The desire to discover new ways to efficiently functionalize CH bonds has led to increased interest in CH activation catalysts. However, most catalysts that can activate CH bonds are equally (and often more reactive) with other species in a given system. Previously, we designed and utilized a ruthenium catalyst that enabled the CH activation reaction to be accelerated rather than inhibited by increasing solvent basicity. This acceleration by basic solvents is consistent with the reaction proceeding by base modulated nucleophilic CH activation. Subsequent work led us to employ similar ligands employed with RhIII and IrIII allowed us to observe H/D exchange with both benzene and methane. The synthesis of the RhIII-Me complex showed acceleration of protonolysis (the microscopic reverse of CH activation). Furthermore, functionalization of the RhIII-Me with KIO4 yielded methyl-derived products.

Nucleophilic CH activation of benzene and methane with Rh and Ir complexes in strongly basic solvents

249th National Meeting (2015)

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