Science of Synthesis: Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling

Comprehensive overview of strategies and applications of cross-dehydrogenative coupling methods

Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling (CDC) represents a type of coupling reaction for the construction of a C−C bond or C−heteroatom (C–X) bond directly from C−H and X−H bonds present in the precursors. Since this genre of coupling reaction obviates the need for substrate prefunctionalization, it has an added advantage of high efficiency, atom economy, and environmental friendliness. CDC reactions are triggered by transition-metal catalysts or simply by an oxidants, or by either photocatalysis or electrocatalysis, leading to a hetero- or homo-coupled products with the removal of two hydrogens. Over the years, several CDC strategies have been developed that has made it possible to construct bonds between carbon-hydrogen (C–H) bonds of diverse hybridization. CDC has also streamlined the synthesis and functionalization of various nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur-containing heterocycles. This volume features a series of chapters systematically covering methods and strategies in CDC, organized primarily on the type of bond being formed. In addition, particular aspects of CDC are highlighted in devoted chapters on topics such as mechanistic aspects, electrochemical and flow methods, transformations in water, natural product synthesis, and enantioselective protocols.