Palladium-catalyzed alkoxylation of N-methoxybenzamides via direct sp2 C-H bond activation

Copper-catalyzed aromatic C-H alkoxylation with alcohols under aerobic conditions

An efficient protocol for copper-catalyzed aromatic C-H alkoxylation with alcohols has been developed under aerobic conditions. The protocol provides a complementary method to couple arenes and alcohols to furnish aromatic ethers. The advantages of this method are the employment of a cheap Cu(OAc)₂ catalyst, oxygen as the terminal oxidant and alcohol as both an alkoxy reagent and a solvent. Notably, the catalytic amount of benzoic acid plays a significant role in this transformation.

Concise Total Syntheses of (+)-Haplocidine and (+)-Haplocine via Late-Stage Oxidation of (+)-Fendleridine Derivatives

We report the first total syntheses of (+)-haplocidine and its N1-amide congener (+)-haplocine. Our concise synthesis of these alkaloids required the development of a late-stage and highly selective C-H oxidation of complex aspidosperma alkaloid derivatives. A versatile, amide-directed ortho-acetoxylation of indoline amides enabled our implementation of a unified strategy for late-stage diversification of hexacyclic C19-hemiaminal ether structures via oxidation of the corresponding pentacyclic C19-iminium ions. An electrophilic amide activation of a readily available C21-oxygenated lactam, followed by transannular cyclization and in situ trapping of a transiently formed C19-iminium ion, expediently provided access to hexacyclic C19-hemiaminal ether alkaloids (+)-fendleridine, (+)-acetylaspidoalbidine, and (+)-propionylaspidoalbidine. A highly effective enzymatic resolution of a non-β-branched primary alcohol (E = 22) allowed rapid preparation of both enantiomeric forms of a C21-oxygenated precursor for synthesis of these aspidosperma alkaloids. Our synthetic strategy provides succinct access to hexacyclic aspidosperma derivatives, including the antiproliferative alkaloid (+)-haplocidine.

A Simple and Versatile Amide Directing Group for C-H Functionalizations

Achieving selective C-H activation at a single and strategic site in the presence of multiple C-H bonds can provide a powerful and generally useful retrosynthetic disconnection. In this context, a directing group serves as a compass to guide the transition metal to C-H bonds by using distance and geometry as powerful recognition parameters to distinguish between proximal and distal C-H bonds. However, the installation and removal of directing groups is a practical drawback. To improve the utility of this approach, one can seek solutions in three directions: 1) Simplifying the directing group, 2) using common functional groups or protecting groups as directing groups, and 3) attaching the directing group to substrates via a transient covalent bond to render the directing group catalytic. This Review describes the rational development of an extremely simple and yet broadly applicable directing group for Pd(II) , Rh(III) , and Ru(II) catalysts, namely the N-methoxy amide (CONHOMe) moiety. Through collective efforts in the community, a wide range of C-H activation transformations using this type of simple directing group have been developed.

Pd(OAc)2-catalysed regioselective alkoxylation of aryl (β-carbolin-1-yl)methanones via β-carboline directed ortho-C(sp(2))-H activation of an aryl ring

Synthesis of (2-alkoxyphenyl)(9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indol-1-yl)methanone via Pd(OAc)2-catalyzed regioselective alkoxylation of aryl (β-carbolin-1-yl) methanones employing β-carboline directed ortho-C(sp(2))-H activation of an aryl ring under oxidative conditions is described.

Purinyl N(3)-Directed Palladium-Catalyzed C-H Alkoxylation of N(9)-Arylpurines: A Late-Stage Strategy to Synthesize N(9)-(ortho-Alkoxyl)arylpurines

A palladium-catalyzed alkoxylation of N(9)-arylpurines with primary or secondary alcohols has been developed successfully, which is a rare C-H activation reaction of polynitrogenated purines and offers a late-stage strategy to synthesize N(9)-(ortho-alkoxyl)arylpurines. Although there are more than four nitrogen atoms present in the purine moiety, the reaction can be effectively conducted by sterically blocking the N(1) site for catalyst coordination and first employing the purinyl N(3) atom as a directing group.

Palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative alkoxycarbonylation of potassium aryltrifluoroborates with potassium oxalate monoesters

An efficient method for the preparation of aryl esters has been developed via Pd-catalyzed decarboxylative coupling of potassium aryltrifluoroborates and potassium oxalate monoesters.

Palladium N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed expected and unexpected C–C and C–N functionalization reactions of 1-aryl-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-ones

A palladium N-heterocyclic carbene complex of vitamin B₁ developed earlier in our laboratory was successfully employed as an efficient catalyst for the regioselective C–C and C–N functionalization reactions of 1-aryl-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-ones.

Cyclic Ether Synthesis via Palladium-Catalyzed Directed Dehydrogenative Annulation at Unactivated Terminal Positions

Here, a palladium-catalyzed functionalization of unactivated sp(3) C-H bonds with internal alcohol nucleophiles is described. Directed by an oxime-masked alcohol, annulation chemoselectively occurs at the β position, leading to a range of aliphatic cyclic ethers with four- to seven-membered rings. Tethered primary, secondary, and tertiary free hydroxyl groups can all react to give the corresponding cyclized products. In addition, benzyl and silyl protected alcohols can also be directly coupled. An sp(3) C-H activation/intramolecular SN2 pathway was proposed.

Palladium-catalyzed R2(O)P directed C(sp2)-H acetoxylation

A novel and efficient Pd-catalyzed C-H acetoxylation is described. The approach uses R2(O)P as a directing group to synthesize various substituted 2'-phosphorylbiphenyl-2-OAc compounds. Notably, the reaction exhibits smooth operation under mild conditions and shows good functional group tolerance. Products are obtained with high selectivity and yields.

Pd(II)-catalyzed C-H functionalizations directed by distal weakly coordinating functional groups

Ortho-C(sp(2))-H olefination and acetoxylation of broadly useful synthetic building blocks phenylacetyl Weinreb amides, esters, and ketones are developed without installing an additional directing group. The interplay between the distal weak coordination and the ligand-acceleration is crucial for these reactions to proceed under mild conditions. The tolerance of longer distance between the target C-H bonds and the directing functional groups also allows for the functionalizations of more distal C-H bonds in hydrocinnamoyl ketones, Weinreb amides, and biphenyl Weinreb amides. Mechanistically, the coordination of these carbonyl groups and the bisdentate amino acid ligand with Pd(II) centers provides further evidence for our early hypothesis that the carbonyl groups of the potassium carboxylate are responsible for the directed C-H activation of carboxylic acids.

Cross-dehydrogenative coupling for the intermolecular C-O bond formation

The present review summarizes primary publications on the cross-dehydrogenative C-O coupling, with special emphasis on the studies published after 2000. The starting compound, which donates a carbon atom for the formation of a new C-O bond, is called the CH-reagent or the C-reagent, and the compound, an oxygen atom of which is involved in the new bond, is called the OH-reagent or the O-reagent. Alcohols and carboxylic acids are most commonly used as O-reagents; hydroxylamine derivatives, hydroperoxides, and sulfonic acids are employed less often. The cross-dehydrogenative C-O coupling reactions are carried out using different C-reagents, such as compounds containing directing functional groups (amide, heteroaromatic, oxime, and so on) and compounds with activated C-H bonds (aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, ethers, amines, amides, compounds containing the benzyl, allyl, or propargyl moiety). An analysis of the published data showed that the principles at the basis of a particular cross-dehydrogenative C-O coupling reaction are dictated mainly by the nature of the C-reagent. Hence, in the present review the data are classified according to the structures of C-reagents, and, in the second place, according to the type of oxidative systems. Besides the typical cross-dehydrogenative coupling reactions of CH- and OH-reagents, closely related C-H activation processes involving intermolecular C-O bond formation are discussed: acyloxylation reactions with ArI(O2CR)2 reagents and generation of O-reagents in situ from C-reagents (methylarenes, aldehydes, etc.).

Titanium superoxide – a stable recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for oxidative esterification of aldehydes with alkylarenes or alcohols using TBHP as an oxidant

A single step catalytic approach for the synthesis of esters from aldehydes using a recyclable heterogeneous catalyst is described.

Palladium-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling of azole-4-carboxylates with indoles: an approach to the synthesis of pimprinine

A palladium-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling reaction between azole-4-carboxylates and indoles forming 5-(3-indolyl)azoles with excellent regioselectivity has been developed.

Pd-catalysed ortho-alkoxylation of benzamides N-protected with an iminophosphorane functionality

The mild Pd-catalysed ortho-alkoxylation of benzamides, protected as keto-stabilised iminophosphoranes, with alcohols, is regioselective and tolerates different substituents and alcohols.

Transition metal-catalyzed C–H bond functionalizations by the use of diverse directing groups

In this review, a summary of transition metal-catalyzed C–H activation by utilizing the functionalities as directing groups is presented.

Palladium-catalyzed ortho-acyloxylation of N-nitrosoanilines via direct sp2 C–H bond activation

The palladium-catalyzed N-nitroso-directed ortho-acyloxylation of N-nitrosoanilines has been demonstrated via sp² C–H activation with PhI(OAc)₂ as the oxidant and Ac₂O/AcOH (1 : 1) or C₂H₅CO₂H as the reaction medium.

Palladium-catalyzed N-nitroso-directed C-H alkoxylation of arenes and subsequent formation of 2-alkoxy-N-alkylarylamines

A palladium-catalyzed direct ortho-alkoxylation of N-alkyl-N-nitrosoarylamines was developed in which alcohols were used as the alkoxylation reagents and PhI(OAc)2 was employed as the oxidant. The protocol was available for both primary and secondary alcohols. The products were transformed to o-alkoxy-N-alkylanilines expediently by a simple reduction.

Palladium-catalyzed direct C(sp(2))-H alkoxylation of 2-aryloxypyridines using 2-pyridyloxyl as the directing group

An efficient and highly regioselective palladium-catalyzed ortho-C(sp(2))-H bond alkoxylation of 2-aryloxypyridines was developed using 2-pyridyloxyl as the directing group and alcohols as alkoxylation reagents. Under an air atmosphere and in the presence of PhI(OAc)2, the reaction gave the corresponding products in moderate to good yields, and a series of functional groups could be tolerated.

Palladium-catalyzed ortho-alkoxylation of 2-aryl-1,2,3-triazoles

Palladium-catalyzed alkoxylation of 2-aryl-1,2,3-triazoles was described in the presence of various groups in the aromatic rings. In addition, some other directing groups of heterocycles containing nitrogen were explored.

Palladium(II)-catalyzed enantioselective C(sp³)-H activation using a chiral hydroxamic acid ligand

An enantioselective method for Pd(II)-catalyzed cross-coupling of methylene β-C(sp(3))-H bonds in cyclobutanecarboxylic acid derivatives with arylboron reagents is described. High yields and enantioselectivities were achieved through the development of chiral mono-N-protected α-amino-O-methylhydroxamic acid (MPAHA) ligands, which form a chiral complex with the Pd(II) center. This reaction provides an alternative approach to the enantioselective synthesis of cyclobutanecarboxylates containing α-chiral quaternary stereocenters. This new class of chiral catalysts also show promises for enantioselective β-C(sp(3))-H activation of acyclic amides.

Room-temperature ortho-alkoxylation and -halogenation of N-tosylbenzamides by using palladium(II)-catalyzed C-H activation

The N-tosylcarboxamide group can direct the room-temperature palladium-catalyzed C-H alkoxylation and halogenation of substituted arenes in a simple and mild procedure. The room-temperature stoichiometric cyclopalladation of N-tosylbenzamide was first studied, and the ability of the palladacycle to react with oxidants to form C-X and C-O bonds under mild conditions was demonstrated. The reaction conditions were then adapted to promote room-temperature ortho-alkoxylations and ortho-halogenations of N-tosylbenzamides using palladium as catalyst. The scope and limitation of both alkoxylations and halogenations was studied and the subsequent functional transformation of the N-tosylcarboxamide group through nucleophilic additions was evaluated. This methodology offers a simple and mild route to diversely functionalized arenes.

Non-innocent additives in a palladium(II)-catalyzed C-H bond activation reaction: insights into multimetallic active catalysts

The role of a widely employed additive (AgOAc) in a palladium acetate-catalyzed ortho-C-H bond activation reaction has been examined using the M06 density functional theory. A new hetero-bimetallic Pd-(μ-OAc)3-Ag is identified as the most likely active species. This finding could have far-reaching implications with respect to the notion of the active species in palladium catalysis in the presence of other metal salt additives.

Copper-catalyzed benzylic C(sp3)–H alkoxylation of heterocyclic compounds

Intra- and intermolecular C(sp³)–H alkoxylation on a gram scale.

An efficient palladium-catalyzed C-H alkoxylation of unactivated methylene and methyl groups with cyclic hypervalent iodine (i(3+) ) oxidants

All the hype: The title reaction has been developed for the facile synthesis of a variety of complex alkyl ethers. Cyclic hypervalent iodine (I(3+) ) reagents serve as oxidants for this unique CH alkoxylation reaction. The reaction demonstrates excellent reactivity, good functional-group tolerance, and high yields. Q=8-aminoquinoline-derived auxiliary.