Copper-Mediated Aryloxylation and Vinyloxylation of β-C(sp3)–H Bond of Propionamides with Organosilanes

The recent advances in cobalt-catalyzed C(sp3)-H functionalization reactions

Over the past decades, reactions involving C-H functionalization have become a hot theme in organic transformations because they have a lot of potential for the streamlined synthesis of complex molecules. C(sp³)-H bonds are present in most organic species. Since organic molecules have massive significance in various aspects of life, the exploitation and functionalization of C(sp³)-H bonds hold enormous importance. In recent years, the first-row transition metal-catalyzed direct and selective functionalization of C-H bonds has emerged as a simple and environmentally friendly synthetic method due to its low cost, unique reactivity profiles and easy availability. Therefore, research advancements are being made to conceive catalytic systems that foster direct C(sp³)-H functionalization under benign reaction conditions. Cobalt-based catalysts offer mild and convenient reaction conditions at a reasonable expense compared to conventional 2^nd and 3^rd-row transition metal catalysts. Consequently, the probing of Co-based catalysts for C(sp³)-H functionalization is one of the hot topics from the outlook of an organic chemist. This review primarily focuses on the literature from 2018 to 2022 and sheds light on the substrate scope, selectivity, benefits and limitations of cobalt catalysts for organic transformations.

Transition-Metal-Catalyzed, Coordination-Assisted Functionalization of Nonactivated C(sp3)-H Bonds

Transition-metal-catalyzed, coordination-assisted C(sp³)-H functionalization has revolutionized synthetic planning over the past few decades as the use of these directing groups has allowed for increased access to many strategic positions in organic molecules. Nonetheless, several challenges remain preeminent, such as the requirement for high temperatures, the difficulty in removing or converting directing groups, and, although many metals provide some reactivity, the difficulty in employing metals outside of palladium. This review aims to give a comprehensive overview of coordination-assisted, transition-metal-catalyzed, direct functionalization of nonactivated C(sp³)-H bonds by covering the literature since 2004 in order to demonstrate the current state-of-the-art methods as well as the current limitations. For clarity, this review has been divided into nine sections by the transition metal catalyst with subdivisions by the type of bond formation. Synthetic applications and reaction mechanism are discussed where appropriate.

Copper-Catalyzed Selective 1,2-Difunctionalization of N-Heteroaromatics through Cascade C-N/C═C/C═O Bond Formation

This study presents an efficient strategy for constructing 1,2-difunctionalized quinoline derivatives via the multicomponent cascade coupling of N-heteroaromatics with alkyl halides and different terminal alkynes. This reaction was achieved through sequential functionalization at the one- and two-positions of quinolines, which displayed a broad substrate scope, environmental friendliness, excellent functional group tolerance, high atom efficiency, and chemoselectivity. The multicomponent coupling involved the abnormal construction of new C-N, C═C, and C═O bonds in one pot. The applicability of this method was further demonstrated by the late-stage functionalization of complex drug molecules under the established conditions.

C-N and C-O Bond Formation in Copper-Catalyzed/Mediated sp3 C-H Activation: Mechanistic Studies from Experimental and Computational Aspects

Mechanistic studies on Cu-catalyzed/mediated sp³ C-H amidation and acetoxylation are investigated from experimental and computational aspects. The concerted metalation-deprotonation (CMD) mechanism rather than a radical-involved pathway is proved to occur in amidation and acetoxylation reactions, and this is the rare example of the CMD mechanism involved in the more challenging sp³ C-H activations. Theoretical calculations demonstrated that CMD is the rate-determining step either for methylic or benzylic positions in amidation and acetoxylation reactions, and intermolecular nucleophilic addition of acetate anions is more favorable than the ring opening of β-lactams and intramolecular acetoxylation. These mechanistic studies on the divergent and condition-dependent product formation are critical for developing Cu-promoted C-H functionalization via the CMD mechanism.

Nickel-catalyzed dual C(sp2)–H activation of arenes: a new route to diaryl ethers

Diaryl ethers are synthesized directly from simple arenes for the first time through dual C(sp²)–H activation with the aid of a bidentate auxiliary by nickel catalysis. The auxiliary can be removed smoothly under mild reaction conditions.

Copper Salts/TBAB-Catalyzed Chemo- and Regioselective β-C(sp3)-H Acyloxylation of Aliphatic Amides

An efficient Cu(II)-catalyzed and tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB)-promoted strategy for highly regioselective and chemoselective C(sp³)-H acyloxylation of aliphatic amides is described. Acyloxylation occurs selectively at the β position with a broad substrate scope of carboxylic acids and aliphatic amides and good functional group compatibility. Notably, the competing reaction of intramolecular dehydrogenative amidation and intermolecular acyloxylation could be efficiently controlled by the amount of copper salt and the addition of TBAB. The intramolecular dehydrogenative amidation product was obtained in high yield when the amount of copper salts was increased. However, when TBAB was used as an additive, a preference for acyloxylation over intramolecular amidation was observed and the acyloxylated products were obtained in good yield. Preliminary studies were carried out to gain insights into the mechanism.

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.

A comprehensive overview of directing groups applied in metal-catalysed C-H functionalisation chemistry

The present review is devoted to summarizing the recent advances (2015-2017) in the field of metal-catalysed group-directed C-H functionalisation. In order to clearly showcase the molecular diversity that can now be accessed by means of directed C-H functionalisation, the whole is organized following the directing groups installed on a substrate. Its aim is to be a comprehensive reference work, where a specific directing group can be easily found, together with the transformations which have been carried out with it. Hence, the primary format of this review is schemes accompanied with a concise explanatory text, in which the directing groups are ordered in sections according to their chemical structure. The schemes feature typical substrates used, the products obtained as well as the required reaction conditions. Importantly, each example is commented on with respect to the most important positive features and drawbacks, on aspects such as selectivity, substrate scope, reaction conditions, directing group removal, and greenness. The targeted readership are both experts in the field of C-H functionalisation chemistry (to provide a comprehensive overview of the progress made in the last years) and, even more so, all organic chemists who want to introduce the C-H functionalisation way of thinking for a design of straightforward, efficient and step-economic synthetic routes towards molecules of interest to them. Accordingly, this review should be of particular interest also for scientists from industrial R&D sector. Hence, the overall goal of this review is to promote the application of C-H functionalisation reactions outside the research groups dedicated to method development and establishing it as a valuable reaction archetype in contemporary R&D, comparable to the role cross-coupling reactions play to date.

Copper-mediated regioselective C-H etherification of naphthylamides with arylboronic acids using water as an oxygen source

The copper-mediated regioselective C-H activation and C-O bond formation of naphthylamides with arylboronic acids has been developed using water as an oxygen source. The kinetic isotope study suggests that C-H bond activation is the rate-determining step. The H2O18 labelling experiment reveals the incorporation of oxygen from water. The substrate scope, functional group diversity and post synthetic utilities are the important practical features.

Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed alkylation of primary C(sp(3))-H bonds with α-diazocarbonyl compounds

Rh(iii)-catalyzed intermolecular chelation-assisted insertion of carbenes derived from α-diazocarbonyl compounds into non-acidic primary sp(3) C-H bonds, for the first time, is reported under mild reaction conditions, thus affording a good complement to previous metal-carbenoid-induced primary C(sp(3))-H insertion reactions. We believe that this method will open up a new avenue for primary sp(3) C-H functionalization with α-diazocarbonyl compounds.

Recent advances in copper-mediated chelation-assisted functionalization of unactivated C–H bonds

Recent advances in copper-mediated (both stoichiometric and catalytic) chelation-assisted functionalization of unactivated C–H bonds are reviewed.

Unprecedented copper-mediated oxidative demethylation of propionamides via bidentate-chelation assistance

The copper-mediated bidentate-chelation directing group assisted oxidative demethylation of substituted propionamides was developed for the first time.

Pyridine-enabled copper-promoted cross dehydrogenative coupling of C(sp2)-H and unactivated C(sp3)-H bonds

The pyridine-enabled cross dehydrogenative coupling of sp2 C-H bonds of polyfluoroarenes and unactivated sp3 C-H bonds of amides was achieved via a copper-promoted process with good functional group compatibility. This reaction showed great site-selectivity by favoring the sp2 C-H bonds ortho to two fluoro atoms of arenes and the sp3 C-H bonds of α-methyl groups over those of the α-methylene, β- or γ-methyl groups of the aliphatic amides. Mechanistic studies revealed that sp3 C-H bond cleavage is an irreversible but not the rate-determining step, and the sp2 C-H functionalization of arenes appears precedent to the sp3 C-H functionalization of amides in this process.