Recently, with the boosted development of radical chemistry, enantioselective functionalization of C(sp
)-H bonds via a radical pathway has witnessed a renaissance. In principle, two distinct ...catalytic modes, distinguished by the steps in which the stereochemistry is determined (the radical formation step or the radical functionalization step), can be devised. This Perspective discusses the state-of-the-art in the area of catalytic enantioselective C(sp
)-H functionalization involving radical intermediates as well as future challenges and opportunities.
A novel radical 1,2‐formylfunctionalization of alkenes involving 1,2(4,5)‐formyl migration triggered by addition of various carbon‐ and heteroatom‐centered radicals to alkenes has been developed for ...the first time, thus providing straightforward access to diverse β‐functionalized aldehydes with good efficiency, remarkable selectivity, and excellent functional group tolerance. Analogous transformations mediated by a keto‐carbonyl migration have also been effected under similar conditions. This method was used to access ring systems including various benzannulated nine‐, ten‐, and eleven‐membered rings, complex 6‐5(6,7)‐6(5) fused rings, and bridged rings with diverse functionalities.
The old 1,2: A novel 1,2‐formyl functionalization of unactivated alkenes involving formyl migration and addition of radicals to alkenes has been developed for access to synthetically important β‐functionalized aldehydes. The analogous keto‐carbonyl migration has been performed to synthesize challenging medium‐sized diketones, which were additionally transformed into complex fused rings.
Reported is a novel two‐step ring‐expansion strategy for expeditious synthesis of all ring sizes of synthetically challenging (hetero)aryl‐fused medium‐sized lactams from readily available ...5–8‐membered cyclic ketones. This step‐economic approach features a remote radical (hetero)aryl migration from C to N under visible‐light conditions. Broad substrate scope, good functional‐group tolerance, high efficiency, and mild reaction conditions make this procedure very attractive. In addition, this method also provides expedient access to 13–15‐membered macrolactams upon an additional one‐step manipulation. Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction involves an amidyl radical and is promoted by acid.
Growth rings: A two‐step ring‐expansion strategy for expedient synthesis of all ring sizes of synthetically challenging (hetero)aryl‐fused medium‐sized lactams from readily available 5–8‐membered cyclic ketones has been developed. The key step involves an uncommon remote radical (hetero)aryl migration from C to N by C−C bond cleavage under irradiation with visible light.
We describe a photoinduced copper‐catalyzed asymmetric radical decarboxylative alkynylation of bench‐stable N‐hydroxyphthalimide(NHP)‐type esters of racemic alkyl carboxylic acids with terminal ...alkynes, which provides a flexible platform for the construction of chiral C(sp3)−C(sp) bonds. Critical to the success of this process are not only the use of the copper catalyst as a dual photo‐ and cross‐coupling catalyst but also tuning of the NHP‐type esters to inhibit the facile homodimerization of the alkyl radical and terminal alkyne, respectively. Owing to the use of stable and easily available NHP‐type esters, the reaction features a broader substrate scope compared with reactions using the alkyl halide counterparts, covering (hetero)benzyl‐, allyl‐, and aminocarbonyl‐substituted carboxylic acid derivatives, and (hetero)aryl and alkyl as well as silyl alkynes, thus providing a vital complementary approach to the previously reported method.
Two in one: A photoinduced asymmetric radical decarboxylative alkynylation of bench‐stable racemic carboxylic acid derivatives with easily available terminal alkynes provides expedient access to diverse enantioenriched alkynes. The chiral copper catalyst serves as a dual photo‐ and cross‐coupling catalyst to achieve stereocontrol over the highly reactive prochiral alkyl radical intermediates.
Transition metal-catalyzed enantioselective Sonogashira-type oxidative C(sp
)-C(sp) coupling of unactivated C(sp
)-H bonds with terminal alkynes has remained a prominent challenge. The difficulties ...mainly stem from the regiocontrol in unactivated C(sp
)-H bond functionalization and the inhibition of readily occurring Glaser homocoupling of terminal alkynes. Here, we report a copper/chiral cinchona alkaloid-based N,N,P-ligand catalyst for asymmetric oxidative cross-coupling of unactivated C(sp
)-H bonds with terminal alkynes in a highly regio-, chemo-, and enantioselective manner. The use of N-fluoroamide as a mild oxidant is essential to site-selectively generate alkyl radical species while efficiently avoiding Glaser homocoupling. This reaction accommodates a range of (hetero)aryl and alkyl alkynes; (hetero)benzylic and propargylic C(sp
)-H bonds are all applicable. This process allows expedient access to chiral alkynyl amides/aldehydes. More importantly, it also provides a versatile tool for the construction of chiral C(sp
)-C(sp), C(sp
)-C(sp
), and C(sp
)-C(sp
) bonds when allied with follow-up transformations.
In contrast to the wealth of asymmetric transformations for generating central chirality from alkyl radicals, the enantiocontrol over the allenyl radicals for forging axial chirality represents an ...uncharted domain. The challenge arises from the unique elongated linear configuration of the allenyl radicals that necessitates the stereo‐differentiation of remote motifs away from the radical reaction site. We herein describe a copper‐catalyzed asymmetric radical 1,4‐carboalkynylation of 1,3‐enynes via the coupling of allenyl radicals with terminal alkynes, providing diverse synthetically challenging tetrasubstituted chiral allenes. A chiral N,N,P‐ligand is crucial for both the reaction initiation and the enantiocontrol over the highly reactive allenyl radicals. The reaction features a broad substrate scope, covering a variety of (hetero)aryl and alkyl alkynes and 1,3‐enynes as well as radical precursors with excellent functional group tolerance.
A copper‐catalyzed asymmetric radical 1,4‐carboalkynylation of 1,3‐enynes is realized, providing diverse tetrasubstituted chiral allenes. The utilization of the copper/chiral N,N,P‐ligand is crucial for the enantiocontrol over the allenyl radicals, which is difficult due to their elongated linear configuration that necessitates the stereo‐differentiation of remote motifs away from the reaction site.
The copper‐catalyzed enantioconvergent radical C(sp3)−C(sp2) cross‐coupling of tertiary α‐bromo‐β‐lactams with organoboronate esters could provide the synthetically valuable α‐quaternary β‐lactams. ...The challenge arises mainly from the construction of sterically congested quaternary stereocenters between the tertiary alkyl radicals and chiral copper(II) species. Herein, we describe our success in achieving such transformations through the utilization of a copper/hemilabile N,N,N‐ligand catalyst to forge the sterically congested chiral C(sp3)−C(sp2) bond via a single‐electron reduction/transmetalation/bond formation catalytic cycle. The synthetic potential of this approach is shown in the straightforward conversion of the corresponding products into many valuable building blocks. We hope that the developed catalytic cycle would open up new vistas for more enantioconvergent cross‐coupling reactions.
Copper‐catalyzed enantioconvergent radical C(sp3)−C(sp2) cross‐coupling of tertiary alkyl bromides with organoboronate esters is developed to access synthetically valuable α‐quaternary chiral β‐lactams. The success of this work relies on the utilization of chiral N,N,N‐ligands to forge the sterically congested C(sp3)−C(sp2) bonds.
The intermolecular asymmetric radical oxidative C(sp3)−C(sp) cross‐coupling of C(sp3)−H bonds with readily available terminal alkynes is a promising method to forge chiral C(sp3)−C(sp) bonds because ...of the high atom and step economy, but remains underexplored. Here, we report a copper‐catalyzed asymmetric C(sp3)−C(sp) cross‐coupling of (hetero)benzylic and (cyclic)allylic C−H bonds with terminal alkynes that occurs with high to excellent enantioselectivity. Critical to the success is the rational design of chiral oxazoline‐derived N,N,P(O)‐ligands that not only tolerate the strong oxidative conditions which are requisite for intermolecular hydrogen atom ion (HAA) processes but also induce the challenging enantiocontrol. Direct access to a range of synthetically useful chiral benzylic alkynes and 1,4‐enynes, high site‐selectivity among similar C(sp3)−H bonds, and facile synthesis of enantioenriched medicinally relevant compounds make this approach very attractive.
Chiral benzylic alkynes and 1,4‐enynes can be obtained in a straightforward approach from commercially available terminal alkynes and a diverse range of compounds containing benzylic and allylic C−H bonds by using the title reaction. The success of this approach lies in newly designed anionic N,N,P(O)‐ligands bearing a stable chiral oxazoline and a pentavalent phosphine oxide that are generated in situ.
Catalytic enantioselective hydroxylation of prochiral dihydrosilanes with water is expected to be a highly efficient way to access Si‐chiral silanols, yet has remained unknown up to date. Herein, we ...describe a strategy for realizing this reaction: using an alkyl bromide as a single‐electron transfer (SET) oxidant for invoking CuII species and chiral multidentate anionic N,N,P‐ligands for effective enantiocontrol. The reaction readily provides a broad range of Si‐chiral silanols with high enantioselectivity and excellent functional group compatibility. In addition, we manifest the synthetic potential by establishing two synthetic schemes for transforming the obtained products into Si‐chiral compounds with high structural diversity. Our preliminary mechanistic studies support a mechanism involving SET for recruiting chiral CuII species as the active catalyst and its subsequent σ‐metathesis with dihydrosilanes.
Copper(II)‐mediated σ‐metathesis with prochiral dihydrosilanes has been successfully leveraged to efficiently synthesize Si‐chiral silanols as well as many other related Si‐chiral skeletons. The reaction hinges on the continuous generation of catalytically active copper(II) species via single‐electron transfer oxidation of copper(I) by alkyl halides and the efficient stereocontrol with multidentate anionic N,N,P‐ligands.
A copper-catalyzed enantioconvergent Suzuki–Miyaura C(sp3)–C(sp2) cross-coupling of various racemic alkyl halides with organoboronate esters has been established in high enantioselectivity. ...Critical to the success is the use of a chiral cinchona alkaloid-derived N,N,P-ligand for not only enhancing the reducing capability of copper catalyst to favor a stereoablative radical pathway over a stereospecific SN2-type process but also providing an ideal chiral environment to achieve the challenging enantiocontrol over the highly reactive radical species. The reaction has a broad scope with respect to both coupling partners, covering aryl- and heteroarylboronate esters, as well as benzyl-, heterobenzyl-, and propargyl bromides and chlorides with good functional group compatibility. Thus, it provides expedient access toward a range of useful enantioenriched skeletons featuring chiral tertiary benzylic stereocenters.
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