Methods for the practical, intermolecular functionalization of aliphatic C–H bonds remain a paramount goal of organic synthesis. Free radical alkane chlorination is an important industrial process for the production of small molecule chloroalkanes from simple hydrocarbons, yet applications to fine chemical synthesis are rare. Herein, we report a site-selective chlorination of aliphatic C–H bonds using readily available N-chloroamides, and apply this transformation to a synthesis of chlorolissoclimide, a potently cytotoxic labdane diterpenoid. These reactions deliver alkyl chlorides in useful chemical yields with substrate as the limiting reagent. Notably, this approach tolerates substrate unsaturation that poses major challenges in chemoselective, aliphatic C–H functionalization. The sterically- and electronically-dictated site selectivities of the C–H chlorination are among the most selective alkane functionalizations known, providing a unique tool for chemical synthesis. The short synthesis of chlorolissoclimide features a high yielding, gram-scale radical C–H chlorination of sclareolide and a three-step/two-pot process for the introduction of the β-hydroxysuccinimide that is salient to all the lissoclimides and haterumaimides. Preliminary assays indicate that chlorolissoclimide and analogues are moderately active against aggressive melanoma and prostate cancer cell lines.

Synthetic transformations that functionalize unactivated aliphatic C-H bonds in an intermolecular fashion offer unique strategies for the synthesis and late-stage derivatization of complex molecules. Herein we report a general approach to the intermolecular functionalization of aliphatic C-H bonds using an acridinium photoredox catalyst and phosphate salt under blue LED irradiation. This strategy encompasses a range of valuable C-H transformations, including the direct conversions of a C-H bond to C-N, C-F, C-Br, C-Cl, C-S, and C-C bonds, in all cases using the alkane substrate as the limiting reagent. Detailed mechanistic studies are consistent with the intermediacy of a putative oxygen-centered radical as the hydrogen atom-abstracting species in these processes.

A mild, palladium(II)-catalyzed ring-forming aminoacetoxylation of alkenes is described. Treatment of a range of nitrogen nucleophiles with catalytic palladium(II) in the presence of PhI(OAc)2 as oxidant resulted in alkene aminoacetoxylation, affording a variety of nitrogen-containing heterocycles. Our studies indicate the possibility for high levels of reaction regio- and stereocontrol. It appears that this is a stereoselective trans alkene difunctionalization and thus a useful alternative to related cis-selective, metal-catalyzed alkene aminohydroxylation processes.

Transformations that selectively functionalize aliphatic C-H bonds hold significant promise to streamline complex molecule synthesis. Despite the potential for site-selective C-H functionalization, few intermolecular processes of preparative value exist. Herein, we report an approach to unactivated, aliphatic C-H bromination using readily available N-bromoamide reagents and visible light. These halogenations proceed in useful chemical yields, with substrate as the limiting reagent. The site selectivities of these radical-mediated C-H functionalizations are comparable (or superior) to the most selective intermolecular C-H functionalizations known. With the broad utility of alkyl bromides as synthetic intermediates, this convenient approach will find general use in chemical synthesis.

Intermolecular functionalizations of aliphatic C–H bonds offer unique strategies for the synthesis and late-stage derivatization of complex molecules, but the chemical space accessible remains limited. Herein, we report a transformation significantly expanding the chemotypes accessible via C–H functionalization. The C–H xanthylation proceeds in useful chemical yields with the substrate as limiting reagent using blue LEDs and an easily prepared N-xanthylamide. The late-stage functionalizations of complex molecules occur with high levels of site selectivity, and a variety of common functionality is tolerated in the reaction. This approach capitalizes on the versatility of the xanthate functional group via both polar and radical manifolds to unlock a wide array of C–H transformations previously inaccessible in synthesis.

The direct, site-selective alkylation of unactivated C­(sp3)–H bonds in organic substrates is a long-standing goal in synthetic chemistry. General approaches to the activation of strong C–H bonds include radical-mediated processes involving highly reactive intermediates, such as heteroatom-centered radicals. Herein, we describe a catalytic, intermolecular C–H alkylation that circumvents such reactive species via a new elementary step for C–H cleavage involving multisite-proton-coupled electron transfer (multisite-PCET). Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction is catalyzed by a noncovalent complex formed between an iridium­(III) photocatalyst and a monobasic phosphate base. The C–H alkylation proceeds efficiently using diverse hydrocarbons and complex molecules as the limiting reagent and represents a new approach to the catalytic functionalization of unactivated C­(sp3)–H bonds.

The ability to selectively introduce diverse functionality onto hydrocarbons is of substantial value in the synthesis of both small molecules and polymers. Herein, we report an approach to aliphatic carbon–hydrogen bond diversification using radical chain transfer featuring an easily prepared O -alkenylhydroxamate reagent, which upon mild heating facilitates a range of challenging or previously undeveloped aliphatic carbon–hydrogen bond functionalizations of small molecules and polyolefins. This broad reaction platform enabled the functionalization of postconsumer polyolefins in infrastructure used to process plastic waste. Furthermore, the chemoselective placement of ionic functionality onto a branched polyolefin using carbon–hydrogen bond functionalization upcycled the material from a thermoplastic into a tough elastomer with the tensile properties of high-value polyolefin ionomers.

A palladium-catalyzed Heck-type reaction of unactivated alkyl iodides is described. This process displays broad substrate scope with respect to both alkene and alkyl iodide components and provides efficient access to a variety of cyclic products. The reaction is proposed to proceed via a hybrid organometallic-radical mechanism, facilitating the Heck-type process with alkyl halide coupling partners. Initial intermolecular studies are also reported, demonstrating the potentially wide applicability of this approach in synthesis.