Direct Functionalization of M-C (M = PtII, PdII) Bonds Using Environmentally Benign Oxidants, O2 and H2O2

Atom economy and the use of green reagents in organic oxidation, including oxidation of hydrocarbons, remain challenges for organic synthesis. Solutions to this problem would lead to a more sustainable economy bemuse of improved access to energy resources such as natural gas. Although natural gas is still abundant, about a third of methane extracted in distant oil fields currently cannot be used as a chemical feedstock because of a dearth of economically and ecologically viable methodologies for partial methane oxidation. Two readily available atom-economical green oxidants are dioxygen and hydrogen peroxide, but few methodologies have utilized these oxidants effectively in selective organic transformations. Hydrocarbon oxidation and C-H functionalization reactions rely on Pd-II and Pt-II complexes. These reagents have practical advantages because they can tolerate moisture and atmospheric oxygen. But this tolerance for atmospheric oxygen also makes it challenging to develop novel organometallic palladium and platinum-catalyzed C-H oxidation reactions utilizing O-2 or H2O2. This Account focuses on these challenges: the development of M-C bond (M = Pt-II, Pd-II) functionalation and related selective hydrocarbon C-H oxidations with O-2 or H2O2. Reactions discussed in this Account do not involve mediators, since the latter can impart low reaction selectivity and catalyst instability. As an efficient solution to the problem of direct M-C oxidation and functionalization with O-2 and H2O2, this Account introduces the use of facially chelating semilabile ligands such as di(2-pyridyl)methanesulfonate and the hydrated form of di(2-pyridyl)ketone that enable selective and facile M-II-C(sp(n)) bond functionalization with O-2 (M = Pt, n = 3; M = Pd, n = 3 (benzylic)) or H2O2 (M = Pd, n = 2). The reactions proceed efficiently in protic solvents such as water, methanol, or acetic add. With the exception of benzylic Pd-II complexes, the organometallic substrates studied form isolable high-valent Pt-IV or Pd-IV intermediates as a result of an oxidant attack at the M-II atom. The resulting high-valent M-IV intermediates undergo C-O reductive elimination, leading to products in high yields. Guidelines for the synthesis of products containing other C-X bonds (X = OAc, Cl, Br) while using O-2 or H2O2 as oxidants are also discussed. Although the M-II-C bond functionalization reactions including high-valent intermediates are well understood, the mechanism for the aerobic functionalization of benzylic Pd-II complexes will require a more detailed exploration. Importantly, further optimization of the systems suitable for stoichiometric M-II-C bond functionalization led to the development of catalytic reactions, including selective acetoxylation of benzylic C-H bonds with O-2 as the oxidant and hydroxylation of aromatic C H bonds with H2O2 in acetic acid solutions. Both reactions proceed efficiently with substrates that contain a directing heteroatom. This Account also describes catalytic methods for ethylene dioxygenation with H2O2 using M-II complexes supported by facially chelating ligands. Mechanistic studies of these new oxidation reactions point to important ways to improve their substrate scope and to develop green CH functionalization chemistry.