Chelation-Assisted Nickel-Catalyzed C−H Functionalizations

Nickel(II)/Salox-Catalyzed Enantioselective C-H Functionalization

Recently, nickel catalysts have garnered considerable attention for their efficacy and versatility in asymmetric catalysis, attributed to their distinctive properties. However, the use of cost-effective and sustainable divalent nickel catalysts in C-H activation/asymmetric alkene insertion poses significant challenges due to the intricate control of stereochemistry in the transformation of the tetracoordinate C-Ni(II) intermediate. Herein, we report a Ni(II)-catalyzed enantioselective C-H/N-H annulation with oxabicyclic alkenes. This protocol offers straightforward access to chiral [2,2,1]-bridged bicyclic compounds bearing four consecutive stereocenters with high enantioselectivity (up to 96% ee). The development of a sterically hindered chiral salicyloxazoline (Salox) ligand, TMS-Salox, is key to the success of this protocol. Mechanistic investigations unveiled that a chiral Ni(III)-metalacyclic intermediate was formed through the in situ oxidation of achiral organometallic Ni(II) species and coordination of the Salox ligand. This process led to the creation of a tailored chiral pocket that guides the approach of alkenes, thereby influencing and determining the stereochemistry.

Ligand-Enabled Nickel(II)-Catalyzed β-C(sp3)-H Thiolation of Ketones

We present the first example of nickel(II)-catalyzed β-C(sp3)-H thiolation of ketones, employing 2-hydrazinopyridine as an efficient directing group. This approach enables the thiolation of a diverse array of ketones at the β-position. The straightforward installation and subsequent removal of the directing group significantly enhance the synthetic versatility and practicality of this transformation.

Nickel-catalyzed, silyl-directed, ortho-borylation of arenes via an unusual Ni(II)/Ni(IV) catalytic cycle

Nickel-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization reactions provide an impressive alternative to those with noble metal catalysts due to their unique reactivity and low cost. However, the regioselective C(sp2)-H borylation reaction of arenes accomplished by nickel catalyst remains limited. We herein disclose a silyl-directed ortho C(sp2)-H borylation of substituted arenes with a Ni(cod)2/PMe3/KHMDS catalyst system. Using readily available starting materials, this protocol provides easy access to ortho-borylated benzylic hydrosilanes bearing flexible substitution patterns. These products can serve as versatile building blocks for the synthesis of sila or sila/borine heterocycles under mild conditions. Control experiments and DFT calculations suggest that a catalytic amount of base prompts the formation of Ni(II)-Bpin-ate complex, likely related to the C(sp2)-H bond activation. This borylation reaction might follow an unusual Ni(II)/Ni(IV) catalytic cycle.

Nickel(II)/BINOL-catalyzed enantioselective C-H activation via desymmetrization and kinetic resolution

The field of nickel catalysis has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years. However, the use of nickel catalysts in enantioselective C-H activation remains a daunting challenge because of their variable oxidation states, intricate coordination chemistry, and unpredictable reactivity patterns. Herein, we report an enantioselective C-H activation reaction catalyzed by commercially available and air-stable nickel(II) catalyst. Readily available and simple (S)-BINOL is used as a chiral ligand. This operationally simple protocol enables the synthesis of planar chiral metallocenes in high yields with excellent enantioselectivity through desymmetrization and kinetic resolution. Air-stable planar chiral nickelacycle intermediates are first synthesized via enantioselective C-H nickelation and shown to be possible intermediates of the reaction. Deuterium-labeling studies, alongside the characterization and transformation of chiral nickel(II) species, suggest that C-H cleavage is the enantio-determining step. Moreover, the large-scale synthesis and diverse synthetic transformations underscore the practicality of this protocol.

Speciation and Reactivity of Mono- and Binuclear Ni Intermediates in Aminoquinoline-Directed C-H Arylation and Benzylation

This paper describes detailed organometallic studies of the aminoquinoline-directed Ni-catalyzed C-H functionalization of 2,3,4,5-tetrafluoro-N-(quinolin-8-yl)benzamide with diaryliodonium reagents. A combination of 19F NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography is used to track and characterize diamagnetic and paramagnetic intermediates throughout this transformation. These provide key insights into both the cyclometalation and oxidative functionalization steps of the catalytic cycle. The reaction conditions (solvent, ligands, base, and stoichiometry) play a central role in the observation of a NiII precyclometalation intermediate as well as in the speciation of the NiII products of C-H activation. Both mono- and binuclear cyclometalated NiII species are observed and interconvert, depending on the reaction conditions. Cyclic voltammetry reveals that the NiII/III redox potentials for the cyclometalated intermediates vary by more than 700 mV depending on their coordination environments, and these differences are reflected in their relative reactivity with diaryliodonium oxidants. The oxidative functionalization reaction affords a mixture of arylated and solvent functionalization organic products, depending on the conditions and solvent. For example, conducting oxidation in toluene leads to the preferential formation of the benzylated product. A series of experiments implicate a NiII/III/IV pathway for this transformation.

Nickel-Catalyzed Lactamization Reaction of 2-Arylanilines with CO2

Transition-metal-catalyzed lactamization and lactonization of C-H bonds with CO2 assisted by the chelation of amino or hydroxyl groups have been developed but limited to the use of precious metal catalysts such as palladium and rhodium. In this work, we report the nonprecious metal nickel-catalyzed lactamization reaction of 2-arylanilines with CO2 under redox-neutral conditions via C-H bond activation. The reaction displayed excellent functional group tolerance, providing various phenanthridinones with moderate to high yields.

Density Functional Theory Study on the Mechanism of Nickel-Catalyzed 3,3-Dialkynylation of 2-Aryl Acrylamides Via Double Vinylic C-H Bond Activation

The mechanisms of Ni-catalyzed 3,3-dialkynylation of 2-aryl acrylamide have been investigated by using density functional theory calculations. The result shows that this reaction includes double alkynylation, which involves sequential key steps of vinylic C-H bond activation, successive oxidative addition, and reductive elimination, with the second C-H bond activation being the rate-determining step. C-H and N-H bond activation occurs via the concerted metalation-deprotonation mechanism. The calculations show that no transition state exists in the first reductive elimination process, and a negative free energy barrier in the second reductive elimination process though a transition state is identified, indicating that the nickel-catalyzed vinylic C(sp2)-C(sp) bond formation does not require activation energy. Z-E isomerization is the prerequisite for the second alkynylation. In addition, our spin-flip TDDFT (SF-TDDFT) computational result discloses that the actual process of Z-E isomerization occurs on the potential energy surface of the first excited singlet state S1.

Recent Advances in the Nickel-Catalyzed Alkylation of C-H Bonds

Functionalization of C-H bonds has emerged as a powerful strategy for converting inert, nonfunctional C-H bonds into their reactive counterparts. A wide range of C-H bond functionalization reactions has become possible by the catalysis of metals, typically from the second row of transition metals. First-row transition metals can also catalyze C-H functionalization, and they have the merits of greater earth-abundance, lower cost and better environmental friendliness in comparison to their second-row counterparts. C-H bond alkylation is a particularly important C-H functionalization reaction due to its chemical significance and its applications in natural product synthesis. This review covers Ni-catalyzed C-H bond alkylation reactions using alkyl halides and olefins as alkyl sources.

Nickel-Catalyzed Atroposelective C-H Alkylation Enabled by Bimetallic Catalysis with Air-Stable Heteroatom-Substituted Secondary Phosphine Oxide Preligands

The catalytic asymmetric construction of axially chiral C-N atropisomers remains a formidable challenge due to their low rotational barriers and is largely reliant on toxic, cost-intensive, and precious metal catalysts. In sharp contrast, we herein describe the first nickel-catalyzed atroposelective C-H alkylation for the construction of C-N axially chiral compounds with the aid of a chiral heteroatom-substituted secondary phosphine oxide (HASPO)-ligated Ni-Al bimetallic catalyst. A wide range of alkenes, including terminal and internal alkenes, were well compatible with the reaction, providing a variety of benzimidazole derivatives in high yields and enantioselectivities (up to 97:3 e.r.). The key to success was the identification of novel HASPOs as highly effective chiral preligands. Mechanistic studies revealed the catalyst mode of action, and in-depth data science analysis elucidated the key features of the responsible chiral preligands in controlling the enantioselectivity.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Enantio- and Regioselective C(sp3 )-H Alkenylation of Thioamides

An enantioselective cobalt-catalyzed C(sp3 )-H alkenylation of thioamides with but-2-ynoate ester coupling partners employing thioamide directing groups is presented. The method is operationally simple and requires only mild reaction conditions, while providing alkenylated products as single regioisomers in excellent yields (up to 85 %) and high enantiomeric excess [up to 91 : 9 enantiomeric ratio (er), or up to >99 : 1 er after a single recrystallization]. Diverse downstream derivatizations of the products are demonstrated, delivering a range of enantioenriched constructs. Extensive computational studies using density functional theory provide insight into the detailed reaction mechanism, origin of enantiocontrol, and the unusual regioselectivity of the alkenylation reaction.

Ring Walking Mediated by Ni-Ni Species as a Vehicle for Enabling Distal C(sp2)-H Functionalization of Aryl Pivalates

Herein, we report the utilization of Ni-Ni species as a manifold for enabling a "ring-walking" event by dynamic translocation of the metal center over the arene backbone. Experimental and computational studies support a translocation occurring via a 1,2-hydride shift. The synthetic applicability of the method is illustrated in a series of C-C bond formations that occur at distal C(sp2)-H sites of simple aryl pivalates.

Nickel-Catalyzed Functionalization Reactions Involving C-H Bond Activation via an Amidate-Promoted Strategy and Its Extension to the Activation of C-F, C-O, C-S, and C-CN Bonds

ConspectusThe development of functionalization reactions involving the activation of C-H bonds has evolved extensively due to the atom and step economy associated with such reactions. Among these reactions, chelation assistance has been shown to provide a powerful solution to the serious issues of reactivity and regioselectivity faced in the activation of C-H bonds. The vast majority of C-H functionalization reactions reported thus far has involved the use of precious metals. Kleiman and Dubeck reported the cyclonickelation of azobenzene and NiCp2 in which an azo group directs a Ni center to activate the ortho C-H bond in close proximity. Although this stoichiometric reaction was discovered earlier than that for other transition-metal complexes, its development as a catalytic reaction was delayed. No general catalytic systems were available for Ni-catalyzed C-H functionalization reactions for a long time. This Account details our group's development of Ni(0)- and Ni(II)-catalyzed chelation-assisted C-H functionalization reactions. It also highlights how the new strategy can be extended to the activation of other unreactive bonds.In the early 2010s, we found that the Ni(0)-catalyzed reaction of aromatic amides that contain a 2-pyridinylmethylamine moiety as a directing group with alkynes results in C-H/N-H oxidative annulation to give isoquinolinones. In addition, the combination of a Ni(II) catalyst and an 8-aminoquinoline directing group was found to be a superior combination for developing a wide variety of C-H functionalization reactions with various electrophiles. The reactions were proposed to include the formation of unstable Ni(IV) and/or Ni(III) species; the generation of such high-valence Ni species was rare at that time, but since then, many papers dealing with DFT and organometallic studies have appeared in the literature in attempts to understand the mechanism. Based on our in-depth considerations of the mechanism with respect to why an N,N-bidentate directing group is required, we realized that the formation of a N-Ni bond by the oxidative addition of a N-H bond to a Ni(0) species or a ligand exchange between a N-H bond and Ni(II) species is the key step. We concluded that the precoordination of the N(sp2) atom in the directing group positions the Ni species to be in close proximity to the N-H bond which permits the formation of a N-Ni bond. Based on this working hypothesis, we carried out the reaction using KOtBu as a base and found that the Ni(0)-catalyzed reaction of aromatic amides that do not contain such a specific directing group with alkynes results in the formation of the desired isoquinolinone, in which an amidate anion acts as the actual directing group. Remarkably, this strategy was found to be applicable to the activation of various other unreactive bonds such as C-F, C-O, C-S, and C-CN.

Nickel-Catalyzed Tandem Cyclization of 1,6-Diynes with Indolines/Indoles through Dual C-H Bond Activation

A nickel-catalyzed site-selective tandem cyclization of 1,6-diynes with substituted indolines or indoles through consecutive dual C-H bond activation is described. In the reaction, substituted fused indole and carbazole derivatives were observed in good to excellent yields, in which three consecutive C-C bonds formed in one pot. Later, in the presence of DDQ, the aromatization of the indoline derivative was converted to the indole derivative. A possible reaction mechanism involving dual C-H bond activation as a key step was proposed to account for the present reaction.

Regioselective Iridium-Catalyzed C8-H Borylation of 4-Quinolones via Transient O-Borylated Quinolines

The quinolone-quinoline tautomerization is harnessed to effect the regioselective C8-borylation of biologically important 4-quinolones by using [Ir(OMe)(cod)]2 as the catalyst precursor, the silica-supported monodentate phosphine Si-SMAP as the ligand, and B2 pin2 as the boron source. Initially, O-borylation of the quinoline tautomer takes place. Critically, the newly formed 4-(pinBO)-quinolines then undergo N-directed selective Ir-catalyzed borylation at C8. Hydrolysis of the OBpin moiety on workup returns the system to the quinolone tautomer. The C8-borylated quinolines were converted to their corresponding potassium trifluoroborate (BF3 K) salts and to their C8-chlorinated quinolone derivatives. The two-step C-H borylation-chlorination reaction sequence resulted in various C8-Cl quinolones in good yields. Conversion to C8-OH-, C8-NH2 -, and C8-Ar-substituted quinolones was also feasible by using this methodology.

Nickel-Carbon Bond Oxygenation with Green Oxidants via High-Valent Nickel Species

Described herein is the synthesis of the Ni^II complex (^tBuMe₂tacn)Ni^II(cycloneophyl) (^tBuMe₂tacn = 1-tert-butyl-4,7-dimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane, cycloneophyl = -CH₂CMe₂-o-C₆H₄-) and its reactivity with dioxygen and peroxides. The new ^tBuMe₂tacn ligand is designed to enhance the oxidatively induced bond-forming reactivity of high-valent Ni intermediates. Tunable chemoselectivity for Csp²-O vs Csp²-Csp³ bond formation was achieved by selecting the appropriate solvent and reaction conditions. Importantly, the use of cumene hydroperoxide and meta-chloroperbenzoic acid suggests a heterolytic O-O bond cleavage upon reaction with (^tBuMe₂tacn)Ni^II(cycloneophyl). Mechanistic studies using isotopically labeled H₂O₂ support the generation of a high-valent Ni-oxygen species via an inner-sphere mechanism and subsequent reductive elimination to form the Csp²-O bond. Kinetic studies of the exceptionally fast Csp²-O bond-forming reaction reveal a first-order dependence on both (^tBuMe₂tacn)Ni^II(cycloneophyl) and H₂O₂, and thus an overall second-order reaction. Eyring analysis further suggests that the oxidation of the Ni^II complex by H₂O₂ is the rate-determining step, which can be modulated by the presence of coordinating solvents. Moreover, computational studies fully support the conclusions drawn from experimental results. Overall, this study reveals for the first time the ability to control the oxidatively induced C-C vs C-O bond formation reactions at a Ni center. Importantly, the described system merges the known organometallic reactivity of Ni with the biomimetic oxidative transformations resembling oxygenases and peroxidases, and involving high-valent metal-oxygen intermediates, which is a novel approach that should lead to unprecedented oxidative catalytic transformations.

Protodemetalation of (Bipyridyl)Ni(II)-Aryl Complexes Shows Evidence for Five-, Six-, and Seven-Membered Cyclic Pathways

Protonation of C-M bonds and its microscopic reverse, metalation of C-H bonds, are fundamental steps in a variety of metal-catalyzed processes. As such, studies on protonation of C-M bonds can shed light on C-H activation. We present here studies on the rate of protodemetalation (PDM) of a suite of arylnickel(II) complexes with various acids that provide evidence for a concerted, cyclic transition state for the PDM of C-Ni bonds and demonstrate that five-, six-, and seven-membered transition states are particularly favorable. Our data show that while the rate of protodemetalation of arylnickel(II) complexes scales with acidity for many acids, several are faster than predicted by pKa. For example, while acetic acid and acetohydroxamic acid are much less acidic than HCl, they both protodemetalate arylnickel(II) complexes significantly faster than HCl. Our data also show how in the case of acetohydroxamic acid, a seven-membered cyclic transition state (CH3C(O)NHOH) can be more favorable than a six-membered transition state (CH3C(O)NHOH). Similarly, five-membered transition states, such as for pyrazole, are highly favorable as well. Comparison of transition state polarization (from density functional theory) compares these new nickel transition states to better-studied precious-metal systems and demonstrates how the base can change the polarization of the transition state giving rise to opposing electronic preferences. Collectively, these studies suggest several new avenues for study in C-H activation as well as approaches to accelerate or slow protodemetalation in nickel catalysis.

The recent advances in cobalt-catalyzed C(sp3)-H functionalization reactions

Over the past decades, reactions involving C-H functionalization have become a hot theme in organic transformations because they have a lot of potential for the streamlined synthesis of complex molecules. C(sp³)-H bonds are present in most organic species. Since organic molecules have massive significance in various aspects of life, the exploitation and functionalization of C(sp³)-H bonds hold enormous importance. In recent years, the first-row transition metal-catalyzed direct and selective functionalization of C-H bonds has emerged as a simple and environmentally friendly synthetic method due to its low cost, unique reactivity profiles and easy availability. Therefore, research advancements are being made to conceive catalytic systems that foster direct C(sp³)-H functionalization under benign reaction conditions. Cobalt-based catalysts offer mild and convenient reaction conditions at a reasonable expense compared to conventional 2^nd and 3^rd-row transition metal catalysts. Consequently, the probing of Co-based catalysts for C(sp³)-H functionalization is one of the hot topics from the outlook of an organic chemist. This review primarily focuses on the literature from 2018 to 2022 and sheds light on the substrate scope, selectivity, benefits and limitations of cobalt catalysts for organic transformations.

Manganese-catalyzed hydroarylation of multiple bonds

Transition metal-catalyzed C-H activation has become a promising strategy in organic synthesis due to its improved atom-, step- and resource economy. Considering the Earth's abundance, economic benefits, and low toxicity, 3d metal catalysts for C-H activation have received a significant focus. In particular, organometallic manganese-catalyzed C-H activation has proven to be versatile and suitable for a wide range of transformations such as C-H addition to π-components, arylation, alkylation, alkynylation, amination, and many more. Among them, manganese-catalyzed C-H addition to C-C and C-heteroatom multiple bonds exhibited unique and promising reactivity to construct a wide range of complex organic molecules. In this review, we highlight the developments in the field of manganese-catalyzed hydroarylation of multiple bonds via C-H activation with a range of applications until August 2022.

Ni-catalyzed benzylic β-C(sp3)-H bond activation of formamides

The development of transition metal-catalyzed β-C-H bond activation via highly-strained 4-membered metallacycles has been a formidable task. So far, only scarce examples have been reported to undergo β-C-H bond activation via 4-membered metallacycles, and all of them rely on precious metals. In contrast, earth-abundant and inexpensive 3d transition metal-catalyzed β-C-H bond activation via 4-membered metallacycles still remains an elusive challenge. Herein, we report a phosphine oxide-ligated Ni-Al bimetallic catalyst to activate secondary benzylic C(sp³)-H bonds of formamides via 4-membered nickelacycles, providing a series of α,β-unsaturated γ-lactams in up to 97% yield.

Recent Strategies in Nickel-Catalyzed C–H Bond Functionalization for Nitrogen-Containing Heterocycles

N-heterocycles are ubiquitous in natural products, pharmaceuticals, organic materials, and numerous functional molecules. Among the current synthetic approaches, transition metal-catalyzed C–H functionalization has gained considerable attention in recent years due to its advantages of simplicity, high atomic economy, and the ready availability of starting materials. In the field of N-heterocycle synthesis via C–H functionalization, nickel has been recognized as one of the most important catalysts. In this review, we will introduce nickel-catalyzed intramolecular and intermolecular pathways for N-heterocycle synthesis from 2008 to 2021.

Recent Advances in Transition-Metal-Catalyzed C-H Functionalization of Ferrocene Amides

During the past decades, in synthetic organic chemistry, directing-group-assisted C-H functionalization is found to be a key tool for the expedient and site-selective construction of C-C and hybrid bonds. Among C-H functionalization of ferrocene derivatives, the directed group strategy is undoubtedly the most commonly used method. Compared to the other directing groups, ferrocene amides can be synthesized easily and are now recognized as one of the most efficient devices for the selective functionalization of certain positions because its metal centre permits fine, tuneable and reversible coordination. The family of amide directing groups mainly comprises monodentate and bidentate directing groups, which are categorized on the basis of coordination sites. In this review, various C-H bond functionalization reactions of ferrocene using amide directing groups are broadly discussed.

Four- and five-coordinate nickel(ii) complexes bearing new diphosphine-phosphonite and triphosphine-phosphite ligands: catalysts for N-alkylation of amines

The reaction of Ph2PCH2OH with PhPCl2 and PCl3 in the presence of Et3N afforded new phosphonite compounds PhP(OCH2PPh2)21 and P(OCH2PPh2)32, respectively. The reaction between 1 and [NiCl2(DME)] in dichloromethane gave the five-coordinate complex [NiCl2(1-κ3 P,P,P)] 3. Conversely, 1 reacts with [NiCl2(DME)] in the presence of NH4PF6 in dichloromethane to yield the four coordinate ionic complex [NiCl(1-κ3 P,P,P)][PF6] 4. The reactions between 1, [NiCl2(DME)] and KPF6 in the presence of RNC (R = Xylyl, t Bu and iPr) in dichloromethane yielded the five coordinate monocationic [NiCl(1-κ3 P,P,P)(RNC)][PF6] (R = Xylyl) and dicationic [Ni(1-κ3 P,P,P)(RNC)2][PF6]2 (R = t Bu and iPr) complexes, respectively. The analogous reaction of 2 with [NiCl2(DME)] in the presence of KPF6 gave complex [NiCl(2-κ4 P,P,P,P)][PF6], 8. The structures of all complexes were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies and supported by spectroscopic methods. To demonstrate their catalytic application, N-alkylation reactions between primary aryl amines, benzyl and 4-methoxy benzyl alcohols were found to proceed smoothly in the presence of 2.5 mol% of complexes bearing ligand 1 and <0.5 mmol of KOBu t in toluene at 140 °C. The C-N coupled products were formed in very good yields. Its substrate scope includes sterically encumbered, heterocyclic amines and aliphatic alcohol.

Overcoming the Challenges toward Selective C(6)-H Functionalization of 2-Pyridone with Maleimide through Mn(I)-Catalyst: Easy Access to All-Carbon Quaternary Center

An earth-abundant and inexpensive Mn(I)-catalyzed alkylation of 2-pyridone with maleimide has been reported for the first time, in contrast to previously reported Diels-Alder products. Notably, an unexpected rearrangement has been discovered in the presence of acetic acid, which also provides a unique class of compounds bearing three different N-heterocycles with an all-carbon quaternary center. Furthermore, single crystal X-ray and HRMS revealed a five-membered manganacycle intermediate. This methodology tolerates a wide variety of functional groups delivering the alkylated products in moderate to excellent yields.

Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed successive C(sp2)–H and C(sp2)–C(sp2) bond activation of aryl oximes: synthetic and mechanistic studies

A rhodium(iii)-catalyzed redox-neutral reaction of aryl oximes and internal alkynes to generate novel N-(2-cyanoaryl) indanone imines.

Transition-Metal-Catalyzed, Coordination-Assisted Functionalization of Nonactivated C(sp3)-H Bonds

Transition-metal-catalyzed, coordination-assisted C(sp³)-H functionalization has revolutionized synthetic planning over the past few decades as the use of these directing groups has allowed for increased access to many strategic positions in organic molecules. Nonetheless, several challenges remain preeminent, such as the requirement for high temperatures, the difficulty in removing or converting directing groups, and, although many metals provide some reactivity, the difficulty in employing metals outside of palladium. This review aims to give a comprehensive overview of coordination-assisted, transition-metal-catalyzed, direct functionalization of nonactivated C(sp³)-H bonds by covering the literature since 2004 in order to demonstrate the current state-of-the-art methods as well as the current limitations. For clarity, this review has been divided into nine sections by the transition metal catalyst with subdivisions by the type of bond formation. Synthetic applications and reaction mechanism are discussed where appropriate.

Recent advances in directed sp2 C-H functionalization towards the synthesis of N-heterocycles and O-heterocycles

Heterocyclic compounds are widely present in the core structures of several natural products, pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, and thus great efforts have been devoted to their synthesis in a mild and simpler way. In the past decade, remarkable progress has been made in the field of heterocycle synthesis by employing C-H functionalization as an emerging synthetic strategy. As a complement to previous protocols, transition metal catalyzed C-H functionalization of arenes using various directing groups has recently emerged as a powerful tool to create different classes of heterocycles. This review is mainly focussed on the recent key progress made in the field of the synthesis of N,O-heterocycles from olefins and allenes by using nitrogen based and oxidizing directing groups.

Oxygen-Linked Cyclopentadienyl Rhodium(III) Complexes-Catalyzed Asymmetric C-H Arylation of Benzo[h]quinolines with 1-Diazonaphthoquinones

Chiral cyclopentadienyl rhodium (CpRh) complex-catalyzed asymmetric C-H functionalization reactions have witnessed a significant progress in organic synthesis. In sharp contrast, the reported chiral Cp ligands are limited to C-linked Cp and are often synthetically challenging. To address these issues, we have developed a novel class of tunable chiral cyclopentadienyl ligands bearing oxygen linkers, which were efficient catalysts for C-H arylation of benzo[h]quinolines with 1-diazonaphthoquinones, affording axially chiral heterobiaryls in excellent yields and enantioselectivity (up to 99 % yield, 98.5:1.5 er). Mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction is likely to proceed by electrophilic C-H activation, and followed by coupling of the cyclometalated rhodium(III) complex with 1-diazonaphthoquinones.

Rh(III)-Catalyzed olefination to build diverse oxazole derivatives from functional alkynes

A novel Rh(iii)-catalyzed olefination reaction of oxazoles to generate diverse oxazole skeleton derivatives has been realized by directly using oxazole as the directing group. The reaction could tolerate many functional groups, affording complex oxazole derivatives with long chain alkenyls in moderate to good yields, which might find applications in the construction of diverse compounds.

Traceless Directing Groups in Sustainable Metal-Catalyzed C–H Activation

Sustainable transformations towards the production of valuable chemicals constantly attract interest, both in terms of academic and applied research. C–H activation has long been scrutinized in this regard, given that it offers a straightforward pathway to prepare compounds of great significance. In this context, directing groups (DG) have paved the way for chemical transformations that had not been achievable using traditional reactions. Few steps, high yields, selectivity and activation of inert substrates are some of the invaluable assets of directed catalysis. Additionally, the employment of traceless directing groups (TDG) greatly improves and simplifies this strategy, enabling the realization of multi-step reactions in one-pot, cascade procedures. Cheap, abundant, readily available transition metal salts and complexes can catalyze a plethora of reactions employing TDGs, usually under low catalyst loadings—rarely under stoichiometric amounts, leading in greater atom economy and milder conditions with increased yields and step-economy. This review article summarizes all the work done on TDG-assisted catalysis with manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, or copper catalysts, and discusses the structure-activity relationships observed, by presenting the catalytic pathways and range of transformations reported thus far.