Aerobic Direct C–H Arylation of Nonbiased Olefins

Hexa-Fe(III) Carboxylate Complexes Facilitate Aerobic Hydrocarbon Oxidative Functionalization: Rh Catalyzed Oxidative Coupling of Benzene and Ethylene to Form Styrene

Fe(II) carboxylates react with dioxygen and carboxylic acid to form Fe6(μ-OH)2(μ3-O)2(μ-X)12(HX)2 (X = acetate or pivalate), which is an active oxidant for Rh-catalyzed arene alkenylation. Heating (150-200 °C) the catalyst precursor [(η2-C2H4)2Rh(μ-OAc)]2 with ethylene, benzene, Fe(II) carboxylate, and dioxygen yields styrene >30-fold faster than the reaction with dioxygen in the absence of the Fe(II) carboxylate additive. It is also demonstrated that Fe6(μ-OH)2(μ3-O)2(μ-X)12(HX)2 is an active oxidant under anaerobic conditions, and the reduced material can be reoxidized to Fe6(μ-OH)2(μ3-O)2(μ-X)12(HX)2 by dioxygen. At optimized conditions, a turnover frequency of ∼0.2 s-1 is achieved. Unlike analogous reactions with Cu(II) carboxylate oxidants, which undergo stoichiometric Cu(II)-mediated production of phenyl esters (e.g., phenyl acetate) as side products at temperatures ≥150 °C, no phenyl ester side product is observed when Fe carboxylate additives are used. Kinetic isotope effect experiments using C6H6 and C6D6 give k H/k D = 3.5(3), while the use of protio or monodeutero pivalic acid reveals a small KIE with k H/k D = 1.19(2). First-order dependencies on Fe(II) carboxylate and dioxygen concentration are observed in addition to complicated kinetic dependencies on the concentration of carboxylic acid and ethylene, both of which inhibit the reaction rate at a high concentration. Mechanistic studies are consistent with irreversible benzene C-H activation, ethylene insertion into the formed Rh-Ph bond, β-hydride elimination, and reaction of Rh-H with Fe6(μ-OH)2(μ3-O)2(μ-X)12(HX)2 to regenerate a Rh-carboxylate complex.

Synthesis of chiral branched allylamines through dual photoredox/nickel catalysis

Allylamines are versatile building blocks in the synthesis of various naturally occurring products and pharmaceuticals. In contrast to terminal allylamines, the methods of synthesis of their branched congeners with internal, stereodefined double bonds are less explored. This work describes a new approach for the preparation of allylamines via cross-coupling of alkyl bromides with simple 3-bromoallylamines by merging the photoredox approach and Ni catalysis. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions, under blue light irradiation, and in the presence of an organic dye, 4CzIPN, as a photocatalyst. The scope of suitable reaction partners is broad, including alkyl bromides bearing reactive functionalities (e.g., esters, nitriles, aldehydes, ketones, epoxides) and N-protected allylamines, as well as N-allylated secondary and tertiary amines and heterocycles. The employment of non-racemic starting materials allows for rapid and easy construction of complex multifunctional allylamine derivatives without the loss of enantiomeric purity.

Efficient Aerobic Oxidation of Organic Molecules by Multistep Electron Transfer

This Minireview presents recent important homogenous aerobic oxidative reactions which are assisted by electron transfer mediators (ETMs). Compared with direct oxidation by molecular oxygen (O2 ), the use of a coupled catalyst system with ETMs leads to a lower overall energy barrier via stepwise electron transfer. This cooperative catalytic process significantly facilitates the transport of electrons from the reduced form of the substrate-selective redox catalyst (SSRCred ) to O2 , thereby increasing the efficiency of the aerobic oxidation. In this Minireview, we have summarized the advances accomplished in recent years in transition-metal-catalyzed as well as metal-free aerobic oxidations of organic molecules in the presence of ETMs. In addition, the recent progress of photochemical and electrochemical oxidative functionalization using ETMs and O2 as the terminal oxidant is also highlighted. Furthermore, the mechanisms of these transformations are showcased.

Palladium-Catalyzed Directed Atroposelective C-H Allylation via β-H Elimination: 1,1-Disubstituted Alkenes as Allyl Surrogates

Transition-metal-catalyzed dehydrogenative C-H allylation with 1,1-disubstituted alkenes via β-H elimination remains challenging, because of the low reactivity and difficulty of controlling selectivity. Herein, the development of a Pd(II)-catalyzed directed atroposelective C-H allylation with methacrylates is described. Exclusive allylic selectivity was achieved. A vast array of axially chiral biaryl-2-amines are efficiently synthesized with excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% enantiomeric excess).

Efficient Palladium-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Carbocyclization to Seven-Membered Heterocycles

The use of molecular oxygen in palladium-catalyzed oxidation reactions is highly widespread in organic chemistry. However, the direct reoxidation of palladium by O2 is often kinetically unfavored, thus leading the deactivation of the palladium catalyst during the catalytic cycle. In the present work, we report a highly selective palladium-catalyzed carbocyclization of bisallenes to seven-membered heterocycles under atmospheric pressure of O2 . The use of a homogenous hybrid catalyst (Co(salophen)-HQ, HQ=hydroquinone) significantly promotes efficient electron transfer between the palladium catalyst and O2 through a low-energy pathway. This aerobic oxidative transformation shows broad substrate scope and functional group compatibility and allowed the preparation of O-containing seven-membered rings in good yields in most cases.

Ligand-enabled ortho-C-H olefination of phenylacetic amides with unactivated alkenes

Although chelation-assisted C-H olefination has been intensely investigated, Pd(ii)-catalyzed C-H olefination reactions are largely restricted to acrylates and styrenes. Here we report a quinoline-derived ligand that enables the Pd(ii)-catalyzed olefination of the C(sp2)-H bond with simple aliphatic alkenes using a weakly coordinating monodentate amide auxiliary. Oxygen is used as the terminal oxidant with catalytic copper as the co-oxidant. A variety of functional groups in the aliphatic alkenes are tolerated. Upon hydrogenation, the ortho-alkylated product can be accessed. The utility of this reaction is also demonstrated by the late-stage diversification of drug molecules.

Ligand-Promoted Palladium-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidation Reactions

Palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidation reactions have been the focus of industrial application and extensive research efforts for nearly 60 years. A significant transition occurred in this field approximately 20 years ago, with the introduction of catalysts supported by ancillary ligands. The ligands play crucial roles in the reactions, including promotion of direct oxidation of palladium(0) by O₂, bypassing the typical requirement for Cu salts or related redox cocatalysts to facilitate oxidation of the reduced Pd catalyst; facilitation of key bond-breaking and bond-forming steps during substrate oxidation; and modulation of chemo-, regio-, or stereoselectivity of a reaction. The use of ligands has contributed to significant expansion of the scope of accessible aerobic oxidation reactions. Increased understanding of the role of ancillary ligands should promote the development of new synthetic transformations, enable improved control over the reaction selectivity, and improve catalyst activity and stability. This review surveys the different ligands that have been used to support palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidation reactions and, where possible, describes mechanistic insights into the role played by the ancillary ligand.

Copper supported on H+-modified manganese oxide octahedral molecular sieves (Cu/H-OMS-2) as a heterogeneous biomimetic catalyst for the synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]-N-heterocycles

A combination of Cu and H-OMS-2 is employed to synthesize heterocycles through multistep oxidation under a low-energy pathway.

Preparation of tetrasubstituted olefins using mono or double aerobic direct C-H functionalization strategies: importance of steric effects

A novel protocol for the synthesis of tetrasubstituted olefins through a biomimetic approach has been explored. Both mono- and diarylations were performed under ambient oxygen pressure, giving a range of highly hindered tetrasubstituted alkenes. For diarylation of disubstituted substrates, it was demonstrated that the second arylation is the rate-limiting step of the overall transformation.

Palladium catalyzed C(sp2)–C(sp2) bond formation. A highly regio- and chemoselective oxidative Heck C-3 alkenylation of pyrones and pyridones

Palladium catalysed ligand free highly regio- and chemoselective dehydrogenative C-3 alkenylation of pyrones and unprotected pyridones from unactivated alkenes is reported. Simple reaction conditions and broad substrate scope make the process useful.