Cleavage of Carbon—Carbon Single Bonds by Transition Metals

Copper/O2-Mediated Oxidative C-C Activation of Nitriles for Selective Acylation-Bromination of Anilines

This study reports selective dual amino acylation and C-H bromination of aniline compounds enabled by Cu/O2 catalyst systems. This method involves crucial oxidation-induced C-CN bond cleavage of α-methylene nitriles to generate an acylcyanide intermediate that is facilely intercepted by anilines. After amino acylation, the Cu(II) precatalyst in combination with NBS generates Cu(III)-Br in situ that engages in selective electrophilic para- or ortho-C-H bromination. The substrate scope, mechanistic aspects, and late-stage functionalization of biologically active anilines are studied. This study shows the synthetic potential of oxidative C-CN bond activation of nitriles for the development of valuable reactions.

Transition-Metal-Free Unusual Oxidative Cleavage of Homoallylic Alcohol and Its Application in the Upcycling of Terpene to Value-Added Chemicals

A NaOtBu-O₂ -mediated oxidative dehomologation of homoallylic alcohols into structurally different carboxylic acids through direct oxidative cleavage of either the C(sp² )-C(sp² ) or C(sp³ )-C(sp³ ) bond utilizing enolate chemistry was demonstrated. Furthermore, under transition-metal-free conditions, this protocol has been applied to convert terpene as biomass feedstock into value-added chemicals.

Breaking bonds and breaking rules: inert-bond activation by [(iPr3P)Ni]5H4 and catalytic stereospecific norbornene dimerization

The facile carbon atom abstraction reaction by [(ⁱPr₃P)Ni]₅H₆ (1) with various terminal alkenes to give [(ⁱPr₃P)Ni]₅H₄(μ₅-C) (2) occurs via a common highly reactive intermediate [(ⁱPr₃P)Ni]₅H₄ (3), which was isolated by the reaction of 1 with norbornene. Temperature dependent ¹H and ³¹P{¹H} NMR chemical shifts of 3 are consistent with a thermally populated triplet excited state only 2 kcal mol^-1 higher energy than the diamagnetic ground state. Complex 3 catalyzes the dimerization of norbornene to stereoselectively provide exclusively (Z) anti-(bis-2,2'-norbornylidene).

Syntheses of η1 -Alkyl-η3 -Allyl-η5 -Cyclopentadienyl Cobalt(III) Complexes and Their Use in Low-temperature Atomic Layer Deposition of Cobalt-Containing Thin Films

Herein, we report the design and scalable synthesis of three new Co(III) complexes, which have an unusual hydrocarbon η¹ -alkyl-η³ -allyl-η⁵ -cyclopentadienyl ligation structure, from the reactions of readily available cobalt(II) compound CoCl₂ (PPh₃ )₂ and biomass material β-pinene via C-C bond activation. These Co(III) complexes are air-stable, fairly volatile, and thermally stable, so they are excellent candidates as the metal precursors for the vapor deposition of cobalt-containing thin films. As a demonstration, we show that the Co(III) complex of [(3'-5'-η,1-σ)-methylene(2,2,4-trimethyl-4-cyclohexene-1,3-diyl)](η⁵ -methylcyclopentadienyl)Co (i. e. (seco-pinene)(MeCp)Co) is well suited for the atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Co₃ O₄ and CoS₂ thin films, and the deposited Co₃ O₄ and CoS₂ films are able to conformally cover trench structures with a fairly high aspect ratio of 10 : 1.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Diastereo- and Enantioselective Divergent Annulations between Cyclobutanones and 1,5-Enynes: Rapid Construction of Complex C(sp3)-Rich Scaffolds

Given the emerging demand to "escape from flatland" for drug discovery, synthetic methods that can efficiently construct complex three-dimensional structures with multi-stereocenters become increasingly valuable. Here, we describe the development of Rh(I)-catalyzed intramolecular annulations between cyclobutanones and 1,5-enyne groups to construct complex C(sp3)-rich scaffolds. Divergent reactivities are realized with different catalysts, and excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivity have been achieved. The use of (R)-H8-binap as the ligand favors forming the bis-bicyclic scaffolds with multiple quaternary stereocenters, while the (R)-segphos ligand prefers to generate the tetrahydro-azapinone products. Owing to the versatile reactivity of ketone moieties, these C(sp3)-rich scaffolds can be further functionalized. Experimental and computational mechanistic studies support a reaction pathway involving enyne-cyclometallation, 1,2-carbonyl addition, and then β-carbon elimination; the divergent reactivities are dictated by a product-determining Rh-alkyl migratory insertion step.

Iron-catalyzed deconstructive alkylation through chlorine radical induced C-C single bond cleavage under visible light

Selective C-C single bond cleavage of simple compounds is a highly challenging and desired process. Herein, a chlorine radical-induced deconstructive C-C bond alkylation with alcohols and alkenes catalyzed by iron salts was reported for the first time. Readily available alcohols and various electron-deficient alkenes were tolerated. Late-stage and large-scale reactions proceed smoothly. This catalyst system shows potential for diversified deconstructive functionalization of simple C-C bonds.

Deconstructive Synthesis of Bridged and Fused Rings via Transition-Metal-Catalyzed "Cut-and-Sew" Reactions of Benzocyclobutenones and Cyclobutanones

Bridged and fused rings are commonly found in biologically important molecules. Current tactics to construct these ring systems are primarily based on stepwise ring formation (i.e., making one ring first followed by making another) and cycloaddition reactions (e.g., Diels-Alder reaction). To seek a complementary and perhaps more unified ring-forming approach, a deconstructive strategy based on C-C bond activation of cyclic ketones has been conceived. The named "cut-and-sew" reaction uses cyclic ketones with a tethered unsaturated moiety as substrates, which involves oxidative addition of a transition metal into the ketone C-C bond followed by intramolecular insertion of the unsaturated unit. This strategy has proved successful to access diverse ring scaffolds that are nontrivial to construct otherwise.This Account offers a concise summary of our laboratory's systematic efforts in developing transition metal-catalyzed cut-and-sew reactions for the synthesis of bridged and fused rings over the past 10 years. In particular, we will focus on the reactions using readily available benzocyclobutenones and cyclobutanones. To date, the scope of the cut-and-sew reactions has been greatly expanded. First, diverse unsaturated moieties can serve as suitable coupling partners, such as alkenyl, alkynyl, allenyl, carbonyl, and iminyl groups. Second, a variety of reaction modes have been uncovered. In this account, (4 + 2), (4 + 2 - 1), and (4 + 1) cycloadditions that lead to a range of bridged or fused scaffolds will be summarized. Third, enantioselective transformations have been realized to efficiently construct chiral scaffolds, which are enabled by two strategies: enantio-determining migratory insertion and desymmetrization of cyclobutanones. Fourth, the synthetic applications have been demonstrated in streamlined total syntheses of a number of complex natural products. Compared to conventional synthetic logics, the cut-and-sew reaction allows the development of new bond-disconnecting strategies. Thus, the syntheses of (-)-cycloclavine, (-)-thebainone A, penicibilaenes, and the proposed cycloinumakiol are discussed in more detail.In addition to the narrative of the development of the cut-and-sew chemistry, this Account also aims to provide core guiding foundations and inspirations toward broader deconstructive synthetic applications through C-C bond cleavage. It is anticipated that more classes of cyclic compounds could serve as the substrates beyond benzocyclobutenones and cyclobutanones, and more diverse unsaturated moieties could be coupled. It can also be envisaged that more innovative utilization of this cut-and-sew strategy in complex organic syntheses will be revealed in the near future.

Isolation of an Elusive Phosphametallacyclobutadiene and Its Role in Reversible Carbon−Carbon Bond Cleavage

The reactivity of phosphaalkynes, the isolobal and isoelectronic congeners to alkynes, with metal alkylidyne complexes is explored in this work. Treating the tungsten alkylidyne [^t BuOCO]W≡C^t Bu(THF)₂ (1) with phosphaalkyne (10) results in the formation of [O₂ C(^t BuC=)W{η² -(P,C)-P≡C-Ad}(THF)] (13-^t Bu_THF ) and [O₂ C(AdC=)W{η² -(P,C)-P≡C-^t Bu}(THF)] (13-Ad_THF ); derived from the formal reductive migratory insertion of the alkylidyne moiety into a W-C_arene bond. Analogous to alkyne metathesis, a stable phosphametallacyclobutadiene complex [^t BuOCO]W[κ² -C(^t Bu)PC(Ad)] (14) forms upon loss of THF from the coordination sphere of either 13-^t Bu_THF or 13-Ad_THF . Remarkably, the C-C bonds reversibly form/cleave with the addition or removal of THF from the coordination sphere of the formal tungsten(VI) metal center, permitting unprecedented control over the transformation of a tetraanionic pincer to a trianionic pincer and back. Computational analysis offers thermodynamic and electronic reasoning for the reversible equilibrium between 13-^t Bu/Ad_THF and 14.

Palladium-Catalyzed Stagewise Strain-Release-Driven C-C Activation of Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanyl Alcohols

A palladium-catalyzed chemoselective coupling of readily available bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanyl alcohols (BCP-OH) with various halides is reported, which offers expedient approaches to a wide range of cyclobutanone and β,γ-enone skeletons via single or double C-C activation. The chemistry shows a broad substrate scope in terms of both the range of BCP-OH and halides including a series of natural product derivatives. Moreover, dependency of reaction chemodivergence on base additive has been investigated through experimental and density functional theory (DFT) studies, which is expected to significantly enrich the reaction modes and increase the synthetic potential of BCP-OH in preparing more complex molecules.

Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of γ-Lactams with β-Quaternary Centers via Merging of C-C Activation and Sulfonyl Radical Migration

Transition-metal-catalyzed C-C activation has become synthetically valuable; however, it rarely involves single-electron downstream processes. To expand the repertoire of C-C activation, here we describe the discovery of a Rh-catalyzed enantioselective C-C activation involving migration of a sulfonyl radical. This reaction directly transforms cyclobutanones containing a sulfonamide-tethered 1,3-diene moiety into γ-lactams containing a β-quaternary center with excellent enantioselectivity. This unusual process involves cleavage of C-C and N-S bonds and subsequent formation of C-N and C-S bonds. The reaction also exhibits broad functional group tolerance and a good substrate scope. A combined experimental and computational mechanistic study suggested that the reaction goes through a Rh(I)-mediated oxidative addition into the cyclobutanone C-C bond followed by a Rh(III)-triggered N-S bond homolysis and sulfonyl radical migration.

Nickel-catalyzed skeletal transformation of tropone derivatives via C-C bond activation: catalyst-controlled access to diverse ring systems

We report herein on nickel-catalyzed carbon-carbon bond cleavage reactions of 2,4,6-cycloheptatrien-1-one (tropone) derivatives. When a Ni/N-heterocyclic carbene catalyst is used, decarbonylation proceeds with the formation of a benzene ring, while the use of bidentate ligands in conjunction with an alcohol additive results in a two-carbon ring contraction with the generation of cyclopentadiene derivatives. The latter reaction involves a nickel-ketene complex as an intermediate, which was characterized by X-ray crystallography. The choice of an appropriate ligand allows for selective synthesis of four different products via the cleavage of a seven-membered carbocyclic skeleton. Reaction mechanisms and ligand-controlled selectivity for both types of ring contraction reactions were also investigated computationally.

Catalytic Activation of Unstrained C(Aryl)-C(Alkyl) Bonds in 2,2'-Methylenediphenols

Catalytic activation of unstrained and nonpolar C-C bonds remains a largely unmet challenge. Here, we describe our detailed efforts in developing a rhodium-catalyzed hydrogenolysis of unstrained C(aryl)-C(alkyl) bonds in 2,2'-methylenediphenols aided by removable directing groups. Good yields of the monophenol products are obtained with tolerating a wide range of functional groups. In addition, the reaction is scalable, and the catalyst loading can be reduced to as low as 0.5 mol %. Moreover, this method proves to be effective to cleave C(aryl)-C(alkyl) linkages in both models of phenolic resins and commercial novolacs resins. Finally, detailed experimental and computational mechanistic studies show that with C-H activation being a competitive but reversible off-cycle reaction, this transformation goes through a directed C(aryl)-C(alkyl) oxidative addition pathway.

Catalytic Net Oxidative C-C Activation and Silylation of Cyclopropanols with a Traceless Acetal Directing Group

Redox-neutral carbon-carbon (C-C) bond activation and functionalization strategies of cyclopropanols that give metallo homoenolate have offered merits to construct a range of useful β-functionalized ketones in an inverse-polarity fashion. Discovery and identification of oxidative C-C activation reactions of cyclopropanols that generate metallo enolate-homoenolate would provide an opportunity to afford α,β-difunctionalized ketones. We report catalytic, net oxidative C-C activation, and silylation of cyclopropanols with traceless acetal directing groups under consecutive Ir and Rh catalysis in regio-, stereo-, and chemo-selective fashion. In detail, Ir-catalyzed hydrosilylation of cyclopropyl acetates provides the acetal directing group in quantitative yield. Rh-catalyzed proximal C-C silylation of the resulting cyclopropyl silyl acetal produces the metallo enolate-homoenolate equivalent, dioxasilepine, which uniquely holds an interconnected β-silyl moiety and Z-vinyl acetal. Upon sequential treatment of a silaphile that removes the acetal directing group and electrophile, the seven-membered silicon-containing heterocycle, serving as the ketone α,β-dianion equivalent, delivers α,β-difunctionalized ketones. Scope of the hitherto unexplored reactivity of cyclopropanols toward net oxidative C-C silylation and the versatility of the resulting dioxasilepines were demonstrated. These include late-stage, net oxidative C-C silylation of biologically relevant molecules and facile production of a range of α,β-difunctionalized ketones. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that the C-C activation harnessing the electron-rich Wilkinson-type catalyst is likely the turnover-determining step and a Rh-π interaction is the key to the efficient metal insertion to the proximal C-C bond in cyclopropanols.

Deconstructive Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Morphine-Family Alkaloid (-)-Thebainone A

Herein, we describe the development of a deconstructive strategy for the first asymmetric synthesis of (-)-thebainone A, capitalizing on an enantioselective C-C bond activation and a C-O bond cleavage reaction. The rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric "cut-and-sew" transformation between sterically hindered trisubstituted alkenes and benzocyclobutenones allowed efficient construction of the fused A/B/C rings and the quaternary center of the natural product. The newly optimized conditions show broad substrate scope and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99.5:0.5 er). Taking advantage of boron-mediated ether bond cleavage, we completed the synthesis of the morphine alkaloid (-)-thebainone A by two complementary routes.

Regioselective activation of benzocyclobutenones and dienamides lead to anti-Bredt bridged-ring systems by a [4+4] cycloaddition

To the best of our knowledge, bridgehead carbon benzofused-bridged ring systems have previously not been accessible to the synthetic community. Here, we describe a formal type-II [4 + 4] cycloaddition approach that provides fully sp2-carbon embedded anti-Bredt bicyclo[5.3.1] skeletons through the Rh-catalyzed C1-C8 activation of benzocyclobutenones (BCBs) and their coupling with pedant dienamides. Variously substituted dienamides have been coupled with BCBs to provide a range of complex bicyclo[5.3.1] scaffolds (>20 examples, up to 89% yield). The bridged rings were further converted to polyfused hydroquinoline-containing tetracycles via a serendipitously discovered transannular 1,5-hydride shift/Prins-like cyclization/Schmidt rearrangement cascade.

Cobalt Nanoparticles-Catalyzed Widely Applicable Successive C-C Bond Cleavage in Alcohols to Access Esters

Selective cleavage and functionalization of C-C bonds have important applications in organic synthesis and biomass utilization. However, functionalization of C-C bonds by controlled cleavage remains difficult and challenging because they are inert. Herein, we describe an unprecedented efficient protocol for the breaking of successive C-C bonds in alcohols to form esters with one or multiple carbon atoms less using heterogeneous cobalt nanoparticles as catalyst with dioxygen as the oxidant. A wide range of alcohols including inactive long-chain alkyl aryl alcohols undergo smoothly successive cleavage of adjacent -(C-C)_n - bonds to afford the corresponding esters. The catalyst was used for seven times without any decrease in activity. Characterization and control experiments disclose that cobalt nanoparticles are responsible for the successive cleavage of C-C bonds to achieve excellent catalytic activity, while the presence of Co-N_x has just the opposite effect. Preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that a tandem sequence reaction is involved in this process.

Cleavage of Carbon-Carbon σ-Bonds of Four-Membered Rings

This article reviews synthetic transformations involving cleavage of a carbon-carbon bond of a four-membered ring, with a particular focus on the examples reported during the period from 2011 to the end of 2019. Most significant is the progress of catalytic reactions involving oxidative addition of carbon-carbon bonds onto transition metals or β-carbon elimination of transition metal alkoxides. When they are looked at from synthetic perspectives, they offer unique and efficient methods to build complex natural products and structures that are difficult to construct by conventional methods. On the other hand, β-scission of radical intermediates has also attracted increasing attention as an alternative elementary step to cleave carbon-carbon bonds. Its site-selectivity is often complementary to that of transition metal-catalyzed reactions. In addition, Lewis acid-mediated and thermally induced ring-opening of cyclobutanone derivatives has garnered renewed attention. On the whole, these examples demonstrate unique synthetic potentials of structurally strained four-membered ring compounds for the construction of organic skeletons.

Synthesis of indoline-fused eight-membered azaheterocycles through Zn-catalyzed dearomatization of indoles and subsequent base-promoted C-C activation

A cascade reaction involving the Zn-catalyzed dearomatization of indoles, base-promoted ring-expansion and intramolecular S_NAr reaction has been developed. This process realized a novel, atom economical and efficient synthesis of indoline-fused eight-membered azaheterocycles in a one pot manner.

C-H/C-C Functionalization Approach to N-Fused Heterocycles from Saturated Azacycles

Herein we report the synthesis of substituted indolizidines and related N-fused bicycles from simple saturated cyclic amines through sequential C-H and C-C bond functionalizations. Inspired by the Norrish-Yang Type II reaction, C-H functionalization of azacycles is achieved by forming α-hydroxy-β-lactams from precursor α-ketoamide derivatives under mild, visible light conditions. Selective cleavage of the distal C(sp2)-C(sp3) bond in α-hydroxy-β-lactams using a Rh-complex leads to α-acyl intermediates which undergo sequential Rh-catalyzed decarbonylation, 1,4-addition to an electrophile, and aldol cyclization, to afford N-fused bicycles including indolizidines. Computational studies provide mechanistic insight into the observed positional selectivity of C-C cleavage, which depends strongly on the groups bound to Rh trans to the phosphine ligand.

Catalytic conversion of ketones to esters via C(O)-C bond cleavage under transition-metal free conditions

The catalytic conversion of ketones to esters via C(O)-C bond cleavage under transition-metal free conditions is reported. This catalytic process proceeds under solvent-free conditions and offers an easy operational procedure, broad substrate scope with excellent selectivity, and reaction scalability.

Enantioselective Type II Cycloaddition of Alkynes via C-C Activation of Cyclobutanones: Rapid and Asymmetric Construction of [3.3.1] Bridged Bicycles

Synthesis of bridged scaffolds via Type II cyclization constitutes substantial challenges due to the intrinsic ring strain accumulated in reaction transition states. Catalytic enantioselective Type II-cyclization methods are even rarer. Here, we describe a detailed study of developing a Rh(I)-catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular Type II cyclization of alkynes via C-C activation of cyclobutanones. This method offers a rapid approach to access a wide range of functionalized [3.3.1]-bridged bicycles along with an exocyclic olefin and an all-carbon quaternary stereocenter. Excellent enantioselectivity has been achieved using a combination of cationic rhodium(I) and DTBM-segphos. Attributed to the redox neutral and strong acid/base-free reaction conditions, high chemoselectivity has also been observed. For the oxygen-tethered substrates, the reaction can proceed at room temperature. In addition, partial kinetic resolution has been achieved for substrates with existing stereocenters, forging interesting chiral tricyclic scaffolds. The methylalkyne-derived substrates gave unexpected dimeric structures in good yield with excellent enantioselectivity and complete diastereoselectivity. Furthermore, the bridged bicyclic products can be diversely functionalized through simple transformations. Finally, mechanistic studies reveal a surprising reaction pathway that involves forming a metal-stabilized anti-Bredt olefin intermediate.

Asymmetric Total Syntheses of Di- and Sesquiterpenoids by Catalytic C-C Activation of Cyclopentanones

To show the synthetic utility of the catalytic C-C activation of less strained substrates, described here are the collective and concise syntheses of the natural products (-)-microthecaline A, (-)-leubehanol, (+)-pseudopteroxazole, (+)-seco-pseudopteroxazole, pseudopterosin A-F and G-J aglycones, and (+)-heritonin. The key step in these syntheses involve a Rh-catalyzed C-C/C-H activation cascade of 3-arylcyclopentanones, which provides a rapid and enantioselective route to access the polysubstituted tetrahydronaphthalene cores presented in these natural products. Other important features include 1) the direct C-H amination of the tetralone substrate in the synthesis of (-)-microthecaline A, 2) the use of phosphoric acid to enhance efficiency and regioselectivity for problematic cyclopentanone substrates in the C-C activation reactions, and 3) the direct conversion of serrulatane into amphilectane diterpenes by an allylic cyclodehydrogenation coupling.

Novel synthesis of divergent aryl imidazoles from ketones involving copper-catalyzed α-amination and oxidative C-C bond cleavage

A one-pot synthesis, initiated by a copper salt with inorganic (NH4)2CO3 as the nitrogen source, forms divergent aryl imidazole derivatives from ketones via α-amination and oxidative C-C bond cleavage reactions. The approach provides a simple and rapid synthesis of imidazole derivatives and has certain versatility.

Total Synthesis of Galanthamine and Lycoramine Featuring an Early-Stage C-C and a Late-Stage Dehydrogenation via C-H Activation

Herein, we report a novel strategy toward galanthamine and lycoramine. The concise synthesis was enabled by a Rh-catalyzed gram-scale C-C activation for the tetracyclic carbon framework and a regioselective Pd-catalyzed C-H activation for double-bond introduction. An aqueous-phase Beckmann rearrangement was performed for nitrogen atom insertion. Galanthamine and lycoramine were completed in 11 and 10 steps, respectively.

Aromatization-driven deconstruction/refunctionalization of unstrained rings

Aromatization-driven ring-opening/functionalization of common unstrained rings has been developed with the in situ generation of pre-aromatic fused spiro heterocycles as the key step.

Rhodium-catalyzed ene-cycloisomerization of allylic-sulfide-tethered alkylidenecyclopropanes: DFT analysis of origins of regio- and diastereo-selectivities

A unconventional reaction mechanism can be responsible for the regio- and diastereo-selectivities of rhodium-catalyzed ene-cycloisomerization of allylic-sulfide-tethered alkylidenecyclopropanes.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Reductive Cleavage of Unstrained Aryl-Aryl Bonds: Reaction Development and Mechanistic Study

Cleavage of carbon-carbon bonds has been found in some important industrial processes, for example, petroleum cracking, and has inspired development of numerous synthetic methods. However, nonpolar unstrained C(aryl)-C(aryl) bonds remain one of the toughest bonds to be activated. As a detailed study of a fundamental reaction mode, here a full story is described about our development of a Ru-catalyzed reductive cleavage of unstrained C(aryl)-C(aryl) bonds. A wide range of biaryl compounds that contain directing groups (DGs) at 2,2' positions can serve as effective substrates. Various heterocycles, such as pyridine, quinoline, pyrimidine, and pyrazole, can be employed as DGs. Besides hydrogen gas, other reagents, such as Hantzsch ester, silanes, and alcohols, can be employed as terminal reductants. The reaction is pH neutral and free of oxidants; thus a number of functional groups are tolerated. Notably, a one-pot C-C activation/C-C coupling has been realized. Computational and experimental mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction involves a ruthenium(II) monohydride-mediated C(aryl)-C(aryl) activation and the resting state of the catalyst is a η4-coordinated ruthenium(II) dichloride complex, which could inspire development of other transformations based on this reaction mode.