Utilization of sulfur function in directed catalytic C-H transformation: site-selective substitution on indole and naphthalene skeletons

Abstract

Sulfur-containing functional groups, among various coordinating functions, have recently attracted attention as useful directing groups for the direct catalytic C-H transformation of aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds. Herein we briefly summarize our recent work on the site-selective substitution on indole and naphthalene skeletons using thioether directing groups under either Cp*Rh(III) or Cp*Ir(III) catalysis. The thioether groups can readily be removed and transformed to other functional groups. The reactions developed appear to be of importance in pharmaceutical and materials chemistry.

Graphical abstract

Keywords:

• C-H transformation
• thioether
• indole
• rhodium
• iridium

Acknowledgement

We thank Dr. C. N. Kona, Mr. M. Shigeno, Mr. S. Moon, Mr. R. Oku for the collaboration in this project at Osaka University.

Open Scholarship

This article has earned the Center for Open Science badges for Open Materials through Open Practices Disclosure. The materials are openly accessible at https://hdl.handle.net/11094/89666. To obtain the author's disclosure form, please contact the Editor.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI Grants JP 19K15586 and 21K14627 (Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists) to Y.N. and JP 17H06092 (Grant-in-Aid for Specially Promoted Research) to M.M.