Cp*Co(III)‐Catalyzed o ‐Amidation of Benzaldehydes with Dioxazolones Using Transient Directing Group Strategy

Manganese-Catalyzed Z-Selective Allylation of Indoles with Allenyl Derivatives

Herein, we report a manganese-catalyzed Z-selective hydroarylation of allenyl ethylene carbonates (AECs) under mild conditions. The methodology employs an earth-abundant Mn(I)-catalyst, which shows high functional group tolerance, performed at room temperature, resulting in good-to-excellent yields of the products with very high Z-selectivity. Besides, mechanistic insights reveal the substitution effects of the allenes over the control of Z-selectivity.

Reversal of Regioselectivity in Asymmetric C-H Bond Annulation with Bromoalkynes under Cobalt Catalysis

Metal-catalyzed asymmetric C-H bond annulation strategy offers a versatile platform, allowing the construction of complex P-chiral molecules through atom- and step-economical fashion. However, regioselective insertion of π-coupling partner between M-C bond with high enantio-induction remain elusive. Using commercially available Co(II) salt and chiral-Salox ligands, we demonstrate an unusual protocol for the regio-reversal, enantioselective C-H bond annulation of phosphinamide with bromoalkyne through desymmetrization. The reaction proceeds through ligand-assisted enantiodetermining cyclocobaltation followed by regioselective insertion of bromoalkyne between Co-C, subsequent reductive elimination, and halogen exchange with carboxylate resulted in P-stereogenic compounds in excellent ee (up to >99 %). The isolation of cobaltacycle involved in the catalytic cycle and the outcome of control experiments provide support for a plausible mechanism.

Palladium-Catalyzed ortho-C-H Alkoxycarbonylation of Aromatic Aldehydes via a Transient Directing Group Strategy

Transient directing groups (TDGs) can be a powerful strategy for directly functionalizing C-H bonds of aldehydes. We report a palladium-catalyzed o-C-H alkoxycarbonylation of benzaldehydes using a catalytic amount of aromatic amine to form a transient imine that plays the role of a monodentate TDG. The reaction conditions were applied to a broad range of aldehydes, and the corresponding 2-formyl benzoates were used as direct precursors for the synthesis of phthalides and 1-isoindolinones.

Amine-Catalyzed Copper-Mediated C-H Sulfonylation of Benzaldehydes via a Transient Imine Directing Group

Transient directing groups (TDGs) can provide a powerful means for C-H functionalization without requiring additional steps for directing group introduction and removal. We report the first use of a TDG in combination with copper to effect C-H functionalization. The regioselective copper mediated β-C(sp2 )-H sulfonylation of aldehydes with sulfinate salts is accomplished using catalytic β-alanine to form a transient imine. A broad range of sulfonylated benzaldehydes are prepared using copper fluoride as both copper source and oxidant, involving a [5,6] cupracyclic intermediate. γ-(peri)-Sulfonylation of napthyl and phenanthrenyl carboxaldehydes is achieved through [6,6] cupracyclic intermediates. Further derivatisation of the aldehyde products is demonstrated. Kinetic experiments and Hammett analysis suggest the turnover limiting step to be a concerted asynchronous C-H cleavage via a dearomative Wheland-type transition state.

Cp*CoIII-catalyzed formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition of 2-phenyl-1H-imidazoles to afford imidazo[1,2-c]quinazoline derivatives

A synthetic protocol based on Cp*Co^III-catalyzed C-H amidation/annulation of 2-aryl-1H-imidazoles with 1,4,2-dioxazol-5-ones was developed to give imidazo[1,2-c]quinazoline derivatives with broad substrate scope in moderate to good yields. The method has good prospects of application in the synthesis of imidazo[1,2-c]quinazoline drugs.

An Approach to Vinylidenequinazolines from Isoxazoles and Dioxazolones

An effective strategy for the synthesis of vinylidenequinazolines has been efficaciously developed, which involves Rh(III)-assisted C-H amidation followed by ring-opening and intramolecular annulation. This protocol shows a straightforward way to construct diverse quinazoline units with a wide functional group compatibility from readily available isoxazoles and dioxazolones.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Regioselective Double Annulation of Enaminones with Propargyl Alcohols: Rapid Access to Arylnapthalene Lignan Derivatives

We present here a rhodium-catalyzed oxidative three-point double annulation of enaminones with propargylic alcohols via a C-H and a C-N bond activation to access arylnaphthalene-based lignan derivatives. The key step in the reaction is the regioselective insertion of propargylic alcohol into the rhoda-cycle, a result of hydroxyl rhodium coordination. Necessary control experiments and KIE studies were conducted to determine the mechanism.

Monodentate Transient Directing Group-Assisted Palladium-Catalyzed Direct ortho-C-H Iodination of Benzaldehydes for Total Synthesis of Hernandial

The first palladium-catalyzed direct o-C-H iodination of benzaldehydes was successfully developed with the assistance of commercially available 2,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)aniline as the optimal monodentate transient directing group (MonoTDG). Moderate to excellent yields and good selectivity were achieved for a broad substrate scope under mild conditions. More importantly, the synthetic application was demonstrated by a concise two-step total synthesis of the natural product hernandial, which was accomplished by merging this new MonoTDG-assisted C-H iodination and subsequent copper-catalyzed cross-coupling.

Transient Directing Group Strategy as a Unified Method for Site Selective Direct C4-H Halogenation of Indoles

A unified method for direct C4-H halogenation of indoles has been accomplished with the assistance of anthranilic acids as suitable transient directing groups. Exclusive site selectivity (one out of five potential reactive sites) as well as good functional group tolerance was obtained to install three kinds of halogen atoms (Cl, Br and I, respectively) by using inexpensive N-halosuccinimides (NXS) as halogen sources under mild conditions. Taking advantage of the rich functional groups in the product, a diversity of nitrogen-containing heterocycles were facily constructed via one-step late-stage derivations.

C-H bond functionalization by high-valent cobalt catalysis: current progress, challenges and future perspectives

Over the last decade, high-valent cobalt catalysis has earned a place in the spotlight as a valuable tool for C-H activation and functionalization. Since the discovery of its unique reactivity, more and more attention has been directed towards the utilization of cobalt as an alternative to noble metal catalysts. In particular, Cp*Co(III) complexes, as well as simple Co(II) and Co(III) salts in combination with bidentate chelation assistance, have been extensively used for the development of novel transformations. In this review, we have demonstrated the existing trends in the C-H functionalization methodology using high-valent cobalt catalysis and highlighted the main challenges to overcome, as well as perspective directions, which need to be further developed in the future.

Transient Directing Groups in Metal-Organic Cooperative Catalysis

The direct functionalization of C-H bonds is among the most fundamental chemical transformations in organic synthesis. However, when the innate reactivity of the substrate cannot be utilized for the functionalization of a given single C-H bond, this selective C-H bond functionalization mostly relies on the use of directing groups that allow bringing the catalyst in close proximity to the C-H bond to be activated and these directing groups need to be installed before and cleaved after the transformation, which involves two additional undesired synthetic operations. These additional steps dramatically reduce the overall impact and the attractiveness of C-H bond functionalization techniques since classical approaches based on substrate pre-functionalization are sometimes still more straightforward and appealing. During the past decade, a different approach involving both the in situ installation and removal of the directing group, which can then often be used in a catalytic manner, has emerged: the transient directing group strategy. In addition to its innovative character, this strategy has brought C-H bond functionalization to an unprecedented level of usefulness and has enabled the development of remarkably efficient processes for the direct and selective introduction of functional groups onto both aromatic and aliphatic substrates. The processes unlocked by the development of these transient directing groups will be comprehensively overviewed in this review article.

Transient directing ligands for selective metal-catalysed C–H activation

C-H activation is a 'simple-to-complex' transformation that nature has perfected over millions of years of evolution. Transition-metal-catalysed C-H activation has emerged as an expeditious means to expand the chemical space by introducing diverse functionalities. Notably, among the strategies to selectively cleave a particular C-H bond, the catalytic use of a small molecule as co-catalyst to generate a transient directing group, which provides a balance between step economy and chemical productivity, has gained immense attention in recent years. This allows one to convert a desired C-H bond irrespective of its geometrical or stereochemical configuration. This Review describes the various transient directing groups used in C-H activation and explains their mechanistic significance.

RuV -Acylimido Intermediate in [RuIV (Por)Cl2 ]-Catalyzed C-N Bond Formation: Spectroscopic Characterization, Reactivity, and Catalytic Reactions

Metal-catalyzed C-N bond formation reactions via acylnitrene transfer have recently attracted much attention, but direct detection of the proposed acylnitrenoid/acylimido M(NCOR) (R=aryl or alkyl) species in these reactions poses a formidable challenge. Herein, we report on Ru(NCOR) intermediates in C-N bond formation catalyzed by [Ru^IV (Por)Cl₂ ]/N₃ COR, a catalytic method applicable to aziridine/oxazoline formation from alkenes, amination of substituted indoles, α-amino ketone formation from silyl enol ethers, amination of C(sp³ )-H bonds, and functionalization of natural products and carbohydrate derivatives (up to 99 % yield). Experimental studies, including HR-ESI-MS and EPR measurements, coupled with DFT calculations, lend evidence for the formulation of the Ru(NCOR) acylnitrenoids as a Ru^V -imido species.

Monodentate Transient Directing Group Assisted Ruthenium(II)-Catalyzed Direct ortho-C-H Imidation of Benzaldehydes for Diverse Synthesis of Quinazoline and Fused Isoindolinone

2-Fluoro-5-(trifluoromethyl)aniline was found to be a suitable monodentate transient directing group (MonoTDG) to enable Ru(II)-catalyzed intermolecular direct ortho-C(sp²)-H imidation of benzaldehydes. N-Tosyloxyphthalimide was used as an alternative azide-free amidation reagent to achieve high efficiency and good functional group tolerance. Moreover, the reaction could be enlarged to gram scale, and the amidated product could be readily converted into useful quinazoline and fused isoindolinone scaffolds by one-step derivatization.

Transient imine directing groups for the C-H functionalisation of aldehydes, ketones and amines: an update 2018-2020

The use of pre-installed directing groups has become a popular and powerful strategy to control site selectivity in transition metal catalysed C-H functionalisation reactions. However, the necessity for directing group installation and removal reduces the efficiency of a directed C-H functionalisation method. To overcome this limitation, taking inspiration from organocatalytic methodologies, the use of transient directing groups has arisen. These methods allow for a transient ligand to be used, potentially in catalytic quantities, without the need for discrete installation or removal steps, enabling the discovery of more efficient, and mechanistically intriguing, dual catalytic methods. This review summarises recent developments in this fast moving field covering >70 new methodologies, highlighting new directing group designs and advances in mechanistic understanding. It covers progress since 2018, providing an update to our previous review of the field.

Direct remote δ-C(sp2)–H olefination of β-aryl-substituted aliphatic aldehydes via palladium/enamine co-catalysis

Palladium-catalyzed direct remote δ-C(sp²)–H olefination of β-aryl-substituted aliphatic aldehydes has been achieved using a catalytic amount of secondary amine (n-Bu)₂NH as a co-catalyst.

Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed diamidation of olefins via amidorhodation and further amidation

Rh(iii)/Co(iii)-catalyzed diamidation of amide-tethered olefins has been realized using dioxazolones and arylsulfonamides as different classes of amidating reagents.