skip to main content


Title: Access to unsaturated bicyclic lactones by overriding conventional C(sp3)–H site selectivity
Abstract

Transition metal catalysis plays a pivotal role in transforming unreactive C–H bonds. However, regioselective activation of distal aliphatic C–H bonds poses a tremendous challenge, particularly in the absence of directing templates. Activation of a methylene C–H bond in the presence of methyl C–H is underexplored. Here we show activation of a methylene C–H bond in the presence of methyl C–H bonds to form unsaturated bicyclic lactones. The protocol allows the reversal of the general selectivity in aliphatic C–H bond activation. Computational studies suggest that reversible C–H activation is followed by β-hydride elimination to generate the Pd-coordinated cycloalkene that undergoes stereoselective C–O cyclization, and subsequent β-hydride elimination to provide bicyclic unsaturated lactones. The broad generality of this reaction has been highlighted via dehydrogenative lactonization of mid to macro ring containing acids along with the C–H olefination reaction with olefin and allyl alcohol. The method substantially simplifies the synthesis of important bicyclic lactones that are important features of natural products as well as pharmacoactive molecules.

 
more » « less
Award ID(s):
2029932
PAR ID:
10553776
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
Nature publishing group
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Nature Chemistry
Volume:
15
Issue:
11
ISSN:
1755-4330
Page Range / eLocation ID:
1626 to 1635
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
More Like this
  1. We report the synthesis and reactivity of a model of [Fe]-hydrogenase derived from an anthracene-based scaffold that includes the endogenous, organometallic acyl(methylene) donor. In comparison to other non-scaffolded acyl-containing complexes, the complex described herein retains molecularly well-defined chemistry upon addition of multiple equivalents of exogenous base. Clean deprotonation of the acyl(methylene) C–H bond with a phenolate base results in the formation of a dimeric motif that contains a new Fe–C(methine) bond resulting from coordination of the deprotonated methylene unit to an adjacent iron center. This effective second carbanion in the ligand framework was demonstrated to drive heterolytic H 2 activation across the Fe( ii ) center. However, this process results in reductive elimination and liberation of the ligand to extrude a lower-valent Fe–carbonyl complex. Through a series of isotopic labelling experiments, structural characterization (XRD, XAS), and spectroscopic characterization (IR, NMR, EXAFS), a mechanistic pathway is presented for H 2 /hydride-induced loss of the organometallic acyl unit ( i.e. pyCH 2 –CO → pyCH 3 +CO). The known reduced hydride species [HFe(CO) 4 ] − and [HFe 3 (CO) 11 ] − have been observed as products by 1 H/ 2 H NMR and IR spectroscopies, as well as independent syntheses of PNP[HFe(CO) 4 ]. The former species ( i.e. [HFe(CO) 4 ] − ) is deduced to be the actual hydride transfer agent in the hydride transfer reaction (nominally catalyzed by the title compound) to a biomimetic substrate ([ Tol Im](BAr F ) = fluorinated imidazolium as hydride acceptor). This work provides mechanistic insight into the reasons for lack of functional biomimetic behavior (hydride transfer) in acyl(methylene)pyridine based mimics of [Fe]-hydrogenase. 
    more » « less
  2. Recent work by Wasserscheid, et al. suggests that PPh 4 + is an organic molecular ion of truly exceptional thermal stability. Herein we provide data that cements that conclusion: specifically, we show that aliphatic moieties of modified PPh 4 + -based cations incorporating methyl, methylene, or methine C–H bonds burn away at high temperatures in the presence of oxygen, forming CO, CO 2 , and water, leaving behind the parent ion PPh 4 + . The latter then undergoes no further reaction, at least below 425 °C. 
    more » « less
  3. Abstract

    Herein, we report the palladium‐catalyzed direct arylation of unactivated aliphatic C−H bonds in free primary amines. This method takes advantage of anexo‐imine‐type directing group (DG) that can be generated and removed in situ. A range of unprotected aliphatic amines are suitable substrates, undergoing site‐selective arylation at the γ‐position. Methyl as well as cyclic and acyclic methylene groups can be activated. Furthermore, when aniline‐derived substrates were used, preliminary success with δ‐C−H arylation was achieved. The feasibility of using the DG component in a catalytic fashion was also demonstrated.

     
    more » « less
  4. The transient directing group (TDG) strategy allowed long awaited access to the direct β-C(sp 3 )–H functionalization of unmasked aliphatic aldehydes via palladium catalysis. However, the current techniques are restricted to terminal methyl functionalization, limiting their structural scopes and applicability. Herein, we report the development of a direct Pd-catalyzed methylene β-C–H arylation of linear unmasked aldehydes by using 3-amino-3-methylbutanoic acid as a TDG and 2-pyridone as an external ligand. Density functional theory calculations provided insights into the reaction mechanism and shed light on the roles of the external and transient directing ligands in the catalytic transformation. 
    more » « less
  5. The crystal structures of 2,3,4,6-tetra- O -benzoyl-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-1,2,6-tri- O -benzoyl-β-D-glucopyranose ethyl acetate hemisolvate, C 61 H 50 O 18 ·0.5C 4 H 8 O 2 , and 1,2,4,6-tetra- O -benzoyl-β-D-glucopyranose acetone monosolvate, C 34 H 28 O 10 ·C 3 H 6 O, were determined and compared to those of methyl β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranoside (methyl β-lactoside) and methyl β-D-glucopyranoside hemihydrate, C 7 H 14 O 6 ·0.5H 2 O, to evaluate the effects of O -benzoylation on bond lengths, bond angles and torsion angles. In general, O -benzoylation exerts little effect on exo- and endocyclic C—C and endocyclic C—O bond lengths, but exocyclic C—O bonds involved in O -benzoylation are lengthened by 0.02–0.04 Å depending on the site of substitution. The conformation of the O -benzoyl side-chains is highly conserved, with the carbonyl O atom either eclipsing the H atom attached to a 2°-alcoholic C atom or bisecting the H—C—H bond angle of an 1°-alcoholic C atom. Of the three bonds that determine the side-chain geometry, the C—O bond involving the alcoholic C atom exhibits greater rotational variability than the remaining C—O and C—C bonds involving the carbonyl C atom. These findings are in good agreement with recent solution NMR studies of the O -acetyl side-chain conformation in saccharides. 
    more » « less