On-Water Cp*Ir(III)-Catalyzed C-H Functionalization for the Synthesis of Chromones through Annulation of Salicylaldehydes with Diazo-Ketones.

A high-valent Ir(III)-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization is carried out for the first time on water for the synthesis of a biologically relevant chromone moiety. The C-H activation and annulation of salicylaldehydes with diazo-compounds provided the desired chromones. The synthesis of C3-substitution-free chromones has also been demonstrated by a one-pot decarboxylation by employing tert-butyl diazoester. C3 and C5 C-H activations of the product chromone are also carried out under different conditions for further diversification.