Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Nonaromatic sp2 C–H Activation/Annulation Using NHC as a Directing and Functionalizable Group

Cationic π-extended heteroaromatics via a catalytic C-H activation annulative alkyne-insertion sequence

Cationic π-conjugated organic molecules have broad applications in materials science as next-generation organic materials. The annulative alkyne-insertion π-extension (AAIPEX) strategy has emerged as a promising synthetic approach for the rapid synthesis of cationic polycyclic heteroaromatic compounds (cPHACs) in a single step. The AAIPEX reaction provides a synthetic shortcut to achieve complex organic molecules from simple (hetero)arene templates and alkynes as π-extending partners, which would otherwise be difficult to achieve using traditional methods. In general, a step-economic AAIPEX protocol proceeds via C-H activation of unfunctionalized heteroarene templates, followed by alkyne insertion-annulation to furnish cPHACs. In this Feature Article, recent progress in the AAIPEX strategy to construct cPHACs is described along with brief illustrations of the resulting cPHACs in luminescence-related applications.

Uncommon carbene-to-azole ligand rearrangement of N-heterocyclic carbenes in a ruthenium system

The study of non-innocent behavior of NHCs (NHCs = N-heterocyclic carbenes) has great implications for NHC-involved catalysis. Herein, we report a new type of NHC-to-azole rearrangement, during which process the carbene backbone and the substituent are both non-innocent. To the best of our knowledge, this work also presents the first example of NHC-to-azole rearrangements for aryl-substituted NHCs.

The key role of R-NHC coupling (R = C, H, heteroatom) and M-NHC bond cleavage in the evolution of M/NHC complexes and formation of catalytically active species

Complexes of metals with N-heterocyclic carbene ligands (M/NHC) are typically considered the systems of choice in homogeneous catalysis due to their stable metal-ligand framework. However, it becomes obvious that even metal species with a strong M-NHC bond can undergo evolution in catalytic systems, and processes of M-NHC bond cleavage are common for different metals and NHC ligands. This review is focused on the main types of the M-NHC bond cleavage reactions and their impact on activity and stability of M/NHC catalytic systems. For the first time, we consider these processes in terms of NHC-connected and NHC-disconnected active species derived from M/NHC precatalysts and classify them as fundamentally different types of catalysts. Problems of rational catalyst design and sustainability issues are discussed in the context of the two different types of M/NHC catalysis mechanisms.

N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes in C-H Activation Reactions

In this contribution, we provide a comprehensive overview of C-H activation methods promoted by NHC-transition metal complexes, covering the literature since 2002 (the year of the first report on metal-NHC-catalyzed C-H activation) through June 2019, focusing on both NHC ligands and C-H activation methods. This review covers C-H activation reactions catalyzed by group 8 to 11 NHC-metal complexes. Through discussing the role of NHC ligands in promoting challenging C-H activation methods, the reader is provided with an overview of this important area and its crucial role in forging carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds by directly engaging ubiquitous C-H bonds.

Transition-metal-catalyzed reactions involving reductive elimination between dative ligands and covalent ligands

This review summarizes transition-metal catalyzed reactions with reductive elimination between covalent ligands and dative ligands as the key elementary step.

The C-H functionalization of organic cations: an interesting and fresh journey

Organic ionic compounds, especially those with organic cations, are commonly applied in ionic liquids (ILs), organocatalysts, (a)NHC ligands, ion recognition, and optoelectronic materials. The direct C-H functionalization of organic cations offers valuable opportunities for the rapid assembly of diverse functionalized cations and for their further exploitation in material science applications. This review summarizes the substantial progress that has been made in the C-H functionalization of organic cations from the 1960s to May 2020, including transition metal-mediated/catalyzed C-H alkylation, arylation, and annulation, and photo-induced C-H functionalization. Substrate scopes, limitations, regio-/chemoselectivity, and reaction mechanisms are discussed. In addition, the applications of some new organic functional materials are briefly exemplified. This review also aims to serve as a reminder that much care should be taken when using organic ionic compounds as solvents, because they can behave as reactants that can break up desired coupling reactions.

Catalytic Preparation of 1-Aryl-Substituted 1,2,4-Triazolium Salts

1,4-Diaryl- and 1-aryl-4-alkyl-substituted 1,2,4-triazolium salts are convenient air-stable precursors to carbenes used both as organocatalysts or as ligands for transition metal complexes. Traditionally, they are prepared via a multistep synthetic pathway with the low-yielding formation of the triazolium ring occurring in the last step. We have developed an alternative two-step synthesis involving the conversion of a primary amine or aniline derivative to the corresponding 4-substituted triazole followed by a copper-catalyzed arylation with diaryliodonium salts. This transition metal-catalyzed arylation can be carried out under mild conditions in acetonitrile and is tolerant toward both water and oxygen. Additionally, the high functional group tolerance of the protocol described here gives easy access to triazolium salts containing heterocyclic substituents or sulfides.

Recent advances on the transition-metal-catalyzed synthesis of imidazopyridines: an updated coverage

A comprehensive account of recent advances in the synthesis of imidazopyridines, assisted through transition-metal-catalyzed multicomponent reactions, C-H activation/functionalization and coupling reactions are highlighted in this review article. The basic illustration of this review comprises of schemes with concise account of explanatory text. The schemes depict the reaction conditions along with a quick look into the mechanism involved to render a deep understanding of the catalytic role. At some instances optimizations of certain features have been illustrated through tables, i.e., selectivity of catalyst, loading of the catalyst and percentage yield with different substrates. Each of the reported examples has been rigorously analyzed for reacting substrates, reaction conditions and transition metals used as the catalyst. This review will be helpful to the chemists in understanding the challenges associated with the reported methods as well as the future possibilities, both in the choice of substrates and catalysts. This review would be quite appealing to a wider range of organic chemists in academia and industrial R&D sectors working in the field of heterocyclic syntheses. In a nutshell, this review will be a guiding torch to envisage: (i) the role of various transition metals in the domain dedicated towards method development and (ii) for the modifications needed thereof in the R&D sector.

Orchestrated catalytic double rollover annulation: rapid access to N-enriched cationic and neutral PAHs

Disclosed herein is a rhodium(iii)-catalyzed novel one-step back-to-back double rollover annulation on pyridine and pyrazine backbones leading to structurally and optoelectronically diverse class of nicely decorated multi-ring-fused, extensively π-conjugated, N-enriched PAH molecules by virtue of orchestrated quadruple C–H activation events.

Annulating thiazolium cations via a direct double C–H activation strategy: Rh–N,S-heterocyclic carbene is the key

Metal–N,S-heterocyclic carbene intermediates are conveniently generated and utilized for the first time to construct N,S doubly-doped cationic tricyclic organic molecules which exhibit easily-tuneable emission.

Rhodium(III)-catalyzed C-H functionalization of C-alkenyl azoles with sulfoxonium ylides for the synthesis of bridgehead N-fused [5,6]-bicyclic heterocycles

The synthesis of bridgehead N-fused [5,6]-bicyclic heterocycles via rhodium(III)-catalyzed C-H functionalization of C-alkenyl azoles with sulfoxonium ylides is disclosed. Reactions proceeded in good to high yields for a range of aryl, heteroaryl and alkyl sulfoxonium ylides. In addition, 2-alkenyl imidazoles with different substitution patterns as well as C-alkenyl triazoles were effective inputs. The reaction could also be performed under straightforward bench top conditions.

To "Rollover" or Not? Stereoelectronically Guided C-H Functionalization Pathways from Rhodium-Abnormal NHC Intermediates

Rollover C-H activation with transition-metal complexes has been found to be a difficult but viable pathway to functionalize potentially chelating molecules, which are otherwise reluctant to react further. However, selective rollover or nonrollover C-H activation pathway depends on the stereoelectronic demand of the associated organometallic intermediate(s). The presented work addresses the above issue on abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) platform. Catalytic reactions of pyridine-imidazolium substrates with internal alkynes have been selectively guided toward either rollover or nonrollover C-H functionalization route via fulfilling the steric and electronic demands of the relevant rhodium(III)-abnormal NHC metallacyclic intermediates.

Multiple pathways for C–H cleavage in cationic Cp*Rh(iii)-catalyzed C–H activation without carboxylate assistance: a computational study

Multiple pathways for C–H cleavage was uncovered in cationic Cp*Rh(iii)-catalyzed C–H functionalization with different heteroatom-containing species as possible proton acceptors.

C–H activation-annulation on the N-heterocyclic carbene platform

This review highlights the initial development of a new C–H activation–annulation chemistry accessible on the metal–N-heterocyclic carbene platform.

Synthesis of [5,6]-Bicyclic Heterocycles with a Ring-Junction Nitrogen Atom: Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed C-H Functionalization of Alkenyl Azoles

The first syntheses of privileged [5,6]-bicyclic heterocycles, with ring-junction nitrogen atoms, by transition metal catalyzed C-H functionalization of C-alkenyl azoles is disclosed. Several reactions are applied to alkenyl imidazoles, pyrazoles, and triazoles to provide products with nitrogen incorporated at different sites. Alkyne and diazoketone coupling partners give azolopyridines with various substitution patterns. In addition, 1,4,2-dioxazolone coupling partners yield azolopyrimidines. Furthermore, the mechanisms for the reactions are discussed and the utility of the developed approach is demonstrated by iterative application of C-H functionalization for the rapid synthesis of a patented drug candidate.

Copper(ii) catalyzed synthesis of novel helical luminescent benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a][1,10]phenanthrolines via an intramolecular C–H amination reaction

Novel helical luminescent benzoimidazophenanthrolines were prepared using a Cu(ii) catalyzed C–H amination reaction.