February 2022

C–H activation of functionally rich molecules without the need for directing groups promises shorter organic syntheses and late-stage diversification of molecules for drug discovery. We highlight recent examples of palladium-catalyzed nondirected functionalization of C–H bonds in arenes as limiting substrates with a focus on the development of the concept of spatial anion control for direct C–H arylation.1 C–H Activation and the CMD Mechanism2 Nondirected C–H Functionalizations of Arenes as Limiting Substrates3 Nondirected C–H Arylation4 Spatial Anion Control for Direct C–H Arylation5 Coordination Chemistry with Spatial Anion Control6 Conclusion

Palladium-catalyzed direct arylation of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds is an efficient and attractive strategy to access arylated α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds through the construction of carbon–carbon bonds. This reaction has several challenges, especially in terms of the control of regioselectivity between α- and γ-arylation and the selectivity for monoarylation and multiple arylation. Herein, we discuss the recent development of γ-arylation of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and present the ligand-controlled, site-selective α- and γ-arylation of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl ketones with (hetero)aryl halides. The site selectivity of the reaction is switchable by simply changing the phosphine ligand.1 Introduction2 Reaction Development and Mechanistic Investigation3 Conclusion and Outlook