Site-selective catalytic C(sp2)-H bond azidations

Transition-metal-free azide insertion of N-triftosylhydrazones using a non-metallic azide source

Benzylic azides, an important class of active organic synthons, were synthesized in high yields from the easily accessible N-triftosylhydrazones with stable TMSN₃ under mild conditions. The reaction features high efficiency and excellent functional group tolerance, as illustrated by gram-scale synthesis and the synthesis of drug-like molecules. Mechanistic studies reveal that azidation occurs at the electron-deficient diazo-carbon via the elimination of N₂ by an azide ion.

Chemical versatility of azide radical: journey from a transient species to synthetic accessibility in organic transformations

The generation of azide radical (N₃˙) occurs from its precursors primarily via a single electron transfer (SET) process or homolytic cleavage by chemical methods or advanced photoredox/electrochemical methods. This in situ generated transient open-shell species has unique characteristic features that set its reactivity. In the past, the azide radical was widely used for various studies in radiation chemistry as a 1e^- oxidant of biologically important molecules, but now it is being exploited for synthetic applications based on its addition and intermolecular hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) abilities. Due to the significant role of nitrogen-containing molecules in synthesis, drug discovery, biological, and material sciences, the direct addition onto unsaturated bonds for the simultaneous construction of C-N bond with other (C-X) bonds are indeed worth highlighting. Moreover, the ability to generate O- or C-centered radicals by N₃˙ via electron transfer (ET) and intermolecular HAT processes is also well documented. The purpose of controlling the reactivity of this short-lived intermediate in organic transformations drives us to survey: (i) the history of azide radical and its structural properties (thermodynamic, spectroscopic, etc.), (ii) chemical reactivities and kinetics, (iii) methods to produce N₃˙ from various precursors, (iv) several significant azide radical-mediated transformations in the field of functionalization with unsaturated bonds, C-H functionalization via HAT, tandem, and multicomponent reaction with a critical analysis of underlying mechanistic approaches and outcomes, (v) concept of taming the reactivity of azide radicals for potential opportunities, in this review.

Iron-Catalyzed Asymmetric Decarboxylative Azidation

The first iron-catalyzed asymmetric azidation of benzylic peresters has been reported with trimethylsilyl azide (TMSN₃) as the azido source. Hydrocarbon radicals that lack of strong interactions were capable to be enantioselectively azidated. The reaction features good functional group tolerance, high yields, and mild conditions. The chiral benzylic azides can further be used in click reaction, phosphoramidation, and reductive amination, which demonstrate the synthetic values of this reaction.

Mangana(iii/iv)electro-catalyzed C(sp3)-H azidation

Manganaelectro-catalyzed azidation of otherwise inert C(sp3)-H bonds was accomplished using most user-friendly sodium azide as the nitrogen-source. The operationally simple, resource-economic C-H azidation strategy was characterized by mild reaction conditions, no directing group, traceless electrons as the sole redox-reagent, Earth-abundant manganese as the catalyst, high functional-group compatibility and high chemoselectivity, setting the stage for late-stage azidation of bioactive compounds. Detailed mechanistic studies by experiment, spectrophotometry and cyclic voltammetry provided strong support for metal-catalyzed aliphatic radical formation, along with subsequent azidyl radical transfer within a manganese(iii/iv) manifold.

C7-Indole Amidations and Alkenylations by Ruthenium(II) Catalysis

C7-H-functionalized indoles are ubiquitous structural units of biological and pharmaceutical compounds for numerous antiviral agents against SARS-CoV or HIV-1. Thus, achieving site-selective functionalizations of the C7-H position of indoles, while discriminating among other bonds, is in high demand. Herein, we disclose site-selective C7-H activations of indoles by ruthenium(II) biscarboxylate catalysis under mild conditions. Base-assisted internal electrophilic-type substitution C-H ruthenation by weak O-coordination enabled the C7-H functionalization of indoles and offered a broad scope, including C-N and C-C bond formation. The versatile ruthenium-catalyzed C7-H activations were characterized by gram-scale syntheses and the traceless removal of the directing group, thus providing easy access to pharmaceutically relevant scaffolds. Detailed mechanistic studies through spectroscopic and spectrometric analyses shed light on the unique nature of the robust ruthenium catalysis for the functionalization of the C7-H position of indoles.

Visible-light activated metal catalyst-free vicinal diazidation of olefins with sulfonium iodate(i) species

An unprecedented visible-light inspired selective radical azidation of unactivated and diverse substituted vinylarenes with sulfonium iodate reagent has been realized. The intrinsic radical process triggered by light tolerated several synthetically useful functionalities enabling two new carbon-hetero bonds which display distinctive late-stage applications to biologically relevant scaffolds.

Synthesis of Geminal Azido-Halo Compounds and α-Azidoalkyl Esters from Aldehydes via α-Azido Alcohols

α-Azido alcohols are generated by treating aldehydes with hydrazoic acid in chloroform. These adducts are transformed into geminal azido-halo compounds through the reaction with phosphorus trichloride or phosphorus tribromide, whereas α-azidoalkyl esters are isolated after interaction with acyl chlorides.

1,2-Difunctionalization-type (hetero)arylation of unactivated alkenes triggered by radical addition/remote (hetero)aryl migration

A novel (hetero)arylation of unactivated alkenes has been developed via 1,4(5)-(hetero)aryl migration triggered by radical alkene azidation, trifluoromethylation, or phosphonylation.

Radical aryl migration enables diversity-oriented synthesis of structurally diverse medium/macro- or bridged-rings

Medium-sized and medium-bridged rings are attractive structural motifs in natural products and therapeutic agents. Due to the unfavourable entropic and/or enthalpic factors with these ring systems, their efficient construction remains a formidable challenge. To address this problem, we herein disclose a radical-based approach for diversity-oriented synthesis of various benzannulated carbon- and heteroatom-containing 8-11(14)-membered ketone libraries. This strategy involves 1,4- or 1,5-aryl migration triggered by radical azidation, trifluoromethylation, phosphonylation, sulfonylation, or perfluoroalkylation of unactivated alkenes followed by intramolecular ring expansion. Demonstration of this method as a highly flexible tool for the construction of 37 synthetically challenging medium-sized and macrocyclic ring scaffolds including bridged rings with diverse functionalities and skeletons is highlighted. Some of these products showed potent inhibitory activity against the cancer cell or derivative of human embryonic kidney line in preliminary biological studies. The mechanism of this novel strategy is investigated by control experiments and DFT calculations.

A visible-light-promoted radical reaction system for azidation and halogenation of tertiary aliphatic C-H bonds

A highly tunable radical-mediated reaction system for the functionalization of tertiary aliphatic C-H bonds was developed. Reactions of various substrates with the Zhdankin azidoiodane reagent 1, Ru(bpy)3Cl2, and visible light irradiation at room temperature gave C-H azidated or halogenated products in an easily controllable fashion. These reactions are efficient, selective, and compatible with complex substrates. They provide a potentially valuable tool for selectively labeling tertiary C-H bonds of organic and biomolecules with tags of varied chemical and biophysical properties for comparative functional studies.

Synthesis of geminal bis- and tristriazoles: exploration of unconventional azide chemistry

A range of geminal bis- and tristriazoles are presented.

Aliphatic C–H azidation through a peroxydisulfate induced radical pathway

Transition-metal-free, chemo- and regioselective aliphatic tertiary C–H bond azidation with good functional group tolerance is described.

Regioselective β-silylation of porphyrins via iridium-catalyzed C–H bond activation

An efficient approach to meso-unsubstituted β-silylporphyrins was developed through highly regioselective Ir-catalyzed C–H activation, in the presence of HSiMe(OSiMe₃)₂ as the Si source, from meso-unsubstituted porphyrins.

Copper-catalyzed intermolecular chloroazidation of α,β-unsaturated amides

A copper catalyzed three component chloroazidation of α,β-unsaturated amides has been performed using azidoiodine(iii) reagent and SOCl₂ as azide and chlorine sources, respectively.

Three-Component Azidation of Styrene-Type Double Bonds: Light-Switchable Behavior of a Copper Photoredox Catalyst

[Cu(dap)2]Cl effectively catalyzes azide addition from the Zhdankin reagent to styrene-type double bonds, and subsequent addition of a third component to the benzylic position. In the presence of light, a photoredox cycle is implicated with polar components such as methanol or bromide adding to a benzylic cation. In the absence of light, by contrast, double azidation takes place to give diazides. Therefore, regioselective double functionalization can be achieved in good to excellent yields, with a switch between light and dark controlling the degree of azidation.

Transition metal-catalyzed direct remote C–H functionalization of alkyl groups via C(sp3)–H bond activation

This review is focused on the recent advances in the transition metal-catalyzed direct remote C–H-functionalization of alkyl groups via C(sp³)–H bond activation. In general, carboxamide/ester-chelated β-functionalization reactions are summarized.

The development of carbene-stabilized N–O radical coupling strategy in metal-free regioselective C–H azidation of quinoline N-oxides

The key regioselective issue of quinoline N-oxide azidation was resolved via the oxidative cross-coupling of carbene-stabilized N–O radicals and TMSN₃. Compared with the reported azidations, the present metal-free procedure is convenient and regioselective under mild conditions, and could be scaled up to gram-synthesis.

Copper-catalysed regioselective azidation of arenes by C–H activation directed by pyridine

A novel and efficient copper-catalysed pyridine directed ortho-azidation of arenes has been developed using safe and stable benzotriazole sulphonyl azide as the azidating agent.

Copper-catalyzed intermolecular C-H amination of (hetero)arenes via transient unsymmetrical λ³-iodanes

A one-pot two-step method for intermolecular C-H amination of electron-rich heteroarenes and arenes has been developed. The approach is based on a room-temperature copper-catalyzed regioselective reaction of the in situ formed unsymmetrical (hetero)aryl-λ(3)-iodanes with a wide range of primary and secondary aliphatic amines and anilines.