Visible Light-Induced Metal-free Arylation of Coumarin-3-carboxylates with Arylboronic Acids

The present work represents a novel methodology for the selective arylation of coumarin-3-carboxylates with arylboronic acids via a photochemical route, marking the first-ever attempt for the direct alkenyl C-H arylation using rose bengal as a photocatalyst, which is a readily available and cost-effective alternative to transition metal catalysis. The reaction proceeds smoothly in MeOH/H2O solvent media in the presence of radical initiator affording the arylated products in good yields (60-80 %). The reaction parameters such as visible light, radical initiator, oxidant, anhydrous solvent, and inert atmosphere play a crucial role for the success of this methodology. The substituents present on the substrate show a significant effect on the conversion. This study provides a valuable contribution to the field of organic synthesis offering a new and efficient approach to the arylation of coumarin-3-carboxylic acid esters with a broad substrate scope and high functional group tolerance. It is a versatile method and provides a direct access to biologically relevant 4-arylcoumarin-3-carboxylates.

Cu(II) Promoted C(sp3 )-H Activation in Unactivated Cycloalkanes: Oxo-Alkylation of Styrenes to Synthesize β-Disubstituted Ketones

We report the Cu(II) catalyzed synthesis of β-disubstituted ketones from styrene via oxo-alkylation with unactivated cycloalkanes as the alkylating agent in presence of tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) and 1-methylimidazole as oxidant and base respectively. β-disubstituted ketones are known to be synthesized by using either expensive Ru/Ir complexes, or low-cost metal complexes (e. g., Fe, Mn) with activated species like aldehyde, acid, alcohol, or phthalimide derivatives as the alkylating agent, however, use of unactivated cycloalkanes directly as the alkylating agent remains challenging. A wide range of aliphatic C-H substrates as well as various olefinic arenes and heteroarene (35 substrates including 14 new substrates) are well-tolerated in this method. Hammett analysis shed more light on the substitution effect in the olefinic part on the overall mechanism. Furthermore, the controlled experiments, kinetic isotope effect study, and theoretical calculations (DFT) enable us to gain deeper insight of mechanistic intricacies of this new simple and atom-economic methodology.

The Rich Legacy and Bright Future of Transition-Metal Catalyzed Peroxide Based Radical Reactions

This personal account is mainly focused on the author's involvement in the field of transition metal-catalyzed peroxide based radical reactions. Over the past decades, radical chemistry has flourished and become crucial in contemporary synthetic organic chemistry. Owing to the presence of a single electron in one orbital, radicals are very unstable and react very fast. To carry out desired transformations and to control the side reactions the stabilizations of these radicals is essential. Fortunately, the implementation of a suitable transition metal and peroxide combination into the radical reactions have proved beneficial. Transition metals not only stabilizes the radicals but also protects them from being quenched by undesired homo-coupling or fragmentation. Transition metal-catalyzed radical-radical reactions provide an innovative way for the construction and derivatization of carbocycles and heterocycles. The objective of this review is to give an overview of the construction and derivatization of heterocycles through the lens of radical chemistry, mainly focusing on research work done by our group.

Direct functionalization of quinoxalin-2(1H)-one with alkanes: C(sp2)-H/C(sp3)-H cross coupling in transition metal-free mode

Considering the significance of pharmaceutically important heterocycles, efficient and highly versatile protocols for the functionalization of diverse heterocycles with easily accessible feedstock are crucial. Here, we have reported selective alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-one with a broad class of hydrocarbons having different C(sp³)-H bonds with varying bond strengths using di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP) as an alkoxyl radical mediator for hydrogen atom transfer (HAT). This dehydrogenative coupling approach utilizes feedstock chemicals such as cycloalkanes, cyclic ethers and alkyl arenes as coupling partners. This protocol exhibits good functional group compatibility and selectivity regarding both heterocycles and unactivated alkanes. Moreover, this methodology allows functionalization of relatively strong C-H bonds of adamantane and exclusive selectivity towards 3° C(sp³)-H bonds is observed. We also illustrate the applicability of this C(sp²)-H/C(sp³)-H cross-coupling for practical access to bioactive pharmaceuticals.

Copper-catalyzed trifluoromethylthiolation-peroxidation of alkenes and allenes

Cu-catalyzed trifluoromethylthiolation-peroxidation of alkenes and allenes using AgSCF₃ and tert-butyl hydroperoxide has been developed. The method provides a variety of β-SCF₃ and β-vinyl-SCF₃ peroxides with excellent regio- and chemo-selectivities.

Regioselective C3-H Trifluoromethylation of 2 H-Indazole under Transition-Metal-Free Photoredox Catalysis

Trifluoromethyl-substituted heteroarenes are biologically active compounds and useful building blocks. In this sequence, we have developed a visible-light-promoted regioselective C3-H trifluoromethylation of 2 H-indazole under metal-free conditions, which proceeds via a radical mechanism. The combination of photocatalysis and hypervalent iodine reagent provides a practical approach to a library of trifluoromethylated indazoles in 35-83% yields.

Four-component radical-dual-difunctionalization (RDD) and decarbonylative alkylative peroxidation of two different alkenes with aliphatic aldehydes and TBHP

From difunctionalization of a single alkene to radical-dual-difunctionalization of two different alkenes! A alkylative peroxidation and cross-coupling of two alkenes was established with the aliphatic aldehydes as the alkyl radical source.

C-H functionalisation of cycloalkanes

Among organic compounds hydrocarbons are inexpensive and possibly the most abundant among natural resources. Developing strategies for selective functionalisation of inert hydrocarbon C-H bonds is one of the most ideal synthetic paths that a synthetic chemist could think of. This critical review focuses on the recent development of various directed and non-directed cycloalkylations leading to the formation of carbon-carbon (C-C) and carbon-heteroatom (C-X) bonds. Apart from various transition metal catalysed cycloalkylations, this review also covers various metal-free cycloalkylation processes.

Metal-free decarbonylative alkylation-aminoxidation of styrene derivatives with aliphatic aldehydes and N-hydroxyphthalimide

A convenient metal-free decarbonylative alkylation-aminoxidation of styrene derivatives with aliphatic aldehydes and N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) to yield phthalimide protected alkoxyamines is developed. With DTBP as an oxidant and radical-initiator, this reaction smoothly converts aliphatic aldehydes into alkyl radicals and subsequently allows the cascade construction of C(sp³)-C(sp³) and C(sp³)-O bonds via radical-radical coupling.

Copper-catalyzed three-component phosphorylation–peroxidation of alkenes

A copper-catalyzed three-component phosphorylation–peroxidation of alkenes with P(O)–H compounds and TBHP has been developed.

Iron promoted C3–H nitration of 2H-indazole: direct access to 3-nitro-2H-indazoles

An efficient C3–H functionalization of indazole has been demonstrated. Notably, this method involves chelation-free radical C–H nitration on 2H-indazole. The radical mechanism was confirmed by control experiments and quantum chemical calculations. The synthetic utility has been proven by the synthesis of bio-relevant benzimidazoindazoles via reductive cyclization.

Alkylation–peroxidation of α-carbonyl imines or ketones catalyzed by a copper salt via radical-mediated Csp3–H functionalization

The catalytic alkylation–peroxidation of α-carbonyl imines or ketones was enabled by a simple copper salt via radical-mediated C_sp3–H functionalization.

Tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (TBAB)-initiated carbonylation–peroxidation of styrene derivatives with aldehydes and hydroperoxides

Tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (TBAB)-catalyzed carbonylation–peroxidation of styrene derivatives is described, which allows for the synthesis of β-peroxy ketones under mild conditions.

Direct coupling of sp3 carbon of alkanes with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds using a copper/hydroperoxide system

A new methodology of monovalent copper-initiated direct coupling of alkanes and hydroperoxides with unsaturated carbonyl compounds is developed.

A copper-catalyzed tandem reaction for the construction of coumarin fused 9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles

An efficient copper-catalyzed Friedel–Crafts alkylation/cyclization/isomerization sequence of 3-arylcarbonyl coumarins and 3-methyl indole was developed to afford a wide range of functionalized coumarin fused 9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles with a 6-6-5-5-6 pentacyclic core.

Cobalt salt-catalyzed carbocyclization reactions of α-bromo-N-phenylacetamide derivatives

A Co(ii)-catalyzed carbocyclization reaction for the synthesis of 4-substituted quinolin-2-(1H)-ones is described.

Advances in the synthesis of acyclic peroxides

This review summarises the many developments in the synthesis of acyclic peroxides, with a particular focus on the past 20 years, and seeks to update organic chemists about these new approaches.

Metal-free tandem oxidative C(sp3)–H bond functionalization of alkanes and dearomatization of N-phenyl-cinnamamides: access to alkylated 1-azaspiro[4.5]decanes

Metal-free tandem C(sp³)–H bond functionalization of simple alkanes/dearomatization of N-phenyl-cinnamamides is developed, providing 1-azaspiro[4.5]decanes with excellent regioselectivity and diastereoselectivity.

Copper-catalyzed oxidative carbon–heteroatom bond formation: a recent update

This review updates recent advances in Cu-catalyzed (anaerobic) oxidative carbon–heteroatom bond formation on sp³- and sp²-C–H bonds as well as alkenes, classified according to the types of stoichiometric oxidants.

Multiple deuteration of alkanes synergistically-catalyzed by platinum and rhodium on carbon as a mixed catalytic system

A mild and efficient deuterium labeling method of alkanes based on the synergistic effect of Pt–Rh combination was developed.

Oxidant controlled regioselective mono- and di-functionalization reactions of coumarins

C-3 alkylation of coumarins has been accomplished using cycloalkanes/alkylbenzenes and Fe^III/DTBP while C-4 cycloalkylation–C-3 peroxidation has been achieved using AcOH/TBHP.

Palladium catalyzed ortho-halogenation of 2-arylbenzothiazole and 2,3-diarylquinoxaline

A Pd-catalysed mono and di-o-halogenation strategy has been demonstrated selectively using benzothiazoles and quinoxalines as the directing substrates.