1-Aminopyridinium Ylides as Monodentate Directing Groups for sp3C–H Bond Functionalization

1-Aminopyridinium ylides are efficient directing groups for palladium-catalyzed β-arylation and alkylation of sp3C–H bonds in carboxylic acid derivatives. The efficiency of these directing groups depends on the substitution at the pyridine moiety. The unsubstituted pyridine-derived ylides allow functionalization of primary C–H bonds, while methylene groups are unreactive in the absence of external ligands. 4-Pyrrolidinopyridine-containing ylides are capable of C–H functionalization in acyclic methylene groups in the absence of external ligands, thus rivaling the efficiency of the aminoquinoline directing group. Preliminary mechanistic studies have been performed. A cyclopalladated intermediate has been isolated and characterized by X-ray crystallography, and its reactivity was studied.