Monoselective o-C-H Functionalizations of Mandelic Acid and α-Phenylglycine.

Pd-catalyzed C-H functionalization of mandelic acid and α-phenylglycine is reported. We have developed different protocols for the arylation, iodination, acetoxylation, and olefination of these substrates based on two different (Pd(II)/Pd(IV) and Pd(II)/Pd(0)) catalytic cycles. Four crucial features of these protocols are advantageous for practical applications. First, the α-hydroxyl and amino groups are protected with simple protecting groups such as acetates (Ac, Piv) and carbamates (Boc, Fmoc), respectively. Second, these protocols do not involve installation and removal of a directing group. Third, monoselectivity is accomplished. Fourth, no epimerization occurs at the vulnerable α-chiral centers.

Cross-coupling of remote meta-C-H bonds directed by a U-shaped template.

meta-C-H arylation and methylation of 3-phenylpropanoic acid and phenolic derivatives were developed using an easily removable nitrile template. The combination of a weakly coordinating U-shaped template and mono-protected amino acid ligand was crucial for the cross-coupling of C-H bonds with organoborons.

Mechanistic investigations and substrate scope evaluation of ruthenium-catalyzed direct sp3 arylation of benzylic positions directed by 3-substituted pyridines.

A highly efficient direct arylation process of benzylic amines with arylboronates was developed that employs Ru catalysis. The arylation takes place with greatest efficiency at the benzylic sp(3) carbon. If the distance to the activating aryl ring is increased, arylation is still possible but the yield drops significantly. Efficiency of the CH activation was found to be significantly increased by use of 3-substituted pyridines as directing groups, which can be removed after the transformation in high yield. Calculation of the energy profile of different rotamers of the substrate revealed that presence of a substituent in the 3-position favors a conformation with the CH(2) group adopting a position in closer proximity to the directing group and facilitating C-H insertion. This operationally simple reaction can be carried out in argon atmosphere as well as in air and under neutral reaction conditions, displaying a remarkable functional group tolerance. Mechanistic studies were carried out and critically compared to mechanistic reports of related transformations.

Aryl Bromides and Aryl Chlorides for the Direct Arylation of Benzylic Amines Mediated by Ruthenium(II).

The ruthenium(II)-catalyzed sp3 C-H bond arylation of benzylic amines with aryl halides is reported. In the present method, aryl iodides and, more importantly, also the cheaper aryl bromides and aryl chlorides can be applied as aryl sources. Additionally, the method does not require elaborate manipulations in a glove box and can be carried out in simple screw cap vials. Potassium pivalate proved to be beneficial for the transformation with aryl bromides or iodides as aryl source, but was not required for aryl chlorides. In the latter case, the addition of PPh3 led to high conversion. 3-Methyl and 3-phenyl pyridine were established as directing groups, and the substituent in the 3-position represents a key structural feature for high conversion. The directing group can be cleaved after the transformation, which allows access to diarylmethylamines. Mechanistic studies were carried out and critically compared to mechanistic reports of related transformations.

Mechanistic and Kinetic Studies of the Direct Alkylation of Benzylic Amines: A Formal C(sp3)-H Activation Proceeds Actually via a C(sp2)-H Activation Pathway.

Mechanistic investigations of a Rh(I)-catalyzed direct C-H alkylation of benzylic amines with alkenes, formally an C(sp3)-H activation, reveal this reaction to proceed via imine intermediates and, hence, via C(sp2)-H activation. The reaction shows a primary kinetic isotope effect of 4.3 at the benzylic C-H position together with a reversible H-D exchange at the same position, which indicates that there are at least two distinct steps in which the corresponding C-H bonds are broken. The imine intermediates are shown to be converted to the final product under the reaction conditions, and a time course analysis of the alkylated imine intermediate shows that it is formed before the final amine product in the course of the reaction.

First selective direct mono-arylation of piperidines using ruthenium-catalyzed C-H activation.

ABSTRACT: A Ru-catalyzed mono-arylation in α-position of saturated cyclic amines is reported employing a C-H activation protocol. Substitution of the pyridine directing group with a bulky group, e.g., trifluoromethyl in the 3-position, proved to be crucial to avoid bis-arylation. This highly selective transformation can be performed with different amines and arylboronate esters. Additionally, the directing group can be cleaved, taking advantage of an unprecedented detrifluoromethylation reaction.

Ruthenium(0)-catalyzed sp3 C-H bond arylation of benzylic amines using arylboronates.

A Ru-catalyzed direct arylation of benzylic sp(3) carbons of acyclic amines with arylboronates is reported. This highly regioselective and efficient transformation can be performed with various combinations of N-(2-pyridyl) substituted benzylamines and arylboronates. Substitution of the pyridine directing group in the 3-position proved to be crucial in order to achieve high arylation yields. Furthermore, the pyridine directing group can be removed in high yields via a two-step protocol.

Ruthenium(II)-catalyzed sp3 C-H bond arylation of benzylic amines using aryl halides.

A ruthenium(II)-catalyzed protocol for the direct arylation of benzylic amines was developed. Employing 3-substituted pyridines as directing groups, arylation was achieved using aryl bromides or aryl iodides as the aryl source. Potassium pivalate proved to be an important additive in this transformation. The arylation took place selectively in the benzylic sp(3) position, and no significant competitive sp(2) arylation was observed. Arylated imines were observed as byproducts in minor amounts. Additionally, reaction conditions for cleaving the pyridine group were established, enabling access to bis-arylated methylamines.

Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Regioselective Ortho Arylation of sp(2) C-H Bonds of N-Aryl-2-amino Pyridine Derivatives.

The direct arylation of N-(2-pyridyl) substituted anilines is described. Arylation takes place in ortho position to the amine functionality and is directed by the pyridine N-substituent. Remarkably, N-arylation was never observed as a competing process even though conditions also suitable for Buchwald-Hartwig reactions were applied. The scope of the reaction was investigated in terms of aryl donors as well as the electronic nature of the substrate. Good yields were obtained for most examples through an operationally simple procedure, which did not require inert conditions or even glove box techniques. Pd(OAc)(2) was applied as a cheap catalyst and boronic acids as readily available aryl donors. To obtain full conversion, 1,4-benzoquinone and a silver salt (e.g., Ag(2)O) were required as additives and reacted at relatively mild temperatures (e.g., 80 °C). Additionally, the pyridine-directing group was cleaved after the reaction to give ortho-arylated aniline derivatives.