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.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Spirocyclization through C−H Activation and Regioselective Alkyne Insertion

A Pd‐catalyzed spirocyclization involving a sequential carbopalladation, intramolecular C−H activation, and a highly regioselective alkyne insertion to afford spirooxindoles and spirodihydrobenzofurans has been achieved. The spirocyclic products were generated in good to excellent yields with complete regiocontrol in a readily scalable procedure.     

Selective Palladium‐Catalyzed Allenic C−H Bond Oxidation for the Synthesis of [3]Dendralenes

A highly selective palladium‐catalyzed allenic C−H bond oxidation was developed, and it provides a novel and straightforward synthesis of [3]dendralene derivatives. A variety of [3]dendralenes with diverse substitution patterns are accessible with good efficiency and high stereoselectivity. The reaction tolerates a broad substrate scope containing various functional groups on the allene moiety, including ketone, aldehyde, ester, and phenyl groups. Also, a wide range of olefins with both electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing aryls, acrylate, sulfone, and phosphonate groups are tolerated.     

Activation of Remote meta‐C−H Bonds in Arenes with Tethered Alcohols: A Salicylonitrile Template

Palladium‐catalyzed activation of remote meta ‐C−H bonds in arenes containing tethered alcohols was achieved with high regioselectivity by using a nitrile template. Computational studies on the macrocyclic transition state of the regioselectivity‐determining C−H activation steps revealed that both the C‐N‐Ag angles and gauche comformations of phenyl ether play an extremely important role in the meta selectivity.     

A Modular Flow Design for the meta‐Selective C−H Arylation of Anilines

Described herein is an effective and practical modular flow design for the meta ‐selective C−H arylation of anilines. The design consists of four continuous‐flow modules (i.e., diaryliodonium salt synthesis, meta ‐selective C−H arylation, inline copper extraction, and aniline deprotection) which can be operated either individually or consecutively to provide direct access to meta ‐arylated anilines. With a total residence time of 1 hour, the desired product could be obtained in high yield and excellent purity without the need for column chromatography, and the residual copper content meets the standards for parenterally administered pharmaceutical substances.     

Enantioselective Arylation of Benzylic C−H Bonds by Copper‐Catalyzed Radical Relay

A novel enantioselective copper‐catalyzed arylation of benzylic C?H bonds, using alkylarenes as a limiting reagent, has been developed. A chiral bisoxazoline ligand bearing an acetate ester moiety plays a key role in both the reactivity and enantioselectivity of the reaction. The reaction provides efficient access to various chiral 1,1‐diarylalkanes in good yields with good to excellent enantioselectivities, and displays excellent functional‐group tolerance.     

PdII‐Catalyzed Regio‐ and Enantioselective Oxidative C−H/C−H Cross‐Coupling Reaction between Ferrocenes and Azoles

Asymmetric C?H bond functionalization reaction is one of the most efficient and straightforward methods for the synthesis of optically active molecules. Herein we disclose an asymmetric C?H/C?H cross‐coupling reaction of ferrocenes with azoles such as oxazoles and thiazoles. Palladium(II)/monoprotected amino acid (MPAA) catalytic system which exhibits excellent reactivity and regioselectivity for oxazoles and thiazoles. This method offers a powerful strategy for constructing planar chiral ferrocenes. Mechanistic studies suggest that the C?H bond cleavage of azoles is likely proceeding through a S_EAr process and may not be a turnover limiting step.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed meta‐C−H Functionalization of Arenes

Rhodium‐catalyzed ortho ‐C−H functionalization is well known in the literature. Described herein is the Xphos‐supported rhodium catalysis of meta ‐C−H olefination of benzylsulfonic acid and phenyl acetic acid frameworks with the assistance of a para ‐methoxy‐substituted cyano phenol as the directing group. Complete mono‐selectivity is observed for both scaffolds. A wide range of olefins and functional groups attached to arene are tolerated in this protocol.     

Site‐Selective C−H Oxygenation via Aryl Sulfonium Salts

Herein, we report a two‐step process forming arene C?O bonds in excellent site‐selectivity at a late‐stage. The C?O bond formation is achieved by selective introduction of a thianthrenium group, which is then converted into C?O bonds using photoredox chemistry. Electron‐rich, ‐poor and ‐neutral arenes as well as complex drug‐like small molecules are successfully transformed into both phenols and various ethers. The sequence differs conceptually from all previous arene oxygenation reactions in that oxygen functionality can be incorporated into complex small molecules at a late stage site‐selectively, which has not been shown via aryl halides.     

Ligand‐Enabled Auxiliary‐Free meta‐C−H Arylation of Phenylacetic Acids

The meta ‐C−H arylation of free phenylacetic acid was realized using 2‐carbomethoxynorbornene (NBE‐CO₂Me) as a transient mediator. Both the modified norbornene and the mono‐protected 3‐amino‐2‐hydroxypyridine type ligand are crucial for this auxiliary‐free meta ‐C−H arylation reaction. A series of phenylacetic acids, including mandelic acid and phenylglycine, react smoothly with various aryl iodides to provide the meta ‐arylated products in high yields.     

C−H and C−N Activation at Redox‐Active Pyridine Complexes of Iron

Pyridine activation by inexpensive iron catalysts has great utility, but the steps through which iron species can break the strong (105–111 kcal mol⁻¹) C−H bonds of pyridine substrates are unknown. In this work, we report the rapid room‐temperature cleavage of C−H bonds in pyridine, 4‐tert‐butylpyridine, and 2‐phenylpyridine by an iron(I) species, to give well‐characterized iron(II) products. In addition, 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) undergoes room‐temperature C−N bond cleavage, which forms a dimethylamidoiron(II) complex and a pyridyl‐bridged tetrairon(II) square. These facile bond‐cleaving reactions are proposed to occur through intermediates having a two‐electron reduced pyridine that bridges two iron centers. Thus, the redox non‐innocence of the pyridine can play a key role in enabling high regioselectivity for difficult reactions.     

A General Approach to Site‐Specific,Intramolecular C−H Functionalization Using Dithiocarbamates

Intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer is an established approach for the site‐specific functionalization of unactivated, aliphatic C−H bonds. Transformations using this strategy typically require unstable intermediates formed using strong oxidants and have mainly targeted C−H halogenations or intramolecular aminations. Herein, we report a site‐specific C−H functionalization that significantly increases the synthetic scope and convergency of reactions proceeding via intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer. Stable, isolable N‐dithiocarbamates are used as precursors to amidyl radicals formed via either light or radical initiation to efficiently deliver highly versatile alkyl dithiocarbamates across a wide range of complex structures.     

Site‐Selective C−S Bond Formation at C−Br over C−OTf and C−Cl Enabled by an Air‐Stable,Easily Recoverable,and Recyclable Palladium(I) Catalyst

This report widens the repertoire of emerging Pd^I catalysis to carbon–heteroatom, that is, C−S bond formation. While Pd⁰‐catalyzed protocols may suffer from the formation of poisonous sulfide‐bound off‐cycle intermediates and lack of selectivity, the mechanistically diverse Pd^I catalysis concept circumvents these challenges and allows for C−S bond formation (S–aryl and S–alkyl) of a wide range of aryl halides. Site‐selective thiolations of C−Br sites in the presence of C−Cl and C−OTf were achieved in a general and a priori predictable fashion. Computational, spectroscopic, X‐ray, and reactivity data support dinuclear Pd^I catalysis to be operative. Contrary to air‐sensitive Pd⁰, the active Pd^I species was easily recovered in the open atmosphere and subjected to multiple rounds of recycling.     

para‐Selective C−H Borylation of (Hetero)Arenes by Cooperative Iridium/Aluminum Catalysis

para ‐Selective C−H borylation of benzamides and pyridines has been achieved by cooperative iridium/aluminum catalysis. A combination of iridium catalysts commonly employed for arene C−H borylation and bulky aluminum‐based Lewis acid catalysts provides an unprecedented strategy for controlling the regioselectivity of C−H borylation to give variously substituted (hetero)arylboronates, which are versatile synthetic intermediates for complex multi‐substituted aromatic compounds.