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

Buchwald–Hartwig cross-coupling of amides (transamidation) by selective N–C(O) cleavage mediated by air- and moisture-stable [Pd(NHC)(allyl)Cl] precatalysts: catalyst evaluation and mechanism

We report a combined experimental and computational study of the Buchwald–Hartwig cross-coupling of amides by N–C(O) cleavage (transamidation) using well-defined, air- and moisture-stable [Pd(NHC)(allyl)Cl] precatalysts.

Access to 5H-benzo[a]carbazol-6-ols and benzo[6,7]cyclohepta[1,2-b]indol-6-ols via rhodium-catalyzed C–H activation/carbenoid insertion/aldol-type cyclization

The rhodium-catalyzed mono-ortho C–H activation/carbenoid insertion/aldol-type cyclization of 3-aldehyde-2-phenyl-1H-indoles with diazo compounds has been developed.

Sulfur-directed palladium-catalyzed C(sp3)–H α-arylation of 3-pyrrolines: easy access to diverse polysubstituted pyrrolidines

A sulfur-directed palladium-catalyzed C(sp³)–H α-arylation of 3-pyrrolines with arylboronic acids has been disclosed, providing a range of 2-aryl-3-pyrolines, which could be readily converted to various polysubstituted pyrrolidines.

The ruthenium(ii)-catalyzed C–H olefination of indoles with alkynes: the facile construction of tetrasubstituted alkenes under aqueous conditions

An environmentally-friendly and facile protocol for the construction of tetrasubstituted alkenes has been established with Ru(ii)-catalyzed C–H bond functionalizations under mild conditions.

para-Selective copper-catalyzed C(sp2)–H amidation/dimerization of anilides via a radical pathway

A unique process for para-selective C–H functionalization leading to amidation/dimerization of anilide derivatives via a radical pathway has been demonstrated.

Formal Lossen Rearrangement/Alkenylation or Annulation Cascade of Heterole Carboxamides with Alkynes Catalyzed by CpRhIII Complexes with Pendant Amides

It has been established that a cyclopentadienyl (Cp) Rh^III complex with two aryl groups and a pendant amide moiety catalyzes the formal Lossen rearrangement/alkenylation cascade of N-pivaloyl heterole carboxamides with internal alkynes, leading to alkenylheteroles. Interestingly, the use of sterically demanding internal alkynes afforded not the alkenylation but the [3+2] annulation products ([5,5]-fused heteroles). In these reactions, the pendant amide moiety of the CpRh^III complex may accelerate the formal Lossen rearrangement. The use of five-membered heteroles may deter reductive elimination to form strained [5,5]-fused heteroles; instead, protonation proceeds to give the alkenylation products. Bulky alkyne substituents accelerate the reductive elimination to allow the formation of the [5,5]-fused heteroles.

Redox-Neutral [4 + 2] Annulation of N-Methoxybenzamides with Alkynes Enabled by an Osmium(II)/HOAc Catalytic System

By making use of a direct C-H activation strategy, an efficient osmium(II)-catalyzed redox-neutral [4 + 2] annulation of N-methoxybenzamides with alkynes has been accomplished. Computational and experimental studies revealed that such transformation leading to the synthesis of the isoquinolone core might follow an Os(II)-Os(IV)-Os(II) catalytic pathway, in which an unusual HOAc-assisted oxidative addition of osmium(II) into the N-O bond to generate the osmium(IV) species was involved as one of the key transition states. Further exploration of divergent C-H activation reaction modes enabled by the osmium(II) catalyst has also been exemplified for one-pot assembly of other either linear or cyclic products.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Pyridine N-Oxide Assisted Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling Reaction via C(O)-C Bond Activation

A rhodium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction via C(O)-C bond activation to form 2-benzoylpyridine N-oxide derivatives is reported. Both the C(O)-C(sp²) and C(O)-C(sp³) bond could be activated during the reaction with yields up to 92%. The N-oxide moiety could be employed as a traceless directing group, leading to free pyridine ketones.

Gold(I)-Catalyzed Aromatization: Expeditious Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized Naphthalenes

A gold-catalyzed 6-endo-dig carbocyclization of alkyne with the pendent diazo group is reported. It provides an expeditious approach for the synthesis of multi-functionalized naphthalene derivatives under mild conditions. Mechanistic studies suggest that a vinyl gold carbene is generated as the key intermediate in this cascade transformation that smoothly delivers naphthalene products through an unprecedented stepwise aromatization or an intermolecular aromatic substitution process. The unique endocyclic vinyl species is inaccessible with other precursors; thus, novel carbene cascade transformations could be envisioned with the current catalytic model. Functional groups, such as alkenyl, hydroxyl, amino, and carboxyl groups, remain untouched under these conditions. In addition, the utility of these generated 2-carboxyl naphthalenes is illustrated by the synthesis of chiral 1,2′-binaphthalene ligands and π-conjugated polycyclic hydrocarbons (CPHs).

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A general method for the construction of multi-functionalized naphthalenes

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First 6-endo-dig diazo-yne carbocyclization leading to the vinyl gold carbene

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Expeditious access to naphthalenes with broad functional group compatibility

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Applications for the synthesis of chiral 1,2′-binaphthalene ligands and CPHs

Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed C(sp2)-H Functionalization of Cyclobutenes. Access to Cyclobuta[c]pyridones and -pyridines

O-(ω-Alkynyl) hydroxamates derived from cyclobutenyl carboxylic acids were identified as viable substrates in intramolecular rhodium(III)-catalyzed heteroannulations, which led to diversely substituted cyclobuta[c]pyridones. Further functionalization of the resulting cyclobutapyridones enabled the synthesis of cyclobuta[c]pyridines and other nitrogen heterocycles after electrocyclic ring opening of the four-membered ring.

Selective Monoarylation of Aromatic Ketones via C-H Bond Cleavage by Trialkylphosphine Ruthenium Catalysts

A catalyst system consisting of RuHCl(CO)(PⁱPr₃)₂, CsF, and a styrene derivative was found to be applicable to selective monoarylation of aromatic ketones via ortho C-H bond cleavage. The reaction of 2'-methoxyacetophenone with arylboronates gave C-H arylation products without cleaving the ortho C-O bond. Acetophenone was also converted to monoarylation products with high selectivity. Cyclohexanone was found to be an effective solvent for the C-H arylation using the catalyst system.

Ir(iii)-catalyzed thioether directed arene C-H alkenylation

In this study, we demonstrate an Ir(iii)-catalyzed thioether directed alkenylation of arene C–H bonds under mild reaction conditions. The selectivity for mono- or di-alkenylation is controlled by the concentration of alkene and oxidant loading. Various functional groups are tolerated, and moderate to good yields of alkenylated products are achieved.

In this study, we demonstrate an Ir(iii)-catalyzed thioether directed alkenylation of arene C–H bonds under mild reaction conditions.

The ruthenium-catalyzed C-H functionalization of enamides with isocyanates: easy entry to pyrimidin-4-ones

Ruthenium-catalyzed heteroannulation between enamides and isocyanates has been realized as a complementary approach to conventional strategies for the synthesis of pyrimidin-4-ones. High step- and atom-economy was achieved for the rapid construction of such privileged scaffolds, which are found in a multitude of pharmaceutical compounds. The generality and practicability of this transformation were reflected by the broad scope of substrates with diverse functional groups, large-scale synthesis, and late-stage diversification.

Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed unreactive C(sp3)-H alkenylation of N-alkyl-1H-pyrazoles with alkynes

The first example of pyrazole-directed rhodium(iii)-catalyzed unreactive C(sp³)-H alkenylation with alkynes has been described, which showed a relatively broad substrate scope with good functional group compatibility. Moreover, we demonstrated that the transitive coordinating center pyrazole could be easily removed under mild conditions.

Palladium(II)/Lewis Acid Cocatalyzed Oxidative Annulation of 2-Alkenylanilines and Propargylic Esters: An Access to Benzo[b]azepines

An attractive approach to valuable yet synthetically challenging benzo[b]azepines was established via palladium(II)/Lewis acid cocatalyzed oxidative [5 + 2] annulation of readily available 2-alkenylanilines and propargylic esters. The protocol features mild reaction conditions and good functional group tolerance, constituting an array of benzo[b]azepines in yields of 30-75%.

Organocatalytic, Enantioselective Reductive Bis-functionalization of Secondary Amides: One-Pot Construction of Chiral 2,2-Disubstituted 3-Iminoindoline

We report the first catalytic, enantioselective reductive bis-functionalization of common amides, which provides a facile access to a variety of 2,2-disubstituted 3-iminoindolines in good yields and with excellent enantioselectivities. The reaction conditions are quite mild and can be run on a gram scale. In this one-pot reaction, three C-C bonds, one ring, and one nitrogen-containing tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenter are created in a catalytic enantioselective manner.

Access to indolines from primary phenylethylamines by an unexpected palladium-catalyzed C-H functionalization process

A new method for the preparation of 2,2-disubstituted indolines from 2-phenylethylamines was developed under Pd catalysis and PhI(OAc)2 as oxidant. Imines derived from 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde were formed in situ to direct a C-H activation process. The resulting imines were also oxidized to the corresponding amides in the same Pd-catalyzed process to obtain the final indoline as a picolinamide.

Ruthenium(ii)-catalysed selective C(sp2)-H bond benzoxylation of biologically appealing N-arylisoindolinones

Site- and regio-selective aromatic C-H bond benzoxylations were found to take place using biologically appealing N-arylisoindolinones under ruthenium(ii) catalysis in the presence of (hetero)aromatic carboxylic acid derivatives as coupling partners. Besides the presence of two potential C(sp²)-H sites available for functionalization in the substrates, exclusive ortho selectivity was achieved in the phenyl ring attached to the nitrogen atom. Notably, the reactions occurred in a selective manner as only mono-functionalized products were formed and they tolerated a large number of functional chemical groups. The ability of the cyclic tertiary amide within the isoindolinone skeleton to act as a weak directing group in order to accommodate six-membered ring ruthenacycle intermediates appears to be the key to reach such high levels of selectivity. In contrast, the more sterically demanding cyclic imides were unreactive under identical reaction conditions.

Construction of Pyranoisoquinolines via Ru(II)-Catalyzed Unsymmetrical Double Annulation of N-Methoxybenzamides with Unactivated Alkynes

A ruthenium (Ru)-catalyzed double annulation of easily accessible N-methoxybenzamide derivatives with unactivated alkynes for the synthesis of unusual 6,6-fused pyranoisoquinolines is described. Both ortho-C-H bonds of arenes and the N- and O-moieties of N-methoxybenzamides are involved in the construction of four [(C-C)-(C-N) and (C-C)-(C-O)] bonds in one step under single catalytic conditions. The unsymmetrical annulation of N-methoxybenzamides with two distinct alkynes is also demonstrated. The oxidizable directing group N-methoxyamine (NHOMe) assists the unsymmetrical double annulations of arenes [that use both N- and O-heteroatoms] in a single operation. This synthetic method features excellent substrate scope and tolerates a wide range of functional groups. Peripheral modification of pyranoisoquinolines for the construction of complex heterocyclic compounds is also demonstrated.

2-Amino-5,6-difluorophenyl-1H-pyrazole-Directed PdII Catalysis: Arylation of Unactivated β-C(sp3)-H Bonds

Palladium-catalyzed arylation of unactivated β-C(sp³)-H bonds in carboxylic acid derivatives with aryl iodides is described for the first time using 2-amino-5,6-difluorophenyl-1H-pyrazole as an efficient and readily removable directing group. Two fluoro groups are installed at the 5- and 6-position of the anilino moiety in 2-aminophenyl-1H-pyrazole, clearly enhancing the directing ability of the auxiliary. In addition, the protocol employs Cu(OAc)₂/Ag₃PO₄ (1.2/0.3) as additives, evidently reducing the stoichiometric amount of expensive silver salts. Furthermore, this process exhibits high β-site selectivity, compatibility with diverse substrates containing α-hydrogen atoms, and excellent functional group tolerance.

Synthesis of Indole-Fused Polycyclics via Rhodium-Catalyzed Undirected C-H Activation/Alkene Insertion

A Rh(III)-catalyzed undirected C-H activation/alkene insertion to synthesize diversified indole-fused polycyclics has been developed. Intramolecular electrophilic cyclization generated a 3-indolyl rhodium species that went through an aryl-to-aryl 1,4-rhodium migration to realize the C-H activation. The subsequent [4 + 2] carboannulation or hydroarylation of alkenes could be achieved, respectively, by simply adjusting the additives of the reaction.

The palladium(ii)-catalyzed regioselective ortho-C-H bromination/iodination of arylacetamides with in situ generated imidic acid as the directing group: mechanistic exploration

In the present study, we report the palladium(ii)-catalyzed regioselective ortho-C-H bromination/iodination of challenging arylacetamide derivatives using N-halosuccinimides as halogenating agents. Diverse arylacetamides underwent the regioselective ortho-bromination and iodination of aromatic C-H bonds in the presence of a reactive benzylic C(sp3)-H bond without installing any bulky auxiliaries via unfavorable six-membered metallacycles. Weak coordination, the use of ubiquitous primary amides for challenging C-H functionalization, the simple catalytic system and the wide substrate scope are the key features of this transformation. Further, the halogenated amide derivatives were transformed into a variety of valuable synthons. Detailed mechanistic studies revealed some interesting aspects concerning the reaction pathway. We present for the first time strong evidence for the formation of imidic acid (in situ) from primary amides under Brønsted acid conditions that eventually aids in the stabilization of palladacycles of amide derivatives and drives regioselective C-X bond formation.

Site-selective C-H activation and regiospecific annulation using propargylic carbonates

Herein we describe an unprecedented RuII-catalyzed site-selective and regiospecific annulation of benzoic acids with propargylic carbonates. The weakly coordinating carboxylic acid moiety outperformed other typically used directing groups in C-H activation, including ketone, nitrile, sulfonamide, amide and strongly coordinating nitrogen heterocycles. This is an important step towards the application of C-H activation reactions in complex (functional) real-world molecules.

Reaching Green: Heterocycle Synthesis by Transition Metal-Catalyzed C-H Functionalization in Sustainable Medium

Catalytic C-H functionalization has emerged as an efficient alternative to traditional coupling reactions. However, some of these reactions depend on environmentally harmful solvents, weakening the overall green nature of these methods. As organic processes consume large amount of solvents, the use of less harmful solvents enhance the sustainability of these reactions. Herein, we present an overview of transition metal-catalyzed C-H functionalization reactions for the synthesis of heterocycles in sustainable solvents based on CHEM21 solvent selection guide.

Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed [4+2] Annulation via C-H Activation: Synthesis of Multi-Substituted Naphthalenone Sulfoxonium Ylides

A convenient Rh(III)-catalyzed C-H activation and cascade [4+2] annulation for the synthesis of naphthalenone sulfoxonium ylides has been developed. This method features perfect regioselectivity, mild and redox-neutral reaction conditions, and broad substrate tolerance with good to excellent yields. Preliminary mechanistic experiments were conducted and a plausible reaction mechanism was proposed. The new type naphthalenone sulfoxonium ylides could be further transformed into multi-substituted naphthols, which demonstrates the practical utility of this methodology.

Pd-Catalyzed C(sp2)-H Imidoylative Annulation: A General Approach To Construct Dibenzoox(di)azepines

A general method to construct the scaffolds of dibenzooxazepine and dibenzodiazepine, through Pd-catalyzed isocyanide insertion and intramolecular C(sp²)-H activation, has been developed. This is the first example of seven-membered heterocycle formation by C-H imidoylative annulation.

Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Directed C-H Dienylation of Anilides with Allenes Leads to Highly Conjugated Systems

Allenes are unique coupling partners in transition-metal-catalyzed C-H functionalization leading to a variety of products via alkenylation, allenylation, allylation, and annulation reactions. The outcome is governed by both the reactivity of the allene and the formation and stability of the organometallic intermediate. An efficient Rh(III)-catalyzed, weakly coordinating group-directed dienylation of electronically unbiased allenes is developed using an N-acyl amino acid as a ligand. Further elaboration of the dienylated products to construct polycyclic compounds is also described.