Introduction to Spatial Anion Control for Direct C–H Arylation

C–H activation of functionally rich molecules without the need for directing groups promises shorter organic syntheses and late-stage diversification of molecules for drug discovery. We highlight recent examples of palladium-catalyzed nondirected functionalization of C–H bonds in arenes as limiting substrates with a focus on the development of the concept of spatial anion control for direct C–H arylation.

1 C–H Activation and the CMD Mechanism

2 Nondirected C–H Functionalizations of Arenes as Limiting Substrates

3 Nondirected C–H Arylation

4 Spatial Anion Control for Direct C–H Arylation

5 Coordination Chemistry with Spatial Anion Control

6 Conclusion

Selective Formation of Mononuclear Palladium and Acetonitrile-Bridged Dinuclear Palladium Complexes Containing a Chiral Tridentate Ligand

From the chiral Schiff base tridentate ligand L_Ph, unusual acetonitrile-bridged dinuclear palladium complex 1 and organopalladium complex 1' were synthesized selectively by using acetonitrile and ethanol, respectively. The chiral tridentate Schiff base ligand was bound to the palladium metal center with different chelation modes ([ONO] for 1 and [CNO] for 1'). Complex 1 constitutes the first example of dinuclear metal complexes connected only by a bridging acetonitrile, in which an exceptionally short C≡N bond distance [0.945(12) Å] of bridged acetonitrile was observed. To study the influence of a phenyl group attached to an imine, the phenyl-free ligand L_H was prepared and used. In that case, an acetonitrile bridge was not observed. Theoretical calculation studies supporting the formation of 1 and 1' are favored.

Organo-palladium(ii) complexes bearing unsymmetrical N,N,N-pincer ligands: synthesis, structures and oxidatively induced coupling reactions

Oxidation of the palladium-phenyl N,N,N_mipp-pincer with Selectfluor leads to C–C coupling to give biphenyl; neither C–C nor C–F coupling is observed using the more sterically bulky N,N,N_dipp-pincer analogue.