Catalytic functionalization of arenes and alkanes via C-H bond activation

Several novel synthetic reactions of arenes and alkanes discovered and investigated in our laboratory are summarized here. These include olefin arylation, hydroarylation of alkynes, hydroxylation of arenes, carboxylation of arenes. and alkanes, and aminomethylation and acetoxylation of alkanes. Most of these reactions are catalyzed by highly electrophilic transition metal cationic species generated in situ in an acid medium, involving electrophilic metalation of C-H bonds of arenes and alkanes which lead to the formation of aryl-metal and alkyl-metal sigma -complexes.