Transition Metal-Promoted Direct C-S and C-Se Bond Formation from Csp3-H Bonds

Abstract

The transition metal-catalyzed direct C−S and C−Se bond formation from C−H bonds has emerged as an efficient synthetic strategy for constructing previously inaccessible organochalcogen compounds, opening a new gateway to late-stage functionalization of pharmaceutical-relevant molecules and organic functional materials. C−Y bonds (Y = S, Se, Te) also show outstanding strategic relevance as handles to access other valuable functional groups downstream in a synthetic route. Despite the significant progress, the chemo-, site-, and enantioselective C−S and C−Se bond formation from unactivated Csp3−H bonds is still challenging owing to its low polarity and inertness. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the transition-metal-catalyzed direct conversion of unactivated Csp3−H to C−S and C−Se bonds in the last decade, looking to motivate the continuous discovery of innovative and efficient systems for these transformations.