Pd-Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Cross-Coupling of Polyfluoroarenes with Heteroatom-Substituted Enones

Substrate-controlled divergent remote C-H and N-H polyfluoroarylation of 2-aminopyrimidines with polyfluoroarenes via Pd(II)/Pd(0) catalysis

Substrate-controlled product divergence in the reaction of 2-aminopyrimidines with polyfluoroarenes under palladium catalysis is demonstrated for the first time. The reaction of secondary N-alkylpyrimidine-2-amines with polyfluoroarenes leads to C5-H polyfluoroarylation via C-H/C-H coupling, while secondary N-aryl substituents yield N-H polyfluoroarylation, forming triarylamines.

Divergent Total Syntheses of Lycorine Alkaloids via a Sequential C-H Functionalization Strategy

A Pd-catalyzed one-pot sequential C-H functionalization strategy was utilized to prepare four lycorine alkaloids and one pseudo-lycorine alkaloid from the common intermediate 4. By switching the followed oxidative conditions of air, DMSO/H2O/I2, and DMSO/O2, based on the Pd(PPh3)4/K2CO3/toluene catalytic system, three key intermediates 12a, 12b, and 12c with different substitution patterns could be obtained in a well-controlled manner. As a result, four natural products γ-lycorane, hippadine, anhydrolycorinone, and anhydrolycorine as well as a pseudo-lycorine alkaloid Δ(4a,10b)-6-oxodihydrolycorine were successfully synthesized within 10 steps through this divergent route.

Direct C(3)5-H Polyfluoroarylation of 2-Amino/alkoxy Pyridines Enabled by a Transient and Electron-deficient Palladium Intermediate

Herein, we present an unprecedented azine-limited C5-H polyfluoroarylation of 2-aminopyridines enabled by a transient and electron-deficient perfluoroaryl-Pd species via C-H/C-H coupling. The protocol further allows C3(5)-H polyfluoroarylation of 2-alkoxypyridines guided by sterics and electronics for the first time. The late-stage C-H functionalization of drugs, drug derivatives, and natural product derivatives and synthesis of C5-aryl drug derivatives further demonstrated the method's utility. The preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that the synergistic combination of the bulky yet electrophilic perfluoroaryl-Pd species and the partial nucleophilicity of the C5-position of 2-amino/alkoxy-pyridines is the origin of reactivity and selectivity. Importantly, the first experimental evidence for the role of diisopropyl sulfide is provided.

Advances in the site-selective C-5, C-3 and C-2 functionalization of chromones via sp2 C-H activation

In this work, site-selective C-H activation at C-5, C-3 and C-2 positions of chromones for the introduction of structural diversity to the chromone scaffold was studied. The keto group of the chromone moiety acts as the directing group for the selective functionalization of chromones at the C-5 position. Furthermore, the C-H functionalization at the electron-rich C-3 position of the chromone can be achieved using electrophilic coupling partners. The C-H functionalization at the C-2 position can be possible using nucleophilic coupling partners. The direct functionalization methods provide a better pathway for the generation of C-5, C-3 and C-2-substituted chromones with good atom economy than that of classical pre-functionalized reaction protocols.

Recent advances in the functionalization of polyfluoro(aza)aromatics via C-C coupling strategies

Polyfluoro(aza)aromatic compounds are of interest in various fields of practical applications, such as medicinal and agrochemistry, materials science and advanced technologies. The C-C coupling reactions are known to be a promising synthetic tool to create challenging fluorinated molecules of diverse architectures. In this review, we have summarized the recent advances in the functionalization of polyfluoro(aza)aromatics via both transition metal-catalyzed and metal-free C-C coupling reactions for the period from 2006 to the beginning of 2021. Also, mechanistic features for chemical transformations of fluoroarene scaffolds and new opportunities for practical applications of the designed fluorinated molecules have been highlighted.

Catalyst Control in Switching the Site Selectivity of C-H Olefinations of 1,2-Dihydroquinolines: An Approach to Positional-Selective Functionalization of Quinolines

A unique approach to achieve site-selective C-H olefinations exclusively at the C-3- or C-8-positions in the quinoline framework has been developed by catalyst control. Distal C(3)-H functionalization is achieved by using palladium catalysis, whereas proximal C(8)-H functionalization is obtained by employing ruthenium catalysis. Switching the site selectivity within a single substrate directly indicates two diverse pathways, which are operating under the palladium- and ruthenium-catalyzed reaction conditions.

Synthesis, molecular docking and inhibition studies of novel 3-N-aryl substituted-2-heteroarylchromones targeting microtubule affinity regulating kinase 4 inhibitors

A series of 3-N-aryl substituted-2-heteroarylchromones was efficiently synthesized via Pd-mediated oxidative coupling under the influence of hetero-atoms neighboring group participation. Synthesized molecules were evaluated against human microtubule affinity regulating kinase 4 (MARK4) enzyme inhibitors, a recently identified anti-cancer drug target. Among 21 synthesized molecules, compounds 2, 3, and 14 exhibited excellent in vitro inhibitory effect against MARK4 with IC₅₀ value (50% of ATPase activity) at 2.12 ± 0.22 μM, 1.98 ± 0.34 μM and 5.56 ± 0.42 μM respectively. The fluorescence binding and dot blot assay of these compounds were found in μM range, indicating a better binding affinity. In vitro study of these compounds against cancerous cells (MCF-7 and HepG2) inhibited the cell viability, induced apoptosis and lowered the tau-phosphorylation. Cell viability studies of compounds 2, 3, and 14 showed inhibition of cancerous cells growth with IC₅₀ values of 3.22 ± 0.42, 4.32 ± 0.23 μM and 16.22 ± 1.33 μM for human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and 6.45 ± 1.12, 5.22 ± 0.72 μM and 19.12 ± 1.43 μM for human liver carcinoma cells (HepG2) respectively. ROS quantification of these compounds showed oxidative stress to cancerous cells and molecular docking study showed hydrogen bonding, charge or polar and van der Waals interactions with the active site residues of MARK4. Owning to high binding fit nicely in the active site, offering the possibilities to be used as novel therapeutic molecules in the drug discovery against MARK4-related diseases.

Mechanistic Unveiling of C═C Double-Bond Rotation and Origins of Regioselectivity and Product E/Z Selectivity of Pd-Catalyzed Olefinic C-H Functionalization of (E)-N-Methoxy Cinnamamide

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed to study the Pd-catalyzed C-H functionalization of (E)-N-methoxy cinnamamide (^E1), which selectively provides the α-C-H activation products (^EP as minor product and its C═C rotation isomer ^ZP' as major product). Three crucial issues are solved: (i) The detailed mechanism leading to ^ZP' is one issue. The computational analyses of the mechanisms proposed in previously experimental and theoretical literature do not seem to be consistent with the experimental findings due to the high barriers involved. Alternatively, we present a novel oxidation/reduction-promoted mechanism featuring the Pd(0) → Pd(II) → Pd(0) transformation. The newly proposed mechanism involves the initial coordination of the active catalyst PdL₂ (L = t-BuCN) with the C═C bond in ^EP, followed by the oxidative cyclization/reductive decyclization-assisted C═C double-bond rotation processes resulting in ^ZP' and regeneration of PdL₂. (ii) The origin of the product E/Z selectivity is the second issue. On the basis of the calculated results, it is found that, at the initial stage of the reaction, ^EP is certainly completely generated, while no ^ZP' formation occurred. Once ^E1 is used up, ^EP immediately acts as the partner of the new catalytic cycle and sluggishly evolves into ^ZP'. A small amount of generated ^ZP' would reversibly transform to ^EP due to the higher barrier involved. (iii) The intrinsic reasons for the regioselectivity are the third issue. The calculated results indicate that the regioselectivity for α-C-H activation is mainly attributed to the stronger electrostatic attraction between the α-C and the metal center.

Palladium-catalyzed oxidative C–H/C–H cross-coupling of imidazopyridines with azoles

A palladium-catalyzed oxidative C–H/C–H cross-coupling of imidazopyridines with azoles using air as the oxidant has been developed.

Synthesis of polyfluoroarene-substituted benzofuran derivatives via cooperative Pd/Cu catalysis

A cooperative Pd/Cu-catalyzed dual C–H bond activation of electron-deficient polyfluoroarenes with aryl halides is developed.

Copper-catalyzed aromatic C-H alkoxylation with alcohols under aerobic conditions

An efficient protocol for copper-catalyzed aromatic C-H alkoxylation with alcohols has been developed under aerobic conditions. The protocol provides a complementary method to couple arenes and alcohols to furnish aromatic ethers. The advantages of this method are the employment of a cheap Cu(OAc)₂ catalyst, oxygen as the terminal oxidant and alcohol as both an alkoxy reagent and a solvent. Notably, the catalytic amount of benzoic acid plays a significant role in this transformation.

Unraveling innate substrate control in site-selective palladium-catalyzed C-H heterocycle functionalization

Understanding the regioselectivity of C-H activation in the absence of directing groups is an important step towards the design of site-selective C-H functionalizations. The Pd(ii)-catalyzed direct arylation of chromones and enaminones provides an intriguing example where a simple substitution leads to a divergence in substrate-controlled site-selectivity. We describe computational and experimental studies which reveal this results from a switch in mechanism and therefore the selectivity-determining step. We present computational results and experimentally measured kinetic isotope effects and labelling studies consistent with this proposal. The C-H activation of these substrates proceeds via a CMD mechanism, which favors more electron rich positions and therefore displays a pronounced kinetic selectivity for the C3-position. However, C2-selective carbopalladation is also a competitive pathway for chromones so that the overall regiochemical outcome depends on which substrate undergoes activation first. Our studies provide insight into the site-selectivity based on the favorability of two competing CMD and carbopalladation processes of the substrates undergoing coupling. This model can be utilized to predict the regioselectivity of coumarins which are proficient substrates for carbopalladation. Furthermore, our model is able to account for the opposite selectivities observed for enaminone and chromone, and explains how a less reactive coupling partner leads to a switch in selectivity.

Synthesis of heterocyclic-fused benzofurans via C-H functionalization of flavones and coumarins

An efficient method to effect C-O cyclization was developed via the C-H functionalization of chromones and coumarins, affording heterocyclic-fused benzofurans.

Synthesis of heterocyclic-fused benzopyrans via the Pd(ii)-catalyzed C–H alkenylation/C–O cyclization of flavones and coumarins

An efficient and practical method for effecting a tandem C–H alkenylation/C–O cyclization has been achieved via the C–H functionalization of flavone derivatives.

Selective thienylation of fluorinated benzothiadiazoles and benzotriazoles for organic photovoltaics

An unprecedented example for the selective synthesis of an FBT–thiophene structural motif via dual C–H functionalization, catalyzed by palladium, has been developed.

Palladium catalysed cross-dehydrogenative-coupling of 1,3,5-trialkoxybenzenes with simple arenes

The cross-dehydrogenative coupling of two arene C–H positions is reported, generating multi-ortho-substituted biaryls under Pd catalysis.