Palladium-Catalyzed Chemoselective Decarboxylative Ortho Acylation of Benzoic Acids with α-Oxocarboxylic Acids

Synthesis of Tetra-Substituted 3-Hydroxyphthalide Esters by Isothiourea-Catalysed Acylative Dynamic Kinetic Resolution

A general and highly enantioselective method for the preparation of tetra-substituted 3-hydroxyphthalide esters via isothiourea-catalysed acylative dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) is reported. Using (2S,3R)-HyperBTM (5 mol %) as the catalyst, the scope and limitations of this methodology have been extensively probed, with high enantioselectivity and good to excellent yields observed (>40 examples, up to 99 %, 99 : 1 er). Substitution of the aromatic core within the 3-hydroxyphthalide skeleton, as well as aliphatic and aromatic substitution at C(3), is readily tolerated. A diverse range of anhydrides, including those from bioactive and pharmaceutically relevant acids, can also be used. The high enantioselectivity observed in this DKR process has been probed computationally, with a key substrate heteroatom donor O⋅⋅⋅acyl-isothiouronium interaction identified through DFT analysis as necessary for enantiodiscrimination.

C-H acylation of aniline derivatives with α-oxocarboxylic acids using ruthenium catalyst

An efficient and convenient synthetic strategy for ruthenium(II)-catalyzed ortho-acylation of N-(2-pyridyl)-anilines using α-oxycarboxylic acids as acyl sources is described. The procedure can smoothly proceed under mild conditions, showing good functional group tolerance. Valuable ortho-acylated aniline products have been obtained with moderate to good yields. Furthermore, the reaction could be easily scaled up to the gram scale.

RhIII-Catalyzed C-H N-Heteroarylation and Esterification Cascade of Carboxylic Acid with Organoboron Reagents and 1,2-Dichloroethane in One-Pot Synthesis

A Rh^III-catalyzed C(sp²)-H N-heteroarylation and esterification cascade of aryl carboxylic acids with N-heteroaromatic boronates and 1,2-dichloroethane in a one-pot synthesis has been disclosed. The strong coordinating ability of ortho- and meta-substituted pyridine boronates and pyrazoles as well as unsubstituted pyrimidine allows them to serve as the coupling partners. This protocol allows late-stage modification of the key precursor of roflumilast and compounds of pharmaceutical interest, which highlights the potential application of this synthetic method.

Pd-catalysed C-H functionalisation of free carboxylic acids

Pd-catalysed C-H functionalisation of free carboxylic acids has drawn significant attention over the last few years due to the predominance of carboxylic acid moieties in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. But their coordinating ability was overlooked and masked by exogenous directing groups for a long time. Even other crucial roles of carboxylic acids as additives and steric inducers that directly influence the mode of a reaction have been widely neglected. This review aims to embrace all of the diverse aspects of carboxylic acids except additive and steric effects by concisely and systematically describing their versatile role in Pd-catalysed proximal and distal C-H activation reactions that could be implemented in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. In addition, the mechanistic perspectives along with several recent strategies developed in the last few years discussed here will serve as educational resources for future research.

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.

Divergent Synthesis of Highly Substituted Pyridines and Benzenes from Dienals, Alkynes, and Sulfonyl Azides

Divergent synthesis is extremely important for the highly efficient preparation of structurally diverse target molecules. Herein, we describe a multicomponent cascade reaction, which allows access to highly substituted pyridines and benzenes by combining four individual steps in a one-pot manner from the same set of readily available starting materials. The azepine intermediates were first used as the precursors for 6π-electrocyclization to construct highly substituted pyridines and benzenes in a tunable manner.

Removal and modification of directing groups used in metal-catalyzed C–H functionalization: the magical step of conversion into ‘conventional’ functional groups

This feature review is focused on recent approaches for removing versatile directing groups.

Carbonylative Suzuki-Miyaura couplings of sterically hindered aryl halides: synthesis of 2-aroylbenzoate derivatives

We have developed a carbonylative approach to the synthesis of diversely substituted 2-aroylbenzoate esters featuring a new protocol for the carbonylative coupling of aryl bromides with boronic acids and a new strategy to favour carbonylative over non-carbonylative reactions. Two different synthetic pathways - (i) the alkoxycarbonylation of 2-bromo benzophenones and (ii) the carbonylative Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of 2-bromobenzoate esters - were evaluated. The latter approach provided a broader substrate tolerance, and thus was the preferred pathway. We observed that 2-substituted aryl bromides were challenging substrates for carbonylative chemistry favouring the non-carbonylative pathway. However, we found that carbonylative Suzuki-Miyaura couplings can be improved by slow addition of the boronic acid, suppressing the unwanted direct Suzuki coupling and, thus increasing the yield of the carbonylative reaction.

Palladium-Catalyzed Decarboxylative ortho-C(sp2 )-H Aroylation of N-Sulfoximine Benzamides at Room Temperature

A palladium-catalyzed method for the decarboxylative ortho C-H acylation of N-sulfoximine benzamides is developed at room temperature. The catalytic method enables easy access to various functionalized 2-aroylaromatic carboxylic acid derivatives in good isolated yields. Based on our mechanistic studies, a Pd(II)/Pd(IV) catalytic cycle that involves aroyl radical intermediate is proposed for the reaction.

Recent advances in the direct functionalization of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones

The direct C3-functionalization of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones via C-H bond activation has recently attracted considerable attention, due to their diverse biological activities and chemical properties. This review will focus on the recent achievements, mainly including arylation, alkylation, acylation, alkoxycarbonylation, amination, amidation and phosphonation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones. Their mechanisms are also discussed.

Decarboxylative acylation of N-free indoles enabled by a catalytic amount of copper catalyst and liquid-assisted grinding

A mechanochemically Cu(ii)-catalyzed decarboxylative acylation of N-free indoles with O₂ as a terminal oxidant was developed for the mild synthesis of 3-acylindoles.

Palladium-catalyzed direct mono-aroylation of O-arylmethyl and aryl-substituted acetoxime ethers

An efficient palladium-catalyzed ortho-aroylation of O-arylmethyl and aryl-substituted acetoxime ethers has been developed; this method has high mono-site selectivity and does not require exogenous ligands. Under the direction of a simple exo-acetoxime auxiliary, a broad scope of masked arylmethyl alcohols and phenols as well as various aromatic aldehydes are compatible with this transformation, which probably follows a mechanistic pathway involving a six- or five-membered exo-cyclopalladated intermediate. The strategy can be expediently adopted to prepare synthetically valuable 1H-benzo[d][1,2]oxazines and benzo[d]isoxazoles. The directing group can be easily removed from the products to afford the functionalized diaryl ketones.

Carboxylate-directed C-H allylation with allyl alcohols or ethers

A [Ru(p-cymene)Cl2]2 catalyst activates allyl alcohols and ethers for the regioselective ortho-C-H allylation of aromatic and heteroaromatic carboxylates. The reaction is orthogonal to most C-H functionalisations with allyl alcohols in that allyl arenes rather than carbonyl compounds are obtained. A wide range of substrates are thus smoothly transformed to allylarenes at 50 °C in phosphate-buffered 2,2,2-trichloroethanol. The reaction concept combines the use of abundant reagents and directing groups in a sustainable, waste-minimised method for C-C bond formation.

Palladium-Catalyzed Decarboxylative ortho-Acylation of Anilines with Carbamate as a Removable Directing Group

An efficient palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative ortho-acylation of anilines with α-oxocarboxylic acids has been realized by using carbamate as a directing group (DG). The reaction proceeds smoothly with high regioselectivity to afford diverse acylation products of aniline derivatives in moderate to good yields under mild conditions. This transformation exhibits broad substrate scope and highly functional group tolerance. In addition, the employed DG can be easily removed to give the corresponding 2-amino aromatic ketones. Importantly, several transformations of the synthesized ortho-acylated anilines into several synthetically valuable products have been demonstrated for their utilities.

Palladium-catalyzed C-H activation/C-C cross-coupling reactions via electrochemistry

Palladium-catalyzed C-H activation/C-C cross-coupling reactions typically require stoichiometric chemical oxidants and exogenous ligands. However, there are significant disadvantages associated with the use of traditional stoichiometric oxidants. To overcome these issues, we have developed an electrochemical strategy to achieve methylation and acylation.

Transition-Metal-Free Regiospecific Aroylation of Nitroarenes Using Ethyl Arylacetates at Room Temperature

A novel regiospecific C(sp³)-C(sp²) coupling between ethyl arylacetates and nitroarenes has been developed to deliver biaryl ketones in excellent yields. The protocol is metal-free, mild, and compatible with a number of functional groups on both of the reacting partners.

Palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative, decarbonylative and dehydrogenative C(sp2)-H acylation at room temperature

Over the past few decades, an impressive array of C-H activation methodology has been developed for organic synthesis. However, due to the inherent inertness of the C-H bonds (e.g. ∼110 kcal mol^-1 for the cleavage of C(aryl)-H bonds) harsh reaction conditions have been realized to overcome high energetic transition states resulting in a limited substrate scope and functional group tolerance. Therefore, the development of mild C-H functionalization protocols is in high demand to exploit the full potential of the C-H activation strategy in the synthesis of a complex molecular framework. Although, electron-rich substrates undergo electrophilic metalation under relatively mild conditions, electron-deficient substrates proceed through a rate-limiting C-H insertion under forcing conditions at high temperature. In addition, a stoichiometric amount of toxic silver salt is frequently used in palladium catalysis to facilitate the C-H activation process which is not acceptable from the environmental and industrial standpoint. We report herein, a Pd(ii)-catalyzed decarboxylative C-H acylation of 2-arylpyridines with α-ketocarboxylic acids under mild conditions. The present protocol does not require stoichiometric silver(i) salts as additives and proceeds smoothly at ambient temperature. A novel decarbonylative C-H acylation reaction has also been accomplished using aryl glyoxals as acyl surrogates. Finally, a practical C-H acylation via a dehydrogenative pathway has been demonstrated using commercially available benzaldehydes and aqueous hydroperoxides. We also disclose that acetonitrile solvent is optimal for the acylation reaction at room temperature and has a prominent role in the reaction outcome. Control experiments suggest that the acylation reaction via decarboxylative, decarbonylative and dehydrogenative proceeds through a radical pathway. Thus we disclose a practical protocol for the sp² C-H acylation reaction.

Palladium-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Ortho-Acylation of Tertiary Benzamides with Arylglyoxylic Acids

A palladium-catalyzed ortho-acylation of tertiary benzamides using arylglyoxylic acids has been described. Unlike the palladium insertion reported to occur in the distorted N-C(O) amide bond of tertiary benzamides, the current study unveils ortho C-H palladation in acylic or cyclic N,N-dialkylbenzamides affording ortho-acylated tertiary benzamides in good to excellent yields. Our experimental study on the mechanism provides information on the tendency of the amide nitrogen toward weak coordination with palladium as opposed to oxygen. However, density functional theory calculations suggest coordination of amide oxygen to palladium, which makes the mechanism especially interesting. A Pd(II)/Pd(III) catalytic cycle and nucleophilic attack by the acyl radical rather than arylglyoxylate anion are supported by mechanistic studies.

Copper-catalyzed oxidative decarboxylative coupling of α-keto acids and sulfoximines

The formation of N-aroylsulfoximines via a copper-catalyzed oxidative decarboxylative coupling of α-keto acids with NH-sulfoximines is reported.

A co-operative effect of visible light photo-catalysis and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles for green synthesis of furans in water

A novel approach to poly-functionalized furan synthesis is disclosed via oxidative decarboxylative [3+2] cycloaddition using co-operative catalysis by visible light and CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles.

The use of carboxylic acids as traceless directing groups for regioselective C–H bond functionalisation

This feature article focuses on the use of carboxylic acids as traceless directing groups and the application of this concept to achieve regiochemical control in organic chemistry.

Carboxylic Acids as Directing Groups for C-H Bond Functionalization

The selective transformation of C-H bonds is one of the most desirable approaches to creating complexity from simple building blocks. Several directing groups are efficient in controlling the regioselectivity of catalytic C-H bond functionalizations. Among them, carboxylic acids are particularly advantageous, since they are widely available in great structural diversity and at low cost. The carboxylate directing groups can be tracelessly cleaved or may serve as the anchor point for further functionalization through decarboxylative couplings. This Minireview summarizes the substantial progress made in the last few years in the development of reactions in which carboxylate groups direct C-H bond functionalizations with formation of C-C, C-O, C-N, or C-halogen bonds at specific positions. It is divided into sections on C-C, C-O, C-N, and C-halogen bond formation, each of which is subdivided by reactions and product classes. Particular emphasis is placed on methods that enable multiple derivatizations by combining carboxylate-directed C-H functionalization with decarboxylative couplings.

Palladium catalyzed regioselective B-C(sp) coupling via direct cage B-H activation: synthesis of B(4)-alkynylated o-carboranes

Pd-catalyzed carboxylic acid guided regioselective alkynylation of cage B(4)-H bonds in o-carboranes has been achieved for the first time using two different catalytic systems. In the presence of 5 mol% Pd(OAc)2 and 3 equiv. of AgOAc, the reaction of 1-COOH-2-R1-C2B10H10 with R3SiC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CBr in ClCH2CH2Cl gives 4-(R3SiC[triple bond, length as m-dash]C)-2-R1-o-C2B10H10 in moderate to high yields. This reaction is compatible with alkynes possessing sterically bulky silyl groups such as iPr3Si or t BuMe2Si. Meanwhile, another catalytic system of Pd(OAc)2/AgOAc/K2HPO4 can catalyze the direct B(4)-alkynylation of 1-COOH-2-R1-C2B10H10 with terminal alkynes R2C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CH in moderate to high yields. The latter has a broader substrate scope from bulky silyl to aromatic to carboranyl substituents. Desilylation of the resultant products affords carboranyl acetylene 4-(HC[triple bond, length as m-dash]C)-2-R1-o-C2B10H10 which can undergo further transformations such as Sonogashira coupling, dimerization and click reactions. It is suggested that the above two catalytic systems may proceed via Pd(ii)-Pd(iv)-Pd(ii) and Pd(ii)-Pd(0)-Pd(ii) catalytic cycles, respectively. In addition, the silver salt is found to promote the decarboxylation reaction and thereby controls the mono-selectivity.