Rapid and scalable ruthenium catalyzed meta-C–H alkylation enabled by resonant acoustic mixing

• Published in: Communications chemistry Vol. 7; no. 1; pp. 295 - 7
• Main Authors: Dey, Arnab, Kancherla, Rajesh, Pal, Kuntal, Kloszewski, Nathan, Rueping, Magnus
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 18.12.2024; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 639/638/224/685; 639/638/403/933; 639/638/549/933; 639/638/77/888; Acoustics; Alkylation; Aromatic compounds; Catalysis; Catalysts; Chemical bonds; Chemical synthesis; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chemistry/Food Science; Electrons; Hydrogen bonds; Reaction time; Ruthenium; Solvents
• ISSN: 2399-3669; 2399-3669
• DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01390-1

Synthetic chemistry approaches for direct C–H bond alkylation offers a promising alternative to traditional functional-group-centered strategies which often involve multi-step procedures and may suffer from a variety of challenges including scalability. Here, we introduce resonant mixing as an efficient method for meta -C–H alkylation of arenes using a Ru-catalyst, avoiding the need for bulk solvents, external temperature, or light. The described methodology is highly rapid, enabling multigram-scale synthesis of meta -alkylation products within a short reaction time and achieving a very high turnover frequency. The reaction operates via a radical mechanism and is characterized by its mild reaction conditions, substrate compatibility, and exceptional meta -selectivity, all while significantly reducing reaction times. Synthetic chemistry approaches for direct C–H bond alkylation offers a promising alternative to traditional functional-group-centered strategies which often involve multi-step procedures and may suffer from a variety of challenges including scalability. Here, the authors introduce resonant acoustic mixing as an efficient method for meta -C–H alkylation of arenes using a Ru-catalyst via a radical mechanism, avoiding the need for bulk solvents, external temperature, or light.