Photo-Induced Ruthenium-Catalyzed C-H Benzylations and Allylations at Room Temperature.

The ruthenium-catalyzed synthesis of diarylmethane compounds was realized under exceedingly mild photoredox conditions without the use of exogenous photocatalysts. The versatility and robustness of the ruthenium-catalyzed C-H benzylation was reflected by an ample scope, including multifold C-H functionalizations, as well as transformable pyrazoles, imidates and sensitive nucleosides. Mechanistic studies were indicative of a photoactive cyclometalated ruthenium complex, which also enabled versatile C-H allylations.

Regiodivergent C-H and Decarboxylative C-C Alkylation by Ruthenium Catalysis: ortho versus meta Position-Selectivity.

Ruthenium(II)biscarboxylate complexes enabled the selective alkylation of C-H and C-C bonds at the ortho- or meta-position. ortho-C-H Alkylations were achieved with 4-, 5- as well as 6-membered halocycloalkanes. Furthermore, the judicious choice of the directing group allowed for a full control of ortho-/meta-selectivities.

Photo-Induced Ruthenium-Catalyzed C-H Arylations at Ambient Temperature.

Ambient temperature ruthenium-catalyzed C-H arylations were accomplished by visible light without additional photocatalysts. The robustness of the ruthenium-catalyzed C-H functionalization protocol was reflected by a broad range of sensitive functional groups and synthetically useful pyrazoles, triazoles and sensitive nucleosides and nucleotides, as well as multifold C-H functionalizations. Biscyclometalated ruthenium complexes were identified as the key intermediates in the photoredox ruthenium catalysis by detailed computational and experimental mechanistic analysis.

Visible-Light-Enabled Ruthenium-Catalyzed meta-C-H Alkylation at Room Temperature.

Visible-light-induced ruthenium catalysis has enabled remote C-H alkylations with excellent levels of position control under exceedingly mild conditions at room temperature. The metallaphotocatalysis occurred under exogenous-photosensitizer-free conditions and features an ample substrate scope. The robust nature of the photo-induced mild meta-C-H functionalization is reflected by the broad functional group tolerance, and the reaction can be carried out in an operationally simple manner, setting the stage for challenging secondary and tertiary meta-C-H alkylations by ruthenaphotoredox catalysis.

meta-C-H Bromination on Purine Bases by Heterogeneous Ruthenium Catalysis.

Methods for positionally selective remote C-H functionalizations are in high demand. Herein, we disclose the first heterogeneous ruthenium catalyst for meta-selective C-H functionalizations, which enabled remote halogenations with excellent site selectivity and ample scope. The versatile heterogeneous Ru@SiO catalyst was broadly applicable and could be easily recovered and reused, which set the stage for the direct fluorescent labeling of purines.

Stereoselective nucleophilic addition of PhSCF2 SiMe3 to chiral cyclic nitrones: asymmetric synthesis of gem-difluoromethylenated polyhydroxypyrrolizidines and -indolizidines.

Fluoride-catalyzed nucleophilic addition of a difluoro(phenylsulfanyl)methyl group ("PhSCF2 ") generated from PhSCF2 SiMe3 to nitrones was accomplished in satisfactory yields. High diastereoselectivities were observed with chiral polyoxygenated cyclic nitrones to provide the corresponding adducts, which were further manipulated to afford gem-difluoromethylenated polyhydroxypyrrolizidines and -indolizidines.