Applications of copper and iron-catalyzed Csp³–Csp³ cross-dehydrogenative coupling in organic synthesis

Abstract

Presently, considerable advancement occurs via C–H functionalization in first-row transition metal-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative coupling reactions (CDCs). The use of several transition metal catalysts, selectively copper and iron, in cross-dehydrogenative coupling reactions is very popular due to their easy accessibility, low toxicity, and eco-friendliness. Nanoparticle complexes of these metals also opened a newer route toward greener synthetic approaches. This review provides an overview of current advances in the copper and iron-catalyzed Csp³–Csp³ CDCs. It mainly focuses on the catalytic loading amount of Cu(I), Cu(II), Fe(II), Fe(III), and their nanoparticle complexes with wide substrate scopes as well as appropriate oxidant systems, which enhance the atom economy. It reveals that Cu(II) and Fe(III) catalytic systems have yielded high enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity with chiral ligands for direct Csp³–Csp³ coupling from unactivated C–H bonds. This will help in better understanding the Cu and Fe-catalyzed CDCs, which may boost future developments toward catalytic improvement.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Cross-dehydrogenative coupling
• C–H functionalization
• Csp³–Csp³ bond formation
• copper catalyst
• iron catalyst
• oxidative coupling

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the U.T. Administration of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, the Principal, Government College, Daman, and Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat for encouragement and facilities.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).