Rh(III)-Catalyzed Halogenation of Vinylic C–H Bonds: Rapid and General Access to Z-Halo Acrylamides

N^N^C-Cyclometalated rhodium(III) complexes with isomeric pyrimidine-based ligands: unveiling the impact of isomerism on structural motifs, luminescence and cytotoxicity

The impact of isomerism of pyrimidine-based ligands and their rhodium(III) complexes with regard to their structures and properties was investigated. Two isomeric ligands, 4-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-2,5-diphenylpyrimidine (HL2,5) and 4-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-2,6-diphenylpyrimidine (HL2,6), were synthesized. The ligands differ by the degree of steric bulk: the molecular structure of HL2,5 is more distorted due to presence of pyrazolyl and phenyl groups in the neighbouring positions 4 and 5 of the pyrimidine ring. The complexation of HL2,5 and HL2,6 with RhCl3 leads to the sp2 C-H bond activation, resulting in the isolation of two complexes, [RhL2,5(Solv)Cl2]·nEtOH and [RhL2,6(Solv)Cl2]·nEtOH (Solv = H2O, EtOH), with the deprotonated forms of the pyrazolylpyrimidine molecules which coordinate the Rh3+ ion as N^N^C-tridentate ligands. According to DFT modelling, the mechanism of the deprotonation involves (i) the C-H bond breaking in the 2-phenyl group followed by the coordination of the C atom to the Rh atom, (ii) the protonation of coordinated chlorido ligand, (iii) the ejection of the HCl molecule and (iv) the coordination of the H2O molecule. The ligand isomerism has an impact on emission properties and cytotoxicity of the complexes. Although the excited states of the complexes effectively deactivate through S0/T1 and S0/S1 crossings associated with the cleavage of the weak H2O ligands upon excitation, the [RhL2,5(Solv)Cl2]·nEtOH complex appeared to be emissive in the solid state, while [RhL2,6(Solv)Cl2]·nEtOH is non-emissive at all. The complexes show significant cytotoxic activity against cancerous HepG2 and Hep2 cell lines, with the [RhL2,6(Solv)Cl2]·nEtOH complex being more active than its isomer [RhL2,5(Solv)Cl2]·nEtOH. On the other hand, noticeable cytotoxicity of the latter against HepG2 is supplemented by its non-toxicity against non-cancerous MRC-5 cells.

Selective C-H Iodination of Weinreb Amides and Benzamides through Iridium Catalysis in Solution and under Mechanochemical Conditions

The acid mediated ortho-iodination of Weinreb amides using a readily available catalyst is described. The selective ortho-iodination of Weinreb amides, challenging substrates in directed C-H activations, and also of benzamides is achieved. The process works under mild conditions and tolerates air and moisture, having a great potential for industrial applications. The methodology can be applied under mechanochemical conditions maintaining the reaction outcome and selectivity.

Recent Advances in Alkenyl sp2 C-H and C-F Bond Functionalizations: Scope, Mechanism, and Applications

Alkenes and their derivatives are featured widely in a variety of natural products, pharmaceuticals, and advanced materials. Significant efforts have been made toward the development of new and practical methods to access this important class of compounds by selectively activating the alkenyl C(sp²)-H bonds in recent years. In this comprehensive review, we describe the state-of-the-art strategies for the direct functionalization of alkenyl sp² C-H and C-F bonds until June 2022. Moreover, metal-free, photoredox, and electrochemical strategies are also covered. For clarity, this review has been divided into two parts; the first part focuses on currently available alkenyl sp² C-H functionalization methods using different alkene derivatives as the starting materials, and the second part describes the alkenyl sp² C-F bond functionalization using easily accessible gem-difluoroalkenes as the starting material. This review includes the scope, limitations, mechanistic studies, stereoselective control (using directing groups as well as metal-migration strategies), and their applications to complex molecule synthesis where appropriate. Overall, this comprehensive review aims to document the considerable advancements, current status, and emerging work by critically summarizing the contributions of researchers working in this fascinating area and is expected to stimulate novel, innovative, and broadly applicable strategies for alkenyl sp² C-H and C-F bond functionalizations in the coming years.

Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative C-H Olefination of Unsaturated Acrylamides with Unactivated Olefins

A rhodium(III)-catalyzed aerobic oxidative cross-coupling of acrylamides with unactivated alkenes via vinylic C-H activation has been developed. The present cross-coupling reaction was examined with a variety of differently functionalized acrylamides and unactivated olefins. In these reactions, highly valuable amide-functionalized butadienes were prepared in good to excellent yields. This protocol was also compatible with Weinreb amides. A possible reaction mechanism involving the chelation-assisted vinylic C-H activation via a carboxylate-assisted deprotonation pathway is proposed.

RhIII-Catalyzed C-H (Het)arylation/Vinylation of N-2,6-Difluoroaryl Acrylamides

Rh^III-catalyzed sp² C-H cross-coupling of acrylamides with organoboron reactants has been accomplished using a commercially available N-2,6-difluoroaryl acrylamide auxiliary. A broad range of aryl and vinyl boronates as well as a variety of heterocyclic boronates with strong coordinating ability can serve as the coupling partners. This transformation proceeds under moderate reaction conditions with excellent functional group tolerance and high regioselectivity.

Recent advances in chelation-assisted site- and stereoselective alkenyl C–H functionalization

This review highlights recent advances in vicinal- and geminal-group-directed alkenyl C–H functionalizations which proceeded by endo- and exo-cyclometallation.

Identification of key functionalization species in the Cp*Ir(III)-catalyzed-ortho halogenation of benzamides

Cp*Ir(iii) complexes have been shown to be effective for the halogenation of N,N-diisopropylbenzamides with N-halosuccinimide as a suitable halogen source. The optimized conditions for the iodination reaction consist of 0.5 mol% [Cp*IrCl2]2 in 1,2-dichloroethane at 60 °C for 1 h to form a variety of iodinated benzamides in high yields. Increasing the catalyst loading to 6 mol% and the time to 4 h enabled the bromination reaction of the same substrates. Reactivity was not observed for the chlorination of these substrates. A variety of functional groups on the para-position of the benzamide were well tolerated. Kinetic studies showed the reaction dependence is first order in iridium, positive order in benzamide, and zero order in N-iodosuccinimide. A KIE of 2.5 was obtained from an independent H/D kinetic isotope effect study. Computational studies (DFT-BP3PW91) indicate that a CMD mechanism is more likely than an oxidative addition pathway for the C-H bond activation step. The calculated functionalization step involves an Ir(v) species that is the result of oxidative addition of acetate hypoiodite that is generated in situ from N-iodosuccinimide and acetic acid.

Pd-Catalyzed Selective Chlorination of Acrylamides at Room Temperature

In this Letter, the transition-metal-catalyzed chlorination of alkenes is reported. In the presence of the commercially available and inexpensive N-chlorosuccinimide and without additive, the Pd-catalyzed chlorination of acrylamides by C-H bond activation was developed at room temperature under air. Under these mild reaction conditions, the versatility of the methodology was demonstrated as an array of acrylamides was functionalized to selectively provide the corresponding difficult-to-synthesize chlorinated olefins as a single Z stereoisomer. Mechanistic studies were conducted to get insights into the reaction mechanism, and post-functionalization reactions further demonstrated the synthetic utility of the approach toward the access to high value-added chlorinated compounds.

Pd-Catalyzed C-H Halogenation of Indolines and Tetrahydroquinolines with Removable Directing Group

Pd-catalyzed directing-group-assisted regioselective halogenations to C7 of indolines and C8 of tetrahydroquinolines were achieved in good to excellent yields. The practicality and utility of the developed method have been illustrated by various functional group transformations such as arylation, alkenylation, cyanation, and silylation utilizing the installed synthetic handle. The concise synthesis of primaquine, an antimalarial drug, and formal syntheses of two bioactive natural products, hippadine and pratosine, have also been demonstrated.

Rhodium-Catalyzed ortho-Bromination of O-Phenyl Carbamates Accelerated by a Secondary Amide-Pendant Cyclopentadienyl Ligand

It has been established that a newly developed cyclopentadienyl rhodium(III) [Cp^A Rh^III ] complex, bearing an acidic secondary amide moiety on the Cp ring, is able to catalyze the ortho-bromination of O-phenyl carbamates with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) at room temperature. The presence of the acidic secondary amide moiety on the Cp^A ligand accelerates the bromination by the hydrogen bond between the acidic NH group of the Cp^A ligand and the carbonyl group of NBS.

Cobalt(ii)-catalyzed regioselective C-H halogenation of anilides

A cobalt-catalyzed regioselective C-H halogenation methodology is reported herein. The highlight of this work is the highly selective C-H functionalization of anilides, which results in high-yielding, versatile, and practical halogenated products. Thereby, brominations, chlorinations and iodinations of many electron-rich and electron-deficient anilides were achieved in a highly selective fashion. Mechanistic studies with respect to the pathway of the reaction are also described.

Weinreb Amides as Directing Groups for Transition Metal-Catalyzed C-H Functionalizations

Weinreb amides are a privileged, multi-functional group with well-established utility in classical synthesis. Recently, several studies have demonstrated the use of Weinreb amides as interesting substrates in transition metal-catalyzed C-H functionalization reactions. Herein, we review this part of the literature, including the metal catalysts, transformations explored so far and specific insights from mechanistic studies.

Metal-Free Transfer Hydroiodination of C-C Multiple Bonds

The design and a gram-scale synthesis of a bench-stable cyclohexa-1,4-diene-based surrogate of gaseous hydrogen iodide are described. By initiation with a moderately strong Brønsted acid, hydrogen iodide is transferred from the surrogate onto C-C multiple bonds such as alkynes and allenes without the involvement of free hydrogen iodide. The surrogate fragments into toluene and ethylene, easy-to-remove volatile waste. This hydroiodination reaction avoids precarious handling of hydrogen iodide or hydroiodic acid. By this, a broad range of previously unknown or difficult-to-prepare vinyl iodides can be accessed in stereocontrolled fashion.

Bidentate auxiliary-directed alkenyl C–H allylation via exo-palladacycles: synthesis of branched 1,4-dienes

An alkenyl C–H allylation by exo-palladacycle is demonstrated to produce branched skipped dienes, employing alkenyl amides and allyl carbonates.

Transition metal catalysed C7 and ortho-selective halogenation of 2-arylbenzo[d]oxazoles

An approach to construct C–X bonds on the C7 or ortho-position of 2-arylbenzo[d]oxazoles by Rh and Ru catalysts has been reported.

Weinreb Amide Directed Versatile C-H Bond Functionalization under (η5 -Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)cobalt(III) Catalysis

The (η⁵ -pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)cobalt(III) (Cp*Co^III )-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization of aromatic, heteroaromatic, and α,β-unsaturated Weinreb amides was explored. C-H allylation reactions with the use of allyl carbonate and a perfluoroalkene, oxidative alkenylation reactions with the use of ethyl acrylate, iodination reactions with the use of N-iodosuccinimide, and amidation reactions with the use of dioxazolones were catalyzed by Cp*Co(CO)I₂ in the presence of a cationic Ag salt and AgOAc to afford various synthetically useful building blocks. Mechanistic studies of the C-H allylation disclosed that the C-H activation step was rate determining and virtually irreversible.

Cobalt(ii)-catalyzed chelation-assisted C–H iodination of aromatic amides with I2

An air stable and inexpensive cobalt-metal, mild and efficient catalytic system.

Cp*Rh(iii) catalyzed ortho-halogenation of N-nitrosoanilines by solvent-controlled regioselective C–H functionalization

A highly efficient rhodium-catalyzed, solvent-controlled regioselective C–H halogenation of anilines by using N-nitroso as a suitable and removable directing group was achieved under mild reaction conditions.

Rh(iii)-Catalyzed regioselective mono- and di-iodination of azobenzenes using alkyl iodide

We developed a highly chemoselective oxidative access to ortho-iodinated azobenzenes by Rh(iii)-catalysis with alkyl iodide as the iodinating reagent.

Mechanism of Rhodium-Catalyzed C-H Functionalization: Advances in Theoretical Investigation

Transition-metal-catalyzed cross-coupling has emerged as an effective strategy for chemical synthesis. Within this area, direct C-H bond transformation is one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly processes for the construction of new C-C or C-heteroatom bonds. Over the past decades, rhodium-catalyzed C-H functionalization has attracted considerable attention because of the versatility and wide use of rhodium catalysts in chemistry. A series of C-X (X = C, N, or O) bond formation reactions could be realized from corresponding C-H bonds using rhodium catalysts. Various experimental studies on rhodium-catalyzed C-H functionalization reactions have been reported, and in tandem, mechanistic and computational studies have also progressed significantly. Since 2012, our group has performed theoretical studies to reveal the mechanism of rhodium-catalyzed C-H functionalization reactions. We have studied the changes in the oxidation state of rhodium and compared the Rh(I)/Rh(III) catalytic cycle to the Rh(III)/Rh(V) catalytic cycle using density functional theory calculation. The development of advanced computational methods and improvements in computing power make theoretical calculation a powerful tool for the mechanistic study of rhodium chemistry. Computational study is able to not only provide mechanistic insights but also explain the origin of regioselectivity, enantioselectivity, and stereoselectivity in rhodium-catalyzed C-H functionalization reactions. This Account summarizes our computational work on rhodium-catalyzed C-H functionalization reactions. The mechanistic study under discussion is divided into three main parts: C-H bond cleavage step, transformation of the C-Rh bond, and regeneration of the active catalyst. In the C-H bond cleavage step, computational results of four possible mechanisms, including concerted metalation-deprotonation (CMD), oxidative addition (OA), Friedel-Crafts-type electrophilic aromatic substitution (S_EAr), and σ-complex assisted metathesis (σ-CAM) are discussed. Subsequent transformation of the C-Rh bond, for example, via insertion of CO, olefin, alkyne, carbene, or nitrene, constructs new C-C or C-heteroatom bonds. For the regeneration of the active catalyst, reductive elimination of a high-valent rhodium complex and protonation of the C-Rh bond are emphasized as potential mechanism candidates. In addition to detailing the reaction pathway, the regioselectivity and diastereoselectivity of rhodium-catalyzed C-H functionalization reactions are also commented upon in this Account. The origin of the selectivity is clarified through theoretical analysis. Furthermore, we summarize and compare the changes in the oxidation state of rhodium along the complete reaction pathway. The work described in this Account demonstrates that rhodium catalysis might proceed via Rh(I)/Rh(III), Rh(II)/Rh(IV), Rh(III)/Rh(V), or non-redox-Rh(III) catalytic cycles.

Synthesis of [5,6]-Bicyclic Heterocycles with a Ring-Junction Nitrogen Atom: Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed C-H Functionalization of Alkenyl Azoles

The first syntheses of privileged [5,6]-bicyclic heterocycles, with ring-junction nitrogen atoms, by transition metal catalyzed C-H functionalization of C-alkenyl azoles is disclosed. Several reactions are applied to alkenyl imidazoles, pyrazoles, and triazoles to provide products with nitrogen incorporated at different sites. Alkyne and diazoketone coupling partners give azolopyridines with various substitution patterns. In addition, 1,4,2-dioxazolone coupling partners yield azolopyrimidines. Furthermore, the mechanisms for the reactions are discussed and the utility of the developed approach is demonstrated by iterative application of C-H functionalization for the rapid synthesis of a patented drug candidate.

Chelation versus Non-Chelation Control in the Stereoselective Alkenyl sp2 C-H Bond Functionalization Reaction

A hydroxy group chelation-assisted stereospecific oxidative cross-coupling reaction between alkenes was developed under mild reaction conditions. In the presence of palladium catalyst, the alkenes tethered with hydroxy functionality can couple efficiently with electron-deficient alkenes to form the corresponding multi-substituted olefin products. The hydroxy group on the substrate could play dual roles in reaction, acting as the directing group for alkenyl C-H bond activation and controlling the stereoselectivity of the products.