Catalytic Enantioselective Intramolecular C(sp 3 )−H Amination of 2‐Azidoacetamides

Heteroleptic Triazole-Bisoxazoline Iron Complexes Reveal Lability of the Iron-Carbene Bond Even Within a Chelating Scaffold

N-Heterocyclic carbenes have proven to be excellent ligands for transition metals, with numerous applications in catalysis and beyond. However, they have also displayed lability with first row transition metals, largely due to the hard-soft mismatch of the metal-carbon bond. Chelation is often considered a suitable methodology for supporting the labile M-C bond through the introduction of a strongly coordinating donor site such as hard phenolates. Herein, we demonstrate that chelating phenolate-carbene ligands are kinetically labile in iron(II) complexes. Specifically, heteroleptic iron complexes [Fe(C^O)(N^N)] were synthesized composed of a phenolate-functionalized triazolylidene (CO) ligand and N,N-bidentate coordinating bisoxazoline ligand (N^N). Stability studies by 1H NMR spectroscopy showed that the heteroleptic complexes preferentially convert to their corresponding homoleptic complexes [Fe(C^O)2] and [Fe(N^N)2], indicating reversible decoordination of the carbene phenolate chelate from the iron center. The rate of this rearrangement is dependent on the substituents on the ligands and increases for triazolylidene wingtip groups mesityl (Mes) < di(isopropyl)aryl (DIPP) < adamantyl (Ad), with significant ligand redistribution for DIPP and Ad systems observed even at room temperature. The most stable heteroleptic complex featured mesityl wingtips on the triazole and phenyl groups as oxazoline substituents and displayed signs of ligand exchange only after 16 h at room temperature. This substitutional lability of carbene ligands even when supported by a phenolate chelating group has direct consequences when designing iron complexes for catalytic applications.

Asymmetric Intramolecular Amination Catalyzed with Cp*Ir-SPDO via Nitrene Transfer for Synthesis of Spiro-Quaternary Indolinone

An asymmetric intramolecular spiro-amination to high steric hindering α-C-H bond of 1,3-dicarbonyl via nitrene transfer using inactive aryl azides has been carried out by developing a novel Cp*Ir(III)-SPDO (spiro-pyrrolidine oxazoline) catalyst, thereby enabling the first successful construction of structurally rigid spiro-quaternary indolinone cores with moderate to high yields and excellent enantioselectivities. DFT computations support the presence of double bridging H-F bonds between [SbF6]- and both the ligand and substrate, which favors the plane-differentiation of the enol π-bond for nitrenoid attacking. These findings open up numerous opportunities for the development of new asymmetric nitrene transfer systems.

Tertiary Amides as Directing Groups for Enantioselective C-H Amination using Ion-Paired Rhodium Complexes

Enantioselective C-H amination at a benzylic methylene is a vital disconnection towards chiral benzylamines. Here we disclose that butyric and valeric acid-derived tertiary amides can undergo highly enantioselective benzylic amination using an achiral anionic Rh complex that is ion-paired with a Cinchona alkaloid-derived chiral cation. A broad scope of compounds can be aminated encompassing numerous arene substitutions, amides, and two different chain lengths. Excellent tolerance of ortho substituents was observed, which has not been achieved before in asymmetric intermolecular C-H amination with Rh. We speculate that the tertiary amide group of the substrate engages in hydrogen bonding interactions directly with the chiral cation, enabling a high level of organisation at the transition state for C-H amination. This is in contrast with our previous work where a substrate bearing a hydrogen bond donor was required. Control experiments led to the discovery that methyl ethers also function as proficient directing groups under the optimised conditions, potentially also acting as hydrogen bond acceptors. This finding has the promise to dramatically expand the applicability of our ion-paired chiral catalysts.

Synthesis of Polycyclic Imidazolidinones via Cascade [3 + 2]-Annulation of β-Oxo-acrylamides with Cyclic N-Sulfonyl Imines

An Et3N-catalyzed cascade [3 + 2]-annulation of β-oxo-acrylamides with cyclic N-sulfonyl ketimines or sulfamate-derived imines is developed under mild reaction conditions, which provides a concise and efficient route to access valuable sultam- or sulfamidate-fused imidazolidinone derivatives in good to excellent yields (80-95% yields) with excellent diastereoselectivities (>20:1 drs). The current protocol features atom economy, a transition-metal-free process, and broad functional group tolerance. Moreover, the asymmetric variant of the [3 + 2]-cycloaddition reaction was achieved in the presence of diphenylethanediamine or quinine-based bifunctional squaramide organocatalysts C-1 and C-11, giving the corresponding chiral polycyclic imidazolidinones in 68-90% yields with 25-94% ees and >20:1 drs in all cases.

Catalytic, asymmetric carbon-nitrogen bond formation using metal nitrenoids: from metal-ligand complexes via metalloporphyrins to enzymes

The introduction of nitrogen atoms into small molecules is of fundamental importance and it is vital that ever more efficient and selective methods for achieving this are developed. With this aim, the potential of nitrene chemistry has long been appreciated but its application has been constrained by the extreme reactivity of these labile species. This liability however can be attenuated by complexation with a transition metal and the resulting metal nitrenoids have unique and highly versatile reactivity which includes the amination of certain types of aliphatic C-H bonds as well as reactions with alkenes to afford aziridines. At least one new chiral centre is typically formed in these processes and the development of catalysts to exert control over enantioselectivity in nitrenoid-mediated amination has become a growing area of research, particularly over the past two decades. Compared with some synthetic methods, metal nitrenoid chemistry is notable in that chemists can draw from a diverse array of metals and catalysts , ranging from metal-ligand complexes, bearing a variety of ligand types, via bio-inspired metalloporphyrins, all the way through to, very recently, engineered enzymes themselves. In the latter category in particular, rapid progress is being made, the rate of which suggests that this approach may be instrumental in addressing some of the outstanding challenges in the field. This review covers key developments and strategies that have shaped the field, in addition to the latest advances, up until September 2023.

Diastereo- and Enantioselective Palladium-Catalyzed Cycloadditions of 5-Vinyloxazolidine-2,4-diones with Electrophilic Imines

Despite the importance of the 4-imidazolidinone scaffold in bioactive compounds or organocatalysts, methodologies to access these nitrogenated heterocycles remain scarce. This manuscript describes a novel preparation of 4-imidazolidinones via a diastereo- and enantioselective (3 + 2) cycloaddition between 5-vinyloxazolidine-2,4-diones (VOxD) and electrophilic imines under palladium catalysis. This work supports the synthetic potential of VOxD as a promising equivalent of the C-C(═O)-N synthon.

Chiral-at-Ruthenium Catalysts for Nitrene-Mediated Asymmetric C-H Functionalizations

ConspectusAsymmetric transition metal catalysis is an indispensable tool used both in academia and industry for forging chiral molecules in an enantioselective fashion. Its advancement relies in large part on the design and discovery of new chiral catalysts. In contrast to conventional endeavors of generating chiral transition metal catalysts from carefully tailored chiral ligands, the development of chiral transition metal catalysts containing solely achiral ligands (chiral-at-metal catalysts) has been neglected. This Account presents our recent work on the synthesis and catalytic applications of a new class of C₂-symmetric chiral-at-ruthenium catalysts. These octahedral ruthenium(II) complexes are constructed from two achiral bidentate N-(2-pyridyl)-substituted N-heterocyclic carbene (PyNHC) ligands and two monodentate acetonitriles, and the dicationic complexes are typically complemented with two hexafluorophosphate anions. The chirality of these complexes originates from the helical cis-arrangement of the bidentate ligands, thereby generating a stereogenic metal center as the exclusive stereocenter in these complexes. The strong σ donor and π acceptor properties of the PyNHC ligands provide a strong ligand field that ensures a high constitutional and configurational inertness of the helical Ru(PyNHC)₂ core, while at the same time, the trans-effect exerted by the σ-donating NHC ligands results in high lability of the MeCN ligands and, therefore, provides high catalytic activity. As a result, this chiral-at-ruthenium catalyst scaffold combines formidable structural robustness with high catalytic activity in a unique fashion. Asymmetric nitrene C-H insertion constitutes an efficient strategy for accessing chiral amines. The direct conversion of C(sp³)-H bonds into amine functionality circumvents the need for using functionalized starting materials. Our C₂-symmetric chiral-at-ruthenium complexes display exceptionally high catalytic activity and excellent stereocontrol for various asymmetric nitrene C(sp³)-H insertion reactions. The ruthenium nitrene species can be generated from nitrene precursors, such as organic azides and hydroxylamine derivatives, which undergo ring-closing C-H aminations to afford chiral cyclic pyrrolidines, ureas, and carbamates in high yields and with excellent enantioselectivities at low catalyst loadings. Mechanistically, the turnover-determining C-H insertion is proposed to proceed in a concerted or stepwise fashion, depending on the nature of intermediate ruthenium nitrenes (singlet or triplet). Computational studies revealed that the stereocontrol originates from a better steric fit in combination with favorable catalyst/substrate π-π stacking effects for aminations at benzylic C-H bonds. In addition, we also present our research for exploring novel reaction patterns and reactivities of intermediate transition metal nitrenes. First, we discovered a novel chiral-at-ruthenium-catalyzed 1,3-migratory nitrene C(sp³)-H insertion to convert azanyl esters into nonracemic α-amino acids. Second, we found a chiral-at-ruthenium-catalyzed intramolecular C(sp³)-H oxygenation, thereby allowing for the construction of chiral cyclic carbonates and lactones via nitrene chemistry. We expect that our research program on catalyst development and reaction discovery will inspire the creation of novel types of chiral-at-metal catalysts and drive the development of new applications for nitrene-mediated asymmetric C-H functionalization reactions.

Discovery of a simple iron catalyst reveals the intimate steps of C-H amination to form C-N bonds

Formation of ubiquitous C-N bonds traditionally uses prefunctionalized carbon precursors. Recently, metal-catalyzed amination of unfunctionalized C-H bonds with azides has become an attractive and atom-economic strategy for C-N bond formation, though all catalysts contain sophisticated ligands. Here, we report Fe(HMDS)2 (HMDS = N(SiMe3)2 -) as an easy-to-prepare catalyst for intramolecular C-H amination. The catalyst shows unprecedented turnover frequencies (110 h-1 vs. 70 h-1 reported to date) and requires no additives. Amination is successful for benzylic and aliphatic C-H bonds (>80% yield) and occurs even at room temperature. The simplicity of the catalyst enabled for the first time comprehensive mechanistic investigations. Kinetic, stoichiometric, and computational studies unveiled the intimate steps of the C-H amination process, including the resting state of the catalyst and turnover-limiting N2 loss of the coordinated azide. The high reactivity of the iron imido intermediate is rationalized by its complex spin system revealing imidyl and nitrene character.

From the bottle: simple iron salts for the efficient synthesis of pyrrolidines via catalytic C-H bond amination

Commercially available iron salts FeX2 are remarkably active catalysts for pyrrolidine formation from organic azides via direct C-H bond amination. With FeI2, amination is fast and selective, (<30 min for 80% yield at 2 mol% loading), TONs up to 370 are reached with just 0.1 mol% catalyst, different functional groups are tolerated, and a variety of C-H bonds were activated.

Enantioselective C-H Bond Functionalization Involving Arene Ruthenium(II) Catalysis

The p-Cymene ruthenium(II) complex is one of the most widely used catalysts in C-H activation. However, enantioselective C-H activation promoted by arene ruthenium(II) complexes has not been realized until recently. The revealed strategies include intramolecular nitrene C-H insertion, the use of chiral transient directing groups, chiral carboxylic acid, relay catalysis, and chiral arene ligands. In this minireview, these advances are summarized and discussed in the hope of spurring further developments.

Chiral Iron Porphyrins Catalyze Enantioselective Intramolecular C(sp3 )-H Bond Amination Upon Visible-Light Irradiation

Iron-catalyzed asymmetric amination of C(sp³ )-H bonds is appealing for synthetic applications due to the biocompatibility and high earth abundance of iron, but examples of such reactions are sparse. Herein we describe chiral iron complexes of meso- and β-substituted-porphyrins that can catalyze asymmetric intramolecular C(sp³ )-H amination of aryl and arylsulfonyl azides to afford chiral indolines (29 examples) and benzofused cyclic sulfonamides (17 examples), respectively, with up to 93 % ee (yield: up to 99 %) using 410 nm light under mild conditions. Mechanistic studies, including DFT calculations, for the reactions of arylsulfonyl azides reveal that the Fe(NSO₂ Ar) intermediate generated in situ under photochemical conditions reacts with the C(sp³ )-H bond through a stepwise hydrogen atom transfer/radical rebound mechanism, with enantioselectivity arising from cooperative noncovalent interactions between the Fe(NSO₂ Ar) unit and the peripheral substituents of the chiral porphyrin scaffold.

Photoinduced α-C-H Amination of Cyclic Amine Scaffolds Enabled by Polar-Radical Relay

Herein, we report a polar-radical relay strategy for α-C-H amination of cyclic amines with N-chloro-N-sodio-carbamates. The relay is initiated by in situ generation of cyclic iminium intermediate using N-iodosuccinimide (NIS) oxidant as an initiator, which then operates through a series of polar (addition and elimination) and radical (homolysis, hydrogen- and halogen atom transfer) reactions to enable the challenging C-N bond formation in a controlled manner. A broad range of α-amino cyclic amines were readily accessed with excellent regioselectivity, and the superb applicability was further demonstrated by functionalization of biologically relevant compounds.

Highly diastereoselective synthesis of benzothiazolo[3,2-a]pyridines via [4 + 2] annulation reaction of 2-vinylbenzothiazoles and azlactones

An efficient AgOTf-catalyzed [4 + 2] annulation reaction of 2-vinylbenzothiazoles and azlactones was successfully performed under mild reaction conditions. With this approach, a series of novel benzothiazolo[3,2-a]pyridine derivatives was readily obtained in good to excellent yields (68-96%), with high diastereoselectivities and tolerating quite a broad scope of substituents. By using chiral phosphoric acid catalyst, the desired products were obtained in high enantioselectivities, up to -94%. This methodology provides a rapid and useful method for constructing fused benzothiazole derivatives.

Stereocontrolled 1,3-nitrogen migration to access chiral α-amino acids

α-Amino acids are essential for life as building blocks of proteins and components of diverse natural molecules. In both industry and academia, the incorporation of unnatural amino acids is often desirable for modulating chemical, physical and pharmaceutical properties. Here we report a protocol for the economical and practical synthesis of optically active α-amino acids based on an unprecedented stereocontrolled 1,3-nitrogen shift. Our method employs abundant and easily accessible carboxylic acids as starting materials, which are first connected to a nitrogenation reagent, followed by a highly regio- and enantioselective ruthenium- or iron-catalysed C(sp3)-H amination. This straightforward method displays a very broad scope, providing rapid access to optically active α-amino acids with aryl, allyl, propargyl and alkyl side chains, and also permits stereocontrolled late-stage amination of carboxylic-acid-containing drugs and natural products.

Catalysis with cycloruthenated complexes

Cycloruthenated complexes have been studied extensively over the last few decades. Many accounts of their synthesis, characterisation, and catalytic activity in a wide variety of transformations have been reported to date. Compared with their non-cyclometallated analogues, cycloruthenated complexes may display enhanced catalytic activities in known transformations or possess entirely new reactivity. In other instances, these complexes can be chiral, and capable of catalysing stereoselective reactions. In this review, we aim to highlight the catalytic applications of cycloruthenated complexes in organic synthesis, emphasising the recent advancements in this field.

We discuss recent advances in the applications of cycloruthenated complexes in organic synthesis, comprising C–H activation, chiral-at-metal catalysis, Z-selective olefin metathesis, transfer hydrogenation, enantioselective cyclopropanations and cycloadditions.

Ligand-Enabled, Copper-Catalyzed Electrophilic Amination for the Asymmetric Synthesis of β-Amino Acids

Catalytic asymmetric nitrene transfer has emerged as a reliable method for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing chiral compounds. Herein, we report the copper-catalyzed intramolecular asymmetric electrophilic amination of aromatic rings. The reactive intermediate is a copper-alkyl nitrene generated from isoxazolidin-5-ones. Copper catalysis promotes three classes of asymmetric transformations, namely, asymmetric desymmetrization, parallel kinetic resolution, and kinetic resolution, expanding the repertoire of alkyl nitrene transfer and providing various cyclic and linear β-amino acids in their enantioenriched forms.

A soluble iron(II)-phthalocyanine-catalyzed intramolecular C(sp3)-H amination with alkyl azides

Herein, we describe a soluble iron(II)-phthalocyanine, [Fe^II(^tBu₄Pc)(py)₂] (Pc = phthalocyaninato(2-)), as an effective catalyst in intramolecular C(sp³)-H bond amination, with alkyl azides as the nitrogen source, to afford the amination products in moderate to excellent yields with a broad substrate scope.

Ruthenium Catalyzed Intramolecular C-X (X=C, N, O, S) Bond Formation via C-H Functionalization: An Overview

Ruthenium catalyzed C-H activation is well known for its high tolerance towards the functional group and broad applicability in organic synthesis and molecular sciences, with significant applications in pharmaceutical industries, material sciences, and polymer industry. In the last few decades, enormous progress has been observed with ruthenium-catalyzed C-H activation chemistry. Notably, the vast majority of the C-H functionalization known in the literature are intermolecular, although the intramolecular variant provides fascinating new structural facet starting from the simple molecular scaffolds. Intramolecular C-H functionalization is atom economical and step efficient, results in less formation of undesired products which is easy to purify. This has created a lot of interest in organic chemistry in developing new synthetic strategies for such functionalization. The focus of this review is to present the relatively unexplored intramolecular functionalization of C-H bonds into C-X (X=C, N, O, S) bonds utilizing versatile ruthenium catalysts, their scope, and brief mechanistic discussion.

Interweaving Visible-Light and Iron Catalysis for Nitrene Formation and Transformation with Dioxazolones

Herein, visible-light-driven iron-catalyzed nitrene transfer reactions with dioxazolones for intermolecular C(sp³ )-N, N=S, and N=P bond formation are described. These reactions occur with exogenous-ligand-free process and feature satisfactory to excellent yields (up to 99 %), an ample substrate scope (109 examples) under mild reaction conditions. In contrast to intramolecular C-H amidations strategies, an intermolecular regioselective C-H amidation via visible-light-induced nitrene transfer reactions is devised. Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction proceeds via a radical pathway. Computational studies show that the decarboxylation of dioxazolone depends on the conversion of ground sextet state dioxazolone-bounding iron species to quartet spin state via visible-light irradiation.

Nitrene transfer catalysts for enantioselective C–N bond formation

Transition-metal-catalysed, non-enzymatic transformations of C-H and C=C bonds to C-N bonds through nitrene transfer (NT) are powerful synthetic tools to prepare valuable amine building blocks. Although the first examples of racemic NT were reported more than 50 years ago, catalysts that mediate enantioselective NT with a broad substrate scope have been slow to emerge. However, the past ten years have seen the discovery of several first-row, second-row and third-row transition metal catalysts for asymmetric NT. This Review covers recent developments in asymmetric aziridination and C-H bond amination reactions. We describe catalyst design principles, re-evaluate traditional catalyst architectures, show how the scope of nitrene precursors has expanded and present new mechanistic insights. Following this, we highlight remaining opportunities and challenges to developing more practical and general synthetic methodologies. Realizing chemoselective, site-selective and enantioselective intermolecular NT will streamline amine synthesis and allow us to explore new chemical space.

Visible-Light-Driven Aryl Migration and Cyclization of α-Azido Amides

This paper reports two new visible-light-promoted radical reactions of α-azido amides. By catalysis of [Ir(ppy)₂(dtbbpy)]PF₆ with i-Pr₂NEt as the reducing agent, N-aryl α-azido tertiary amides were first converted to the corresponding aminyl radicals through reduction of the azido group; the aminyl radicals then underwent N-to-N aryl migration to give α-anilinyl-functionalized amides. α-Azido secondary amides, on the other hand, reacted with the solvent ethanol and i-Pr₂NEt to afford the imidazolinone products.

Discrepancy between Proline and Homoproline in Chiral Recognition and Diastereomeric Photoreactivity with Iridium(III) Complexes

The chiral-recognition processes of homoproline (hpro) and [Ir(pq)₂(MeCN)₂](PF₆) (pq is 2-phenylquinoline; MeCN is acetonitrile) are investigated, in favor of formation of the thermodynamically stable diastereomers Λ-[Ir(pq)₂(d-hpro)] and Δ-[Ir(pq)₂(l-hpro)]. Moreover, the diastereoselective photoreactions of Δ-[Ir(pq)₂(d-hpro)] and Δ-[Ir(pq)₂(l-hpro)] are reported in the presence of O₂ at room temperature. Diastereomer Δ-[Ir(pq)₂(l-hpro)] is dehydrogenatively oxidized into imino acid complex Δ-[Ir(pq)₂(hpro-2H²)] (hpro-2H² is 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropicalinate), while diastereomer Δ-[Ir(pq)₂(d-hpro)] occurs by interligand C-N cross-coupling and dehydrogenative oxidation reactions, affording three products: Δ-[Ir(pq)(d-pqh)] [pqh is N-(2-phenylquinolin-8-yl)homoproline], Δ-[Ir(pq)₂(hpro-2H²)], and Δ-[Ir(pq)₂(d-hpro-2H⁶)] [hpro-2H⁶ is 2,3,4,5-tetrahydropicalinate]. The C-N cross-coupling and dehydrogenative oxidation reactions are competitive, and the dehydrogenative oxidation reactions are regioselective. By optimization of the photoreaction parameters such as the diastereomeric substrate, solvent, and temperature as well as base, each possible competitive product is selectively controlled. In addition, density functional theory calculations are performed to elucidate the distinctly chiral recognition between proline and hpro with an iridium(III) complex.

Visible-Light-Induced Amination of Quinoline at the C8 Position via a Postcoordinated Interligand-Coupling Strategy under Mild Conditions

The postcoordinated interligand-coupling strategy provides a useful and complementary protocol for synthesizing polydentate ligands. Herein, diastereoselective photoreactions of Λ-[Ir(pq)₂(d-AA)] (Λ-d) and Λ-[Ir(pq)₂(l-AA)] (Λ-l, where pq is 2-phenylquinoline and AA is an amino acid) are reported in the presence of O₂ under mild conditions. Diastereomer Λ-d is dehydrogenatively oxidized into an imino acid complex, while diastereomer Λ-l mainly occurs via interligand C-N cross-dehydrogenative coupling between quinoline at the C8 position and AA ligands at room temperature, affording Λ-[Ir(pq)(l-pq-AA)]. Furthermore, the photoreaction of diastereomer Λ-l is temperature-dependent. Mechanistic experiments reveal the ligand-radical intermediates may be involved in the reaction. Density functional theory calculations were used to eluciate the origin of diastereoselectivity and temperature dependence. This will provide a new protocol for the amination of quinoline at the C8 position via the postcoordinated interligand C-N cross-coupling strategy under mild conditions.

Ruthenium Pybox-Catalyzed Enantioselective Intramolecular C-H Amination of Sulfamoyl Azides en Route to Chiral Vicinal Diamines

Enantioselective C(sp³)-H aminations allow an efficient access to nonracemic chiral amines. This work reports the catalytic asymmetric synthesis of chiral 1,2,5-thiadiazolidine-1,1-dioxides by an enantioselective ring-closing 1,5-C-H amination of sulfamoyl azides. The reaction is catalyzed by a recently introduced simple chiral ruthenium bis(oxazoline) (pybox) complex ( Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 12395) and provides cyclic 5-membered sulfamide products in up to 98% yield and up to 98% ee if the C-H bond is in a benzylic position. Mechanistic experiments support a stepwise mechanism in which an intermediate ruthenium nitrenoid species initiates a 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer followed by an immediate radical rebound. The cyclic sulfamide products are suitable intermediates for the synthesis of chiral vicinal diamines as has been verified for a representative example.

Direct intramolecular C(sp3)–H bond sulfonamidation to synthesize benzosultam derivatives under metal-free conditions

An efficient intramolecular C(sp3)–H bond amination under metal-free conditions has been developed to provide a straightforward method for the synthesis of 5-membered cyclic sulfonamides (benzosultams).

5-Endo Trig Oxidative Radical Cyclizations of Ugi-3CR Products toward 1,4-Imidazolidinones

A 5-endo trig oxidative radical cyclization of benzylamine-derived Ugi three-component reaction products rapidly affords imidazolidinones with three diversity elements. This adaptation of our previously described multicomponent reaction-oxidation methodology further showcases manipulation of the diversity elements in multicomponent reaction products via oxidative radical cyclizations, which generates highly decorated privileged heterocycles.

Enantioconvergent Amination of Racemic Tertiary C-H Bonds

Racemization is considered to be an intrinsic stereochemical feature of free radical chemistry as can be seen in traditional radical halogenation reactions of optically active tertiary C-H bonds. If the facile process of radical racemization could be effectively combined with an ensuing step of bond formation in an enantioselective fashion, then it would give rise to deracemizative functionalization of racemic tertiary C-H bonds for stereoselective construction of chiral molecules bearing quaternary stereocenters. As a demonstration of this unique potential in radical chemistry, we herein report that metalloradical catalysis can be successfully applied to devise Co(II)-based catalytic system for enantioconvergent radical amination of racemic tertiary C(sp³)-H bonds. The key to the success of the radical process is the development of Co(II)-based metalloradical catalyst with fitting steric, electronic, and chiral environments of the D₂-symmetric chiral amidoporphyrin as the supporting ligand. The existence of optimal reaction temperature is recognized as an important factor in the realization of the enantioconvergent radical process. Supported by an optimized chiral ligand, the Co(II)-based metalloradical system can effectively catalyze the enantioconvergent 1,6-amination of racemic tertiary C(sp³)-H bonds at the optimal temperature, affording chiral α-tertiary amines in excellent yields with high enantiocontrol of the newly created quaternary stereocenters. Systematic studies, including experiments utilizing optically active deuterium-labeled C-H substrates as a model system, shed light on the underlying mechanistic details of this new catalytic process for enantioconvergent radical C-H amination. The remarkable power to create quaternary stereocenters bearing multiple functionalities from ubiquitous C-H bonds, as showcased with stereoselective construction of bicyclic N-heterocycles, opens the door for future synthetic applications of this new radical technology.

O-Benzoylhydroxylamines as Alkyl Nitrene Precursors: Synthesis of Saturated N-Heterocycles from Primary Amines

We introduce O-benzoylhydroxylamines as competent alkyl nitrene precursors. The combination of readily available, stable substrates and a proficient rhodium catalyst provides a straightforward means for the construction of various pyrrolidine rings from the corresponding primary amines. Preliminary mechanistic investigation suggests that the structure of the nitrene precursor plays a role in determining the nature of the resulting reactive intermediate.

Intramolecular C(sp3 )-H Bond Oxygenation by Transition-Metal Acylnitrenoids

This study demonstrates for the first time that easily accessible transition‐metal acylnitrenoids can be used for controlled direct C(sp³)‐H oxygenations. Specifically, a ruthenium catalyst activates N‐benzoyloxycarbamates as nitrene precursors towards regioselective intramolecular C−H oxygenations to provide cyclic carbonates, hydroxylated carbamates, or 1,2‐diols. The method can be applied to the chemoselective C−H oxygenation of benzylic, allylic, and propargylic C(sp³)−H bonds. The reaction can be performed in an enantioselective fashion and switched in a catalyst‐controlled fashion between C−H oxygenation and C−H amination. This work provides a new reaction mode for the regiocontrolled and stereocontrolled conversion of C(sp³)‐H into C(sp³)−O bonds.