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Dirhodium-catalyzed C-H amination is hypothesized to proceed via Rh2-nitrene intermediates in either the Rh2(II,II) or Rh2(II,III) redox state. Herein, we report joint theoretical and experimental studies of the ground electronic state (GES), redox potentials, and C-H amination of [Rh2(II,III)(O2CCH3)4(L)n](+) (1_L) (L = none, Cl(-), and H2O), [Rh2(esp)2](+) (2), and Rh2(espn)2Cl (3) (esp = α,α,α',α'-tetramethyl-1,3-benzenedipropanoate and espn = α,α,α',α'-tetramethyl-1,3-benzenedipropanamidate). CASSCF calculations on 1_L yield a wave function with two closely weighted configurations, (δ*)(2)(π1*)(2)(π2*)(1) and (δ*)(2)(π1*)(1)(π2*)(2), consistent with reported EPR g values [Chem. Phys. Lett. 1986, 130, 20-23]. In contrast, EPR spectra of 2 show g values consistent with the DFT-computed (π*)(4)(δ*)(1) GES. EPR spectra and Cl K-edge XAS for 3 are consistent with a (π*)(4)(δ*)(1) GES, as supported by DFT. Nitrene intermediates 2N_L and 3N_L are also examined by DFT (the nitrene is an NSO3R species). DFT calculations suggest a doublet GES for 2N_L and a quartet GES for 3N_L. CASSCF calculations describe the GES of 2N as Rh2(II,II) with a coordinated nitrene radical cation, (π*)(4)(δ*)(2)(π(nitrene,1))(1)(π(nitrene,2))(0). Conversely, the GES of 3N is Rh2(II,III) with a coordinated triplet nitrene, (π*)(4)(δ*)(1)(π(nitrene,1))(1)(π(nitrene,2))(1). Quartet transition states ((4)TSs) are found to react via a stepwise radical mechanism, whereas (2)TSs are found to react via a concerted mechanism that is lower in energy compared to (4)TSs for both 2N_L and 3N_L. The experimental (determined by intramolecular competition) and (2)TS-calculated kinetic isotopic effect (KIE) shows a KIE ∼ 3 for both 2N and 3N, which is consistent with a concerted mechanism.

The synthesis of 1,2-diamines has been achieved through a single-step, tandem sequence involving Rh-catalyzed aziridination followed by NaI-promoted rearrangement to an isomeric cyclic sulfamide. Facile ring opening of these products in hot water and pyridine affords differentially protected vicinal diamines. Demonstration of the utility of this method for the syntheses of (±)-enduracididine and (±)-allo-enduracididine is highlighted.

Predicting site selectivity in C-H bond oxidation reactions involving heteroatom transfer is challenged by the small energetic differences between disparate bond types and the subtle interplay of steric and electronic effects that influence reactivity. Herein, the factors governing selective Rh2(esp)2-catalyzed C-H amination of isoamylbenzene derivatives are investigated, where modification to both the nitrogen source, a sulfamate ester, and substrate are shown to impact isomeric product ratios. Linear regression mathematical modeling is used to define a relationship that equates both IR stretching parameters and Hammett σ(+) values to the differential free energy of benzylic versus tertiary C-H amination. This model has informed the development of a novel sulfamate ester, which affords the highest benzylic-to-tertiary site selectivity (9.5:1) observed for this system.

C-H insertion: A method for intermolecular amination of tertiary CH bonds is described that uses limiting amounts of substrate and a convenient phenol-derived nitrogen source. Structure-selectivity and mechanistic studies suggest that steric interaction between the substrate and active oxidant is the principal determinant of product selectivity., (Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A general, high yielding method for the synthesis of 1,2-diamine derivatives is described that capitalizes on selective, rhodium-catalyzed C-H insertion of hydroxylamine-based sulfamate esters. The resulting Troc-protected oxathiadiazinane heterocycles are easily modified and can be reduced under the mild action of NaI to afford differentially substituted diamine products. This technology offers a number of salient improvements over related C-H and π-bond amination tactics for diamine synthesis.

For more than a century, chemists have endeavored to discover and develop reaction processes that enable the selective oxidation of hydrocarbons. In the 1970s, Abramovitch and Yamada described the synthesis and electrophilic reactivity of sulfonyliminoiodinanes (RSO(2)N═IPh), demonstrating the utility of this new class of reagents to function as nitrene equivalents. Subsequent investigations by Breslow, Mansuy, and Müller would show such oxidants to be competent for alkene and saturated hydrocarbon functionalization when combined with transition metal salts or metal complexes, namely those of Mn, Fe, and Rh. Here, we trace our own studies to develop N-atom transfer technologies for C-H and π-bond oxidation. This Account discusses advances in both intra- and intermolecular amination processes mediated by dirhodium and diruthenium complexes, as well as the mechanistic foundations of catalyst reactivity and arrest. Explicit reference is given to questions that remain unanswered and to problem areas that are rich for discovery. A fundamental advance in amination technology has been the recognition that iminoiodinane oxidants can be generated in situ in the presence of a metal catalyst that elicits subsequent N-atom transfer. Under these conditions, both dirhodium and diruthenium lantern complexes function as competent catalysts for C-H bond oxidation with a range of nitrogen sources (e.g., carbamates, sulfamates, sulfamides, etc.), many of which will not form isolable iminoiodinane equivalents. Practical synthetic methods and applications thereof have evolved in parallel with inquiries into the operative reaction mechanism(s). For the intramolecular dirhodium-catalyzed process, the body of experimental and computational data is consistent with a concerted asynchronous C-H insertion pathway, analogous to the consensus mechanism for Rh-carbene transfer. Other studies reveal that the bridging tetracarboxylate ligand groups, which shroud the dirhodium core, are labile to exchange under standard reaction conditions. This information has led to the generation of chelating dicarboxylate dinuclear rhodium complexes, exemplified by Rh(2)(esp)(2). The performance of this catalyst system is unmatched by other dirhodium complexes in both intra- and intermolecular C-H amination reactions. Tetra-bridged, mixed-valent diruthenium complexes function as effective promoters of sulfamate ester oxidative cyclization. These catalysts can be crafted with ligand sets other than carboxylates and are more resistant to oxidation than their dirhodium counterparts. A range of experimental and computational mechanistic data amassed with the tetra-2-oxypyridinate diruthenium chloride complex, [Ru(2)(hp)(4)Cl], has established the insertion event as a stepwise pathway involving a discrete radical intermediate. These data contrast dirhodium-catalyzed C-H amination and offer a cogent model for understanding the divergent chemoselectivity trends observed between the two catalyst types. This work constitutes an important step toward the ultimate goal of achieving predictable, reagent-level control over product selectivity.

Catalytic amination of saturated C-H bonds is performed efficiently with the use of Rh(2)(esp)(2). Efforts to identify pathways for catalyst degradation and/or arrest have revealed a single-electron oxidation event that gives rise to a red-colored, mixed-valence dimer, [Rh(2)(esp)(2)](+). This species is fortuitously reduced by carboxylic acid, a byproduct generated in the reaction cycle with each turnover of the diacyloxyiodine oxidant. These findings have led to the conclusion that the high performance of Rh(2)(esp)(2) is due in part to the superior kinetic stability of its one-electron oxidized form relative to other dimeric Rh complexes.

The use of a bifunctional nitrogen nucleophile and an allyl carbonate starting material in successive enantioselective palladium- and diastereoselective rhodium-catalyzed reactions enables the rapid assembly of unique amino aziridine products. Further elaboration of these materials affords complex, stereodefined polyamine architectures, thus demonstrating the power of these combined methods for simplifying asymmetric C-N bond construction.

A grand opening: N-Boc-N-alkylsulfamides are effective substrates for the title transformation. Oxidative cyclization is highly chemoselective as well as being both stereospecific and diastereoselective. With the advent of new protocols that facilitate ring opening of the six-membered-ring heterocyclic products, access to differentially protected 1,3-diamines has been made possible (see scheme).

Rhodium-catalyzed C-H insertion of hydroxylamine-derived sulfamate esters makes possible the synthesis of unique oxathiadiazinane heterocycles, which upon mild reduction furnish differentially substituted 1,2-diamine products. This highly chemo- and diastereoselective transformation underscores the power of catalytic C-H functionalization as a general approach to C-N bond construction.

Rh2(S-nap)4, a chiral dirhodium tetracarboxamidate complex, has been developed and shown to be an effective catalyst for the asymmetric, intramolecular C-H amination of sulfamate esters. Enantiomeric excesses range from 60-99% for a collection of disparately substituted 3-arylpropylsulfamates. In addition, Rh2(S-nap)4 is found to promote chemoselective allylic C-H oxidation of unsaturated sulfamates, a property not observed with other dirhodium complexes tested to date.

Rhodium-catalyzed reactions of sulfonate ester derivatives are biased strongly toward 1,6-insertion and thus offer a general method for assembling delta-sultones. Two protocols for staging this cyclization reaction are described, which capitalize on the unique ability of either diazo or iodonium ylide intermediates to form Rh-carbene species. The value of these heterocycles for fine chemicals synthesis is demonstrated in both reductive and oxidative reactions that make possible excision of the -SO3- moiety.

Oxidative C-H amination of chiral sulfamate esters using achiral Rh-carboxylate catalysts, PhI(OAc)(2), and MgO occurs in high yield and with good to excellent diastereocontrol. A number of examples are included to support a proposed transition state model that accounts for the observed stereoinduction. In addition, stereoselective intramolecular aziridination with substituted homoallyl sulfamates is demonstrated and is rationalized through an analogous stereochemical construct. [reaction: see text]

A general and operationally convenient method for intermolecular amination of C(sp3)-Hbonds is described. This technology allows for efficient functionalization of complex molecules, including numerous pharmaceutical targets. The combination of pivalonitrile as a solvent, Al2O3 as an additive, and phenyl sulfamate as a nitrogen source affords differential reaction performance and substrate scope. Mechanistic data strongly implicate a pathway for catalyst decomposition that initiates with solvent oxidation, thus providing rationale for the marked influence of pivalonitrile on this reaction process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A general and operationally convenient method for intermolecular amination of C(sp3)−H bonds is described. This technology allows for efficient functionalization of complex molecules, including numerous pharmaceutical targets. The combination of pivalonitrile as a solvent, Al2O3 as an additive, and phenyl sulfamate as a nitrogen source affords differential reaction performance and substrate scope. Mechanistic data strongly implicate a pathway for catalyst decomposition that initiates with solvent oxidation, thus providing rationale for the marked influence of pivalonitrile on this reaction process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C–H insertion: A method for intermolecular amination of tertiary CH bonds is described that uses limiting amounts of substrate and a convenient phenol‐derived nitrogen source. Structure‐selectivity and mechanistic studies suggest that steric interaction between the substrate and active oxidant is the principal determinant of product selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intramolecular C-H amination with sulfamate esters occurs under the action of dinuclear Rh catalysts and iodine(III) oxidants, and has recently emerged as a powerful tool for synthesis. Insights gained through mechanistic studies of this process suggest that other terminal oxidants, including common halogenating agents such as NaOCl, could function to promote the cyclization reaction. Results described in this report demonstrate that the combination of NaOCl and 3 mol% Rh2(oct)4 is effective in select cases for converting sulfamate substrates to the corresponding [1,2,3]-oxa�thiazinane-2,2-dioxide heterocycles. The mechanism for C-H functionalization, however, is distinct from that induced by hypervalent iodine reagents and likely involves the intermediacy of an N-centered radical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]