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1. Radical cascade synthesis of azoles via tandem hydrogen atom transfer

   https://doi.org/10.1039/c9sc06239d  

   Chen, Andrew D.; Herbort, James H.; Wappes, Ethan A.; Nakafuku, Kohki M.; Mustafa, Darsheed N.; Nagib, David A. (March 2020, Chemical Science)

   null (Ed.)

   A radical cascade strategy for the modular synthesis of five-membered heteroarenes ( e.g. oxazoles, imidazoles) from feedstock reagents ( e.g. alcohols, amines, nitriles) has been developed. This double C–H oxidation is enabled by in situ generated imidate and acyloxy radicals, which afford regio- and chemo-selective β C–H bis-functionalization. The broad synthetic utility of this tandem hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) approach to access azoles is included, along with experiments and computations that provide insight into the selectivity and mechanism of both HAT events. 

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2. δ C–H (hetero)arylation via Cu-catalyzed radical relay

   https://doi.org/10.1039/c8sc04366c  

   Zhang, Zuxiao; Stateman, Leah M.; Nagib, David A. (January 2019, Chemical Science)

   null (Ed.)

   A Cu-catalyzed strategy has been developed that harnesses a radical relay mechanism to intercept a distal C-centered radical for C–C bond formation. This approach enables selective δ C–H (hetero)arylation of sulfonamides via intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) by an N-centered radical. The radical relay is both initiated and terminated by a Cu catalyst, which enables incorporation of arenes and heteroarenes by cross-coupling with boronic acids. The broad scope and utility of this catalytic method for δ C–H arylation is shown, along with mechanistic probes for selectivity of the HAT mechanism. A catalytic, asymmetric variant is also presented, as well as a method for accessing 1,1-diaryl-pyrrolidines via iterative δ C–H functionalizations. 

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3. A general strategy for C(sp3)–H functionalization with nucleophiles using methyl radical as a hydrogen atom abstractor

   https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-27165-z  

   Leibler, Isabelle Nathalie-Marie; Tekle-Smith, Makeda A.; Doyle, Abigail G. (December 2021, Nature Communications)

   Abstract Photoredox catalysis has provided many approaches to C(sp 3 )–H functionalization that enable selective oxidation and C(sp 3 )–C bond formation via the intermediacy of a carbon-centered radical. While highly enabling, functionalization of the carbon-centered radical is largely mediated by electrophilic reagents. Notably, nucleophilic reagents represent an abundant and practical reagent class, motivating the interest in developing a general C(sp 3 )–H functionalization strategy with nucleophiles. Here we describe a strategy that transforms C(sp 3 )–H bonds into carbocations via sequential hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) and oxidative radical-polar crossover. The resulting carbocation is functionalized by a variety of nucleophiles—including halides, water, alcohols, thiols, an electron-rich arene, and an azide—to effect diverse bond formations. Mechanistic studies indicate that HAT is mediated by methyl radical—a previously unexplored HAT agent with differing polarity to many of those used in photoredox catalysis—enabling new site-selectivity for late-stage C(sp 3 )–H functionalization. 

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4. Remote C–H Functionalization via Selective Hydrogen Atom Transfer

   https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0036-1591930  

   Stateman, Leah; Nakafuku, Kohki; Nagib, David (April 2018, Synthesis)

   The selective functionalization of remote C–H bonds via intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) is transformative for organic synthesis. This radical-mediated strategy provides access to novel reactivity that is complementary to closed-shell pathways. As modern methods for mild generation of radicals are continually developed, inherent selectivity paradigms of HAT mechanisms offer unparalleled opportunities for developing new strategies for C–H functionalization. This review outlines the history, recent advances, and mechanistic underpinnings of intramolecular HAT as a guide to addressing ongoing challenges in this arena. 1 Introduction 2 Nitrogen-Centered Radicals 2.1 sp3 N-Radical Initiation 2.2 sp2 N-Radical Initiation 3 Oxygen-Centered Radicals 3.1 Carbonyl Diradical Initiation 3.2 Alkoxy Radical Initiation 3.3 Non-alkoxy Radical Initiation 4 Carbon-Centered Radicals 4.1 sp2 C-Radical Initiation 4.2 sp3 C-Radical Initiation 5 Conclusion 

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5. Identification of key functionalization species in the Cp*Ir( iii )-catalyzed- ortho halogenation of benzamides

   https://doi.org/10.1039/d0dt00565g  

   Guzmán Santiago, Alexis J.; Brown, Caleb A.; Sommer, Roger D.; Ison, Elon A. (January 2020, Dalton Transactions)

   Cp*Ir( iii ) complexes have been shown to be effective for the halogenation of N , N -diisopropylbenzamides with N -halosuccinimide as a suitable halogen source. The optimized conditions for the iodination reaction consist of 0.5 mol% [Cp*IrCl 2 ] 2 in 1,2-dichloroethane at 60 °C for 1 h to form a variety of iodinated benzamides in high yields. Increasing the catalyst loading to 6 mol% and the time to 4 h enabled the bromination reaction of the same substrates. Reactivity was not observed for the chlorination of these substrates. A variety of functional groups on the para -position of the benzamide were well tolerated. Kinetic studies showed the reaction dependence is first order in iridium, positive order in benzamide, and zero order in N -iodosuccinimide. A KIE of 2.5 was obtained from an independent H/D kinetic isotope effect study. Computational studies (DFT-BP3PW91) indicate that a CMD mechanism is more likely than an oxidative addition pathway for the C–H bond activation step. The calculated functionalization step involves an Ir( v ) species that is the result of oxidative addition of acetate hypoiodite that is generated in situ from N -iodosuccinimide and acetic acid. 

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