Rhodium-catalyzed annulation of N-benzoylsulfonamide with isocyanide through C-H activation

Rhodium(III)-catalyzed indazole synthesis by C-H bond functionalization and cyclative capture

An efficient, one-step, and highly functional group-compatible synthesis of substituted N-aryl-2H-indazoles is reported via the rhodium(III)-catalyzed C–H bond addition of azobenzenes to aldehydes. The regioselective coupling of unsymmetrical azobenzenes was further demonstrated and led to the development of a new removable aryl group that allows for the preparation of indazoles without N-substitution. The 2-aryl-2H-indazole products also represent a new class of readily prepared fluorophores for which initial spectroscopic characterization has been performed.

A coupling of benzamides and donor/acceptor diazo compounds to form γ-lactams via Rh(III)-catalyzed C-H activation

The coupling of O-pivaloyl benzhydroxamic acids with donor/acceptor diazo compounds provides isoindolones in high yield. The reaction tolerates a broad range of benzhydroxamic acids and diazo compounds, including substituted 2,2,2-trifluorodiazoethanes. Mechanistic experiments suggested that C-H activation is turnover-limiting and irreversible and that insertion of the diazo compound favors electron-deficient substrates.

Rh(III)-catalyzed addition of alkenyl C-H bond to isocyanates and intramolecular cyclization: direct synthesis 5-ylidenepyrrol-2(5H)-ones

The rhodium-catalyzed addition of an alkenyl C-H bond to isocyanates via sp(2) C-H bond activation followed by an intramolecular cyclization is described. This atom-economic and catalytic reaction affords a simple and straightforward access to biologically relevant 5-ylidene pyrrol-2(5H)-ones and can be carried out under mild and neutral conditions in the absence of any additives and environmentally hazardous waste production.

Palladium-catalyzed carbonylative Sonogashira coupling of aryl bromides via tert-butyl isocyanide insertion

A simple and efficient palladium-catalyzed carbonylative Sonogashira coupling via tert-butyl isocyanide insertion has been developed, which demonstrates the utility of isocyanides in intermolecular C-C bond construction. This methodology provides a novel pathway for the synthesis of alkynyl imines which can undergo simple silica gel catalyzed hydrolysis to afford alkynones. The approach is tolerant of a wide range of substrates and applicable to library synthesis.

Rhodium(III)-catalyzed alkenyl C-H bond functionalization: convergent synthesis of furans and pyrroles

Ring in the new: a new annulation for the efficient synthesis of substituted furans and pyrroles is reported. The Rh(III) -catalyzed reaction of O-methyl α,β-unsaturated oximes with aldehydes and N-tosyl imines affords secondary alcohol and amine intermediates, respectively. Cyclization and aromatization occurs under the reaction conditions to provide access to biologically relevant furans and pyrroles in good yields. Cp*=C(5)Me(5), DCE=1,2-dichloroethane, THF=tetrahydrofuran.

Access to sultams by rhodium(III)-catalyzed directed C-H activation

Director's cut: The pharmaceutically relevant sulfonamide group is shown to be a competent directing group for [Cp*Rh(OAc)(2)]-catalyzed C-H functionalizations. Reactions of the cyclometalated intermediate with internal alkynes provide access to a wide range of sultam derivatives. The reaction is high yielding and works best under aerobic conditions with catalytic amounts of CuOAc as an oxidation mediator. Cp* = C(5)Me(5).

Rhodium catalyzed synthesis of isoindolinones via C-H activation of N-benzoylsulfonamides

An efficient approach to a wide range of isoindolinones, including 3-monosubstituted and 3,3-disubstituted isoindolinones, from the annulation of N-benzoylsulfonamides with olefins and diazoacetate has been developed. The transformation is broadly compatible with both terminal and internal olefins. Moreover, diazoacetate is for the first time incorporated into an amide-directed C-H functionalization reaction. Specifically, the rhodium complex [{RhCl(2)Cp*}(2)] enables the in situ dimerization of diazoacetate in addition to its role in catalyzing C-H functionalization/cross-coupling.

Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed synthesis of phthalides by cascade addition and cyclization of benzimidates with aldehydes

We herein report the Rh(iii)-catalyzed C-H bond activation and addition of benzimidates to aldehydes to afford biologically important phthalides in a single step. The imidate is a novel and unexplored directing group that not only enables C-H bond activation and addition to aldehydes, but also serves to capture the reversibly formed alcohol intermediate. The reaction shows broad scope with a high level of functional group compatibility and is applicable to both aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes.

Rhodium-catalyzed synthesis of branched amines by direct addition of benzamides to imines

Rhodium-catalyzed addition of benzamide C-H bonds to a range of aromatic N-sulfonyl aldimines has been developed and proceeds with high functional group compatibility. The synthetic utility of the resulting branched amine products has also been demonstrated by the preparation of isoindoline and isoindolinone frameworks.

Amide-directed tandem C-C/C-N bond formation through C-H activation

The transformation of C-H bonds into other chemical bonds is of great significance in synthetic chemistry. C-H bond-activation processes provide a straightforward and atom-economic strategy for the construction of complex structures; as such, they have attracted widespread interest over the past decade. As a prevalent directing group in the field of C-H activation, the amide group not only offers excellent regiodirecting ability, but is also a potential C-N bond precursor. As a consequence, a variety of nitrogen-containing heterocycles have been obtained by using these reactions. This Focus Review addresses the recent research into the amide-directed tandem C-C/C-N bond-formation process through C-H activation. The large body of research in this field over the past three years has established it as one of the most-important topics in organic chemistry.

Highly diastereoselective synthesis of tetrahydropyridines by a C-H activation-cyclization-reduction cascade

A versatile reaction cascade leading to highly substituted 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridines has been developed. It comprises rhodium(I)-catalyzed C-H activation-alkyne coupling followed by electrocyclization and subsequent acid/borohydride-promoted reduction. This one-pot procedure affords the target compounds in up to 95% yield with >95% diastereomeric purity.

C-C, C-O and C-N bond formation via rhodium(III)-catalyzed oxidative C-H activation

Rhodium(III)-catalyzed direct functionalization of C-H bonds under oxidative conditions leading to C-C, C-N, and C-O bond formation is reviewed. Various arene substrates bearing nitrogen and oxygen directing groups are covered in their coupling with unsaturated partners such as alkenes and alkynes. The facile construction of C-E (E = C, N, S, or O) bonds makes Rh(III) catalysis an attractive step-economic approach to value-added molecules from readily available starting materials. Comparisons and contrasts between rhodium(III) and palladium(II)-catalyzed oxidative coupling are made. The remarkable diversity of structures accessible is demonstrated with various recent examples, with a proposed mechanism for each transformation being briefly summarized (critical review, 138 references).

Mechanism of the rhodium(III)-catalyzed arylation of imines via C-H bond functionalization: inhibition by substrate

Rh(III)-catalyzed arylation of imines provides a new method for C-C bond formation while simultaneously introducing an α-branched amine as a functional group. This detailed mechanistic study provides insights for the rational future development of this new reaction. Relevant intermediate Rh(III) complexes have been isolated and characterized, and their reactivities in stoichiometric reactions with relevant substrates have been monitored. The reaction was found to be first order in the catalyst resting state and inverse first order in the C-H activation substrate.

Rhodium catalyzed C-H olefination of N-benzoylsulfonamides with internal alkenes

An annulation via tandem rhodium catalyzed C-H olefination of N-benzoylsulfonamides with internal olefins followed by C-N bond formation is disclosed. A N-substituted quaternary center is formed during the reaction thus providing efficient access to a series of 3,3-disubstituted isoindolinones.