Aliphatic C–H Bond Iodination by a N-Iodoamide and Isolation of an Elusive N-Amidyl Radical

Umpolung-Enabled Divergent Dearomative Carbonylations

Although dearomative functionalizations enable the direct conversion of flat aromatics into precious three-dimensional architectures, the case for simple arenes remains largely underdeveloped owing to the high aromatic stabilization energy. We herein report a dearomative sequential addition of two nucleophiles to arene π-bonds through umpolung of chromium-arene complexes. This mode enables divergent dearomative carbonylation reactions of benzene derivatives by tolerating various nucleophiles in combination with alcohols or amines under CO-gas-free conditions, thus providing modular access to functionalized esters or amides. The tunable synthesis of 1,3- or 1,4-cyclohexadienes as well as the construction of carbon quaternary centers further highlight the versatility of this dearomatization. Diverse late-stage modifications and derivatizations towards synthetically challenging and bioactive molecules reveal the synthetic utility. A possible mechanism was proposed based on control experiments and intermediate tracking.

Parallel Paired Photoelectrochemical Bromination of Alkylarenes with Electrochemical Pinacol Coupling

A paired electrochemical method for paralleling benzylic bromination of alkylarenes under irradiation with reductive pinacol coupling in a divided cell has been developed. A variety of benzyl bromides at the anode and pinacols at the cathode were obtained simultaneously in moderate-to-high faradaic efficiency. This parallel paired electrochemical protocol showed a broad substrate scope and high chemoselectivity as well as high synthetic and faradaic efficiencies.

New Approach to the Detection of Short-Lived Radical Intermediates

We report a new general method for trapping short-lived radicals, based on a homolytic substitution reaction S_H2′. This departure from conventional radical trapping by addition or radical–radical cross-coupling results in high sensitivity, detailed structural information, and general applicability of the new approach. The radical traps in this method are terminal alkenes possessing a nitroxide leaving group (e.g., allyl-TEMPO derivatives). The trapping process thus yields stable products which can be stored and subsequently analyzed by mass spectrometry (MS) supported by well-established techniques such as isotope exchange, tandem MS, and high-performance liquid chromatography-MS. The new method was applied to a range of model radical reactions in both liquid and gas phases including a photoredox-catalyzed thiol–ene reaction and alkene ozonolysis. An unprecedented range of radical intermediates was observed in complex reaction mixtures, offering new mechanistic insights. Gas-phase radicals can be detected at concentrations relevant to atmospheric chemistry.

TEMPO-Promoted Mono- and Bisimidation of Tertiary Anilines: Synthesis of Symmetric and Unsymmetric N-Mannich Bases

A TEMPO-promoted method was developed for the synthesis of symmetric bis-N-Mannich bases via sequential activation of two α,α'-amino C(sp³)-H bonds of N,N-dimethylanilines under mild conditions. This methodology was further extended for monoimidation of α-amino-functionalized methylanilines to give unsymmetric N-Mannich bases in good to high yields. Several control experiments were performed, and the coupling reaction outcomes indicated that the oxoammonium (TEMPO⁺) species is involved in the reaction.

Diversification of aliphatic C-H bonds in small molecules and polyolefins through radical chain transfer

The ability to selectively introduce diverse functionality onto hydrocarbons is of substantial value in the synthesis of both small molecules and polymers. Herein, we report an approach to aliphatic carbon-hydrogen bond diversification using radical chain transfer featuring an easily prepared O-alkenylhydroxamate reagent, which upon mild heating facilitates a range of challenging or previously undeveloped aliphatic carbon-hydrogen bond functionalizations of small molecules and polyolefins. This broad reaction platform enabled the functionalization of postconsumer polyolefins in infrastructure used to process plastic waste. Furthermore, the chemoselective placement of ionic functionality onto a branched polyolefin using carbon-hydrogen bond functionalization upcycled the material from a thermoplastic into a tough elastomer with the tensile properties of high-value polyolefin ionomers.

A Metal-Free, Photocatalytic Method for Aerobic Alkane Iodination

Halogenation is an important alkane functionalization strategy, but O₂ is widely considered the most desirable terminal oxidant. Here, the aerobic iodination of alkanes, including methane, was performed using catalytic [ⁿBu₄N]Cl and light irradiation (390 nm). Up to 10 turnovers of CH₃I were obtained from CH₄ and air, using a stop-flow microtubing system. Mechanistic studies using cyclohexane as the substrate revealed important details about the iodination reaction. Iodine (I₂) serves multiple roles in the catalysis: (1) as the alkyl radical trap, (2) as a precursor for the light absorber, and (3) as a mediator of aerobic oxidation. The alkane activation is attributed to Cl^• derived from photofragmentation of the electron donor-acceptor complex of I₂ and Cl^-. The kinetic profile of cyclohexane iodination showed that aerobic oxidation of I₃^- to produce I₂ in CH₃CN is turnover-limiting.

NCBSI/KI: A Reagent System for Iodination of Aromatics through In Situ Generation of I-Cl

In situ iodine monochloride (I-Cl) generation followed by iodination of aromatics using NCBSI/KI system has been developed. The NCBSI reagent requires no activation due to longer bond length, lower bond dissociation energy, and higher absolute charge density on nitrogen. The system is adequate for mono- and diiodination of a wide range of moderate to highly activated arenes with good yield and purity. Moreover, the precursor N-(benzenesulfonyl)benzenesulfonamide can be recovered and transformed to NCBSI, making the protocol eco-friendly and cost-effective.

Iminophosphorane-mediated regioselective umpolung alkylation reaction of α-iminoesters

The first regioselective umpolung alkylation of α-iminoesters with alkyl halides mediated by iminophosphorane has developed (up to 82% yield).

Tracking down the brominated single electron oxidants in recent organic red-ox transformations: photolysis and photocatalysis

A wide range of organic and inorganic brominated compounds including molecular bromine have been extensively used as oxidants in many organic photo-redox transformations in recent years, an area of ever growing interest because of greener and milder approaches. The oxidation power of these compounds is utilized through both mechanistic pathways (by hydrogen atom transfer or HAT in the absence of a photocatalyst and a combination of single electron transfer or SET and/or HAT in the presence of a photocatalyst). Not only as terminal oxidants for regeneration of photocatalysts, but brominated reactants have also contributed to the oxidation of the reaction intermediate(s) to carry on the radical chain process in several reactions. Here in this review mainly the non-brominative oxidative product formations are discussed, carried out since the last two decades, skipping the instances where they acted as terminal oxidants only to regenerate photocatalysts. The reactions are used to generate natural products, pharmaceuticals and beyond.

A convenient approach for the preparation of imidazo[1,2-a]-fused bicyclic frameworks via IBX/NIS promoted oxidative annulation

An IBX/NIS-induced intramolecular oxidative annulation of Mannich-type substrates is reported. This metal-free approach involving iodination, NH-oxidation, intramolecular C-N bond formation, and retro-Claisen-Schmidt sequence provides the construction of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine, imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine as well as imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine frameworks with yields up to 93%. In addition, a sequential one-pot process is also presented.

Intermolecular Radical C(sp3 )-H Amination under Iodine Catalysis

The direct amination of aliphatic C-H bonds has remained one of the most tantalizing transformations in organic chemistry. Herein, we report on a unique catalyst system, which enables the elusive intermolecular C(sp³ )-H amination. This practical synthetic strategy provides access to aminated building blocks and fosters innovative multiple C-H amination within a new approach to aminated heterocycles. The synthetic utility is demonstrated by the synthesis of four relevant pharmaceuticals.

Selective benzylic C-H monooxygenation mediated by iodine oxides

A method for the selective monooxdiation of secondary benzylic C–H bonds is described using an N-oxyl catalyst and a hypervalent iodine species as a terminal oxidant. Combinations of ammonium iodate and catalytic N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) were shown to be effective in the selective oxidation of n-butylbenzene directly to 1-phenylbutyl acetate in high yield (86%). This method shows moderate substrate tolerance in the oxygenation of substrates containing secondary benzylic C–H bonds, yielding the corresponding benzylic acetates in good to moderate yield. Tertiary benzylic C–H bonds were shown to be unreactive under similar conditions, despite the weaker C–H bond. A preliminary mechanistic analysis suggests that this NHPI-iodate system is functioning by a radical-based mechanism where iodine generated in situ captures formed benzylic radicals. The benzylic iodide intermediate then solvolyzes to yield the product ester.

Transition-metal-free Intramolecular C–H amination of sulfamate esters and N-alkylsulfamides

The transition-metal-free intramolecular C–H amination of sulfamate esters and N-alkylsulfamides using iodine oxidants, tert-butyl hypoiodite (t-BuOI) and N-iodosuccinimide (NIS) is reported.

Multiple Halogenation of Aliphatic C-H Bonds within the Hofmann-Löffler Manifold

An innovative approach to position-selective polyhalogenation of aliphatic hydrocarbon bonds is presented. The reaction proceeded within the Hofmann-Löffler manifold with amidyl radicals as the sole mediators to induce selective 1,5- and 1,6-hydrogen-atom transfer followed by halogenation. Multiple halogenation events of up to four innate C-H bond functionalizations were accomplished. The broad applicability of this new entry into polyhalogenation and the resulting synthetic possibilities were demonstrated for a total of 27 different examples including mixed halogenations.

β C-H di-halogenation via iterative hydrogen atom transfer

A radical relay strategy for mono- and di-halogenation (iodination, bromination, and chlorination) of sp3 C-H bonds has been developed. This first example of β C-H di-halogenation is achieved through sequential C-H abstraction by iterative, hydrogen atom transfer (HAT). A double C-H functionalization is enabled by in situ generated imidate radicals, which facilitate selective N˙ to C˙ radical translocation and tunable C-X termination. The versatile, geminal di-iodide products are further elaborated to β ketones and vinyl iodides. Mechanistic experiments explain the unique di-functionalization selectivity of this iterative HAT pathway, wherein the second C-H iodination is twice as fast as the first.

Catalytic Halogen Bond Activation in the Benzylic C-H Bond Iodination with Iodohydantoins

This letter presents the side-chain iodination of electron-deficient benzylic hydrocarbons at rt using N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) as radical initiator and 1,3-diiodo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin and 3-iodo-1,5,5-trimethylhydantoin (3-ITMH) as iodine source. Addition of a carboxylic acid increased the reactivity due to complex formation with and activation of 3-ITMH by proton transfer and halogen bond formation. No S_EAr reactions were observed under the employed reaction conditions. Our method enables convenient product isolation and gives 50-72% yields of isolated products.

Photoredox Imino Functionalizations of Olefins

Shown herein is that polyfunctionalized nitrogen heterocycles can be easily prepared by a visible-light-mediated radical cascade process. This divergent strategy features the oxidative generation of iminyl radicals and subsequent cyclization/radical trapping, which allows the effective construction of highly functionalized heterocycles. The reactions proceed efficiently at room temperature, utilize an organic photocatalyst, use simple and readily available materials, and generate, in a single step, valuable building blocks that would be difficult to prepare by other methods.