Ruthenium-Catalyzed C-H Bond Activation Approach to Azolyl Aminals and Hemiaminal Ethers, Mechanistic Evaluations, and Isomer Interconversion

Visible Light-Induced Reactions of Diazo Compounds and Their Precursors

In recent years, visible light-induced reactions of diazo compounds have attracted increasing attention in organic synthesis, leading to improvement of existing reactions, as well as to the discovery of unprecedented transformations. Thus, photochemical or photocatalytic generation of both carbenes and radicals provide milder tools toward these key intermediates for many valuable transformations. However, the vast majority of the transformations represent new reactivity modes of diazo compounds, which are achieved by the photochemical decomposition of diazo compounds and photoredox catalysis. In particular, the use of a redox-active photocatalysts opens the avenue to a plethora of radical reactions. The application of these methods to diazo compounds led to discovery of transformations inaccessible by the classical reactivity associated with carbenes and metal carbenes. In most cases, diazo compounds act as radical sources but can also serve as radical acceptors. Importantly, the described processes operate under mild, practical conditions. This Review describes this subfield of diazo compound chemistry, particularly focusing on recent advancements.

Visible light-induced C(sp3)-H azolation of ethers via radical-polar crossover

Reported herein is a photochemical strategy for C(sp3)-H azolation of ethers via a hydrogen-atom transfer and radical-polar crossover process, offering efficient access to valuable N-alkylated azoles under visible-light irradiation. The protocol is metal-free and photocatalyst-free, and exhibits good to excellent yields and broad substrate scope with regard to azoles. EPR experiments provide evidence for the formation of intermediates formed in situ.

Visible-Light-Induced and Iodoform-Promoted Functionalization of Ether with Secondary Sulfonyl Amides

An iodoform-promoted functionalization of ether with secondary sulfonyl amides under visible-light irradiation was developed toward synthesis of hemiaminal skeleton with good to excellent isolated yields. The characterization of the isolated ether and iodoform complex revealed regioselective hydrogen atom transfer to initiate carbon radical formation and enabled the amination reaction with the sulfonamide.

Regioselectively Electrochemical Synthesis of N2-Selective C-H Amination of Ethers with N-Tosyl 1,2,3-Triazole via Triazole Radical Cation

A regioselective electrochemical C-H amination method to synthesize N²-substituted 1,2,3-triazole using easily accessible ethers has been developed. Various substituents, including heterocycles, have a good tolerance, and 24 examples were obtained in moderate to good yields. Control experiments and DFT calculation investigations demonstrate that the electrochemical synthesis undergoes a N-tosyl 1,2,3-triazole radical cation process promoted by the single-electron transfer of the lone pair electrons of the aromatic N-heterocycle, and the desulfonation is responsible for the high N²-regioselectivity.

N2-Selective β-Thioalkylation of Benzotriazoles with Alkenes

Herein, N²-selective β-thioalkylation of benzotriazoles with unactivated alkenes and styrenes is reported. The N²-selective β-thioalkylation of benzotriazoles is highly stereospecific and works under simple and mild conditions, exhibiting excellent functional group tolerance. The high N²-selectivity is a consequence of the combination of hydrogen bonding and Lewis acid/base activation, which reverses the N²-position to be favored for alkylation.

Photochemical and Electrochemical Applications of Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer in Organic Synthesis

We present here a review of the photochemical and electrochemical applications of multi-site proton-coupled electron transfer (MS-PCET) in organic synthesis. MS-PCETs are redox mechanisms in which both an electron and a proton are exchanged together, often in a concerted elementary step. As such, MS-PCET can function as a non-classical mechanism for homolytic bond activation, providing opportunities to generate synthetically useful free radical intermediates directly from a wide variety of common organic functional groups. We present an introduction to MS-PCET and a practitioner's guide to reaction design, with an emphasis on the unique energetic and selectivity features that are characteristic of this reaction class. We then present chapters on oxidative N-H, O-H, S-H, and C-H bond homolysis methods, for the generation of the corresponding neutral radical species. Then, chapters for reductive PCET activations involving carbonyl, imine, other X═Y π-systems, and heteroarenes, where neutral ketyl, α-amino, and heteroarene-derived radicals can be generated. Finally, we present chapters on the applications of MS-PCET in asymmetric catalysis and in materials and device applications. Within each chapter, we subdivide by the functional group undergoing homolysis, and thereafter by the type of transformation being promoted. Methods published prior to the end of December 2020 are presented.

B(C6F5)3-Catalyzed site-selective N1-alkylation of benzotriazoles with diazoalkanes

Alkylation of benzotriazoles is synthetically challenging, often leading to mixtures of N1 and N2 alkylation. Herein, metal-free catalytic site-selective N1-alkylation of benzotriazoles with diazoalkanes is described in the presence of 10 mol% of B(C6F5)3. These reactions provide N1-alkylated benzotriazoles in good to excellent yields and this protocol is successfully adapted to gram-scale syntheses as well as a derivative with antimicrobial activity.

Direct functionalization of cyclic ethers with maleimide iodides via free radial-mediated sp3 C-H activation

Cyclic ethers are important scaffolds employed in the synthesis of various natural products and pharmaceutical ingredients. A novel free radical-initiated reaction between cyclic ethers and maleimide iodides through C-H activation is developed, avoiding the use of transition metallic catalysts. This method provides a simple approach to derive cyclic ethers, which were further applied in various cross coupling reactions.

Remote C(sp3)–H vinylation via radical-mediated consecutive fission of C–H and C–C bonds

Described herein is a radical-mediated vinylation of the remote C(sp³)–H bonds of propargylic alcohols.

Regioselective N1- and N2-heterocycloalkylation of N1-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles

A tuneable and visible-light-driven three-component reaction between N¹-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles, saturated heterocycles, and N-bromosuccinimide for regioselective synthesis of N¹- or N²-heterocycloalkylated 1,2,3-triazoles.

Direct methyl C(sp3)-H azolation of thioanisoles via oxidative radical coupling

A method for metal-free, 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin mediated methyl C(sp³)-H bond azolation of thioanisoles has been developed, affording a facile route for the construction of nitrogen-functionalized thioanisoles, possibly via a nitrogen-centered radical process. This reaction represents an important addition to the limited number of existing methods for the methyl C(sp³)-H bond functionalization of thioanisoles, and may find practical application in the synthesis of nitrogen-alkylated azoles.

Direct functionalization of alkyl ethers to construct hemiaminal ether skeletons (HESs)

Hemiaminal ether skeletons (HESs) are important backbones generally found in organic compounds. Compared to traditional functional group transformations, strategies for the C-H functionalization of alkyl ethers to construct HESs have drawn much attention in the past decade. In this review, we focus on the recent progress in developing various pathways to construct HESs via the direct functionalization of alkyl ethers, including: (a) the transition-metal-catalyzed nitrene insertion pathway, (b) the transition-metal-free organonitrenoid insertion pathway,

Metal-free oxidative cross-dehydrogenative coupling of quinones with benzylic C(sp3)–H bonds

A metal-free cross-dehydrogenative coupling of quinones with toluene derivatives has been established. A series of quinones were subjected to reaction with toluene derivatives in the presence of di-tertbutyl peroxide (DTBP) for direct synthesis of benzylquinones. The method exhibits good functional group tolerance, and desired products were obtained in moderate to good yields. Meanwhile, a radical pathway was proposed to describe the cross-dehydrogenative coupling of quinones with toluene derivatives.

A metal-free cross-dehydrogenative coupling of quinones with toluene derivatives has been established. A series of quinones were subjected to reaction with toluene derivatives in the presence of DTBP for direct synthesis of benzylquinones.

Boryl Radicals-Triggered Selective C-H Functionalization for the Synthesis of Diverse Phenanthridine Derivatives

A boryl radical-triggered C-H functionalization of aliphatic ethers/amines or DMF with isocyanides is developed to deliver diverse phenanthridine derivatives in good to excellent yields. The substrate scope is broad, and a wide range of functional groups are tolerated under the standard conditions. The rapid removal of HBPin species by 4-cyanopyridine 1-oxide provides the driving force for this reaction. This new method should make boryl radicals widely applicable in organic synthesis.

Ni(i)–Ni(iii) vs. Ni(ii)–Ni(iv): mechanistic study of Ni-catalyzed alkylation of benzamides with alkyl halides

DFT investigations into the mechanism of Ni-catalyzed alkylation of benzamides with alkyl halides are reported. Computational results show that the Ni(ii)–Ni(iv) catalytic cycle is favorable; meanwhile, the oxidative addition of alkylbromide forms a Ni(iv) intermediate and is the rate-determining step of the whole catalytic cycle.

Cobalt-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative coupling of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with isochroman using molecular oxygen as the oxidant

A cobalt-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative coupling of 2-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with isochroman is developed using molecular oxygen as the oxidant.

Copper-catalyzed oxidative intermolecular 1,2-alkylarylation of styrenes with ethers and indoles

A new copper-catalyzed oxidative three-component intermolecular 1,2-alkylarylation of styrenes with ethers and indoles is disclosed.

Cross-dehydrogenative coupling and oxidative-amination reactions of ethers and alcohols with aromatics and heteroaromatics

Cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) is a process in which, typically, a C-C bond is formed at the expense of two C-H bonds, either catalyzed by metals or other organic compounds, or via uncatalyzed processes. In this perspective, we present various modes of C-H bond-activation at sp3 centers adjacent to ether oxygen atoms, followed by C-C bond formation with aromatic systems as well as with heteroaromatic systems. C-N bond-formation with NH-containing heteroaromatics, leading to hemiaminal ethers, is also an event that can occur analogously to C-C bond formation, but at the expense of C-H and N-H bonds. A large variety of hemiaminal ether-forming reactions have recently appeared in the literature and this perspective also includes this complementary chemistry. In addition, the participation of C-H bonds in alcohols in such processes is also described. Facile access to a wide range of compounds can be attained through these processes, rendering such reactions useful for synthetic applications via Csp3 bond activations.

Recent Advances in Radical C-H Activation/Radical Cross-Coupling

Research and industrial interest in radical C-H activation/radical cross-coupling chemistry has continuously grown over the past few decades. These reactions offer fascinating and unconventional approaches toward connecting molecular fragments with high atom- and step-economy that are often complementary to traditional methods. Success in this area of research was made possible through the development of photocatalysis and first-row transition metal catalysis along with the use of peroxides as radical initiators. This Review provides a brief and concise overview of the current status and latest methodologies using radicals or radical cations as key intermediates produced via radical C-H activation. This Review includes radical addition, radical cascade cyclization, radical/radical cross-coupling, coupling of radicals with M-R groups, and coupling of radical cations with nucleophiles (Nu).

Copper-Catalyzed Cross-Dehydrogenative N2-Coupling of NH-1,2,3-Triazoles with N,N -Dialkylamides: N-Amidoalkylation of NH-1,2,3-Triazoles

An efficient copper-catalyzed C-N bond formation by N-H/C-H cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) between NH-1,2,3-triazoles and N,N-dialkylamides has been developed. The method provided N-amidoalkylated 1,2,3-triazoles with moderate to high yields, and the reactions showed high N²-selectivities when 4,5-disubstituted NH-1,2,3-triazoles served as the substrates.

Highly chemoselective ruthenium(ii)-catalyzed direct arylation of cyclic and N,N-dialkyl benzamides with aryl silanes

The ruthenium(ii)-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling of C(sp2)-H bonds with organosilanes has been accomplished for the first time. This novel protocol enlists challenging cyclic and N,N-dialkyl benzamides as weakly-coordinating substrates to achieve highly regioselective C(sp2)-H arylation as a proof-of-concept, taking advantage of the attractive features of organosilanes as coupling partners. This innovative method is characterized by very high chemoselectivity, installing halide functional groups (I, Br, Cl) that are incompatible with Ru(ii)-carboxylate systems employing halides as cross-coupling partners, while obviating the need for sensitive organometallic reagents and cryogenic temperatures typical to the classic directed-ortho-metallation (DoM) techniques, employing benzamides to afford bioactive structural motifs.

Solvent-free ruthenium trichloride-mediated [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of α,ω-diynes and cyanamides: a convenient access to 2-aminopyridines

A convenient access to functionalized 2-aminopyridinesviaa solventless Ru-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of α,ω-diynes and cyanamides is described.