Copper- or Nickel-Enabled Oxidative Cross-Coupling of Unreactive C(sp3)-H Bonds with Azole C(sp2)-H Bonds: Rapid Access to β-Azolyl Propanoic Acid Derivatives.

β-Azolyl propanoic acid derivatives are frequently found in biologically active molecules and pharmaceuticals. Here, we report the oxidative heteroarylation of unactivated C(sp3)-H bonds with azole C(sp2)-H bonds via copper or nickel catalysis with the aid of removable bidentate auxiliary, which provides a rapid pathway to β-azolyl propanoic acid derivatives. A variety of azoles such as oxazole, benzoxazole, thiazole, benzothiazoles, benzimidazole, purine, and even [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine could be engaged in this protocol.