Electrooxidative and Regioselective C-H Azolation of Phenol and Aniline Derivatives

Tandem Azolation/Aromatization of Tetrahydronaphthalenes with Hydrogen Evolution via Organophotoredox/Cobalt Dual Catalysis

Reported herein is a photoredox/cobaloxime dual-catalytic approach to execute tandem dehydrogenative azolation and aromatization of tetrahydronaphthalene for rapid construction of N-(β-naphthyl)azole architectures. This protocol highlights noble metal-free and external oxidants-free conditions, step- and atom-economy, and site-selectivity. A preliminary mechanistic study has uncovered that the transformation undergoes a N-centered radical mediated C-H/N-H cross-coupling followed by dehydrogenative aromatization of saturated naphthyl surrogates under visible light irradiation, and DFT calculations elucidate the site-selectivity.

5-Aminopyrazole Dimerization: Cu-Promoted Switchable Synthesis of Pyrazole-Fused Pyridazines and Pyrazines via Direct Coupling of C-H/N-H, C-H/C-H, and N-H/N-H Bonds

A Cu-promoted highly chemoselective dimerization of 5-aminopyrazoles to produce pyrazole-fused pyridazines and pyrazines is reported. The protocol generates switchable products via the direct coupling of C-H/N-H, C-H/C-H and N-H/N-H bonds, with the merits of broad substrate scope and high functional group compatibility. Gram-scale experiments demonstrated the potential applications of this reaction. Moreover, the preliminary fluorescence results uncovered that dipyrazole-fused pyridazines and pyrazines may have some potential applications in materials chemistry.

Recent advances in the electrochemical functionalization of N-heterocycles

Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic cores are of immense importance due to their high abundance in naturally occurring or synthetic molecules having wide applications in different fields of basic and applied sciences. The functionalities introduced in an N-heterocyclic core play an important role in regulating the physiochemical behavior of the particular N-heterocycles to alter their chemical and biological reactivity. Suitably functionalized N-heterocycles demonstrate their widespread applications in pharmaceuticals, agronomy, materials sciences, synthetic chemistry, pigments, etc. During the last decade, electrochemistry has emerged as a sustainable alternative to conventional synthetic approaches by minimizing reagent uses and chemical waste. Synthetic chemists have extensively utilized the tool to functionalize N-heterocycles. This is evidenced by the appearance of more than a hundred methods on the topic over recent years, signifying the importance of the synthetic area. This review is focused on the accumulation of synthetic methods based on the electrochemical functionalization of N-heterocycles developed over the recent decade. Literature reports on the C-/N-H-functionalization and functional modifications of N-heterocycles that are accessible through the available search engines are included in the review. Relevant mechanistic details in support of the reported reactions are discussed to present a clear picture of the reaction pathways. The review aims to provide a clear picture of the possible pathways of electron transfer, the electrochemical behavior of different N-heterocyclic cores, functionalization reagents, and the chemical processes that occur during the electrochemical functionalization/modification of N-heterocycles.

Aryliodonium Salt-Induced Regioselective Access to meta-Substituted Anilines by Arylation of Azoles

A highly efficient aryliodonium salt-induced regioselective access to meta-substituted anilines by arylation of azoles has been developed under catalyst-free conditions. This efficient transformation provides a facile and scalable approach to a wide range of biologically active N-arylazoles with moderate to high yields. According to the control experiments, two plausible pathways, including a Michael pathway and a free radical coupling pathway, for the reaction were proposed.

Electrochemical-induced phosphorylation of arenols and tyrosine containing oligopeptides

A disclosed technique employs electrochemical dehydrogenative cross-coupling to create organophosphates, utilizing phosphites compounds with arenols. Inorganic iodide salts serve dual roles as redox catalysts and electrolytes in an undivided cell, omitting the need for external oxidants or bases. Initial mechanistic investigations indicate the reaction unfolds via an electro-oxidative radical pathway, facilitating the formation of P-O bonds, leading to the generation of oxygen radicals in the formation of acetylaminophenol. This environmentally friendly approach offers excellent tolerance to various functional groups, achieves high yields (up to 95% isolated yield), and accommodates a wide range of substrates, showcasing its utility for practical synthesis applications.

Metal Free Dötz-Type Aminobenzannulation Reaction via 1,1-Dipoles Cross-Coupling

Aryl amines are of constant interest in organic synthesis owing to their ubiquity in natural products, pharmaceuticals, and organic materials. However, C-H amination or pre-functionalization frequently results in uncontrollable site selectivity, over activation and the generation of inseparable mixtures of regio-isomers. Here we present a novel metal free Dötz-type aminobenzannulation reaction that circumvents the selectivity issues inherent in aromatic chemistry, as well as the use of stoichiometric unstable organolithium reagents and toxic chromium complexes. The concept of utilizing readily available isocyanides and Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) carbonates to achieve 1,1-dipoles cross-coupling to construct ketenimine is the key to success, which has been experimentally and computationally verified. The tandem 6π-electrocyclization/aromatization process offers a versatile method for synthesizing functionalized anilines, fused aryl amines and fused heteroaryl amines.

Cell Voltage-Dependent Structural Dichotomy: Electrochemical C-H Acyloxylation and N-Acylation of 2H-Indazoles

A simple and efficient electrochemical method that utilizes modulation of the cell voltage to cause structural alterations in 2H-indazole is introduced. This method enables the C-3 acyloxylation of 2H-indazole and promotes the transfer of the acyl group from C-3 to N-1, allowing the N-acylation of 2H-indazoles. Additionally, the application of the μ-electro flow reactor was demonstrated, showcasing its effectiveness in achieving gram-scale production of 3x within a short residence time.

Recent Advances in Regioselective C-H Bond Functionalization of Free Phenols

Phenols are important readily available synthetic building blocks and starting materials for organic synthetic transformations, which are widely found in agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and functional materials. The C-H functionalization of free phenols has proven to be an extremely useful tool in organic synthesis, which provides efficient increases in phenol molecular complexity. Therefore, approaches to functionalizing existing C-H bonds of free phenols have continuously attracted the attention of organic chemists. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge and recent advances in ortho-, meta-, and para-selective C-H functionalization of free phenols in the last five years.

Introducing Phenalenyl-Based Organic Lewis Acid as a Photocatalyst to Facilitate Oxidative Azolation of Unactivated Arenes

By revealing the robust photooxidant properties of phenalenyl-based organic Lewis acid, we have introduced this moiety as an effective organophotocatalyst for the oxidative azolation of unactivated and feedstock arenes. In addition to its tolerance for various functional groups and scalability, this photocatalyst was shown to be promising for the defluorinative azolation of fluoroarenes.

HFIP in Organic Synthesis

1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) is a polar, strongly hydrogen bond-donating solvent that has found numerous uses in organic synthesis due to its ability to stabilize ionic species, transfer protons, and engage in a range of other intermolecular interactions. The use of this solvent has exponentially increased in the past decade and has become a solvent of choice in some areas, such as C-H functionalization chemistry. In this review, following a brief history of HFIP in organic synthesis and an overview of its physical properties, literature examples of organic reactions using HFIP as a solvent or an additive are presented, emphasizing the effect of solvent of each reaction.

Catalytic Atroposelective Electrophilic Amination of Indoles

Reported here is the first catalytic atroposelective electrophilic amination of indoles, which delivers functionalized atropochiral N-sulfonyl-3-arylaminoindoles with excellent optical purity. This reaction was furnished by 1,6-nucleophilic addition to p-quinone diimines. Control experiments suggest an ionic mechanism that differs from the radical addition pathway commonly proposed for 1,6-addition to quinones. The origin of 1,6-addition selectivity was investigated through computational studies. Preliminary studies show that the obtained 3-aminoindoles atropisomers exhibit anticancer activities. This method is valuable with respect to enlarging the toolbox for atropochiral amine derivatives.

Photochemical and Electrochemical Applications of Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer in Organic Synthesis

We present here a review of the photochemical and electrochemical applications of multi-site proton-coupled electron transfer (MS-PCET) in organic synthesis. MS-PCETs are redox mechanisms in which both an electron and a proton are exchanged together, often in a concerted elementary step. As such, MS-PCET can function as a non-classical mechanism for homolytic bond activation, providing opportunities to generate synthetically useful free radical intermediates directly from a wide variety of common organic functional groups. We present an introduction to MS-PCET and a practitioner's guide to reaction design, with an emphasis on the unique energetic and selectivity features that are characteristic of this reaction class. We then present chapters on oxidative N-H, O-H, S-H, and C-H bond homolysis methods, for the generation of the corresponding neutral radical species. Then, chapters for reductive PCET activations involving carbonyl, imine, other X═Y π-systems, and heteroarenes, where neutral ketyl, α-amino, and heteroarene-derived radicals can be generated. Finally, we present chapters on the applications of MS-PCET in asymmetric catalysis and in materials and device applications. Within each chapter, we subdivide by the functional group undergoing homolysis, and thereafter by the type of transformation being promoted. Methods published prior to the end of December 2020 are presented.

Remote Selective Decarboxylative Difluoroarylmethylation of 8-Aminoquinolines under Transition Metal-Free Conditions

A facile transition metal-free decarboxylative C4 selective C-H difluoroarylmethylation of 8-aminoquinolines has been developed. This strategy proceeds under simple aqueous conditions and displays a broad substrate scope and excellent functional...

Electrochemistry-controlled dearomative 2,3-difunctionalization of indoles to synthesize oxoindoline derivatives

A general and practical protocol for electrochemisty-controlled dearomative 2,3-difunctionalization of indoles via electrochemically anode-selective oxidative cross coupling has been demonstrated. The reaction runs under metal, oxidant and catalyst free condition,...

Photocatalytic C-H Azolation of Arenes Using Heterogeneous Carbon Nitride in Batch and Flow

The functionalization of aryl C(sp2 )-H bonds is a useful strategy for the late-stage modification of biologically active molecules, especially for the regioselective introduction of azole heterocycles to prepare medicinally-relevant compounds. Herein, we describe a practical photocatalytic transformation using a mesoporous carbon nitride (mpg-CNx ) photocatalyst, which enables the efficient azolation of various arenes through direct oxidation. The method exhibits a broad substrate scope and is amenable to the late-stage functionalization of several pharmaceuticals. Due to the heterogeneous nature and high photocatalytic stability of mpg-CNx , the catalyst can be easily recovered and reused leading to greener and more sustainable routes, using either batch or flow processing, to prepare these important compounds of interest in pharmaceutical and agrochemical research.

Dehydrogenative Azolation of Arenes in a Microflow Electrochemical Reactor

The electrochemical synthesis of aryl azoles was performed for the first time in a microflow reactor. The reaction relies on the anodic oxidation of the arene partners making these substrates susceptible for C–H functionalization with azoles, thus requiring no homogeneous transition-metal-based catalysts. The synthetic protocol benefits from the implementation of a microflow setup, leading to shorter residence times (10 min), compared to previously reported batch systems. Various azolated compounds (22 examples) are obtained in good to excellent yields.

Electro-Oxidative C-N Bond Formation through Azolation of Indole Derivatives: An Access to 3-Substituent-2-(Azol-1-yl)indoles

A practical protocol to synthesize 3-substituent-2-(azol-1-yl)indole derivatives has been developed via an electrochemical oxidative cross coupling process under mild conditions. This electro-oxidative C-N bond formation strategy tolerates a range of functional groups and is amenable to gram scale synthesis. Moreover, this method was applied to the late-stage functionalization of bioactive molecules.

Electrochemical Organic Synthesis of Electron-Rich Biaryl Scaffolds: An Update

Biaryl scaffolds are widely spread in biologically important natural products, in numerous therapeutic agents, but they are also considered a privileged class of ligands and (organo)catalysts; therefore, the development of efficient alternative methodologies to prepare such compounds is always attracting much attention. The present review discusses the organic electrosynthesis of biaryls starting from phenols, anilines, naphthols, and naphthylamines. The most significant examples of the works reported in the last decade are presented and classified according to the single class of molecules: after the introduction, the first three sections relate to the reactions of phenols, naphthols, and anilines, respectively; the other two sections refer to cross-coupling and miscellaneous reactions.

Electrooxidative double C-H/C-H coupling of phenols with 3-phenylbenzothiophenes: facile access to benzothiophene derivatives

An efficient electrooxidative double C-H/C-H coupling of phenols with 3-phenylbenzothiophene has been developed under external oxidant- and catalyst-free conditions. This strategy could enable the highly tunable access to benzothiophene derivatives and exhibited broad substrate generality under mild conditions. The reaction is likely to proceed via the cross-coupling of the p-methoxylphenol radical and the 3-phenylbenzothiophene radical cation.

Electrooxidation Is a Promising Approach to Functionalization of Pyrazole-Type Compounds

The review summarizes for the first time the poorly studied electrooxidative functionalization of pyrazole derivatives leading to the C-Cl, C-Br, C-I, C-S and N-N coupling products with applied properties. The introduction discusses some aspects of aromatic hydrogen substitution. Further, we mainly consider our works on effective synthesis of the corresponding halogeno, thiocyanato and azo compounds using cheap, affordable and environmentally promising electric currents.

Ynonylation of Acyl Radicals by Electroinduced Homolysis of 4-Acyl-1,4-dihydropyridines

Herein we report the conversion of 4-acyl-1,4-dihydropyridines (DHPs) into ynones under electrochemical conditions. The reaction proceeds via the homolysis of acyl-DHP under electron activation. The resulting acyl radicals react with hypervalent iodine(III) reagents to form the target ynones or ynamides in acceptable yields. This mild reaction condition allows wider functionality tolerance that includes halides, carboxylates, or alkenes. The synthetic utility of this methodology is further demonstrated by the late-stage modification of complex molecules.

Electrochemical Dehydrogenative C(sp2 )-H Amination

A transition-metal-free direct electrolytic C-H amination involving an electrochemically generated nitrenium ion intermediate has been developed. The electrosynthesis takes place in the absence of any organoiodine catalysts and is enabled by an in situ generated electrolyte. A novel, efficient intramolecular and intermolecular C-H amination has been demonstrated using a simple reaction setup.

Electrochemical coupling halobenzene into biphenyl on a reusable Pd nanoparticle-coated carbon-paper electrode at ambient conditions

Electrochemical homo-coupling halobenzene into biphenyl compounds on the Pd/C surface.

TEMPO-Mediated C-H Amination of Benzoxazoles with N-Heterocycles

The direct amination of benzoxazoles at C2 using N-heterocycles as nitrogen sources has been developed for the first time. Several kinds of inexpensive oxidants and also electricity were effective for this transformation in the presence of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl. This metal-free and operationally simple reaction can afford a variety of important C,N'-linked bis-heteocycles in moderate to good yields under very mild reaction conditions. The in situ generated oxoammonium salt was proved to be important for this transformation.

Oxidant-Induced Azolation of Electron-Rich Phenol Derivatives

Since N-arylazoles are widely present in natural products, pharmaceuticals, and functional materials, it is important to develop a simple and efficient synthetic method for the synthesis of N-arylazoles. Herein, an oxidant-induced intermolecular azolation of phenol derivatives was demonstrated under catalyst-free condition. Both monoazolation and diazolation of phenols can be successfully achieved via this practical and powerful method.

Radical α-addition involved electrooxidative [3 + 2] annulation of phenols and electron-deficient alkenes

An electrooxidative [3 + 2] annulation of phenols and electron-deficient alkenes for the synthesis of C3-functionalized 2-aryl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran derivatives was achieved. The ring construction starts by a unique α-addition of carbon radicals derived from anodic oxidation of phenols to electron-deficient alkenes. The subsequent anodic oxidation of the resulting alkyl radical intermediates followed by trapping with the phenolic hydroxy group assembles the 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran core. Such a pathway enables the installation of various electrophilic functionalities including alkoxycarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, trifluoromethyl, and cyano groups at the C-3 of the 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran framework, which is unattainable by other intermolecular reactions. The application of this method for a rapid synthesis of a bioactive natural product is demonstrated.

An electrooxidative [3 + 2] annulation between phenols and electron-deficient alkenes for the synthesis of C3-functionalized 2-aryl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran derivatives is described.

Electrochemical Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling between Phenols and β-Dicarbonyl Compounds: Facile Construction of Benzofurans

Preparative electrochemical synthesis is an ideal method for establishing green, sustainable processes. The major benefits of an electro-organic strategy over that of conventional chemical synthesis are the avoidance of reagent waste and mild reaction conditions. Here, an intermolecular cross-dehydrogenative coupling between phenols and β-dicarbonyl compounds has been developed to build various benzofurans under undivided electrolytic conditions. Neither transition metals nor external chemical oxidants are required to facilitate the dehydrogenation and dehydration processes. The key factor in success was the use of nBu₄ NBF₄ as the electrolyte and hexafluoroisopropanol as the solvent, which play key roles in the cyclocondensation step. This electrolysis is scalable and can be used as a key step in drug synthesis. On the basis of several experimental results, the mechanism, particularly of the remarkable anodic oxidation and cyclization process, was illustrated.

M[TPP]Cl (M = Fe or Mn)-Catalyzed Oxidative Amination of Phenols by Primary and Secondary Anilines

Iron- and manganese-catalyzed para-selective oxidative amination of (4-R)phenols by primary and secondary anilines was developed. Depending on the identity of the R group, the products of this efficient reaction are either benzoquinone anils (C–N coupling) that are produced via a sequential oxidative amination/dehydrogenation (R = H), oxidative amination/elimination (R = OMe) steps, or N,O-biaryl compounds (C–C coupling) that are formed when R = alkyl through an oxidative amination/[3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement (quinamine rearrangement) process.

Copper-catalysed ortho-selective C–H bond functionalization of phenols and naphthols with α-aryl-α-diazoesters

An unprecedented CuCl₂-catalysed chemo- and ortho-selective C–H bond functionalization of phenols and naphthols with diazoesters has been developed.

Electrochemical Oxidative Cross-Coupling with Hydrogen Evolution Reactions

Oxidative cross-coupling has proved to be one of the most straightforward strategies for forming carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds from easily available precursors. Over the past two decades, tremendous efforts have been devoted in this field and significant advances have been achieved. However, in order to remove the surplus electrons from substrates for chemical bonds formation, stoichiometric oxidants are usually needed. Along with the development of modern sustainable chemistry, considerable efforts have been devoted to perform the oxidative cross-coupling reactions under external-oxidant-free conditions. Electrochemical synthesis is a powerful and environmentally benign approach, which can not only achieve the oxidative cross-couplings under external-oxidant-free conditions, but also release valuable hydrogen gas during the chemical bond formation. Recently, the electrochemical oxidative cross-coupling with hydrogen evolution reactions has been significantly explored. This Account presents our recent efforts toward the development of electrochemical oxidative cross-coupling with hydrogen evolution reactions. (1) We explored the oxidative cross-coupling of thiols/thiophenols with arenes, heteroarenes, and alkenes for C-S bond formation. (2) Using the strategy of electrochemical oxidative C-H/N-H cross-coupling with hydrogen evolution, we successfully realized the C-H amination of phenols, anilines, imidazopyridines, and even ethers. (3) Employing halide salts as the green halogenating reagents, we developed a clean C-H halogenation protocol under electrochemical oxidation conditions. To address the limitation that this reaction had to carry out in aqueous solvent, we also developed an alternative method that uses CBr₄, CHBr₃, CH₂Br₂, CCl₃Br, and CCl₄ as halogenating reagents and the mixture of acetonitrile and methanol as cosolvent. (4) We also developed an approach for constructing C-O bonds in a well-developed electrochemical oxidative cross-coupling with hydrogen evolution manner. (5) Under mild external-oxidant-free electrochemical conditions, we realized the C(sp²)-H and C(sp³)-H phosphonylation with modest to high yields. (6) We successfully achieved the S-H/S-H cross-coupling with hydrogen evolution under electrochemical oxidation conditions. By anodic oxidation instead of chemical oxidants, the overoxidation of thiols and thiophenols was well avoided. (7) The methods for constructing structurally diverse heterocyclic compounds were also developed via the electrochemical oxidative annulations. (8) We have also applied the electrochemical oxidative cross-coupling with hydrogen evolution strategy to the alkenes difunctionalization for constructing multiple bonds in one step, such as C-S/C-O bonds, C-S/C-N bonds, C-Se/C-O bonds, and C-Se/C-N bonds. We hope our studies will stimulate the research interest of chemists and pave the way for the discovery of more electrochemical oxidative cross-coupling with hydrogen evolution reactions.

Electrochemical oxidation induced intermolecular aromatic C-H imidation

The dehydrogenative aryl C-H/N-H cross-coupling is a powerful synthetic methodology to install nitrogen functionalities into aromatic compounds. Herein, we report an electrochemical oxidation induced intermolecular cross-coupling between aromatics and sulfonimides with high regioselectivity through N-radical addition pathway under external-oxidant-free and catalyst-free conditions. A wide variety of arenes, heteroarenes, alkenes and sulfonimides are applicable scaffolds in this transformation. In addition, aryl sulfonamides or amines (aniline derivatives) can be obtained through different deprotection process. The cyclic voltammetry mechanistic study indicates that the N-centered imidyl radicals are generated via proton-coupled electron transfer event jointly mediated by tetrabutylammonium acetate and anode oxidation process.

The dehydrogenative C-H/N-H cross-coupling serves to install nitrogen functionalities into arenes with the highest atom economy. Here, the authors report an electrochemical cross-coupling between aromatics and sulfonimides through an N-radical addition pathway under oxidant- and catalyst-free conditions.

Triphenylphosphine-assisted dehydroxylative Csp3–N bond formation via electrochemical oxidation

A dehydroxylative Csp³–N coupling by electrochemical oxidation with readily available alcohols as substrates and a wide variety of azoles and amides as N-nucleophiles.