselective synthesis of allylic acetates from monosubstituted olefins via C-H oxidation

Sulfoxide ligation to Pd(II) salts is shown to selectively promote C-H oxidation versus Wacker oxidation chemistry and to control the regioselectivity in the C-H oxidation products. A catalytic method for the direct C-H oxidation of monosubstituted olefins to linear (E)-allylic acetates in high regio- and stereoselectivities and preparatively useful yields is described. The method using benzoquinone as the stoichiometric oxidant and 10 mol % of Pd(OAc)2 or Pd(O2CCF3)2 as the catalyst in a DMSO/AcOH (1:1) solution was found to be compatible with a wide range of functionality (e.g., amides, carbamates, esters, and ethers, see Table 2). Addition of DMSO was found to be critical for promoting the C-H oxidation pathway, with AcOH alone or in combination with a diverse range of dielectric media, leading to mixtures favoring Wacker-type oxidation products (Tables 1, S3). To explore the role of DMSO as a ligand, the bis-sulfoxide Pd(OAc)2 complex 1 was formed and found to be an effective C-H oxidation catalyst in the absence of DMSO (eqs 2, 3). Moreover, catalyst 1 effects a reversal of regioselectivity, favoring the formation of branched allylic acetates.     

Two-faced reactivity of alkenes: cis- versus trans-aminopalladation in aerobic Pd-catalyzed intramolecular aza-Wacker reactions

A number of different PdII catalyst systems have been reported recently for the Wacker-type aerobic oxidative cyclization of alkenes bearing tethered nitrogen nucleophiles. This study examines the stereochemistry of the aminopalladation step with five different catalyst systems: Pd(OAc)2/DMSO (A), PdX2/pyridine [X = OAc (B), O2CCF3 (C)], Pd(IMes)(O2CCF3)2(OH2) (D), and Pd(O2CCF3)2/(-)-sparteine (E). Use of a stereospecifically deuterated cyclopentene substrate reveals that four of the five catalyst systems (A, B, C, and E) promote exclusive cis-aminopalladation of the alkene, whereas both cis- and trans-aminopalladation occur with the N-heterocyclic-carbene (NHC) catalyst system. If stoichiometric Br?nsted base (NaOAc, Na2CO3) is added to the latter reaction conditions, however, only cis-aminopalladation is observed. The identity of the nitrogen nucleophile also affects the aminopalladation pathway, with results ranging from exclusively cis- to exclusively trans-aminopalladation. These results have important implications for ongoing efforts to develop enantioselective methods for Pd-catalyzed oxidative amination of alkenes.     

Intermolecular amidation of unactivated sp2 and sp2 C-H bonds via palladium-catalyzed cascade C-H activation/nitrene insertion

This communication describes the Pd(OAc)2-catalyzed intermolecular amidation reactions of unactivated sp2 and sp3 C-H bonds using primary amides and potassium persulfate. The substrates containing a pendent oxime or pyridine group were amidated with excellent chemo- and regioselectivities. It is noteworthy that reactive C-X bonds were well-tolerated and a variety of primary amides can be effective nucleophiles for the Pd-catalyzed C-H amidation reactions. For the reaction of unactivated sp3 C-H bonds, beta-amidation of 1 degrees sp3 C-H bonds versus 2 degrees C-H bonds is preferred. The catalytic reaction is initiated by chelation-assisted cyclopalladation involving C-H bond activation. Preliminary mechanistic study suggested that the persulfate oxidation of primary amides should generate reactive nitrene species, which then reacted with the cyclopalladated complex.     

Au-catalyzed synthesis of (1Z,3E)-2-pivaloxy-1,3-dienes from propargylic pivalates

Propargylic pivalates with electronically unbiased internal alkynes are selectively transformed into (1Z,3E)-2-pivaloxy-1,3-dienes containing various functionalities. The unusual selectivity of 1,2-acyloxy migration over the structurally preferred 3,3-rearrangement is realized. This reaction is highly stereoselective and offers rapid access to dienes for one-pot intra-/intermolecular Diels-Alder reactions either under thermal conditions or with Lewis acid catalysis.     

Rhodium catalyzed regioselective arene homologation of aryl urea via double C–H bond activation and migratory insertion of alkyne

A convenient rhodium catalyzed oxidative arene homologation of aniline derivatives with symmetrical or unsymmetrical alkynes using Cu(OAc)_2 as oxidant is described. Urea group is shown to be effective as a directing group for initial ortho C–H activation. Two migratory insertion events of alkyne into Rh–C bond occur successively, both with complete regioselectivity. This method is particularly useful for synthesis of polyarenes with different substituents, which has not been reported with conventional protocol. A mechanism has been proposed to explain the observed data.     

C-H activation of terminal alkynes by tris-(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)boraterhodiumneopentylisocyanide: new metal-carbon bond strengths

C-H bond activation of terminal alkynes by [Tp'Rh(CNneopentyl)] (Tp' = hydridotris-(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) resulted in the formation of terminal C-H bond activation products Tp'Rh(CNneopentyl)(C≡CR)H (R = t-Bu, SiMe(3), hexyl, CF(3), p-MeOC(6)H(4), Ph, and p-CF(3)C(6)H(4)). A combination of kinetic selectivity determined in competition reactions and activation energy for reductive elimination has allowed for the calculation of relative Rh-C(alkynyl) bond strengths. The bond strengths of Rh-C(alkynyl) products are noticeably higher than those of Rh-C(aryl) and Rh-C(alkyl) analogues. The relationship between M-C and C-H bond strengths showed a linear correlation (slope R(M-C/H-C) = 1.32), and follows energy correlations previously established for unsubstituted sp(2) and sp(3) C-H bonds in aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons.     

Pd(OAc)(2)-catalyzed oxidative C-H/C-H cross-coupling of electron-deficient polyfluoroarenes with simple arenes

Pd(OAc)(2)-catalyzed intermolecular C-H/C-H cross-coupling reactions between electron-deficient polyfluoroarenes and simple arenes for the synthesis of fluorinated biaryls have been developed. Deuterium-labeling experiments suggested that C-H bond cleavage of the simple arenes rather than the polyfluoroarenes is involved in the rate-limiting step.     

Combined C-H activation/cope rearrangement as a strategic reaction in organic synthesis: total synthesis of (-)-colombiasin a and (-)-elisapterosin B

The total synthesis of (-)-colombiasin A (2) and (-)-elisapterosin B (3) has been achieved. The key step is a C-H functionalization process, the combined C-H activation/Cope rearrangement, between methyl (E)-2-diazo-3-pentenoate and 1-methyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalenes. When the reaction is catalyzed by dirhodium tetrakis((R)-(N-dodecylbenzenesulfonyl)prolinate), Rh(2)(R-DOSP)(4), an enantiomer differentiation step occurs where one enantiomer of the dihydronaphthalene undergoes the combined C-H activation/Cope rearrangement while the other undergoes cyclopropanation. This sequence controls the three key stereocenters in the natural products such that the remainder of the synthesis is feasible using standard chemistry.     

C-C and C-H bond activation reactions in N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of ruthenium

Thermolysis of Ru(PPh3)3(CO)H2 with the N-heterocyclic carbene bis(1,3-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) (IMes) results in C-C activation of an Ar-CH3 bond in one of the mesityl rings of the carbene ligand. Upon addition of IMes to Ru(PPh3)3(CO)H2 at room temperature in the presence of an alkene, C-H bond activation is observed instead. The thermodynamics of these C-C and C-H cleavage reactions have been probed using density functional theory.     

Hydrofluoroarylation of alkynes with fluoroarenes

A combination of Ni(cod)(2) and PCyp(3) is found to be an effective catalyst for chemoselective activation of the C-H bond of fluoroarenes over C-F bonds followed by insertion of alkynes to allow direct alkenylation of the electron-deficient arenes. The characteristics of the reactions are: a C-H bond ortho to a fluorine substituent is selectively activated; the reactivity of fluorobenzenes is roughly proportional to the number of fluorine atoms. The reaction conditions tolerate a broad range of both alkynes and fluoroarenes containing both electron-withdrawing and -donating groups, thus allowing efficient synthesis of a variety of substituted ethenes containing a fluoroaryl motif in high regio- and stereoselective manners. Mechanistic studies including both labeling experiments and stoichiometric reactions reveal that oxidative addition of C-H bonds in fluoroarenes to nickel(0) is kinetically highly facile whereas that of C-F bonds is thermodynamically favoured.     

New heteroannulation reactions of N-alkoxybenzamides by Pd(II) catalyzed C-H activation

A new palladium(II) catalyzed methodology for the direct synthesis of alkylidene isoindolinones from N-alkoxybenzamides is presented. Isoindolinone formation proceeds through a highly efficient and E-selective C-H activation/Heck/Aza-Wacker sequence. Substoichiometric amounts of benzoquinone can be employed in a cooperative oxidation system with O(2), leading to facile purification of products. Modification of the reaction conditions provides a general route to substituted phthalimides by carbonylation with CO. Both systems were found to tolerate a wide range of functionality.     

Rhodium(III)-catalyzed oxidative carbonylation of benzamides with carbon monoxide

An efficient strategy for the oxidative carbonylation of aromatic amides via C-H/N-H activation to form phthalimides using an Rh(III) catalyst has been developed. The reaction shows a preference for C-H bonds of electron-rich aromatic amides and tolerates a variety of functional groups.     

Efficient alkyl ether synthesis via palladium-catalyzed, picolinamide-directed alkoxylation of unactivated C(sp3)-H and C(sp2)-H bonds at remote positions

We report the efficient synthesis of alkyl ethers by the functionalization of unactivated sp(3)- and sp(2)-hybridized C-H bonds. In the Pd(OAc)(2)-catalyzed, PhI(OAc)(2)-mediated reaction system, picolinamide-protected amine substrates undergo facile alkoxylation at the γ or δ positions with a range of alcohols, including t-BuOH, to give alkoxylated products. This method features a relatively broad substrate scope for amines and alcohols, inexpensive reagents, and convenient operating conditions. This method highlights the emerging value of unactivated C-H bonds, particularly the C(sp(3))-H bond of methyl groups, as functional groups in organic synthesis.     

Rh-catalyzed oxidative coupling between primary and secondary benzamides and alkynes: synthesis of polycyclic amides

A methodology for the high yield and facile synthesis of isoquinolones from benzamides and alkynes via the oxidative ortho C-H activation of benzamides has been developed. Ag(2)CO(3) proved to be an optimal oxidant when MeCN was used as a solvent, and [RhCp*Cl(2)](2) was utilized as an efficient catalyst. Both N-alkyl and N-aryl secondary benzamides can be applied as effective substrates. Furthermore, primary benzamides react with two alkyne units, leading to tricyclic products via double C-H activation and oxidative coupling. The reactivity of the structurally related 1-hydroxyisoquinoline was also demonstrated, where both N- and O-containing rhodacyclic intermediates can be generated, leading to the construction of different O- or N-containing heterocycles.     

Electrophilic C-H activation at Cp*Ir: ancillary-ligand control of the mechanism of C-H activation

Density functional calculations on the low-temperature cyclometalation of dimethylbenzylamine with [IrCl2Cp*]2/NaOAc have characterized a novel electrophilic activation pathway for C-H bond activation. C-H activation occurs from [Ir(DMBA-H)(kappa2-OAc)Cp*]+, and OAc plays a central role in determining the barrier for reaction. Dissociation of the proximal OAc arm sets up a facile intramolecular deprotonation via a geometrically convenient six-membered transition state. Dissociation of the distal OAc arm, however, leads to a higher energy four-membered (sigma-bond metathesis) transition state, while oxidative addition is even higher in energy. For this Ir3+ system, these three mechanisms appear to lie within a continuum in which the participation of the metal center and an H-accepting ancillary ligand are inversely related. The ability of the ancillary ligand to act as a proton acceptor is the key factor in determining which mechanism pertains.     

Palladium-catalyzed cycloaddition of alkynyl aryl ethers with internal alkynes via selective ortho C-H activation

Alkynyl aryl ethers react with internal alkynes through selective ortho C-H activation by a palladium(0) catalyst to give substituted 2-methylidene-2H-chromenes. The alkynoxy group acts as a directing group to promote ortho C-H functionalization. Deuterium-labeling experiments indicated that the arylpalladium hydride complex is a key intermediate via oxidative addition. Various functional groups tolerate the present transformation to give the corresponding products.     

Copper-catalyzed coupling of tertiary aliphatic amines with terminal alkynes to propargylamines via C-H activation

We have developed a convenient and efficient method for coupling of tertiary aliphatic amines with terminal alkynes to propargylamines via C-H activation. The protocol uses CuBr as the catalyst, NBS as the free radical initiator, CH(3)CN as the solvent, and the alkynylation was selectively performed on the methyl of tertiary aliphatic amines at 80 degrees C. This is an economical and practical method for the synthesis of propargylamines.     

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.     

Zipper-mode double C-H activation: palladium-catalyzed direct construction of highly-fused heterocyclic systems

Direct construction of fused aromatic ring systems by "zipper-mode" double C-H bond activation is described. Treatment of (Z)-3-bromo-N-(2-bromo-3-phenylprop-2-enyl)aniline derivatives with a catalytic amount of Pd(OAc)2 and PCy3.HBF4 in the presence of Cs2CO3 in dioxane affords 4,5-naphtho[3,2,1-cd]indole derivatives in good yields. Introduction of heterocycles such as benzofuran, benzothiophene, or indole moieties into the substrates leads to the efficient construction of highly fused heterocyclic aromatic ring systems via C-H bond activation of the heteroaromatic rings.