Transition Metal-Catalyzed Carbonylative CH Bond Functionalization of Arenes and C(sp3)H Bond of Alkanes

Cobalt-Catalyzed Four-Component Carbonylation of Methylarenes with Ethylene and Alcohols

Direct conversion of raw materials to fine chemicals is greatly economically influential. We developed a non-expensive cobalt-catalyzed multicomponent carbonylative reaction for the synthesis of γ-aryl carboxylic acid esters from readily available methylarene, ethylene, and CO, which are widely found in multiple FDA-approved drugs.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Reductive trans-Alkylacylation of Internal Alkynes via a Formal Carborhodation/C-H Carbonylation Cascade

A rhodium-catalyzed reductive annulation cascade reaction that consists of a formal anti-carborhodation of a C≡C bond and an aromatic C-H carbonylation cascade for producing cyclopenta[de]quinoline-2,5(1H,3H)-diones is described. This method uses the Mn reductant to reductively regenerate the active rhodium species, hence obviating the need for prefunctionalization, and represents a new route to the carbonylation of aromatic C-H bonds with alkynes leading to aryl vinyl ketone frameworks.

Visible-Light-Promoted Metal-Free Synthesis of (Hetero)Aromatic Nitriles from C(sp3 )-H Bonds*

The metal-free activation of C(sp3 )-H bonds to value-added products is of paramount importance in organic synthesis. We report the use of the commercially available organic dye 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium tetrafluoroborate (TPP) for the conversion of methylarenes to the corresponding aryl nitriles via a photocatalytic process. Applying this methodology, a variety of cyanobenzenes have been synthesized in good to excellent yield under metal- and cyanide-free conditions. We demonstrate the scope of the method with over 50 examples including late-stage functionalization of drug molecules (celecoxib) and complex structures such as l-menthol, amino acids, and cholesterol derivatives. Furthermore, the presented synthetic protocol is applicable for gram-scale reactions. In addition to methylarenes, selected examples for the cyanation of aldehydes, alcohols and oximes are demonstrated as well. Detailed mechanistic investigations have been carried out using time-resolved luminescence quenching studies, control experiments, and NMR spectroscopy as well as kinetic studies, all supporting the proposed catalytic cycle.

Palladium-catalyzed regioselective direct C–H bond alkoxycarbonylation of 2-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

A palladium catalyzed method for regioselective alkoxycarbonylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines using W(CO)₆, as the CO source, and alcohols has been reported.

Synthesis of indolo- and pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalinones through a palladium-catalyzed oxidative carbonylation of the C2 position of indole

A methodology that involves the Pd-catalyzed direct C(sp2)–H bond carbonylation of the C₂ position of indole has been introduced for the synthesis of indolo[1,2-a]quinoxalin-6(5H)-ones.

Cobalt(II)-Catalyzed Alkoxycarbonylation of Aliphatic Amines via C-N Bond Activation

The first cobalt-catalyzed deaminative alkoxycarbonylation reaction was described for the conversion of readily available primary alkyl amines to synthetically versatile esters with moderate to high yields. This transformation shows good functional group compatibility and can serve as a powerful tool for the modification of alkyl amine-containing complex natural products and drug molecules.

RhCl3·3H2O-Catalyzed C7-Selective C-H Carbonylation of Indolines with CO and Alcohols

An attractive method for the synthesis of indoline-7-carboxylates through RhCl₃-catalyzed C-H carbonylation of indolines with CO and alcohols was developed. The copper-based oxidant and removable pyrimidyl directing group played important roles in achieving high-level yields of the title products. Based on control experiments, a possible catalytic cycle was proposed.

Recent advances in cobalt-catalysed C–H functionalizations

Ready availability, low cost and low toxicity of cobalt salts have redirected the attention of researchers away from noble metals, such as Pd, Rh, and Ir, towards Co in the field of C–H functionalisation.

3d Transition Metals for C-H Activation

C-H activation has surfaced as an increasingly powerful tool for molecular sciences, with notable applications to material sciences, crop protection, drug discovery, and pharmaceutical industries, among others. Despite major advances, the vast majority of these C-H functionalizations required precious 4d or 5d transition metal catalysts. Given the cost-effective and sustainable nature of earth-abundant first row transition metals, the development of less toxic, inexpensive 3d metal catalysts for C-H activation has gained considerable recent momentum as a significantly more environmentally-benign and economically-attractive alternative. Herein, we provide a comprehensive overview on first row transition metal catalysts for C-H activation until summer 2018.

Palladium catalyzed carbonylative annulation of the C(sp2)-H bond of N,1-diaryl-1H-tetrazol-5-amines and N,4-diaryl-4H-triazol-3-amines to quinazolinones

Pd(ii) catalyzed direct C-H carbonylative annulation of N,1-diaryl-1H-tetrazol-5-amines and N,4-diaryl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-amines gave the corresponding triazole and tetrazole fused quinazolinones in good yields. This methodology offers a convenient method for the synthesis of these important heterocyclic scaffolds in a highly atom economical process. On the mechanistic aspect weakly nucleophilic triazole and tetrazole moieties function as both directing as well as intramolecular nucleophiles. The catalytically active C-H activated intermediate dimeric Pd complex was isolated and characterized which on exposure to CO gas gave the corresponding tetrazole fused quinazolinone derivative. On the basis of isolation of the intermediate and observed kinetic isotope effects, a mechanism has been proposed for the C-H activated direct carbonylative annulation reaction.

Synthesis of Ethylene Glycol from Syngas via Oxidative Double Carbonylation of Ethanol to Diethyl Oxalate and Its Subsequent Hydrogenation

This work reports a novel sustainable two-step method for the synthesis of ethylene glycol (EG) using syngas. In the first step, diethyl oxalate was selectively synthesized via oxidative double carbonylation of ethanol and carbon monoxide (CO) using a ligand-free, recyclable Pd/C catalyst. In the second step, the diethyl oxalate produced underwent subsequent hydrogenation using [2-(di-tert-butylphosphinomethyl)-6-(diethylaminomethyl)pyridine]ruthenium(II) chlorocarbonyl hydride to get EG and ethanol. Thus, the generated ethanol can be recycled back to the first step for double carbonylation. This method gives a sustainable route to manufacture EG using carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Site-selective C–H bond carbonylation with CO2 and cobalt-catalysis

Utilization of anthropogenic greenhouse gas CO₂ for catalytic C–C bond formation via conversion to essentially valuable C1 synthons like CO is very challenging.

Regioselective indole C2-alkylation using β-CF3-substituted enones under redox neutral Rh(iii) catalysis

Rhodium(iii) catalyzed C–H alkylation at the C2-position of indole with β-trifluoromethyl-α,β-unsaturated ketones with a broad range of substrates and excellent functional group compatibility is described.

An Improved Strategy for the Synthesis of Ethylene Glycol by Oxamate-Mediated Catalytic Hydrogenation

The present study reports an improved approach for the preparation of ethylene glycol (EG) by using carbon monoxide as C1 chemical by a two-step oxidative carbonylation and hydrogenation sequence. In the first step, oxamates are synthesized through oxidative cross double carbonylation of piperidine and ethanol by using Pd/C catalyst under phosphine ligand-free conditions and subsequently hydrogenated by Milstein's catalyst (carbonylhydrido[6-(di-t-butylphosphinomethylene)-2-(N,N-diethylaminomethyl)-1,6-dihydropyridine]ruthenium(II)). The presented stepwise oxamate-mediated coupling provides the basis for a new strategy for the synthesis of EG by selective upgrading of C1 chemicals.

Cobalt-catalysed C-H carbonylative cyclisation of aliphatic amides

A cobalt-catalysed C-H carbonylation of aliphatic carboxamide derivatives is described, employing commercially available Co(ii)-salts in the presence of a silver oxidant. This operationally simple process utilises an atmospheric pressure of CO and generates a range of substituted succinimide products bearing diverse functional groups that can be successfully accessed via this methodology.

Cobalt catalyzed carbonylation of unactivated C(sp3)-H bonds

A general efficient regioselective cobalt catalyzed carbonylation of unactivated C(sp3)-H bonds of aliphatic amides was demonstrated using atmospheric (1-2 atm) carbon monoxide as a C1 source. This straightforward approach provides access to α-spiral succinimide regioselectively in a good yield. Cobalt catalyzed sp3 C-H bond carbonylation is reported for the first time including the functionalization of (β)-C-H bonds of α-1°, 2°, 3° carbons and even internal (β)-C-H bonds. Our initial mechanistic investigation reveals that the C-H activation step is irreversible and will possibly be the rate determining step.

Transition-Metal-Catalyzed C-H Bond Addition to Carbonyls, Imines, and Related Polarized π Bonds

The transition-metal-catalyzed addition of C-H bonds to carbonyls, imines, and related polarized π bonds has emerged as a particularly efficient and powerful approach for the construction of an incredibly diverse array of heteroatom-substituted products. Readily available and stable inputs are typically employed, and reactions often proceed with very high functional group compatibility and without the production of waste byproducts. Additionally, many transition-metal-catalyzed C-H bond additions to polarized π bonds occur within cascade reaction sequences to provide rapid access to a diverse array of different heterocyclic as well as carbocyclic products. This review highlights the diversity of transformations that have been achieved, catalysts that have been used, and types of products that have been prepared through the transition-metal-catalyzed addition of C-H bonds to carbonyls, imines, and related polarized π bonds.

Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidative N-Dealkylation/Carbonylation of Tertiary Amines with Alkynes to α,β-Alkynylamides

The first highly effective Pd/C-catalyzed oxidative N-dealkylation/carbonylation of various aliphatic as well as cyclic tertiary amines with alkynes has been described. The selective sp(3) C-N bond activation of tertiary amines at the less steric side using O2 as a sole oxidant and a plausible reaction pathway for the reaction are discussed. The general and operationally simple methodology provides an alternative for the synthesis of a wide range of alk-2-ynamide derivatives under mild conditions. The present protocol is ecofriendly and practical, and it shows significant recyclability.