Sustainable manganese catalysis for late-stage C–H functionalization of bioactive structural motifs

The late-stage C–H functionalization of bioactive structural motifs is a powerful synthetic strategy for accessing advanced agrochemicals, bioimaging materials, and drug candidates, among other complex molecules. While traditional late-stage diversification relies on the use of precious transition metals, the utilization of 3d transition metals is an emerging approach in organic synthesis. Among the 3d metals, manganese catalysts have gained increasing attention for late-stage diversification due to the sustainability, cost-effectiveness, ease of operation, and reduced toxicity. Herein, we summarize recent manganese-catalyzed late-stage C–H functionalization reactions of biologically active small molecules and complex peptides.