Synthetic versatility in C-H oxidation: a rapid approach to differentiated diols and pyrans from simple olefins

General Regio- and Diastereoselective Allylic C-H Oxygenation of Internal Alkenes

Branched allylic esters and carboxylates are fundamental motifs prevalent in natural products and drug molecules. The direct allylic C-H oxygenation of internal alkenes represents one of the most straightforward approaches, bypassing the requirement for an allylic leaving group as in the classical Tsuji-Trost reaction. However, current methods suffer from limited scope─often accompanied by selectivity issues─thus hampering further development. Herein we report a photocatalytic platform as a general solution to these problems, enabling the coupling of diverse internal alkenes with carboxylic acids, alcohols, and other O-nucleophiles, typically in a highly regio- and diastereoselective manner.

One-pot chlorocarboxylation of toluenes with chlorine dioxide under photoirradiation

Chlorine dioxide radical (ClO2˙) under photoirradiation induces the chlorocarboxylation of toluene in a single step to produce 2- and 4-chlorobenzoic acids.

Pd-Catalyzed allylic C-H activation to seven-membered N,O-heterocycles

Pd-catalyzed allylic C-H activation of simple olefins allows an easy entry to seven-membered N,O-heterocycles such as 1,4-benzoxazepines (1,4-BZOs), 1,4-benzodiazepinones (1,4-BZDs) and 1,4-oxazepanes in good to excellent yields. Straightforward derivatization of the olefinated 1,4-BZO shows the synthetic utility of this methodology.

Weakly Coordinating, Hydroxyl Directed Ruthenium Catalyzed C-H Alkylation of Ubiquitous Benzyl Alcohols with Maleimides

Benzyl alcohols have been employed as effective coupling partners in Ru-catalyzed C-H functionalization reactions, and their annulation with maleimides then offers efficient synthesis of useful ortho substituted succinimide aromatic aldehydes and ketones. Detailed mechanistic studies have been demonstrated by performing preliminary reactions, deuterium studies, and competitive experiments.

Allylation of β-amino phosphonic acid precursor via palladium-NHC catalyzed allylic C–H activation

A Pd(ii)/N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed allylic C–H alkylation of allylbenzene with α-cyano-phosphate ester has been achieved under mild reaction conditions with the highest regioselectivity and stereoselectivity.

Metal-Free C-H Functionalization of Allenamides: An Access to Branched Allylic Esters

A regioselective acyloxylation with carboxylic acids at the proximal carbon of allenamides by an N-iodosuccinimide-mediated C-H functionalization is reported. The reaction proceeds rapidly, is scalable to a gram scale, and displays a broad substrate scope, providing an efficient and practical protocol for the synthesis of branched allylic esters. Notably, protected amino acids were tolerated under the reaction conditions and afforded allylic amino acid esters in moderate yields.

The Fluorination of C-H Bonds: Developments and Perspectives

This Review summarizes advances in fluorination by C(sp² )-H and C(sp³ )-H activation. Transition-metal-catalyzed approaches championed by palladium have allowed the installation of a fluorine substituent at C(sp² ) and C(sp³ ) sites, exploiting the reactivity of high-oxidation-state transition-metal fluoride complexes combined with the use of directing groups (some transient) to control site and stereoselectivity. The large majority of known methods employ electrophilic fluorination reagents, but methods combining a nucleophilic fluoride source with an oxidant have appeared. External ligands have proven to be effective for C(sp³ )-H fluorination directed by weakly coordinating auxiliaries, thereby enabling control over reactivity. Methods relying on the formation of radical intermediates are complementary to transition-metal-catalyzed processes as they allow for undirected C(sp³ )-H fluorination. To date, radical C-H fluorinations mainly employ electrophilic N-F fluorination reagents but a unique Mn^III -catalyzed oxidative C-H fluorination using fluoride has been developed. Overall, the field of late-stage nucleophilic C-H fluorination has progressed much more slowly, a state of play explaining why C-H ¹⁸ F-fluorination is still in its infancy.

Operando Spectroscopic and Kinetic Characterization of Aerobic Allylic C-H Acetoxylation Catalyzed by Pd(OAc)2/4,5-Diazafluoren-9-one

Allylic C-H acetoxylations are among the most widely studied palladium(II)-catalyzed C-H oxidation reactions. While the principal reaction steps are well established, key features of the catalytic mechanisms are poorly characterized, including the identity of the turnover-limiting step and the catalyst resting state. Here, we report a mechanistic study of aerobic allylic acetoxylation of allylbenzene with a catalyst system composed of Pd(OAc)₂ and 4,5-diazafluoren-9-one (DAF). The DAF ligand is unique in its ability to support aerobic catalytic turnover, even in the absence of benzoquinone or other co-catalysts. Herein, we describe operando spectroscopic analysis of the catalytic reaction using X-ray absorption and NMR spectroscopic methods that allow direct observation of the formation and decay of a palladium(I) species during the reaction. Kinetic studies reveal the presence of two distinct kinetic phases: (1) a burst phase, involving rapid formation of the allylic acetoxylation product and formation of the dimeric Pd^I complex [Pd^I(DAF)(OAc)]₂, followed by (2) a post-burst phase that coincides with evolution of the catalyst resting state from the Pd^I dimer into a π-allyl-Pd^II species. The data provide unprecedented insights into the role of ancillary ligands in supporting catalytic turnover with O₂ as the stoichiometric oxidant and establish an important foundation for the development of improved catalysts for allylic oxidation reactions.

Photochemical C-H oxygenation of side-chain methyl groups in polypropylene with chlorine dioxide

The chlorine dioxide radical (ClO2˙) was found to act as an efficient oxidizing agent for the aerobic C-H oxygenation of the side-chain methyl groups in polypropylene under photoirradiation and ambient conditions (298 K and 1 atm). The oxygenated side-chain methyl groups were selectively converted to carboxylic acid and hydroxy groups.

Stereoselective synthesis of sugar mimetics from simple monosaccharides

A number of bicyclic imino- and carba-sugars (examples are presented in the Scheme) can be obtained from simple monosaccharides (hexoses or pentoses) by various methods.

Catalytic allylic functionalization via π-allyl palladium chemistry

This review highlights the palladium-catalyzed allylic C–H functionalizations via π-allyl palladium reported from early 2014 to present date.

Pd-catalysed selective C(sp3)-H arylation and acetoxylation of alcohols

A palladium catalyzed selective C(sp3)-H arylation and acetoxylation of alcohols using a practical bidentate auxiliary were developed. Masked alcohols were selectively arylated at the β-position with diverse aryl iodides for the first time. Moreover, an efficient and site-selective acetoxylation of various primary methyl, methylene, and benzylic C(sp3)-H bonds was performed by using cheap K2S2O8 as the external oxidant.

Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed directed amidation of unactivated C(sp3)–H bonds to afford 1,2-amino alcohol derivatives

A rhodium-catalyzed directed C(sp³)–H amidation to afford 1,2-amino alcohol oxime derivatives has been developed.

Oxidation of Hindered Allylic C-H Bonds with Applications to the Functionalization of Complex Molecules

We report the palladium-catalyzed oxidation of hindered alkenes to form linear allylic esters. The combination of palladium(II) benzoate, 4,5-diazafluoren-9-one, and benzoquinone catalyzes the mild oxidation of terminal alkenes with tert-butyl benzoyl peroxide as an oxidant in the presence of diverse functional groups. Selective oxidation of terminal alkenes in the presence of trisubstituted and disubstituted alkenes has been achieved, and the ability to conduct the reaction on a gram scale has been demonstrated. The mild conditions and high tolerance for auxiliary functionality make this method suitable for the synthesis and derivatization of complex molecules.

The Therapeutic Potential of Migrastatin-Core Analogs for the Treatment of Metastatic Cancer

Tumor metastasis is a complex process in which cells detach from the primary tumor and colonize a distant organ. Metastasis is also the main process responsible for cancer-related death. Despite the enormous efforts made to unravel the metastatic process, there is no effective therapy, and patients with metastatic tumors have poor prognosis. In this regard, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic tools for the treatment of this disease. Small molecules with the capacity to reduce cell migration could be used to treat metastasis. Migrastatin-core analogs are naturally inspired macrocycles that inhibit pathological cell migration and are able to reduce metastasis in animal models. Migrastatin analogs can be synthesized from a common advanced intermediate. Herein we present a review of the synthetic approaches that can be used to prepare this key intermediate, together with a review of the biological activity of migrastatin-core analogs and current hypotheses concerning their mechanism of action.

Catalytic Multisite-Selective Acetoxylation Reactions at sp2 vs sp3 C-H Bonds in Cyclic Olefins

The first Pd-catalyzed multisite-selective acetoxylation reactions are disclosed at an unactivated alkene sp² C-H bond versus secondary allylic sp³ C-H bond in cyclic olefins via the modulation of directing groups. The different directing groups overcome the key challenge in differentiating C-H bonds and provide a new controlling approach for site-specific C-H activation. A wide variety of substrates are readily acetoxylated under operationally simple conditions. Mechanistic studies suggest that different Pd (IV) intermediates were involved in the multisite-selective acetoxylation reactions.

Diastereoselective construction of anti-4,5-disubstituted-1,3-dioxolanes via a bismuth-mediated two-component hemiacetal oxa-conjugate addition of γ-hydroxy-α,β-unsaturated ketones with paraformaldehyde

The bismuth-mediated two-component hemiacetal oxa-conjugate addition of γ-hydroxy-α,β-unsaturated ketones with paraformaldehyde affords anti-4,5-disubstituted-1,3-dioxolanes in an efficient and stereoselective manner. The reaction provides a practical, inexpensive and atom-economical approach to these types of heterocycles, which represent useful intermediates for target-directed synthesis and precursors to syn-1,2-diols.

The design of a readily attachable and cleavable molecular scaffold for ortho-selective C-H alkenylation of arene alcohols

We describe herein the design of a novel molecular scaffold that can induce facile oxidative olefinations when attached to alcohols. Benzylic, homo-, and bishomobenzylic alcohols are utilized. The scaffold can act as a protecting group for the alcohol in other transformations, and it is recoverable in excellent yield. The overall sequence can also be telescoped without purifications of intermediates, representing a net alcohol-based directed ortho-alkenylation.

Dearomatization of Indoles via Palladium-Catalyzed Allylic C-H Activation

The first Pd-catalyzed allylic dearomatization of substituted indoles triggered by C-H bond activation is reported. The presence of a catalytic amount of 2,5-DMBQ is proven to be a key factor for the high yield. This one-pot tandem allylic C-H activation/dearomatization sequence provides a straightforward access to 3,3-disubstituted indolines.

The emergence of sulfoxides as efficient ligands in transition metal catalysis

Sulfoxides are capable of forming stable complexes with transition metals and there have been many comprehensive studies into their binding properties. However, the use of sulfoxides, particularly chiral sulfoxides, as ligands in transition metal catalysis is rather less well developed. This review aims to describe these catalytic studies and covers new developments that are showing very promising results and that have led to a renewed interest in this field.

Divergent Synthesis of 2-Aminofurans via Palladium-Catalyzed Acetoxylative, Alkoxylative, and Hydroxylative Cycloisomerization of Homoallenyl Amides

A fine-tunable transformation, including Pd-catalyzed acetoxylative, alkoxylative, and hydroxylative cycloisomerization of homoallenyl amides, has been realized with hypervalent iodine organic compounds as the oxidants, giving polysubstituted 2-aminofurans in promising yields at room temperature. The selective formation of three different types of products from the same starting materials makes this reaction particularly attractive and useful for organic synthesis.

Palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidative double allylic C–H oxygenation of alkenes: a novel and straightforward route to α,β-unsaturated esters

We reported a strategically distinct approach to synthesize α,β-unsaturated esters through palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidative double allylic C–H oxygenation of alkenes.

Terminal olefins to chromans, isochromans, and pyrans via allylic C-H oxidation

The synthesis of chroman, isochroman, and pyran motifs has been accomplished via a combination of Pd(II)/bis-sulfoxide C-H activation and Lewis acid co-catalysis. A wide range of alcohols are found to be competent nucleophiles for the transformation under uniform conditions (catalyst, solvent, temperature). Mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction proceeds via initial C-H activation followed by a novel inner-sphere functionalization pathway. Consistent with this, the reaction shows reactivity trends orthogonal to those of traditional Pd(0)-catalyzed allylic substitutions.

N-Boc amines to oxazolidinones via Pd(II)/bis-sulfoxide/Brønsted acid co-catalyzed allylic C-H oxidation

A Pd(II)/bis-sulfoxide/Brønsted acid catalyzed allylic C–H oxidation reaction for the synthesis of oxazolidinones from simple N-Boc amines is reported. A range of oxazolidinones are furnished in good yields (avg 63%) and excellent diastereoselectivities (avg 15:1) to furnish products regioisomeric from those previously obtained using allylic C–H amination reactions. Mechanistic studies suggest the role of the phosphoric acid is to furnish a Pd(II)bis-sulfoxide phosphate catalyst that promotes allylic C–H cleavage and π-allylPd functionalization with a weak, aprotic oxygen nucleophile and to assist in catalyst regeneration.

Palladium(II)/Lewis acid synergistically catalyzed allylic C-H olefination

The first allylic C-H olefination with α-diazo esters synergistically catalyzed by a palladium(II) complex and (salen)CrCl has been established to directly generate conjugated polyene derivatives in moderate to high yields and with excellent stereoselectivities.