Cobalt-Catalyzed Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling Reactions of (Benz)oxazoles with Ethers

Electroreductive Remote Benzylic C(sp3)-H Arylation of Aliphatic Ethers Using Cyanoarenes for the Synthesis of α-(Hetero)aryl Ethers

An iodoarene-driven electroreductive remote C(sp3)-H arylation of unsymmetrical 1-(o-iodoaryl)alkyl ethers with cyanoarenes for the site selective synthesis of α-(hetero)aryl ethers is developed. With the introduction of cyanoarenes as both aryl sources and electron transfer mediators, this method includes an iodoarene-driven strategy to enable the regiocontrollable formation of two new bonds, one C(sp2)-H bond, and one C(sp2)-C(sp3) bond, in a single reaction step through the sequence of halogen atom transfer (XAT), hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), radical-radical coupling, and decyanation.

A visible-light-induced bromine radical initiates direct C-H alkylation of heteroaromatics

Herein, a photoinduced direct C(sp2)-H alkylation of N-heteroaromatics by using commercially available tetrabutylammonium tribromide (TBATB) as a HAT reagent is described. The method uses O2 as the oxidant, and features metal-free, mild reaction conditions and good functional group compatibility.

Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of N-Fused Quinolines via C(sp3)-H Activation-Radical Addition-Cyclization Cascade

A novel copper-catalyzed cyclization reaction for the synthesis of pyrazolo[1,5-a]quinoline, triazolo[1,5-a]quinoline, and pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoline derivatives is described. The process is initiated by di-tert-butyl peroxide-mediated C(sp3)-H activation to generate the α-functionalized radical, which supervenes a cascade radical addition/cyclization sequence to access the N-fused quinolines in good yields with broad functional group tolerance.

Non-noble metal-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenation coupling (CDC) involving ether α-C(sp3)-H to construct C-C bonds

Ether derivatives are widespread as essential building blocks in various drugs, natural products, agrochemicals, and materials. Modern economy requires developing green strategies with improved efficiency and reduction of waste. Due to its atom and step-economy, the cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction has become a major strategy for ether functionalization. This review covers C-H/C-H cross-coupling reactions of ether derivatives with various C-H bond substrates via non-noble metal catalysts (Fe, Cu, Co, Mn, Ni, Zn, Y, Sc, In, Ag). We discuss advances achieved in these CDC reactions and hope to attract interest in developing novel methodologies in this field of organic chemistry.

Cobalt-catalyzed direct α-hydroxymethylation of amides with methanol as a C1 source

Herein, we report a cobalt-catalyzed α-hydroxymethylation of amides with methanol under mild conditions. Using CoCl₂·6H₂O as an inexpensive and efficient catalyst, some important bioactive β-hydroxyamides were obtained in moderate to excellent yields. The developed method features a wide substrate scope and good functional group tolerance. In addition, anticholinergic tropicamide was easily synthesized in this way.

Metal-free visible-light-promoted C(sp3)-H functionalization of aliphatic cyclic ethers using trace O2

Presented is a light-promoted C-C bond forming reaction yielding sulfone and phosphate derivatives at room temperature in the absence of metals or photoredox catalyst. This transformation proceeds in neat conditions through an auto-oxidation mechanism which is maintained through the leaching of trace amounts of O2 as sole green oxidant.

Heteroarylation of Ethers, Amides, and Alcohols with Light and O2

An efficient protocol for the C_α-H heteroarylation of ethers, amides, and alcohols using air and light under mild conditions is described. The reaction is applicable to a wide spectrum of functional groups. The generation of C-radicals via photoinduced aerobic oxidation of ethers, amides, and alcohols is the key feature of the process. Control experiments suggest a radical pathway for the reaction.

Iron-catalyzed tandem oxidative coupling and acetal hydrolysis reaction to prepare formylated benzothiazoles and isoquinolines

The aldehyde group is one of the most versatile intermediates in synthetic chemistry, and the introduction of an aldehyde group into heteroarenes is important for the transformation of molecular structure. Herein, we achieved the direct formylation of benzothiazo/les and isoquinolines. The reaction features a novel iron-catalyzed Minisci-type oxidative coupling process using commercially available 1,3-dioxolane as a formylated reagent followed by acetal hydrolysis without a separation process. The reaction can be performed under exceedingly mild reaction conditions and exhibits broad functional group tolerance.

Copper-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of glycine derivatives toward 2-substituted benzoxazoles

A novel and straightforward intramolecular cyclization of glycine derivatives to 2-substituted benzoxazoles through copper-catalyzed oxidative C-H/O-H cross-coupling was described. A variety of glycine derivatives involving short peptides underwent cross-dehydrogenative-coupling readily to afford diverse 2-substituted benzoxazoles. The synthetic method has the advantages of simple operation, broad substrate scope and mild reaction conditions, thus providing an alternative effective approach for benzoxazole construction.

On the Mechanism of Cross-Dehydrogenative Couplings between N-aryl Glycinates and Indoles: A Computational Study

Despite the widespread use of cross-dehydrogenative couplings in modern organic synthesis, mechanistic studies are still rare in the literature and those applied to α-amino carbonyl compounds remain virtually unexplored. Herein, the mechanism of Co-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative couplings of N-aryl glycinates with indoles is described. Density functional theory studies supported the formation of an imine-type intermediate as the more plausible transient electrophilic species. Likewise, key information regarding the role of the N-aryl group and free NH motif within the reaction outcome has been gained, which may set the stage for further developments in this field of expertise.

External oxidant-free alkylation of quinoline and pyridine derivatives

A novel and efficient method for the generation of alkyl radicals and the alkylation of quinoline and pyridine derivatives under mild conditions has been developed. This strategy allows the direct alkylation of heteroaromatics in the absence of an external oxidant. A preliminary mechanistic study suggests that the present reaction probably proceeds via an intermolecular HAT process.

Electrophotocatalytic C-H Functionalization of Ethers with High Regioselectivity

The highly regioselective electrophotocatalytic C-H functionalization of ethers is described. These reactions are catalyzed by a trisaminocyclopropenium (TAC) ion at mild electrochemical potential with visible light irradiation. Ethers undergo oxidant-free coupling with isoquinolines, alkenes, alkynes, pyrazoles, and purines with typically high regioselectivity for the less-hindered α-position. The reaction is proposed to operate via hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) from the substrate to the photoexcited TAC radical dication, thus demonstrating a new reactivity mode for this electrophotocatalyst.

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.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Secondary Alkylation of Arenes and Olefins with Alkyl Ethers through the Cleavage of C(sp2)-H and C(sp3)-O Bonds

A novel cobalt-catalyzed C-H alkylation of arenes and olefins is achieved with (pyridin-2-yl)isopropyl amine as an N, N-bidentate directing group. Different linear, branched, and cyclic alkyl ethers were used as practical secondary alkylating reagents through cleavage of C(sp³)-O bond, providing an efficient approach to the synthesis of verstile o-alkylated arylamides and tetrasubstituted acrylamides. Mechanistic studies indicate that cleavage of the inert C(sp³)-O bond involves a cobalt-promoted radical process and that cleavage of the inert C(sp²)-H bond by a cobalt catalyst is a rate-limiting step.

Metal-mediated reactions towards the synthesis of a novel deaminolysed bisurea, dicarbamolyamine

A new selective cobalt acetate tetrahydrate or cerium nitrate hexahydrate mediated cleavage of the C–N bond of a benzoyl isothiocyanate derivative to give (carbamoylamino)methanethioamide is presented. The cleavage of the C–N could not be achieved in the absence of thione. The novel silver-mediated conversion of a thione to the carbonyl was achieved on 1-((benzamido)formyl)urea and replicated on (carbamoylamino)methanethioamide to give the deaminolyzed bisurea (dicarbamolyamine). The compounds were characterized by IR, NMR, microanalysis and GC–MS. The single crystal X–ray diffraction studies of the crystal structures of compounds I, II, III and V is discussed.

Site-Specific Functionalization of 1,3-Dioxolane with Imines: A Radical Chain Approach to Masked α-Amino Aldehydes

A thiol-promoted site-specific addition of 1,3-dioxolane to imines through a radical chain process is described. This process represents a metal-free and redox-neutral way to convert inexpensive materials to a broad range of protected α-amino aldehydes in good to excellent yields using only a catalytic amount of radical precursor. Control experiments revealed that both the thiol and a small amount of oxygen from air are indispensable to the success of this reaction.

Heterogeneous Co-catalyzed direct 2-alkylation of azoles with ethers

The direct 2-alkylation of oxazoles and thiazoles with ethers through cross-dehydrogenative coupling reaction using Co-containing mesoporous zeolite ETS-10 as the heterogeneous catalyst is described. The basic Co-containing mesoporous zeolite ETS-10 catalyst facilitates this cross-dehydrogenative coupling reaction through metal-base synergy catalytic principle.

The direct 2-alkylation of oxazoles and thiazoles with ethers through cross-dehydrogenative coupling reaction using Co-containing mesoporous zeolite ETS-10 as the heterogeneous catalyst is described.

Manganese/cobalt-catalyzed oxidative C(sp3)–H/C(sp3)–H coupling: a route to α-tertiary β-arylethylamines

An oxidative coupling reaction of an α-C(sp³)–H bond of amine with a benzylic C(sp³)–H bond provides diverse collections of α-tertiary β-arylethylamines.

Copper-catalyzed α-C–H amidation of simple ethers through C(sp3)–H/N–H cross dehydrogenative coupling

An efficient copper-catalyzed α-C–H amidation of simple ethers with N-(8-quinolyl)amides through C(sp³)–H/N–H cross dehydrogenative coupling was developed.

Cobalt-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative coupling of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with isochroman using molecular oxygen as the oxidant

A cobalt-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative coupling of 2-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with isochroman is developed using molecular oxygen as the oxidant.

Cobalt-catalyzed C–H activation: recent progress in heterocyclic chemistry

Cobalt-catalyzed C–H activation has gone through some major advancements in the past couple of decades.

Expedient stereospecific Co-catalyzed tandem C–N and C–O bond formation of N-methylanilines with styrene oxides

The Co(ii)-catalyzed stereospecific sequential C–N and C–O bond formation of styrene oxides with N-methylanilines has been developed. Optically active epoxides can be coupled with high enantiomeric purity.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Cross-Dehydrogenative C(sp2 )-C(sp3 ) Coupling of Oxazole/Thiazole with Ether or Cycloalkane

Direct C5-alkylation of oxazole/thiazole with ether or cycloalkane has been achieved through a cobalt-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) process in moderate to good yields. This transformation represents the first C(sp² )-C(sp³ ) cross-coupling at the C5-position of the oxazole/thiazole via double C-H bond cleavages. Various functional groups on oxazole/thiazole substrates, as well as water and air, are well-tolerated with this concise and practical protocol, constituting straightforward access to heterocycles with great medicinal significance. A preliminary mechanism involving a radical process has also been proposed.

Oxidant-Controlled C-sp2/sp3-H Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling of N-Heterocycles with Benzylamines

Oxidant controlled ionic liquid mediated cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) of benzylamines with N-heterocycles having sp² or sp³ carbon resulted in the formation of C-benzoylated or alkenylated products. Benzoylation of N-heterocycles occurs via (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ catalyzed benzoyl radical formation. An oxidative alkenylation of N-heterocycles having C-sp³ carbon (2-methylaza-arenes) occurs via deamination of benzylamine followed by C-sp³-H bond activation in high stereoselectivity. Both benzoylation and alkenylation protocols are metal-free, green, simple, efficient, and tolerate a wide variety of functional groups.