Cu-Catalyzed Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling of Heteroaryl C(sp2)–H and Tertiary C(sp3)–H Bonds for the Construction of All-Carbon Triaryl Quaternary Centers

The Recent Advances in Iron-Catalyzed C(sp3 )-H Functionalization

The use of iron as a core metal in catalysis has become a research topic of interest over the last few decades. The reasons are clear. Iron is the most abundant transition metal on Earth's crust and it is widely distributed across the world. It has been extracted and processed since the dawn of civilization. All these features render iron a noncontaminant, biocompatible, nontoxic, and inexpensive metal and therefore it constitutes the perfect candidate to replace noble metals (rhodium, palladium, platinum, iridium, etc.). Moreover, direct C-H functionalization is one of the most efficient strategies by which to introduce new functional groups into small organic molecules. The majority of organic compounds contain C(sp3 )-H bonds. Given the enormous importance of organic molecules in so many aspects of existence, the utilization and bioactivity of C(sp3 )-H bonds are of the utmost importance. This review sheds light on the substrate scope, selectivity, benefits, and limitations of iron catalysts for direct C(sp3 )-H bond activations. An overview of the use of iron catalysis in C(sp3 )-H activation protocols is summarized herein up to 2022.

Room-Temperature ZnBr2 -Catalyzed Regioselective 1,6-Hydroarylation of Electron-Rich Arenes to para-Quinone Methides: Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Triarylmethanes

A mild and efficient Zn(II)-catalyzed regioselective 1,6-hydroarylation of para-quinone methides (p-QMs) with electron-rich arenes protocol is reported. A variety of electron-rich arenes and para-quinone methides are well tolerated under mild conditions, delivering a broad range of triarylmethanes in good to excellent yields. The present method also works well for the hydroarylation of p-QMs with other nucleophiles, such as aniline, indole and phenol derivatives, offering the corresponding triarylmethanes with good yields under the standard conditions. The possible mechanism for the formation of C(sp³ )-C(sp² ) bonds in hydroarylation reactions has been explored by step-by-step control experiments, and the reaction may follow a second-order manner in a chemical kinetic study.

Pd-catalyzed Aerobic Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling of Catechols with 2-Oxindoles and Benzofuranones: Reactivity Difference Between Monomer and Dimer

Persistent radicals, which are generated from 2-oxindole or benzofuranone dimers, are useful tools for designing the radical-based cross-coupling reaction to provide molecules containing a quaternary carbon. The persistent radical is accessible from both the dimer and monomer; however, the reactivity difference between these substrates for the oxidative cross-coupling reaction is not fully understood, most likely because of the mechanistic complexity. Here, we present details of an aerobic cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction using various monomers and catechols. UV-Vis analysis and mechanistic control experiments showed that the monomer is less reactive than the dimer under aerobic conditions. Our Pd(II)-BINAP-μ-hydroxo complex significantly improved the reactivity of the monomers for the aerobic CDC reaction with catechols, yielding results comparable to those of the corresponding dimer. The procedure, which enables the generation of the persistent radical in situ, is particularly useful when employing the monomer that is not readily converted to the corresponding dimer.

Cu(I)-Catalyzed C-H Alkenylation of Tertiary C(sp3)-H Bonds of 3-Aryl Benzofuran-2(3H)-ones to Give Z- and E-Styrene Containing Quaternary Carbon Centers with 99/1 Regioselectivity

The synthesis of isomerically pure olefins containing all-carbon quaternary centers is a challenging issue. Herein, we developed an efficient protocol for the synthesis of (Z)-olefins (27 examples, yield up to 97%, Z/E up to 99/1) and (E)-olefins (16 examples, yield up to 94%, E/Z up to 99/1) containing all-carbon quaternary centers. This protocol is adopted for the copper-catalyzed regioselective C-H alkenylation of the tertiary C(sp³)-H bond of 3-aryl benzofuran-2(3H)-ones with alkyne and alkenes. A diverse range of functional groups in the substrates is well-tolerated, such as F, Cl, Br, Me, OMe, ester, CF₃, etc. A gram scale experiment was performed in good yield, and the radical mechanisms are also proposed based on the control experiments.

Improved Method for Preparation of 3-(1H-Indol-3-yl)benzofuran-2(3H)-ones

3-(1H-Indol-3-yl)benzofuran-2(3H)-ones were efficiently accessed via polyphosphoric acid-mediated condensation of 3-(2-nitrovinyl)-1H-indoles with phenols.

One-Pot Three-Component Coupling Reaction of α-Amino Aryl Ketones, Indoles, and Perbromomethane Under Mild Conditions

A simple and efficient one-pot three-component cascade reaction of α-amino aryl ketones, indoles, and CBr₄ in moderate to good yields has been developed. This new strategy exhibits excellent mild reaction conditions and step-economy, easily accessible reactants, and simultaneous construction of three different new bonds (C=N, C–C, and N-Br) in a single step. It is worth noting that the protocol developed provides a simple and practical tool for the construction of diverse indole-containing heterocyclic frameworks, indicating its potential applications in medicinal and material chemistry.

Cu(ii)-Catalyzed C2-site functionalization of p-aminophenols: an approach for selective cross-dehydrogenative aminations

Site selective cross dehydrogenative aminations from precursors without preactivated C–H and N–H bonds have been challenging.

DTBP-mediated cross-dehydrogenative coupling of 3-aryl benzofuran-2(3H)-ones with toluenes/phenols for all-carbon quaternary centers

We have developed a transition-metal free protocol for efficient cross-dehydrogenative coupling of 3-aryl benzofuran-2(3H)-ones and toluenes/phenols using DTBP as an oxidant.

Remote Selective Decarboxylative Difluoroarylmethylation of 8-Aminoquinolines under Transition Metal-Free Conditions

A facile transition metal-free decarboxylative C4 selective C-H difluoroarylmethylation of 8-aminoquinolines has been developed. This strategy proceeds under simple aqueous conditions and displays a broad substrate scope and excellent functional...

I2-Mediated Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling and Amidation of 3-Aryl Benzofuranones with Aryl Amines for the Synthesis of 3,3-Diaryl Indolin-2-ones

We have developed a protocol for efficient synthesis of indolin-2-ones from benzofuranones and aryl amines using iodine as a mediator. A diverse range of benzofuranones and aryl amines undergo cross-dehydrogenative coupling and amidation of 3-aryl benzofuranones for the cascade reaction to generate products in 24-93% yields. This reaction can be easily scaled-up to give an indolin-2-one in a gram scale. Further chemical manipulation of the products enabled useful transformations of the phenol ring including alkylation, arylation, etc.

Copper Catalyzed Oxidative Arylation of Tertiary Carbon Centers

We describe herein a Cu(OTf)₂ catalyzed oxidative arylation of a tertiary carbon-containing substrate including aryl malononitriles, 3-aryl benzofuran-2-ones, and 3-aryl oxindoles. In some cases, the nitrile groups of the aryl malononitriles undergo further reactions leading to lactones or imines. These reaction conditions are applicable for a range of arenes, including phenols, anilines, anisoles, and heteroarenes. Mechanistic studies support the formation of a cationic intermediate via a two-electron oxidation.

Iodine-Catalyzed Synthesis of N,N'-Chelate Organoboron Aminoquinolate

We disclose a novel method for the synthesis of fluorescent N,N'-chelate organoboron compounds in high efficiency by treatment of aminoquinolates with NaBAr₄/R'COOH in the presence of an iodine catalyst. These compounds display high air and thermal stability. A possible catalytic mechanism based on the results of control experiments has been proposed. Fluorescence quantum yield of 3b is up to 0.79 in dichloromethane.

Formal Aerobic Oxidative Cross-Coupling of Benzofuranones with Azo Compounds Using Pd-μ-hydroxo Complex

We have developed a catalytic aerobic oxidative dimerization reaction of benzofuranones using a Pd(II)-µ-hydroxo complex. Radical-radical cross-coupling of the resulting dimers with azo compounds enabled the one-pot synthesis of structurally congested benzofuranones having two distinct vicinal all-carbon quaternary centers.

Recent Advances on Copper-Catalyzed C–C Bond Formation via C–H Functionalization

Reactions that form C–C bonds are at the heart of many important transformations, both in industry and in academia. From the myriad of catalytic approaches to achieve such transformations, those relying on C–H functionalization are gaining increasing interest due to their inherent sustainable nature. In this short review, we showcase the most recent advances in the field of C–C bond formation via C–H functionalization, but focusing only on those methodologies relying on copper catalysts. This coinage metal has gained increased popularity in recent years, not only because it is cheaper and more abundant than precious metals, but also thanks to its rich and versatile chemistry.

1 Introduction

2 Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling under Thermal Conditions

2.1 C(sp3)–C(sp3) Bond Formation

2.2 C(sp3)–C(sp2) Bond Formation

2.3 C(sp2)–C(sp2) Bond Formation

2.4 C(sp3)–C(sp) Bond Formation

3 Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling under Photochemical Conditions

3.1 C(sp3)–C(sp3) Bond Formation

3.2 C(sp3)–C(sp2) and C(sp3)–C(sp) Bond Formation

4 Conclusion and Perspective

Catalytic Aerobic Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling of Azlactones en Route to α,α-Disubstituted α-Amino Acids

We developed a catalytic aerobic method to synthesize α,α-disubstituted α-amino acids through cross-dehydrogenative coupling of azlactones. Combining an iron catalyst with a bisoxazolidine ligand resulted in high catalytic performance, and cross-coupling with an indole proceeded smoothly under aerobic conditions. A wide variety of α-aryl and aliphatic amino acid derived azlactones were applied to the present catalysis. In addition, a quaternary carbon could be constructed using oxindole and benzofuranone under aerobic conditions.

Synthesis of Triarylmethanes by Decarbonylation of 3,3-Diaryl Benzofuranones

A simple protocol for the synthesis of triarylmethane derivatives with three different (hetero)aryl groups by decarbonylation of 3,3-diaryl benzofuranones, which can easily be prepared via arylation of benzofuranones, was developed. The reaction proceeds on heating in dimethylformamide (DMF) in the presence of CH₃ONa and water to generate the products in good to excellent yields. This reaction can be easily scaled up to give a triarylmethane in a gram scale. Further chemical manipulation of the products enabled useful transformations of the phenol ring, including reduction, arylation, cyclization, etc.