Direct Imidation to Construct 1H-Benzo[d]imidazole through PdII-Catalyzed CH Activation Promoted by Thiourea

Recent approaches for the synthesis of heterocycles from amidines via a metal catalyzed C-H functionalization reaction

Transition metal catalyzed C-H bond activation has become one of the most important tools for constructing new chemical bonds. Introducing directing groups to the substrates is the key to a successful reaction, these directing groups can also be further transformed in the reaction. Amidines with their unique structure and reactivity are ideal substrates for transition metal-catalyzed C-H transformations. This review describes the major advances and mechanistic investigations of the C-H activation/annulation tandem reactions of amidines until early 2024, focusing on metal-catalyzed C-H activation of amidines with unsaturated compounds, such as alkynes, ketone, vinylene carbonate, cyclopropanols and their derivatives. Meanwhile this manuscript also explores the reaction of amidines with different carbene precursors, for example diazo compounds, azide, triazoles, pyriodotriazoles, and sulfoxonium ylides as well as their own C-H bond activation/cyclization reactions. A bright outlook is provided at the end of the manuscript.

Synthesis of 3,4,5-Trisubstituted 1,2,4-Triazoles via I2-Catalyzed Cycloaddition of Amidines with Hydrazones

A general and practical method for the construction of various 3,4,5-trisubstituted 1,2,4-triazoles via I2-catalyzed cycloaddition of N-functionalized amidines with hydrazones is reported. This strategy features cheap and readily available catalyst and starting materials, broader substrate scope, and moderate-to-good yields. The mechanism study shows that the existence of hydrogen on the nitrogen of hydrazones is crucial for this transformation.

Cu-Catalyzed Oxidative C(sp2)-H Cycloetherification of o-Alkenyl Arenols for the Preparation of Fused Furans

A practically efficient, copper-catalyzed approach for the synthesis of functionally embellished indeno-naphthofurans is developed from 1-(1H-inden-3-yl)naphthalen-2-ols. This intramolecular cycloetherification proceeds via C(sp2)-H oxygenation (C-H bond breaking and C-O bond forming), which enables the atom-economical synthesis of poly fused furans in high yields with large substrate diversity in the open air.

Construction of 1,2-dihydro-1,3,5-triazines via reactions involving amidines

1,2-Dihydro-1,3,5-triazine compounds were synthesized through three sets of reactions of amidines with, respectively, paraformaldehyde, aldehydes and N-arylnitrones under different conditions. The catalysts used in these three reactions were Cu(OAc)₂, ZnI₂ and CuCl₂·2H₂O, respectively. Most of the substrates tested for these reactions provided the target products in moderate to good yields. In the reactions involving paraformaldehyde, Cu(OAc)₂ also accelerated the release of formaldehyde from paraformaldehyde during the catalytic reaction process. In the case of the reactions involving nitrones, CuCl₂·2H₂O not only catalyzed the normal progress of the main reaction, but also promoted the reaction of nitrones to produce nitroso compounds and aldehydes.

C–N coupling reactions with arenes through C–H activation: the state-of-the-art versus the principles of green chemistry

Herein, we discuss the state-of-the-art in arene C–N coupling through C–H activation and to what extent it complies with the principles of green chemistry, with a focus on heterogeneously catalysed systems.

Open-Air Dual-Diamination of Aromatic Aldehydes: Direct Synthesis of Azolo-Fused 1,3,5-Triazines Facilitated by Ammonium Iodide

A new and practical protocol for the synthesis of medicinally privileged azolo[1,3,5]triazines by simply heating under air has been presented. The in situ generated N-azolo amidines from commercially available aromatic aldehydes and 3-aminoazoles with ammonium iodide undergo the second diamination to accomplish the [3 + 1 + 1 + 1] heteroannulation reaction. This convenient process is appreciated by high efficiency, broad substrate scope, gram-scale synthesis, and operational simplicity under reagent-free conditions.

Metal-catalyzed reactions for the C(sp2)–N bond formation: achievements of recent years

The review deals with the main catalytic methods for the C(sp2)–N bond formation, including Buchwald–Hartwig palladium-catalyzed amination of aryl and heteroaryl halides, renaissance of the Ullmann chemistry, i.e., the application of catalysis by copper complexes to form the carbon–nitrogen bond, and Chan–Lam reactions of (hetero)arylboronic acids with amines. Also, oxidative amination with C–H activation, which has been booming during the last decade, is addressed. Particular attention is paid to achievements in the application of heterogenized catalysts.

The bibliography includes 350 references.

Electrochemical Synthesis of Benzimidazoles via Dehydrogenative Cyclization of Amidines

The development of efficient and sustainable methodologies for the synthesis of N-heterocycles is a constant focus of organic synthesis. Herein an electrochemical method is reported for the synthesis of benzimidazoles through dehydrogenative cyclization of easily available N-aryl amidines. The reactions were conducted under simple constant current conditions in an undivided cell without need for catalysts, chemical oxidants, or additives, and produced H₂ as the only theoretical byproduct.

Synthesis of N-acylbenzimidazoles through [4 + 1] annulation of N-arylpivalimidamides with dioxazolones

Presented herein is a novel and efficient synthesis of N-acylbenzimidazoles through an unprecedented [4 + 1] annulation of N-arylpivalimidamides with dioxazolones.

Synthesis of 1,2-dihydro-1,3,5-triazine derivatives via Cu(II)-catalyzed C(sp3)-H activation of N,N-dimethylethanolamine with amidines

1,2-Dihydro-1,3,5-triazines and symmetrical 1,3,5-triazines were obtained in up to 81% yields from amidines and N,N-dimethylethanolamine catalyzed by CuCl2. The reaction involves three C-N bond formations during the oxidative annulation process and the mechanism was proposed. This efficient synthesis of 1,2-dihydro-1,3,5-triazines was developed for the first time.

Copper-catalyzed cascade C–N coupling/C–H amination: one pot synthesis of imidazo[1,2-b]indazole

A one-pot, two-fold C–N bond formation protocol has been developed for the construction of imidazo[1,2-b]indazole derivatives.

Palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of thioureas or thioamides

Cross-coupling reactions involving metal carbene intermediates play an increasingly important role in C-C bond formation. Expanding the carbene precursors to a broader range of starting materials and more diverse products is an ongoing challenge in synthetic organic chemistry. Herein, we report a Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction of in situ-generated Pd-carbene complexes via desulfurization of thioureas or thioamides. This strategy enables the preparation of a broad array of substituted amidinium salts and unsymmetrical diaryl ketones. The reaction is readily scalable, compatible with bromo groups on aromatic rings, tolerant to moisture and air and has a broad substrate scope. Furthermore, a single crystal structure of Pd-diaminocarbene complex is obtained and proven to be the key intermediate in both catalytic and stoichiometric reactions. Preliminary mechanistic studies demonstrate the dual role of the silver salt as a desulfurating reagent assisting the elimination of sulfur and as oxidant facilitating the Pd^II/Pd⁰/Pd^II catalytic cycle.

I2-Mediated Intramolecular C-H Amidation for the Synthesis of N-Substituted Benzimidazoles

A practical intramolecular C-H amidation methodology has been developed using molecular iodine under basic conditions. The required imine substrates were readily obtained by condensation of simple o-phenylenediamine derivatives and aldehydes. The transition-metal-free cyclization reaction described here works well with crude imines and allows for the sequential synthesis of N-protected benzimidazoles without purification of the less stable condensation intermediates. This operationally simple synthetic approach is broadly applicable to a variety of aromatic, aliphatic, and cinnamic aldehydes to produce diverse 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazole derivatives in an efficient and scalable fashion.

Transition Metal-Catalyzed C-H Amination: Scope, Mechanism, and Applications

Catalytic transformation of ubiquitous C-H bonds into valuable C-N bonds offers an efficient synthetic approach to construct N-functionalized molecules. Over the last few decades, transition metal catalysis has been repeatedly proven to be a powerful tool for the direct conversion of cheap hydrocarbons to synthetically versatile amino-containing compounds. This Review comprehensively highlights recent advances in intra- and intermolecular C-H amination reactions utilizing late transition metal-based catalysts. Initial discovery, mechanistic study, and additional applications were categorized on the basis of the mechanistic scaffolds and types of reactions. Reactivity and selectivity of novel systems are discussed in three sections, with each being defined by a proposed working mode.

Synergic effect of copper-based metal–organic frameworks for highly efficient C–H activation of amidines

A Cu–MOF-catalyzed C–H functionalization of substituted amidines was developed for the facile and efficient synthesis of benzimidazoles.

Synthesis of amino ester-embedded benzimidazoles: a one-pot sequential protocol under metal-free neutral conditions

A one-pot three-component protocol has been developed for the synthesis of amino ester-embedded benzimidazoles under metal-free neutral conditions. Sequentially, the methodology involves coupling of an amino ester with 1-fluoro-2-nitrobenzene, reduction of the coupled nitroarene by sodium dithionite, and cyclization of the corresponding diamine with an aldehyde.

Synthesis of Indole-2-carboxylate Derivatives via Palladium-Catalyzed Aerobic Amination of Aryl C-H Bonds

A direct oxidative C-H amination affording 1-acetyl indolecarboxylates starting from 2-acetamido-3-arylacrylates has been achieved. Indole-2-carboxylates can be targeted with a straightforward deacetylation of the initial reaction products. The C-H amination reaction is carried out using a catalytic Pd(II) source with oxygen as the terminal oxidant. The scope and application of this chemistry is demonstrated with good to high yields for numerous electron-rich and electron-poor substrates. Further reaction of selected products via Suzuki arylation and deacetylation provides access to highly functionalized indole structures.

Copper-catalysed oxidative amination of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with aliphatic amines

A novel, efficient and practical method for copper-catalysed oxidative C-3 amination of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with primary or secondary amines as the nitrogen sources has been developed.