Oxidatively Induced Selective Carbon-Carbon Bond Formation From Isolated Rhodium(III) Complexes

This work focuses on oxidatively induced regioselective intramolecular C-C bond formations based on the Rh^III complexes synthesized from dirhodium(II) trifluoroacetate with 2-arylpyridines. With the selection of electron-donating groups on the arene rings of 2-arylpyridines, the unusual meta-ortho C-C bond-forming was favored, which led to the formation of meta-substituted 2-arylpyridine homocoupling dimers. On the contrary, the electron-withdrawing groups have tendency to occur conventional ortho-ortho bond-forming, resulting in the formation of new Rh^III complexes possessing the intriguing Rh^III (TFA)₃ fragment. Preliminary mechanistic experiments suggest that the sequential oxidation of Rh^III occurred in the reaction.

Palladium-Catalyzed C8-Arylation of Naphthalenes through C-H Activation: A Combined Experimental and Computational Study

Herein, a direct C8-arylation reaction of 1-amidonaphthalenes is described. By using diaryliodonium salts as arylating agents, the palladium-catalyzed C-H activation reaction showed perfect C8 regioselectivity and a wide functional group tolerance. In most cases, the desired polyaromatic compounds were isolated in good to excellent yields. To explain the observed regioselectivity, DFT calculations were performed and highlighted the crucial role of the amide directing group. Finally, the utility of this method is showcased by the synthesis of benzanthrone derivatives.

Pd(ii)-Catalyzed decarboxylative meta-C–H difluoromethylation

Palladium(ii)-catalyzed decarboxylative meta-C–H difluoromethylation reactions have been developed. Initial mechanistic studies disclosed that a migratory insertion would be involved in this meta-selective C–H functionalization.

Copper-Catalyzed Enantioselective Arylative Desymmetrization of Prochiral Cyclopentenes with Diaryliodonium Salts

A copper-catalyzed enantioselective arylative desymmetrization of prochiral cyclopentenes with diaryliodonium salts was developed. In the presence of a catalytic amount of a chiral copper-bisoxazoline complex, which was generated in situ, the reaction of 4-substituted or 4,4-disubstituted cyclopent-1-enes with diaryliodonium hexafluoroarsenates afforded the chiral arylated products in good yields with excellent enantioselectivity. A cyclohexyl-containing Box ligand was essential for the high enantioselectivity. Transformation of the enantiomerically enriched adducts into other chiral building blocks is also documented.

meta-Selective C-H Borylation of Benzylamine-, Phenethylamine-, and Phenylpropylamine-Derived Amides Enabled by a Single Anionic Ligand

Selective functionalization at the meta position of arenes remains a significant challenge. In this work, we demonstrate that a single anionic bipyridine ligand bearing a remote sulfonate group enables selective iridium-catalyzed borylation of a range of common amine-containing aromatic molecules at the arene meta position. We propose that this selectivity is the result of a key hydrogen bonding interaction between the substrate and catalyst. The scope of this meta-selective borylation is demonstrated on amides derived from benzylamines, phenethylamines and phenylpropylamines; amine-containing building blocks of great utility in many applications.

Meta-Selective C-H Arylation of Aromatic Alcohols with a Readily Attachable and Cleavable Molecular Scaffold

The first example of meta-selective C-H arylations of arene alcohol-based substrates is described. The strategy involves the combination of the transient norbornene strategy with the quinoline-based acetal scaffold to achieve the formation of biaryl compounds. Both a two-step meta-arylation/scaffold cleavage process and a total telescoping procedure are described, highlighting the convenient attributes of attachment, removal, and recovery of the acetal scaffold. Moreover, the meta-arylated compounds can be further derivatized via ortho-selective functionalizations. These processes establish a foundation for catalytic polyfunctionalization of alcohol-based compounds.

Activation of Remote meta-C-H Bonds in Arenes with Tethered Alcohols: A Salicylonitrile Template

Palladium-catalyzed activation of remote meta-C-H bonds in arenes containing tethered alcohols was achieved with high regioselectivity by using a nitrile template. Computational studies on the macrocyclic transition state of the regioselectivity-determining C-H activation steps revealed that both the C-N-Ag angles and gauche comformations of phenyl ether play an extremely important role in the meta selectivity.

A Modular Flow Design for the meta-Selective C-H Arylation of Anilines

Described herein is an effective and practical modular flow design for the meta-selective C-H arylation of anilines. The design consists of four continuous-flow modules (i.e., diaryliodonium salt synthesis, meta-selective C-H arylation, inline copper extraction, and aniline deprotection) which can be operated either individually or consecutively to provide direct access to meta-arylated anilines. With a total residence time of 1 hour, the desired product could be obtained in high yield and excellent purity without the need for column chromatography, and the residual copper content meets the standards for parenterally administered pharmaceutical substances.

Ligand-Enabled Auxiliary-Free meta-C-H Arylation of Phenylacetic Acids

The meta-C-H arylation of free phenylacetic acid was realized using 2-carbomethoxynorbornene (NBE-CO2 Me) as a transient mediator. Both the modified norbornene and the mono-protected 3-amino-2-hydroxypyridine type ligand are crucial for this auxiliary-free meta-C-H arylation reaction. A series of phenylacetic acids, including mandelic acid and phenylglycine, react smoothly with various aryl iodides to provide the meta-arylated products in high yields.

Rhodium-Catalyzed meta-C-H Functionalization of Arenes

Rhodium-catalyzed ortho-C-H functionalization is well known in the literature. Described herein is the Xphos-supported rhodium catalysis of meta-C-H olefination of benzylsulfonic acid and phenyl acetic acid frameworks with the assistance of a para-methoxy-substituted cyano phenol as the directing group. Complete mono-selectivity is observed for both scaffolds. A wide range of olefins and functional groups attached to arene are tolerated in this protocol.

A Domino Oxidation/Arylation/Protodecarboxylation Reaction of Salicylaldehydes: Expanded Access to meta-Arylphenols

A method that allows salicylaldehydes to be efficiently transformed into meta-arylated phenol derivatives through a cascade oxidation/arylation/protodecarboxylation sequence is presented. We demonstrate that the aldehyde functional group can be used as a convenient removable directing group to control site selectivity in C-H activation. Aldehydes are easily introduced into the starting materials and the group is readily cleaved after the C-H functionalization event.

Mild and Efficient Palladium-Catalyzed Direct Trifluoroethylation of Aromatic Systems by C-H Activation

The introduction of trifluoroalkyl groups into aromatic molecules is an important transformation in the field of organic and medicinal chemistry. However, the direct installation of fluoroalkyl groups onto aromatic molecules still represents a challenging and highly demanding synthetic task. Herein, a simple trifluoroethylation process that relies on the palladium-catalyzed C-H activation of aromatic compounds is described. With the utilization of a highly active trifluoroethyl(mesityl)iodonium salt, the developed catalytic method enables the first highly efficient and selective trifluoroethylation of aromatic compounds. The robust catalytic procedure provides the desired products in up to 95 % yield at 25 °C in 1.5 to 3 hours and tolerates a broad range of functional groups. The utilization of hypervalent reagents opens new synthetic possibilities for direct alkylations and fluoroalkylations in the field of transition-metal-catalyzed C-H activation.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed meta-Selective C-H Bromination

The first example of a transition-metal-catalyzed, meta-selective C-H bromination procedure is reported. In the presence of catalytic [{Ru(p-cymene)Cl2 }2 ], tetrabutylammonium tribromide can be used to functionalize the meta C-H bond of 2-phenylpyridine derivatives, thus affording difficult to access products which are highly predisposed to further derivatization. We demonstrate this utility with one-pot bromination/arylation and bromination/alkenylation procedures to deliver meta-arylated and meta-alkenylated products, respectively, in a single step.

Palladium(ii)-catalyzed meta-selective direct arylation of O-β-naphthyl carbamate

meta-Direct arylation of O-β-naphthyl carbamate with aryl boronic acids has been accomplished unprecedentedly in an ortho-carbometallation/meta-direct arylation mechanism.

Biomimetic Aerobic C-H Olefination of Cyclic Enaminones at Room Temperature: Development toward the Synthesis of 1,3,5-Trisubstituted Benzenes

A green and mild protocol for the dehydrogenative olefination of cyclic enaminones was devised via palladium catalysis at room temperature using oxygen as the terminal oxidant. The synthetic utility of the olefinated cyclic enaminones afforded a series of unique 1,3,5-trisubstituted benzenes via an unanticipated Diels-Alder tandem reaction. The broad substrate scope and good yields achieved with this new protocol provide an alternative pathway for arene functionalization.