Catalytic dehydrogenative cross-coupling: forming carbon-carbon bonds by oxidizing two carbon-hydrogen bonds

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.

Metal-free intermolecular oxidative C-N bond formation via tandem C-H and N-H bond functionalization

The development of a novel intermolecular oxidative amination reaction, a synthetic transformation that involves the simultaneous functionalization of both a N-H and C-H bond, is described. The process, which is mediated by an I(III) oxidant and contains no metal catalysts, provides a rapid and green method for synthesizing protected anilines from simple arenes and phthalimide. Mechanistic investigations indicate that the reaction proceeds via nucleophilic attack of the phthalimide on an aromatic radical cation, as opposed to the electrophilic aromatic amination that has been reported for other I(III) amination reactions. The application of this new reaction to the synthesis of a variety of substituted aniline derivatives is demonstrated.

Functionally diverse nucleophilic trapping of iminium intermediates generated utilizing visible light

Our previous studies into visible-light-mediated aza-Henry reactions demonstrated that molecular oxygen played a vital role in catalyst turnover as well as the production of base to facilitate the nucleophilic addition of nitroalkanes. Herein, improved conditions for the generation of iminium ions from tetrahydroisoquinolines that allow for versatile nucleophilic trapping are reported. The new conditions provide access to a diverse range of functionality under mild, anaerobic reaction conditions as well as mechanistic insights into the photoredox cycle.

Direct functionalization of (un)protected tetrahydroisoquinoline and isochroman under iron and copper catalysis: two metals, two mechanisms

A highly facile, straightforward synthesis of 1-(3-indolyl)-tetrahydroisoquinolines was developed using either simple copper or iron catalysts. N-protected and unprotected tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQ) could be used as starting materials. Extension of the substrate scope of the pronucleophile from indoles to pyrroles and electron-rich arenes was realized. Additionally, methoxyphenylation is not limited to THIQ but can be carried out on isochroman as well, again employing iron and copper catalysis.

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

Isocyanide insertion: the first rhodium-catalyzed annulation of N -benzoylsulfonamide incorporating with isocyanide via C-H activation is described. The transformation is broadly compatible with N -benzoylsulfonamides bearing various electron-properties as well as isocyanides. From practical point of view, this methodology provides the most straightforward approach to a series of 3-(imino)isoindolinones.

Synthesis of isoindolinones via palladium-catalyzed C-H activation of N-methoxybenzamides

The synthesis of isoindolinones from N-methoxybenzamides and alkenes has been achieved by Pd-catalyzed ortho sp(2) C-H activation and intramolecular oxidative amidation, which involve the cleavage of four bonds and formation of two bonds.

Visible-light photoredox catalyzed oxidative Strecker reaction

An aerobic photocatalytic oxidative cyanation of tertiary amines providing valuable α-aminonitriles in good to excellent yields was developed. Mild reaction conditions and low catalyst loading are attractive features of the protocol.