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.     

Practical Alkoxythiocarbonyl Auxiliaries for Iridium(I)‐Catalyzed C−H Alkylation of Azacycles

The development of new and practical 3‐pentoxythiocarbonyl auxiliaries for Ir^I‐catalyzed C−H alkylation of azacycles is described. This method allows for the α‐C−H alkylation of a variety of substituted pyrrolidines, piperidines, and tetrahydroisoquinolines through alkylation with alkenes. While the practicality of these simple carbamate‐type auxiliaries is underscored by the ease of installation and removal, the method's utility is demonstrated in its ability to functionalize biologically relevant l ‐proline and l ‐trans ‐hydroxyproline, delivering unique 2,5‐dialkylated amino acid analogues that are not accessible by other C−H functionalization methods.     

Tritopic NHC Precursors: Unusual Nickel Reactivity and Ethylene Insertion into a C(sp3)–H Bond

The imidazolium chloride [C₃H₃N(C₃H₆NMe₂)N{C(Me)(=NDipp)}]Cl ( 1 ; Dipp=2,6‐diisopropyl phenyl), a potential precursor to a tritopic N^imineC^NHCN^amine pincer‐type ligand, reacted with [Ni(cod)₂] to give the Ni^I‐Ni^I complex 2 , which contains a rare cod‐derived η³‐allyl‐type bridging ligand. The implied intermediate formation of a nickel hydride through oxidative addition of the imidazolium C−H bond did not occur with the symmetrical imidazolium chloride [C₃H₃N₂{C(Me)(=NDipp)}₂]Cl ( 3 ). Instead, a Ni−C(sp³) bond was formed, leading to the neutral N^imineCHN^imine pincer‐type complex Ni[C₃H₃N₂{C(Me)(=NDipp)}₂]Cl ( 4 ). Theoretical studies showed that this highly unusual feature in nickel NHC chemistry is due to steric constraints induced by the N substituents, which prevent Ni−H bond formation. Remarkably, ethylene inserted into the C(sp³)−H bond of 4 without nickel hydride formation, thus suggesting new pathways for the alkylation of non‐activated C−H bonds.     

Catalytic Hydroalkylation of Allenes

We have developed a catalytic method for the hydroalkylation of allenes using alkyl triflates as electrophiles and silane as a hydride source. The reaction has an excellent substrate scope and is compatible with a wide range of functional groups, including esters, aryl halides, aryl boronic esters, sulfonamides, alkyl tosylates, and alkyl bromides. We found evidence for a reaction mechanism that involves unusual dinuclear copper ally complexes as catalytic intermediates. The unusual structure of these complexes provides a rationale for their unexpected reactivity.     

Catalytic Asymmetric N‐Alkylation of Indoles and Carbazoles through 1,6‐Conjugate Addition of Aza‐para‐quinone Methides

Catalytic asymmetric N‐alkylation of indoles and carbazoles represents a family of important but underdeveloped reactions. Herein, we describe a new organocatalytic strategy in which in situ generated aza‐para ‐quinone methides are employed as the alkylating reagent. With the proper choice of a chiral phosphoric acid and an N‐protective group, the intermolecular C−N bond formation with various indole and carbazole nucleophiles proceeded efficiently under mild conditions with excellent enantioselectivity and functional‐group compatibility. Control experiments and kinetic studies provided important insight into the reaction mechanism.