This dissertation, "Catalytic C-H Bond Functionalization Reactions Catalyzed by Rhodium(III) Porphyrin, Palladium(II) and Platinum(II) Acetate Complexes" by Hung-yat, Thu, 杜鴻溢, was obtained from The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong) and is being sold pursuant to Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License. The content of this dissertation has not been altered in any way. We have altered the formatting in order to facilitate the ease of printing and reading of the dissertation. All rights not granted by the above license are retained by the author. Abstract: Abstract of thesis entitled CATALYTIC C-H BOND FUNCTIONALIZATION REACTIONS CATALYZED BY RHODIUM(III) PORPHYRIN, PALLADIUM(II) AND PLATINUM(II) ACETATE COMPLEXES Submitted by Thu Hung Yat For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at The University of Hong Kong in December 2006 This work describes C-N and C-C bond formation reactions via the selective functionalization of C-H bonds. The metal-catalyzed nitrene transfer reaction for C-N bond formation has been extensively investigated; however, these reactions are applicable only for activated C-H bonds. Inspired by the recent development in chelation-directed C-H bond functionalization reactions, it was found that Pd(OAc) 2 2 3 would catalyze the intermolecular amidation reactions of unactivated sp and sp C-H bonds using primary amides and potassium persulfate. The substrates containing a pendant oxime or pyridine group were amidated with excellent chemo- and regioselectivities. Reactive C-X bonds are well-tolerated under the Pd-catalyzed reaction conditions. Primary amides are effective nucleophiles for the Pd-catalyzed 3 o amidation reactions. For the reaction of unactivated sp C-H bonds, β-amidation of 1 o C-H bonds versus 2 C-H bonds is preferred. The catalytic reaction is initiated by chelation-assisted cyclopalladation involving C-H bond activation. A preliminary mechanistic study suggested that the persulfate oxidation of primary amides generate reactive nitrene species, which then react with the cyclopalladated complex. Employing the reaction protocol, intermolecular amidation of C-H bonds without directing element has been examined. With benzene as the substrate, the corresponding amide product was obtained in 15% yield. Stereoselective C-C bond formation via metal-carbenoid transfer to C-H bonds has been achieved. In this work, [Rh(Por)CH ] (Por = Porhyrinato dianion) are effective catalysts for diastereoselective and enantioselective inter- and intramolecular carbenoid insertion to saturated C-H bonds. Yields of > 94% with > 99% stereoselectivity have been attained in the Rh-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of α-diazoacetamides to the corresponding cis-β-lactams and trans-γ-lactams. Moreover, the [Rh(TTP)CH ] [TTP = meso-tetrakis(p-toly)porphyrin] complex could be reused without significant deterioration of the catalytic activity; turnover numbers of up to 8558 have been accomplished for catalyst with five consecutive reaction runs. Moreover, the [Rh(Por)CH ] complexes are effective catalysts for intermolecular insertion to unactivated C-H bonds of cycloalkanes and n-alkanes. Employing hindered methyl phenyldiazoacetate as carbene source and sterically bulky [Rh(TTPPP)(Cl)(OH )] [TTPPP = meso-tetrakis(2,4,6-triphenyl)porphyrin] as catalyst, selective carbenoid o o o insertion to 1 C-H bonds (1: 2 = 11.2 for n-hexane) was achieved. The insertion reactions were proposed to proceed via a Rh(III) porphyrin carbene intermediate and + the structure of a related [Rh(TTP)(CH )(CH CO Et)] adduct was described. DFT 3 2 2 calculation on a rhodium(III) porphyrin carbene model complex revealed strong single bond character of the Rh-C bond. Results demonstrated the ability of carbenerhodium(III) porphyrins as a new class of versatile catalysts for inter- and intramolecular carbenoid C-H insertion reaction