Metal-catalysed non-directed C(sp2)-H bond activation
Shubham K Agrawal1, Sandip Porey1, Yogesh Bairagi1
1Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076, India. dmaiti@iitb.ac.in.
Chemical Society Reviews
|May 22, 2025
Summary
Non-directed C-H activation offers a powerful, flexible strategy for functionalizing organic molecules without directing groups. This review highlights recent advances, challenges, and future directions in metal-catalyzed and metal-free systems.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Catalysis
- Synthetic Methodology
Background:
- Non-directed C-H activation enables direct functionalization of arenes and heteroarenes, bypassing traditional directing group requirements.
- This approach offers enhanced synthetic flexibility and novel retrosynthetic disconnections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in catalytic non-directed C(sp2)-H functionalization.
- To focus on both metal-catalyzed and metal-free systems.
- To discuss progress in reaction scope, selectivity, and mechanistic understanding.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature on non-directed C-H activation.
- Analysis of metal-catalyzed and metal-free catalytic systems.
- Examination of reaction scope, selectivity, and mechanistic insights.
Main Results:
- Significant progress in expanding reaction scope and selectivity for C-H functionalization.
- Advancements in understanding reaction mechanisms for both metal-based and metal-free approaches.
- Identification of strategic potential in synthesizing complex molecules.
Conclusions:
- Non-directed C-H activation is a transformative strategy with growing synthetic utility.
- Ongoing challenges include regioselectivity and substrate scope limitations.
- Future work should focus on improving efficiency, sustainability, and applicability for advanced molecular design.
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