Annulative π-Extension by Cp*Co(III)-Catalyzed Ketone-Directed -Annulation: An Approach to Access Fused Arenes.

A masked-bay-region selective first-row transition-metal Cp*Co(III)-catalyzed annulative π-extension of arene-derived ketones is achieved to afford K-region-functionalized benzo[]pyrenes, benzotetraphenes, and pyrenes. Comprehensive density functional theory studies buttress the mechanistic pathway comprising key steps like -C-H activation, alkyne 1,2-migratory insertion, and nucleophilic attack toward ketone, this attack being the rate-determining step. In addition, π-conjugated 1,1'-bipyrenes, potential photocatalyst pyrene-quinones, and putative n-type semiconductor cyano group-containing dibenzo[,]tetracenes are also accessed.

Annulative π-Extension by Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Ketone-Directed C-H Activation: Rapid Access to Pyrenes and Related Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Annulative π-extension (APEX) reaction has become a powerful tool for the precise synthesis of well-defined polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as nanographene, graphene, and other PAHs possessing unique structure. Herein, an APEX reaction has been realized at the masked bay-region for the efficient and rapid synthesis of valuable PAH, pyrene, bearing substitutions at the most challenging K-region. Rh -catalyzed ketone-directed C-H activation at the peri-position of a naphthyl-derived ketone, alkyne-insertion, intramolecular nucleophilic attack at the carbonyl-group, dehydration, and aromatization steps occurred in one-pot to effectuate the protocol.

Cooperativity within the catalyst: alkoxyamide as a catalyst for bromocyclization and bromination of (hetero)aromatics.

Alkoxyamide has been reported as a catalyst for the activation of N-bromosuccinimide to perform bromocyclization and bromination of a wide range of substrates in a lipophilic solvent, where adequate suppression of the background reactions was observed. The key feature of the active site is the alkoxy group attached to the sulfonamide moiety, which facilitates the acceptance as well as the delivery of bromonium species from the bromine source to the substrates.

On-Water Cp*Ir(III)-Catalyzed C-H Functionalization for the Synthesis of Chromones through Annulation of Salicylaldehydes with Diazo-Ketones.

A high-valent Ir(III)-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization is carried out for the first time on water for the synthesis of a biologically relevant chromone moiety. The C-H activation and annulation of salicylaldehydes with diazo-compounds provided the desired chromones. The synthesis of C3-substitution-free chromones has also been demonstrated by a one-pot decarboxylation by employing tert-butyl diazoester.

Weakly Coordinating, Ketone-Directed (η -Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)cobalt(III)- and (η -Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)rhodium(III)-Catalyzed C-H Amidation of Arenes: A Route to Acridone Alkaloids.

The weakly coordinating, ketone-directed, regioselective monoamidation of aromatic ketones, chalcone, carbazole, and benzophenones was achieved by employing high-valent cobalt and rhodium catalysis to access numerous biologically important molecular building blocks. This amidation proceeded smoothly with a variety of ketones and several amidating partners. The application of the products in the synthesis of various heterocycles, including acridones, indoles, quinoline, quinolones, quinolinones, and quinazolines, was also explored.

Weakly Coordinating, Ketone-Directed Cp*Co(III)-Catalyzed C-H Allylation on Arenes and Indoles.

Weakly coordinating, ketone-directed, regioselective monoallylation of arenes and indoles is reported using a stable and cost-effective high-valent cobalt(III)-catalyst to access several important molecular building blocks. The allylation proceeds smoothly with a variety of substrates in the presence of various electron-rich and -deficient substituents. The method was applied to the formal synthesis of an ancisheynine alkaloid, a highly conjugated azatetracene, and isochroman.