Modifying Positional Selectivity in C-H Functionalization Reactions with Nitrogen-Centered Radicals: Generalizable Approaches to 1,6-Hydrogen-Atom Transfer Processes.

Nitrogen-centered radicals are powerful reaction intermediates owing in part to their ability to guide position-selective C(sp3)-H functionalization reactions. Typically, these reactive species dictate the site of functionalization by preferentially engaging in 1,5-hydrogen-atom transfer (1,5-HAT) processes. Broadly relevant approaches to alter the site-selectivity of HAT pathways would be valuable because they could be paired with a variety of tactics to install diverse functional groups. Yet, until recently, there have been no generalizable strategies to modify the position-selectivity observed in these HAT processes. This Synpacts article reviews transformations in which nitrogen-centered radicals preferentially react through 1,6-HAT pathways. Specific attention will be focused on strategies that employ alcohol- and amine-anchored sulfamate esters and sulfamides as templates to achieve otherwise rare γ-selective functionalization reactions.

Photochemically-Mediated, Nickel-Catalyzed Synthesis of N-(Hetero)aryl Sulfamate Esters.

A general method is described for the coupling of (hetero)aryl bromides with O-alkyl sulfamate esters. The protocol relies on catalytic amounts of nickel and photoexcitable iridium complexes and proceeds under visible light irradiation at ambient temperature. This technology engages a broad range of simple and complex O-alkyl sulfamate ester substrates under mild conditions. Furthermore, it is possible to avoid undesirable N-alkylation, which was found to plague palladium-based protocols for N-arylation of O-alkyl sulfamate esters. These investigations represent the first use of sulfamate esters as nucleophiles in transition metal-catalyzed C-N coupling processes.

Sulfamate Esters Guide Selective Radical-Mediated Chlorination of Aliphatic C-H Bonds.

Masked alcohols are particularly appealing as directing groups because of the ubiquity of hydroxy groups in organic small molecules. Herein, we disclose a general strategy for aliphatic γ-C(sp3 )-H functionalization guided by a masked alcohol. Specifically, we determine that sulfamate ester derived nitrogen-centered radicals mediate 1,6-hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT) processes to guide γ-C(sp3 )-H chlorination. This reaction proceeds through a light-initiated radical chain-propagation process and is capable of installing chlorine atoms at primary, secondary, and tertiary centers.

Synthesis of N-Substituted Sulfamate Esters from Sulfamic Acid Salts by Activation with Triphenylphosphine Ditriflate.

A general approach to access sulfamate esters through preparation of sulfamic acid salts, subsequent activation with triphenylphosphine ditriflate, and nucleophilic trapping is disclosed. The method proceeds in modest to excellent yields to incorporate nucleophiles derived from aliphatic alcohols and phenols. This approach can be employed to furnish differentially substituted sulfamides.

Exhaustive Suzuki-Miyaura reactions of polyhalogenated heteroarenes with alkyl boronic pinacol esters.

A novel Suzuki-Miyaura protocol is described that enables the exhaustive alkylation of polychlorinated pyridines. This method facilitates a formal synthesis of normuscopyridine and the rapid assembly of a dumbbell shaped portion of a [2]rotaxane.

Selective and Serial Suzuki-Miyaura Reactions of Polychlorinated Aromatics with Alkyl Pinacol Boronic Esters.

Among cross-coupling reactions, the Suzuki-Miyaura transformation stands out because of its practical advantages, including the commercial availability and low toxicity of the required reagents, mild reaction conditions, and functional group compatibility. Nevertheless, few conditions can be used to cross-couple alkyl boronic acids or esters with aryl halides, especially 2-pyridyl halides. Herein, we describe two novel Suzuki-Miyaura protocols that enable selective conversion of polychlorinated aromatics, with a focus on reactions to convert 2,6-dichloropyridines to 2-chloro-6-alkylpyridines or 2-aryl-6-alkylpyridines.