Efficient C–H Amination Catalysis Using Nickel-Dipyrrin Complexes

Development of Chiral-At-Ruthenium Mesoionic Carbene Catalysts

Building on our previously established chiral-at-metal approach, in which the overall chirality of the transition metal catalyst is solely determined by a stereogenic metal center, we here present a new addition to the family of C2-symmetric chiral-at-ruthenium catalysts. These are C2-symmetric chiral ruthenium complexes featuring strongly σ-donating 1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene mesoionic carbene (MIC) ligands. The complexes demonstrate excellent catalytic activity and enantioselectivity in a nitrene-mediated ring-closing C(sp3)-H amination of an aliphatic azide, leading to the formation of an N-Boc-protected chiral pyrrolidine. This study highlights the potential of this new class of chiral mesoionic carbene ruthenium complexes to further enhance or modify the reactivity of ruthenium-based chiral-at-metal catalysts.

Ni-Catalyzed Stereodivergent Synthesis of N-Glycosides

Herein, we describe a stereoselective Ni-catalyzed N-glycosylation of glycals. The reaction is enabled by addition of an in situ generated nickel hydride across an olefin prior to C-N bond-formation. Stereodivergence can be accomplished on kinetic or thermodynamic grounds, thus giving access to either α- or β-N-glycosides with equal ease. The protocol is distinguished by its operational simplicity, generality and exquisite selectivity, thus offering a new gateway to expedite the synthesis of N-glycosides.

Enhanced Proton-Coupled Electron-Transfer Reactivity by a Mononuclear Nickel(II) Hydroxide Radical Complex

The synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of a NiOH core bearing a tridentate redox-active ligand capable of reaching three molecular oxidation states is presented in this paper. The reduced complex [LNiOH]2- was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, depicting a square-planar NiOH core stabilized by intramolecular H-bonding interactions. Cyclic voltammetry measurements indicated that [LNiOH]2- can be reversibly oxidized to [LNiOH]- and [LNiOH] at very negative reduction potentials (-1.13 and -0.39 V vs ferrocene, respectively). The oxidation of [LNiOH]2- to [LNiOH]- and [LNiOH] was accomplished using 1 and 2 equiv of ferrocenium, respectively. Spectroscopic and computational characterization suggest that [LNiOH]2-, [LNiOH]-, and [LNiOH] are all NiII species in which the redox-active ligand adopts different oxidation states (catecholate-like, semiquinone-like, and quinone-like, respectively). The NiOH species were found to promote H-atom abstraction from organic substrates, with [LNiOH]- acting as a 1H+/1e- oxidant and [LNiOH] as a 2H+/2e- oxidant. Thermochemical analysis indicated that [LNiOH] was capable of abstracting H atoms from stronger O-H bonds than [LNiOH]-. However, the greater thermochemical tendency of [LNiOH] reactivity toward H atoms did not align with the kinetics of the PCET reaction, where [LNiOH]- reacted with H-atom donors much faster than [LNiOH]. The unique stereoelectronic structure of [LNiOH]- (radical character combined with a basic NiOH core) might account for its enhanced PCET reactivity.

Iron-catalysed intramolecular C(sp3)-H amination of alkyl azides

Iron-catalysed intramolecular C(sp3)-H amination of alkyl azides (N3R, R = alkyl) via the iron-alkylnitrene/alkylimido (Fe(NR)) intermediate, is an appealing synthetic approach for the synthesis of various N-heterocycles. This approach provides a direct atom-economy strategy for constructing C(sp3)-N bonds, with nitrogen gas as the only by-product and iron is a biocompatible, cheap, and earth-abundant metal. However, C(sp3)-H amination with alkyl azides is challenging because alkyl nitrenes readily undergo 1,2-hydride migration to imines. This article summarizes recent major advances in this field in terms of catalyst design, substrate scope expansion, stereoselectivity control, understanding of key reaction intermediates, and applications in the synthesis of complex natural products and pharmaceuticals.

Adjustable Regioselectivity for the Diels-Alder Reactions of Sulfolenodipyrrins upon Molecular Engineering on H-Bonds

The Diels-Alder reactions of sulfolenodipyrrins prove to be an efficient way to construct aromatic ring-fused dipyrrins. However, adjustable annulation is still hard to achieve. To address this, molecular engineering on the H-bond has been employed. The α-position aryl group-modified sulfolenodipyrrins have been synthesized to react with various dienophiles in Diels-Alder reactions, affording the monoannulation products with different regioselectivity in good yields (45-76%). The remaining sulfolenopyrrole in monoadducts can undergo further fusion in the presence of dienophiles and TEMPO, giving the bisadducts with a lactam subunit in an appropriate yield. According to the crystal structures and theoretical calculations, the intramolecular H-bonds between the α-substituent and the nearby pyrrole confine the conjugation pathway of the dipyrrin core. With respect to the normal NH-sulfolenopyrrole, the imino-type one features low aromaticity, from which SO2 extrusion generates more stable dipyrrin-diene, achieving regioselectivity. In addition, aromatic ring fusion results in red-shifted absorption and emission spectra, and the annulation units regulate the emission intensity. This work shows the versatility of intramolecular H-bonds in regulating the reaction through confinement of the conjugation system.

Heteroleptic Triazole-Bisoxazoline Iron Complexes Reveal Lability of the Iron-Carbene Bond Even Within a Chelating Scaffold

N-Heterocyclic carbenes have proven to be excellent ligands for transition metals, with numerous applications in catalysis and beyond. However, they have also displayed lability with first row transition metals, largely due to the hard-soft mismatch of the metal-carbon bond. Chelation is often considered a suitable methodology for supporting the labile M-C bond through the introduction of a strongly coordinating donor site such as hard phenolates. Herein, we demonstrate that chelating phenolate-carbene ligands are kinetically labile in iron(II) complexes. Specifically, heteroleptic iron complexes [Fe(C^O)(N^N)] were synthesized composed of a phenolate-functionalized triazolylidene (CO) ligand and N,N-bidentate coordinating bisoxazoline ligand (N^N). Stability studies by 1H NMR spectroscopy showed that the heteroleptic complexes preferentially convert to their corresponding homoleptic complexes [Fe(C^O)2] and [Fe(N^N)2], indicating reversible decoordination of the carbene phenolate chelate from the iron center. The rate of this rearrangement is dependent on the substituents on the ligands and increases for triazolylidene wingtip groups mesityl (Mes) < di(isopropyl)aryl (DIPP) < adamantyl (Ad), with significant ligand redistribution for DIPP and Ad systems observed even at room temperature. The most stable heteroleptic complex featured mesityl wingtips on the triazole and phenyl groups as oxazoline substituents and displayed signs of ligand exchange only after 16 h at room temperature. This substitutional lability of carbene ligands even when supported by a phenolate chelating group has direct consequences when designing iron complexes for catalytic applications.

Strategies and Mechanisms of First-Row Transition Metal-Regulated Radical C-H Functionalization

Radical C-H functionalization represents a useful means of streamlining synthetic routes by avoiding substrate preactivation and allowing access to target molecules in fewer steps. The first-row transition metals (Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) are Earth-abundant and can be employed to regulate radical C-H functionalization. The use of such metals is desirable because of the diverse interaction modes between first-row transition metal complexes and radical species including radical addition to the metal center, radical addition to the ligand of metal complexes, radical substitution of the metal complexes, single-electron transfer between radicals and metal complexes, hydrogen atom transfer between radicals and metal complexes, and noncovalent interaction between the radicals and metal complexes. Such interactions could improve the reactivity, diversity, and selectivity of radical transformations to allow for more challenging radical C-H functionalization reactions. This review examines the achievements in this promising area over the past decade, with a focus on the state-of-the-art while also discussing existing limitations and the enormous potential of high-value radical C-H functionalization regulated by these metals. The aim is to provide the reader with a detailed account of the strategies and mechanisms associated with such functionalization.

Tailoring C-H amination activity via modification of the triazole-derived carbene ligand

Two new C,O-bidentate chelating triazolylidene-phenolate ligands were synthesized that feature a diisopropylphenyl (dipp) and an adamantyl (Ad) substituent respectively on the triazole scaffold. Subsequent metalation afforded iron(II) complexes [Fe(C^O)2] that are active catalysts for the intramolecular C-H amination of organic azides. When compared to the parent complex containing a triazolylidene with a mesityl substituent (Mes) the increased steric bulk led to slightly lower activity (TOFmax = 23 h-1vs. 30 h-1), however selectivity towards pyrrolidine formation increases from 92% up to >99%. Kinetic studies indicate that the mechanism is similar in all three complexes and includes a half-order dependence in [Fe(C^O)2], congruent with the involvement of a dimetallic catalyst resting state within this catalyst class. Structural analysis suggests that enhanced bulkiness disfavors N2 loss and nitrene formation, yet shields the nitrene from intermolecular processes and thus favors intramolecular nitrene insertion into the C-H bond. This model rationalizes the high selectivity and the lower reaction rate observed with dipp and with Ad substituents on the ligand.

Synthetic Modification and Insecticidal Activity of 4-epi-cis-Dihydroagarofuran Derivatives

To synthesize the fundamental framework of dihydroagarofuran, a novel strategy was devised for constructing the C-ring through a dearomatization reaction using 6-methoxy-1-tetralone as the initial substrate. Subsequently, the dihydroagarofuran skeleton was assembled via two consecutive Michael addition reactions. The conjugated diene and trans-dihydroagarofuran skeleton were modified. The insecticidal activities of 33 compounds against Mythimna separata were evaluated. Compounds 11-5 exhibited an LC50 value of 0.378 mg/mL. The activity exhibited a remarkable 29-fold increase compared to positive control Celangulin V, which was widely recognized as the most renowned natural dihydroagarofuran polyol ester insecticidal active compound. Docking experiments between synthetic compounds and target proteins revealed the shared binding sites with Celangulin V. Structure-activity relationship studies indicated that methyl groups at positions C4 and C10 significantly improved insecticidal activity, while ether groups with linear chains displayed enhanced activity; in particular, the allyl ether group demonstrated optimal efficacy. Furthermore, a three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship model was established to investigate the correlation between the skeletal structure and activity. These research findings provide valuable insights for discovering and developing dihydroagarofuran-like compounds.

Pd and Pt Complexes of Benzo-Fused Dipyrrins: Synthesis, Structure, Electrochemical, and Optical Properties

Benzo-fused dipyrrins are π-extended analogs of conventional dipyrrins, which exhibit bathochromically shifted absorption and possess the synthetic capability to bind various metal ions. We aimed to investigate the synthetic potential of benzo-fused dipyrrins in the complexation with transition metals. Two new complexes with Pd2+ and Pt2+ were synthesized and characterized. X-ray crystallography reveals that both complexes exhibit a zigzag geometry with square planar coordination of the central metal. The Pd2+ complex possesses a very weak fluorescence at 665 nm, while the Pt2+ complex is completely nonemissive. Transient absorption spectroscopy confirmed triplet excited state formation for both complexes; however, they are short-lived and no phosphorescence was observed even at 77K. DFT calculations support the experimental observation, revealing the existence of the low-lying ligand-metal charge-transfer (LMCT) triplet state acting as an energy sink.

Synthesis, Characterization, and the Effect of Lewis Bases on the Nuclearity of Iron Alkoxide Complexes

Inspired by the potential of alkoxides as weak-field ligands and their ability to bridge, we report herein a series of high-spin iron complexes supported by a bis-alkoxide framework PhDbf. A diiron complex [Fe2(PhDbf)2] (1a) is obtained upon metalation of the ligand, whereas addition of substituted pyridines affords five-coordinate mononuclear iron complexes [(R-Py)2Fe(PhDbf)] (2a-4a, R = H, p-tBu, p-CF3). The potential for nuclearity control of the metal complexes via auxiliary ligands is highlighted by the formation of asymmetric diiron species [(p-CF3-Py)Fe2(PhDbf)2] (5a) and [(m-CF3-Py)Fe2(PhDbf)2] (6a) with trifluoromethyl substituted pyridines, while electron-rich pyridines only produced monomeric species. Electronic properties analysis via UV-vis, electron paramagnetic resonance, 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, and time-dependent density functional theory, along with redox capabilities of these complexes are reported to illustrate the effect of nuclearity on reactivity and the potential of these complexes to access higher oxidation states relevant in oxidative chemistry. Species 1a-5a, [(THF)2Fe(PhDbf)][PF6] (7), [PyFe(PhDbf)Cl] (2b), and [Py2Fe(PhDbf)][PF6] (2c) were characterized via SCXRD. Indirect evidence for the formation of dimeric Fe(III) species (1b, 5b, and 6b) is discussed.

Phosphorus-Ligand Redox Cooperative Catalysis: Unraveling Four-Electron Dioxygen Reduction Pathways and Reactive Intermediates

The reduction of dioxygen to water is crucial in biology and energy technologies, but it is challenging due to the inertness of triplet oxygen and complex mechanisms. Nature leverages high-spin transition metal complexes for this, whereas main-group compounds with their singlet state and limited redox capabilities exhibit subdued reactivity. We present a novel phosphorus complex capable of four-electron dioxygen reduction, facilitated by unique phosphorus-ligand redox cooperativity. Spectroscopic and computational investigations attribute this cooperative reactivity to the unique electronic structure arising from the geometry of the phosphorus complex bestowed by the ligand. Mechanistic study via spectroscopic and kinetic experiments revealed the involvement of elusive phosphorus intermediates resembling those in metalloenzymes. Our result highlights the multielectron reactivity of phosphorus compound emerging from a carefully designed ligand platform with redox cooperativity. We anticipate that the work described expands the strategies in developing main-group catalytic reactions, especially in small molecule fixations demanding multielectron redox processes.

Divergent [2 + n] Heteroannulation of β-CF3-1,3-enynes with Alkyl Azides via Hydrogen Atom Transfer and Radical Substitution

A copper-promoted divergent intermolecular [2 + n] heteroannulation of β-CF3-1,3-enynes with alkyl azides via alkyl radical-driven HAT and radical substitution (C-C bond formation) to form four- to ten-membered saturated N-heterocycles is developed. This method enables the aryl-induced or kinetically controlled site selective functionalization of the remote C(sp3)-H bonds at positions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 toward the nitrogen atom through triplet nitrene formation, radical addition across the C═C bond, HAT and radical substitution cascades, and features a broad substrate scope, excellent site selectivity, and facile late-stage derivatization of bioactive molecules. Initial deuterium-labeling and control experiments shed light on the reaction mechanism via nitrene formation and HAT.

A rhodium(II)/rhodium(III) redox couple for C-H bond amination with alkylazides: a rhodium(III)-nitrenoid intermediate with a tetradentate [14]-macrocyclic ligand

The catalytic activity of a rhodium(II) dimer complex, [RhII(TMAA)]2 (TMAA = tetramethyltetraaza[14]annulene), in C-H amination reactions with organic azides is explored. Organic azides (N3-R) with an electron-withdrawing group such as a sulfonyl group (trisylazide; R = S(O)2iPr3C6H2 (Trs)) and a simple alkyl group (R = (CH2)4Ph, (CH2)2OCH2Ph, CH2Ph, or C6H4NO2) are employed in intra- and intermolecular C-H bond amination reactions. The spectroscopic analysis using ESI-mass and EPR spectroscopy techniques on the reaction intermediate generated from [RhII(TMAA)]2 and N3-R reveals that a rhodium(III)-nitrenoid species is an active oxidant in the C-H bond amination reaction. DFT calculations suggest that the species can feature a radical localised nitrogen atom. The DFT calculation studies also indicate that the amination reaction involves hydrogen atom abstraction from the organic substrate R'-H by the NR moiety of 2N˙R and successive rebound of the generated organic radical intermediate R'˙ to [RhIII(NH-R)(TMAA)], giving [RhII(TMAA)] and R'-NH-R (amination product).

A Formal γ-C-H Functionalization of Carboxylic Acids Guided by Metal-Nitrenoids as an Unprecedented Mechanistic Motif

Harnessing the key intermediates in metal-catalyzed reactions is one of the most essential strategies in the development of selective organic transformations. The nitrogen group transfer reactivity of metal-nitrenoids to ubiquitous C-H bonds allows for diverse C-N bond formation to furnish synthetically valuable aminated products. In this study, we present an unprecedented reactivity of iridium and ruthenium nitrenoids to generate remote carbocation intermediates, which subsequently undergo nucleophile incorporation, thus developing a formal γ-C-H functionalization of carboxylic acids. Mechanistic investigations elucidated a unique singlet metal-nitrenoid reactivity to initiate an abstraction of γ-hydride to form the carbocation intermediate that eventually reacts with a broad range of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen nucleophiles, as well as biorelevant molecules. Alternatively, the same intermediate can lead to deprotonation to afford β,γ-unsaturated amides in a less nucleophilic solvent.

Lewis Acid Supported Nickel Nitrenoids

Metalation of the polynucleating ligand F,tbs LH6 (1,3,5-C6 H9 (NC6 H3 -4-F-2-NSiMe2 t Bu)3 ) with two equivalents of Zn(N(SiMe3 )2 )2 affords the dinuclear product (F,tbs LH2 )Zn2 (1), which can be further deprotonated to yield (F,tbs L)Zn2 Li2 (OEt2 )4 (2). Transmetalation of 2 with NiCl2 (py)2 yields the heterometallic, trinuclear cluster (F,tbs L)Zn2 Ni(py) (3). Reduction of 3 with KC8 affords [KC222 ][(F,tbs L)Zn2 Ni] (4) which features a monovalent Ni centre. Addition of 1-adamantyl azide to 4 generates the bridging μ3 -nitrenoid adduct [K(THF)3 ][(F,tbs L)Zn2 Ni(μ3 -NAd)] (5). EPR spectroscopy reveals that the anionic cluster possesses a doublet ground state (S =1 / 2 ${{ 1/2 }}$ ). Cyclic voltammetry of 5 reveals two fully reversible redox events. The dianionic nitrenoid [K2 (THF)9 ][(F,tbs L)Zn2 Ni(μ3 -NAd)] (6) was isolated and characterized while the neutral redox isomer was observed to undergo both intra- and intermolecular H-atom abstraction processes. Ni K-edge XAS studies suggest a divalent oxidation state for the Ni centres in both the monoanionic and dianionic [Zn2 Ni] nitrenoid complexes. However, DFT analysis suggests Ni-borne oxidation for 5.

Nitrene transfer from a sterically confined copper nitrenoid dipyrrin complex

Despite the myriad Cu-catalyzed nitrene transfer methodologies to form new C-N bonds (e.g., amination, aziridination), the critical reaction intermediates have largely eluded direct characterization due to their inherent reactivity. Herein, we report the synthesis of dipyrrin-supported Cu nitrenoid adducts, investigate their spectroscopic features, and probe their nitrene transfer chemistry through detailed mechanistic analyses. Treatment of the dipyrrin CuI complexes with substituted organoazides affords terminally ligated organoazide adducts with minimal activation of the azide unit as evidenced by vibrational spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The Cu nitrenoid, with an electronic structure most consistent with a triplet nitrene adduct of CuI, is accessed following geometric rearrangement of the azide adduct from κ1-N terminal ligation to κ1-N internal ligation with subsequent expulsion of N2. For perfluorinated arylazides, stoichiometric and catalytic C-H amination and aziridination was observed. Mechanistic analysis employing substrate competition reveals an enthalpically-controlled, electrophilic nitrene transfer for primary and secondary C-H bonds. Kinetic analyses for catalytic amination using tetrahydrofuran as a model substrate reveal pseudo-first order kinetics under relevant amination conditions with a first-order dependence on both Cu and organoazide. Activation parameters determined from Eyring analysis (ΔH‡ = 9.2(2) kcal mol-1, ΔS‡ = -42(2) cal mol-1 K-1, ΔG‡298K = 21.7(2) kcal mol-1) and parallel kinetic isotope effect measurements (1.10(2)) are consistent with rate-limiting Cu nitrenoid formation, followed by a proposed stepwise hydrogen-atom abstraction and rapid radical recombination to furnish the resulting C-N bond. The proposed mechanism and experimental analysis are further corroborated by density functional theory calculations. Multiconfigurational calculations provide insight into the electronic structure of the catalytically relevant Cu nitrene intermediates. The findings presented herein will assist in the development of future methodology for Cu-mediated C-N bond forming catalysis.

Chemical insights into the synthetic chemistry of five-membered saturated heterocycles-a transition metal-catalyzed approach

Drug design and delivery is primarily based on the hunt for new potent drug candidates and novel synthetic techniques. Recently, saturated heterocycles have gained enormous attention in medicinal chemistry as evidenced by the medicinal drugs listed in the FDA Orange Book. Therefore, the demand for novel saturated heterocyclic syntheses has increased tremendously. Transition metal (TM)-catalyzed reactions have remained the prime priority in heterocyclic syntheses for the last three decades. Nowadays, TM catalysis is well adorned by combining it with other techniques such as bio- and/or enzyme-catalyzed reactions, organocatalysis, or using two different metals in a single catalysis. This review highlights the recent developments of the transition metal-catalyzed synthesis of five-membered saturated heterocycles.

Modular Synthesis of Polar Spirocyclic Scaffolds Enabled by Radical Chemistry

Herein, we report a highly modular strategy to access spirocyclic scaffolds from abundant starting materials, i.e., cyclic ketones and α-amino or oxamic acids. The sequence proceeds through a straightforward Knoevenagel condensation, followed by a domino Giese-type reaction/base-mediated cyclization process, to deliver a broad scope of polar spirocyclic scaffolds in good to excellent yields. The products can be readily diversified, thus increasing the versatility of our method to gain rapid access to libraries of potential druglike molecules.

Discovery of a simple iron catalyst reveals the intimate steps of C-H amination to form C-N bonds

Formation of ubiquitous C-N bonds traditionally uses prefunctionalized carbon precursors. Recently, metal-catalyzed amination of unfunctionalized C-H bonds with azides has become an attractive and atom-economic strategy for C-N bond formation, though all catalysts contain sophisticated ligands. Here, we report Fe(HMDS)2 (HMDS = N(SiMe3)2 -) as an easy-to-prepare catalyst for intramolecular C-H amination. The catalyst shows unprecedented turnover frequencies (110 h-1 vs. 70 h-1 reported to date) and requires no additives. Amination is successful for benzylic and aliphatic C-H bonds (>80% yield) and occurs even at room temperature. The simplicity of the catalyst enabled for the first time comprehensive mechanistic investigations. Kinetic, stoichiometric, and computational studies unveiled the intimate steps of the C-H amination process, including the resting state of the catalyst and turnover-limiting N2 loss of the coordinated azide. The high reactivity of the iron imido intermediate is rationalized by its complex spin system revealing imidyl and nitrene character.

From the bottle: simple iron salts for the efficient synthesis of pyrrolidines via catalytic C-H bond amination

Commercially available iron salts FeX2 are remarkably active catalysts for pyrrolidine formation from organic azides via direct C-H bond amination. With FeI2, amination is fast and selective, (<30 min for 80% yield at 2 mol% loading), TONs up to 370 are reached with just 0.1 mol% catalyst, different functional groups are tolerated, and a variety of C-H bonds were activated.

Nickel-Catalyzed Site-Selective Intermolecular C(sp3 )-H Amidation

A nickel-catalyzed site-selective intermolecular amidation of saturated C(sp³ )-H bonds is reported. This mild protocol exhibits a predictable reactivity pattern to incorporate amide functions at C(sp³ )-H sites adjacent to nitrogen and oxygen atoms in either cyclic or acyclic frameworks, thus offering a complementary reactivity profile to existing oxidative-type processes or metal-catalyzed C(sp³ )-N bond-forming reactions operating via two-electron manifolds.

Recent Strategies in Nickel-Catalyzed C–H Bond Functionalization for Nitrogen-Containing Heterocycles

N-heterocycles are ubiquitous in natural products, pharmaceuticals, organic materials, and numerous functional molecules. Among the current synthetic approaches, transition metal-catalyzed C–H functionalization has gained considerable attention in recent years due to its advantages of simplicity, high atomic economy, and the ready availability of starting materials. In the field of N-heterocycle synthesis via C–H functionalization, nickel has been recognized as one of the most important catalysts. In this review, we will introduce nickel-catalyzed intramolecular and intermolecular pathways for N-heterocycle synthesis from 2008 to 2021.

Metal-Support Interactions in Molecular Single-Site Cluster Catalysts

This study provides atomistic insights into the interface between a single-site catalyst and a transition metal chalcogenide support and reveals that peak catalytic activity occurs when edge/support redox cooperativity is maximized. A molecular platform MCo₆Se₈(PEt₃)₄(L)₂ (1-M, M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, and Zn) was designed in which the active site (M)/support (Co₆Se₈) interactions are interrogated by systematically probing the electronic and structural changes that occur as the identity of the metal varies. All 3d transition metal 1-M clusters display remarkable catalytic activity for coupling tosyl azide and tert-butyl isocyanide, with Mn and Co derivatives showing the fastest turnover in the series. Structural, electronic, and magnetic characterization of the clusters was performed using single crystal X-ray diffraction, ¹H and ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, electronic absorption spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and computational methods. Distinct metal/support redox regimes can be accessed in 1-M based on the energy of the edge metal's frontier orbitals with respect to those of the cluster support. As the degree of electronic interaction between the edge and the support increases, a cooperative regime is reached wherein the support can deliver electrons to the catalytic site, increasing the reactivity of key metal-nitrenoid intermediates.

A Borane Lewis Acid in the Secondary Coordination Sphere of a Ni(II) Imido Imparts Distinct C-H Activation Selectivity

Two borane-functionalized bidentate phosphine ligands that vary in tether length have been prepared to examine cooperative metal-substrate interactions. Ni(0) complexes react with aryl azides at low temperatures to form structurally unusual κ2-(N,N)-N3Ar adducts. Warming these adducts affords products of N2 extrusion and in one case, a Ni-imido compound that is capped by the appended borane. Reactions with 1-azidoadamantane (AdN3) provide a distinct outcome, where a proposed nickel imido intermediate activates the sp2 C-H bonds of arenes, even in the presence of benzylic C-H sites. Combined experimental and computational mechanistic studies demonstrate that the unique reactivity is a consequence of Lewis-acid-induced polarization of the Ni-NR bond, potentially providing a synthetic strategy for chemoselective reaction engineering.

C-N Bond Forming Radical Rebound Is the Enantioselectivity-Determining Step in P411-Catalyzed Enantioselective C(sp3)-H Amination: A Combined Computational and Experimental Investigation

Engineered metalloenzymes represent promising catalysts for stereoselective C-H functionalization reactions. Recently, P450 enzymes have been evolved to allow for new-to-nature intramolecular C(sp3)-H amination reactions via a nitrene transfer mechanism, giving rise to diamine derivatives with excellent enantiocontrol. To shed light on the origin of enantioselectivity, a combined computational and experimental study was carried out. Hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations were performed to investigate the activation energies and enantioselectivities of both the hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) and the subsequent C-N bond forming radical rebound steps. Contrary to previously hypothesized enantioinduction mechanisms, our calculations show that the radical rebound step is enantioselectivity-determining, whereas the preceding HAT step is only moderately stereoselective. Furthermore, the selectivity in the initial HAT is ablated by rapid conformational change of the radical intermediate prior to C-N bond formation. This finding is corroborated by our experimental study using a set of enantiomerically pure, monodeuterated substrates. Furthermore, classical and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to investigate the conformational flexibility of the carbon-centered radical intermediate. This key radical species undergoes a facile conformational change in the enzyme active site from the pro-(R) to the pro-(S) configuration, whereas the radical rebound is slower due to the spin-state change and ring strain of the cyclization process, thereby allowing stereoablative C-N bond formation. Together, these studies revealed an underappreciated enantioinduction mechanism in biocatalytic C(sp3)-H functionalizations involving radical intermediates, opening up new avenues for the development of other challenging asymmetric C(sp3)-H functionalizations.

Azides in the Synthesis of Various Heterocycles

In this review, we focus on some interesting and recent examples of various applications of organic azides such as their intermolecular or intramolecular, under thermal, catalyzed, or noncatalyzed reaction conditions. The aforementioned reactions in the aim to prepare basic five-, six-, organometallic heterocyclic-membered systems and/or their fused analogs. This review article also provides a report on the developed methods describing the synthesis of various heterocycles from organic azides, especially those reported in recent papers (till 2020). At the outset, this review groups the synthetic methods of organic azides into different categories. Secondly, the review deals with the functionality of the azido group in chemical reactions. This is followed by a major section on the following: (1) the synthetic tools of various heterocycles from the corresponding organic azides by one-pot domino reaction; (2) the utility of the chosen catalysts in the chemoselectivity favoring C-H and C-N bonds; (3) one-pot procedures (i.e., Ugi four-component reaction); (4) nucleophilic addition, such as Aza-Michael addition; (5) cycloaddition reactions, such as [3+2] cycloaddition; (6) mixed addition/cyclization/oxygen; and (7) insertion reaction of C-H amination. The review also includes the synthetic procedures of fused heterocycles, such as quinazoline derivatives and organometal heterocycles (i.e., phosphorus-, boron- and aluminum-containing heterocycles). Due to many references that have dealt with the reactions of azides in heterocyclic synthesis (currently more than 32,000), we selected according to generality and timeliness. This is considered a recent review that focuses on selected interesting examples of various heterocycles from the mechanistic aspects of organic azides.

Palladium Terminal Imido Complexes with Nitrene Character

Whereas triplet-nitrene complexes of the late transition metals are isolable and key intermediates in catalysis, singlet-nitrene ligands remain elusive. Herein we communicate three such palladium terminal imido complexes with singlet ground states. UV-vis-NIR electronic spectroscopy with broad bands up to 1400 nm as well as high-level computations (DFT, STEOM-CCSD, CASSCF/NEVPT2, EOS analysis) and reactivity studies suggest significant palladium(0) singlet-nitrene character. Although the aliphatic nitrene complexes proved to be too reactive for isolation in analytically pure form as a result of elimination of isobutylene, the aryl congener could be characterized by SC-XRD, elemental analysis, IR-, NMR spectroscopy, and HRMS. The complexes' distinguished ambiphilicity allows them to activate hexafluorobenzene, triphenylphosphine, and pinacol borane, catalytically dehydrogenate cyclohexene, and aminate ethylene via nitrene transfer at or below room temperature.

Decarboxylative Amination of Benzoic Acids Bearing Electron-Donating Substituents and Non-Activated Amines

Efficient methods for decarboxylative activation of benzoic acids into great valuable products are highly sought after. Here we report a highly desirable and straightforward decarboxylative amination of readily available benzoic...

An Isolable Azide Adduct of Titanium(II) Follows Bifurcated Deazotation Pathways to an Imide

AdN₃ (Ad = 1-adamantyl) reacts with the tetrahedral Ti^II complex [(Tp^tBu,Me)TiCl] (Tp^tBu,Me = hydrotris(3-tert-butyl-5-methylpyrazol-1-yl)borate) to generate a mixture of an imide complex, [(Tp^tBu,Me)TiCl(NAd)] (4), and an unusual and kinetically stable azide adduct of the group 4 metal, namely, [(Tp^tBu,Me)TiCl(γ-N₃Ad)] (3). In these conversions, the product distribution is determined by the relative concentration of reactants. In contrast, the azide adduct 3 forms selectively when a masked Ti^II complex (N₂ or AdNC adduct) reacts with AdN₃. Upon heating, 3 extrudes dinitrogen in a unimolecular process proceeding through a titanatriazete intermediate to form the imide complex 4, but the observed thermal stability of the azide adduct (t_1/2 = 61 days at 25 °C) is at odds with the large fraction of imide complex formed directly in reactions between AdN₃ and [(Tp^tBu,Me)TiCl] at room temperature (∼50% imide with a 1:1 stoichiometry). A combination of theoretical and experimental studies identified an additional deazotation pathway, proceeding through a bimetallic complex bridged by a single azide ligand. The electronic origin of this deazotation mechanism lies in the ability of azide adduct 3 to serve as a π-backbonding metallaligand toward free [(Tp^tBu,Me)TiCl]. These findings unveil a new class of azide-to-imide conversions for transition metals, highlighting that the mechanisms underlying this common synthetic methodology may be more complex than conventionally assumed, given the concentration dependence in the conversion of an azide into an imide complex. Lastly, we show how significantly different AdN₃ reacts when treated with [(Tp^tBu,Me)VCl].

An Iron-Mesoionic Carbene Complex for Catalytic Intramolecular C-H Amination Utilizing Organic Azides

The synthesis of N-heterocycles is of paramount importance for the pharmaceutical industry. They are often synthesized through atom economic and environmentally unfriendly methods, generating significant waste. A less explored, but greener, alternative is the synthesis through the direct intramolecular C-H amination utilizing organic azides. Few examples exist by using this method, but many are limited due to the required use of stoichiometric amounts of Boc₂O. Herein, we report a homoleptic C,O-chelating mesoionic carbene-iron complex, which is the first iron-based complex that does not require the addition of any protecting groups for this transformation and that is active also in strong donor solvents such as THF or even DMSO. The achieved turnover number is an order of magnitude higher than any other reported catalytic system. A variety of C-H bonds were activated, including benzylic, primary, secondary, and tertiary. By following the reaction over time, we determined the presence of an initiation period. Kinetic studies showed a first-order dependence on substrate concentration and half-order dependence on catalyst concentration. Intermolecular competition reactions with deuterated substrate showed no KIE, while separate reactions with deuterium-labeled substrate resulted in a KIE of 2.0. Moreover, utilizing deuterated substrate significantly decreased the initiation period of the catalysis. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest a unique mechanism involving a dimeric iron species as the catalyst resting state.

Tin(II)-Nitrene Radical Complexes Formed by Electron Transfer from Redox-Active Ligand to Organic Azides and Their Reactivity in C(sp3)-H Activation

A tin(II) complex coordinated by a sterically demanding o-phenylenediamido ligand is synthesized. The ligand is redox-active to reach a tin(II) complex with the diiminobenzosemiquinone radial anion in the oxidation by AgPF₆. The tin(II) complex reacts with a series of nosylazides (x-NO₂C₆H₄-SO₂-N₃; x = o, m, or p) at -30 °C to yield the corresponding nitrene radical bound tin(II) complexes. The nitrene radical complexes exhibit C(sp³)-H activation and amination reactivity.

Ligand-Enabled, Copper-Catalyzed Electrophilic Amination for the Asymmetric Synthesis of β-Amino Acids

Catalytic asymmetric nitrene transfer has emerged as a reliable method for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing chiral compounds. Herein, we report the copper-catalyzed intramolecular asymmetric electrophilic amination of aromatic rings. The reactive intermediate is a copper-alkyl nitrene generated from isoxazolidin-5-ones. Copper catalysis promotes three classes of asymmetric transformations, namely, asymmetric desymmetrization, parallel kinetic resolution, and kinetic resolution, expanding the repertoire of alkyl nitrene transfer and providing various cyclic and linear β-amino acids in their enantioenriched forms.

Nitrene Photochemistry of Manganese N-Haloamides*

Manganese complexes supported by macrocyclic tetrapyrrole ligands represent an important platform for nitrene transfer catalysis and have been applied to both C-H amination and olefin aziridination catalysis. The reactivity of the transient high-valent Mn nitrenoids that mediate these processes renders characterization of these species challenging. Here we report the synthesis and nitrene transfer photochemistry of a family of Mn^III N-haloamide complexes. The S=2 N-haloamide complexes are characterized by ¹ H NMR, UV-vis, IR, high-frequency and -field EPR (HFEPR) spectroscopies, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Photolysis of these complexes results in the formal transfer of a nitrene equivalent to both C-H bonds, such as the α-C-H bonds of tetrahydrofuran, and olefinic substrates, such as styrene, to afford aminated and aziridinated products, respectively. Low-temperature spectroscopy and analysis of kinetic isotope effects for C-H amination indicate halogen-dependent photoreactivity: Photolysis of N-chloroamides proceeds via initial cleavage of the Mn-N bond to generate Mn^II and amidyl radical intermediates; in contrast, photolysis of N-iodoamides proceeds via N-I cleavage to generate a Mn^IV nitrenoid (i.e., {MnNR}⁷ species). These results establish N-haloamide ligands as viable precursors in the photosynthesis of metal nitrenes and highlight the power of ligand design to provide access to reactive intermediates in group-transfer catalysis.

A soluble iron(II)-phthalocyanine-catalyzed intramolecular C(sp3)-H amination with alkyl azides

Herein, we describe a soluble iron(II)-phthalocyanine, [Fe^II(^tBu₄Pc)(py)₂] (Pc = phthalocyaninato(2-)), as an effective catalyst in intramolecular C(sp³)-H bond amination, with alkyl azides as the nitrogen source, to afford the amination products in moderate to excellent yields with a broad substrate scope.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Enantiopure Pyrrolidines by C(sp3 )-H Amination of Hydrocarbons

The asymmetric synthesis of enantiopure pyrrolidines is reported via a streamlined strategy relying on two sequential C-H functionalizations of simple hydrocarbons. The first step is a regio- and stereoselective catalytic nitrene C-H insertion. Then, a subsequent diastereoselective cyclization involving a 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) from a N-centered radical leads to the formation of pyrrolidines that can then be converted to their free NH-derivatives.

Copper-Catalyzed Conjugate Addition of Carbonyls as Carbanion Equivalent via Hydrazones

Copper-catalyzed conjugate addition is a classic method for forming new carbon-carbon bonds. However, copper has never showed catalytic activity for umpolung carbanions in hydrazone chemistry. Herein, we report a facile conjugate addition of hydrazone catalyzed by readily available copper complexes at room temperature. The employment of mesitylcopper(I) and electron-rich phosphine bidentate ligand is a key factor affecting reactivity. The reaction allows various aromatic hydrazones to react with diverse conjugated compounds to produce 1,4-adducts in yields of about 20 to 99%.

Controlling Radical-Type Single-Electron Elementary Steps in Catalysis with Redox-Active Ligands and Substrates

Advances in (spectroscopic) characterization of the unusual electronic structures of open-shell cobalt complexes bearing redox-active ligands, combined with detailed mapping of their reactivity, have uncovered several new catalytic radical-type protocols that make efficient use of the synergistic properties of redox-active ligands, redox-active substrates, and the metal to which they coordinate. In this perspective, we discuss the tools available to study, induce, and control catalytic radical-type reactions with redox-active ligands and/or substrates, contemplating recent developments in the field, including some noteworthy tools, methods, and reactions developed in our own group. The main topics covered are (i) tools to characterize redox-active ligands; (ii) novel synthetic applications of catalytic reactions that make use of redox-active carbene and nitrene substrates at open-shell cobalt-porphyrins; (iii) development of catalytic reactions that take advantage of purely ligand- and substrate-based redox processes, coupled to cobalt-centered spin-changing events in a synergistic manner; and (iv) utilization of redox-active ligands to influence the spin state of the metal. Redox-active ligands have emerged as useful tools to generate and control reactive metal-coordinated radicals, which give access to new synthetic methodologies and intricate (electronic) structures, some of which are yet to be exposed.

One-Pot Synthesis of Primary and Secondary Aliphatic Amines via Mild and Selective sp3 C-H Imination

The direct replacement of sp3 C-H bonds with simple amine units (-NH2) remains synthetically challenging, although primary aliphatic amines are ubiquitous in medicinal chemistry and natural product synthesis. We report a mild and selective protocol for preparing primary and secondary aliphatic amines in a single pot, based on intermolecular sp3 C-H imination. The first C-H imination of diverse alkanes, this method shows useful site-selectivity within substrates bearing multiple sp3 C-H bonds. Furthermore, this reaction tolerates polar functional groups relevant for complex molecule synthesis, highlighted in the synthesis of amine pharmaceuticals and amination of natural products. We characterize a unique C-H imination mechanism based on radical rebound to an iminyl radical, supported by kinetic isotope effects, stereoablation, resubmission, and computational modeling. This work constitutes a selective method for complex amine synthesis and a new mechanistic platform for C-H amination.

One to Find Them All: A General Route to Ni(I)-Phenolate Species

The past 20 years have seen an extensive implementation of nickel in homogeneous catalysis through the development of unique reactivity not easily achievable by using noble transition metals. Many catalytic cycles propose Ni(I) complexes as potential reactive intermediates, yet the scarcity of nickel(I) precursors and the lack of a general, non-ligand-specific protocol for their synthesis have hampered progress in this field of research. This has in turn also limited the access to novel, well-defined Ni(I) species for the development of new catalytic reactions. Herein, we report a simple, general route to access a wide variety of Ni(I)-phenolate complexes via an unusual example of an olefinic Ni(I) complex, [Ni(COD)(OPh*)] (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene, OPh* = O(^tBu)₃C₆H₂). This route has proven to be highly efficient for several coordination numbers and ligand classes enabling access to the following complexes: [Ni(IPr)(OPh*)] (IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene), [Ni(dcype)(OPh*)] (dcype = 1,2-bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)ethane), [Ni(dppe)(OPh*)] (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane), and [Ni(terpy)(OPh*)] (terpy = 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine). Moreover, reacting [Ni(dcype)(OPh*)] with trimethylsilyl triflate has led to the isolation of a unique example of a cationic binuclear Ni(I)-arene complex. All these complexes have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray, DFT, and EPR analyses, thus providing crucial experimental and theoretical information about their coordination environment and confirming a d⁹ electronic structure for all complexes involved. Overall, this new synthetic approach offers exciting opportunities for the discovery of new stoichiometric and catalytic reactivity as well as the mechanistic elucidation of Ni-based catalytic cycles.