N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes in C-H Activation Reactions

In this contribution, we provide a comprehensive overview of C-H activation methods promoted by NHC-transition metal complexes, covering the literature since 2002 (the year of the first report on metal-NHC-catalyzed C-H activation) through June 2019, focusing on both NHC ligands and C-H activation methods. This review covers C-H activation reactions catalyzed by group 8 to 11 NHC-metal complexes. Through discussing the role of NHC ligands in promoting challenging C-H activation methods, the reader is provided with an overview of this important area and its crucial role in forging carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds by directly engaging ubiquitous C-H bonds.

C(sp3)-H hydroxylation of fluorenes, oxindoles and benzofuranones with a Mg(NO3)2-HP(O)Ph2 oxidation system

A novel oxidation system in which magnesium nitrate [Mg(NO3)2] is used as an oxidant in the presence of diphe-nylphosphine oxide [HP(O)Ph2] permits the C(sp3)-H hydroxylation of fluorenes, oxindoles, and benzofuranones. This method features high efficiency, good functional group tolerance, and operational simplicity. The synthetic utility is highlighted by further transformations to valuable organic materials.

KHMDS mediated synthesis of 9-arylfluorenes from dibenzothiophene dioxides and arylacetonitriles by tandem SNAr-decyanation-based arylation

A straightforward KHMDS mediated synthetic route to 9-arylfluorenes from readily available starting materials has been developed. This reaction involves SNAr reactions of dioxide with arylacetonitriles, followed by decyanation reaction. The proposed transformation can also be used to furnish a densely arylated indene.

The crystal structure of 1,3-bis(2,6-diiso-propylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene)-dibromido-(1-methyl-1H-imidazole-κ1N)palladium(II) – ethyl acetate – water (1/1/1), C31H42Br2N4Pd

C31H42Br2N4Pd, monoclinic, P21/c, a = 12.3093(14)Å, b = 15.2805(18) Å, c = 20.3205(17) Å, β = 112.213(5)°, V = 3538.5(7) Å3, Z = 4, R gt(F) = 0.0540, wR ref(F 2) = 0.1528, T = 298(2)K.

N-Heterocyclic carbene–palladium(ii)–1-methylimidazole complex catalyzed direct C–H bond arylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with aryl chlorides

NHC–Pd(ii) complex catalyzed C–H bond arylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with aryl chlorides was reported.

Tandem C(sp3)-H Arylation/Oxidation and Arylation/Allylic Substitution of Isoindolinones

Isoindolinones comprise an important class of medicinally active compounds. Herein we report a straightforward functionalization of the isoindolinones with aryl bromides (22 examples) using a Pd(OAc)2/NIXANTPHOS-based catalyst system. Additionally 3-aryl 3-hydroxy isoindolinone derivatives, which exhibit anti-tumor activity, can be accessed via a tandem reaction. Thus, when the arylation product is exposed to air under basic conditions, in situ oxidation takes place to install the 3-hydroxyl group. Furthermore, a tandem arylation/allylic substitution reaction is advanced in which both the arylation and allylic substitution are catalyzed by the same palladium catalyst. Finally, a tandem arylation/alkylation procedure is presented. These tandem reactions enable the synthesis of a variety of structurally diverse isoindolinone derivatives from common starting materials.

Lewis acid-catalyzed tandem synthesis of 9-sulfonylamino- and 9-arylfluorenes

A Lewis acid-catalyzed three-step tandem synthesis of 9-arylfluorene was developed by simply heating a mixture of 2-formyl biphenyl, TsNCO and an arene.

Synthesis of triarylmethanols via tandem arylation/oxidation of diarylmethanes

A tandem arylation/oxidation of diarylmethanes for the convenient synthesis of unsymmetrical triarylmethanols bearing different aryl and heteroaryl groups is described. A Pd(OAc)2-NiXantphos catalyst system efficiently catalyzed arylation of weakly acidic sp3-hybridized C-H bonds of diarylmethanes with aryl bromides, and the arylation products were then oxidized in situ to carbinols by simply opening the reaction flasks to air. The triarylmethanol products were obtained in 35-98% yield.

N-heterocyclic carbene–palladium(ii)-1-methylimidazole complex catalyzed α-arylation reactions of tetralones with aryl chlorides and further transformation of the products

NHC–Pd(ii)–Im complex-catalyzed α-arylation of tetralones with aryl chlorides and further transformation of the products was reported.