Ruthenium-Mediated Distal C−H Activation

The crucial role of silver(I)-salts as additives in C-H activation reactions: overall analysis of their versatility and applicability

Transition-metal catalyzed C-H activation reactions have been proven to be useful methodologies for the assembly of synthetically meaningful molecules. This approach bears intrinsic peculiarities that are important to be studied and comprehended in order to achieve its best performance. One example is the use of additives for the in situ generation of catalytically active species. This strategy varies according to the type of additive and the nature of the pre-catalyst that is being used. Thus, silver(I)-salts have proven to play an important role, due to the resulting high reactivity derived from the pre-catalysts of the main transition metals used so far. While being powerful and versatile, the use of silver-based additives can raise concerns, since superstoichiometric amounts of silver(I)-salts are typically required. Therefore, it is crucial to first understand the role of silver(I) salts as additives, in order to wisely overcome this barrier and shift towards silver-free systems.

Remote C-H Glycosylation by Ruthenium(II) Catalysis: Modular Assembly of meta-C-Aryl Glycosides

The prevalence of C-aryl glycosides in biologically active natural products and approved drugs has long motivated the development of efficient strategies for their selective synthesis. Cross-couplings have been frequently used, but largely relied on palladium catalyst with prefunctionalized substrates, while ruthenium-catalyzed C-aryl glycoside preparation has thus far proven elusive. Herein, we disclose a versatile ruthenium(II)-catalyzed meta-C-H glycosylation to access meta-C-aryl glycosides from readily available glycosyl halide donors. The robustness of the ruthenium catalysis was reflected by mild reaction conditions, outstanding levels of anomeric selectivity and exclusive meta-site-selectivity.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Regioselective para-Amination of Azobenzenes via Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution of Hydrogen

The metal-catalyzed nucleophilic aromatic substitution of hydrogen (S_NArH) via coordination of the substituent on the aromatic ring to the metal catalyst, in terms of reactivity, substrate type, and reaction selectivity, complements the transition metal-catalyzed C-H functionalization that proceeds via C-H metalation but remains an elusive target. Described herein is the development of an unprecedented cobalt-catalyzed para-selective amination of azobenzenes, which is essentially a metal-promoted S_NArH process as revealed by Hammett analysis, thus illustrating the concept that coordination of the substituent on the arene ring to the metal catalyst may result in electrophilic activation of the arene ring toward S_NArH. This cobalt-catalyzed protocol allows the use of a variety of both aliphatic amines and anilines as aminating reagents, tolerates electronically diverse substituents of azobenzene, and furnishes the corresponding products in good yields with a regiospecific selectivity for para-amination.

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.

Cyclometallated complexes as catalysts for C-H activation and functionalization

The development of novel catalysts for C-H activation reactions with increased reactivity and improved selectivities has been attracting significant interest over the last two decades. More recently, promising results have been developed using tridentate pincer ligands, which form a stable C-M bond. Furthermore, based on mechanistic studies, the unique catalytic role of some metallacyclic intermediate species has been revealed. These experimental observations have subsequently translated into the rational design of advanced C-H activation catalysts in both Ru- and Ir-based systems. Recent breakthroughs in the field of C-H activation catalysed by metallacyclic intermediates are thus discussed.

Rhodium-Catalyzed meta-Selective C-H Carboxylation Reaction of 1,1-Diarylethylenes via Hydrorhodation-Rhodium Migration

A meta-selective C-H carboxylation reaction of 1,1-diarylethylene derivatives with CO₂ by using a rhodium catalyst with NaOⁱ Pr as a stoichiometric reductant has been achieved. Together with hydrogenation of the ethylene moiety, a carboxyl group was introduced to the meta-position of the aryl ring with high selectivity over the ortho-positions. Experimental and computational mechanistic studies indicate that this carboxylation reaction proceeds via hydrorhodation on the ethylene moiety, followed by 1,4-rhodium migration and successive 1,2-rhodium migration on the aryl ring. The use of a bulky phosphine ligand seems to be the key to this unusual aryl-to-aryl 1,2-rhodium shift.

Copper(i)-catalyzed radical carboamination reaction of 8-aminoquinoline-oriented buteneamides with chloroform: synthesis of-β-lactams

A novel Cu(CH₃CN)₄PF₆-catalyzed carboamination reaction of 8-aminoquinoline-oriented buteneamides with chloroform to afford 4-(2,2,2-trichloroethyl)-β-lactams is described. The reaction proceeded at 110 °C in air with di-t-butyl peroxide. Preliminary studies indicated that the reaction undergoes a free radical mechanism via a Cu(i)/Cu(ii)/Cu(iii) catalytic cycle.

Ruthenium-catalyzed coupling of α-carbonyl phosphoniums with sulfoxonium ylides via C–H activation/Wittig reaction sequences

A Ru(ii)-catalyzed coupling of various α-carbonyl phosphoniums with sulfoxonium ylides has been realized for the facile synthesis of 1-naphthols in good to excellent yields.

Beyond hydrogen bonding: recent trends of outer sphere interactions in transition metal catalysis

The implementation of interactions beyond hydrogen bonding in the 2^nd coordination sphere of transition metal catalysts is rare. However, it has already shown great promise in last 5 years, providing new tools to control the activity and selectivity as here reviewed.

Recent advances in chelation-assisted site- and stereoselective alkenyl C–H functionalization

This review highlights recent advances in vicinal- and geminal-group-directed alkenyl C–H functionalizations which proceeded by endo- and exo-cyclometallation.

A simple removable aliphatic nitrile template 2-cyano-2,2-di-isobutyl acetic acid for remote meta-selective C–H functionalization

The remote meta-selective C–H functionalization of arenes using first aliphatic nitrile template 2-cyano-2,2-di-isobutyl acetic acid under mild conditions is presented.

Organic synthesis with the most abundant transition metal–iron: from rust to multitasking catalysts

The promising aspects of iron in synthetic chemistry are being explored for three-four decades as a green and eco-friendly alternative to late transition metals. This present review unveils these rich iron-chemistry towards different transformations.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Meta-Selective C-H Difluoromethylation of Phenol Derivatives

With pyrimidine as the directing group, we achieved the meta-selective difluoromethylation of phenol derivatives using ruthenium as a catalyst. This synthetic scheme provided an efficient method for the syntheses of fluorine-containing phenol derivatives. A wide variety of phenol derivatives were well-suited, affording the corresponding products in moderate-to-good yields.

Chiral Transient Directing Group Strategies in Asymmetric Synthesis

The development of novel methodologies for catalytic enantioselective functionalization reactions enabled by chiral transient directing groups is accompanying in a paradigm shift in the field of asymmetric synthesis. In particular, these highly atom- and step-economic enantioinduction processes commonly proceed either via enantioselective C-H functionalization, or via enantioselective hydroarylation of the pro-chiral substrates generating point, axial or planar chirality. The use of the transient directing group strategy in C-H functionalizations precludes the stoichiometric installations and removal of directing groups and enables efficient, more compatible and economical chemical routes. This minireview highlights asymmetric transition-metal-catalyzed methodologies involving chiral transient directing groups together with the scope, utility and future perspective of the field.

Ru-Catalyzed ortho-Selective Diborylation of 2-Arylpyridines toward the Construction of π-Conjugated Functions

A ruthenium catalytic ortho-C-H diborylation of 2-arylpyridine derivatives, including challenging 2-phenoxypyridine functions, using a remarkably low catalyst loading and a low-cost and bench-stable boron source, has been developed. The novel strategy shows high activity with excellent selectivity and may offer a versatile and green alternative to currently employed high loadings of noble metals or extra additives for the selective borylations.

Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed carboxylate-directed ortho-selective thiolation of benzoic acids

A rhodium-catalyzed carboxylate-directed thiolation reaction has been developed for constructing C–S bonds on benzoic acids, and the key precursor of roflumilast can be furnished via this reaction.

Cobalt-catalyzed ring-opening addition of azabenzonorbornadienes via C(sp3)–H bond activation of 8-methylquinoline

The first ring-opening addition of a benzylic C(sp³)–H bond to azabenzonorbornadienes is demonstrated.

Ruthenium-catalyzed α-carbonyl sulfoxonium ylide annulations with aryl substituted pyrazoles via C–H/N–H bond functionalizations

An efficient method for the construction of various pyrazolo[5,1-a]isoquinolines has been achieved via Ru(ii)-catalyzed α-carbonyl sulfoxonium ylide annulations with aryl substituted pyrazoles.

Redox-Neutral [4 + 2] Annulation of N-Methoxybenzamides with Alkynes Enabled by an Osmium(II)/HOAc Catalytic System

By making use of a direct C-H activation strategy, an efficient osmium(II)-catalyzed redox-neutral [4 + 2] annulation of N-methoxybenzamides with alkynes has been accomplished. Computational and experimental studies revealed that such transformation leading to the synthesis of the isoquinolone core might follow an Os(II)-Os(IV)-Os(II) catalytic pathway, in which an unusual HOAc-assisted oxidative addition of osmium(II) into the N-O bond to generate the osmium(IV) species was involved as one of the key transition states. Further exploration of divergent C-H activation reaction modes enabled by the osmium(II) catalyst has also been exemplified for one-pot assembly of other either linear or cyclic products.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed ortho- and meta-H/D Exchange of Arenes

Ruthenium-catalyzed aromatic H/D exchange in [D₄]acetic acid has been developed. By using N-heteroarenes as directing groups, both ortho and meta positions are selectively deuterated with high levels of D incorporation. Moreover, this strategy provides an alternative way to achieve meta-C-H activation.

Ruthenium Catalyzed C-H Acylmethylation of N-Arylphthalazine-1,4-diones with α-Carbonyl Sulfoxonium Ylides: Highway to Diversely Functionalized Phthalazino-fused Cinnolines

A direct ortho-Csp² -H acylmethylation of 2-aryl-2,3-dihydrophthalazine-1,4-diones with α-carbonyl sulfoxonium ylides is achieved through a Ru^II -catalyzed C-H bond activation process. The protocol featured high functional group tolerance on the two substrates, including aryl-, heteroaryl-, and alkyl-substituted α-carbonyl sulfoxonium ylides. Thereafter, 2-(ortho-acylmethylaryl)-2,3-dihydrophthalazine-1,4-diones were used as potential starting materials for the expeditious synthesis of 6-arylphthalazino[2,3-a]cinnoline-8,13-diones and 5-acyl-5,6-dihydrophthalazino[2,3-a]cinnoline-8,13-diones under Lawesson's reagent and BF₃ ⋅OEt₂ mediated conditions, respectively. Of these, the BF₃ ⋅OEt₂ -mediated cyclization proceeded in DMSO as a solvent and a methylene source via dual C-C and C-N bond formations.

para-Selective C-H Olefination of Aniline Derivatives via Pd/S,O-Ligand Catalysis

Herein we report a highly para-selective C-H olefination of aniline derivatives by a Pd/S,O-ligand-based catalyst. The reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions with high efficiency and broad substrate scope, including mono-, di-, and trisubstituted tertiary, secondary, and primary anilines. The S,O-ligand is responsible for the dramatic improvements in substrate scope and the high para-selectivity observed. This methodology is operationally simple, scalable, and can be performed under aerobic conditions.

Palladium-catalyzed successive C–H bond arylations and annulations toward the π-extension of selenophene-containing aromatic skeletons

A modular approach for the synthesis of planar π-extended selenium containing molecules from selenophene has been developed.

Synthesis of 1-naphthols via Cp*Co(iii)-catalyzed C–H activation and cyclization of sulfoxonium ylides with alkynes

A highly practical synthesis of 1-naphthols was developed via Cp*Co(iii)-catalyzed C–H activation and cyclization between sulfoxonium ylides and alkynes.

Pd-Catalyzed para-selective C–H difluoromethylation of aromatic carbonyls

A novel Pd-catalyzed para-selective C–H bond difluoromethylation of diverse aromatic carbonyls was developed.

Ruthenium-catalyzed remote C5-sulfonation of N-alkyl-8-aminoquinolines

Ruthenium-catalyzed remote C–H sulfonation of 8-aminoquinolines with single C5-selectivity.