Hydrogen Isotope Exchange by Homogeneous Iridium Catalysis in Aqueous Buffers with Deuterium or Tritium Gas.

We have studied the highly selective homogeneous iridium-catalyzed hydrogen isotope exchange (HIE) with deuterium or tritium gas as an isotope source in water and buffers. With an improved water-soluble Kerr-type catalyst, we have achieved the first insight into applying HIE reactions in aqueous media with varying pH. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations gave consistent insights in the calculated energies of transition states and coordination complexes, further explaining the observed reactivity and guidance on the scope and limitations for HIE reactions in water. Finally, we successfully adapted these findings to tritium chemistry.

C-H Functionalization-Prediction of Selectivity in Iridium(I)-Catalyzed Hydrogen Isotope Exchange Competition Reactions.

An assessment of the C-H activation catalyst [(COD)Ir(IMes)(PPh3 )]PF6 (COD=1,5-cyclooctadiene, IMes=1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) in the deuteration of phenyl rings containing different functional directing groups is divulged. Competition experiments have revealed a clear order of the directing groups in the hydrogen isotope exchange (HIE) with an iridium (I) catalyst. Through DFT calculations the iridium-substrate coordination complex has been identified to be the main trigger for reactivity and selectivity in the competition situation with two or more directing groups. We postulate that the competition concept found in this HIE reaction can be used to explain regioselectivities in other transition-metal-catalyzed functionalization reactions of complex drug-type molecules as long as a C-H activation mechanism is involved.

Highlights of aliphatic C(sp3 )-H hydrogen isotope exchange reactions.

This review summarizes the highlights of aliphatic C (sp3 )-H carbon hydrogen isotope exchange (HIE) methods developed in the last 10 years. In particular, new highly selective and reactive protocols in the areas of nanoparticle and metal-catalyzed homogeneous catalysis are reported.

NHC-Stabilized Iridium Nanoparticles as Catalysts in Hydrogen Isotope Exchange Reactions of Anilines.

The preparation of N-heterocyclic carbene-stabilized iridium nanoparticles and their application in hydrogen isotope exchange reactions is reported. These air-stable and easy-to-handle iridium nanoparticles showed a unique catalytic activity, allowing selective and efficient hydrogen isotope incorporation on anilines using D2 or T2 as isotopic source. The usefulness of this transformation has been demonstrated by the deuterium and tritium labeling of diverse complex pharmaceuticals.

Comparison of Iridium(I) Catalysts in Temperature Mediated Hydrogen Isotope Exchange Reactions.

The reactivity and selectivity of iridium(I) catalysed hydrogen isotope exchange (HIE) reactions can be varied by using wide range of reaction temperatures. Herein, we have done a detailed comparison study with common iridium(I) catalysts (1-6) which will help us to understand and optimize the approaches of either high selectivity or maximum deuterium incorporation. We have demonstrated that the temperature window for these studied iridium(I) catalysts is surprisingly very broad. This principle was further proven in some HIE reactions on complex drug molecules.

Directed Iridium-Catalyzed Hydrogen Isotope Exchange Reactions of Phenylacetic Acid Esters and Amides.

For the first time, a catalytic protocol for a highly selective hydrogen isotope exchange (HIE) of phenylacetic acid esters and amides under very mild reaction conditions is reported. Using a homogeneous iridium catalyst supported by a bidentate phosphine-imidazolin-2-imine P,N ligand, the HIE reaction on a series of phenylacetic acid derivatives proceeds with high yields, high selectivity, and with deuterium incorporation up to 99 %. The method is fully adaptable to the specific requirements of tritium chemistry, and its effectiveness was demonstrated by direct tritium labeling of the fungicide benalaxyl and the drug camylofine. Further insights into the mechanism of the HIE reaction with catalyst 1 have been provided utilizing DFT calculations, NMR studies, and X-ray diffraction analysis.

Highly Selective Directed Iridium-Catalyzed Hydrogen Isotope Exchange Reactions of Aliphatic Amides.

For the first time, we describe highly selective homogeneous iridium-catalyzed hydrogen isotope exchange (HIE) of unactivated C(sp3 ) centers in aliphatic amides. When using the commercially available Kerr catalyst, the HIE with a series of common antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) linker side chains proceeds with high yields, high regioselectivity, and with deuterium incorporation up to 99 %. The method is fully translatable to the specific requirements of tritium chemistry and its effectiveness was demonstrated by direct tritium labelling of a maytansinoid. The scope of the method can be extended to simple amino acids, with high HIE activity observed for glycine and alanine. In di- and tripeptides, a very interesting protecting-group-dependent tunable selectivity was observed. DFT calculations gave insight into the energies of the transition states, thereby explaining the observed selectivity and the influence of the amino acid protecting groups.

Evaluation of a P,N-ligated iridium(I) catalyst in hydrogen isotope exchange reactions of aryl and heteroaryl compounds.

We have developed a novel and efficient iridium-catalyzed hydrogen isotope exchange reaction method with secondary and tertiary sulfonamides at ambient temperatures. Furthermore N-oxides and phosphonamides have been successfully applied in hydrogen isotope exchange reactions with moderate to excellent deuterium introduction.