Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidative CC Bond Cleavage of α-Hydroxyketones: Application to CH Acylation of Azoarenes and Synthesis of a Liver(X) Receptor Agonist

Alternative and Uncommon Acylating Agents - An Alive and Kicking Methodology

Functionalizing and derivatising organic molecules is a centerpiece in organic synthesis. Succinctly manipulating and installing acyl moieties in organic molecules spurred the interest of chemists owing to its occurrence in natural products, bioactive molecules, pharmaceuticals, and advanced materials. Traditionally, access to acylation reaction was achieved by Friedel-Crafts reaction, Schotten-Baumann, and Vilsmeier-Haack acylation, however, these protocols own pitfalls. Further to make the acylation process attractive and environmentally friendly, toluene, aldehydes, alcohols, α-keto acids, amines, amides, esters, ethers, nitriles, alkynes, alkenes, ketenes, N-acylbenzotriazoles, ketones, thioacids, oximes, thiazolium carbinols, PIDA, diacyl disulfides and acyl salts were used as an acyl surrogates/reagents. Amusingly, these acylating reagents are considered uncommon and alternative to carboxylic acids, acid chlorides and acetic anhydrides. This short review aims to encompass the usage of acylating agents in transition-metal, metal-free, light-driven and other demanding conditions, and thus reveals their practicality.

Pd(II)-Catalyzed C-H Acylation of (Hetero)arenes-Recent Advances

Di(hetero)aryl ketones are important motifs present in natural products, pharmaceuticals or agrochemicals. In recent years, Pd(II)-catalyzed acylation of (hetero)arenes in the presence of an oxidant has emerged as a catalytic alternative to classical acylation methods, reducing the production of toxic metal waste. Different directing groups and acyl sources are being studied for this purpose, although further development is required to face mainly selectivity problems in order to be applied in the synthesis of more complex molecules. Selected recent developments and applications are covered in this review.

The palladium and copper contrast: a twist to products of different chemotypes and altered mechanistic pathways

Unprecedented Pd–Ag/Cu–Ag nanocluster-catalyst switch leads to a phenazine/azoarene twist for non-radical mode C–H activation vs. radical mode N–N self-coupling of anilines.

Directing-group-assisted copper-catalyzed oxidative esterification of phenols with aldehydes

A directing-group-assisted copper-catalyzed oxidative esterification of phenols with aldehydes using TBHP as an oxidant was described.