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Free keywords:
C-H functionalization; selectivity; sulfonium salts; cross-coupling; photoredox catalysis
Abstract:
The high abundance of C–H bonds in organic molecules makes C–H functionalization a powerful approach to quickly increase the complexity of an organic molecule. However, the high abundance of C–H bonds also provides a challenge to C–H functionalization reactions: selectivity. While most C–H functionalization reactions produce mixtures of different products for most substrates, we have developed a highly selective method for aromatic C–H functionalization via sulfonium salts. The reaction does not require a certain directing group to be selective. The introduced functional group is a sulfonium group, which participates in various follow-up reactions such as palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions and photoredox catalysis. Here we discuss our pathway to develop the reaction as well as its scope and utility.
