Manganese(i)-catalyzed nucleophilic addition of C(sp3)–H bonds to aldehydes

Abstract

The C–H bond activation catalyzed by a manganese(I) complex has achieved significant development but is limited to C(sp²)–H bonds. In this work, an efficient manganese(I)-catalyzed direct nucleophilic addition reaction of C(sp³)–H bonds to aromatic aldehydes has been developed. This is the first example of manganese(I)-catalyzed C(sp³)–H bond transformation. A manganacycle complex was isolated and proved to be the key active intermediate in the catalytic cycle.