Stereoselective Synthesis of Complex Polyenes through Sequential α-/β-C-H Functionalization of trans-Styrenes

Sequential C-H functionalization of molecules containing multiple C-H bonds can efficiently lead to structural diversity. Herein we present the first chelation-assisted sequential α-/β-C-H functionalization of E-styrenes with simple alkenes and alkynes in excellent regio- and stereo-selectivity. The process involves α C-H functionalization by six-membered exo-cyclopalladation to result in tri- and tetrasubstituted 1,3-dienes and β C-H functionalization through seven-membered endo-cyclopalladation to produce tetra- and pentasubstituted 1,3,5-trienes in up to 97 % yield with up to >99/1 E/Z selectivity, both enabled by the chelation assistance of pyrazinamide. The protocol is demonstrated to be widely applicable, tolerant to a wide range of functional groups and bioactive fragments, and suitable for gram-scale synthesis as well as one-pot and two step preparation of trienes. Mechanistic experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to elucidate the selectivity and reactivity.