Iron-Catalyzed C(sp2)–H Alkylation of Indolines and Benzo[h]quinoline with Unactivated Alkyl Chlorides through Chelation Assistance

Visible-Light-Induced Copper-Catalyzed Radical Reactions of Diazo Arylidene Succinimides to Access the Pyromellitic Diimide (PMDI) Core

The synthesis of pyromellitic diimides (PMDIs) through visible-light-promoted copper-catalyzed reaction of diazo arylidene succinimides has been accomplished without the use of external oxidants. This transformation involves a carbon radical from diazo arylidene succinimides with a copper catalyst or photocatalyst via the proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) process. This approach successfully challenges a long-standing paradigm in the synthesis of PMDIs. Notably, copper complex (CuNCS) formed in situ proved to be playing a pivotal role to drive the reaction via photoinitiation. Additionally, we synthesized a PMDI molecule known for its prominent aggregation-induced emission (AIE) property. For the very first time, we have synthesized unsymmetrical PMDIs by employing the developed protocol.

Mechanochemical C-H Arylation and Alkylation of Indoles Using 3 d Transition Metal and Zero-Valent Magnesium

Although the 3 d transition-metal catalyzed C-H functionalization have been extensively employed to promote the formation of valuable carbon-carbon bonds, the persistent problems, including the use of sensitive Grignard reagents and the rigorous operations (solvent-drying, inert gas protection, metal pre-activation and RMgX addition rate control), still leave great room for further development of sustainable methodologies. Herein, we report a mechanochemical technology toward in-situ preparation of highly sensitive organomagnesium reagents, and thus building two general 3 d transition-metal catalytic platforms that enables regioselective arylation and alkylation of indoles with a wide variety of halides (including those containing post transformable functionalities and heteroaromatic rings). This mechanochemical strategy also brings unique reactivity and high step-economy in producing functionalized N-free indole products.

Rh(III)-Catalyzed C7-Alkylation of Isatogens with Malonic Acid Diazoesters

Rh(III)-catalyzed C7-alkylation of isatogens (indolin-3-one N-oxides) with malonic acid diazoesters has been developed. This strategy utilizes oxygen anion on the N-oxide group of isatogens as a directing group and successfully achieves the synthesis of a series of C7-alkylated isatogens with moderate to good yields (48-86% yields). Moreover, the N-oxides of isatogens can not only serve as the simple directing group for C7-H bond cleavage but also be deoxidized for easy removal.

Nickel-Catalyzed Tandem Cyclization of 1,6-Diynes with Indolines/Indoles through Dual C-H Bond Activation

A nickel-catalyzed site-selective tandem cyclization of 1,6-diynes with substituted indolines or indoles through consecutive dual C-H bond activation is described. In the reaction, substituted fused indole and carbazole derivatives were observed in good to excellent yields, in which three consecutive C-C bonds formed in one pot. Later, in the presence of DDQ, the aromatization of the indoline derivative was converted to the indole derivative. A possible reaction mechanism involving dual C-H bond activation as a key step was proposed to account for the present reaction.

Palladium-Catalyzed Chemoselective Oxygenation of C(sp2)-H and C(sp3)-H Bonds in Isatins

The palladium-catalyzed chemoselective C(sp²)-H and C(sp³)-H bond oxygenation of substituted isatin derivatives is reported. This mild protocol exhibits the C5 C(sp²)-H oxygenation of isatins through electrophilic intermolecular C-H palladation in concentrated solutions using PhI(OAc)₂ or Selectfluor as an oxidant, whereas it exhibits-N-CH₃ C(sp³)-H oxygenation in dilute solutions via carbonyl-assisted intramolecular palladation in the presence of K₂S₂O₈. This oxygenation reaction provides a direct and unified approach for synthesizing diverse oxygenated isatins with sensitive functionalities, including biorelevant compounds.

Rhodium(III)-catalyzed C-H alkylation of arylhydrophthalazinediones with α-Cl ketones as sp3-carbon alkylated agents

A Rh(III)-catalyzed C-H bond direct alkylation between 2-arylphthalazine-1,4-diones and α-Cl ketones, which are sp³-carbon synthons, under mild conditions has been disclosed. The corresponding phthalazine derivatives are readily obtained in moderate to excellent yields with a wide range of substrates and high functional group tolerance. The practicality and utility of this method are demonstrated by the derivatization of the product.

Incorporation of a cyclobutyl substituent in molecules by transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions

In this review, the incorporation of a cyclobutyl substituent in molecules, by transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling, is described by only considering the formation of C-C bonds. Three main strategies are used to introduce a cyclobutyl substituent in molecules by involving either electrophilic or nucleophilic cyclobutane derivatives.

An Efficient Route to 3,3'-Biindolinylidene-diones by Iron-Catalyzed Dimerization of Isatins

Iron-catalyzed dimerization of various isatin derivatives is described for the efficient synthesis of 3,3'-biindolinylidene-diones (isoindigos). The reaction provides easy access to self-coupled and cross-coupled 3,3'-indolinylidene-diones that have high relevance to biology and materials. This Fe(0)- or Fe(II)-catalyzed dimerization reaction tolerates a wide range of functionalities, such as fluoro, chloro, bromo, alkenyl, nitrile, ether, ester, pyrrolyl, indolyl and carbazolyl groups, including cyclic and acyclic alkyls as well as an alkyl-bearing fatty-alcohol moiety. Especially, the coupling between two distinct isatins provided excellent selectivity for the cross-dimerization with trace of self-couplings. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction study established the molecular structure of eight dimerized products. A preliminary mechanistic study of the Fe-catalyzed dimerization supported the radical pathway for the reaction.

Rhodium-catalysed decarbonylative C(sp2)-H alkylation of indolines with alkyl carboxylic acids and carboxylic anhydrides under redox-neutral conditions

We developed a rhodium-catalysed decarbonylative C(sp²)-H alkylation method for indolines. This reaction facilitates the use of alkyl carboxylic acids and their anhydrides as a cheap, abundant and non-toxic alkyl source under redox-neutral conditions, featuring the introduction of a primary alkyl chain, which cannot be addressed by previous radical-mediated decarboxylative reaction. Through a mechanistic investigation, we revealed that an initially formed C-7 acylated indoline was transformed into the corresponding alkylated indoline via a decarbonylation process.

Manganese-Catalyzed C(sp2)-H Alkylation of Indolines and Arenes with Unactivated Alkyl Bromides

Selective C(sp 2 ) - H bond alkylation of indoline, carbazole and (2-pyridinyl)arenes with unactivated alkyl bromides is achieved using MnBr 2 catalyst in the absence of an external ligand. The alkylation uses a simple LiHMDS base and avoids the necessity of Grignard reagent, unlike other Mn-catalyzed C - H functionalization. This reaction proceeded either through a five- or a less-favored six-membered metallacycle, and tolerated diverse functionalities, including alkenyl, alkynyl, silyl, aryl ether, pyrrolyl, indolyl, carbazolyl and alkyl bearing fatty alcohol and polycyclic-steroid moieties. Alkylation follows a single electron transfer (SET) pathway involving 1e oxidative addition of alkyl bromide and a rate-limiting C-H metalation.

Rhodium-Catalyzed C(sp2)-H Alkoxycarbonylation/Acylation of Indolines with Anhydrides as a Carbonyl Source

We developed rhodium-catalyzed alkoxylcarbonylation/acylation of indolines using anhydrides as a safe and easy-to-handle carbonyl source. This catalytic process represents an additive- and CO-free carbonylation, establishing a simple and straightforward protocol for synthesizing C7-carbonylated indolines. Notably, this reaction provides a successful example of C–H acylation of indolines that results in the formation of α-branched ketones, which were difficult to prepare by previously reported analogous catalytic reactions.

Nickel-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation for the Synthesis of a Key Intermediate of Sitagliptin

Nickel-catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation of enamines leading to the efficient synthesis of 3-R-Boc-amino-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butyric esters, the key intermediate of the blockbuster antidiabetic drug (R)-SITAGLIPTIN, is described. The sitagliptin motifs were isolated in more than 99% yield and with 75-92% ee using the earth-abundant nickel catalyst. Upon chiral resolution with (R)- and (S)-1-phenylethylamines, the partially enantioenriched (R)- and (S)-Boc-3-amino-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butanoic acids provided >99.5% ee of the crucial sitagliptin intermediate. The asymmetric hydrogenation protocol was scaled up to 10 g with consistency in yield and ee, and has been reproduced in multiple batches.

Room temperature Z-selective hydrogenation of alkynes by hemilabile and non-innocent (NNN)Co(ii) catalysts

Room temperature chemo- and stereoselective hydrogenation of alkynes is described using a well-defined and phosphine-free hemilabile cobalt catalyst.

Recent advances on non-precious metal-catalyzed C-H functionalization of N-heteroarenes

N-Heteroarenes are widely used for numerous medicinal applications, lifesaving drugs and show utmost importance as intermediates in chemical synthesis. This feature article highlights the recent advances, from 2015 to August 2021, on sp² and sp³ C-H bond functionalization reactions of various N-heteroarenes catalyzed by non-precious transition metals (Mn, Co, Fe, Ni, etc.). The salient features of the report are: (i) the development of newer catalysis for Csp²-H activation of N-heteroarenes and categorized into alkylation, alkenylation, borylation, cyanation, and annulation reactions, (ii) recent advances on Csp³-H bond functionalization of N-heteroarenes considering newer approaches for alkylation as well as alkenylation processes, and (iii) synthetic applications and practical utility of the catalytic protocols utilized for late-stage drug development; (iv) scope for the development of newer catalytic protocols along with mechanistic studies and detail mechanistic findings of various important processes.

Synthesis and Photophysical Study of Heteropolycyclic and Carbazole Motif: Nickel-Catalyzed Chelate-Assisted Cascade C-H Activations/Annulations

Herein, nickel-catalyzed synthesis of polyarylcarbazole through sequential C-H bond activations has been described. Regioselective indole C2/C3 functionalization has been achieved in the presence of indole C7-H, which is quite challenging. In addition, this approach also gives easy access to building a heteropolycyclic motif through C6/C7 C-H functionalization of indoline. This methodology is not limited to aromatic internal alkynes as coupling partners; aliphatic alkynes have also shown good tolerance. Notably, during the optimization the catalytic enhancement with sodium iodide as an additive has been observed. We have also studied the photophysical properties of these highly conjugated molecules.

Experimental and computational studies of the mechanism of iron-catalysed C-H activation/functionalisation with allyl electrophiles

Synthetic methods that utilise iron to facilitate C–H bond activation to yield new C–C and C–heteroatom bonds continue to attract significant interest. However, the development of these systems is still hampered by a limited molecular-level understanding of the key iron intermediates and reaction pathways that enable selective product formation. While recent studies have established the mechanism for iron-catalysed C–H arylation from aryl-nucleophiles, the underlying mechanistic pathway of iron-catalysed C–H activation/functionalisation systems which utilise electrophiles to establish C–C and C–heteroatom bonds has not been determined. The present study focuses on an iron-catalysed C–H allylation system, which utilises allyl chlorides as electrophiles to establish a C–allyl bond. Freeze-trapped inorganic spectroscopic methods (⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer, EPR, and MCD) are combined with correlated reaction studies and kinetic analyses to reveal a unique and rapid reaction pathway by which the allyl electrophile reacts with a C–H activated iron intermediate. Supporting computational analysis defines this novel reaction coordinate as an inner-sphere radical process which features a partial iron–bisphosphine dissociation. Highlighting the role of the bisphosphine in this reaction pathway, a complementary study performed on the reaction of allyl electrophile with an analogous C–H activated intermediate bearing a more rigid bisphosphine ligand exhibits stifled yield and selectivity towards allylated product. An additional spectroscopic analysis of an iron-catalysed C–H amination system, which incorporates N-chloromorpholine as the C–N bond-forming electrophile, reveals a rapid reaction of electrophile with an analogous C–H activated iron intermediate consistent with the inner-sphere radical process defined for the C–H allylation system, demonstrating the prevalence of this novel reaction coordinate in this sub-class of iron-catalysed C–H functionalisation systems. Overall, these results provide a critical mechanistic foundation for the rational design and development of improved systems that are efficient, selective, and useful across a broad range of C–H functionalisations.

Experimental and computational studies support an inner-sphere radical pathway for iron-catalysed C–H activation/functionalisation with allyl electrophiles.

Oxygen-Linked Cyclopentadienyl Rhodium(III) Complexes-Catalyzed Asymmetric C-H Arylation of Benzo[h]quinolines with 1-Diazonaphthoquinones

Chiral cyclopentadienyl rhodium (CpRh) complex-catalyzed asymmetric C-H functionalization reactions have witnessed a significant progress in organic synthesis. In sharp contrast, the reported chiral Cp ligands are limited to C-linked Cp and are often synthetically challenging. To address these issues, we have developed a novel class of tunable chiral cyclopentadienyl ligands bearing oxygen linkers, which were efficient catalysts for C-H arylation of benzo[h]quinolines with 1-diazonaphthoquinones, affording axially chiral heterobiaryls in excellent yields and enantioselectivity (up to 99 % yield, 98.5:1.5 er). Mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction is likely to proceed by electrophilic C-H activation, and followed by coupling of the cyclometalated rhodium(III) complex with 1-diazonaphthoquinones.

Pd(II)-Catalyzed Chemoselective Acetoxylation of C(sp2)-H and C(sp3)-H Bonds in Tertiary Amides

Palladium-catalyzed chemoselective C(sp²)-H and C(sp³)-H acetoxylation of synthetically useful tertiary amides is reported under relatively mild reaction conditions. This protocol proceeds through the assistance of a weakly coordinated directing group (C═O) and requires low catalyst (1.0 mol %) loading. Diverse functionalities, such as C(sp²)-Cl, C(sp³)-Cl, -CF₃, -COOEt, and -NO₂ groups, including morpholinyl, piperazinyl, and pyrrolidinyl heterocycles, are compatible under the reaction conditions. Further functionalization of this protocol is demonstrated by hydrolysis to alcohols, alcohol-acids, as well as reduction to tertiary amines. A preliminary kinetic isotope effect study supported the rate-limiting C-H bond activation process.

Nickel-Catalyzed C-H Bond Functionalization of Azoles and Indoles

Direct C-H functionalization of privileged and biologically relevant azoles and indoles represents an important chemical transformation in molecular science. Despite significant progress in the palladium-catalyzed regioselective C-H functionalization of azoles and indoles, the use of abundant and less expensive nickel catalyst is underdeveloped. In the recent past, the nickel-catalyzed regioselective C-H alkylation, arylation, alkenylation and alkynylation of azoles and indoles have been substantially explored, which can be applied to the complex organic molecule synthesis. In this Account, we summarize the developments in nickel-catalyzed regioselective functionalization of azoles and indoles with a considerable focus on the reaction mechanism.

Iron-Mediated Selective Sulfonylmethylation of Aniline Derivatives with p-Toluenesulfonylmethyl Isocyanide (TosMIC)

An iron-mediated highly selective C-H sulfonylmethylation of aniline derivatives with p-toluenesulfonylmethyl isocyanide in a mixture solvent of H₂O and PEG₄₀₀ under an Ar atmosphere has been realized. This transformation proceeds with operational convenience, use of earth-abundant metal catalyst and nontoxic media, broad substrate scope, and good functional group tolerance. The current methodology could be applied to the regioselective C-H sulfonylmethylation of indolines, tetrahydroquinolines, and tertiary anilines.

Palladium-Catalyzed Direct and Specific C-7 Acylation of Indolines with 1,2-Diketones

The indole scaffold is a ubiquitous and useful substructure, and extensive investigations have been conducted to construct the indole framework and/or realize indole modification. Nevertheless, the direct selective functionalization on the benzenoid core must overcome the high activity of the C-3 position and still remains highly challenging. Herein, a palladium-catalyzed direct and specific C-7 acylation of indolines in the presence of an easily removed directing group was developed. This strategy usually is considered as a practical strategy for the preparation of acylated indoles because indoline can be easily converted to indole under oxidation conditions. In particular, our strategy greatly improved the alkacylation yield of indolines for which only an unsatisfactory yield could be achieved in the previous studies. Furthermore, the reaction can be scaled up to gram level in the standard reaction conditions with a much lower palladium loading (1 mol %).