Bystanding F+ oxidants enable selective reductive elimination from high-valent metal centers in catalysis

Editing Tetrasubstituted Carbon: Dual C-O Bond Functionalization of Tertiary Alcohols Enabled by Palladium-Based Dyotropic Rearrangement

Many elegant asymmetric syntheses of enantioenriched tertiary alcohols have been developed, and both the transition metal-catalyzed and the radical-based peripheral functionalization of tertiary alcohols have attracted intensive research interest in recent years. However, directly editing tetrasubstituted carbons remains challenging. Herein, we report a Pd-catalyzed migratory fluoroarylation reaction that converts tertiary alcohols to α-fluorinated tertiary alkyl ethers in good to excellent yields. An unprecedented 1,2-aryl/PdIV dyotropic rearrangement along the C-O bond, integrated in a PdII-catalyzed domino process, is key to the dual functionalization of both the hydroxyl group and the tetrasubstituted carbon. This reaction, which is compatible with a broad range of functional groups, generates a tertiary alkyl fluoride and an alkyl-aryl ether functional group with inversion of the absolute configuration at the tetrasubstituted stereocenter.

Palladium-Catalyzed Electrochemical Iodination of 1-Arylpyridine N-Oxides

The palladium-catalyzed C-H iodination of 1-arylpyridine N-oxides proceeded under electrochemical oxidation conditions using I2 as an iodine source. The reaction of isoquinoline N-oxides possessing various para- or meta-substituted aryl groups at the 1-position proceeded to give the corresponding iodination products. Electron-donating groups on the aryl group facilitated the reaction to give relatively high yields of the product. The reaction was also found to be applicable to 2-aryl-3-picoline N-oxides.

Fusion Position-Dependent Aromatic Transitions of Ligand Backbone Rings for Controlling the Redox Energetics of Photoredox Catalysts

To reveal, quantify, and rationalize the effect of backbone π-extension on ligand redox activity, we studied the ground- and excited-state reduction potentials of eight ruthenium photoredox catalysts with the formula Ru(ppy)2L (L is the redox-active ligand of the bipyridine family) using density functional theory. Our research underlines the profound importance of the fusion position of backbone aromatic C6 rings on the redox activity of ligands in transition metal photoredox catalysts. Namely, certain fusion positions lead to the dearomatization of C6 rings in ligand-centered electron transfer events, resulting in a thermodynamic penalty equivalent to a half-volt negative shift in the reduction potential. Contrarily, the extent of backbone delocalization shows a minimal impact on redox energetics, which can be explained by the charge concentration at the nitrogen contact atoms in ligand-centered reductions. Grounded in Caulton's conceptual framework, we reaffirm the predictive potency of Lewis structures in ligand-centered redox energetics with qualitative and quantitative data. Our hypothesis regarding the effect of backbone ring dearomatization on redox energetics is further corroborated using magnetic and structure-based aromaticity indicators. Highlighting fusion-dependent dearomatization as a determining factor of ligand-centered electron transfer energetics, our findings hold implications for molecular-level design in advanced electroactive materials and catalysts.

DFT Studies on the Mechanisms of Carboamination/Diamination of Unactivated Alkenes Mediated by Pd(IV) Intermediates

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been employed to investigate the mechanism of carboamination and diamination of unactivated alkenes mediated by Pd(IV) intermediates. Both reactions share a common Pd(IV) intermediate, serving as the starting point for either the carboamination or the diamination pathway. The formation of this Pd(IV) intermediate encompasses a transition state that substantially impacts the turnover frequency (TOF) of catalytic cycles, with an apparent activation free-energy barrier of 26.1 kcal mol-1. Carboamination of unactivated alkenes proceeds through the coordination of a toluene molecule, C-H activation, inner reductive elimination, and the separation of the carboamination product from this intermediate, while diamination of unactivated alkenes involves the formation of the ion nucleophile, SN2 attack, and the separation of the diamination product. A comparison of the free-energy profiles for carboamination and diamination of unactivated alkenes can elucidate the origin of the chemoselectivity, and Bader's atoms in molecules (AIM) wave function analyses have been performed to analyze the contributions of the outer C-N bonding in the diamination process.

Pd@GO catalyzed stereo- and regio-selective addition of arenes to alkynes and synthesis of coumarins via C-H functionalization

A stereo- and regio-selective addition of arenes to alkynes via C-H bond functionalization has been developed using palladium nanoparticles supported on graphite oxide (Pd@GO) as the reusable catalyst. The prepared catalyst was characterized by various spectroscopic techniques such as FT-IR, TEM, SEM, EDX, P-XRD, and XPS analysis. The thermal stability of the catalyst was established by TGA. The C-H functionalized products were obtained in good to excellent yields (69-92%) at room temperature. The methodology further extended to the synthesis of biologically and pharmaceutically important coumarin molecules from phenols and alkynes. Good to excellent yields of the coumarins (74-92%) were obtained. After the reaction, the catalyst was separated by centrifugation followed by filtration. The recovered catalyst was washed and reused up to five cycles. The advantages of this method are the simple procedure of the catalyst preparation, high catalytic efficiency, high selectivity, good functional group tolerance, low catalyst loading, and gram-scale synthesis.

Oxidations of Alcohols, Aldehydes, and Diols Using NaBr and Selectfluor

We present protocols for the oxidation of alcohols and aldehydes and for the oxidative cyclization of diols which use a combination of Selectfluor and NaBr. For most substrates, the optimal solvent system is a 1:1 mixture of CH3CN/H2O, but, in select cases, biphasic 1:1 mixtures of EtOAc/H2O or CH2Cl2/H2O are superior. This procedure is operationally simple, uses inexpensive and readily available reagents, and tolerates a variety of functional groups. Mechanistic studies suggest that the active oxidant is hypobromous acid, generated by the almost instantaneous oxidation of Br- by Selectfluor in an aqueous milieu.

Diverting the 5-exo-Trig Oxypalladation to Formally 6-endo-Trig Fluorocycloetherification Product through 1,2-O/Pd(IV) Dyotropic Rearrangement

Pd-catalyzed cyclizative functionalization of γ-hydroxyalkenes affords tetrahydrofuran derivatives via a key 5-exo-trig oxypalladation step. Herein, we report a palladium(II)-catalyzed, Selectfluor-mediated formal 6-endo-trig fluorocycloetherification of γ-hydroxyalkenes for the synthesis of functionalized tetrahydropyrans. Mechanistically, an σ-alkyl-Pd(II) intermediate resulting from the 5-exo-trig oxypalladation process is isolated and characterized by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Its oxidation with Selectfluor to Pd(IV) triggers the chemoselective 1,2-O/Pd(IV) dyotropic rearrangement affording, after C-F bond-forming reductive elimination, the tetrahydropyrans with concurrent generation of a tertiary carbon-fluorine bond. The occurrence of this 1,2-positional interchange is further evidenced by trapping the rearranged quaternary C(sp³)-Pd bond by an internal nucleophile that is materialized by the development of a Pd(II)-catalyzed oxidative bis-heterocyclization of alkenes.

Hydrogen Bonding in Platinum Indolylphosphine Polyfluorido and Fluorido Complexes

The reaction of the Pt complexes cis-[Pt(CH₃ )(Ar){Ph₂ P(Ind)}₂ ] (Ind=2-(3-methyl)indolyl, Ar=4-tBuC₆ H₄ (1 a)_, 4-CH₃ C₆ H₄ (1 b), Ph (1 c), 4-FC₆ H₄ (1 d), 4-ClC₆ H₄ (1 e), 4-CF₃ C₆ H₄ (1 f)) with HF afforded the polyfluorido complexes trans-[Pt(F(HF)₂ )(Ar){Ph₂ P(Ind)}₂ ] 2 a-f, which can be converted into the fluoride derivatives trans-[Pt(F)(Ar){Ph₂ P(Ind)}₂ ] (3 a-f) by treatment with CsF. The compounds 2 a-f and 3 a-f were characterised thoroughly by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. The data reveal hydrogen bonding of the fluorido ligand with HF molecules and the indolylphosphine ligand. Polyfluorido complexes 2 a-f show larger |¹ J(F,Pt)|, but lower ¹ J(H,F) coupling constants when compared to the fluorido complexes 3 a-f. Decreasing ¹ J(P,Pt) coupling constants in 2 a-f and 3 a-f suggest a cis influence of the aryl ligands in the following order: 4-tBuC₆ H₄ (a) ≈4-CH₃ C₆ H₄ (b)<Ph (c)≪4-FC₆ H₄ (d)<4-ClC₆ H₄ (e)<4-CF₃ C₆ H₄ (f). In addition, the larger cis influence of aryl ligands bearing electron-withdrawing groups in the para position correlates with decreasing magnitudes of |¹ J(F,Pt)| coupling constants. The interpretation of the experimental data was supported by quantum-chemical DFT calculations.

Conversion of a AuI Fluorido Complex into an N-Fluoroamido Derivative: N-F versus Au-N Reactivity

The Au^I complex [Au{N(F)SO₂ Ph}(SPhos)] (SPhos=dicyclohexyl(2',6'-dimethoxy[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yl)phosphane) (2) bearing a fluoroamido ligand has been synthesized by reaction of the fluorido complex [Au(F)(SPhos)] (1) with NFSI (NFSI=N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide). A reaction with CO resulted in an unprecedented insertion into the N-F bond at 2. With the carbene precursor N₂ CH(CO₂ Et) N-F bond cleavage gave the Au-F bond insertion product [Au{CHF(CO₂ C₂ H₅ )}(SPhos)] (7). The presence of CNtBu led to Au-N cleavage at 2 and concomitant amide formation to give the cationic complex [Au(CNtBu)(SPhos)][N(F)SO₂ Ph)] (5), which reacted further to give FtBu as well as the cyanido complex [Au(CN)(SPhos)] (6). These results led to the development of a process for the amination of electrophilic organic substrates by transfer of the fluoroamido group NF(SO₂ Ph)^- .

Ligand‐Enabled β‐C(sp 3 )−H Lactamization of Tosyl‐Protected Aliphatic Amides Using a Practical Oxidant

The development of C(sp³)−H functionalization reactions that use common protecting groups and practical oxidants remains a significant challenge. Herein we report a monoprotected aminoethyl thioether (MPAThio) ligand‐enabled β‐C(sp³)−H lactamization of tosyl‐protected aliphatic amides using tert‐butyl hydrogen peroxide (TBHP) as the sole oxidant. This protocol features exceedingly mild reaction conditions, reliable scalability, and the use of practical oxidants and protecting groups. Further derivatization of the β‐lactam products enables the synthesis of a range of biologically important motifs including β‐amino acids, γ‐amino alcohols, and azetidines.

Migrative Carbofluorination of Saturated Amides Enabled by Pd-Based Dyotropic Rearrangement

Directly editing an all-carbon quaternary carbon itself of nonstrained acyclic molecules remains underexploited despite the recent advances in the fields of both C-H and C-C bond activation. Herein, we report a palladium-catalyzed migrative carbofluorination of saturated amides enabled by the activation of both the C(sp³)-H and the C_quaternary-Cσ bonds. In this transformation, the α-quaternary carbon of Weinreb amides is converted to α-tertiary fluoride with concurrent migration of an aryl or an amido group from the α- to β-carbon. DFT calculations indicate that the dyotropic rearrangement proceeds through an unusual anti-selective [2.1.0] bicyclic transition state. The reaction, compatible with a broad range of functional groups, is stereospecific and is applicable to the synthesis of enantioenriched products.

Modular Synthesis of Benzocyclobutenes via Pd(II)-Catalyzed Oxidative [2+2] Annulation of Arylboronic Acids with Alkenes

Benzocyclobutenes (BCBs) are highly valuable compounds in organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry, and materials science. However, catalytic modular synthesis of functionalized BCBs from easily accessible starting materials remains limited. We report herein an efficient synthesis of diversely functionalized BCBs by a Pd(II)-catalyzed formal [2+2] annulation between arylboronic acids and alkenes in the presence of N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI). An intermolecular carbopalladation followed by palladium oxidation, intramolecular C(sp²)-H activation by a transient C(sp³)-Pd(IV) species, and selective carbon-carbon (C-C) bond-forming reductive elimination from a high-valent five-membered palladacycle is proposed to account for the reaction outcome. Kinetically competent oxidation of alkylPd(II) to alkylPd(IV) species is important to avoid the formation of a Heck adduct. The reaction forges two C-C bonds of the cyclobutene core and is compatible with a wide range of functional groups. No chelating bidentate directing group in the alkene part is needed for this transformation.

Metal-free sulfonylation of arenes with N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide via cleavage of S-N bonds: expeditious synthesis of diarylsulfones

A novel metal-free sulfonylation of arenes with N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) toward the synthesis of diarylsulfones has been developed. The reaction represents a rare example of sulfonylation reaction using NFSI as an efficient sulfonyl donor and the first example of acid-mediated sulfonylation of unactivated arenes with NFSI via selective cleavage of S-N bonds. This protocol provides a concise approach for the construction of pharmaceutically and biologically important diarylsulfones. Applications in the functionalization of natural products (e.g., β-estradiol) and in the synthesis of a key intermediate to an inhibitor of farnesyl-protein transferase, as well as in the gram-scale synthesis of the EPAC2 antagonist, are demonstrated.

1,2-Aminofunctionalization Reactions of Pyridino-Alkynes via Carbophilic Activation

Transition metal-catalyzed 1,2-difunctionalization reactions of alkynes have emerged as a powerful tool to forge carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds for the rapid synthesis of polyfunctionalized molecular scaffolds. In this regard, our group has persistently been developing transition metal-mediated 1,2-aminofunctionalization reactions of alkynes through a rationally designed pyridino-alkyne core by utilizing the carbophilic activation strategy. In this account, we present an array of such 1,2-aminofunctionalization reactions which have been successfully executed on this core to afford important polycyclic frameworks such as functionalized quinalizinones, pyridinium oxazole dyads (PODs), N-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), N-doped spiro-PAHs. Additionally, the synthesis of phosphine ligated gold complexes bearing pyrido-isoquinoline scaffold from the pyridino-alkynes will be discussed briefly.

Platinum Indolylphosphine Fluorido and Polyfluorido Complexes: An Interplay between Cyclometallation, Fluoride Migration, and Hydrogen Bonding

The reaction of [PtCl2 (COD)] (COD=1,5-cyclooctadiene) with diisopropyl-2-(3-methyl)indolylphosphine (iPr2 P(C9 H8 N)) led to the formation of the platinum(ii) chlorido complexes, cis-[PtCl2 {iPr2 P(C9 H8 N)}2 ] (1) and trans-[PtCl2 {iPr2 P(C9 H8 N)}2 ] (2). The cis-complex 1 reacted with NEt3 yielding the complex cis-[PtCl{κ2 -(P,N)-iPr2 P(C9 H7 N)}{iPr2 P(C9 H8 N)}] (3) bearing a cyclometalated κ2 -(P,N)-phosphine ligand, while the isomer 2 with a trans-configuration did not show any reactivity towards NEt3 . Treatment of 1 or 3 with (CH3 )4 NF (TMAF) resulted in the formation of the twofold cyclometalated complex cis-[Pt{κ2 -(P,N)-iPr2 P(C9 H7 N)}2 ] (4). The molecular structures of the complexes 1-4 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The fluorido complex cis-[PtF{κ2 -(P,N)-iPr2 P(C9 H7 N)}{iPr2 P(C9 H8 N)}] ⋅ (HF)4 (5 ⋅ (HF)4 ) was formed when complex 4 was treated with different hydrogen fluoride sources. The Pt(ii) fluorido complex 5 ⋅ (HF)4 exhibits intramolecular hydrogen bonding in its outer coordination sphere between the fluorido ligand and the NH group of the 3-methylindolyl moiety. In contrast to its chlorido analogue 3, complex 5 ⋅ (HF)4 reacted with CO or the ynamide 1-(2-phenylethynyl)-2-pyrrolidinone to yield the complexes trans-[Pt(CO){κ2 -(P,C)-iPr2 P(C9 H7 NCO)}{iPr2 P(C9 H8 N)}][F(HF)4 ] (7) and a complex, which we suggest to be cis-[Pt{C=C(Ph)OCN(C3 H6 )}{κ2 -(P,N)-iPr2 P(C9 H7 N)}{iPr2 P(C9 H8 N)}][F(HF)4 ] (9), respectively. The structure of 9 was assigned on the basis of DFT calculations as well as NMR and IR data. Hydrogen bonding of HF and NH to fluoride was proven to be crucial for the existence of 7 and 9.

[3 + 2 + 1] Pyridine Skeleton Synthesis Using Acetonitrile as C4N1 Units and Solvent

The first [3 + 2 + 1] methodology for pyridine skeleton synthesis via cascade carbopalladation/cyclization of acetonitrile, arylboronic acids, and aldehydes was developed. This reaction proceeds via six step tandem reaction sequences involving the carbopalladation reaction of acetonitrile, a nucleophilic addition, a condensation, an intramolecular Michael addition, cyclization, and aromatization. Delightfully, both palladium acetate and supported palladium nanoparticles catalyzed this reaction with similar catalytic performance. The characterization results of the fresh and used supported palladium nanoparticle catalysts indicated that the reaction might be performed via a Pd(0)/Pd(II) catalytic cycle that began with Pd(0). Furthermore, the products showed good fluorescence characteristics. The green homogeneous/heterogenous catalytic methodologies pave a new way for constructing the pyridine skeleton.

C-C bond activation enabled by dyotropic rearrangement of Pd(IV) species

The weak carbon–metal bond combined with the kinetic inertness of carbon–carbon bond renders the metal catalyzed C–C bond activation to be highly challenging. Most of the reported C–C bond activation methodologies involve the strain-releasing cleavage of small rings to compensate the unfavorable kinetic and thermodynamic penalties associated with the C–C bond cleavage. Here we report that the 1,2-positional interchange of vicinal C–C and C–Pd(IV) bonds (dyotropic rearrangement) can be realized in a stereospecific manner under mild conditions, giving access to quaternary carbon-palladium bonds. An enantioselective synthesis of medicinally relevant fluorinated cyclopentanes, featuring this rearrangement as a key step, has been developed. We anticipate that implementing a Pd-based dyotropic rearrangement in reaction design could provide a new dimension in the development of Pd-catalyzed transformations.

Rapid Construction of Tetralin, Chromane, and Indane Motifs via Cyclative C-H/C-H Coupling: Four-Step Total Synthesis of (±)-Russujaponol F

The development of practical C-H/C-H coupling reactions remains a challenging yet appealing synthetic venture because it circumvents the need to prefunctionalize both coupling partners for the generation of C-C bonds. Herein we report a cyclative C(sp³)-H/C(sp²)-H coupling reaction of free aliphatic acids enabled by a cyclopentane-based mono-N-protected β-amino acid ligand. This reaction uses inexpensive sodium percarbonate (Na₂CO₃·1.5H₂O₂) as the sole oxidant and generates water as the only byproduct. A range of biologically important scaffolds, including tetralins, chromanes, and indanes, can be easily prepared by this protocol. Finally, the synthetic application of this methodology is demonstrated by the concise total synthesis of (±)-russujaponol F in a four-step sequence starting from readily available phenylacetic acid and pivalic acid through sequential functionalizations of four C-H bonds.

Installing the “magic methyl” – C–H methylation in synthesis

Following notable cases of remarkable potency increases in methylated analogues of lead compounds, this review documents the state-of-the-art in C–H methylation technology.

Transient directing group controlled regiodivergent C(sp3)–H and C(sp2)–H polyfluoroalkoxylation of aromatic aldehydes

A novel method for achieving regiodivergent C(sp3)–H and C(sp2)–H polyfluoroalkoxylation in the o-methyl benzaldehyde framework by altering the transient directing group is disclosed.

C–H hetero-functionalization of arenes through palladacyclopentane-type intermediates

In this review article, we summarized recent advances in C–H hetero-functionalization of arenes through palladacyclopentane-type intermediates.

Nitrate promoted mild and versatile Pd-catalysed C(sp2)-H oxidation with carboxylic acids

A nitrate-promoted Pd-catalysed mild cross-dehydrogenative C(sp²)-H bond oxidation of oximes or azobenzenes with diverse carboxylic acids has been developed. In contrast to the previous catalytic systems, this protocol features mild conditions (close to room temperature for most cases) and a broad substrate scope (up to 64 examples), thus constituting a versatile method to directly prepare diverse O-aryl esters. Moreover, the superiority of the nitrate additive in this mild transformation was further determined by experimental and computational evidence.

Lewis acid-assisted Ir(iii) reductive elimination enables construction of seven-membered-ring sulfoxides

Iridium has played an important role in the evolution of C-H activation chemistry over the last half century owing to its high reactivity towards stoichiometric C-H bond cleavage; however, the use of Ir(iii) complexes in catalytic C-H functionalization/C-C bond formation appears to have fallen off significantly. The main problem lies in the reductive elimination step, as iridium has a tendency to form stable and catalytically inactive Ir(iii) species. Herein, with a rationally designed Lewis acid assisted oxidatively induced strategy, the sluggish Ir(iii) reductive elimination is successfully facilitated, enabling the facile C-C bond formation. The X-ray crystal structure of a silver salt adduct of iridacycle and DFT calculations demonstrate that the sulfoxide group acts as a key bridge connecting the Ir(iii) metal centre with the silver Lewis acid, which facilitates the reductive elimination of the Ir(iii) metallacycle. Further identification of oxidants was carried out by performing stoichiometric reactions, which enables the development of catalytic construction of various highly functionalized seven-membered-ring sulfoxides, that are of great interest in medicinal chemistry and materials science.

Copper-Catalyzed Functionalization of Benzylic C-H Bonds with N-Fluorobenzenesulfonimide: Switch from C-N to C-F Bond Formation Promoted by a Redox Buffer and Brønsted Base

A copper catalyst in combination with N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) has been reported to functionalize benzylic C-H bonds to the corresponding benzylic sulfonimides via C-N coupling. Here, we reported a closely related Cu-catalyzed method with NFSI that instead leads to C-F coupling. This switch in selectivity arises from changes to the reaction conditions (Cu/ligand ratio, temperature, addition of base) and further benefits from inclusion of MeB(OH)2 in the reaction. MeB(OH)2 is shown to serve as a "redox buffer" in the reaction, responsible for rescuing inactive Cu(II) for continued promotion of fluorination reactivity.

Pd-Catalyzed γ-C(sp3)-H Fluorination of Free Amines

The first example of free amine γ-C(sp³)-H fluorination is realized using 2-hydroxynicotinaldehyde as the transient directing group. A wide range of cyclohexyl and linear aliphatic amines could be fluorinated selectively at the γ-methyl and methylene positions. Electron withdrawing 3,5-disubstituted pyridone ligands were identified to facilitate this reaction. Computational studies suggest that the turnover determining step is likely the oxidative addition step for methylene fluorination, while it is likely the C-H activation step for methyl fluorination. The explicit participation of Ag results in a lower energetic span for methylene fluorination and a higher energetic span for methyl fluorination, which is consistent with the experimental observation that the addition of silver salt is desirable for methylene but not for methyl fluorination. Kinetic studies on methyl fluorination suggest that the substrate and PdL are involved in the rate-determining step, indicating that the C-H activation step may be partially rate-determining. Importantly, an energetically preferred pathway has identified an interesting pyridone-assisted bimetallic transition state for the oxidative addition step in methylene fluorination, thus uncovering a potential new role of the pyridone ligand.

Transient Directing Group Enabled Pd-catalyzed γ-C(sp3)-H Oxygenation of Alkyl Amines

We report a general protocol for γ-C(sp³)-H acyloxylation and alkoxylation of free amines using 2-hydroxynicotinaldehyde as the transient directing group. In the presence of an electrophilic fluorinating bystanding oxidant and acetic acid, a wide range of aliphatic amines could be oxygenated selectively at the γ-methyl positions. A vast variety of aryl, heteroaryl, and aliphatic acids could also be successfully coupled under this C-O bond formation reaction to afford amine containing esters. Switching the nucleophile from acids to alcohols enables alkoxylation of free amines. Importantly, natural products and drug molecules such as ibuprofen, isozepac, fenbufen, and lithocholic acid are all compatible coupling partners. Notably, synthesis of these mono-protected amino alcohols from free amino alcohols using conventional selective protection are not always feasible.

Ligand-Enabled Pd(II)-Catalyzed C(sp3)-H Lactonization Using Molecular Oxygen as Oxidant

Pd(II)-catalyzed C-H lactonization of o-methyl benzoic acid substrates has been achieved using molecular oxygen as the oxidant. This finding provides a rare example of C-H oxygenation through Pd(II)/Pd(0) catalysis as well as a method to construct biologically important benzolactone scaffolds. The use of a gas mixture of 5% oxygen in nitrogen demonstrated the possibility for its application in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Ligand-Enabled Monoselective β-C(sp3)-H Acyloxylation of Free Carboxylic Acids Using a Practical Oxidant

The development of C-H activation reactions that use inexpensive and practical oxidants remains a significant challenge. Until our recent disclosure of the β-lactonization of free aliphatic acids, the use of peroxides in C-H activation reactions directed by weakly coordinating native functional groups was unreported. Herein, we report C(sp³)-H β-acetoxylation and γ-, δ-, and ε-lactonization reactions of free carboxylic acids enabled by a novel cyclopentane-based mono-N-protected β-amino acid ligand. Notably, tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide is used as the sole oxidant for these reactions. This reaction has several key advantages over other C-H activation protocols: (1) exclusive monoselectivity was observed in the presence of two α-methyl groups; (2) aliphatic carboxylic acids containing α-hydrogens are compatible with this protocol; (3) lactonization of free acids, affording γ-, δ-, or ε-lactones, has been achieved for the first time.

Selective Cross-Dehydrogenative C(sp3)-H Arylation with Arenes

Selective C(sp³)-C(sp²) bond construction is of central interest in chemical synthesis. Despite the success of classic cross-coupling reactions, the cross-dehydrogenative coupling between inert C(sp³)-H and C(sp²)-H bonds represents an attractive alternative toward new C(sp³)-C(sp²) bonds. Herein, we establish a selective inter- and intramolecular C(sp³)-H arylation of alcohols with nondirected arenes that thereby provides a general pathway to access a wide range of β-arylated alcohols, including tetrahydronaphthalen-2-ols and benzopyran-3-ols, with high to excellent chemo- and regioselectivity.

Gold and hypervalent iodine(iii): liaisons over a decade for electrophilic functional group transfer reactions

Over the last two decades, hypervalent iodine(iii) reagents have evolved from being 'bonding curiosities' to mainstream reagents in organic synthesis, in particular, electrophilic functional group transfer reactions. In this context, gold catalysts have not only emerged as a unique toolbox to facilitate such reactions (especially alkynylations) but also opened new possibilities with their different modes of reactivities for other functional group transfer reactions (acetoxylations and arylations). This feature article critically summarizes hitherto all such Au-catalyzed electrophilic functional group transfer reactions with hypervalent iodine(iii) reagents, emphasizing their mechanistic aspects.

Lactonization as a general route to β-C(sp3)-H functionalization

Functionalization of the β-C–H of aliphatic acids is emerging as a valuable synthetic disconnection that complements a wide range of conjugate addition reactions^1–5. Despite efforts on β-C–H functionalizations for carbon-carbon (C-C) and carbon-heteroatom (C-Y) bond-forming reactions, these bear numerous decisive limitations, especially for industrial-scale applications, including the lack of mono-selectivity, use of expensive oxidants, and limited scope^6–13. Notably, the majority of these reactions are incompatible with free aliphatic acids without exogenous directing groups. Considering the challenge of developing C–H activation reactions, it is not surprising that achieving different transformations requires independent catalyst design and directing group optimizations in each case. Here, we report a Pd-catalyzed β-C(sp³)–H lactonization of aliphatic acids enabled by a mono-N-protected β-amino acid ligand. The highly strained and reactive β-lactone products are versatile linchpins for the mono-selective installation of diverse alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkynyl, fluoro, hydroxyl, and amino groups at the β position of the parent acid, thus providing a route to myriad carboxylic acids. The use of inexpensive tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide (TBHP) as the oxidant to promote the desired selective reductive elimination from the Pd(IV) center, as well as the ease of product purification without column chromatography renders this reaction amenable to ton-scale manufacturing.

C-H Halogenation of Pyridyl Sulfides Avoiding the Sulfur Oxidation: A Direct Catalytic Access to Sulfanyl Polyhalides and Polyaromatics

Palladium-catalyzed oxidative C-H halogenation and acetoxylation reactions of S-unprotected sulfides, selectively directed by pyridinyl groups, allows the formation of C-X bonds (X = I, Br, Cl, OAc) by using simple halosuccinimide or phenyliodine diacetate (PIDA) oxidants. The undesired formation of sulfoxides and/or sulfones, which are usually observed under oxidative conditions, is fully obviated. Under the solvent-dependent conditions that we proposed, sulfide C-H functionalization is achieved in less than 1 h without any direct electrophilic halogenation at the pyridine moiety. N-Directed ortho-C-H activation of aryl also facilitates dibromination reactions which are hardly accessible with sulfone and sulfoxide counterparts because of their higher structural rigidity. This general method gives a straightforward access to polyhalide sulfides, without an organosulfur reduction step or protection-deprotection sequence. Polyhalide sulfides are valuable synthons that give a practical entry to new constrained polyaromatic and biphenyl sulfides, including synthetically challenging unsymmetrical examples.