Bai PB, Durie A, Wang GW, Larrosa I. Unlocking regioselective meta-alkylation with epoxides and oxetanes via dynamic kinetic catalyst control.
Nat Commun 2024;
15:31. [PMID:
38167324 PMCID:
PMC10761682 DOI:
10.1038/s41467-023-44219-6]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Regioselective arene C-H bond alkylation is a powerful tool in synthetic chemistry, yet subject to many challenges. Herein, we report the meta-C-H bond alkylation of aromatics bearing N-directing groups using (hetero)aromatic epoxides as alkylating agents. This method results in complete regioselectivity on both the arene as well as the epoxide coupling partners, cleaving exclusively the benzylic C-O bond. Oxetanes, which are normally unreactive, also participate as alkylating reagents under the reaction conditions. Our mechanistic studies reveal an unexpected reversible epoxide ring opening process undergoing catalyst-controlled regioselection, as key for the observed high regioselectivities.
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