Branch‐Selective Alkene Hydroarylation by Cooperative Destabilization: Iridium‐Catalyzed ortho ‐Alkylation of Acetanilides

Designed Iron Catalysts for Allylic C-H Functionalization of Propylene and Simple Olefins

Propylene gas is produced worldwide by steam cracking on million-metric-ton scale per year. It serves as a valuable starting material for π-bond functionalization but is rarely applied in transition metal-catalyzed allylic C-H functionalization for fine chemical synthesis. Herein, we report that a newly-developed cationic cyclopentadienyliron dicarbonyl complex allows for the conversion of propylene to its allylic C-C bond coupling products under catalytic conditions. This approach was also found applicable to the allylic functionalization of simple α-olefins with distinctive branched selectivity. Experimental and computational mechanistic studies supported the allylic deprotonation of the metal-coordinated alkene as the turnover-limiting step and led to insights into the multifaceted roles of the newly designed ligand in promoting allylic C-H functionalization with enhanced reactivity and stereoselectivity.

Development and Mechanistic Studies of the Iridium-Catalyzed C-H Alkenylation of Enamides with Vinyl Acetates: A Versatile Approach for Ketone Functionalization

Ketone functionalization is a cornerstone of organic synthesis. Herein, we describe the development of an intermolecular C-H alkenylation of enamides with the feedstock chemical vinyl acetate to access diverse functionalized ketones. Enamides derived from various cyclic and acyclic ketones reacted efficiently, and a number of sensitive functional groups were tolerated. In this iridium-catalyzed transformation, two structurally and electronically similar alkenes-enamide and vinyl acetate-underwent selective cross-coupling through C-H activation. No reaction partner was used in large excess. The reaction is also pH- and redox-neutral with HOAc as the only stoichiometric by-product. Detailed experimental and computational studies revealed a reaction mechanism involving 1,2-Ir-C migratory insertion followed by syn-β-acetoxy elimination, which is different from that of previous vinyl acetate mediated C-H activation reactions. Finally, the alkenylation product can serve as a versatile intermediate to deliver a variety of structurally modified ketones.

Iridium-Catalyzed Hydroarylation via C-H Bond Activation

Hydroarylation reactions via C-H activation, which compensate for shortcomings of classical methods based on the Friedel-Crafts reaction, is one of the most attractive methods to synthesize substituted arenes. This Personal Account reviews our recent studies on iridium-catalyzed intermolecular hydroarylation of vinyl ethers, alkynes, bicycloalkenes, and 1,3-dienes, and intramolecular hydroarylation of m-allyloxyphenyl ketones, where asymmetric addition reactions are included. A cationic iridium catalyst, which is generated from chloroiridium [IrCl] and NaBAr^F ₄ [Ar^F =3,5-(CF₃ )₂ C₆ H₃ ], or a hydroxoiridium [Ir(OH)] complex is effective in catalyzing the hydroarylation depending on the substrates. 1,5-Cyclooctadiene (cod), chiral dienes, and conventional bisphosphines function as ligands controlling the high reactivity and selectivity of the catalysts in the hydroarylation. H/D exchange reaction of alkenes by use of a key intermediate of the hydroarylation reaction is also described.

Silver-Catalysed Hydroarylation of Highly Substituted Styrenes

Hydroarylation is an effective strategy to rapidly increase the complexity of organic structures by transforming flat alkene moieties into three-dimensional frameworks. Many strategies have already been developed to achieve the hydroarylation of styrenes, however most of these reports examine the hydroarylation of unpolar, β-mono- or β-unsubstituted styrenes, while exploring mainly electron-rich benzene nucleophiles. Herein, we report a mild and general catalytic system for the selective hydroheteroarylation of multiply substituted styrenes and heteroaromatic styrenes. Mechanistic analysis of the reaction led to the discovery of commercially available 2,2':5',2''-terthiophene as a key reagent.

Nickel-Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of α-Arylbenzamides

A nickel-catalyzed asymmetric reductive hydroarylation of vinyl amides to produce enantioenriched α-arylbenzamides is reported. The use of a chiral bisimidazoline (BIm) ligand, in combination with diethoxymethylsilane and aryl halides, enables the regioselective introduction of aryl groups to the internal position of the olefin, forging a new stereogenic center α to the N atom. The use of neutral reagents and mild reaction conditions provides simple access to pharmacologically relevant motifs present in anticancer, SARS-CoV PLpro inhibitors, and KCNQ channel openers.

Chemoselective Borane-Catalyzed Hydroarylation of 1,3-Dienes with Phenols

A B(C₆ F₅ )₃ -catalyzed hydroarylation of a series of 1,3-dienes with various phenols has been established through a combination of theoretical and experimental investigations, affording structurally diverse ortho-allyl phenols. DFT calculations show that the reaction proceeds through a borane-promoted protonation/Friedel-Crafts pathway involving a π-complex of a carbocation-anion contact ion pair. This protocol features simple and mild reaction conditions, broad functional-group tolerance, and low catalyst loading. The obtained ortho-allyl phenols could be further converted into flavan derivatives using B(C₆ F₅ )₃ with good cis diastereoselectivity. Furthermore, this transformation was applied in the late-stage modification of pharmaceutical compounds.

Iridium-Catalyzed α-Selective Arylation of Styrenes by Dual C-H Functionalization

An IrI -system modified with a ferrocene derived bisphosphine ligand promotes α-selective arylation of styrenes by dual C-H functionalization. These studies offer a regioisomeric alternative to the Pd-catalyzed Fujiwara-Moritani reaction.

Iridium(I)-Catalyzed Intramolecular Hydrocarbonation of Alkenes: Efficient Access to Cyclic Systems Bearing Quaternary Stereocenters

A catalytic, versatile and atom-economical C-H functionalization process that provides a wide variety of cyclic systems featuring methyl-substituted quaternary stereocenters is described. The method relies on the use of a cationic Ir^I -bisphosphine catalyst, which promotes a carboxamide-assisted activation of an olefinic C(sp² )-H bond followed by exo-cyclization to a tethered 1,1-disubstituted alkene. The extension of the method to aromatic and heteroaromatic C-H bonds, as well as developments on an enantioselective variant, are also described.

Iridium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydroalkynylation of Enamides for the Synthesis of Homopropargyl Amides

Reported is an iridium-catalyzed asymmetric hydroalkynylation of enamides with terminal alkynes. The reaction occurs regioselectively at the β-position of an enamide to produce homopropargyl amides. Good to high enantioselectivity was observed with an iridium complex ligated by a chiral bis(phosphine) ligand. This method provides a straightforward route to synthesize chiral homopropargyl amides with a stereocenter β to the amide.