Recent Advances in the C-H-Functionalization of the Distal Positions in Pyridines and Quinolines

Electrochemical meta-C-H sulfonylation of pyridines with nucleophilic sulfinates

Considering the indispensable significance and utilities of meta-substituted pyridines in medicinal, chemical as well as materials science, a direct meta-selective C-H functionalization of pyridines is of paramount importance, but such reactions remain limited and highly challenging. In general, established methods for meta C-H functionalization of pyridines rely on the utilization of tailored electrophilic reagents to realize the intrinsic polarity match. Herein, we report a complementary electrochemical methodology; diverse nucleophilic sulfinates allow meta-sulfonylation of pyridines through a redox-neutral dearomatization-rearomatization strategy by a tandem dearomative cycloaddition/hydrogen-evolution electrooxidative C-H sulfonation of the resulting oxazino-pyridines/acid-promoted rearomatization sequence. Besides, several salient features, including exclusive regiocontrol, remarkable substrate/functional group compatibility, scale-up potential, and facile late-stage modification, have been demonstrated, which further contributes to the practicality and adaptability of this approach.

Meta-Selective Copper-Catalyzed C-H Arylation of Pyridines and Isoquinolines through Dearomatized Intermediates

C(sp2)-H functionalization offers an efficient strategy for the synthesis of various elaborated N-containing heteroarenes. Along these lines, oxazino pyridines that can be readily prepared from pyridines, have been introduced as powerful substrates in radical- and ionic-mediated meta-C-H functionalization. However, the regioselective meta-C-H arylation of pyridines remains a great challenge. Herein, a copper-catalyzed meta-selective C-H arylation of pyridines and isoquinolines through bench-stable dearomatized intermediates is reported. Electrophilic aryl-Cu(III) species, generated from readily accessible aryl I(III) reagents, enable the efficient meta-arylation of a broad range of pyridines and isoquinolines. The method also allows the meta-selective alkenylation of these heteroarenes using the corresponding alkenyl I(III)-reagents. Late-stage arylation of drug-derived pyridines and larger-scale experiments demonstrate the potential of this synthetic methodology.

meta-Selective C-H Functionalization of Pyridines

The pyridine moiety is an important core structure for a variety of drugs, agrochemicals, catalysts, and functional materials. Direct functionalization of C-H bonds in pyridines is a straightforward approach to access valuable substituted pyridines. Compared to the direct ortho- and para-functionalization, meta-selective pyridine C-H functionalization is far more challenging due to the inherent electronic properties of the pyridine entity. This review summarizes currently available methods for pyridine meta-C-H functionalization using a directing group, non-directed metalation, and temporary dearomatization strategies. Recent advances in ligand control and temporary dearomatization are highlighted. We analyze the advantages as well as limitations of current techniques and hope to inspire further developments in this important area.

Direct C(3)5-H Polyfluoroarylation of 2-Amino/alkoxy Pyridines Enabled by a Transient and Electron-deficient Palladium Intermediate

Herein, we present an unprecedented azine-limited C5-H polyfluoroarylation of 2-aminopyridines enabled by a transient and electron-deficient perfluoroaryl-Pd species via C-H/C-H coupling. The protocol further allows C3(5)-H polyfluoroarylation of 2-alkoxypyridines guided by sterics and electronics for the first time. The late-stage C-H functionalization of drugs, drug derivatives, and natural product derivatives and synthesis of C5-aryl drug derivatives further demonstrated the method's utility. The preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that the synergistic combination of the bulky yet electrophilic perfluoroaryl-Pd species and the partial nucleophilicity of the C5-position of 2-amino/alkoxy-pyridines is the origin of reactivity and selectivity. Importantly, the first experimental evidence for the role of diisopropyl sulfide is provided.

Tunably strained metallacycles enable modular differentiation of aza-arene C-H bonds

The precise activation of C-H bonds will eventually provide chemists with transformative methods to access complex molecular architectures. Current approaches to selective C-H activation relying on directing groups are effective for the generation of five-membered, six-membered and even larger ring metallacycles but show narrow applicability to generate three- and four-membered rings bearing high ring strain. Furthermore, the identification of distinct small intermediates remains unsolved. Here, we developed a strategy to control the size of strained metallacycles in the rhodium-catalysed C-H activation of aza-arenes and applied this discovery to tunably incorporate the alkynes into their azine and benzene skeletons. By merging the rhodium catalyst with a bipyridine-type ligand, a three-membered metallacycle was obtained in the catalytic cycle, while utilizing an NHC ligand favours the generation of the four-membered metallacycle. The generality of this method was demonstrated with a range of aza-arenes, such as quinoline, benzo[f]quinolone, phenanthridine, 4,7-phenanthroline, 1,7-phenanthroline and acridine. Mechanistic studies revealed the origin of the ligand-controlled regiodivergence in the strained metallacycles.

Halogen cation-promoted and solvent-regulated electrophilic cyclization for the regioselective synthesis of 3-haloquinolines and 3-halospirocyclohexadienones

A novel approach for the production of halogen cations through the reaction of halogens with silver ions is described in this paper. On this basis, the regioselective synthesis of 3-haloquinolines and 3-halospirocyclohexadienones is realized through solvent regulation. The gram-scale reaction and the compatibility of complex substrates demonstrate the synthetic potential of this protocol, which will be an appealing strategy in organic synthesis.

Transition Metal-Catalyzed C-H Functionalization Through Electrocatalysis

Electrochemically promoted transition metal-catalyzed C-H functionalization has emerged as a promising area of research over the last few decades. However, development in this field is still at an early stage compared to traditional functionalization reactions using chemical-based oxidizing agents. Recent reports have shown increased attention on electrochemically promoted metal-catalyzed C-H functionalization. From the standpoint of sustainability, environmental friendliness, and cost effectiveness, electrochemically promoted oxidation of a metal catalyst offers a mild, efficient, and atom-economical alternative to traditional chemical oxidants. This Review discusses advances in the field of transition metal-electrocatalyzed C-H functionalization over the past decade and describes how the unique features of electricity enable metal-catalyzed C-H functionalization in an economic and sustainable way.

Electrochemical reactor dictates site selectivity in N-heteroarene carboxylations

Pyridines and related N-heteroarenes are commonly found in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and other biologically active compounds1,2. Site-selective C-H functionalization would provide a direct way of making these medicinally active products3-5. For example, nicotinic acid derivatives could be made by C-H carboxylation, but this remains an elusive transformation6-8. Here we describe the development of an electrochemical strategy for the direct carboxylation of pyridines using CO2. The choice of the electrolysis setup gives rise to divergent site selectivity: a divided electrochemical cell leads to C5 carboxylation, whereas an undivided cell promotes C4 carboxylation. The undivided-cell reaction is proposed to operate through a paired-electrolysis mechanism9,10, in which both cathodic and anodic events play critical roles in altering the site selectivity. Specifically, anodically generated iodine preferentially reacts with a key radical anion intermediate in the C4-carboxylation pathway through hydrogen-atom transfer, thus diverting the reaction selectivity by means of the Curtin-Hammett principle11. The scope of the transformation was expanded to a wide range of N-heteroarenes, including bipyridines and terpyridines, pyrimidines, pyrazines and quinolines.

Radical and ionic meta -C–H functionalization of pyridines, quinolines, and isoquinolines

Carbon-hydrogen (C−H) functionalization of pyridines is a powerful tool for the rapid construction and derivatization of many agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and materials. Because of the inherent electronic properties of pyridines, selective meta -C−H functionalization is challenging. Here, we present a protocol for highly regioselective meta -C−H trifluoromethylation, perfluoroalkylation, chlorination, bromination, iodination, nitration, sulfanylation, and selenylation of pyridines through a redox-neutral dearomatization-rearomatization process. The introduced dearomative activation mode provides a diversification platform for meta-selective reactions on pyridines and other azaarenes through radical as well as ionic pathways. The broad scope and high selectivity of these catalyst-free reactions render these processes applicable for late-stage functionalization of drugs.

Rhodium-Promoted C-H Bond Activation of Quinoline, Methylquinolines, and Related Mono-Substituted Quinolines

The C-H bond activation of methylquinolines, quinoline, 3-methoxyquinoline, and 3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoline promoted by the square-planar rhodium(I) complex RhH{κ³-P,O,P-[xant(PⁱPr₂)₂]} [1; xant(PⁱPr₂)₂ = 9,9-dimethyl-4,5-bis(diisopropylphosphino)xanthene] has been systematically studied. Results reveal that the activation of the heteroring is preferred over the activation of the carbocycle, and the activated position depends upon the position of the substituent in the substrate. Thus, 3-, 4-, and 5-methylquinoline reacts with 1 to quantitatively form square-planar rhodium(I)-(2-quinolinyl) derivatives, whereas 2-, 6-, and 7-methylquinoline quantitatively leads to rhodium(I)-(4-quinolinyl) species. By contrast, quinoline and 8-methylquinoline afford mixtures of the respective rhodium(I)-(2-quinolinyl) and -(4-quinolinyl) complexes. 3-Methoxyquinoline displays the same behavior as that of 3-methylquinoline, while 3-(trifluoromethyl)quinoline yields a mixture of rhodium(I)-(2-quinolinyl), -(4-quinolinyl), -(6-quinolinyl), and -(7-quinolinyl) isomers.

A directive Ni catalyst overrides conventional site selectivity in pyridine C-H alkenylation

Achieving the transition metal-catalysed pyridine C3-H alkenylation, with pyridine as the limiting reagent, has remained a long-standing challenge. Previously, we disclosed that the use of strong coordinating bidentate ligands can overcome catalyst deactivation and provide Pd-catalysed C3 alkenylation of pyridines. However, this strategy proved ineffective when using pyridine as the limiting reagent, as it required large excesses and high concentrations to achieve reasonable yields, which rendered it inapplicable to complex pyridines prevalent in bioactive molecules. Here we report that a bifunctional N-heterocyclic carbene-ligated Ni-Al catalyst can smoothly furnish C3-H alkenylation of pyridines. This method overrides the intrinsic C2 and/or C4 selectivity, and provides a series of C3-alkenylated pyridines in 43-99% yields and up to 98:2 C3 selectivity. This method not only allows a variety of pyridine and heteroarene substrates to be used as the limiting reagent, but is also effective for the late-stage C3 alkenylation of diverse complex pyridine motifs in bioactive molecules.

Directing Group Enables Electrochemical Selectively Meta-Bromination of Pyridines under Mild Conditions

Without the use of catalysts and oxidants, a facile and sustainable electrochemical bromination protocol was developed. By introducing the directing groups, the regioselectivity of pyridine derivatives could be controlled at the meta-position utilizing the inexpensive and safe bromine salts at room temperature. A variety of brominated pyridine derivatives were obtained in 28-95% yields, and the reaction could be readily performed at a gram scale. By combining the installation and removing the directing group, the concept of meta-bromination of pyridines could be verified.

Photoinduced C(sp3)-H sulfination empowers the direct and chemoselective introduction of the sulfonyl group

Direct installation of the sulfinate group by the functionalization of unreactive aliphatic C-H bonds can provide access to most classes of organosulfur compounds, because of the central position of sulfinates as sulfonyl group linchpins. Despite the importance of the sulfonyl group in synthesis, medicine, and materials science, a direct C(sp³)-H sulfination reaction that can convert abundant aliphatic C-H bonds to sulfinates has remained elusive, due to the reactivity of sulfinates that are incompatible with typical oxidation-driven C-H functionalization approaches. We report herein a photoinduced C(sp³)-H sulfination reaction that is mediated by sodium metabisulfite and enables access to a variety of sulfinates. The reaction proceeds with high chemoselectivity and moderate to good regioselectivity, affording only monosulfination products and can be used for a solvent-controlled regiodivergent distal C(sp³)-H functionalization.

C-H activation reactions of nitroarenes: current status and outlook

Ring substitution reactions of nitroarenes remain an under-developed area of organic synthesis, confined to the narrow domains of S_NAr and S_NArH reactions. While searching for alternative methodologies, we took stock of the C-H activation reactions of nitroarenes which unearthed a variety of examples of nitro directed regioselective C-H functionalization reactions such as ortho-arylation, -benzylation/alkylation, and -allylation, oxidative Heck and C-H arylation reactions on (hetero)aromatic rings. A collective account of these reactions is presented in this review to showcase the existing landscape of C-H activation reactions of nitroarenes, to create interest in this field for further development and propagate this strategy as a superior alternative for ring substitution reactions of nitroarenes. The prospect of merging the C-H activation of nitroarenes with C-NO₂ activation, thereby harnessing NO₂ as a transformable multitasking directing group, is also illustrated.

Regioselective Functionalization of Quinolines through C-H Activation: A Comprehensive Review

Quinoline is a versatile heterocycle that is part of numerous natural products and countless drugs. During the last decades, this scaffold also became widely used as ligand in organometallic catalysis. Therefore, access to functionalized quinolines is of great importance and continuous efforts have been made to develop efficient and regioselective synthetic methods. In this regard, C-H functionalization through transition metal catalysis, which is nowadays the Graal of organic green chemistry, represents the most attractive strategy. We aim herein at providing a comprehensive review of methods that allow site-selective metal-catalyzed C-H functionalization of quinolines, or their quinoline N-oxides counterparts, with a specific focus on their scope and limitations, as well as mechanistic aspects if that accounts for the selectivity.

Nucleophilic C-H Etherification of Heteroarenes Enabled by Base-Catalyzed Halogen Transfer

We report a general protocol for the direct C-H etherification of N-heteroarenes. Potassium tert-butoxide catalyzes halogen transfer from 2-halothiophenes to N-heteroarenes to form N-heteroaryl halide intermediates that undergo tandem base-promoted alcohol substitution. Thus, the simple inclusion of inexpensive 2-halothiophenes enables regioselective oxidative coupling of alcohols with 1,3-azoles, pyridines, diazines, and polyazines under basic reaction conditions.

C2-Selective silylation of pyridines by a rhodium-aluminum complex

We have developed a C2-selective mono-silylation of a variety of pyridines using a Rh-Al complex. Both the site- and mono-selectivity are controlled via the pyridine coordination to the Lewis-acidic Al center prior to the activation of the pyridine C(2)-H bond at the proximal Rh center. A reaction mechanism is proposed based on several mechanistic studies, including the isolation of a (2-pyridyl)silylrhodium intermediate.

Rh(III)-Catalyzed Regioselective C8-Alkylation of Quinoline N-Oxides with Maleimides and Acrylates

Herein, we disclose the Rh(III)-catalyzed selective C8-alkylation of quinoline N-oxides with maleimides and acrylates. The main features of the reaction include complete C8-selectivity and broad substrate scope with good to excellent yields. The reaction also proceeded well with unprotected maleimide. The applicability of the developed methodology is demonstrated with gram-scale synthesis and post-modification of the alkylated product. Preliminary mechanistic study revealed that the reaction proceeds through a five-membered rhodacycle and involves proto-demetalation step.

Programmed Multiple C-H Bond Functionalization of the Privileged 4-hydroxyquinoline Template

The introduction of substituents on bare heterocyclic scaffolds can selectively be achieved by directed C-H functionalization. However, such methods have only occasionally been used, in an iterative manner, to decorate various positions of a medicinal scaffold to build chemical libraries. We herein report the multiple, site selective, metal-catalyzed C-H functionalization of a "programmed" 4-hydroxyquinoline. This medicinally privileged template indeed possesses multiple reactive sites for diversity-oriented functionalization, of which four were targeted. The C-2 and C-8 decorations were directed by an N-oxide, before taking benefit of an O-carbamoyl protection at C-4 to perform a Fries rearrangement and install a carboxamide at C-3. This also released the carbonyl group of 4-quinolones, the ultimate directing group to functionalize position 5. Our study highlights the power of multiple C-H functionalization to generate diversity in a biologically relevant library, after showing its strong antimalarial potential.

Straightforward Construction and Functionalizations of Nitrogen-Containing Heterocycles Through Migratory Insertion of Metal-Carbenes/Nitrenes

Nitrogen-containing heterocycles are widely found in various biologically active substrates, pharmaceuticals, natural products and organic materials. Consequently, the continuous effort has been devoted towards the development of straightforward, economical, environmentally acceptable, efficient and ingenious methods for the synthesis of various N-containing heterocycles and their functionalizations. Arguably, one of the most prominent direct strategy is regioselective C-H bond functionalizations which provide the step and atom economical approaches in the presence of suitable coupling partners. In this context, site-selective migratory insertion of metal carbenes/nitrenes to the desired C-H bonds has proven as a useful tool to access various functionalized nitrogen heterocycles. In this personal account, we highlight some of our contemporary development toward constructing N-containing heterocycles and their direct functionalizations via transition metal catalysed C-H bond functionalizations based on migratory insertion of metal-carbenes and nitrenes.

Direct C-H aminocarbonylation of N-heteroarenes with isocyanides under transition metal-free conditions

A C-C bond forming amide synthesis through direct C-H aminocarbonylation of N-heteroarenes with isocyanides was developed. The reaction was mediated by an inorganic persulfate salt under transition metal-free conditions. Mechanistic studies suggested a radical pathway for this reaction without the participation of H₂O and O₂. This method also showed merits of substrate availability, easy operation and atom economy. It provided an efficient route for straightforward synthesis of N-heteroaryl amides.

Merging Annulation with Ring Deconstruction: Synthesis of (E)-3-(2-Acyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-4-yl)acrylaldehyde Derivatives via I2/FeCl3-Promoted Dual C(sp3)-H Amination/C-N Bond Cleavage

An unprecedented I₂/FeCl₃-promoted cascade reaction of aryl methyl ketones with 8-aminoquinolines for the convenient synthesis of (E)-3-(2-acyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-4-yl)acrylaldehydes was developed by merging annulation with ring deconstruction. This novel strategy unlocked the new reactivity of 8-aminoquinolines and provided an attractive platform for the ring opening of unactivated N-heteroaromatic compounds. Preliminary mechanistic investigation suggested that dual C(sp³)-H amination/C-N bond cleavage were key reaction steps. Furthermore, late-stage modification of the obtained products successfully delivered pyrazole and isoxazole derivatives, increasing the practicability and application potential of this methodology in organic synthesis.

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.

Investigations of the Optical and Thermal Properties of the Pyrazoloquinoline Derivatives and Their Application for OLED Design

In this study, the photo-optical properties of the series of new 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoline derivatives were investigated. Pyrazoloquinoline studies were conducted to explain the electroluminescent effect in organic LEDs. Absorption and photoluminescence spectra for the materials under consideration were examined, and quantum chemical calculations were made. Differential scanning calorimetric and thermogravimetric measurements were carried out for the manufactured materials. The phase situation of the materials was determined, and glassy transitions were detected for three of the investigated materials. Degradation temperatures were obtained. Single-layer luminescent diodes based on the ITO/PEDOT:PSS/active layer/Al scheme were fabricated. Current-voltage and brightness-voltage characteristics of the diodes were determined, ignition voltage was calculated, and electroluminescence types were determined.

Access to Cycloalkeno[c]-Fused Pyridines via Pd-Catalyzed C(sp2)-H Activation and Cyclization of N-Acetyl Hydrazones of Acylcycloalkenes with Vinyl Azides

A novel Pd(II)-catalyzed vinylic C-H activation and cyclization has been developed, reacting a series of small, medium, and large N-acetyl hydrazones of acylcycloalkenes with vinyl azides to access diverse cycloalkeno[c]-fused pyridine scaffolds. This protocol provides progress in C(sp²)-H bond activation of medium to large cycloalkenes, and the target products can be obtained in a specific regioselectivity with good functional group tolerance and a broad substrate scope.

Regiodivergent C-H Alkylation of Quinolines with Alkenes by Half-Sandwich Rare-Earth Catalysts

The regiodivergent catalysis of C-H alkylation with alkenes is of great interest and importance but has remained hardly explored to date. We report herein the first regiodivergent C-H alkylation of quinolines with alkenes by half-sandwich rare-earth catalysts. The regiodivergence was achieved by fine-tuning the metal/ligand combination or steric and electronic properties of the catalysts. The use of the C₅Me₅-ligated scandium catalyst Sc-3 for the reaction of quinolines with styrenes and that of the C₅Me₄H-ligated yttrium catalyst Y-2 for the reaction with aliphatic olefins exclusively afforded the corresponding C8-H alkylation products, thus constituting the first example of direct C8-H alkylation of neutral quinolines. In contrast, the Sc-3-catalyzed reaction of 2-arylquinolines with aliphatic olefins and the Y-2-catalyzed reaction with styrenes selectively gave the 2-aryl o-C-H alkylation products. On the basis of the catalyst/substrate-controlled regiodivergence, the sequential regiospecific dialkylation of quinolines with two different alkenes has also been achieved. DFT studies revealed that the C-H activation of 2-phenylquinoline at both the C8 position and an ortho position of the 2-phenyl substituent was possible, and these two types of initially formed C-H activation products were interconvertible through the coordination and C-H activation of another molecule of quinoline. The regioselectivity for the C-H alkylation reactions was governed not only by the ease of the initial formation of the C-H activation products but also by the energy barriers for their interconversions, as well as by the energy barriers or steric and electronic influences in the subsequent alkene insertion processes. This work has not only constituted an efficient protocol for the selective synthesis of diversified quinoline derivatives but also offered unprecedented insights into the C-H activation and transformation of quinolines and may help in the design of more efficient, selective, or complementary catalysts.

Base-catalyzed aryl halide isomerization enables the 4-selective substitution of 3-bromopyridines

The base-catalyzed isomerization of simple aryl halides is presented and utilized to achieve the 4-selective etherification, hydroxylation and amination of 3-bromopyridines. Mechanistic studies support isomerization of 3-bromopyridines to 4-bromopyridines proceeds via pyridyne intermediates and that 4-substitution selectivity is driven by a facile aromatic substitution reaction. Useful features of a tandem aryl halide isomerization/selective interception approach to aromatic functionalization are demonstrated. Example benefits include the use of readily available and stable 3-bromopyridines in place of less available and stable 4-halogenated congeners and the ability to converge mixtures of 3- and 5-bromopyridines to a single 4-substituted product.

Nickel(II)-Catalyzed Addition of Aryl-, Alkenyl-, and Alkylboronic Acids to Alkenylazaarenes

A nickel(II)-catalyzed addition of aryl-, alkenyl-, and alkylboronic acids to alkenylazaarenes was presented. This reaction exhibited high efficiency (up to 93% yield), a broad substrate scope (seven types of heterocycles), and good functional group compatibility. The resulting products can be further transformed to many useful building blocks. Finally, the preliminary studies suggested that the adjacent N atom of the heterocycles was essential for the high reactivity.

Mechanism and Origin of MAD-Induced Ni/N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed Regio- and Enantioselective C-H Cyclization of Pyridines with Alkenes

This work presents a DFT-based computational study on the regio- and enantioselective C-H functionalization of pyridines with alkenes at the relatively unreactive C4-position, which was successfully achieved by Shi et al. [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2019, 141, 5628-5634] using Ni⁰ /N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis under the assistance of an aluminum-based Lewis acid additive (2,6-tBu₂ -4-Me-C₆ H₂ O)₂ AlMe (MAD). The calculations indicate that the selective functionalization involves a three-step mechanism in which a unique H-migration assisted oxidation metalation (HMAOM) step is identified as the rate- and enantioselectivity-determining step. The newly proposed mechanism can well rationalize the experimental observation that the preferred product is the endo-type (vs. exo-type), R-configuration (vs. S-configuration) product at the C4 (vs. C2) position, and also unveil the reasons that the NHC ligand and the MAD additive can facilitate the reaction.

Conformationally Driven Ru(II)-Catalyzed Multiple ortho-C–H Bond Activation in Diphenylpyrazine Derivatives in Water: Where Is the Limit?

Ru(II)/carboxylate/PPh3 catalyst system enabled the preparation of highly conjugated pyrazine derivatives in water under microwave irradiation. Both nitrogen atoms efficiently dictated cleavage of the ortho-C–H bonds in both benzene rings of 2,3-diphenylpyrazine substrates through chelation assistance. In conformationally more flexible diphenyldihydropyrazine 1, the arylation of four ortho-C–H bonds was possible, while in the aromatic analog 2, the triarylation was the limit.

Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Oxidative Annulation of 4-Aminoquinolines and Acrylate through Two Consecutive C(sp2)-H Activations

The C-H annulation of the five-position of quinolines and acrylates to afford heterocycles is an active field of research in organic synthesis. Herein the annulation of 4-aminoquinolines with acrylates through two consecutive C-H activations catalyzed by Rh(III) is described. The reaction proceeds with high atom efficiency under mild reaction conditions, and this protocol will provide appealing strategies for the synthesis of fused quinoline heterocycles.

Differentiation and functionalization of remote C-H bonds in adjacent positions

Site-selective functionalization of C–H bonds will ultimately afford chemists transformative tools for editing and constructing complex molecular architectures. Towards this goal, developing strategies to activate C–H bonds that are distal from a functional group is essential. In this context, distinguishing remote C–H bonds on adjacent carbon atoms is an extraordinary challenge due to the lack of electronic or steric bias between the two positions. Herein, we report the design of a catalytic system leveraging a remote directing template and a transient norbornene mediator to selectively activate a previously inaccessible remote C–H bond that is one bond further away. The generality of this approach has been demonstrated with a range of heterocycles, including a complex anti-leukemia agent, and hydrocinnamic acid substrates.

Deoxygenative Amination of Azine-N-oxides with Acyl Azides via [3 + 2] Cycloaddition

A transition-metal-free deoxygenative C-H amination reaction of azine-N-oxides with acyl azides is described. The initial formation of an isocyanate from the starting acyl azide via a Curtius rearrangement can trigger a [3 + 2] dipolar cycloaddition of polar N-oxide fragments to generate the aminated azine derivative. The applicability of this method is highlighted by the late-stage and sequential amination reactions of complex bioactive compounds, including quinidine and fasudil. Moreover, the direct transformation of aminated azines into various bioactive N-heterocycles illustrates the significance of this newly developed protocol.

The direct C–H alkenylation of quinoline N-oxides as a suitable strategy for the synthesis of promising antiparasitic drugs

This review highlights the direct C–H alkenylation of quinoline N-oxides covering the metal-free and transition-metal catalysed protocols, and the regioselectivity during the synthesis of antiparasitic drugs based on quinoline scaffold.