Efficient Benzimidazolidinone Synthesis via Rhodium-Catalyzed Double-Decarbonylative C-C Activation/Cycloaddition between Isatins and Isocyanates

The first decarbonylative cycloaddition of less-strained cyclic ketones (isatins) with isocyanates is reported. Initiated by C-C activation, this distinct [5-2+2] transformation provides a rapid entry to access various benzimidazolidinone derivatives, through which a wide range of isocyanates can be efficiently coupled with broad functional group tolerance. A modified one-pot process, combining Curtius rearrangement and C-C activation, was also achieved by using acyl azides as the starting materials. Detailed mechanistic study revealed a surprising double-decarbonylative reaction pathway. The novel reactivity discovered in this basic research is expected to shed light on developing new heterocycle formation methods through a C-C/isocyanate coupling.

Reaction of alkenecarboxylic acids with isocyanates via rhodium(iii)-catalyzed C–H activation: a versatile route to cyclic imides

A versatile cascade route to cyclic imides via direct functionalization of the β-alkenyl C–H bond of alkenoic acids was developed.

Rhenium-catalyzed C-H aminocarbonylation of azobenzenes with isocyanates

The first C-H aminocarbonylation of azobenzenes with isocyanates is achieved by using rhenium-catalysis, which provides an expedient and atom-economical access to varied o-azobenzamides from readily available starting materials. The reaction efficiency can be enhanced by the catalytic use of sodium acetate via accelerated C-H bond activation.

Radical-mediated dehydrative preparation of cyclic imides using (NH4)2S2O8-DMSO: application to the synthesis of vernakalant

Ammonium persulfate–dimethyl sulfoxide (APS–DMSO) has been developed as an efficient and new dehydrating reagent for a convenient one-pot process for the synthesis of miscellaneous cyclic imides in high yields starting from readily available primary amines and cyclic anhydrides. A plausible radical mechanism involving DMSO has been proposed. The application of this facile one-pot imide forming process has been demonstrated for a practical synthesis of vernakalant.

Cobalt(III)-Catalyzed C-H Bond Amidation with Isocyanates

The first examples of cobalt(III)-catalyzed C-H bond addition to isocyanates are described, providing a convergent strategy for arene and heteroarene amidation. Using a robust air- and moisture-stable catalyst, this transformation demonstrates a broad isocyanate scope and good functional-group compatibility and has been performed on gram scale.