On the Reactivity of a NHC Nickel Bis-Boryl Complex: Reductive Elimination and Formation of Mono-Boryl Complexes

The synthesis of the first terminal mono-boryl complexes of nickel, which are not stabilized by a pincer ligand, is reported. The reaction of the nickel bis-boryl complex cis-[Ni(i Pr2 ImMe )2 (Bcat)2 ] 1 (cat=1,2-O2 C6 H4 ) with the small donor ligand PMe3 led to a complete ligand exchange at nickel with reductive elimination of B2 cat2 and formation of the bis-NHC adduct [B2 cat2  ⋅ (i Pr2 ImMe )2 ] 3 and [Ni(PMe3 )4 ] 2 as the metal-containing species. Electrophilic attack of MeI on complex 1 or ligand dismutation of 1 with trans-[Ni(i Pr2 ImMe )2 Br2 ] led to loss of only one boryl ligand of 1 and afforded the nickel mono-boryl complexes trans-[Ni(i Pr2 ImMe )2 (Bcat)Br] 4 a and trans-[Ni(i Pr2 ImMe )2 (Bcat)I] 4 b.

Visible-Light-Induced, Single-Metal-Catalyzed, Directed C-H Functionalization: Metal-Substrate-Bound Complexes as Light-Harvesting Agents

C-H functionalization represents one of the most rapidly advancing areas in organic synthesis and is regarded as one of the key concepts to minimize the ecological and economic footprint of organic synthesis. The ubiquity and low reactivity of C-H bonds in organic molecules, however, poses several challenges, and often necessitates harsh reaction conditions to achieve this goal, although it is highly desirable to achieve C-H functionalization reactions under mild conditions. Recently, several reports uncovered a conceptually new approach towards C-H functionalization, where a single transition-metal complex can be used as both the photosensitizer and catalyst to promote C-H bond functionalization in the absence of an exogeneous photosensitizer. In this Minireview, we will provide an overview on recent achievements in C-H functionalization reactions, with an emphasis on the photochemical modulation of the reaction mechanism using such catalysts.

Mapping Catalyst-Solvent Interplay in Competing Carboamination/Cyclopropanation Reactions

Group 9 metals, in particular RhIII complexes with cyclopentadienyl ligands, are competent C-H activation catalysts. Recently, a Cp*RhIII -catalyzed reaction of alkenes with N-enoxyphthalimides showed divergent outcome based on the solvent, with carboamination favored in methanol and cyclopropanation in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE). Here, we create selectivity and activity maps capable of unravelling the catalyst-solvent interplay on the outcome of these competing reactions by analyzing 42 cyclopentadienyl metal catalysts, CpX MIII (M=Co, Rh, Ir). These maps not only can be used to rationalize previously reported experimental results, but also capably predict the behavior of untested catalyst/solvent combinations as well as aid in identifying experimental protocols that simultaneously optimize both catalytic activity and selectivity (solutions in the Pareto front). In this regard, we demonstrate how and why the experimentally employed Cp*RhIII catalyst represents an ideal choice to invoke a solvent-induced change in reactivity. Additionally, the maps reveal the degree to which even perceived minor changes in the solvent (e. g., replacing methanol with ethanol) influence the ratio of carboamination and cyclopropanation products. Overall, the selectivity and activity maps presented here provide a generalizable tool to create global pictures of anticipated reaction outcome that can be used to develop new experimental protocols spanning metal, ligand, and solvent space.

Evolution of Earth-Abundant 3 d-Metallaelectro-Catalyzed C-H Activation: From Chelation-Assistance to C-H Functionalization without Directing Groups

Catalyzed C-H functionalizations have emerged as a transformative platform for molecular syntheses. Despite of indisputable advances, oxidative C-H activations have been largely restricted to precious transition metals and stoichiometric amounts of chemical oxidants. In contrast, we herein discuss the potential of earth-abundant, environmentally-benign 3d transition metals for C-H activation, which has recently gained major momentum. Thus, a strategy for full resource economy has been established in our group, with green electricity as a renewable redox agent, giving valuable hydrogen as the sole byproduct under redox mediator-free conditions. In this account, we detail our accomplishments in 3d metallaelectrocatalysis towards green syntheses until March 2021.

C-H Bond Arylation of Pyrazoles at the β-Position: General Conditions and Computational Elucidation for a High Regioselectivity

Direct arylation of most five-membered ring heterocycles are generally easily accessible and strongly favored at the α-position using classical palladium-catalysis. Conversely, regioselective functionalization of such heterocycles at the concurrent β-position remains currently very challenging. Herein, we report general conditions for regioselective direct arylation at the β-position of pyrazoles, while C-H α-position is free. By using aryl bromides as the aryl source and a judicious choice of solvent, the arylation reaction of variously N-substituted pyrazoles simply proceeds via β-C-H bond functionalization. The β-regioselectivity is promoted by a ligand-free palladium catalyst and a simple base without oxidant or further additive, and tolerates a variety of substituents on the bromoarene. DFT calculations revealed that a protic solvent such as 2-ethoxyethan-1-ol significantly enhances the acidity of the proton at β-position of the pyrazoles and thus favors this direct β-C-H bond arylation. This selective pyrazoles β-C-H bond arylation was successfully applied for the straightforward building of π-extended poly(hetero)aromatic structures via further Pd-catalyzed combined α-C-H intermolecular and intramolecular C-H bond arylation in an overall highly atom-economical process.

Innovative Synthetic Procedures for Luminogens Showing Aggregation-Induced Emission

As a consequence of their intrinsic advantageous properties, luminogens that show aggregation-induced emission (AIEgens) have received increasing global interest for a wide range of applications. Whereas general synthetic methods towards AIEgens largely rely on tedious procedures and limited reaction types, various innovative synthetic methods have now emerged as complementary, and even alternative, strategies. In this Review, we systematically highlight advancements made in metal-catalyzed functionalization and metal-free-promoted pathways for the construction of AIEgens over the past five years, and briefly illustrate new perspectives in this area. The development of innovative synthetic procedures will enable the facile synthesis of AIEgens with great structural diversity for multifunctional applications.

Effective Tools for the Metal-Catalyzed Regiodivergent Direct Arylations of (Hetero)arenes

The direct functionalization of two different C-H bonds of the same organic molecule using different procedures - also called regiodivergent C-H bond functionalization - currently represents an important research topic in organic chemistry, as it demonstrates the versatility of C-H bond functionalization methodology. Over the last decade, the number of tools to control such regiodivergent C-H bond functionalizations has increased significantly. In this account, we will present the various tools that allowed us to arylate different positions of various (hetero)arenes, via a C-H bond functionalization, using palladium or ruthenium catalysis.

Tuning the Reactivity of a Heterogeneous Catalyst using N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands for C-H Activation Reactions

We report the dramatic impact of the addition of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) on the reactivity and selectivity of heterogeneous Ru catalysts in the context of C-H activation reactions. Using a simple and robust method, we prepared a series of new air-stable catalysts starting from commercially available Ru on carbon (Ru/C) and differently substituted NHCs. Associated with C-H deuteration processes, depending on Ru/C-NHC ratios, the chemical outcome can be controlled to a large extent. Indeed, tuning the reactivity of the Ru catalyst with NHC enabled: 1) increased chemoselectivity and the regioselectivity for the deuteration of alcohols in organic media; 2) the synthesis of fragile pharmaceutically relevant deuterated heterocycles (azine, purine) that are otherwise completely reduced using unmodified commercial catalysts; 3) the discovery of a novel reactivity for such heterogeneous Ru catalysts, namely the selective C-1 deuteration of aldehydes.

Emerging Organometallic Methods for the Synthesis of C-Branched (Hetero)aryl, Alkenyl, and Alkyl Glycosides: C-H Functionalization and Dual Photoredox Approaches

Transition-metal-catalyzed C-H functionalization and photoredox nickel dual catalysis have emerged as innovative and powerful avenues for the synthesis of C-branched glycosides. These two concepts have been recently established and provide efficient and mild methods for accessing a series of valuable complex C-branched glycosides of great interest. Herein, recent developments in the synthesis of C-branched aryl/alkenyl/alkyl glycosides through these two approaches are highlighted.

8-Aminoquinoline-Assisted Synthesis and Crystal Structure Studies of Ferrocenyl Aryl Sulfones

A copper-catalyzed 8-aminoquinoline-directed oxidative cross-coupling of the C-H bond of ferrocene with sodium arylsulfinates has been achieved. The robust copper catalyst tolerates a range of methyl, tert-butyl, bromo, chloro, iodo and nitro functional groups in the phenyl ring, and set the stage for the synthesis of substituted ferrocene sulfones. Furthermore, X-ray crystal structure study on several ferrocenyl sulfones reveals the tetrahedral geometry around sulfur; interestingly, the O-S-O angle is larger than the electropositive substituent C-S-C angle which could be explained by Bent's rule. Further, unusual intramolecular O(S)⋅⋅⋅N(amide) short contacts (2.925-3) and O(S)⋅⋅⋅C=O were also noticed in ferrocenyl sulfones.

Polymer-Anchored Bifunctional Pincer Catalysts for Chemoselective Transfer Hydrogenation and Related Reactions

A series of polymer-supported cooperative PC(sp³ )P pincer catalysts was synthesized and characterized. Their catalytic activity in the acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling of alcohols and the transfer hydrogenation of aldehydes with formic acid as a hydrogen source was investigated. This comparative study, examining homogeneous and polymer-tethered species, proved that carefully designing a link between the support and the catalytic moiety, which takes into consideration the mechanism underlying the target transformation, might lead to superior heterogeneous catalysis.

Calcium-Catalyzed Arene C-H Bond Activation by Low-Valent AlI

The low‐valent ß‐diketiminate complex (^DIPPBDI)Al is stable in benzene but addition of catalytic quantities of [(^DIPPBDI)CaH]₂ at 20 °C led to (^DIPPBDI)Al(Ph)H (^DIPPBDI=CH[C(CH₃)N‐DIPP]₂, DIPP=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl). Similar Ca‐catalyzed C−H bond activation is demonstrated for toluene or p‐xylene. For toluene a remarkable selectivity for meta‐functionalization has been observed. Reaction of (^DIPPBDI)Al(m‐tolyl)H with I₂ gave m‐tolyl iodide, H₂ and (^DIPPBDI)AlI₂ which was recycled to (^DIPPBDI)Al. Attempts to catalyze this reaction with Mg or Zn hydride catalysts failed. Instead, the highly stable complexes (^DIPPBDI)Al(H)M(^DIPPBDI) (M=Mg, Zn) were formed. DFT calculations on the Ca hydride catalyzed arene alumination suggest that a similar but more loosely bound complex is formed: (^DIPPBDI)Al(H)Ca(^DIPPBDI). This is in equilibrium with the hydride bridged complex (^DIPPBDI)Al(μ‐H)Ca(^DIPPBDI) which shows strongly increased electron density at Al. The combination of Ca‐arene bonding and a highly nucleophilic Al center are key to facile C−H bond activation.

Direct Dimesitylborylation of Benzofuran Derivatives by an Iridium-Catalyzed C-H Activation with Silyldimesitylborane

Direct dimesitylborylation of benzofuran derivatives by a C-H activation catalyzed by an iridium(I)/N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complex in the presence of Ph₂ MeSi-BMes₂ afforded the corresponding dimesitylborylation products in good to high yield with excellent regioselectivity. This method provides a straightforward route to donor-(π-spacer)-acceptor systems with intriguing solvatochromic luminescence properties.

Transition-Metal-Free Selective C-H Benzylation of Tertiary Arylamines by a Dearomatization-Aromatization Sequence

Due to the significance of hybrid systems in drug discovery, there is an urgent need to assemble multiple biologically active ingredients into a single molecule. Here, we report a general transition-metal-free selective C-H benzylation of tertiary arylamines in good to excellent yields with a broad substrate scope and high functional-group tolerance under mild conditions. Besides arylamines, some other benzene derivatives also readily furnished the corresponding diaryl methane derivatives with this protocol. A series of control experiments and theoretical calculations indicated that this transition-metal-free reaction is a dearomatization-aromatization process.

Arene-Limited Nondirected C-H Activation of Arenes

The nondirected C(sp² )-H activation of simple arenes has advanced significantly in recent years through the discovery of new catalyst systems that are able to perform transformations with the arene as the limiting reagent. Important developments in catalyst and ligand design that have improved reactivity and selectivity are reviewed.