Palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative, decarbonylative and dehydrogenative C(sp²)-H acylation at room temperature

Over the past few decades, an impressive array of C-H activation methodology has been developed for organic synthesis. However, due to the inherent inertness of the C-H bonds (e.g. ∼110 kcal mol^-1 for the cleavage of C(aryl)-H bonds) harsh reaction conditions have been realized to overcome high energetic transition states resulting in a limited substrate scope and functional group tolerance. Therefore, the development of mild C-H functionalization protocols is in high demand to exploit the full potential of the C-H activation strategy in the synthesis of a complex molecular framework. Although, electron-rich substrates undergo electrophilic metalation under relatively mild conditions, electron-deficient substrates proceed through a rate-limiting C-H insertion under forcing conditions at high temperature. In addition, a stoichiometric amount of toxic silver salt is frequently used in palladium catalysis to facilitate the C-H activation process which is not acceptable from the environmental and industrial standpoint. We report herein, a Pd(ii)-catalyzed decarboxylative C-H acylation of 2-arylpyridines with α-ketocarboxylic acids under mild conditions. The present protocol does not require stoichiometric silver(i) salts as additives and proceeds smoothly at ambient temperature. A novel decarbonylative C-H acylation reaction has also been accomplished using aryl glyoxals as acyl surrogates. Finally, a practical C-H acylation via a dehydrogenative pathway has been demonstrated using commercially available benzaldehydes and aqueous hydroperoxides. We also disclose that acetonitrile solvent is optimal for the acylation reaction at room temperature and has a prominent role in the reaction outcome. Control experiments suggest that the acylation reaction via decarboxylative, decarbonylative and dehydrogenative proceeds through a radical pathway. Thus we disclose a practical protocol for the sp² C-H acylation reaction.