Activation of Remote meta-C–H Bonds Assisted by an “End-on” Template

By D. Leow, Gang Li, T. Mei, jin-quan yu. Nature, 2012

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Functionalization of unactivated carbon–hydrogen (C–H) single bonds is an efficient strategy for rapid generation of complex molecules from simpler ones. However, it is difficult to achieve selectivity when multiple inequivalent C–H bonds are present in the target molecule. The usual approach is to use σ-chelating directing groups, which lead to ortho-selectivity through the formation of a conformationally rigid six- or seven-membered cyclic pre-transition state. Despite the broad utility of this approach, proximity-driven reactivity prevents the activation of remote C–H bonds. Here we report a class of easily removable nitrile-containing templates that direct the activation of distal meta-C–H bonds (more than ten bonds away) of a tethered arene. We attribute this new mode of C–H activation to a weak ‘end-on’ interaction between the linear nitrile group and the metal centre. The ‘end-on’ coordination geometry relieves the strain of the cyclophane-like pre-transition state of the meta-C–H activation event. In addition, this template overrides the intrinsic electronic and steric biases as well as ortho-directing effects with two broadly useful classes of arene substrates (toluene derivatives and hydrocinnamic acids).

Subfields: Organic Chemistry

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