Ru(II)-Catalyzed Oxidative Heck-Type Olefination of Aromatic Carboxylic Acids with Styrenes through Carboxylate-Assisted C-H Bond Activation

Ru(II)-Catalyzed ortho-Vinylation of Benzoic Acids in Water

Herein, we report an efficient [Ru(η6-C6H6)Cl2]2 catalyzed oxidative C-H alkenylation of benzoic acid in the green solvent water. A regioselective olefination of benzoic acid with functionalized alkenes like styrene and acrylate was established at a very mild condition of 60 °C temperature and in an aqueous medium. In contrast to the cyclization of the carboxylic group, a selective ortho-olefination product of benzoic acid was observed with the acrylate. Moreover, a selective formation of mono-olefinated products were observed with activated olefins (acrylate), while mono and diolefinated products were recorded with unactivated olefins (styrene). In contrast to the reactivity of acrylates and styrenes, a fruitful development and formation of a novel five-member cyclic ring, i.e., the (Z)-3-ferrocenylideneisobenzofuran-1(3H)-one, was observed when vinylferrocene was considered as a coupling partner for the reaction.

Concise Syntheses of Alternariol, Alternariol-9-monomethyl Ether and Their D3-Isotopologues

Alternariol (AOH) and alternariol-9-monomethyl ether (AME) are two secondary metabolites of Alternaria fungi which can be found in various foodstuffs like tomatoes, nuts, and grains. Due to their toxicity and potential mutagenic activity the need for the development of high-throughput methods for the supervision of AOH and AME levels is of increasing interest. As the availability of both native and labeled AOH and AME analytical standards is very limited, we herein present a novel and concise approach towards their synthesis by employing a ruthenium-catalyzed ortho-arylation as the key step. Finally, we demonstrate their suitability as internal standards in stable-isotope dilution assay (SIDA)-HPLC-MS/MS analysis, a technique commonly used for the quantification of natural products in food and feed.

Ruthenium(II)-Catalyzed Highly Chemo- and Regioselective Oxidative C6 Alkenylation of Indole-7-carboxamides

We disclosed the first efficient method for highly chemo- and regioselective C6 alkenylation of indole-7-carboxamides using inexpensive Ru(II) catalyst through chelation assisted C-H bond activation. Electronically diverse indole-7-carboxamides and alkenes react efficiently to produce a wide range of C6 alkenyl indole derivatives. Further the C6 alkenyl indole-7-carboxamides modified to their derivatives through simple chemical transformations. The observed regioselectivity and kinetics has been evidenced by deuterium incorporation and intermolecular competitive studies. In addition, for mechanistic insights, the intermediates were analyzed by HRMS.

Ru-Catalyzed (E)-Specific ortho-C-H Alkenylation of Arenecarboxylic Acids by Coupling with Alkenyl Bromides

In the presence of [p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂, (E)-configured alkenyl bromides couple with aromatic carboxylates to form ortho-vinylbenzoic acids. This C-H vinylation proceeds in high yields without any activating phosphine ligands and has an excellent functional group tolerance. Starting from commonly available (E/Z )-mixtures of alkenyl bromides, (E)-configured vinyl arenes or dienes are formed exclusively. Mechanistic studies show that this selectivity is achieved because the (E)-configured alkenyl bromides undergo a smooth coupling, whereas the (Z)-isomers are rapidly eliminated with the formation of alkynes.

Recent development in transition metal-catalysed C-H olefination

Transition metal-catalysed functionalizations of inert C-H bonds to construct C-C bonds represent an ideal route in the synthesis of valuable organic molecules. Fine tuning of directing groups, catalysts and ligands has played a crucial role in selective C-H bond (sp2 or sp3) activation. Recent developments in these areas have assured a high level of regioselectivity in C-H olefination reactions. In this review, we have summarized the recent progress in the oxidative olefination of sp2 and sp3 C-H bonds with special emphasis on distal, atroposelective, non-directed sp2 and directed sp3 C-H olefination. The scope, limitation, and mechanism of various transition metal-catalysed olefination reactions have been described briefly.

Regioselective C-H Alkenylation and Unsymmetrical Bis-olefination of Heteroarene Carboxylic Acids with Ruthenium Catalysis in Water

An efficient weak carboxylate-assisted oxidative cross-dehydrogenative C-H/C-H coupling (CDC) of heteroarenes with readily available olefins has been devised employing water as green solvent under ruthenium(II) catalysis. The reaction is operationally simple, accommodates a large variety of heteroaromatic carboxylic acids as well as olefins, and facilitates a diverse array of high-value olefin-tethered heteroarenes in high yields (up to 87%). The potential of this ortho-C-H bond activation strategy has also been exploited toward tunable synthesis of densely functionalized heteroarenes through challenging unsymmetrical bis-olefination process in a one-pot sequential fashion. Mechanistic investigation demonstrates a reversible ruthenation process and C-H metalation step might not be involved in the rate-determining step.

Enhancing Ru(II)-Catalysis with Visible-Light-Mediated Dye-Sensitized TiO2 Photocatalysis for Oxidative C-H Olefination of Arene Carboxylic Acids at Room Temperature

Erythrosine B sensitized TiO₂ photocatalysis has been combined with Ru(II)-catalysis to accomplish an oxidative olefination/annulation of benzoic acids with activated olefins under mild conditions that tolerates useful functionalities, such as halides, free hydroxy, acetamido, etc. The morphology of the photocatalyst is unaffected during the reaction and it can be reused. Mechanistic studies favor the involvement of a photo-induced single electron transfer process.

Regioselective Chlorolactonization of Styrene-Type Carboxylic Esters and Amides via PhICl2-Mediated Oxidative C-O/C-Cl Bond Formations

A facile method employing styrene-type carboxylic esters or amides in the presence of PhICl₂ in CH₃CN was developed to achieve the synthesis of 6-endo products 3,4-dihydroisocoumarins or 3,4-dihydroisocoumarin-1-imines in good to high yields. This metal-free regioselective intramolecular chlorolactonization process was proposed to involve a PhICl₂-mediated oxidative C-O bond formation followed by C-Cl bond formation.

Ru(II)-Catalyzed Regioselective Hydroxymethylation of β-Carbolines and Isoquinolines via C-H Functionalization: Probing the Mechanism by Online ESI-MS/MS Screening

A Ru(II)-catalyzed regioselective C-H activation toward hydroxymethylation of β-carbolines and isoquinolines as effective directing groups has been developed, and the mechanism was probed by using online electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. The introduction of the hydroxymethyl group in the biologically relevant molecules routed via C-H functionalization remains an important task. Gratifyingly, this protocol draws attention to the regioselective formation of monohydroxymethylated β-carboline/isoquinoline products exclusively.

Recent Advances in C–H Bond Functionalization with Ruthenium-Based Catalysts

The past decades have witnessed rapid development in organic synthesis via catalysis, particularly the reactions through C–H bond functionalization. Transition metals such as Pd, Rh and Ru constitute a crucial catalyst in these C–H bond functionalization reactions. This process is highly attractive not only because it saves reaction time and reduces waste,but also, more importantly, it allows the reaction to be performed in a highly region specific manner. Indeed, several organic compounds could be readily accessed via C–H bond functionalization with transition metals. In the recent past, tremendous progress has been made on C–H bond functionalization via ruthenium catalysis, including less expensive but more stable ruthenium(II) catalysts. The ruthenium-catalysed C–H bond functionalization, viz. arylation, alkenylation, annulation, oxygenation, and halogenation involving C–C, C–O, C–N, and C–X bond forming reactions, has been described and presented in numerous reviews. This review discusses the recent development of C–H bond functionalization with various ruthenium-based catalysts. The first section of the review presents arylation reactions covering arylation directed by N–Heteroaryl groups, oxidative arylation, dehydrative arylation and arylation involving decarboxylative and sp3-C–H bond functionalization. Subsequently, the ruthenium-catalysed alkenylation, alkylation, allylation including oxidative alkenylation and meta-selective C–H bond alkylation has been presented. Finally, the oxidative annulation of various arenes with alkynes involving C–H/O–H or C–H/N–H bond cleavage reactions has been discussed.

A ruthenium-catalyzed alkenylation–annulation approach for the synthesis of indazole derivatives via C–H bond activation

A new approach to indazole derivatives through a Ru(ii)-catalyzed C–H activation–annulation reaction, which proceeds via C–C and C–N bond forming reactions, is reported.