Palladium-Catalyzed Directed Carbon-Carbon Bond Activation of Aryl Nitriles for Cyano Transfer

Herein, we report the C-H cyanation of indoles via a palladium-catalyzed directed C-CN activation reaction using aryl nitrile as a cyano source. The employment of the phenoxy-oriented group is the key to the cleavage of the C-CN bond. This protocol features a broad substrate scope, good efficiency, and high regioselectivity. Furthermore, the practical application of this protocol was showcased in the late-stage functionalization and synthesis of indole derivatives, which were derived from drugs and natural products, through the process of cyanation.

Palladium-Catalyzed Deuteration of Arylketone Oxime Ethers

We report herein the development of palladium-catalyzed deacylative deuteration of arylketone oxime ethers. This protocol features excellent functional group tolerance, heterocyclic compatibility, and high deuterium incorporation levels. Regioselective deuteration of some biologically important drugs and natural products are showcased via Friedel-Crafts acylation and subsequent deacylative deuteration. Vicinal meta-C-H bond functionalization (including fluorination, arylation, and alkylation) and para-C-H bond deuteration of electro-rich arenes are realized by using the ketone as both directing group and leaving group, which is distinct from aryl halide in conventional dehalogenative deuteration.

Construction of Indole-Fused Seven- and Eight-Membered Azaheterocycles via a Tandem Pd/NBE-Catalyzed Decarbonylation and Dual C-H Activation Sequence

Herein, we report the transformation of aromatic acids to indole-fused seven- and eight-membered azaheterocycles. Two C-C bonds are formed via the cleavage of one C-C bond and two C-H bonds. The incorporation of indole moieties into bioactive pharmaceuticals and natural products to construct a medium-sized polyfused heterocycle demonstrates the synthetic utility of the protocol.

Construction of Chalcogenated Methylene Chroman-3-ones via Palladium-Catalyzed Carbocyclization

We report herein the synthesis of exo-chalcogenated methylene chroman-3-ones via palladium-catalyzed intramolecular acyl-chalcogenation of alkyne with thio- and selenoesters. Chalcogen containing tetrasubstituted alkenes are obtained stereoselectively. This protocol tolerates various functional groups and heterocycles, affording the chroman-3-one products in moderate-to-good yields.

Construction of polysubstituted pentafulvenes via palladium-catalyzed deacetylation of enones

Herein, we report an efficient synthetic method for polysubstituted pentafulvenes via palladium-catalyzed deacetylative [2+2+1] annulation of enones with alkynes. Aryl-, alkenyl-, and alkyl-substituted α,β-enones were suitable substrates, affording the pentafulvene products in moderate to good yields. This protocol shows excellent compatibility with sensitive halides, free hydroxyl groups, and heterocycles. One-pot gram-scale synthesis and further applications in the late-stage modification of natural products demonstrate the synthetic utility of this method.

Construction of C(sp2)-Si Bonds via Ligand-Promoted C-C Bonds Cleavage of Unstrained Ketones

Herein, we report an efficient palladium-catalyzed silylation of aryl and alkenyl ketones via C-C bond cleavage and C-Si bond formation. This protocol features high efficiency and broad substrate scope. Further applications in the late-stage diversification of biologically important molecules demonstrate the synthetic utility of this method.

Homologation of aryl ketones to long-chain ketones and aldehydes via C-C bond cleavage

Transition metal-catalyzed C-C bond cleavage is a powerful tool for the reconstruction of a molecular skeleton. We report herein the multi-carbon homologation of aryl ketones to long-chain ketones and aldehydes via ligand-promoted Ar-C(O) bond cleavage and subsequent cross coupling with alkenols. Various (hetero)aryl ketones are compatible in the reaction, affording the corresponding products wtih good to excellent yields with high regioselectivity. Further applications in the late-stage diversification of biologically important molecules demonstrate the synthetic utility of this protocol. Mechanistic studies indicate that the ligand plays an important role in both C-C bond cleavage and the asymmetric migration-insertion process.

Palladium-Catalyzed Alkynylation of Enones with Alkynylsilanes via C-C Bond Activation

We report herein the synthesis of 1,3-enynes via palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling between enone derivatives and alkynylsilanes. The employment of an appropriate pyridine-oxazoline ligand is the key to the C-C cleavage and the high E/Z stereoselectivity. This protocol features broad substrate scope and wide functional-group tolerance, affording the desired products in moderate-to-good yields. Late-stage diversification of natural product β-ionone further demonstrated the synthetic utility of this protocol.

Rhodium-Catalyzed C–H Activation of Indoles for the Construction of Spiroindole Scaffolds

Spiroindoles are key scaffolds in a large number of natural products, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals. Selective C–H activation has emerged as a powerful synthetic approach to streamline the synthesis of substituted spiroindoles. To date, various 2- and 3-indolyl-tethered aza-spiro-centers have been successfully achieved via C–H activation. However, introduction of spiro-containing systems onto the benzenoid core of indole still remains challenging. Herein, a method of Rh(III)-catalyzed selective C7-H activation/cyclization of indole with maleimide to afford novel spiroindole derivatives is reported, which incorporate both succinimide and spirocycle into indole unit. Gram-scale synthesis demonstrates the utility of this protocol, further modification via click chemistry offered a novel scaffold as a versatile spiro linker.

Palladium/Norbornene-Catalyzed Decarbonylative Difunctionalization of Thioesters

The transition-metal-catalyzed decarboxylation of aryl carboxylic acids has drawn significant attention as an efficient and practical tool for the synthesis of substituted arenes. However, the decarboxylative construction of polysubstituted arenes with different contiguous substituents has not been widely reported. Herein, we describe a novel decarbonylative Catellani reaction via palladium-catalyzed, norbornene (NBE)-mediated polyfunctionalization of aromatic thioesters, which serve as readily available carboxylic acid derivatives. A variety of alkenyl, alkyl, aryl, and sulfur moieties could be conveniently introduced into the ipso-positions of the aromatic thioesters. By combining carboxyl-directed C-H functionalization and the classical Catellani reaction, our protocol allows for the construction of 1,2,3-trisubstituted and 1,2,3,4-tetrasubstituted arenes from simple aromatic acids. Furthermore, the late-stage functionalization of a series of drug molecules highlights the potential utility of the reaction.

Copper-Mediated ortho-C-H Amination Using DMF as the Amine Source

We report herein a copper-mediated ortho-C-H amination of anilines using oxalamide as the directing group and DMF as the amination reagent. This protocol tolerates various functional groups and shows good heterocyclic compatibility. Late-stage dimethylamination of drugs demonstrated the synthetic practicality of the protocol. Mechanistic experiments indicate that a radical pathway may be involved in the reaction.

Arylketones as Aryl Donors in Palladium-Catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura Couplings

Herein, we report the arylation, alkylation, and alkenylation of aryl ketones via a palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction. The use of the pyridine-oxazoline ligand is the key to the cleavage of the unstrained C-C bond. The late-stage arylation of aryl ketones derived from drugs and natural products demonstrated the synthetic utility of this protocol.

C3-Arylation of indoles with aryl ketones via C-C/C-H activations

C3-Arylation of indoles with aryl ketones is accomplished via palladium-catalyzed ligand-promoted Ar-C(O) cleavage and subsequent C-H arylation of indole. Various (hetero)aryl ketones are compatible in this reaction, affording the corresponding 3-arylindoles in moderate to good yields. Further introduction of an indole moiety into the natural products desoxyestrone and evodiamine demonstrate the synthetic utility of this protocol.

Construction of 2-alkynyl aza-spiro[4,5]indole scaffolds via sequential C-H activations for modular click chemistry libraries

Herein, we have developed a strategy of sequential C-H activations of indole to construct novel 2-alkynyl aza-spiro[4,5]indole scaffolds, which incorporated both alkyne and spiro-units into indole. Gram-scale synthesis and a one-pot, three-step synthesis demonstrated the utility of this protocol. Hybrid conjugates with an oseltamivir derivative further offered a powerful tool for the construction of a versatile spiroindole-containing library via click chemistry.

Pd-Catalyzed Asymmetric Acyl-Carbamoylation of an Alkene to Construct an α-Quaternary Chiral Cycloketone

Herein, we report the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric acyl-carbamoylation of an alkene by employing thioesters as the acyl electrophiles and t-BuNC as the carbamoyl reagent, affording an α-quaternary chiral cycloketone in synthetically useful yields with excellent enantioselectivity. The reaction proceeded via asymmetric 1,2-migratory insertions of acyl-Pd into alkenes and subsequent migratory insertion of isocyanides into C(sp³)-Pd^II. The product could be diversified to some valuable skeletons with retention of enantiopurity, demonstrating the synthetic utility of this protocol.

Mizoroki-Heck Reaction of Unstrained Aryl Ketones via Ligand-Promoted C-C Bond Olefination

Mizoroki-Heck reaction of unstrained aryl ketone with acrylate/styrene is accomplished via palladium-catalyzed ligand-promoted C-C bond cleavage. Various (hetero)aryl ketones are compatible in the reaction, affording the alkene product in good to excellent yields. Further applications in the late-stage olefination of some drugs, natural products, and fragrance-derived aryl ketones demonstrate the synthetic utility of this protocol. By employing ketone as both the directing group and the leaving group, 1,2-bifunctionalization is achieved via sequential ortho-C-H alkylation/ipso-Heck olefination.

Pd-Catalyzed Asymmetric Dearomatization of Indoles via Decarbonylative Heck-Type Reaction of Thioesters

We report herein a palladium-catalyzed ligand-promoted asymmetric dearomatization of indoles via the decarbonylation of thioesters and the subsequent reductive Heck reaction. This protocol provides a facile and efficient way to construct an aza-quaternary stereocenter at the C2 position of indolines. A variety of functional groups and substitutions could be well tolerated, affording the substituted indolines with high enantioselectivities.

Synthesis of Axially Chiral Olefin-Oxazoline Ligands via Pd-Catalyzed Multiple C-H Functionalization

We report herein the Pd-catalyzed oxazoline-directed C-H olefination of the N-arylindole skeleton, affording two diastereomers of axially chiral olefin-oxazoline ligands in a one-step procedure. Modifications at the 3- and 3'-positions were facilely achieved via electrophilic substitution of the indole fragment and subsequent oxazoline-directed C-H amidation or olefination of the arene fragment.

Transformations of Aryl Ketones via Ligand-Promoted C-C Bond Activation

The coupling of aromatic electrophiles (aryl halides, aryl ethers, aryl acids, aryl nitriles etc.) with nucleophiles is a core methodology for the synthesis of aryl compounds. Transformations of aryl ketones in an analogous manner via carbon-carbon bond activation could greatly expand the toolbox for the synthesis of aryl compounds due to the abundance of aryl ketones. An exploratory study of this approach is typically based on carbon-carbon cleavage triggered by ring-strain release and chelation assistance, and the products are also limited to a specific structural motif. Here we report a ligand-promoted β-carbon elimination strategy to activate the carbon-carbon bonds, which results in a range of transformations of aryl ketones, leading to useful aryl borates, and also to biaryls, aryl nitriles, and aryl alkenes. The use of a pyridine-oxazoline ligand is crucial for this catalytic transformation. A gram-scale borylation reaction of an aryl ketone via a simple one-pot operation is reported. The potential utility of this strategy is also demonstrated by the late-stage diversification of drug molecules probenecid, adapalene, and desoxyestrone, the fragrance tonalid as well as the natural product apocynin.

Copper-Catalyzed Oxalamide-Directed ortho-C-H Amination of Anilines with Alkylamines

A copper-catalyzed oxalamide-directed ortho-C-H amination of anilines has been developed by using 1 atm of air as the sole oxidant. The protocol shows excellent functional group tolerance, and some heterocyclic amines including indole, benzothiophene, benzothiazole, quinoline, isoquinoline, and quinoxaline could be compatible in the reaction. The late-stage diversification of medicinal drugs demonstrates the synthetic utility of this protocol.

Palladium-Catalyzed, Copper(I)-Promoted Methoxycarbonylation of Arylboronic Acids with O-Methyl S-Aryl Thiocarbonates

Here, we report O-methyl S-aryl thiocarbonates as a versatile esterification reagent for palladium-catalyzed methoxycarbonylation of arylboronic acid in the presence of copper(I) thiophene-2-carboxylate (CuTC). The reaction condition is mild, and a variety of substituents including sensitive -Cl, -Br, and free -NH₂ could be tolerated. Further applications in the late-stage esterification of some pharmaceutical drugs demonstrate the broad utility of this method.

Copper mediated C(sp2)-H amination and hydroxylation of phosphinamides

Copper mediated C(sp2)-H amination and hydroxylation of arylphosphinic acid are accomplished by adopting phosphinamide as the directing group. This method is distinguished by its wide substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance, thus allowing for the rapid preparation of organophosphorus compounds in organic synthesis.

Palladium-Catalyzed Remote meta-C-H Bond Deuteration of Arenes Using a Pyridine Template

Palladium-catalyzed meta-selective C-H deuteration of a series of substrates, including phenylacetic acids, hydrocinnamic acid, benzylphosphonate, benzylsulfonate, and benzyl and phenyl ethyl alcohol ester, is developed by using a pyridine-based directing template. The template is installed into the substrate through a practical ester linkage. Under mild reaction conditions, a variety of phenylacetic acids containing alkyl, methoxyl, and halo substituents are compatible in the reaction, resulting in high levels of D-incorporation at the meta position.

Copper mediated C-H amination with oximes: en route to primary anilines

Here we report an efficient Cu(i)-mediated C-H amination reaction with oximes as amino donors to introduce NH2 groups directly. Various strongly coordinating heterocycles including quinoline, pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyrazole and triazole were tolerated well. The potential utility was further demonstrated in a late-stage modification of telmisartan (an antagonist for the angiotensin II receptor).

Ligand-enabled ortho-C-H olefination of phenylacetic amides with unactivated alkenes

Although chelation-assisted C-H olefination has been intensely investigated, Pd(ii)-catalyzed C-H olefination reactions are largely restricted to acrylates and styrenes. Here we report a quinoline-derived ligand that enables the Pd(ii)-catalyzed olefination of the C(sp2)-H bond with simple aliphatic alkenes using a weakly coordinating monodentate amide auxiliary. Oxygen is used as the terminal oxidant with catalytic copper as the co-oxidant. A variety of functional groups in the aliphatic alkenes are tolerated. Upon hydrogenation, the ortho-alkylated product can be accessed. The utility of this reaction is also demonstrated by the late-stage diversification of drug molecules.

Rapid Syntheses of Heteroaryl-Substituted Imidazo[1,5-a]indole and Pyrrolo[1,2-c]imidazole via Aerobic C2-H Functionalizations

Here we report an aerobic Pd(0) catalyzed C2-H functionalization of indoles and pyrroles with tethered N-methoxylamide as the directing group. A Pd(0)-initiated mechanism overcomes the directing or poisoning effect from a wide range of heterocycles including pyridine, pyrimidine, and thiazole. The imidazo[1,5-a]indole products are transformed to bioactive analogs after one-step manipulations, demonstrating the potential utility of this reaction in drug discovery.

Copper-Mediated Late-Stage Functionalization of Heterocycle-Containing Molecules

One long-standing issue in directed C-H functionalization is that either nitrogen or sulfur atoms present in heterocyclic substrates may bind preferentially to a transition-metal catalyst rather than to the desired directing group. This competitive binding has largely hindered the application of C-H functionalization in late-stage heterocycle drug discovery. Reported here is the use of an oxazoline-based directing group capable of overriding the poisoning effect of a wide range of heterocycle substrates. The potential use of this directing group in pharmaceutical drug discovery is illustrated by diversification of Telmisartan (an antagonist for the angiotensin II receptor) through copper-mediated C-H amination, hydroxylation, thiolation, arylation, and trifluoromethylation.

Identification of monodentate oxazoline as a ligand for copper-promoted ortho-C-H hydroxylation and amination

The use of a weakly coordinating monodentate directing group for copper mediated ortho-hydroxylation and amination reactions allows for the identification of an external oxazoline ligand as a promoter.

Ligand-Promoted Borylation of C(sp(3))-H Bonds with Palladium(II) Catalysts

A quinoline-based ligand effectively promotes the palladium-catalyzed borylation of C(sp(3))-H bonds. Primary β-C(sp(3))-H bonds in carboxylic acid derivatives as well as secondary C(sp(3))-H bonds in a variety of carbocyclic rings, including cyclopropanes, cyclobutanes, cyclopentanes, cyclohexanes, and cycloheptanes, can thus be borylated. This directed borylation method complements existing iridium(I)- and rhodium(I)-catalyzed C-H borylation reactions in terms of scope and operational conditions.

Cu(II)-Mediated C(sp(2))-H Hydroxylation

A Cu(II)-mediated ortho-C-H hydroxylation using a removable directing group has been developed. The reaction exhibits considerable functional group tolerance. The use of O2 as an oxidant is crucial for the reactivity. Water is also found to significantly improve this reaction.

Cu(II)-catalyzed coupling of aromatic C-H bonds with malonates

A new Cu(II)-catalyzed oxidative coupling of arenes with malonates has been developed using an amide-oxazoline directing group. The reaction proceeds via C(sp(2))-H activation and malonate coupling, followed by intramolecular oxidative N-C bond formation. A variety of arenes bearing different substituents are shown to be compatible with this reaction.

Cu(OAc)2-catalyzed coupling of aromatic C-H bonds with arylboron reagents

Cu-catalyzed coupling of aryl C-H bonds with arylboron reagents was accomplished using a readily removable directing group, which provides a useful method for the synthesis of biaryl compounds. The distinct transmetalation step in this Cu-catalyzed C-H coupling with aryl borons provides unique evidence for the formation of an aryl cupperate intermediate.

Cu(II)-mediated ortho C-H alkynylation of (hetero)arenes with terminal alkynes

Cu(II)-promoted ortho alkynylation of arenes and heteroarenes with terminal alkynes has been developed to prepare aryl alkynes. A variety of arenes and terminal alkynes bearing different substituents are compatible with this reaction, thus providing an alternative disconnection to Sonogashira coupling.

Exceedingly fast copper(II)-promoted ortho C-H trifluoromethylation of arenes using TMSCF₃

The direct ortho-trifluoromethylation of arenes, including heteroarenes, with TMSCF3 has been accomplished by a copper(II)-promoted C-H activation reaction which completes within 30 minutes. Mechanistic investigations are consistent with the involvement of C-H activation, rather than a simple electrophilic aromatic substitution (SE Ar), as the key step.