Stereoselective radical amination of electron-deficient C(sp3)-H bonds by Co(II)-based metalloradical catalysis: direct synthesis of α-amino acid derivatives via α-C-H amination

Strategies and Mechanisms of First-Row Transition Metal-Regulated Radical C-H Functionalization

Radical C-H functionalization represents a useful means of streamlining synthetic routes by avoiding substrate preactivation and allowing access to target molecules in fewer steps. The first-row transition metals (Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) are Earth-abundant and can be employed to regulate radical C-H functionalization. The use of such metals is desirable because of the diverse interaction modes between first-row transition metal complexes and radical species including radical addition to the metal center, radical addition to the ligand of metal complexes, radical substitution of the metal complexes, single-electron transfer between radicals and metal complexes, hydrogen atom transfer between radicals and metal complexes, and noncovalent interaction between the radicals and metal complexes. Such interactions could improve the reactivity, diversity, and selectivity of radical transformations to allow for more challenging radical C-H functionalization reactions. This review examines the achievements in this promising area over the past decade, with a focus on the state-of-the-art while also discussing existing limitations and the enormous potential of high-value radical C-H functionalization regulated by these metals. The aim is to provide the reader with a detailed account of the strategies and mechanisms associated with such functionalization.

Regioselective Synthesis of α-Quaternary Amino Acid Derivatives Enabled by Photoinduced Energy Transfer

α-Quaternary amino acids have found application in many biologically relevant compounds and pharmaceuticals. Although there are many methods for the synthesis of α-quaternary amino acids, most of them are mainly realized with the aid of transition metals and complex ligands. We present herein a 2,7-Br-4CzIPN catalyzed regioselective alkylation of azlactones with redox-active esters via radical-radical couplings. Strikingly, this approach is devoid of any metal or additive and shows broad scope and superior sensitive functional group compatibility.

Metalloradical Catalysis: General Approach for Controlling Reactivity and Selectivity of Homolytic Radical Reactions

Since Friedrich Wöhler's groundbreaking synthesis of urea in 1828, organic synthesis over the past two centuries has predominantly relied on the exploration and utilization of chemical reactions rooted in two-electron heterolytic ionic chemistry. While one-electron homolytic radical chemistry is both rich in fundamental reactivities and attractive with practical advantages, the synthetic application of radical reactions has been long hampered by the formidable challenges associated with the control over reactivity and selectivity of high-energy radical intermediates. To fully harness the untapped potential of radical chemistry for organic synthesis, there is a pressing need to formulate radically different concepts and broadly applicable strategies to address these outstanding issues. In pursuit of this objective, researchers have been actively developing metalloradical catalysis (MRC) as a comprehensive framework to guide the design of general approaches for controlling over reactivity and stereoselectivity of homolytic radical reactions. Essentially, MRC exploits the metal-centered radicals present in open-shell metal complexes as one-electron catalysts for homolytic activation of substrates to generate metal-entangled organic radicals as the key intermediates to govern the reaction pathway and stereochemical course of subsequent catalytic radical processes. Different from the conventional two-electron catalysis by transition metal complexes, MRC operates through one-electron chemistry utilizing stepwise radical mechanisms.

Rh2(II)-Catalyzed Selective C(sp3)-H Bond Electrophilic Amination of Aryl Azide-Tethered 1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds

Herein, we report the accomplishment of Rh2(II)-catalyzed intramolecular amination of aryl azide-tethered 1,3-dicarbonyls to access privileged heterocyclic scaffolds with exclusive diastereoselectivity under simple reaction conditions. This method also allows an unconventional direct α-amination at electron-deficient C(sp3)-H bonds of aryl azide-tethered 1,3-diketones to afford fused 2-azatricyclo[4.4.0.02,8]decanones and 2,2-disubstituted indolines, which are present in several biologically active alkaloids. Kinetic isotope experiments revealed that the nucleophilic addition of enol π-bonds on the transient electrophilic rhodium-nitrenoid intermediate enables C-N bond formation.

Transition Metal Catalysis Controlled by Hydrogen Bonding in the Second Coordination Sphere

Transition metal catalysis is of utmost importance for the development of sustainable processes in academia and industry. The activity and selectivity of metal complexes are typically the result of the interplay between ligand and metal properties. As the ligand can be chemically altered, a large research focus has been on ligand development. More recently, it has been recognized that further control over activity and selectivity can be achieved by using the "second coordination sphere", which can be seen as the region beyond the direct coordination sphere of the metal center. Hydrogen bonds appear to be very useful interactions in this context as they typically have sufficient strength and directionality to exert control of the second coordination sphere, yet hydrogen bonds are typically very dynamic, allowing fast turnover. In this review we have highlighted several key features of hydrogen bonding interactions and have summarized the use of hydrogen bonding to program the second coordination sphere. Such control can be achieved by bridging two ligands that are coordinated to a metal center to effectively lead to supramolecular bidentate ligands. In addition, hydrogen bonding can be used to preorganize a substrate that is coordinated to the metal center. Both strategies lead to catalysts with superior properties in a variety of metal catalyzed transformations, including (asymmetric) hydrogenation, hydroformylation, C-H activation, oxidation, radical-type transformations, and photochemical reactions.

Chain Walking as a Strategy for Iridium-Catalyzed Migratory Amidation of Alkenyl Alcohols to Access α-Amino Ketones

Catalytic carbon-nitrogen bond formation in hydrocarbons is an appealing synthetic tool to access valuable nitrogen-containing compounds. Although a number of synthetic approaches have been developed to construct a bifunctional α-amino carbonyl scaffold in this realm, installation of an amino functionality at the remote and unfunctionalized aliphatic sites remains underdeveloped. Here we present a tandem iridium catalysis that enables the redox-relay amidation of alkenyl alcohols via chain walking and metal-nitrenoid transfer, which eventually offers a new route to various α-amino ketones with excellent regioselectivity. The virtue of this transformation is that an unrefined isomeric mixture of alkenyl alcohols can be utilized as the readily available starting materials to lead to the regioconvergent amidation. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the reaction proceeds via a tandem process involving two key components of redox-relay chain walking and intermolecular nitrenoid transfer with the assistance of hydrogen bonding, thus representing the competence of Ir catalysis for the olefin migratory C-N coupling with high efficiency and exquisite selectivity.

Iridium-Catalyzed Amidation of In Situ Prepared Silyl Ketene Acetals to Access α-Amino Esters

Disclosed herein is a convenient Ir-catalyzed amidation of esters to access α-amido esters. Initially prepared silyl ketene acetals are directly employed, without separate purification, for subsequent amidation with an oxycarbonylnitrenoid precursor using the Cp*(LX)Ir(III) catalyst. The α-amidation was facile for both α-aryl and α-alkyl esters. Density functional theory studies revealed that the generation of a putative Ir-nitrenoid is facilitated by the chelation of the countercation additive during the N-O bond cleavage of the nitrene precursor.

Toolbox for Distal C-H Bond Functionalizations in Organic Molecules

Transition metal catalyzed C-H activation has developed a contemporary approach to the omnipresent area of retrosynthetic disconnection. Scientific researchers have been tempted to take the help of this methodology to plan their synthetic discourses. This paradigm shift has helped in the development of industrial units as well, making the synthesis of natural products and pharmaceutical drugs step-economical. In the vast zone of C-H bond activation, the functionalization of proximal C-H bonds has gained utmost popularity. Unlike the activation of proximal C-H bonds, the distal C-H functionalization is more strenuous and requires distinctly specialized techniques. In this review, we have compiled various methods adopted to functionalize distal C-H bonds, mechanistic insights within each of these procedures, and the scope of the methodology. With this review, we give a complete overview of the expeditious progress the distal C-H activation has made in the field of synthetic organic chemistry while also highlighting its pitfalls, thus leaving the field open for further synthetic modifications.

Intramolecular C-H Amination of N-Alkylsulfamides by tert-Butyl Hypoiodite or N-Iodosuccinimide

1,3-Diamines are an important class of compounds that are broadly found in natural products and are also widely used as building blocks in organic synthesis. Although the intramolecular C-H amination of N-alkylsulfamide derivatives is a reliable method for the construction of 1,3-diamine structures, the majority of these methods involve the use of a transition-metal catalyst. We herein report on a new transition-metal-free method using tert-butyl hypoiodite (t-BuOI) or N-iodosuccinimide (NIS), enabling secondary non-benzylic and tertiary C-H amination reactions to proceed. The cyclic sulfamide products can be easily transformed into 1,3-diamines. Mechanistic investigations revealed that amination reactions using t-BuOI or NIS each proceed via different pathways.

Revisiting the Electronic Structure of Cobalt Porphyrin Nitrene and Carbene Radicals with NEVPT2-CASSCF Calculations: Doublet versus Quartet Ground States

Cobalt porphyrin complexes are established catalysts for carbene and nitrene radical group-transfer reactions. The key carbene and mono- and bisnitrene radical complexes coordinated to [Co(TPP)] (TPP = tetraphenylporphyrin) have previously been investigated with a variety of experimental techniques and supporting (single-reference) density functional theory (DFT) calculations that indicated doublet (S = 1/2) ground states for all three species. In this contribution, we revisit their electronic structures with multireference N-electron valence state perturbation theory (NEVPT2)-complete-active-space self-consistent-field (CASSCF) calculations to investigate possible multireference contributions to the ground-state wave functions. The carbene ([CoIII(TPP)(•CHCO2Et)]) and mononitrene ([CoIII(TPP)(•NNs)]) radical complexes were confirmed to have uncomplicated doublet ground states, although a higher carbene or nitrene radical character and a lower Co-C/N bond order was found in the NEVPT2-CASSCF calculations. Supported by electron paramagnetic resonance analysis and spin counting, paramagnetic molar susceptibility determination, and NEVPT2-CASSCF calculations, we report that the cobalt porphyrin bisnitrene complex ([CoIII(TPP•)(•NNs)2]) has a quartet (S = 3/2) spin ground state, with a thermally accesible multireference and multideterminant "broken-symmetry" doublet spin excited state. A spin flip on the porphyrin-centered unpaired electron allows for interconversion between the quartet and broken-symmetry doublet spin states, with an approximate 10-fold higher Boltzmann population of the quartet at room temperature.

Radical-Based Synthesis and Modification of Amino Acids

Amino acids (AAs) are key structural motifs with widespread applications in organic synthesis, biochemistry, and material sciences. Recently, with the development of milder and more versatile radical-based procedures, the use of strategies relying on radical chemistry for the synthesis and modification of AAs has gained increased attention, as they allow rapid access to libraries of novel unnatural AAs containing a wide range of structural motifs. In this Minireview, we provide a broad overview of the advancements made in this field during the last decade, focusing on methods for the de novo synthesis of α-, β-, and γ-AAs, as well as for the selective derivatisation of canonical and non-canonical α-AAs.

Dirhodium(ii)-catalyzed diamination reaction via a free radical pathway

Unlike C–N bond formation through the well-known dirhodium(ii)-nitrenoid pathway, dirhodium(ii)-catalyzed 1,2- and 1,3-diamination reactions are realized by a free radical mechanism.

Iron-Catalyzed Amination of Strong Aliphatic C(sp3)-H Bonds

A concept for intramolecular denitrogenative C(sp³)-H amination of 1,2,3,4-tetrazoles bearing unactivated primary, secondary, and tertiary C-H bonds is discovered. This catalytic amination follows an unprecedented metalloradical activation mechanism. The utility of the method is showcased with the short synthesis of a bioactive molecule. Moreover, an initial effort has been embarked on for the enantioselective C(sp³)-H amination through the catalyst design. Collectively, this study underlines the development of C(sp³)-H bond functionalization chemistry that should find wide application in the context of drug discovery and natural product synthesis.

Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidation of β-C(sp3)-H Bonds of Primary Alkylamines through a Rare Four-Membered Palladacycle Intermediate

Site-selective functionalizations of C-H bonds are often achieved with a directing group that leads to five- or six-membered metallacyclic intermediates. Analogous reactions that occur through four-membered metallacycles are rare. We report a challenging palladium-catalyzed oxidation of primary C-H bonds β to nitrogen in an imine of an aliphatic amine, a process that occurs through a four-membered palladacyclc intermediate. The success of the reaction relies on the identification, by H/D exchange, of a simple directing group (salicylaldehyde) capable of inducing the formation of this small ring. To gain insight into the steps of the catalytic cycle of this unusual oxidation reaction, a series of mechanistic experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were conducted. The experimental studies showed that cleavage of the C-H bond is rate-limiting and formation of the strained four-membered palladacycle is thermodynamically uphill. DFT calculations corroborated these conclusions and suggested that the presence of an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the oxygen of the directing group and hydroxyl group of the ligating acetic acid is crucial for stabilization of the palladacyclic intermediate.

Modifying Positional Selectivity in C-H Functionalization Reactions with Nitrogen-Centered Radicals: Generalizable Approaches to 1,6-Hydrogen-Atom Transfer Processes

Nitrogen-centered radicals are powerful reaction intermediates owing in part to their ability to guide position-selective C(sp3)-H functionalization reactions. Typically, these reactive species dictate the site of functionalization by preferentially engaging in 1,5-hydrogen-atom transfer (1,5-HAT) processes. Broadly relevant approaches to alter the site-selectivity of HAT pathways would be valuable because they could be paired with a variety of tactics to install diverse functional groups. Yet, until recently, there have been no generalizable strategies to modify the position-selectivity observed in these HAT processes. This Synpacts article reviews transformations in which nitrogen-centered radicals preferentially react through 1,6-HAT pathways. Specific attention will be focused on strategies that employ alcohol- and amine-anchored sulfamate esters and sulfamides as templates to achieve otherwise rare γ-selective functionalization reactions.

Iron- and cobalt-catalyzed C(sp3)–H bond functionalization reactions and their application in organic synthesis

This review highlights the developments in iron and cobalt catalyzed C(sp³)–H bond functionalization reactions with emphasis on their applications in organic synthesis, i.e. natural products and pharmaceuticals synthesis and/or modification.

Synthesis, characterization and C-H amination reactivity of nickel iminyl complexes

Metalation of the deprotonated dipyrrin (^AdFL)Li with NiCl₂(py)₂ afforded the divalent Ni product (^AdFL)NiCl(py)₂ (1) (^AdFL: 1,9-di(1-adamantyl)-5-perfluorophenyldipyrrin; py: pyridine). To generate a reactive synthon on which to explore oxidative group transfer, we used potassium graphite to reduce 1, affording the monovalent Ni synthon (^AdFL)Ni(py) (2) and concomitant production of a stoichiometric equivalent of KCl and pyridine. Slow addition of mesityl- or 1-adamantylazide in benzene to 2 afforded the oxidized Ni complexes (^AdFL)Ni(NMes) (3) and (^AdFL)Ni(NAd) (4), respectively. Both 3 and 4 were characterized by multinuclear NMR, EPR, magnetometry, single-crystal X-ray crystallography, theoretical calculations, and X-ray absorption spectroscopies to provide a detailed electronic structure picture of the nitrenoid adducts. X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) on the Ni reveals higher energy Ni 1s → 3d transitions (3: 8333.2 eV; 4: 8333.4 eV) than Ni^I or unambiguous Ni^II analogues. N K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy performed on 3 and 4 reveals a common low-energy absorption present only for 3 and 4 (395.4 eV) that was assigned via TDDFT as an N 1s promotion into a predominantly N-localized, singly occupied orbital, akin to metal-supported iminyl complexes reported for iron. On the continuum of imido (i.e., NR²⁻) to iminyl (i.e., ²NR⁻) formulations, the complexes are best described as Ni^II-bound iminyl species given the N K-edge and TDDFT results. Given the open-shell configuration (S = 1/2) of the iminyl adducts, we then examined their propensity to undergo nitrenoid-group transfer to organic substrates. The adamantyl complex 4 readily consumes 1,4-cyclohexadiene (CHD) via H-atom abstraction to afford the amide (^AdFL)Ni(NHAd) (5), whereas no reaction was observed upon treatment of the mesityl variant 3 with excess amount of CHD over 3 hours. Toluene can be functionalized by 4 at room temperature, exclusively affording the N-1-adamantyl-benzylidene (6). Slow addition of the organoazide substrate (4-azidobutyl)benzene (7) with 2 exclusively forms 4-phenylbutanenitrile (8) as opposed to an intramolecular cyclized pyrrolidine, resulting from facile β-H elimination outcompeting H-atom abstraction from the benzylic position, followed by rapid H₂-elimination from the intermediate Ni hydride ketimide intermediate.

Nickel-supported nitrenoids exhibit iminyl character, as determined by multi-edge XAS and TDDFT analysis, demonstrate efficacy for C–H activation and nitrene transfer chemistry.

Sulfamides direct radical-mediated chlorination of aliphatic C-H bonds

Given the prevalence of aliphatic amines in bioactive small molecules, amine derivatives are opportune as directing groups. Herein, sulfamides serve as amine surrogates to guide intermolecular chlorine-transfer at γ-C(sp³) centers. This unusual position-selectivity arises because accessed sulfamidyl radical intermediates engage preferentially in otherwise rare 1,6-hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT) processes through seven-membered transition states. The site-selectivity of C–H abstraction can be modulated by adjusting the steric and electronic properties of the sulfamide nitrogen substituents, an ability that has not been demonstrated with other substrate classes. The disclosed reaction relies on a light-initiated radical chain-propagation mechanism to oxidize C(sp³)–H bonds efficiently.

Amine-anchored sulfamides direct radical-mediated chlorination of aliphatic C–H bonds. The site of C–H abstraction can be modulated by varying the sulfamide nitrogen substituents, a feature that has not been demonstrated with other substrate classes.

Catalytic C-H Amination Mediated by Dipyrrin Cobalt Imidos

Reduction of (^ArL)Co^IIBr (^ArL = 5-mesityl-1,9-(2,4,6-Ph₃C₆H₂)dipyrrin) with potassium graphite afforded the novel Co^I synthon (^ArL)Co^I. Treatment of (^ArL)Co^I with a stoichiometric amount of various alkyl azides (N₃R) furnished three-coordinate Co^III alkyl imidos (^ArL)Co(NR), as confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (R: CMe₂Bu, CMe₂(CH₂)₂CHMe₂). The exclusive formation of four-coordinate cobalt tetrazido complexes (^ArL)Co(κ²-N₄R₂) was observed upon addition of excess azide, inhibiting any subsequent C-H amination. However, when a weak C-H bond is appended to the imido moiety, as in the case of (4-azido-4-methylpentyl)benzene, intramolecular C-H amination kinetically outcompetes formation of the corresponding tetrazene species to generate 2,2-dimethyl-5-phenylpyrrolidine in a catalytic fashion without requiring product sequestration. The imido (^ArL)Co(NAd) exists in equilibrium in the presence of pyridine with a four-coordinate cobalt imido (^ArL)Co(NAd)(py) ( K_a = 8.04 M^-1), as determined by ¹H NMR titration experiments. Kinetic studies revealed that pyridine binding slows down the formation of the tetrazido complex by blocking azide coordination to the Co^III imido. Further, (^ArL)Co(NR)(py) displays enhanced C-H amination reactivity compared to that of the pyridine-free complex, enabling higher catalytic turnover numbers under milder conditions. The mechanism of C-H amination was probed via kinetic isotope effect experiments [ k_H/ k_D = 10.2(9)] and initial rate analysis with para-substituted azides, suggesting a two-step radical pathway. Lastly, the enhanced reactivity of (^ArL)Co(NR)(py) can be correlated to a higher spin-state population, resulting in a decreased crystal field due to a geometry change upon pyridine coordination.

Rhodium(ii)-catalyzed C-H aminations using N-mesyloxycarbamates: reaction pathway and by-product formation

N-Mesyloxycarbamates are practical nitrene precursors that undergo C-H amination reactions in the presence of rhodium dimer catalysts. Under these conditions, both oxazolidinones and chiral amines have been prepared in a highly efficient manner. Given the elevated reactivity of the intermediates involved in the catalytic cycle, mechanistic details have remained hypothetical, relying on indirect experiments. Herein a density functional theory (DFT) study is presented to validate the catalytic cycle of the rhodium-catalyzed C-H amination with N-mesyloxycarbamates. A concerted pathway involving Rh-nitrene species that undergoes C-H insertion is found to be favored over a stepwise C-N bond formation manifold. Density functional calculations and kinetic studies suggest that the rate-limiting step is the C-H insertion process rather than the formation of Rh-nitrene species. In addition, these studies provide mechanistic details about competitive by-product formation, resulting from an intermolecular reaction between the Rh-nitrene species and the N-mesyloxycarbamate anion.

Catalytic Radical Process for Enantioselective Amination of C(sp3 )-H Bonds

A new catalytic radical system involving CoII -based metalloradical catalysis is effective in activating sulfamoyl azides for enantioselective radical 1,6-amination of C(sp3 )-H bonds, affording six-membered chiral heterocyclic sulfamides in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities. The CoII -catalyzed C-H amination features an unusual degree of functional-group tolerance and chemoselectivity. The unique reactivity and stereoselectivity is attributed to the underlying stepwise radical pathway. The resulting optically active cyclic sulfamides can be readily converted into synthetically useful chiral 1,3-diamine derivatives without loss in enantiopurity.

Manganese-catalysed benzylic C(sp3)-H amination for late-stage functionalization

Reactions that directly install nitrogen into C-H bonds of complex molecules are significant because of their potential to change the chemical and biological properties of a given compound. Although selective intramolecular C-H amination reactions are known, achieving high levels of reactivity while maintaining excellent site selectivity and functional-group tolerance remains a challenge for intermolecular C-H amination. Here, we report a manganese perchlorophthalocyanine catalyst [MnIII(ClPc)] for intermolecular benzylic C-H amination of bioactive molecules and natural products that proceeds with unprecedented levels of reactivity and site selectivity. In the presence of a Brønsted or Lewis acid, the [MnIII(ClPc)]-catalysed C-H amination demonstrates unique tolerance for tertiary amine, pyridine and benzimidazole functionalities. Mechanistic studies suggest that C-H amination likely proceeds through an electrophilic metallonitrene intermediate via a stepwise pathway where C-H cleavage is the rate-determining step of the reaction. Collectively, these mechanistic features contrast with previous base-metal-catalysed C-H aminations and provide new opportunities for tunable selectivities.

Inverting Steric Effects: Using "Attractive" Noncovalent Interactions To Direct Silver-Catalyzed Nitrene Transfer

Nitrene transfer (NT) reactions represent powerful and direct methods to convert C-H bonds into amine groups that are prevalent in many commodity chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The importance of the C-N bond has stimulated the development of numerous transition-metal complexes to effect chemo-, regio-, and diastereoselective NT. An ongoing challenge is to understand how subtle interactions between catalyst and substrate influence the site-selectivity of the C-H amination event. In this work, we explore the underlying reasons why Ag(tpa)OTf (tpa = tris(pyridylmethyl)amine) prefers to activate α-conjugated C-H bonds over 3° alkyl C(sp3)-H bonds and apply these insights to reaction optimization and catalyst design. Experimental results suggest possible roles of noncovalent interactions (NCIs) in directing the NT; computational studies support the involvement of π···π and Ag···π interactions between catalyst and substrate, primarily by lowering the energy of the directed transition state and reaction conformers. A simple Hess's law relationship can be employed to predict selectivities for new substrates containing competing NCIs. The insights presented herein are poised to inspire the design of other catalyst-controlled C-H functionalization reactions.

Nitrene Radical Intermediates in Catalytic Synthesis

Nitrene radical complexes are reactive intermediates with discrete spin density at the nitrogen-atom of the nitrene moiety. These species have become important intermediates for organic synthesis, being invoked in a broad range of C-H functionalization and aziridination reactions. Nitrene radical complexes have intriguing electronic structures, and are best described as one-electron reduced Fischer type nitrenes. They can be generated by intramolecular single electron transfer to the "redox non-innocent" nitrene moiety at the metal. Nitrene radicals generated at open-shell cobalt(II) have thus far received most attention in terms of spectroscopic characterization, reactivity screening, catalytic nitrene-transfer reactions and (computational and experimental) mechanistic studies, but some interesting iron and precious metal catalysts have also been employed in related reactions involving nitrene radicals. In some cases, redox-active ligands are used to facilitate intramolecular single electron transfer from the complex to the nitrene moiety. Organic azides are among the most attractive nitrene precursors in this field, typically requiring pre-activated organic azides (e.g. RSO₂ N₃ , (RO)₂ P(=O)N₃ , ROC(=O)N₃ and alike) to achieve efficient and selective catalysis. Challenging, non-activated aliphatic organic azides were recently added to the palette of reagents useful in synthetically relevant reactions proceeding via nitrene radical intermediates. This concept article describes the electronic structure of nitrene radical complexes, emphasizes on their usefulness in the catalytic synthesis of various organic products, and highlights the important developments in the field.

Cobalt-Porphyrin-Catalysed Intramolecular Ring-Closing C-H Amination of Aliphatic Azides: A Nitrene-Radical Approach to Saturated Heterocycles

Cobalt-porphyrin-catalysed intramolecular ring-closing C-H bond amination enables direct synthesis of various N-heterocycles from aliphatic azides. Pyrrolidines, oxazolidines, imidazolidines, isoindolines and tetrahydroisoquinoline can be obtained in good to excellent yields in a single reaction step with an air- and moisture-stable catalyst. Kinetic studies of the reaction in combination with DFT calculations reveal a metallo-radical-type mechanism involving rate-limiting azide activation to form the key cobalt(III)-nitrene radical intermediate. A subsequent low barrier intramolecular hydrogen-atom transfer from a benzylic C-H bond to the nitrene-radical intermediate followed by a radical rebound step leads to formation of the desired N-heterocyclic ring products. Kinetic isotope competition experiments are in agreement with a radical-type C-H bond-activation step (intramolecular KIE=7), which occurs after the rate-limiting azide activation step. The use of di-tert-butyldicarbonate (Boc2 O) significantly enhances the reaction rate by preventing competitive binding of the formed amine product. Under these conditions, the reaction shows clean first-order kinetics in both the [catalyst] and the [azide substrate], and is zero-order in [Boc2 O]. Modest enantioselectivities (29-46 % ee in the temperature range of 100-80 °C) could be achieved in the ring closure of (4-azidobutyl)benzene using a new chiral cobalt-porphyrin catalyst equipped with four (1S)-(-)-camphanic-ester groups.

Thermal Rearrangement of Sulfamoyl Azides: Reactivity and Mechanistic Study

The rearrangement of sulfamoyl azides under thermal conditions to form a C-C bond while breaking two C-N bonds is reported. Mechanistic study shows that this reaction goes through a Curtius-type rearrangement to form a 1,1-diazene, then which rearranges possibly through both a concerted rearrangement process and a stepwise radical process. This rearrangement could be used in the synthesis of complex biologically active molecules, such as sterols, and piperine derivatives.