Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed synthesis of trisubstituted furans via vinylic C-H bond activation.

We report an Rh(iii)-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of trisubstituted furan derivatives through C-H activation of α,β-unsaturated ketones with acrylates. The control study revealed that the Heck-type product obtained undergoes Paal-Knorr type cyclization in the presence of an Ag salt. Hence, the Ag salt plays a dual role of a halide scavenger and a Lewis acid catalyst for Paal-Knorr type cyclization.

Dual Role of the Rhodium(III) Catalyst in C-H Activation: [4 + 3] Annulation of Amide with Allylic Alcohols to 7-Membered Lactams.

[4 + 3] annulation of primary and secondary benzamide and cinnamamide derivatives using allyl alcohol as a coupling partner catalyzed by Rh(III) is reported, where Rh(III) is playing a dual role of an oxidant and a catalyst for C-H activation. The Rh-catalyst oxidizes allyl alcohol to its carbonyl derivative, and the in situ-generated carbonyl compound reacts with benzamide in the presence of the Rh-catalyst, forming the corresponding alkylated products. Mechanistic studies show that AgSbF is also playing a dual role.

Weak Coordinating Carbonyl-Directed Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed C-H Activation at the C4-Position of Indole with Allyl Alcohols.

A weakly coordinating carbonyl-directed coupling of allyl alcohols at the C-4 position of indole derivatives under the C-H activation conditions catalyzed by Rh(III) is reported. This results in alkylation at the C-4 position of indole derivatives exclusively. The obtained product forms a tricyclic derivative under aldol reaction conditions, which can be a potential precursor for synthesizing a few alkaloid molecules such as ergot, hapalindole alkaloids, and related heterocyclic compounds.

Weak Coordinating Carboxylate Directed Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed C-H Activation: Switchable Decarboxylative Heck-Type and [4 + 1] Annulation Reactions with Maleimides.

A weakly coordinating carboxylate directing group assisted C-H activation with maleimides leading to novel and switchable decarboxylative Heck-type and [4 + 1] annulation products catalyzed by Rh(III) has been reported. In these reactions, solvents play a vital role in switching the selectivity. An aprotic solvent, THF, leads to the decarboxylative Heck-type product while the protic solvent, TFE, results in the [4 + 1] annulation product.

Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed C-H activation at the C4-position of indole: switchable hydroarylation and oxidative Heck-type reactions of maleimides.

A Rh(iii)-catalyzed C-H activation of indole at the C4-position leading to novel and switchable functionalization has been reported by employing a weakly co-ordinating COCF3 group as a directing group. An additive plays an important role in switching the selectivity between 1,4-addition products and Heck-type products. An acid additive led to the formation of 1,4-addition products whereas a base additive promotes the formation of Heck-type products.