BODIPY Peptide Labeling by Late‐Stage C(sp3)−H Activation

Late‐stage BODIPY diversification of structurally complex amino acids and peptides was accomplished by racemization‐free palladium‐catalyzed C(sp³)?H activation. Transformative fluorescence modification proved viable by triazole‐assisted C(sp³)?H arylation in a chemo‐ and site‐selective fashion, providing modular access to novel BODIPY peptide sensors.     

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.     

Steric Effect of Carboxylate Ligands on Pd‐Catalyzed Intramolecular C(sp2)–H and C(sp3)–H Arylation Reactions

A bulky carboxylic acid bearing three cyclohexylmethyl substituents at the α‐position, namely, tri(cyclohexylmethyl)acetic acid, is demonstrated to act as an efficient ligand source in Pd‐catalyzed intramolecular C(sp²)?H and C(sp³)?H arylation reactions. The reactions proceed smoothly under mild reaction conditions, even at room temperature due to the steric bulk of the carboxylate ligands, which accelerates the rate‐determining C?H bond activation step in the catalytic cycle.     

Distal γ‐C(sp3)−H Olefination of Ketone Derivatives and Free Carboxylic Acids

Reported herein is the distal γ‐C(sp³)?H olefination of ketone derivatives and free carboxylic acids. Fine tuning of a previously reported imino‐acid directing group and using the ligand combination of a mono‐N‐protected amino acid (MPAA) and an electron‐deficient 2‐pyridone were critical for the γ‐C(sp³)?H olefination of ketone substrates. In addition, MPAAs enabled the γ‐C(sp³)?H olefination of free carboxylic acids to form diverse six‐membered lactones. Besides alkyl carboxylic acids, benzylic C(sp³)?H bonds also could be functionalized to form 3,4‐dihydroisocoumarin structures in a single step from 2‐methyl benzoic acid derivatives. The utility of these protocols was demonstrated in large scale reactions and diversification of the γ‐C(sp³)?H olefinated products.     

Late‐Stage Peptide Diversification through Cobalt‐Catalyzed C−H Activation: Sequential Multicatalysis for Stapled Peptides

Bioorthogonal late‐stage diversification of structurally complex peptides has enormous potential for drug discovery and molecular imaging. In recent years, transition‐metal‐catalyzed C?H activation has emerged as an increasingly viable tool for peptide modification. Despite major accomplishments, these strategies largely rely on expensive palladium catalysts. We herein report an unprecedented cobalt(III)‐catalyzed peptide C?H activation, which enables the direct C?H functionalization of structurally complex peptides, and sets the stage for a multicatalytic C?H activation/alkene metathesis/hydrogenation strategy for the assembly of novel cyclic peptides.     

Late‐Stage Diversification through Manganese‐Catalyzed C−H Activation: Access to Acyclic,Hybrid, and Stapled Peptides

Bioorthogonal C?H allylation with ample scope was accomplished through a versatile manganese(I)‐catalyzed C?H activation for the late‐stage diversification of structurally complex peptides. The unique robustness of the manganese(I) catalysis manifold was reflected by full tolerance of sensitive functional groups, such as iodides, esters, amides, and OH‐free hydroxy groups, thereby setting the stage for the racemization‐free synthesis of C?H fused peptide hybrids featuring steroids, drug molecules, natural products, nucleobases, and saccharides.     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligand‐Enabled C(sp3)−H Arylation of Piperidine and Tetrahydropyran Derivatives

Pd^II‐catalyzed C(sp³)?H arylation of saturated heterocycles with a wide range of aryl iodides is enabled by an N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand. A C(sp³)?H insertion step by the Pd^II/NHC complex in the absence of ArI is demonstrated experimentally for the first time. Experimental data suggests that the previously established NHC‐mediated Pd⁰/Pd^II catalytic manifold does not operate in this reaction. This transformation provides a new approach for diversifying pharmaceutically relevant piperidine and tetrahydropyran ring systems.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed γ‐C(sp3)−H Arylation of Thiols by a Detachable Protecting/Directing Group

Reported herein is a palladium‐catalyzed, directed γ‐C(sp³)?H arylation of protected thiols. The key is to utilize Michael acceptors as a dual reagent to install a protecting/directing group on thiols by a thiol‐Michael click reaction, and remove it later under basic conditions. The C?H arylation proceeds with high functional‐group tolerance and the deprotected thiols can be further transformed into other sulfur‐containing compounds. This unique mode of activation could open the door for site‐selective functionalization of thiols or other sulfur‐containing compounds at unactivated positions.     

Late‐Stage Peptide Macrocyclization by Palladium‐Catalyzed Site‐Selective C−H Olefination of Tryptophan

Transition‐metal‐catalyzed C?H activation has shown potential in the functionalization of peptides with expanded structural diversity. Herein, the development of late‐stage peptide macrocyclization methods by palladium‐catalyzed site‐selective C(sp²)?H olefination of tryptophan residues at the C2 and C4 positions is reported. This strategy utilizes the peptide backbone as endogenous directing groups and provides access to peptide macrocycles with unique Trp–alkene crosslinks.     

Site‐Selective δ‐C(sp3)−H Alkylation of Amino Acids and Peptides with Maleimides via a Six‐Membered Palladacycle

The site‐selective functionalization of unactivated C(sp³)?H bonds remains one of the greatest challenges in organic synthesis. Herein, we report on the site‐selective δ‐C(sp³)?H alkylation of amino acids and peptides with maleimides via a kinetically less favored six‐membered palladacycle in the presence of more accessible γ‐C(sp³)?H bonds. Experimental studies revealed that C?H bond cleavage occurs reversibly and preferentially at γ‐methyl over δ‐methyl C?H bonds while the subsequent alkylation proceeds exclusively at the six‐membered palladacycle that is generated by δ‐C?H activation. The selectivity can be explained by the Curtin–Hammett principle. The exceptional compatibility of this alkylation with various oligopeptides renders this procedure valuable for late‐stage peptide modifications. Notably, this process is also the first palladium(II)‐catalyzed Michael‐type alkylation reaction that proceeds through C(sp³)?H activation.     

Visible‐Light‐Promoted C(sp3)−H Alkylation by Intermolecular Charge Transfer: Preparation of Unnatural α‐Amino Acids and Late‐Stage Modification of Peptides

Disclosed herein is the visible‐light‐promoted deaminative C(sp³)?H alkylation of glycine and peptides using Katritzky salts as electrophiles. Simple reaction conditions and excellent functional‐group tolerance provide a general strategy for the efficient preparation of unnatural α‐amino acids and precise modification of peptides with unnatural α‐amino‐acid residues. Mechanistic studies suggest that visible‐light‐promoted intermolecular charge transfer within a glycine–Katritzky salt electron donor‐acceptor (EDA) complex induces a single‐electron transfer process without the assistance of photocatalyst.     

Ligand‐Enabled Arylation of γ‐C−H Bonds

Pd^II‐catalyzed arylation of γ‐C(sp³)?H bonds of aliphatic acid‐derived amides was developed by using quinoline‐based ligands. Various γ‐aryl‐α‐amino acids were prepared from natural amino acids using this method. The influence of ligand structure on reactivity was also systematically investigated.     

Ligand‐Enabled γ‐C(sp3)−H Olefination of Free Carboxylic Acids

We report the ligand‐enabled C?H activation/olefination of free carboxylic acids in the γ‐position. Through an intramolecular Michael addition, δ‐lactones are obtained as products. Two distinct ligand classes are identified that enable the challenging palladium‐catalyzed activation of free carboxylic acids in the γ‐position. The developed protocol features a wide range of acid substrates and olefin reaction partners and is shown to be applicable on a preparatively useful scale. Insights into the underlying reaction mechanism obtained through kinetic studies are reported.     

Catalytic C(sp3)−H Arylation of Free Primary Amines with an exo Directing Group Generated In Situ

Herein, we report the palladium‐catalyzed direct arylation of unactivated aliphatic C?H bonds in free primary amines. This method takes advantage of an exo‐imine‐type directing group (DG) that can be generated and removed in situ. A range of unprotected aliphatic amines are suitable substrates, undergoing site‐selective arylation at the γ‐position. Methyl as well as cyclic and acyclic methylene groups can be activated. Furthermore, when aniline‐derived substrates were used, preliminary success with δ‐C?H arylation was achieved. The feasibility of using the DG component in a catalytic fashion was also demonstrated.     

Copper‐Catalyzed C(sp3)−H Amidation: Sterically Driven Primary and Secondary C−H Site‐Selectivity

Undirected C(sp³)?H functionalization reactions often follow site‐selectivity patterns that mirror the corresponding C?H bond dissociation energies (BDEs). This often results in the functionalization of weaker tertiary C?H bonds in the presence of stronger secondary and primary bonds. An important, contemporary challenge is the development of catalyst systems capable of selectively functionalizing stronger primary and secondary C?H bonds over tertiary and benzylic C?H sites. Herein, we report a Cu catalyst that exhibits a high degree of primary and secondary over tertiary C?H bond selectivity in the amidation of linear and cyclic hydrocarbons with aroyl azides ArC(O)N₃. Mechanistic and DFT studies indicate that C?H amidation involves H‐atom abstraction from R‐H substrates by nitrene intermediates [Cu](κ²‐N,O‐NC(O)Ar) to provide carbon‐based radicals R^. and copper(II)amide intermediates [Cu^II]‐NHC(O)Ar that subsequently capture radicals R^. to form products R‐NHC(O)Ar. These studies reveal important catalyst features required to achieve primary and secondary C?H amidation selectivity in the absence of directing groups.     

Continuous‐Flow Synthesis and Derivatization of Aziridines through Palladium‐Catalyzed C(sp3)−H Activation

A continuous‐flow synthesis of aziridines by palladium‐catalyzed C(sp³)?H activation is described. The new flow reaction could be combined with an aziridine‐ring‐opening reaction to give highly functionalized aliphatic amines through a consecutive process. A predictive mechanistic model was developed and used to design the C?H activation flow process and illustrates an approach towards first‐principles design based on novel catalytic reactions.     

Palladium(0)/PAr3‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Amination of C(sp3)H Bonds: Synthesis of β‐Amino Acids

An intermolecular C(sp³)? H amination using a Pd⁰/PAr₃ catalyst was developed. The reaction begins with oxidative addition of R₂N? OBz to a Pd⁰/PAr₃ catalyst and subsequent cleavage of a C(sp³)? H bond by the generated Pd? NR₂ intermediate. The catalytic cycle proceeds without the need for external oxidants in a similar manner to the extensively studied palladium(0)‐catalyzed C? H arylation reactions. The electron‐deficient triarylphosphine ligand is crucial for this C(sp³)? H amination reaction to occur.