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

Deciphering Co(III)-Catalyzed Oxidative C-H/C-H Annulation Towards Maleimide-Fused Imidazopyridine AEEgens

A cobalt(III)-catalyzed dual C(sp2)-H/C(sp2)-H activation of 2-arylimidazopyridines and its annulation with N-substituted maleimides leads to polycyclic aromatic heterocycles. This sustainable oxidative annulation uses earth-abundant, less toxic, and cost-effective cobalt(III) catalyst that complement expensive 2nd and 3rd-row metals. This oxidative annulation features a broad substrate scope with very good functional group tolerance. These maleimide-fused imidazopyridines display strong fluorescence in the region of 527- 536 nm with a Stokes shift of 83-87 nm and possess an excited state lifetime of 14.6-16.1 ns. Interestingly, such luminescent compounds show aggregation-enhanced emission (AEE) behavior in the iPr-OH/hexane mixed solvent system. Furthermore, field emission scanning microscopy (FESEM) reveals their spherical nano-aggregates with an average diameter of ~216.8 nm. They can also be used as cellular-imaging and picric acid-sensing probes.

Maleimide-Dependent Rh(III)-Catalyzed Site-Selective Mono and Dual C-H Functionalization of 2-Arylbenzo[d]thiazole and Oxazole Derivatives

The site-selective functionalization of aromatic compounds via C-H activation has emerged as a popular tool in organic synthesis. In this study, we report a regioselective coupling of maleimide to 2-arylbenzo[d]thiazoles in the presence of a rhodium(III) catalyst. Depending upon the nature of the substituent (R2-group) present in the maleimide substrate, either mono- or bis-1,4-addition products were observed in this methodology. In the case of R2 = aryl, cyclohexyl, and tert-butyl, mono coupling was observed, whereas substituents, such as methyl, ethyl, benzyl, and methyl thiophene, provided bis coupling as the major products. Similar selectivity was also observed in the case of 2-arylbenzo[d]oxazoles.

2-Bromopyridines as Versatile Synthons for Heteroarylated 2-Pyridones via Ru(II)-Mediated Domino C-O/C-N/C-C Bond Formation Reactions

A novel methodology for the synthesis of 2-pyridones bearing a 2-pyridyl group on nitrogen and carbon atoms, starting from 2-bromopyridines, was developed employing a simple Ru(II)-KOPiv-Na2CO3 catalytic system. Unsubstituted 2-bromopyridine was successfully converted to the penta-heteroarylated 2-pyridone product using this method. Preliminary mechanistic studies revealed a possible synthetic pathway leading to the multi-heteroarylated 2-pyridone products, involving consecutive oxygen incorporation, a Buchwald-Hartwig-type reaction, and C-H bond activation.

Copper-Catalyzed Regioselective Imidation of 2-Pyridones

We demonstrate a ligand- and glovebox-free regioselective direct C(3)-H imidation of 2-pyridones and also benzylic-type imidation of 2-pyridones bearing a methyl substituent employing Cu(OAc)2·H2O as the catalyst and N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) as an imidating reagent. A broad range of imidated 2-pyridone derivatives is made up to excellent yields. The present strategy operates well on a gram scale, and the ensuing product can be readily subjected to mono- and bis-desulfonylation reactions.

Palladium-Catalyzed [3 + 2] Annulation of ortho-Substituted Iodoarenes with Maleimides via a Consecutive Double Heck-type Strategy

Herein, we report an efficient [3 + 2] annulation of ortho-substituted iodoarenes with maleimides via a palladium-catalyzed consecutive double Heck-type strategy, leading to fused tricyclic frameworks of pharmaceutical relevance. The protocol ensued through consecutive inter- and intramolecular Heck couplings effectively. This approach was compatible with a large variety of substrates and functional groups, and it was remarkably tolerated with unprotected maleimide.

Ruthenium(II)-catalyzed oxidative dehydrogenation and hydroarylation of maleimides with phthalazinones - insights into additive-controlled product selectivity

Herein, we developed ruthenium(II)-catalyzed oxidative dehydrogenation and hydroarylation of maleimides with phthalazinones. The product selectivity is controlled by the additives, and the hydroarylated product was obtained in water, which is an important highlight of this study. Control experiments were conducted to elucidate a plausible mechanism. These experiments suggest the occurrence of an oxidative dehydrogenation pathway over E2-type elimination - the key step in producing Heck-type products.

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.