Transition metal-catalyzed site- and regio-divergent C–H bond functionalization

Abstract

Recent advances in transition metal-catalyzed C–H bond functionalization have profoundly impacted synthetic strategy. Since organic substrates typically contain several chemically distinct C–H bonds, controlling the regioselectivity of C–H bond functionalization is imperative to harness its full potential. Moreover, the ability to alter reaction pathways to selectively functionalize different C–H bonds in a substrate represents a greater opportunity and challenge. The choice of catalysts, ligands, solvents, and even more subtle variations of the reaction conditions have been shown to allow the formation of regioisomeric C–H functionalization products starting from the same precursors. This review describes recent advances in transition metal-catalyzed divergent C–H bond functionalization that highlight its potential in organic synthesis.