Feedstocks to Pharmacophores: Cu-Catalyzed Oxidative Arylation of Inexpensive Alkylarenes Enabling Direct Access to Diarylalkanes

Identifying Radical Pathways for Cu(I)/Cu(II) Relay Catalyzed Oxygenation via Online Coupled EPR/UV-Vis/Near-IR Monitoring

Copper-catalyzed C─H oxygenation has drawn considerable attention in mechanistic studies. However, a comprehensive investigation combining radical pathways with a metal-catalytic cycle is challenged by the intricate organic radicals and metallic intermediates. Herein, an online coupled EPR/UV-vis/near-IR detecting method is developed to simultaneously monitor both reactive radical species and copper complex intermediates during the reaction. Focusing on copper-catalyzed phenol oxygenation with cumene hydroperoxide, the short-lived alkylperoxyl radical (EPR signal at g = 2.0143) as well as the unexpected square planar Cu(II)-alkoxyl radical complex (near-IR signal at 833 nm) are unveiled during the reaction, in addition to the observable phenoxyl radical in EPR, quinone product in UV-vis, and Cu(II) center in EPR. With a comprehensive picture of diverse intermediates evolving over the same timeline, a novel Cu(I)/Cu(II) proposed relay-catalyzed sequential radical pathway. In this sequence, Cu(II) activates hydroperoxide through Cu(II)-OOR into the alkylperoxide radical, while the reaction between Cu(I) and hydroperoxide leads to Cu(II)(•OR)OH with high H-atom abstracting activity. These results provide a thorough understanding of the Cu(I)/Cu(II) relay catalysis for phenol oxygenation, setting the stage for mechanistic investigations into intricate radical reactions promoted by metallic complexes.

Photoredox-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Cross-Coupling Reaction to Synthesis Unsymmetrical Diarylmethanes

The photoredox-catalyzed decarboxylative cross-coupling reaction of aryl acetic acids and aryl nitriles has been achieved under an argon atmosphere in high yields. This method provides a fast way to obtain prevalent aryl acetic acids from an abundant natural source. A tentative radical mechanism has been proposed.

Mechanistic insights into radical formation and functionalization in copper/N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide radical-relay reactions

Copper-catalysed radical-relay reactions that employ N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) as the oxidant have emerged as highly effective methods for C(sp3)-H functionalization. Herein, computational studies are paired with experimental data to investigate a series of key mechanistic features of these reactions, with a focus on issues related to site-selectivity, enantioselectivity, and C-H substrate scope. (1) The full reaction energetics of enantioselective benzylic C-H cyanation are probed, and an adduct between Cu and the N-sulfonimidyl radical (˙NSI) is implicated as the species that promotes hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT) from the C-H substrate. (2) Benzylic versus 3° C-H site-selectivity is compared with different HAT reagents: Cu/˙NSI, ˙OtBu, and Cl˙, and the data provide insights into the high selectivity for benzylic C-H bonds in Cu/NFSI-catalyzed C-H functionalization reactions. (3) The energetics of three radical functionalization pathways are compared, including radical-polar crossover (RPC) to generate a carbocation intermediate, reductive elimination from a formal CuIII organometallic complex, and radical addition to a Cu-bound ligand. The preferred mechanism is shown to depend on the ligands bound to copper. (4) Finally, the energetics of three different pathways that convert benzylic C-H bonds into benzylic cations are compared, including HAT/ET (ET = electron transfer), relevant to the RPC mechanism with Cu/NFSI; hydride transfer, involved in reactions with high-potential quinones; and sequential ET/PT/ET (PT = proton transfer), involved in catalytic photoredox reactions. Collectively, the results provide mechanistic insights that establish a foundation for further advances in radical-relay C-H functionalization reactions.

Direct C(sp3)-H Arylation of Unprotected Benzyl Anilines and Alkylarenes by Organocatalysis under Visible Light

Reported herein is direct C(sp3)-H arylation of unprotected benzyl anilines and alkylarenes via consecutive photoinduced electron transfer by visible light irradiation. Reductive quenching cycles and radical-radical cross-coupling were involved, and electron paramagnetic resonance experiments provide evidence for the formation of radical intermediates formed in situ. The protocol highlights transition metal free, external oxidant free, broad substrate scope, and high efficiency (>60 examples, up to 96%).

Copper-Catalyzed Benzylic C-H Cross-Coupling Enabled by Redox Buffers: Expanding Synthetic Access to Three-Dimensional Chemical Space

ConspectusCross-coupling methods are the most widely used synthetic methods in medicinal chemistry. Existing reactions are dominated by methods such as amide coupling and arylation reactions that form bonds to sp2-hybridized carbon atoms and contribute to the formation of "flat" molecules. Evidence that three-dimensional structures often have improved physicochemical properties for pharmaceutical applications has contributed to growing demand for cross-coupling methods with sp3-hybridized reaction partners. Substituents attached to sp3 carbon atoms are intrinsically displayed in three dimensions. These considerations have led to efforts to establish reactions with sp3 cross-coupling partners, including alkyl halides, amines, alcohols, and carboxylic acids. As C(sp3)-H bonds are much more abundant that these more conventional coupling partners, we have been pursuing C(sp3)-H cross-coupling reactions that achieve site-selectivity, synthetic utility, and scope competitive with conventional coupling reactions.In this Account, we outline Cu-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling reactions of benzylic C(sp3)-H bonds with diverse nucleophilic partners. These reactions commonly use N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) as the oxidant. The scope of reactivity is greatly improved by using a "redox buffer" that ensures that the Cu catalyst is available in the proper redox state to promote the reaction. Early precedents of catalytic Cu/NFSI oxidative coupling reactions, including C-H cyanation and arylation, did not require a redox buffer, but reactions with other nucleophiles, such as alcohols and azoles, were much less effective under similar conditions. Mechanistic studies show that some nucleophiles, such as cyanide and arylboronic acids, promote in situ reduction of CuII to CuI, contributing to successful catalytic turnover. Poor reactivity was observed with nucleophiles, such as alcohols, that do not promote CuII reduction in the same manner. This insight led to the identification of sacrificial reductants, termed "redox buffers", that support controlled generation of CuI during the reactions and enable successful benzylic C(sp3)-H cross-coupling with diverse nucleophiles. Successful reactions include those that feature direct coupling of (hetero)benzylic C-H substrates with coupling partners (alcohols, azoles) and sequential C(sp3)-H functionalization/coupling reactions. The latter methods feature generation of a synthetic linchpin that can undergo subsequent reaction with a broad array of nucleophiles. For example, halogenation/substitution cascades afford benzylic amines, (thio)ethers, and heterodiarylmethane derivatives, and an isocyanation/amine-addition sequence generates diverse benzylic ureas.Collectively, these Cu-catalyzed (hetero)benzylic C(sp3)-H cross-coupling reactions rapidly access diverse molecules. Analysis of their physicochemical and topological properties highlights the "drug-likeness" and enhanced three-dimensionality of these products relative to existing bioactive molecules. This consideration, together with the high benzylic C-H site-selectivity and the broad scope of reactivity enabled by the redox buffering strategy, makes these C(sp3)-H cross-coupling methods ideally suited for implementation in high-throughput experimentation platforms to explore novel chemical space for drug discovery and related applications.

Metal-Free C(sp3)-H Bond Arylation of 3-Methylindole Derivatives via 3-Indole Imine Methides

Direct arylation of the benzylic C(sp3)-H bond is one of the most straightforward strategies for the construction of multi-aryl methanes, owing to the extraordinary step and atom economy. In this paper, we developed the first metal-free arylation of the C(sp3)-H bond in 3-methylindoles, thereby providing rapid access to a range of diaryl- and triarylmethanes with two indole rings. Mechanistically, 3-indole imine methide serves as the key intermediate. Water plays a crucial role in this process, likely serving as a proton shuttle to facilitate the key 1,3-proton transfer step in this reaction and, thus, enhance the reaction efficiency.

Polar Heterobenzylic C(sp3)-H Chlorination Pathway Enabling Efficient Diversification of Aromatic Nitrogen Heterocycles

Site-selective radical reactions of benzylic C-H bonds are now highly effective methods for C(sp3-H) functionalization and cross-coupling. The existing methods, however, are often ineffective with heterobenzylic C-H bonds in alkyl-substituted pyridines and related aromatic heterocycles that are prominently featured in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Here, we report new synthetic methods that leverage polar, rather than radical, reaction pathways to enable the selective heterobenzylic C-H chlorination of 2- and 4-alkyl-substituted pyridines and other heterocycles. Catalytic activation of the substrate with trifluoromethanesulfonyl chloride promotes the formation of enamine tautomers that react readily with electrophilic chlorination reagents. The resulting heterobenzyl chlorides can be used without isolation or purification in nucleophilic coupling reactions. This chlorination-diversification sequence provides an efficient strategy to achieve heterobenzylic C-H cross-coupling with aliphatic amines and a diverse collection of azoles, among other coupling partners.

Synthesis of 1-Aryltetralins via Re2O7/HReO4 Mediated Intramolecular Hydroarylations

Here, we describe highly efficient intramolecular hydroarylations mediated by Re2O7/HReO4. Styrene derivatives of different electronic properties have been activated to effect a challenging intramolecular hydroarylation for the facile access to various substituted 1-aryltetralin structures. This method is characterized by mild reaction conditions, broad substrate scope, high chemical yields, and 100% atom economy. The potential synthetic application of this methodology was exemplified by the efficient total synthesis of an isoCA-4 analogue.

Benzylic C-H Esterification with Limiting C-H Substrate Enabled by Photochemical Redox Buffering of the Cu Catalyst

Copper-catalyzed radical-relay reactions provide a versatile strategy for selective C-H functionalization; however, reactions with peroxide-based oxidants often require excess C-H substrate. Here, we report a photochemical strategy to overcome this limitation by using a Cu/2,2'-biquinoline catalyst that supports benzylic C-H esterification with limiting C-H substrate. Mechanistic studies indicate that blue-light irradiation promotes carboxylate-to-copper charge transfer, reducing resting-state CuII to CuI, which activates the peroxide to generate an alkoxyl radical hydrogen-atom-transfer species. This "photochemical redox buffering" introduces a unique strategy to sustain the activity of Cu catalysts in radical-relay reactions.

Deaminative bromination, chlorination, and iodination of primary amines

The primary amino group has been seldom utilized as a transformable functionality in organic synthesis. Reported herein is a deaminative halogenation of primary amines using N-anomeric amide as the nitrogen-deletion reagent. Both aliphatic and aromatic amines are competent substrates for direct halogenations. The mildness and robustness of the protocol are evidenced by the successful reactions of several complex- and functional group-enriched bioactive compounds or drugs. Elaboration of the resulting products provides interesting analogues of drug molecules.

LiHMDS-Mediated Deprotonative Coupling of Toluenes with Ketones

We demonstrate that lithium hexamethyldisilazide (LiHMDS) acts as an effective base for deprotonative coupling reactions of toluenes with ketones to afford stilbenes. Various functionalities (halogen, OCF₃ , amide, Me, aryl, alkenyl, alkynyl, SMe, and SPh) are allowed on the toluenes. Notably, this system proved successful with low-reactive toluenes bearing a large pKa value compared to that of the conjugate acid of LiHMDS (hexamethyldisilazane, 25.8, THF), as demonstrated by 4-phenyltoluene (38.57, THF) and toluene itself (∼43, DMSO).

Carbonylative Formal Cycloaddition between Alkylarenes and Aldimines Enabled by Palladium-Catalyzed Double C-H Bond Activation

Double C-H bond activation can enable an expeditious reaction pathway to cyclic compounds, offering an efficient tool to synthesize valuable molecules. However, cyclization reaction enabled by double C-H bond activation at one carbon atom is nearly unknown. Herein, we report a carbonylative formal cycloaddition of alkylarenes with imines via double benzylic C-H bond activation at one carbon atom, allowing a straightforward synthesis of β-lactams from readily accessible alkylarenes and imines, which paves the way for developing an annulation reaction through double C-H bond activation at one carbon atom.

Synthesis of α-Quaternary β-Lactams via Copper-Catalyzed Enantioconvergent Radical C(sp3 )-C(sp2 ) Cross-Coupling with Organoboronate Esters

The copper-catalyzed enantioconvergent radical C(sp³ )-C(sp² ) cross-coupling of tertiary α-bromo-β-lactams with organoboronate esters could provide the synthetically valuable α-quaternary β-lactams. The challenge arises mainly from the construction of sterically congested quaternary stereocenters between the tertiary alkyl radicals and chiral copper(II) species. Herein, we describe our success in achieving such transformations through the utilization of a copper/hemilabile N,N,N-ligand catalyst to forge the sterically congested chiral C(sp³ )-C(sp² ) bond via a single-electron reduction/transmetalation/bond formation catalytic cycle. The synthetic potential of this approach is shown in the straightforward conversion of the corresponding products into many valuable building blocks. We hope that the developed catalytic cycle would open up new vistas for more enantioconvergent cross-coupling reactions.

Protocol for chemo- and regioselective C(sp3)-H activation using a heterogeneous copper powder-catalyzed reaction

Here, we present a protocol for the synthesis of dibenzo[c,e]oxepin-5(7H)-ones starting from 2'-alkyl-[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-carboxylic acids. This technique uses two copper(0)-catalyzed benzylic C(sp³)-H activation strategies taking either di-tertbutyl peroxide or gaseous oxygen as an oxidant. We detail a photocatalytic thermal approach for copper powder-catalyzed reaction with oxygen. We also describe a procedure for catalyst recycling in both the strategies. The product has been successfully synthesized both in mmol and gram scale. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Nandi et al. (2022).

Radical-Friedel-Crafts benzylation of arenes with benzyl ethers over 2H-MoS2: ether cleavage into carbon- and oxygen-centered radicals

The selective activation of C-O ether bonds is an essential tool in organic synthesis and natural polymer depolymerization. However, the direct cleavage of the ether bond is still challenging work, especially breaking this inert and redox-neutral bond to provide one active carbon radical and another oxygen-centered fragment with oxidation capacity that can participate in the controllable radical reaction. We herein report that commercial 2H-MoS₂ with negligible acidity can efficiently catalyze the benzylation of arenes with benzyl ethers, and a new Radical-Friedel-Crafts mechanism is proposed, which is quite different from the strong acid-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts mechanism. With dibenzyl ether as the model benzylation reagent, 2H-MoS₂ can achieve the homolytic cleavage of the Bn-OR bond to generate the benzyl carbon radical and RO˙ species, identified by EPR measurement and radical trap experiments. The following radical-involved benzylation is confirmed by the Hammett results and a plausible pathway is proposed to clarify the Radical-Friedel-Crafts process. Heterogeneous 2H-MoS₂ can be consecutively used four times without regeneration and it offers 94-95% yields of 2-benzyl-1,4-dimethylbenzene from dibenzyl ether and p-xylene in 30 min at 140 °C. Furthermore, this mechanism can provide some inspiration to activate the ether bond and to utilize ether as an oxidant in C-H bond activation.

Copper-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Alkyl and Phosphorus Radicals for C(sp3)-P Bond Formation

A Cu^I-catalyzed cross-coupling of alkyl- and phosphorus-centered radicals for C(sp³)-P bond formation is introduced. Diacyl peroxides, generated in situ from aliphatic acids and H₂O₂, serve as a source for alkyl radicals and also an initiator for the generation of phosphorus radicals from H-P(O) compounds.

Chemo- and regioselective benzylic C(sp3)–H oxidation bridging the gap between hetero- and homogeneous copper catalysis

Selective C‒H functionalization in a pool of proximal C‒H bonds, predictably altering their innate reactivity is a daunting challenge. We disclose here, an expedient synthesis of privileged seven-membered lactones, dibenzo[c,e]oxepin-5(7H)-one through a highly chemoselective benzylic C(sp³)‒H activation. Remarkably, the formation of widely explored six-membered lactone via C(sp²)‒H activation is suppressed under the present conditions. The reaction proceeds smoothly on use of inexpensive metallic copper catalyst and di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP). Owing to the hazards of stoichiometric DTBP, further, we have developed a sustainable metallic copper/rose bengal dual catalytic system coupled with molecular oxygen replacing DTBP. A 1,5-aryl migration through Smiles rearrangement was realized from the corresponding diaryl ether substrates instead of expected eight-membered lactones. The present methodology is scalable, applied to the total synthesis of cytotoxic and neuroprotective natural product alterlactone. The catalyst is recyclable and the reaction can be performed in a copper bottle without any added catalyst.

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Catalytic strategy for chemo- and regioselective benzylic C–H activation

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Bulk copper catalysis merging with photocatalysis

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Reusable copper catalyst

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Reaction demonstrated in commercial copper bottle without external catalyst

The quest for magic: recent advances in C(sp3)–H methylation

Frequently referred to as the “magic methyl” effect, the introduction of a methyl group into a biologically active molecule has the potential to drastically alter its physical and biological properties and significantly increase potency. This effect is most pronounced when the methyl group is added at the α-position of an aliphatic heterocycle or ortho to a large rotatable group on an aromatic ring. Although seminal developments in C–H activation strategies offered solutions to the latter, until recent years there had been no selective and functional-group-tolerant method for C(sp3)–H methylation at late stages of synthesis. For many years, the lack of a generally applicable methylation strategy necessitated arduous de novo synthesis approaches to access methylated drug candidates, and discouraged further investigation and understandings of the magic methyl effect. This review will provide a summary of the most recent advances that enabled non-directed late-stage C(sp3)–H methylation, including through hydride transfer, chemical or anodic oxidation, and photocatalytic hydrogen atom transfer.

Copper-catalyzed radical relay in C(sp3)-H functionalization

Radical-involved transition metal (TM) catalysis has greatly enabled new reactivities in recent decades. Copper-catalyzed radical relay offers enormous potential in C(sp³)-H functionalization which combines the unique regioselectivity of hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) and the versatility of copper-catalyzed cross-coupling. More importantly, significant progress has been achieved in asymmetric C-H functionalization through judicious ligand design. This tutorial review will highlight the recent advances in this rapidly growing area, and we hope this survey will inspire future strategic developments for selective C(sp³)-H functionalization.

A Convergent Paired Electrolysis Strategy Enables Cross-Coupling of Methylarenes with Imines

In this report, we have developed a metal-free convergent paired electrolysis strategy for α-benzyl amine synthesis from readily available imines and methylarenes, taking advantage of both anodic oxidation and cathodic...

Nickel-Catalyzed Paired Electrochemical Cross-Coupling of Aryl Halides with Nucleophiles

Electrochemistry has recently gained increased attention as a versatile strategy for achieving challenging transformations at the forefront of synthetic organic chemistry. However, most electrochemical transformations only employ one electrode (anodic oxidation or cathodic reduction) to afford the desired products, while the chemistry that occurs at the counter electrode yields stoichiometric waste. In contrast, paired electrochemical reactions can synchronously utilize the anodic and cathodic reactions to deliver the desired product, thus improving the atom economy and energy efficiency of the electrolytic process. This review gives an overview of recent advances in nickel-catalyzed paired electrochemical cross-coupling reactions of aryl/alkenyl halides with different nucleophiles.

1 Introduction

2 Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions

2.1 C–C Bond Formation

2.2 C–N Bond Formation

2.3 C–S/O Bond Formation

2.4 C–P Bond Formation

3 Conclusion

Benzylic Aroylation of Toluenes Mediated by a LiN(SiMe3)2/Cs+ System

Chemoselective deprotonative functionalization of benzylic C-H bonds is challenging, because the arene ring contains multiple aromatic C(sp²)-H bonds, which can be competitively deprotonated and lead to selectivity issues. Recently it was found that bimetallic [MN(SiMe₃)₂ M = Li, Na]/Cs⁺ combinations exhibit excellent benzylic selectivity. Herein, is reported the first deprotonative addition of toluenes to Weinreb amides mediated by LiN(SiMe₃)₂/CsF for the synthesis of a diverse array of 2-arylacetophenones. Surprisingly, simple methyl benzoates also react with toluenes under similar conditions to form 2-arylacetophenones without double addition to give tertiary alcohol products. This finding greatly increases the practicality and impact of this chemistry. Some challenging substrates with respect to benzylic deprotonations, such as fluoro and methoxy substituted toluenes, are selectively transformed to 2-aryl acetophenones. The value of benzylic deprotonation of 3-fluorotoluene is demonstrated by the synthesis of a key intermediate in the preparation of Polmacoxib.

Lewis Basic Salt-Promoted Organosilane Coupling Reactions with Aromatic Electrophiles

Lewis basic salts promote benzyltrimethylsilane coupling with (hetero)aryl nitriles, sulfones, and chlorides as a new route to 1,1-diarylalkanes. This method combines the substrate modularity and selectivity characteristic of cross-coupling with the practicality of a base-promoted protocol. In addition, a Lewis base strategy enables a complementary scope to existing methods, employs stable and easily prepared organosilanes, and achieves selective arylation in the presence of acidic functional groups. The utility of this method is demonstrated by the synthesis of pharmaceutical analogues and its use in multicomponent reactions.

C(sp3)-H methylation enabled by peroxide photosensitization and Ni-mediated radical coupling

The "magic methyl" effect describes the change in potency, selectivity, and/or metabolic stability of a drug candidate associated with addition of a single methyl group. We report a synthetic method that enables direct methylation of C(sp3)-H bonds in diverse drug-like molecules and pharmaceutical building blocks. Visible light-initiated triplet energy transfer promotes homolysis of the O-O bond in di-tert-butyl or dicumyl peroxide under mild conditions. The resulting alkoxyl radicals undergo divergent reactivity, either hydrogen-atom transfer from a substrate C-H bond or generation of a methyl radical via β-methyl scission. The relative rates of these steps may be tuned by varying the reaction conditions or peroxide substituents to optimize the yield of methylated product arising from nickel-mediated cross-coupling of substrate and methyl radicals.

Cu-Catalyzed Oxidative Allylic C-H Arylation of Inexpensive Alkenes with (Hetero)Aryl Boronic Acids

Herein, we present a regioselective Cu-catalyzed oxidative allylic C(sp³)-H arylation by radical relay using a broad range of heteroaryl boronic acids with inexpensive and readily available unactivated terminal and internal olefins. This C(sp²)-C(sp³) allyl coupling has the advantage of using cheap, abundant, and nontoxic Cu₂O without the need to use prefunctionalized alkenes, thus offering an alternative method to allylic arylation reactions that employ more traditional coupling partners with preinstalled leaving groups (LGs) at the allylic position.

Aerobic Copper-Catalyzed Salicylaldehydic Cformyl -H Arylations with Arylboronic Acids

We report a challenging copper-catalyzed C_formyl -H arylation of salicylaldehydes with arylboronic acids that involves unique salicylaldehydic copper species that differ from reported salicylaldehydic rhodacycles and palladacycles. This protocol has high chemoselectivity for the C_formyl -H bond compared to the phenolic O-H bond involving copper catalysis under high reaction temperatures. This approach is compatible with a wide range of salicylaldehyde and arylboronic acid substrates, including estrone and carbazole derivatives, which leads to the corresponding arylation products. Mechanistic studies show that the 2-hydroxy group of the salicylaldehyde substrate triggers the formation of salicylaldehydic copper complexes through a Cu^I /Cu^II /Cu^III catalytic cycle.

N-Acyl pyrroles: chemoselective pyrrole dance vs. C–H functionalization/aroylation of toluenes

Chemoselectivity is one of the most challenging issues facing the chemical sciences.

Copper-Catalyzed Formal Dehydrogenative Coupling of Carbonyls with Polyfluoroarenes Leading to β-C-H Arylation

We herein communicate a formal dehydrogenative coupling of carbonyls with polyfluoroarenes enabled by Cu catalysis. Silyl enol ethers initially prepared from carbonyls are postulated to undergo the copper-mediated oxidative dehydrogenative coupling with polyfluoroarenes via a radical pathway. Including cyclic and linear ketones, aldehydes, and esters, a broad range of β-aryl carbonyl products were efficiently obtained in high regio- and stereoselectivity with excellent functional group tolerance.

Synthesis of diarylalkanes through an intramolecular/intermolecular addition sequence by auto-tandem catalysis with strong Brønsted base

An auto-tandem catalysis with a strong Brønsted base enabled the synthesis of diarylalkanes containing a benzofuran moiety. Potassium tert-butoxide efficiently catalyzed both the intramolecular cyclization of less acidic ortho-alkynylaryl benzyl ethers and the following intermolecular addition of diarylmethanes to styrenes, demonstrating the high potential of the catalysis in organic synthesis.

Catalytic and Photochemical Strategies to Stabilized Radicals Based on Anomeric Nucleophiles

Carbohydrates, one of the three primary macromolecules of living organisms, play significant roles in various biological processes such as intercellular communication, cell recognition, and immune activity. While the majority of established methods for the installation of carbohydrates through the anomeric carbon rely on nucleophilic displacement, anomeric radicals represent an attractive alternative because of their functional group compatibility and high anomeric selectivities. Herein, we demonstrate that anomeric nucleophiles such as C1 stannanes can be converted into anomeric radicals by merging Cu(I) catalysis with blue light irradiation to achieve highly stereoselective C(sp³)-S cross-coupling reactions. Mechanistic studies and DFT calculations revealed that the C-S bond-forming step occurs via the transfer of the anomeric radical directly to a sulfur electrophile bound to Cu(II) species. This pathway complements a radical chain observed for photochemical metal-free conditions where a disulfide initiator can be activated by a Lewis base additive. Both strategies utilize anomeric nucleophiles as efficient radical donors and achieve a switch from an ionic to a radical pathway. Taken together, the stability of glycosyl nucleophiles, a broad substrate scope, and high anomeric selectivities observed for the thermal and photochemical protocols make this novel C-S cross coupling a practical tool for late-stage glycodiversification of bioactive natural products and drug candidates.

Nickel catalysis enables convergent paired electrolysis for direct arylation of benzylic C-H bonds

Convergent paired electrosynthesis is an energy-efficient approach in organic synthesis; however, it is limited by the difficulty to match the innate redox properties of reaction partners. Here we use nickel catalysis to cross-couple the two intermediates generated at the two opposite electrodes of an electrochemical cell, achieving direct arylation of benzylic C–H bonds. This method yields a diverse set of diarylmethanes, which are important structural motifs in medicinal and materials chemistry. Preliminary mechanistic study suggests oxidation of a benzylic C–H bond, Ni-catalyzed C–C coupling, and reduction of a Ni intermediate as key elements of the catalytic cycle.

A direct arylation of benzylic C–H bonds is achieved by integrating Ni-catalyzed benzyl–aryl coupling into convergent paired electrolysis.

Copper-Catalyzed Direct C-H Alkylation of Polyfluoroarenes by Using Hydrocarbons as an Alkylating Source

Construction of carbon-carbon bonds is one of the most important tools in chemical synthesis. In the previously established cross-coupling reactions, prefunctionalized starting materials were usually employed in the form of aryl or alkyl (pseudo)halides or their metalated derivatives. However, the direct use of arenes and alkanes via a 2-fold oxidative C-H bond activation strategy to access chemoselective C(sp²)-C(sp³) cross-couplings is highly challenging due to the low reactivity of carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds and the difficulty in suppressing side reactions such as homocouplings. Herein, we present the new development of a copper-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative coupling of polyfluoroarenes with alkanes under mild conditions. Relatively weak sp³ C-H bonds at the benzylic or allylic positions, and nonactivated hydrocarbons could be alkylated by the newly developed catalyst system. A moderate-to-high site selectivity was observed among various C-H bonds present in hydrocarbon reactants, including gaseous feedstocks and complex molecules. Mechanistic information was obtained by performing combined experimental and computational studies to reveal that the copper catalyst plays a dual role in activating both alkane sp³ C-H bonds and sp² polyfluoroarene C-H bonds. It was also suggested that the noncovalent π-π interaction and weak hydrogen bonds formed in situ between the optimal ligand and arene substrates are key to facilitating the current coupling reactions.

Copper-catalysed benzylic C-H coupling with alcohols via radical relay enabled by redox buffering

Cross-coupling reactions enable rapid, convergent synthesis of diverse molecules and provide the foundation for modern chemical synthesis. The most widely used methods employ sp²-hybridized coupling partners, such as aryl halides or related pre-functionalized substrates. Here, we demonstrate copper-catalysed oxidative cross coupling of benzylic C–H bonds with alcohols to afford benzyl ethers, enabled by a redox-buffering strategy that maintains the activity of the copper catalyst throughout the reaction. The reactions employ the C–H substrate as the limiting reagent and exhibit broad scope with respect to both coupling partners. This approach to direct site-selective functionalization of C(sp³)–H bonds provides the basis for efficient three-dimensional diversification of organic molecules and should find widespread utility in organic synthesis, particularly for medicinal chemistry applications.

Cu-Catalyzed Generation of Alkyl Radicals from Alkylsilyl Peroxides and Subsequent C(sp3)-C(sp2) Cross-Coupling with Arylboronic Acids

This work describes a novel and practical method for the Cu-catalyzed C(sp³)-C(sp²) cross-coupling of alkylsilyl peroxides with arylboronic acids. The reductive cleavage of the O-O bond of alkylsilyl peroxides and the desired cross-coupling reactions to afford alkyl-substituted aromatic rings proceed smoothly at room temperature promoted by simple Cu-based catalysts and do not require activation by visible light. The results of mechanistic investigations support a radical-mediated C(sp³)-C(sp²) bond formation via β-scission of the alkoxy radicals generated from the alkylsilyl peroxides.

Transition metal-free cross-dehydrogenative arylation of unactivated benzylic C–H bonds

The cross-dehydrogenative arylation of benzylic C–H bonds with arenes provides straightforward access to synthetically useful 1,1-diarylmethanes, from readily available starting materials.