Ruthenium(II) Catalyzed Regiospecific C–H/O–H Annulations of Directing Arenes via Weak Coordination

Pd-Catalyzed Carbonylative Synthesis of 4H-Benzo[d][1,3]Oxazin-4-Ones Using Benzene-1,3,5-Triyl Triformate as the CO Source

A facile synthesis of 4H-benzo[d][1,3]oxazin-4-one derivatives by Pd-catalyzed carbonylative cross-coupling between N-(ortho-bromoaryl)amides and benzene-1,3,5-triyl triformate (TFBen) was developed. This procedure does not require the toxic and flammable gas CO as the carbonyl source and tolerates a wide scope of functional groups. Remarkably, 4H-benzo[d][1,3]oxazin-4-ones incorporated to natural products and drugs can be constructed by this method.

Palladium-Catalyzed Weakly Coordinating Lactone-Directed C-H Bond Functionalization of 3-Arylcoumarins: Synthesis of Bioactive Coumestan Derivatives

A palladium-catalyzed highly regioselective ortho-selective C-H functionalization of 3-arylcoumarins has been developed. The method utilizes the weakly coordinating lactone as a directing group. The versatility of the strategy is highlighted by developing methodologies for alkenylation, halogenation, fluoroalkoxylation, and hydroxylation. Different functional groups were well tolerated, and functionalized coumarins were obtained in moderate to high yields. The method also showed good selectivity for monofunctionalization versus difunctionalization. The generated ortho-hydroxy derivatives were cyclized in the presence of DDQ, thus developing a simple and fast method for the synthesis of bioactive coumestan from 3-arylcoumarins.

Programmed Multiple C-H Bond Functionalization of the Privileged 4-hydroxyquinoline Template

The introduction of substituents on bare heterocyclic scaffolds can selectively be achieved by directed C-H functionalization. However, such methods have only occasionally been used, in an iterative manner, to decorate various positions of a medicinal scaffold to build chemical libraries. We herein report the multiple, site selective, metal-catalyzed C-H functionalization of a "programmed" 4-hydroxyquinoline. This medicinally privileged template indeed possesses multiple reactive sites for diversity-oriented functionalization, of which four were targeted. The C-2 and C-8 decorations were directed by an N-oxide, before taking benefit of an O-carbamoyl protection at C-4 to perform a Fries rearrangement and install a carboxamide at C-3. This also released the carbonyl group of 4-quinolones, the ultimate directing group to functionalize position 5. Our study highlights the power of multiple C-H functionalization to generate diversity in a biologically relevant library, after showing its strong antimalarial potential.

Ruthenium-catalyzed, site-selective C-H activation: access to C5-substituted azaflavanone

A site-selective ruthenium-catalyzed keto group assisted C–H bond activation of 2-aryl tetrahydroquinoline (azaflavanone) derivatives has been achieved with a variety of alkenes for the first time. A wide range of substrates was utilized for the synthesis of a wide variety of alkenylated azaflavanones. This simple and efficient protocol provides the C5-substituted azaflavanone derivatives in high yields with a broad range of functional group tolerance. Further, the C5-alkenylated products were converted into substituted 2-aryl quinoline derivatives in good yields.

A site-selective ruthenium-catalyzed keto group assisted C–H bond activation of 2-aryl tetrahydroquinoline (azaflavanone) derivatives has been achieved with a variety of alkenes for the first time.

Concise Synthesis of Isocoumarins through Rh-Catalyzed Direct Vinylene Annulation: Scope and Mechanistic Insight

Transition-metal-catalyzed activation of inert C-H bonds and subsequent C-C bond formation have emerged as powerful synthetic tools for the synthesis of elaborate cyclic molecules. In this report, we introduce an efficient synthetic method of 3,4-unsubstituted isocoumarins adopting an electron-deficient Cp^ERh complex as the catalyst. The use of vinylene carbonate as a vinylene transfer reagent enables the direct construction of isocoumarins from readily available benzoic acids, without any external oxidants as well as bases. The reaction mechanism is evaluated by computational analysis to find an unprecedented "rhodium shift" event within the catalytic cycle.

Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Oxidative Annulation of 2-Hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-diones and Internal Alkynes via C-H Functionalization

An efficient Pd(II)-catalyzed oxidative annulation of 2-hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-diones and internal alkynes has been developed with high step efficiency. A broad range of functional groups are compatible with this reaction, thus providing a new entry to diverse naphtho[2,3-b]furan-4,9-dione derivatives in good to high yields.

Palladium catalyzed chemo- and site-selective C-H acetoxylation and hydroxylation of oxobenzoxazine derivatives

An efficient protocol for the introduction of acetoxy and hydroxy functionalities on unactivated aryl sp2 carbons of oxobenzoxazine derivatives via an ortho-C-H activation reaction using a palladium catalyst has been developed for the first time. Interestingly, this intermolecular C-H functionalization reaction takes place in a facile and simple manner with high chemo- and site selectivity.

Recent Advances in C–H Bond Functionalization with Ruthenium-Based Catalysts

The past decades have witnessed rapid development in organic synthesis via catalysis, particularly the reactions through C–H bond functionalization. Transition metals such as Pd, Rh and Ru constitute a crucial catalyst in these C–H bond functionalization reactions. This process is highly attractive not only because it saves reaction time and reduces waste,but also, more importantly, it allows the reaction to be performed in a highly region specific manner. Indeed, several organic compounds could be readily accessed via C–H bond functionalization with transition metals. In the recent past, tremendous progress has been made on C–H bond functionalization via ruthenium catalysis, including less expensive but more stable ruthenium(II) catalysts. The ruthenium-catalysed C–H bond functionalization, viz. arylation, alkenylation, annulation, oxygenation, and halogenation involving C–C, C–O, C–N, and C–X bond forming reactions, has been described and presented in numerous reviews. This review discusses the recent development of C–H bond functionalization with various ruthenium-based catalysts. The first section of the review presents arylation reactions covering arylation directed by N–Heteroaryl groups, oxidative arylation, dehydrative arylation and arylation involving decarboxylative and sp3-C–H bond functionalization. Subsequently, the ruthenium-catalysed alkenylation, alkylation, allylation including oxidative alkenylation and meta-selective C–H bond alkylation has been presented. Finally, the oxidative annulation of various arenes with alkynes involving C–H/O–H or C–H/N–H bond cleavage reactions has been discussed.

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.

Weakly-coordinating N-oxide and carbonyl groups for metal-catalyzed C–H activation: the case of A-ring functionalization

This feature review is focused on recent challenges based on the functionalizations at C-8 and C-5 positions of heterocyclic and quinoidal compounds – a topic that is still rarely explored in the literature.

The amide C–N bond of isatins as the directing group and the internal oxidant in Ru-catalyzed C–H activation and annulation reactions: access to 8-amido isocoumarins

The amide C–N bond of isatins was used as the oxidizing directing group for 4C–H activation and annulation reactions with alkynes.