Oxyfunctionalization of unactivated C–H bonds in triterpenoids with tert-butylhydroperoxide catalyzed by meso-5,10,15,20-tetramesitylporphyrinate osmium(II) carbonyl complex

A system consisting of meso-5,10,15,20-tetramesitylporphyrinate osmium(II) carbonyl complex [Os(TMP)CO] as a precatalyst and tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) as an oxygen donor is shown to be an efficient, regioselective oxidant system for the allylic oxidation, ketonization and hydroxylation of unactivated C–H bonds in a series of the peracetate derivatives of penta- and tetracyclic triterpenoids. Treatment of the substrates with this oxidant system afforded a variety of novel or scarce oxygenated derivatives in one-step. Structures of the isolated components, after chromatographic separation, were determined by spectroscopic methods including GC–MS and shift-correlated 2D-NMR techniques. Factors governing the regioselectivity and the possible mechanism for the oxyfunctionalization of the unactivated carbons are also discussed.