Dehydrogenation of (partially) saturated heterocycles provides an important route to heteroaromatic compounds. A heterogeneous cobalt oxide catalyst, previously employed for aerobic oxidation of alcohols and amines, is shown to be effective for aerobic dehydrogenation of various 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines to the corresponding quinolines. The reactions proceed in good yields under mild conditions. Other N-heterocycles are also successfully oxidized to their aromatic counterparts.

Homogeneous Pd catalysts have been identified for the conversion of cyclohexenone and tetralone O-pivaloyl oximes to the corresponding primary anilines and 1-aminonaphthalenes. This method is inspired by the Semmler-Wolff reaction, a classic method that exhibits limited synthetic utility owing to its forcing conditions, narrow scope and low product yields. The oxime N–O bond undergoes oxidative addition to Pd0(PCy3)2, and the product of this step has been characterized by X-ray crystallography and shown to undergo dehydrogenation to afford the aniline product.

Catalytic dehydrogenation of saturated or partially saturated six-membered carbocycles into aromatic rings represents an appealing strategy for the synthesis of substituted arenes. Particularly effective methods have been developed for the dehydrogenation of cyclohexanones and cyclohexenes into substituted phenol, aniline, and benzene derivatives, respectively. In this Perspective, we present the contributions of our research group to the discovery and development of palladium-based catalysts for aerobic oxidative dehydrogenation methods, including general methods for conversion of cyclohexanones and cyclohexenones into substituted phenols and a complementary method for partial dehydrogenation cyclohexanones to cyclohexenones. The mechanistic basis for chemoselective conversion of cyclohexanones to phenols or enones is presented. These results are presented within the context of recent methods developed by others for the synthesis of aryl ethers, anilines and other substituted arenes. Overall, Pd-catalyzed dehydrogenation methods provide a compelling strategy for selective synthesis of aromatic and related unsaturated molecules.

A palladium(II) catalyst system has been identified for aerobic dehydrogenation of substituted cyclohexenes to the corresponding arene derivatives. Use of sodium anthraquinone-2-sulfonate (AMS) as a co-catalyst enhances the product yields. A wide range of functional groups are tolerated in the reactions, and the scope and limitations of the method are described. The catalytic dehydrogenation of cyclohexenes is showcased in an efficient route to a phthalimide-based TRPA1 activity modulator.

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