Aldehyde as a Traceless Directing Group for Regioselective C–H Alkylation Catalyzed by Rhodium(III) in Air

Single-Step Synthesis of γ-Ketoacids through a Photoredox-Catalyzed Dual Decarboxylative Coupling of α-Oxo Acids and Maleic Anhydrides

A photocatalytic methodology for the single step synthesis of γ-ketoacids from α-ketoacids has been developed. This method employs maleic anhydrides as traceless synthetic equivalents of acrylic acids, achieving a selective cross-coupling via a dual decarboxylative strategy, where molecular CO2 is released as the only waste byproduct. The method has also been expanded to incorporate a highly regioselective, 3-component coupling with various alcohols to access functionalized γ-ketoesters.

Iron(III)-Catalyzed Regioselective Synthesis of Electron-Rich Benzothiazoles from Aryl Isothiocyanates via C-H Functionalization

We report herein a direct synthetic route for the preparation of 2-arylbenzothiazoles using aryl isothiocyanates and electron-rich arenes. The synthetic route involves triflic acid promoted addition of the arenes to aryl isothiocyanates followed by FeCl₃-catalyzed C-S bond formation via C-H functionalization. The approach provides the advantage of synthesis of benzothiazoles without the conventional use of aryl aldehyde/carboxylic acid precursors employing the less expensive iron(III) catalyst.

Transition-metal-catalyzed C-H bond alkylation using olefins: recent advances and mechanistic aspects

Transition metal catalysis has contributed immensely to C-C bond formation reactions over the last few decades, and alkylation is no exception. The superiority of such methodologies over traditional alkylation is evident from minimal reaction steps, shorter reaction times, and atom economy while also allowing control over regio- and stereo-selectivity. In particular, hydrocarbonation of alkenes has grabbed increased attention due its fundamental ability to effectively and selectively synthesise a wide range of industrially and pharmaceutically relevant moieties. This review attempts to provide a scientific viewpoint and a systematic analysis of the recent developments in transition-metal-catalyzed alkylation of various C-H bonds using simple and activated olefins. The key features and mechanistic studies involved in these transformations are described briefly.

Ru(II)-Catalyzed Regioselective C(5)-H Functionalization of Quinazolinone-Coumarin Conjugates: Synthesis and Photophysical Studies

The quinazolinone template offers an exciting potential for transforming molecules into useful bioactivity. Herein, we report the first regioselective C-5 alkenylation of quinazolinone-coumarin conjugates via ruthenium(II) catalyst using amide as a weak directing group. This methodology permits excellent regioselectivity, extensive substrate tolerance, and mild reaction conditions. In addition, it generates interesting fluorophores that show positive solvatochromism in the range from 404 nm (toluene) to 541 nm (methanol).

Rh(III)-Catalyzed olefination to build diverse oxazole derivatives from functional alkynes

A novel Rh(iii)-catalyzed olefination reaction of oxazoles to generate diverse oxazole skeleton derivatives has been realized by directly using oxazole as the directing group. The reaction could tolerate many functional groups, affording complex oxazole derivatives with long chain alkenyls in moderate to good yields, which might find applications in the construction of diverse compounds.

Traceless directing groups: a novel strategy in regiodivergent C-H functionalization

The use of functional groups as internal ligands for assisting C-H functionalization, termed the chelation assisted strategy, is emerging as one of the most powerful tools for construction of C-C and C-X bonds from inert C-H bonds. However, there are various directing groups which cannot be either removed after functionalization or require some additional steps or reagents for their removal, thereby limiting the scope of structural diversity of the products, and the step and atom economy of the system. These limitations are overcome by the use of the traceless directing group (TDG) strategy wherein functionalization of the substrate and removal of the directing group can be carried out in a one pot fashion. Traceless directing groups serve as the most ideal chelation assisted strategy with a high degree of reactivity and selectivity without any requirement for additional steps for their removal. The present review overviews the use of various functional groups such as carboxylic acids, aldehydes, N-oxides, nitrones, N-nitroso amines, amides, sulfoxonium ylides and silicon tethered directing groups for assisting transition metal catalyzed C-H functionalization reactions in the last decade.