Chlorine radicals readily activate C-H bonds, but the high reactivity of these intermediates precludes their use in regioselective C-H functionalization reactions. We demonstrate that the secondary coordination sphere of a metal complex can confine photoeliminated chlorine radicals and afford steric control over their reactivity. Specifically, a series of iron(III) chloride pyridinediimine complexes exhibit activity for photochemical C(sp(3))-H chlorination and bromination with selectivity for primary and secondary C-H bonds, overriding thermodynamic preference for weaker tertiary C-H bonds. Transient absorption spectroscopy reveals that Cl center dot remains confined through formation of a Cl center dot larene complex with aromatic groups on the pyridinediimine ligand. Furthermore, photocrystallography confirms that this selectivity arises from the generation of Cl center dot within the steric environment defined by the iron secondary coordination sphere.
more »
« less
Hydrogen‐Bonding as a Factor to Determine the Regioselectivity for Pd‐mediated C−H Activation of Pyridine
Abstract Direct and regioselective functionalization of pyridine is a topic of high scientific and technological importance. In spite of extensive efforts, the regioselective functionalization of pyridine still remains a significant challenge due to their low reactivity and presence of Lewis‐basic sp2nitrogen. Here, we studied the effect of hydrogen bonding interactions on the regiochemical outcome of Pd‐mediated C−H activation of pyridine by utilizing DFT calculations. We demonstrated that hydrogen bonding can act as a second independent factor to override the inherent regioselectivity of pyridine. This novel approach complements previously reported strategies, such as: (a) coordination of pyridine to transition metal center via its N‐center, (b) installation of directing group (DG) and then coordination of pyridine to the transition metal center via this DG (i. e. chelation assistant strategy), (c) protection of its nitrogen lone pair with N‐oxide or N‐imino groups or with Lewis acids, (d) the inherent positional reactivity of C−H bonds based on the electronic or steric properties of the substituents, and (e) by the identity of the oxidant used. We have also demonstrated that the oxidation state of the Pd catalyst has impact on the regiochemical outcome of the C−H activation step in pyridine. The implications of our study for regioselective C−H functionalization catalyst design of heteroarenes are twofold: It demonstrates (1) hydrogen bonding as a viable design principle, and (2) Pd(IV) as a catalyst for C−H functionalization.
more »
« less
- Award ID(s):
- 1700982
- PAR ID:
- 10256165
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- ChemCatChem
- Volume:
- 13
- Issue:
- 4
- ISSN:
- 1867-3880
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- p. 1201-1206
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
More Like this
-
-
Abstract Mono‐N‐protected amino acids (MPAAs) are increasingly common ligands in Pd‐catalyzed C−H functionalization reactions. Previous studies have shown how these ligands accelerate catalytic turnover by facilitating the C−H activation step. Here, it is shown that MPAA ligands exhibit a second property commonly associated with ligand‐accelerated catalysis: the ability to support catalytic turnover at substoichiometric ligand‐to‐metal ratios. This catalytic role of the MPAA ligand is characterized in stoichiometric C−H activation and catalytic C−H functionalization reactions. Palladacycle formation with substrates bearing carboxylate and pyridine directing groups exhibit a 50–100‐fold increase in rate when only 0.05 equivalents of MPAA are present relative to PdII. These and other mechanistic data indicate that facile exchange between MPAAs and anionic ligands coordinated to PdIIenables a single MPAA to support C−H activation at multiple PdIIcenters.more » « less
-
Abstract Activation of the dinitrogen triple bond is a crucial step in the overall fixation of atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms for industrial and biological applications. Current synthetic catalysts incorporate metal ions to facilitate the activation and cleavage of dinitrogen. The high price of metal‐based catalysts and the challenge of catalyst recovery during industrial catalytic processes has led to increasing interest in metal‐free catalysts. One step toward metal‐free catalysis is the use of frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs). In this study, we have examined 18 functionalized carbenes as FLPs to elucidate the influence of steric and electronic effects on the activation of dinitrogen. To test the effects of functionalization on dinitrogen activation, we have performed density functional theory (DFT), multireference, non and extended transition state‐natural orbital for chemical valence (ETS‐NOCV) calculations. Our results suggest that functional groups which introduce strong electron‐withdrawing effects and/or engage in extended π/π* systems lead to the lowering of the dissociation energy of the dinitrogen bond, which further contributes to greater nitrogen activation. We conjecture that these effects are due to enhanced back‐bonding capability of the p orbital of the carbene carbon atoms to the adjacent nitrogen atoms (increasing Lewis basicity of the carbene carbon atom) and enhanced stability of dissociated products. Our concluding remarks include opportunities to extend this activation study to explore the entire catalytic cycle with promising functionalized carbenes for experimental evaluation.more » « less
-
We report the synthesis, characterization and reactivity of an air-stable, well-defined acenaphthoimidazolylidene palladium–BIAN–NHC chloro dimer complex, [Pd(BIAN–IPr)(μ-Cl)Cl] 2 . This rapidly activating catalyst merges the reactive properties of palladium chloro dimers, [Pd(NHC)(μ-Cl)Cl] 2 , with the attractive structural features of the BIAN framework. [Pd(BIAN–IPr)(μ-Cl)Cl] 2 is the most reactive Pd( ii )–NHC precatalyst discovered to date undergoing fast activation under both an inert atmosphere and aerobic conditions. The catalyst features bulky-yet-flexible sterics that render the C–H substituents closer to the metal center in combination with rapid dissociation to monomers and strong σ-donor properties. [Pd(BIAN–IPr)(μ-Cl)Cl] 2 should be considered as a catalyst for reactions using well-defined Pd( ii )–NHCs.more » « less
-
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 Conclusionmore » « less