Copper-Catalyzed Carbonylative Coupling of Cycloalkanes and Amides

Copper-Catalyzed Alkylarylation of Unactivated Alkenes: Synthesis of 3-Alkyl Indolines from N-Allyl Anilines and Alkanes

A rare example of C(sp³ )-H functionalization of simple alkanes with unactivated alkenes is presented. In the presence of a copper salt and di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP), N-allyl anilines underwent exo-selective alkylation/cyclization cascade with unactivated alkenic bonds as radical acceptors and simple alkanes as radical precursors, providing a direct access to 3-alkyl indolines. The present protocol features simple operation, broad substrate scope and great exo selectivity.

Copper-Catalyzed Alkoxycarbonylation of Alkanes with Alcohols

Esters are important chemicals widely used in various areas, and alkoxycarbonylation represents one of the most powerful tools for their synthesis. In this communication, a new copper-catalyzed carbonylative procedure for the synthesis of aliphatic esters from cycloalkanes and alcohols was developed. Through direct activation of the Csp3 -H bond of alkanes and with alcohols as the nucleophiles, the desired esters were prepared in moderate-to-good yields. Paraformaldehyde could also be applied for in situ alcohol generation by radical trapping, and moderate yields of the corresponding esters could be produced. Notably, this is the first report on copper-catalyzed alkoxycarbonylation of alkanes.