Iron-Catalyzed Oxidative Direct α-C–H Bond Functionalization of Cyclic Ethers: Selective C–O Bond Formation in the Presence of a Labile Aldehyde Group

Visible-Light Induced Etherification of C(sp3)-H Bonds with Phenols

The visible-light induced cross-dehydrogenative coupling of C(sp3)-H bonds with phenols using BrCCl3 to give aryl alkyl ethers has been achieved under transition-metal- and photocatalyst-free conditions. This operationally simple and mild protocol has a broad substrate scope, and was applied to the modification of drug molecules and on a gram-scale synthesis. The phenolate ion functions as both a substrate and photosensitizer, and BrCCl3 serves as the oxidant and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) agent.

Anchoring Catalytic Metal Nodes within a Single-Crystalline Pyrazolate Metal-Organic Framework for Efficient Heterogeneous Catalysis

The synthesis of single-crystalline and robust pyrazolate metal-organic frameworks (Pz-MOFs) capable of facilitating challenging organic transformations is fundamentally significant in catalysis. Here we demonstrate a metal-node-based catalytic site anchoring strategy by synthesizing a single-crystalline and robust Pz-MOF (PCN-1004). PCN-1004 features one-dimensional (1D) copper-Pz chains interconnected by well-organized ligands, forming a porous three-dimensional (3D) network with two types of 1D open channels. Notably, PCN-1004 displays exceptional stability in aqueous solutions across a broad pH range (1 to 14), attributed to the robust copper-Pz coordination bond. Significantly, PCN-1004 functions as an outstanding catalyst in cross dehydrogenative coupling reactions for constructing C-O/C-S bonds, even in the absence of directing groups, achieving yields of up to ~99 %, with long cycle lives and high substrate compatibility. PCN-1004 outperforms all previously reported porphyrin-based homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. Control experiments and computations elucidate the pivotal catalytic role of the copper-Pz chains and reveal a free radical pathway for the reaction. This work not only demonstrates the successful implementation of a metal-node-based catalytic site anchoring strategy for the efficient catalysis of challenging organic transformations but also highlights the synergistic effect of a robust framework, 1D open channels, and active sites in enhancing catalytic efficiency within MOFs.

A Robust Pyrazolate Metal-Organic Framework for Efficient Catalysis of Dehydrogenative C-O Cross Coupling Reaction

Construction of robust heterogeneous catalysts with atomic precision is a long-sought pursuit in the catalysis field due to its fundamental significance in taming chemical transformations. Herein, we present the synthesis of a single-crystalline pyrazolate metal-organic framework (MOF) named PCN-300, bearing a lamellar structure with two distinct Cu centers and one-dimensional (1D) open channels when stacked. PCN-300 exhibits exceptional stability in aqueous solutions across a broad pH range from 1 to 14. In contrast, its monomeric counterpart assembled through hydrogen bonding displays limited stability, emphasizing the role of Cu-pyrazolate coordination bonds in framework robustness. Remarkably, the synergy of the 1D open channels, excellent stability, and the active Cu-porphyrin sites endows PCN-300 with outstanding catalytic activity in the cross dehydrogenative coupling reaction to form the C-O bond without the "compulsory" ortho-position directing groups (yields up to 96%), outperforming homogeneous Cu-porphyrin catalysts. Moreover, PCN-300 exhibits superior recyclability and compatibility with various phenol substrates. Control experiments reveal the synergy between the Cu-porphyrin center and framework in PCN-300 and computations unveil the free radical pathway of the reaction. This study highlights the power of robust pyrazolate MOFs in directly activating C-H bonds and catalyzing challenging chemical transformations in an environmentally friendly manner.

Deamidation reaction network mapping of pharmacologic and related proteins: impact of solvation dielectric on the degradation energetics of asparagine dipeptides

Asn-X deamidation pathways in the FV region of the monoclonal antibody (mAb).

Pd-Catalyzed and ligand-enabled alkene difunctionalization via unactivated C-H bond functionalization

Palladium-catalyzed and ligand-enabled C-H functionalization methods have emerged as a powerful approach for the preparation of therapeutically important motifs and complex natural products. Olefins, owing to their natural abundance, have been extensively employed for the formation of C-C and C-X bonds and the generation of various heterocycles. Traditionally, activated as well as starting materials with preinstalled functional groups, and also halide substrates under transition metal catalysis, have been employed for olefin difunctionalization. However, strategies for employing unactivated C-H bond functionalization to achieve alkene difunctionalization have rarely been explored. A possible solution to this challenge is the application of bulky ligands which enhances the reductive elimination pathway and inhibits β-hydride elimination to selectively yield difunctionalized alkene products. This feature article summarizes the utilization of unreactive C-H bonds in the Pd-catalyzed and ligand-enabled difunctionalization of alkenes.

Photochemical C-H acetalization of O-heterocycles utilizing phenylglyoxylic acid as the photoinitiator

A novel, mild, metal-free and easy-to-execute procedure for the C-H acetalization of O-heterocycles via visible light activation is presented, utilizing phenylglyoxylic acid as the photoinitiator. Biomass-derived O-heterocycles, like THF, can be employed, while primary, secondary alcohols and alcohols bearing a variety of functionalities were succesfully employed, affording the desired acetals in high yields. Facile acidic deprotection was also performed.

Organic synthesis with the most abundant transition metal–iron: from rust to multitasking catalysts

The promising aspects of iron in synthetic chemistry are being explored for three-four decades as a green and eco-friendly alternative to late transition metals. This present review unveils these rich iron-chemistry towards different transformations.

Copper-promoted cyanoalkylation/ring-expansion of vinylcyclopropanes with α-C-H bonds in alkylnitriles toward 3,4-dihydronaphthalenes

A copper-promoted oxidative cyanomethylation/ring-expansion of vinylcyclopropanes with α-C(sp3)-H bonds in alkyl nitriles is established for the generation of 1-cyanoethylated 3,4-dihydronaphthalenes. This cyanomethylation/ring-expansion involves a radical pathway and proceeds via cyanomethyl radical formation, radical addition and ring-expansion. This ring-expansion strategy offers a highly atom-economical route for the construction of nitrile-containing 3,4-dihydronaphthalenes, which can be transformed into other useful products under simple conditions.

tert-Butyl peroxybenzoate mediated formation of 3-alkylated quinolines from N-propargylamines via a cascade radical addition/cyclization reaction

A novel method for constructing 3-alkylated quinolines was developed via tert-butyl peroxybenzoate mediated cycloaddition between N-propargyl aromatic amines and ethers.

Copper-catalyzed α-C–H amidation of simple ethers through C(sp3)–H/N–H cross dehydrogenative coupling

An efficient copper-catalyzed α-C–H amidation of simple ethers with N-(8-quinolyl)amides through C(sp³)–H/N–H cross dehydrogenative coupling was developed.

Practical Synthesis of Chromeno[2,3-b]indole Skeleton via an Aldehyde Group Insertion/Aromatization Strategy

The synthesis of chromeno[2,3-b]indole from simple starting materials remains a demanding process. Herein, 2-bromoindole undergoes nucleophilic attack from salicylaldehyde, followed by intramolecular insertion of an aldehyde group and aromatization to generate the desired chromeno[2,3-b]indoles. Moreover, various functional groups were tolerated and a gram-scale synthesis of the product could be achieved under the optimized condition.

Synthesis of N-alkyl-3-sulfonylindoles and N-alkyl-3-sulfanylindoles by cascade annulation of 2-alkynyl-N,N-dialkylanilines

Divergent synthesis of N-alkyl-3-sulfonylindoles and N-alkyl-3-sulfanylindoles from 2-alkynyl-N,N-dialkylanilines and sulfonyl hydrazides has been described.

CuI-catalyzed oxidative cross coupling of oximes with tetrahydrofuran: a direct access to O-tetrahydrofuran-2-yl oxime ethers

A CuI-catalyzed oxidative cross coupling of oximes with tetrahydrofuran for the synthesis of O-tetrahydrofuran-2-yl oxime ethers has been developed.

Cross-dehydrogenative coupling for the intermolecular C-O bond formation

The present review summarizes primary publications on the cross-dehydrogenative C-O coupling, with special emphasis on the studies published after 2000. The starting compound, which donates a carbon atom for the formation of a new C-O bond, is called the CH-reagent or the C-reagent, and the compound, an oxygen atom of which is involved in the new bond, is called the OH-reagent or the O-reagent. Alcohols and carboxylic acids are most commonly used as O-reagents; hydroxylamine derivatives, hydroperoxides, and sulfonic acids are employed less often. The cross-dehydrogenative C-O coupling reactions are carried out using different C-reagents, such as compounds containing directing functional groups (amide, heteroaromatic, oxime, and so on) and compounds with activated C-H bonds (aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, ethers, amines, amides, compounds containing the benzyl, allyl, or propargyl moiety). An analysis of the published data showed that the principles at the basis of a particular cross-dehydrogenative C-O coupling reaction are dictated mainly by the nature of the C-reagent. Hence, in the present review the data are classified according to the structures of C-reagents, and, in the second place, according to the type of oxidative systems. Besides the typical cross-dehydrogenative coupling reactions of CH- and OH-reagents, closely related C-H activation processes involving intermolecular C-O bond formation are discussed: acyloxylation reactions with ArI(O2CR)2 reagents and generation of O-reagents in situ from C-reagents (methylarenes, aldehydes, etc.).

Oxidative C(sp3)–H functionalization of acetonitrile and alkanes with allylic alcohols under metal-free conditions

Direct oxidative C(sp³)–H functionalization of acetonitrile and alkanes with α,α-diaryl allylic alcohols has been developed.

A nickel-mediated oxidative α-C(sp3)–H functionalization of amides with allylic alcohols terminated by radical 1,2-aryl migration

A Ni-mediated oxidative C(sp³)–H functionalization of N,N-substituted amides with α,α-diaryl allylic alcohols through a radical 1,2-aryl migration process has been developed. This process features a broad substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance.