Electrochemical Skeletal Indole Editing via Nitrogen Atom Insertion by Sustainable Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

Skeletal molecular editing gained considerable recent momentum and emerged as a uniquely powerful tool for late-stage diversifications. Thus far, superstoichiometric amounts of costly hypervalent iodine(III) reagents were largely required for skeletal indole editing. In contrast, we herein show that electricity enables sustainable nitrogen atom insertion reactions to give bio-relevant quinazoline scaffolds without stoichiometric chemical redox-waste product. The transition metal-free electro-editing was enabled by the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and proved robust on scale, while tolerating a variety of valuable functional groups.

Direct Synthesis of C4-Acyl Indoles via C-H Acylation.

The direct synthesis of C4-acyl indoles deprived of C2 and C3 substituents has proven to be challenging, with scarce efficient synthetic routes being reported. Herein, we disclose a highly site-selective palladium-catalyzed C-H acylation for the construction of C4-acyl indoles via a Catellani-Lautens cyclization strategy. In addition, we systematically studied the ortho C-H acylation mechanism of iodoaniline through density functional theory (DFT) calculations and combined experimental results to elucidate the principle of high chemoselectivity brought by triazine benzoate as an acylation reagent.

Template Synthesis to Solve the Unreachable Ortho C-H Functionalization Reaction of Aryl Iodide.

This report describes the use of a simple Pd/NBE catalytic system to achieve ortho C-H oxylation and phosphonylation and other functionalizations of aryl iodide through templated conversion reactions. Dimethylamine is introduced in the ortho-site of aryl iodide through C-H amination, and aryl dimethylamine is quickly converted to methyl quaternary ammonium salt precipitation. Methyl quaternary ammonium salt avoids Hofmann elimination in subsequent functionalization. This method solves various ortho functionalization reactions of aryl iodide that have not been achieved for a long time in the field of Pd/NBE chemistry indirectly.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Multisubstituted Alkenes via Ruthenium-Catalyzed Remote Migration Arylation of Nonactivated Olefins.

Polysubstituted alkenes are an important class of organic intermediates that widely exist in various natural products and drug molecules. Herein, we reported a stereoselective synthesis of multisubstituted alkenes via ruthenium-catalyzed remote migration arylation of nonactivated olefins. This strategy exhibited wide substrate suitability and excellent functional group tolerance. In addition, we demonstrated the indispensable role of two types of ruthenium through mechanism experiments.

Aryl-to-Vinyl 1,4-Nickel Migration/Reductive Cross-Coupling Reaction for the Stereoselective Synthesis of Multisubstituted Olefins.

The aryl-to-vinyl nickel 1,4-migration (1,4-Ni migration) reaction has been reported for the first time. The generated alkenyl Ni species undergo a reductive coupling reaction with unactivated brominated alkanes affording a series of trisubstituted olefins. This tandem reaction exhibits mild conditions, a broad substrate scope, high regioselectivity, and excellent Z/E stereoselectivity. A series of controlled experiments have shown that the critical 1,4-Ni migration process is reversible. In addition, the alkenyl nickel intermediates obtained after migration are highly Z/E stereoselective and do not undergo Z/E isomerization. The obtained trace isomerization products are caused by the instability of the product.

Synthesis of C-Aryl Glycosides by C-H Functionalization.

In recent years, the synthesis of C-aryl glycosides hrough C-H functionalization has attracted extensive attention of organic synthesis chemists due to its steps and atomic economy. In this concept, we systematically summarizes the synthesis of C-aryl glycosides with diverse regioselectivity and diastereoselectivity from the perspective of C-H arylation of glycosides and C-H glycosylation of arenes. It can be found that a series of recently developed C-H glycosylation reactions have higher site-selectivity and diastereomeric selectivity than Friedel-Crafts glycosylation reaction. The reaction conditions are milder, which can be compatible with acid-sensitive protective groups, such as acetals or ketals, and the deprotection is more convenient. It can be seen that there are few reports on remote C-H glycosylation of aromatic hydrocarbons, which is a new field and needs further research. In addition, C-H glycosylation has a lot of shortcomings, which need to be further explored: a) the precise regulation of stereoselectivity in the reaction process also needs further optimization; b) the research on the reaction mechanism is almost limited to DFT calculation, and there is no exact experimental evidence. For key parts, such as the specific reaction mechanism between cyclo-metal intermediates and glycosyl donors in ortho-CAr -H glycosylation is still unclear; c) due to the fact that aryl glycoside compounds contain bare hydroxyl groups in practical applications, it is an urgent problem to realize the compatibility of glycoside substrates containing naked hydroxyl groups or to remove the protective groups on hydroxyl groups by a mild and efficient method after the reaction; d) In this rapidly developing field, we need to study a greener, more economical and more practical C-H glycosylation of arenes in the future, which will be conducive to the synthesis of C-aryl glycosides with more biological application significance.

Synthesis of C4-Aminated Carbazoles and Their Derivatives via Pd/NBE Chemistry.

Carbazole, as one of the most important organic frameworks, has been used in optoelectronic materials and biochemistry. However, the synthesis of C4-substituted carbazole has always been an unsolved problem. This report describes the one-step synthesis of C4-aminated carbazoles and their derivatives through the series reaction of C-H amination and arylation. The substrate scope is wide. C4-Amino carbazoles substituted by C2, C6, C7, and C8 methyl groups, especially carbazole derivatives of fused rings, pyridine, and dibenzofuran, can be synthesized.

Site-selective coupling of remote C(sp3)-H/meta-C(sp2)-H bonds enabled by Ru/photoredox dual catalysis and mechanistic studies.

Construction of C(sp2)-C(sp3) bonds via regioselective coupling of C(sp2)-H/C(sp3)-H bonds is challenging due to the low reactivity and regioselectivity of C-H bonds. Here, a novel photoinduced Ru/photocatalyst-cocatalyzed regioselective cross-dehydrogenative coupling of dual remote C-H bonds, including inert γ-C(sp3)-H bonds in amides and meta-C(sp2)-H bonds in arenes, to construct meta-alkylated arenes has been accomplished. This metallaphotoredox-enabled site-selective coupling between remote inert C(sp3)-H bonds and meta-C(sp2)-H bonds is characterized by its unique site-selectivity, redox-neutral conditions, broad substrate scope and wide use of late-stage functionalization of bioactive molecules. Moreover, this reaction represents a novel case of regioselective cross-dehydrogenative coupling of unactivated alkanes and arenes via a new catalytic process and provides a new strategy for meta-functionalized arenes under mild reaction conditions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and control experiments explained the site-selectivity and the detailed mechanism of this reaction.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Stereo- and Site-Selective ortho- and meta-C-H Glycosylation and Mechanistic Studies.

C-aryl glycosides are popular basic skeletons in biochemistry and pharmaceutical chemistry. Herein, ruthenium-catalyzed highly stereo- and site-selective ortho- and meta-CAr -H glycosylation is described. A series of C-aryl pyranosides and furanosides were synthesized by this method. The strategy showed good substrate scope, and various N-heterocyclic directing groups were compatible with the reaction system. A mechanistic study suggested that the key pathway of ortho-CAr -H glycosylation might involve oxidative addition/reduction elimination, whereas aryl meta-C-H glycosylation was mediated by σ-activation. Density functional theory calculations also showed that the high stereoselectivity of meta-CAr -H glycosylation was due to steric hindrance.

Synthesis of C8-Aminated Pyrrolo-Phenanthridines or -Indoles via Series C(sp2 or sp3)-H Activation and Fluorescence Study.

This report developed a method for the synthesis of C8-aminated pyrrolo-phenanthridines or -indoles by series ortho C(sp2)-H amination/ipso C(sp2)-H or C(sp3)-H arylation. N-benzoyloxyamines, as electrophilic amination reagents, did not undergo an electrophilic substitution reaction with the pyrrole side, but they did undergo a site-selective C-H amination reaction with the benzene side via Pd/NBE catalysis. The C8-aminated pyrrolo-phenanthridines have strong fluorescence in solution and solid state. X-ray single crystal diffraction shows that the steric hindrance of amino and ortho benzene ring may inhibit aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ).

Three-Component Ruthenium-Catalyzed meta-C-H Alkylation of Phenol Derivatives.

Herein, we realized the multicomponent reactions of phenol derivatives via a six-membered cycloruthenated intermediate for the first time. This strategy exhibited good substrate suitability and functional group tolerance with various phenol derivatives and provided a potential synthetic drug approach. Mechanistic studies showed that a radical might be involved in this process. In addition, the meta alkylated phenol was obtained by further removal of the directing group.

Palladium-catalyzed C-H glycosylation and retro Diels-Alder tandem reaction via structurally modified norbornadienes (smNBDs).

This report describes palladium-catalyzed C-H glycosylation and retro Diels-Alder tandem reaction via structurally modified norbornadienes (smNBDs). smNBDs were proposed to regulate the reactivity of the aryl-norbornadiene-palladacycle (ANP), including its high chemoselectivity and regioselectivity, which were the key to constructing C2 and C3 unsubstituted C4-glycosidic indoles. The scope of this substrate is extensive; the halogenated six-membered and five-membered glycosides were applied to the reaction smoothly, and N-alkyl (primary, secondary and tertiary) C4-glycosidic indoles can also be obtained by this method. In terms of mechanism, the key ANP intermediates characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction and further controlled experiments proved that the migration-insertion of smNBDs with phenylpalladium intermediate endows them with high chemo- and regioselectivity. Finally, density functional theory (DFT) calculation further verified the rationality of the mechanism.

Palladium-Catalyzed C-H Amination/[2 + 3] or [2 + 4] Cyclization via C(sp3 or sp2)-H Activation.

This report describes a palladium-catalyzed Catellani reaction consisting of amination/[2 + 3] or [2 + 4] cyclization via a carboxylate ligand-exchange strategy. This method effectively activates ortho-substituents that avoid a second C-H palladation. The scope of substrates was broad, o-methyl-substituted iodoarenes were applied to the reaction smoothly, and o-phenyl-substituted iodoarenes can also be obtained by this method. In terms of mechanism, density functional theory calculations proved the sequence of the key five-membered aryl-norbornene-palladacycle intermediate formation and C(sp3 or sp2)-H activation.

Palladium-Catalyzed Synthesis of Tricyclic Indoles via a N-S Bond Cleavage Strategy.

In palladium/norbornene (Pd/NBE) chemistry, the "ortho effect" has been proven to be a key factor in the process of ß-carbon elimination to extrude NBE. Herein, we found that the o-iodoaniline protected by a p-methoxybenzenesulfonyl group can recover the "ortho effect" and then undergo N-S bond cleavage with vinyl palladium, thus achieving a highly selective C-N coupling reaction in the Catallani-Lautens reaction system. On the basis of this discovery, a one-step synthesis of highly functionalized tricyclic indole derivatives was realized.

Highly regioselective and stereoselective synthesis of C-Aryl glycosides via nickel-catalyzed ortho-C-H glycosylation of 8-aminoquinoline benzamides.

C-Aryl glycosides are of high value as drug candidates. Here a novel and cost-effective nickel catalyzed ortho-CAr-H glycosylation reaction with high regioselectivity and excellent α-selectivity is described. This method shows great functional group compatibility with various glycosides, showing its synthetic potential. Mechanistic studies indicate that C-H activation could be the rate-determining step.

Alkylation-Terminated Catellani Reactions by Cyclobutanol C-C Cleavage.

This report describes the first application of a cyclobutanol ring-opening procedure in the Catellani termination reaction, which includes two ß-carbon elimination processes. This tandem reaction features mild conditions, high yields, good functional group tolerance, and a broad substrate scope. Meanwhile, four types of electrophiles (N-benzoyloxyamines, alkyl iodides, aryl bromides, and benzyl chlorides) are quite compatible with this termination reaction for the construction of various types of polysubstituted aromatic hydrocarbons.

Synthesis of C4-Substituted Indoles via a Catellani and C-N Bond Activation Strategy.

This paper describes the case of a cross study between the C-N bond cleavage reaction field and the Catellani-Lautens reaction system. A series of highly functionalized C4-substituted indoles were synthesized using this strategy. By screening the alkyl groups of amines, the energy barrier of C-N bond cleavage reaction was reduced and the corresponding allenization products were avoided. Finally, the density functional theory calculation shows that the inert C-N bond activation reaction is not a concerted process; on the contrary, the coupling reaction first generates indole quaternary ammonium salt, and then C-N bond cleavage occurs via an SN2 process.

Three-component ruthenium-catalyzed remote C-H functionalization of 8-aminoquinoline amides.

Multicomponent reactions can efficiently construct complex molecular structures from simple precursors. Herein, a novel ruthenium-catalyzed three-component highly selective remote C-H functionalization of 8-aminoquinoline amides has been described. The reaction tolerates a wide range of functional groups, producing arylation/difluoroalkylation products of olefins with potential biological activity and pharmaceutical value. Radical scavenging and radical clock experiments show that a free radical process is involved and a H/D exchange experiment suggests that the reaction might involve ortho-C-H activation of the aromatic ring. A possible mechanism is proposed.

DMAP and PivOH-promoted amination/allenization reaction.

This report described the first DMAP and PivOH-promoted ortho-C-H amination and ipso-allenization reaction of iodobenzenes realized by Pd/norbornene cooperative catalysis. Based on control experiments and DFT calculations, we speculated that the three ligands have different functions and mechanism paths in the reaction.

Palladium-Catalyzed Amination/Dearomatization Reaction of Indoles and Benzofurans.

This report describes a palladium-catalyzed dearomatization and amination tandem reaction of 2,3-disubstituted indoles and benzofurans via the Catellani strategy. This reaction provides a new method for the construction of amino-substituted indoline-fused cyclic and benzofuran spiro compounds in good yields. The reaction has broad functional group compatibility and substrate scope.