Suman Dana

Ruthenium(II)-Catalyzed ortho-C-H Chalcogenation of Benzoic Acids via Weak O-Coordination: Synthesis of Chalcogenoxanthones

A general protocol for direct chalcogenation of inert C-H bonds of (hetero)aromatic carboxylic acids is developed with a ruthenium(II) catalyst using readily available starting materials, offering densely substituted ortho-chalcogenyl aromatic acids in high yields (up to 96%). The strategy avoids the installation of an external directing group, use of metallic oxidants, and features operational simplicity with ample substrate scope. Synthetic application en route to biologically important chalcogenoxanthones is also demonstrated. This work represents the first example of ruthenium(II)-catalyzed direct C-H chalcogenation of benzoic acids.

Ruthenium(II)-Catalyzed Hydroarylation of Maleimides Using Carboxylic Acids as a Traceless Directing Group

An efficient Ru(II)-catalyzed hydroarylation of maleimides with ready-stock aryl carboxylic acids has been developed based on weak carboxylate-directed ortho-C-H alkylation and concomitant decarboxylation processes, fabricating 3-aryl succinimides, a recurrent scaffold in drug molecules, in high yields (up to 97%). The protocol features operational simplicity, avoids the need for precious metal additives/oxidants, and offers broad substrate scope with formal meta- and para-selectivities. It represents the first example of Ru(II)-catalyzed direct arylation of maleimides with unbiased benzoic acids.

Ru(II)-Catalyzed C–H Functionalization on Maleimides with Electrophiles: A Demonstration of Umpolung Strategy

The unconventional nucleophilic reactivity of maleimides, innate electrophiles, has been realized under Ru(II)-catalysis such that exposure to electrophiles delivered products of C-H chalcogenation and amidation in good yields (up to 94%). This protocol features mild conditions and operational simplicity with broad substrate scope, uses an inexpensive and air-stable catalyst, and also represents the first example of Ru(II) catalyzed C-H selenylation of alkenes.

Ru(II)-Catalyzed Oxidative Heck-Type Olefination of Aromatic Carboxylic Acids with Styrenes through Carboxylate-Assisted C–H Bond Activation

A straightforward synthesis of 2-styrylbenzoic acids from aryl carboxylic acids is disclosed through a carboxylate-assisted coupling under Ru(II) catalysis. This protocol is simple and exhibits broad scope with high tolerance of common organic functional groups, providing good to excellent yields of diverse olefinated products. The efficacy of this protocol has been showcased through sequential syntheses of isochromanone, isocoumarin, and formal synthesis of anacardic acid derivative in good yields.

Directed C–H Bond Functionalization: A Unified Approach to Formal Syntheses of Amorfrutin A, Cajaninstilbene Acid, Hydrangenol, and Macrophyllol

Formal syntheses of natural products amorfrutin A, cajaninstilbene acid, hydrangenol, and macrophyllol have been accomplished on the basis of successive C-H bond functionalization of ready-stock benzoic acids. This concise strategy involves transition-metal-catalyzed directed C-H olefination, C-H hydroxylation, and acid-mediated C-H prenylation as key steps.

A Cross‐Dehydrogenative Annulation Strategy towards Synthesis of Polyfluorinated Phenanthridinones with Copper

The first cross-dehydrogenative annulation of (hetero)aromatic amides with polyfluoro(hetero)arenes is presented. This operationally simple oxidative annulation process is mediated by inexpensive copper salt, accommodates a wide range of substrates with exquisite chemo- and regioselectivity profile, and produces demanding polyfluorinated phenanthridinones in high yields (up to 92 %). Using alkenyl amides under identical conditions, the synthesis of polyfluorinated 2-quinolones has also been accomplished. Given the importance of fluorinated heterocycles in the pharmaceutical industry and drug discovery, this work is highly significant.