Rhodium(II)-catalyzed enantioselective C-H functionalization of indoles

Mechanism and stereoselectivity in metal and enzyme catalyzed carbene insertion into X-H and C(sp2)-H bonds

Constructing highly proficient C-X (X = O, N, S, etc.) and C-C bonds by leveraging TMs (transition metals) (Fe, Cu, Pd, Rh, Au, etc.) and enzymes to catalyze carbene insertion into X-H/C(sp2)-H is a highly versatile strategy. This is primarily achieved through the in situ generation of metal carbenes from the interaction of TMs with diazo compounds. Over the last few decades, significant advancements have been made, encompassing a wide array of X-H bond insertions using various TMs. These reactions typically favor a stepwise ionic pathway where the nucleophilic attack on the metal carbene leads to the generation of a metal ylide species. This intermediate marks a critical juncture in the reaction cascade, presenting multiple avenues for proton transfer to yield the X-H inserted product. The mechanism of C(sp2)-H insertion reactions closely resembles those of X-H insertion reactions and thus have been included here. A major development in carbene insertion reactions has been the use of engineered enzymes as catalysts. Since the seminal report of a non-natural "carbene transferase" by Arnold in 2013, "P411", several heme-based enzymes have been reported in the literature to catalyze various abiological carbene insertion reactions into C(sp2)-H, N-H and S-H bonds. These enzymes possess an extraordinary ability to regulate the orientation and conformations of reactive intermediates, facilitating stereoselective carbene transfers. However, the absence of a suitable stereochemical model has impeded the development of asymmetric reactions employing a lone chiral catalyst, including enzymes. There is a pressing need to investigate alternative mechanisms and models to enhance our comprehension of stereoselectivity in these processes, which will be crucial for advancing the fields of asymmetric synthesis and biocatalysis. The current review aims to provide details on the mechanistic aspects of the asymmetric X-H and C(sp2)-H insertion reactions catalyzed by Fe, Cu, Pd, Rh, Au, and enzymes, focusing on the detailed mechanism and stereochemical model. The review is divided into sections focusing on a specific X-H/C(sp2)-H bond type catalyzed by different TMs and enzymes.

Dibenzo-Fused Heterocycles: A Decade Update on the Syntheses of Carbazole, Dibenzofuran, and Dibenzothiophene

Polycyclic heterocycles are the most common and critical structural motifs found in a variety of natural products, medicines, fertilizers, and advanced materials. Because of their widespread use in biologically active compounds and material chemistry, functionalised dibenzo heterocyclic compounds, especially dibenzofuran, dibenzothiophene, and carbazole derivatives, garnered much attention over time. Scientists are especially interested in elucidating more efficient techniques for developing these industrially essential compounds. Dibenzo-fused heterocycles can rapidly be synthesised using highly efficient transition metal-catalysed strategies as well as by economic metal-free reaction conditions. This review includes a detailed overview of the most recent significant synthetic techniques, both metal-catalysed and metal-free, to produce these industrially significant and medicinally important dibenzo-fused heterocycles.

Quantum Chemical Interrogation of Reactions Promoted by Dirhodium Tetracarboxylate Catalysts─Mechanism, Selectivity, and Nonstatistical Dynamic Effects

ConspectusRh2L4 catalysts have risen in popularity in the world of organic synthesis, being used to accomplish a variety of reactions, including C-H insertion and cyclopropanation, and often doing so with high levels of stereocontrol. While the mechanisms and origins of selectivity for such reactions have been examined with computational quantum chemistry for decades, only recently have detailed pictures of the dynamic behavior of reacting Rh2L4-complexed molecules become accessible. Our computational studies on Rh2L4 catalyzed reactions are described here, with a focus on C-H insertion reactions of Rh2L4-carbenes. Several issues complicate the modeling of these reactions, each providing an opportunity for greater understanding and each revealing issues that should be incorporated into future rational design efforts. First, the fundamental mechanism of C-H insertion is discussed. While early quantum chemical studies pointed to transition structures with 3-center [C-H-C] substructures and asynchronous hydride transfer/C-C bond formation, recent examples of reactions with particularly flat potential energy surfaces and even discrete zwitterionic intermediates have been found. These reactions are associated with systems bearing π-donating groups at the site of hydride transfer, allowing for an intermediate with a carbocation substructure at that site to be selectively stabilized. Second, the possible importance of solvent coordination at the Rh atom distal to the carbene is discussed. While effects on reactivity and selectivity were found to be small, they turn out not to be negligible in some cases. Third, it is shown that, in contrast to many other transition metal promoted reactions, many Rh2L4 catalyzed reactions likely involve dissociation of the Rh2L4 catalyst before key chemical steps leading to products. When to expect dissociation is associated with specific features of substrates and the product-forming reactions in question. Often, dissociation precedes transition structures for pericyclic reactions that involve electrons that would otherwise bind to Rh2L4. Finally, the importance of nonstatistical dynamic effects, characterized through ab initio molecular dynamics studies, in some Rh2L4 catalyzed reactions is discussed. These are reactions where transition structures are shown to be followed by flat regions, very shallow minima, and/or pathways that bifurcate, all allowing for trajectories from a single transition state to form multiple different products. The likelihood of encountering such a situation is shown to be associated again with the likelihood of formation of zwitterionic structures along reaction paths, but ones for which pathways to multiple products are expected to be associated with very low or no barriers. The connection between these features and reduced yields of desired products are highlighted, as are the means by which some Rh2L4 catalysts modulate dynamic behavior to produce particular products in high yield.

Is Enol Always the Culprit? The Curious Case of High Enantioselectivity in a Chiral Rh(II) Complex Catalyzed Carbene Insertion Reaction

The mechanism of Rh2 (S-NTTL)4 catalyzed carbene insertion into C(3)-H of indole is investigated using DFT methods. Since the commonly accepted enol mechanism cannot account for enantioinduction, a concerted oxocarbenium pathway was proposed in an earlier work using a model catalyst. However, after considering the full catalytic system, this study finds that akin to other reactions, here, too, the enol pathway is of lower energy, which now naturally raises a conundrum regarding the mode of chiral induction. Herein, a new water promoted mechanistic pathway involving a metal-associated enol intermediate hydrogen bonding and stereochemical model are proposed to solve this puzzle. It is shown how the catalyst bowl-shaped structure along with substrate-catalyst binding is crucial for achieving high levels of enantioselectivity. A stereodetermining water-assisted proton transfer is proposed and confirmed through deuterium-labeling experiments. The water molecules are held together by H-bonding interactions with the carboxylate ligands that is reminiscent of enzyme catalysis. Although several previous studies have aimed at understanding the mechanism of metal catalyzed carbene insertion reactions, the origin of high stereoinduction especially with chiral metal complexes remains unclear, and till date there is no transition state model that can explain the high enantioselectivity with such chiral Rh complexes. The metal-associated enol pathway is currently underrepresented in catalytic cycles and may play a crucial role in catalyst design. Since the enol pathway is commonly adopted in other metal-catalyzed X-H insertion reactions involving a diazoester, the presented results are not specific to the current reaction. Therefore, this study could provide the direction for achieving high levels of enantioselectivity which is otherwise difficult to achieve with a single metal catalyst.

Asymmetric N-Alkylation of 1H-Indoles via Carbene Insertion Reaction

An intermolecular enantioselective N-alkylation reaction of 1H-indoles has been developed by cooperative rhodium and chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed N-H bond insertion reaction. N-Alkyl indoles with newly formed stereocenter adjacent to the indole nitrogen atom are produced in good yields (up to 95 %) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99 % ee). Importantly, both α-aryl and α-alkyl diazoacetates are tolerated, which is extremely rare in asymmetric X-H (X=N, O, S et al.) and C-H insertion reactions. With this method, only 0.1 mol % of rhodium catalyst and 2.5 mol % of chiral phosphoric acid are required to complete the conversion as well as achieve the high enantioselectivity. Computational studies reveal the cooperative relay of rhodium and chiral phosphoric acid, and the origin of the chemo and stereoselectivity.

Dirhodium C-H Functionalization of Hole-Transport Materials

Hole-transport materials (HTMs) based on triarylamine derivatives play important roles in organic electronics applications including organic light-emitting diodes and perovskite solar cells. For some applications, triarylamine derivatives bearing appropriate binding groups have been used to functionalize surfaces, while others have been incorporated as side chains into polymers to manipulate the processibility of HTMs for device applications. However, only a few approaches have been used to incorporate a single surface-binding group or polymerizable group into triarylamine materials. Here, we report that Rh-carbenoid chemistry can be used to insert carboxylic esters and norbornene functional groups into sp² C-H bonds of a simple triarylamine and a 4,4'-bis(diarylamino)biphenyl, respectively. The norbenene-functionalized monomer was polymerized by ring-opening metathesis; the electrochemical, optical, and charge-transport properties of these materials were similar to those of related materials synthesized by conventional means. This method potentially offers straightforward access to a diverse range of HTMs with different functional groups.

Rhodium(I)-Catalyzed Direct Enantioselective C-H Functionalization of Indoles

A highly regiospecific vinylogous carbene insertion protocol for direct asymmetric C-H functionalization of indoles with arylvinyldiazoacetates has been developed. Under the catalysis of simple Rh(I)/chiral diene complexes, the reaction occurs solely at the vinylogous position of the vinylcarbenoid with exceptional E selectivity and enantiocontrol. It provides an efficient way to obtain an interesting class of chiral indole scaffolds bearing an α,β-unsaturated ester unit and a gem-diaryl carbon stereocenter in good yields (≤99%) with excellent enantioselectivities (≤96%) at room temperature.

Unearthing the Subtleties of Rhodium(II)-Catalyzed Carbenoid Cycloadditions to Furans with an N-Sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazole Probe

The rhodium(II)-catalyzed reaction of a model alkenyl donor/acceptor N-sulfonyltriazole with a wide selection of furans is reported. This investigation unearthed a range of structurally diverse carbocyclic and ring-opened products, in good to excellent yields. The products obtained are proposed to arise selectively via cyclopropanation or zwitterionic rearrangement pathways, which are highly dependent on both the structural and electronic features of the furan substrate.

Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Extended C4-Symmetric Dirhodium Tetracarboxylate Catalysts

The synthesis and evaluation of six C4-symmetric bowl-shaped dirhodium tetracarboxylate catalysts are described. These elaborate high symmetry catalysts are readily generated by means of the self-assembly of four C1-symmetric ligands around the dirhodium core. These catalysts are capable of highly site-selective, diastereoselective and enantioselective C-H functionalization reactions by means of donor/acceptor carbene-induced C-H insertions.

Organophotocatalytic Regioselective C-H Alkylation of Electron-Rich Arenes Using Activated and Unactivated Alkenes

Direct alkylation of the C-H bond arenes in a selective manner is a long-standing challenge. Herein, a metal-free photocatalytic regioselective C-H alkylation method for electron-rich arenes with both activated and unactivated alkenes was developed. The reaction tolerates a wide range of aromatic rings with diverse substitution patterns, as well as terminal and internal alkenes, providing a general and straightforward metal-free method for C-C bond formation from inert C-H bonds. Moreover, alkynes are also compatible to give the C-H vinylation of electron-rich arenes.

Does an Enol Pathway Preclude High Stereoselectivity in Iron-Catalyzed Indole C-H Functionalization via Carbene Insertion?

C-H functionalization of indoles via Fe carbenoids presents an attractive strategy to obtain biologically important structural motifs. However, obtaining good stereoselectivity with Fe has been a significant challenge. It is unclear whether the low selectivity is due to a radical pathway or an ionic mechanism involving metal-free species. We therefore present a density functional theory (DFT) study of indole alkylation with diazoacetates catalyzed by Fe(ClO₄)TMEDA/spirobisoxazoline and myoglobin. We explore three mechanistic pathways: nucleophilic, radical, and oxocarbenium routes. The nucleophilic pathway is the most feasible with the formation of an enol species that tautomerizes to furnish the alkylated indole. While this mechanism is routinely proposed, the stereochemical model has been conspicuously absent until now. We show that the conventionally invoked enol pathway is not responsible for the low enantiomeric excess. The enol intermediate can stay coordinated to the catalyst via different binding sites placing the enol in proximity to the chiral environment and affecting the stereoselective proton transfer. Both the binding strength and the chiral environment are crucial for obtaining high selectivity. Our study provides the much needed insights for the modest-low selectivities of Fe systems and could help in expediting the discovery of an efficient catalytic system. These mechanistic underpinnings could also be applicable to other metal (Rh, Pd, Cu, etc.)-catalyzed X-H insertion reactions.

Borane-catalyzed arylation of aryldiazoacetates with N,N-dialkylanilines

A selective arylation of donor-acceptor diazo compounds with aniline derivatives catalyzed by Lewis acidic boranes is developed. This simple reaction protocol provides an efficient method for the synthesis of diarylacetates under metal-free conditions.

Recent advances in transition-metal-catalyzed carbene insertion to C-H bonds

C-H functionalization has been emerging as a powerful method to establish carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds. Many efforts have been devoted to transition-metal-catalyzed direct transformations of C-H bonds. Metal carbenes generated in situ from transition-metal compounds and diazo or its equivalents are usually applied as the transient reactive intermediates to furnish a catalytic cycle for new C-C and C-X bond formation. Using this strategy compounds from unactivated simple alkanes to complex molecules can be further functionalized or transformed to multi-functionalized compounds. In this area, transition-metal-catalyzed carbene insertion to C-H bonds has been paid continuous attention. Diverse catalyst design strategies, synthetic methods, and potential applications have been developed. This critical review will summarize the advance in transition-metal-catalyzed carbene insertion to C-H bonds dated up to July 2021, by the categories of C-H bonds from aliphatic C(sp³)-H, aryl (aromatic) C(sp²)-H, heteroaryl (heteroaromatic) C(sp²)-H bonds, alkenyl C(sp²)-H, and alkynyl C(sp)-H, as well as asymmetric carbene insertion to C-H bonds, and more coverage will be given to the recent work. Due to the rapid development of the C-H functionalization area, future directions in this topic are also discussed. This review will give the authors an overview of carbene insertion chemistry in C-H functionalization with focus on the catalytic systems and synthetic applications in C-C bond formation.

Enabling Cyclopropanation Reactions of Imidazole Heterocycles via Chemoselective Photochemical Carbene Transfer Reactions of NHC-Boranes

Herein we report a site-selective cyclopropanation of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-borane complexes via photochemical carbene transfer reactions. By subtle changes to the reaction conditions, this approach can be further extended toward the difunctionalization of NHC-boranes via cyclopropanation and the B-H insertion reaction. Further investigations in photochemical continuous-flow applications and synthetic transformations proved the utility of the method. Theoretical calculations and control experiments were performed to explain the observed selectivity.

Catalytic Transformations of 2-Pyridones by Rhodium-Mediated Carbene Transfer

An enantioselective cyclopropanation reaction of N-substituted 2-pyridones with diazo compounds has been realized by using a chiral rhodium complex as the catalyst, and the corresponding chiral cyclopropanes could be formed in good yields with high enantioselectivities. Moreover, using acceptor-acceptor dimethyl 2-diazomalonate as the carbene precursor, a novel 1,4-rearrangement of a Boc group from N to C has also been discovered under rhodium catalysis.

Enantioselective Indole Insertion Reactions of α-Carbonyl Sulfoxonium Ylides

The first example of organocatalytic enantioselective C-H insertion reactions of indoles and sulfoxonium ylides is reported. Under the influence of phosphoric acid catalysis, levels of enantiocontrol in the range of 20-93% ee and moderate yields (up to 50%) were achieved for 29 examples in formal C-H insertion reactions of free indoles and α-carbonyl sulfoxonium ylides. No nitrogen protection on the indole is necessary.

Construction of C-C Axial Chirality via Asymmetric Carbene Insertion into Arene C-H Bonds

By using diazonaphthoquinones and anilines as key reagents and through a point-to-axis chiral transfer strategy, the atroposelective synthesis via asymmetric C(sp² )-H bond insertion reaction of arenes has been realized under rhodium catalysis, providing the resulting biaryl atropisomers in moderate to excellent yields with good enantiomeric ratios (up to 99:1). Further elaboration indicates this type of axially biaryl scaffold may have promising potentials in developing novel chiral ligands.

Stereoselective copper-catalyzed heteroarene C-H functionalization/Michael-type annulation cascade with α-diazocarbonyls

A stereoselective, copper-catalyzed, arene C(sp²)-H functionalization/Michael-type annulation reaction involving α-diazocarbonyl compounds has been developed. The method features low catalyst loadings, high yields, and excellent regio and stereoselectivity, in the synthesis of various heteroaromatic frameworks by employing indoles as the arene partner.

N-Hydroxyphthalimidyl diazoacetate (NHPI-DA): a modular methylene linchpin for the C-H alkylation of indoles

Despite the extensive studies on the reactions between conventional diazocompounds and indoles, these are still limited by the independent synthesis of the carbene precursors, the specific catalysts, and the required multi-step manipulation of the products. In this work, we explore redox-active carbenes in the expedited and divergent synthesis of functionalized indoles. NHPI-DA displays unusual efficiency and selectivity to yield insertion products that can be swiftly elaborated into boron and carbon substituents that are particularly problematic in carbene-mediated reactions.

Rate Dependence on Inductive and Resonance Effects for the Organocatalyzed Enantioselective Conjugate Addition of Alkenyl and Alkynyl Boronic Acids to β-Indolyl Enones and β-Pyrrolyl Enones

Two key factors bear on reaction rates for the conjugate addition of alkenyl boronic acids to heteroaryl-appended enones: the proximity of inductively electron-withdrawing heteroatoms to the site of bond formation and the resonance contribution of available heteroatom lone pairs to stabilize the developing positive charge at the enone β-position. For the former, the closer the heteroatom is to the enone β-carbon, the faster the reaction. For the latter, greater resonance stabilization of the benzylic cationic charge accelerates the reaction. Thus, reaction rates are increased by the closer proximity of inductive electron-withdrawing elements, but if resonance effects are involved, then increased rates are observed with electron-donating ability. Evidence for these trends in isomeric substrates is presented, and the application of these insights has allowed for reaction conditions that provide improved reactivity with previously problematic substrates.

Multi C-H Functionalization Reactions of Carbazole Heterocycles via Gold-Catalyzed Carbene Transfer Reactions

Herein we describe a multiple C-H functionalization reaction of carbazole heterocycles with diazoalkanes. We show that gold catalysts play a distinct role in enabling a multiple C-H functionalization reaction to introduce up to six carbene fragments onto molecules containing multiple carbazole units or to link multiple carbazole units into a single molecule. A one-pot stepwise approach enables the introduction of two different carbene fragments to allow orthogonal deprotection and straightforward derivatization.

Mechanistic insights into the rhodium–copper cascade catalyzed dual C–H annulation of indoles

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed to provide mechanistic insight into the Rh/Cu co-catalyzed multicomponent annulation of indoles, diazo compounds, and α,β-unsaturated esters.

Catalyst-controlled site-selective N-H and C3-arylation of carbazole via carbene transfer reactions

A site-selective direct arylation reaction of carbazole and other N-heterocycles with diazo-naphthalen-2(1H)-ones has been developed. While Au(i)-NHC catalysts lead to selective C3-arylation, palladium acetate allows for selective N-H arylation, displaying complete site-selectivity each. To show the applicability of these arylation reactions, one-pot, two-fold diarylation reactions of carbazole were demonstrated.

Scalable Synthesis of Esp and Rhodium(II) Carboxylates from Acetylacetone and RhCl3·xH2O

Rhodium(II) carboxylates are privileged catalysts for the most challenging carbene-, nitrene-, and oxo-transfer reactions. In this work, we address the strategic challenges of current organic and inorganic synthesis methods to access these rhodium(II) complexes through an oxidative rearrangement strategy and a reductive ligation reaction. These studies illustrate the multiple benefits of oxidative rearrangement in the process-scale synthesis of congested carboxylates over nitrile anion alkylation reactions, and the impressive effect of inorganic additives in the reductive ligation of rhodium(III) salts.

Regioselective Arene C-H Alkylation Enabled by Organic Photoredox Catalysis

Expanding the toolbox of C-H functionalization reactions applicable to the late-stage modification of complex molecules is of interest in medicinal chemistry, wherein the preparation of structural variants of known pharmacophores is a key strategy for drug development. One manifold for the functionalization of aromatic molecules utilizes diazo compounds and a transition-metal catalyst to generate a metallocarbene species, which is capable of direct insertion into an aromatic C-H bond. However, these high-energy intermediates can often require directing groups or a large excess of substrate to achieve efficient and selective reactivity. Herein, we report that arene cation radicals generated by organic photoredox catalysis engage in formal C-H functionalization reactions with diazoacetate derivatives, furnishing sp2 -sp3 coupled products with moderate-to-good regioselectivity. In contrast to previous methods utilizing metallocarbene intermediates, this transformation does not proceed via a carbene intermediate, nor does it require the presence of a transition-metal catalyst.

How CuCl and CuCl2 Insert into C-N Bonds of Diazo Compounds: An Electronic Structure and Mechanistic Study

The transition-metal Cu catalysts CuCl and CuCl₂ have been widely employed to catalyze a series of chemical reactions with diazo compounds because of their high efficiency and selectivity. However, how to yield the active Cu carbene species from the Cu catalysts and diazo compounds still remains unclear. In this work, we performed a comprehensive theoretical investigation on the electronic structures of CuCl and CuCl₂ in solution. The results indicate that the most stable structures for CuCl and CuCl₂ are dimer and monomer, respectively. The C-N bond insertion of aryldiazoacetate by CuCl yields a stable bimetallic carbene species, which differs from the monometallic carbene generated from CuCl₂.

Tandem Carbenoid C-H Functionalization/Conia-ene Cyclization of N-Propargyl Indoles Generates Pyrroloindoles under Cooperative Rh(II)/Zn(II) Catalysis

The decomposition of diazodicarbonyl compounds in the presence of various metal catalysts has become a reliable method for the functionalization of indoles via carbenoid intermediates. Exploiting the nucleophilic reactivity of the in situ generated malonic ester product formed, we herein report a tandem C-H functionalization/Conia-ene cyclization of N-alkyne tethered indoles. This double functionalization of diazodicarbonyls generates a range of pyrrolo[1,2-a]-, pyrido[1,2-a]-, and azepino[1,2-a]indole products with good synthetic efficiency.

Copper-catalysed ortho-selective C–H bond functionalization of phenols and naphthols with α-aryl-α-diazoesters

An unprecedented CuCl₂-catalysed chemo- and ortho-selective C–H bond functionalization of phenols and naphthols with diazoesters has been developed.

Tools for Prescreening the Most Active Sites on Ir and Rh Clusters toward C-H Bond Cleavage of Ethane: NBO Charges and Wiberg Bond Indexes

B3LYP calculations were carried out to study the insertion of iridium (Ir) and rhodium (Rh) clusters into a C-H bond of ethane, which is often the rate-limiting step of the catalytic cycle of oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane. Our previous research on Ir catalysis correlates the diffusivity of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of the Ir clusters and the relative activities of the various catalytic sites. The drawback of this research is that the molecular orbital visualization is qualitative rather than quantitative. Therefore, in this study on C-H bond activation by the Ir and Rh clusters, we conducted analyses of natural bond orbital (NBO) charges and Wiberg bond indexes (WBIs), both of which are not only quantitative but also independent of the basis sets. We found strong correlation between the NBO charges, the WBIs, and the relative activities of the various catalytic sites on the Ir and Rh clusters. Analyses of the NBO charges and the WBIs provide a fast and reliable means of prescreening the most active sites on the Ir and Rh clusters and potentially on other similar transition-metal clusters that activate the C-H bonds of ethane and other light alkanes.

Selective C–H acylation of indoles with α-oxocarboxylic acids at the C4 position by palladium catalysis

The first catalytic C–H acylation of indoles at the C4 position with α-oxocarboxylic acids by palladium catalysis is described.