Copper-catalysed dehydrogenation or lactonization of C(sp³)-H bonds

Cytochrome P450 enzymes are known to catalyse bimodal oxidation of aliphatic acids via radical intermediates, which partition between pathways of hydroxylation and desaturation^1,2. Developing analogous catalytic systems for remote C-H functionalization remains a significant challenge^3-5. Here, we report the development of Cu(I)-catalysed bimodal dehydrogenation/lactonization reactions of synthetically common N-methoxyamides through radical abstractions of the γ-aliphatic C-H bonds. The feasibility of switching from dehydrogenation to lactonization is also demonstrated by altering reaction conditions. The use of a readily available amide as both radical precursor and internal oxidant allows for the development of redox-neutral C-H functionalization reactions with methanol as the sole side product. These C-H functionalization reactions using a Cu(I) catalyst with loading as low as 0.5 mol.% is applied to the diversification of a wide range of aliphatic acids including drug molecules and natural products. The exceptional compatibility of this catalytic system with a wide range of oxidatively sensitive functionality demonstrates the unique advantage of using a simple amide substrate as a mild internal oxidant.