Coronenediimide (CDI) derivatives have a planar structure, a reasonably high electron affinity, and a rigid and extended delocalized π-system. Therefore, this core and variants thereof may be promising building blocks for the synthesis of electron transport materials. Herein, we have synthesized thiazole-semicoronenediimides (TsCDIs) and -coronenediimides (TCDIs) by a two-step process from a perylenediimide (PDI) precursor. Conditions for C–H arylation and heteroarylation of the thiazole moiety of this core were developed and were successfully used for the synthesis of dimer, triad, and polymeric materials. The optical and electrochemical properties of these materials and their monomers were examined as a function of side-chain modification and π-extension. With their broad optical absorption and low reduction potentials, these materials could be candidates as organic semiconductors for applications in OFETs and as nonfullerene acceptors.

Mattogrossine is an indole alkaloid isolated from Strychnos mattogrossensis that contains an unusual tetrahydrofuran ring with a concomitant hemiacetal in its structure. While tetrahydrofuran intermediates have been used in the synthesis of other strychnos alkaloids, no investigations have been performed into the synthesis of alkaloids containing this structure. We have developed an oxocarbenium-ion-initiated cascade annulation that provides us access to the ABCD ring structure of mattogrossine.

AbstractA method for catalytic intermolecular allylic C−H amination of trans-disubstituted olefins is reported. The reaction is efficient for a range of common nitrogen nucleophiles bearing one electron-withdrawing group, and proceeds under mild reaction conditions. Good levels of regioselectivity are observed for a wide range of electronically diverse trans-β-alkyl styrene substrates.

The first total synthesis of malagashanine, a chloroquine potentiating indole alkaloid, is presented. A highly stereoselective cascade annulation reaction was developed to generate the tetracyclic core of the Malagasy alkaloids. This chemistry is likely to be broadly applicable to the synthesis of other members of this stereochemically unique family of natural products.

An efficient iodination reaction of electron-deficient heterocycles is described. The reaction utilizes KOtBu as an initiator and likely proceeds by a radical anion propagation mechanism. This new methodology is particularly effective for functionalization of building blocks for electron transport materials. Its utility is demonstrated with the synthesis of a new perylenediimide–thiazole non-fullerene acceptor capable of delivering a power conversion efficiency of 4.5% in a bulk-heterojunction organic solar cell.

The intermolecular enantioselective C–H functionalization with acceptor-only metallocarbenes is reported using a new family of Ir(III)-bis(imidazolinyl)phenyl catalysts, developed based on the interplay of experimental and computational insights. The reaction is tolerant of a variety of diazoacetate precursors and is found to be heavily influenced by the steric and electronic properties of the substrate. Phthalan and dihydrofuran derivatives are functionalized in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities.

The akuammiline alkaloids are a family of indole monoterpene natural products known for their polycyclic cage-like structures. An iminium ion cascade annulation approach was developed, simultaneously synthesizing both the C and D rings of these natural products by annulation onto a protected indole ring. This reaction allowed the synthesis of a key tetracyclic intermediate toward these natural products. This tetracycle was used for the synthesis of the pentacyclic methanoquinolizidine core present in such alkaloids as akuammiline and strictamine as well as the pentacyclic furoindoline core found in pseudoakuammigine.

Recently, several novel iridium complexes have been shown to catalyse group transfer reactions in a highly selective fashion. Rhodium complexes, and in particular dirhodium tetracarboxylate salts, have proven to be a remarkably useful class of catalysts for these reactions through several decades of development. Recent results suggest that iridium may offer opportunities to address challenges in this chemistry and provide complementary reactivity patterns. This tutorial review outlines the recent developments in Ir-catalyzed enantioselective group transfer chemistry with highlights on examples which display this unique reactivity.

A dinuclear Co(II) complex supported by a modular, tunable redox-active ligand system is capable of selective C–H amination to form indolines from aryl azides in good yields at low (1 mol%) catalyst loading. The reaction is tolerant of medicinally relevant heterocycles, such as pyridine and indole, and can be used to form 5-, 6-, and 7-membered rings. The synthetic versatility obtained using low loadings of an earth abundant transition metal complex represents a significant advance in catalytic C–H amination technology.

Benzobisthiazole and thiazolothiazole derivatives are useful components in a variety of organic electronics devices resulting from their absorption, electroluminescence, and charge-transport properties. A convenient synthesis of these molecules via palladium/copper cocatalyzed C–H bond functionalization is described. Reaction conditions were optimized in a bromobenzene/benzobisthiazole system that allowed for the one-pot functionalization of both thioimidate positions of benzobisthiazole. The extension of this methodology to the synthesis of cruciform architectures and the functionalization of thiazolothiazole is also described.

Recently, a small number of diverse iridium complexes have been shown to catalyze unusual atom transfer C–H functionalization reactions. To further our understanding and enhance the utility of iridium complexes for C–H functionalization, we report the design and synthesis of a family of iridium(III)-bis(oxazolinyl)phenyl complexes. The ability to tune the ligand environment around the metal in these systems is exploited to design complexes with the ability to catalyze the asymmetric insertion of donor/acceptor iridium carbenoids into activated C–H bonds. Low catalyst loadings (0.5 mol%) routinely lead to excellent reaction yields (51–99%) and enantioselectivities (83–99%). Density functional theory calculations provide compelling evidence that in these complexes the carbene binds to the iridium cis to the phenyl group of the bis(oxazolinyl)phenyl ligand. This finding is vital for understanding the observed stereochemical induction and is of particular significance in the field of enantioselective transition metal-catalysed atom transfer reactions utilizing oxazoline–X–oxazoline tridentate ligands, as previously employed stereochemical models for these ligand sets are based on the assumption that reactive ligands and Lewis bases bind trans to the central X ligand.

The interaction of a sulfamate ester derived metallonitrene with an allene generates a versatile intermediate with 2-amidoallylcation like reactivity. In this article we outline reactivity patterns for this novel dipolar species, demonstrating both [3 + 2] reactions with benzaldehyde, and unusual [3 + 3] annulation reactions with a variety of nitrones.

A new catalyst system for intramolecular olefin aminoacetoxylation is described. In contrast to previously reported palladium- and copper-catalyzed systems, the conditions outlined in this communication favor piperdine formation with terminal olefin substrates and induce cyclization with traditionally less reactive disubstituted olefins.

The interaction of a sulfamate ester derived metallonitrene with an allene generates a versatile intermediate with 2-amidoallylcation-like reactivity, capable of rearranging to give highly substituted iminocyclopropanes or acting as a novel dipolar species engaging external dipolarophiles.

The first total synthesis of malagashanine, a chloroquine potentiating indole alkaloid, is presented. A highly stereoselective cascade annulation reaction was developed to generate the tetracyclic core of the Malagasy alkaloids. This chemistry is likely to be broadly applicable to the synthesis of other members of this stereochemically unique family of natural products.

The intermolecular enantioselective C–H functionalization with acceptor-only metallocarbenes is reported using a new family of Ir(III)-bis(imidazolinyl)phenyl catalysts, developed based on the interplay of experimental and computational insights. The reaction is tolerant of a variety of diazoacetate precursors and is found to be heavily influenced by the steric and electronic properties of the substrate. Phthalan and dihydrofuran derivatives are functionalized in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities.

A dinuclear Co(II) complex supported by a modular, tunable redox-active ligand system is capable of selective C–H amination to form indolines from aryl azides in good yields at low (1 mol%) catalyst loading. The reaction is tolerant of medicinally relevant heterocycles, such as pyridine and indole, and can be used to form 5-, 6-, and 7-membered rings. The synthetic versatility obtained using low loadings of an earth abundant transition metal complex represents a significant advance in catalytic C–H amination technology.

Recently, a small number of diverse iridium complexes have been shown to catalyze unusual atom transfer C–H functionalization reactions. To further our understanding and enhance the utility of iridium complexes for C–H functionalization, we report the design and synthesis of a family of iridium(III)-bis(oxazolinyl)phenyl complexes. The ability to tune the ligand environment around the metal in these systems is exploited to design complexes with the ability to catalyze the asymmetric insertion of donor/acceptor iridium carbenoids into activated C–H bonds. Low catalyst loadings (0.5 mol%) routinely lead to excellent reaction yields (51–99%) and enantioselectivities (83–99%). Density functional theory calculations provide compelling evidence that in these complexes the carbene binds to the iridium cis to the phenyl group of the bis(oxazolinyl)phenyl ligand. This finding is vital for understanding the observed stereochemical induction and is of particular significance in the field of enantioselective transition metal-catalysed atom transfer reactions utilizing oxazoline–X–oxazoline tridentate ligands, as previously employed stereochemical models for these ligand sets are based on the assumption that reactive ligands and Lewis bases bind trans to the central X ligand.

The interaction of a sulfamate ester derived metallonitrene with an allene generates a versatile intermediate with 2-amidoallylcation like reactivity. In this article we outline reactivity patterns for this novel dipolar species, demonstrating both [3 + 2] reactions with benzaldehyde, and unusual [3 + 3] annulation reactions with a variety of nitrones.

Recently, several novel iridium complexes have been shown to catalyse group transfer reactions in a highly selective fashion. Rhodium complexes, and in particular dirhodium tetracarboxylate salts, have proven to be a remarkably useful class of catalysts for these reactions through several decades of development. Recent results suggest that iridium may offer opportunities to address challenges in this chemistry and provide complementary reactivity patterns. This tutorial review outlines the recent developments in Ir-catalyzed enantioselective group transfer chemistry with highlights on examples which display this unique reactivity.