Hydride-Rhodium(III)-N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalysts for Vinyl-Selective H/D Exchange: A Structure-Activity Study

Platinum on Carbon-Catalysed Site-Selective H-D Exchange Reaction of Allylic Alcohols Using Alkyl Amines as a Hydrogen Source

We developed platinum on carbon-catalysed deuteration reaction of tert-allylic alcohols using deuterium oxide as a deuterium source. Amylamine was dehydrogenated by platinum on carbon to generate an appropriate amount of...

Iron-catalysed alkene and heteroarene H/D exchange by reversible protonation of iron-hydride intermediates

The iron-catalysed C(sp2)–H bond H/D exchange reaction using CD3OD is reported for both heterocycles and alkenes. Characterisation of the key C–H metallation intermediates provided evidence for reversible protonation of the iron hydride catalyst.

Enantioselective Addition of α-Nitroesters to Alkynes

By using Rh-H catalysis, we couple α-nitroesters and alkynes to prepare α-amino-acid precursors. This atom-economical strategy generates two contiguous stereocenters, with high enantio- and diastereocontrol. In this transformation, the alkyne undergoes isomerization to generate a Rh^III -π-allyl electrophile, which is trapped by an α-nitroester nucleophile. A subsequent reduction with In powder transforms the allylic α-nitroesters to the corresponding α,α-disubstituted α-amino esters.

Comparison of a dimeric and a monomeric indium-quinolinato complex: synthesis, structure and photoluminescence

Two indium(iii) complexes, mer-[In(Ox)₃]·2H₂O (1) and [In₂(Ox)₂Cl₂-μ-[κ²-O,O′-(Ox)₂]]·C₇H₈ (2) (Ox = 8-hydroxyquinolinate), were synthesized and characterised for comparison by NMR, X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence.

Facile H/D Exchange at (Hetero)Aromatic Hydrocarbons Catalyzed by a Stable Trans-Dihydride N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) Iron Complex

Earth-abundant metal pincer complexes have played an important role in homogeneous catalysis during the last ten years. Yet, despite intense research efforts, the synthesis of iron PC_carbeneP pincer complexes has so far remained elusive. Here we report the synthesis of the first PC_NHCP functionalized iron complex [(PC_NHCP)FeCl₂] (1) and the reactivity of the corresponding trans-dihydride iron(II) dinitrogen complex [(PC_NHCP)Fe(H)₂N₂)] (2). Complex 2 is stable under an atmosphere of N₂ and is highly active for hydrogen isotope exchange at (hetero)aromatic hydrocarbons under mild conditions (50 °C, N₂). With benzene-d₆ as the deuterium source, easily reducible functional groups such as esters and amides are well tolerated, contributing to the overall wide substrate scope (e.g., halides, ethers, and amines). DFT studies suggest a complex assisted σ-bond metathesis pathway for C(sp²)–H bond activation, which is further discussed in this study.

N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes in C-H Activation Reactions

In this contribution, we provide a comprehensive overview of C-H activation methods promoted by NHC-transition metal complexes, covering the literature since 2002 (the year of the first report on metal-NHC-catalyzed C-H activation) through June 2019, focusing on both NHC ligands and C-H activation methods. This review covers C-H activation reactions catalyzed by group 8 to 11 NHC-metal complexes. Through discussing the role of NHC ligands in promoting challenging C-H activation methods, the reader is provided with an overview of this important area and its crucial role in forging carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds by directly engaging ubiquitous C-H bonds.

Palladium(0)/benzoic acid catalysis merges sequences with D2O-promoted labelling of C-H bonds

The combination of a Pd(0) complex with benzoic acid in the presence of D2O enables the synthesis of valuable families of highly deuterated organics through elaborate sequential reactions. The catalytic system can convert 2-butyne fragments into the corresponding d-dienamides, which can then readily deliver labeled polycyclic quinone motifs. Propargylated tryptamines lead to formation of highly enriched tetrahydrocarbolines through the C-H activation of their unprotected indole ring. Mechanistic studies reveal the ordered series of events that regulate the outcome of these complex reactions, which include multiple, sequential and selective H/D scrambling from the cheapest and safest deuterium source.

Catalytic α-Selective Deuteration of Styrene Derivatives

We report an operationally simple protocol for the catalytic α-deuteration of styrenes. This process proceeds via the base-catalyzed reversible addition of methanol to styrenes in DMSO -d₆ solvent. The concentration of methanol is shown to be critical for high yields and selectivities over multiple competing side reactions. The synthetic utility of α-deuterated styrenes for accessing deuterium-labeled chiral benzylic stereocenters is demonstrated.

Protodepalladation as a Strategic Elementary Step in Catalysis

Protodepalladation is the redox-neutral conversion of a C-Pd(II) bond to a C-H bond promoted by a Brønsted acid. It can be viewed as the microscopic reserves of Pd(II)-mediated C-H cleavage. In the context of catalytic reaction development, protodepalladation offers a means of converting organopalladium(II) intermediates to organic products without a change in oxidation state at the metal center. Hence, when integrated into catalytic cycles, it can be a uniquely enabling elementary step. The goal of this Review is to provide an overview of protodepalladation, including exploration of different reactions types, discussion of literature examples, and analysis of mechanistic features. Our hope is that this review will stimulate other researchers in the field to pursue new applications of this underexploited step in catalysis.

C-H Functionalisation for Hydrogen Isotope Exchange

The various applications of hydrogen isotopes (deuterium, D, and tritium, T) in the physical and life sciences demand a range of methods for their installation in an array of molecular architectures. In this Review, we describe recent advances in synthetic C-H functionalisation for hydrogen isotope exchange.

Water-soluble transition metal complexes of ruthenium(ii), osmium(ii), rhodium(iii) and iridium(iii) with chelating N-heterocyclic carbene ligands in hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation catalysis

The synthesis of novel Ru(ii), Os(ii), Rh(iii) and Ir(iii) mono-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes and their application in hydrogenation catalysis is reported.

Rhodium-catalyzed malonation of 2-arylquinazolines with 2-diazomalonates: double C–H functionalization

Herein, rhodium-catalyzed malonation of 2-arylquinazolines with diazomalonates was described.

Rhodium-catalyzed regioselective addition of the ortho C-H bond in aromatic amides to the C-C double bond in α,β-unsaturated γ-lactones and dihydrofurans

An unprecedented C-H alkylation using α,β-unsaturated γ-lactones (butenolides) and dihydrofurans was achieved by the Rh-catalyzed reaction of benzamides. C-C bond formation occurs between the ortho-position of the benzamide derivative and the γ-position of the butenolide or the α-position of the dihydrofuran. The presence of an 8-aminoquinoline directing group is crucial for the success of the reaction. The results of deuterium labeling experiments indicate that the cleavage of the C-H bond is reversible and suggest that a migratory carbene insertion is involved as the key step.

Mechanistic insight into the pyridine enhanced α-selectivity in alkyne hydrothiolation catalysed by quinolinolate–rhodium(i)–N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

Highly Markovnikov-selective Rh^I–NHC–quinolinolate catalysts in alkyne hydrothiolation are reported.

Iridium-catalysed ortho-H/D and -H/T exchange under basic conditions: C–H activation of unprotected tetrazoles

Selective C–H activation with unprotected 2-aryltetrazoles has been achieved by base-assisted iridium(i) catalysis to deliver ortho-deuterated and -tritiated tetrazoles.

Pyridine versus acetonitrile coordination in rhodium–N-heterocyclic carbene square-planar complexes

Experimental and theoretical studies on the factors that control the coordination chemistry of N-donor ligands in square-planar complexes of the type RhCl(NHC)L¹L² (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) are presented.

Iridium(I)-catalyzed regioselective C-H activation and hydrogen-isotope exchange of non-aromatic unsaturated functionality

Isotopic labelling is a key technology of increasing importance for the investigation of new CH activation and functionalization techniques, as well as in the construction of labelled molecules for use within both organic synthesis and drug discovery. Herein, we report for the first time selective iridium-catalyzed CH activation and hydrogen-isotope exchange at the β-position of unsaturated organic compounds. The use of our highly active [Ir(cod)(IMes)(PPh3 )][PF6 ] (cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene) catalyst, under mild reaction conditions, allows the regioselective β-activation and labelling of a range of α,β-unsaturated compounds with differing steric and electronic properties. This new process delivers high levels of isotope incorporation over short reaction times by using low levels of catalyst loading.