Cobalt-catalyzed hydroarylation of alkynes through chelation-assisted C-H bond activation

Iterative C-H Functionalization Leading to Multiple Amidations of Anilides

Polyaminobenzenes were synthesized by the ruthenium-catalyzed iterative C-H amidation of anilides using dioxazolones as an amino source. This strategy could be implemented by the sequential activation of C-H bonds of formerly generated compounds by cascade chelation assistance of newly installed amide groups. Computational studies provided a rationale.

Additive-Free Pd-Catalyzed α-Allylation of Imine-Containing Heterocycles

An additive-free Pd-catalyzed α-allylation of different imino-group-ontaining heterocycles is reported. The activation of α-CH pronucleophiles (pKa (DMSO) > 25) occurs without the addition of strong bases or Lewis acids using only the Pd/Xantphos catalyst system. The reaction scope has been studied for various 5- and 6-membered nitrogen-containing heterocycles (yields up to 96%). Mechanistic investigations suggest an initial allylation of the imine-N followed by a Pd-catalyzed formal aza-Claisen rearrangement.

Cobalt-catalyzed C–H activation and regioselective intermolecular annulation with allenes

An efficient Co(ii)-catalyzed intermolecular annulation of N-(quinolin-8-yl)benzamide with allenes for the synthesis of novel isoquinolin-1(2H)-one scaffolds has been developed.

Surface-Guided Formation of an Organocobalt Complex

Organocobalt complexes represent a versatile tool in organic synthesis as they are important intermediates in Pauson-Khand, Friedel-Crafts, and Nicholas reactions. Herein, a single-molecule-level investigation addressing the formation of an organocobalt complex at a solid-vacuum interface is reported. Deposition of 4,4'-(ethyne-1,2-diyl)dibenzonitrile and Co atoms on the Ag(111) surface followed by annealing resulted in genuine complexes in which single Co atoms laterally coordinated to two carbonitrile groups undergo organometallic bonding with the internal alkyne moiety of adjacent molecules. Alternative complexation scenarios involving fragmentation of the precursor were ruled out by complementary X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. According to density functional theory analysis, the complexation with the alkyne moiety follows the Dewar-Chatt-Duncanson model for a two-electron-donor ligand where an alkyne-to-Co donation occurs together with a strong metal-to-alkyne back-donation.

Cobalt-Catalyzed, Aminoquinoline-Directed Functionalization of Phosphinic Amide sp2 C-H Bonds

In this paper, we introduce arylphosphinic acid aminoquinoline amides as competent substrates for cobalt-catalyzed sp² C-H bond functionalization. Specifically, the feasibility of their coupling with alkynes, alkenes, and allyl pivalate has been demonstrated. Reactions are catalyzed by simple Co(NO₃)₂ hydrate in ethanol or mixed dioxane/tBuOH solvent in the presence of Mn(OAc)₃·2H₂O additive, sodium pivalate, or acetate base and use oxygen from the air as an oxidant. Directing group removal affords ortho-functionalized P,P-diarylphosphinic acids.

Cobalt(iii)-catalyzed alkenylation of arenes and 6-arylpurines with terminal alkynes: efficient access to functional dyes

A method for cobalt(iii)-catalyzed alkenylation of arenes and 6-arylpurines has been developed. This reaction takes place under mild conditions with only equivalent terminal alkynes in high yields. A mitochondria-targeted imaging dye was simply prepared through this method.

Low-valent cobalt-catalyzed C–H allylation

A mild C–H allylation promoted by a cobalt salt combined with a Grignard reagent is described.

Mild metal-catalyzed C–H activation: examples and concepts

C–H Activation reactions that proceed under mild conditions are more attractive for applications in complex molecule synthesis. Mild C–H transformations reported since 2011 are reviewed and the different concepts and strategies that have enabled their mildness are discussed.

Cobalt(iii)-catalyzed synthesis of pyrroles from enamides and alkynes

An efficient and regioselective cobalt-catalyzed synthesis of multi-substituted pyrroles is reported by the use of readily available enamides and alkynes.

Bifunctional Ligand-Assisted Catalytic Ketone α-Alkenylation with Internal Alkynes: Controlled Synthesis of Enones and Mechanistic Studies

Here, we describe a detailed study of the rhodium(I)-catalyzed, bifunctional ligand-assisted ketone α-C-H alkenylation using internal alkynes. Through controlling the reaction conditions, conjugated enamines, α,β- or β,γ-unsaturated ketones, can be selectively accessed. Both aromatic and aliphatic alkynes can be employed as coupling partners. The reaction conditions also tolerate a broad range of functional groups, including carboxylic esters, malonates, secondary amides, thioethers, and free alcohols. In addition, excellent E-selectivity was observed for the tetra-substituted alkene when forming the α,β-unsaturated ketone products. The mechanism of this transformation was explored through control experiments, kinetic monitoring, synthesizing the rhodium-hydride intermediates and their reactions with alkynes, deuterium-labeling experiments, and identification of the resting states of the catalyst.

Mechanistic insights into cobalt(ii/iii)-catalyzed C-H oxidation: a combined theoretical and experimental study

Cobalt-mediated C-H functionalization has been the subject of extensive interest in synthetic chemistry, but the mechanisms of many of these reactions (such as the cobalt-catalyzed C-H oxidation) are poorly understood. In this paper, possible mechanisms including single electron transfer (SET) and the concerted metalation-deprotonation (CMD) pathways of the CoII/CoIII-catalyzed alkoxylation of C(sp2)-H bonds have been investigated for the first time using the DFT method. CoII(OAc)2 has been employed as an efficient catalyst in our previous experimental study, but the calculated results unexpectedly indicated that the intermolecular SET pathway with CoIII as the actual catalyst might be the most favorable pathway. To support this theoretical prediction, we have explored a series of Cp*CoIII(CO)I2 catalyzed C(sp2)-H bond alkoxylations, extending the application of cobalt-catalyzed functionalization of C-H bonds. Furthermore, kinetic isotope effect (KIE) data, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) data, and TEMPO inhibition experiments also support the SET mechanism in both the Co-catalyzed alkoxylation reactions. Thus, this work should support an understanding of the possible mechanisms of the CoII/CoIII-catalyzed C(sp2)-H functionalization, and also provide an example of the rational design of novel catalytic reactions guided by theoretical calculations.

Comparative Catalytic Activity of Group 9 [Cp*M(III)] Complexes: Cobalt-Catalyzed C-H Amidation of Arenes with Dioxazolones as Amidating Reagents

A procedure for the [Cp*Co(III)]-catalyzed direct C-H amidation of arenes with dioxazolone has been developed. This reaction proceeds under straightforward and mild conditions with a broad range of substrates, including anilides. A comparative study on the catalytic activity of Group 9 [{Cp*MCl2}2] complexes revealed the unique efficiency of the cobalt catalyst.

Nickel-Catalyzed Insertion of Alkynes and Electron-Deficient Olefins into Unactivated sp(3) C-H Bonds

Insertion of unsaturated systems such as alkynes and olefins into unactivated sp(3) C-H bonds remains an unexplored problem. We herein address this issue by successfully incorporating a wide variety of functionalized alkynes and electron-deficient olefins into the unactivated sp(3) C-H bond of pivalic acid derivatives with excellent syn- and linear- selectivity. A strongly chelating 8-aminoquinoline directing group proved beneficial for these insertion reactions, while an air-stable and inexpensive Ni(II) salt has been employed as the active catalyst.

Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Oxidative Annulation of 7-Azaindoles and Alkynes via Double C-H Activation

Rhodium(III)-catalyzed double C-H activation involving N-directed ortho C-H activation and subsequent roll-over C-H activation of the heterocycle ring has been developed to form complex 7-azaindole derivatives in moderate to excellent yields. A broad scope of 7-azaindoles and internal alkynes has been demonstrated in this oxidative annulation reaction.