The C-H Activation/Bidirecting Group Strategy for Selective Direct Synthesis of Diverse 1,1'-Biisoquinolines

Transition Metal-Catalyzed Dual C-H Activation/Annulation Reactions Involving Internal Alkynes

Recently, transition metal-catalyzed ortho-C-H bond activation/annulations involving two internal alkyne molecules have been extensively used to synthesize highly substituted polycyclic aromatic scaffolds. Such reactions have emerged as a powerful atom and step-economical strategy for the assembly of multifunctional bioactive molecules. In this context, we focused on the recent achievements of dual C-H bond activation/annulations, as well as functionalization reactions involving diaryl/alkyl alkynes.

Mechanistic insights into an NH4OAc-promoted imine dance in Rh-catalysed multicomponent double C-H annulations through an N-retention/exchange dual channel

Developing new and understanding multicomponent reactions (MCRs) is an appealing but challenging task. Herein, Rh(iii)-catalyzed multicomponent double C-H annulations of cyclic diimines (or diketones and acetone), alkynes, and ammonium acetate to assemble functionalized 1,1'-biisoquinolines and C-bridged 1,1'-bisisoquinolines with controllable 14N/15N editing in one shot has been developed. Through a combination of isotopic-labeling (2H, 18O, and 15N) experiments, crystallography, and time-dependent ESI-MS, the reaction process was studied in detail. Ammonium acetate accounts for two rounds of Hofmann elimination and iminization, thus leading to an unprecedented imine dance, cyclic imine → N-alkenyl imine → NH imine. The N-alkenyl imine can immediately guide a C-H annulation (N-retention channel), and some of it is converted into NH-imine to trigger another annulation (N-exchange channel). The channels and 15N ratios can be regulated by the reaction mode and acidity. Moreover, the resulting 1,1'-biisoquinolines are a privileged ligand scaffold which is exemplified herein by a hydrazine-iodine exchange reaction to form drug-like benzo[c]cinnolines.

Rh(III)-Catalyzed C-H Activation and [4+1+1] Sequential Cyclization Cascade to Give Highly Fused Indano[1,2-b]azirines

A Rh(III)-catalyzed C-H activation of α-keto oximes and a cyclization cascade with diazo compounds were developed to construct the highly fused indano[1,2-b]azirine frameworks in good yields with a broad range of substrates under mild reaction conditions. More intriguingly, a [4+1+1] sequential annulation cascade is demonstrated for the first time in this reaction and opened a new reaction mode for α-keto oximes. These fused indano[1,2-b]azirine derivatives could also be further transformed into intriguing privileged drug scaffolds.

Oxidation of o-dioxime by (diacetoxyiodo)benzene: green and mild access to furoxans

Diversified furoxan derivatives are efficiently obtained through a mild oxidation strategy, which greatly reduces the safety risk.

Cu/Fe-mediated N(sp2)-arylation/alkenylation of pyridines with aryl-/alkenylboronic acids to yield versatile cationic materials

Cu/Fe-mediated N(sp2)-arylation/alkenylation of pyridines with aryl-/alkenylboronic acids to yield length-controllable and multi-responsive pyridinium salts is disclosed.

Cu-Catalyzed tandem N-arylation of phthalhydrazides with cyclic iodoniums to yield dihydrobenzo[c]cinnolines

Dihydrocinnolines have significant pharmacological properties. Herein, we investigate a Cu-catalyzed tandem N-arylation reaction of phthalhydrazides with cyclic iodonium salts to construct dihydrobenzo[c]cinnoline derivatives. Various iodonium salts, such as symmetrical, unsymmetrical, aryl-aryl, and aryl-heteroaryl ones, could react with phthalhydrazides smoothly and give the title products in moderate to high yields. Moreover, the -NH2 group, which has been diarylated by cyclic iodonium salts to form carbazoles in previous reports, is also well tolerated in this work.

1,1'-Biisoquinolines-Neglected Ligands in the Heterocyclic Diimine Family That Provoke Stereochemical Reflections

1,1′-Biisoquinolines are a class of bidentate nitrogen donor ligands in the heterocyclic diimine family. This review briefly discusses their properties and the key synthetic pathways available and then concentrates upon their coordination behaviour. The ligands are of interest as they exhibit the phenomenon of atropisomerism (hindered rotation about the C1–C1′ bond). A notation for depicting the stereochemistry in coordination compounds containing multiple stereogenic centers is developed. The consequences of the chirality within the ligand on the coordination behaviour is discussed in detail.

Divergent synthesis of unsymmetrical azobenzenes via Cu-catalyzed C–N coupling

Efficient, one-pot, and low-cost metal-catalyzed tandem Chan–Lam coupling/deprotection and Ullmann/Chan–Lam/deprotection reactions to access unsymmetrical azobenzenes are disclosed.

Rh(iii)-Catalyzed [3 + 2]/[4 + 2] annulation of acetophenone oxime ethers with 3-acetoxy-1,4-enynes involving C–H activation

A novel, synthetically simple, selective rhodium(iii)-catalyzed [3 + 2]/[4 + 2] annulation cascade reaction to construct complex azafluorenone frameworks has been developed.

Switching the Regioselectivity Access to Pyrroles and Isoquinolines from Ketoxime Acetates and Ynals

A novel formal [3+2] and [4+2] annulation of ketoxime acetates and ynals for the synthesis of pyrroles and isoquinolines has been developed. By simply switching the catalyst and solvent, the reaction proceeds via two pathways. The reactions are achieved under mild conditions with broad substrate scope and excellent regioselectivity.

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.