Copper-catalyzed synthesis of esters from ketones. Alkyl group as a leaving group

The conversion of ketones to esters has been achieved through the use of Cu catalyst and tetrabutylammonium nitrite. This reaction involves the activation of the less activated C-C bond, and the alkyl group is removed as a leaving group. Various isopropyl ketones are found to be good substrates for this reaction.     

Amine-Free,Directing-Group-Free and Redox-Neutral α-Alkylation of Saturated Cyclic Ketones

The activation of the α-C−H bond of ketones typically requires an amine and a directing group to guide the reaction selectivity in amine-catalysis carbonyl chemistry. For an α-C−H bond activation of ketone, directing groups are also required to control the reaction selectivity. Reported herein is the first α-alkylation of cyclic ketones in the absence of an amine catalyst and directing group. ¹H NMR, XPS, EPR studies and DFT calculations indicate that an α-carbon radical intermediate is formed through direct and selective activation of the inert α-C−H bond of ketones chelating on the surface of colloidal quantum dots (QDs). Such an interaction is essential for weakening the C−H bond, as exemplified, using CdSe QDs as the sole photocatalyst to execute α-C−H alkylation of cyclic ketones under visible-light irradiation. Without an amine catalyst and directing group, the high step- and atom-economy transformation under redox-neutral condition opens a new way for α-C−H functionalization of ketones in carbonyl chemistry.     

Formation of quaternary carbon center with a trifluoromethyl group using a Pd-catalyzed allylation reaction

Synthesis of compounds with quaternary carbons is one of the most attractive reactions in the synthetic chemistry. However, there are only a few reports on synthesis of the compounds with a fluoroalkyl group at a quaternary carbon center. Recently, we reported the synthesis of alpha-trifluoromethylated ketones by the reaction of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones with CF(3)-I using a Rh catalyst. When the alpha-trifluoromethylated ketones and allyl carbonates were treated with a Pd catalyst, the allylation reaction proceeded smoothly at the trifluoromethylated carbon to give the desired compounds with a trifluoromethylated quaternary carbon center in good to excellent yields.     

Expedient synthesis of chiral 1,2- and 1,4-diamines: protecting group dependent regioselectivity in direct organocatalytic asymmetric Mannich reactions

[reaction: see text] Organocatalytic asymmetric Mannich reaction of protected amino ketones with imines in the presence of an L-proline-derived tetrazole catalyst afforded diamines with excellent yields and enantioselectivities of up to 99%. The amino ketone protecting group controlled the regioselectivity of the reaction providing access to chiral 1,2-diamines from azido ketones and 1,4-diamines from phthalimido ketones.     

Chiral [RuCl2(dipyridylphosphane)(1,2‐diamine)] Catalysts: Applications in Asymmetric Hydrogenation of a Wide Range of Simple Ketones

The dipyridylphosphane/diamine–Ru complex combined with tBuOK in 2propanol acts as a very effective catalyst system for the enantioselective hydrogenation of a diverse range of simple ketones including heteroaromatic ketones, substituted benzophenones, alkenyl ketones, and cyclopropyl ketones. The combination of desirable features, such as quantitative chemical yields within hours, broad substrate scope, excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99 %), and high substrate‐to‐catalyst ratios, among others, makes the present catalyst system of high practical interest.     

Platinum-catalyzed addition of dimethylsilylene to beta-methyl alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones: gamma-silylation forming 1-oxa-2-silacyclohex-5-enes

The reaction of beta-methyl alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones with pentamethyldisilane in the presence of a platinum catalyst brought about silylation on the beta-methyl group giving high yields of oxasilacyclohexenes.     

Chemoselective thioacetalisation and transthioacetalisation of carbonyl compounds catalysed by tetrabutylammonium tribromide (TBATB)

Thioacetals and thioketals of various aldehydes and ketones were obtained directly from carbonyl compounds or by a transthioacetalisation process from cyclic O,O-acetals in the presence of dithiols and a catalytic amount of tetrabutylammonium tribromide (TBATB). Chemoselective thioacetalisation of aromatic aldehydes containing an electron-donating group in the presence of an aldehyde containing an electron-withdrawing group, aldehydes in the presence of ketones, aliphatic cyclic ketones in the presence of aromatic ketones and less hindered ketones in the presence of more hindered ketones have been achieved. A cyclic acetal containing an electron-donating group has been chemoselectively transthioacetalised in the presence of an acetal having an electron-withdrawing substituent. These selectivities are due to the intrinsic reactivity of the substrate themselves and are independent of the catalyst and reaction conditions. Shorter reaction times, mild reaction conditions, stability of acid sensitive protecting groups, high efficiencies, facile isolation of the desired products and the catalytic nature of the reagent are the attractive features of the present method.     

Mannich reactions of carbonyl compounds and enamines with benzotriazole as the NH component

Boron trifluoride catalyses reactions of 1-(hydroxymethyl)benzotriazole with ketones to give predominantly monosubstituted Mannich products. In unsymmetrical ketones, a methylene is slightly more reactive than a methyl group. For 1,3-diketones and diethyl malonate, substitution occurs on the central methylene group. β-Aminocrotononitrile and β-aminocrotonate undergo Mannich condensations with benzotri-azole and formaldehyde without any catalyst. Preliminary investigations of the reactivity of the Mannich bases thus obtained are reported.     

Domino carbocationic rearrangements of α-[bis(methylthio)methylene]alkyl-2-(heteroaryl)cyclopropyl ketones

Domino carbocationic rearrangements of α-[bis(methylthio)methylene]alkyl-2-(heteroaryl)cyclopropyl ketones (X=O, S, NMe) bearing five-membered heteroaryl group have been investigated. Although the cyclopropyl ketones (R¹=H) gave similar products like their aryl counterparts under these conditions, the corresponding α-methylcyclopropyl ketones (R¹=Me) yielded a variety of unexpected products depending on the nature of heteroaryl group in the substrate cyclopropyl ketones and the type of acid catalyst used. A probable mechanism for the formation of various products in these transformations has been proposed.     

House bulb light-induced photochemical acetalization of carbonyl compounds catalyzed by Eosin Y

We have systematically studied the reactions of acetalization and found that high reaction efficiency can be achieved using cheap and readily available organic Eosin Y as catalyst. The reaction proceeds smoothly under house bulbs and shows excellent functional group tolerance. The substrates of the reaction system are compatible with aromatic aldehydes, aliphatic aldehydes, aromatic ketones, and cyclic ketones with high yields.     

Hydrogenation of Ketones and Esters Catalyzed by Pd/C‒SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Hydrogenation of unsaturated ketones and esters with molecular hydrogen on the 5%Pd/C?SiO₂ heterogeneous catalyst has been studied. The reaction direction and yield are determined by the starting compounds structure. Hydrogenation of unsaturated ketones containing phenyl group at the double carbon–carbon atom is accompanied by the reduction of the ketone group into the alcohol one. Hydrogenation of unsaturated esters is accompanied by transesterification.     

Nickel-NHC-catalyzed alpha-arylation of acyclic ketones and amination of haloarenes and unexpected preferential N-arylation of 4-aminopropiophenone

Arylation of both acyclic ketones and primary and secondary amines was achieved using a new, simple, stable, and easy-to-access nickel(II)-halide complex bearing mixed PPh3/N-heterocyclic carbene ligands as a catalyst precursor. Acyclic ketones were first arylated at the alpha-position with the nickel catalyst. On the other hand, less basic amines, such as diphenylamine and 4-aminobenzophenone, were more favorable in the catalytic amination of haloarenes than basic amines, contrary to previous reports. N-Arylation of 4-aminopropiophenone was found to proceed selectively without causing alpha-arylation of the ketone group.     

Asymmetric epoxidation catalyzed by N-aryl-substituted oxazolidinone-containing ketones: further evidence for electronic effects

[reaction: see text] Ketones containing N-aryl-substituted oxazolidinones have been prepared and investigated for the epoxidation of cis-beta-methylstyrene, styrene, and 1-phenylcyclohexene. The attractive interaction between the phenyl group of the olefin and the oxazolidinone of the catalyst is enhanced by introducing an electron-withdrawing group onto the N-phenyl group of the catalyst. The information obtained gives a better understanding of the ketone-catalyzed epoxidation. In addition, the easy preparation of some of the ketones makes them good candidates for practical use.     

The effect of iodine on the peroxidation of carbonyl compounds

Peroxidation of ketones and aldehydes with iodine as a catalyst was studied. Ketones reacted with 30% aq hydrogen peroxide in the presence of 10 mol % of iodine to yield gem-dihydroperoxides in acetonitrile and hydroperoxyketals in methanol. The yield of hydroperoxidation of various cyclic ketones was 60-98%, including androstane-3,17-dione, while acyclic ketones were converted with a similar efficiency. Aromatic aldehydes were also converted to gem-dihydroperoxides with hydrogen peroxide and iodine as catalyst in acetonitrile and to hydroperoxyacetal in methanol, while the reactivity of aliphatic ones remained the same as in noncatalyzed reactions. tert-Butylhydroperoxide reacted in a similar manner, giving the corresponding perether derivatives. A study was also made of the relative kinetics of dihydroperoxidation from which the Hammet equation gave a reaction constant (rho) of -2.76, indicating the strong positive charge development in the transition state and the important role of rehybridization in the conversion of hydroperoxyhemiketal to gem-dihydroperoxide. In acetonitrile, the iodine catalyst is apparently able to discriminate between the elimination of a hydroxy, methoxy, and hydroperoxy group and addition of water, methanol, and H2O2 to a carbonyl group.     

Multisite Solid Catalyst for Cascade Reactions: The Direct Synthesis of Benzodiazepines from Nitro Compounds

Substituted 1,5‐benzodiazepines are selectively synthesized in one pot from substituted nitroaromatics and ketones. The reaction is performed in the presence of hydrogen and in the absence of solvent by using a bifunctional solid catalyst with a chemoselective hydrogenation functional group capable of reducing the nitro group to a diamino group and an acid functional group, which catalyzes the cyclocondensation of the amino group with the ketone.     

Palladium(Ti)-Catalyzed Claisen Rearrangement of 1-Phenylethenyl 2-Propenyl Ethers

Allyl vinyl ethers containing phenyl group at a position of vinyl ether readily undergo the Claisen rearrangement in the presence of a palladium(II) catalyst to give phenyl homoallyl ketones in good yields.     

Divergent Synthesis of Alcohols and Ketones via Cross-Coupling of Secondary Alcohols under Manganese Catalysis

A homogeneous manganese-catalyzed cross-coupling of two secondary alcohols for the divergent synthesis of γ-disubstituted alcohols and β-disubstituted ketones is reported. Employing the well-defined Mn-MACHO^Ph as the catalyst, this novel protocol has a broad substrate scope with good functional group tolerance and affords a diverse library of valuable disubstituted alcohols and ketones in moderate to good yields. The strong influence of the reaction temperature on the selective formation of alcohol products was theorized in preliminary DFT studies. Studies have shown that the Gibbs free energy of the formation of alcohols is thermodynamically more favourable than corresponding ketones at a lower temperature.     

Facile and Efficient Reduction of Ketones in the Presence of Zinc Catalysts Modified by Phenol Ligands

In the present study, the zinc‐catalyzed hydrosilylation of various ketones to give their corresponding alcohols has been examined in detail. Diethyl zinc that can be modified by easily accessible phenol ligands allows the efficient reduction of various aryl and alkyl ketones. By using a practical in situ catalyst, excellent turnover frequencies up to 1000 h^?1 and a broad functional group tolerance were achieved.     

Catalytic [4+1] cycloaddition of alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds with isocyanides

The GaCl(3)-catalyzed [4+1] cycloaddition reactions of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones with isocyanides leading to lactone derivatives are described. While some other Lewis acids also show catalytic activity, GaCl(3) was the most efficient catalyst. The reaction is significantly affected by the structure of both the isocyanides and the alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones. Aromatic isocyanides, especially sterically demanding ones and those bearing an electron-withdrawing group, can be used, but aliphatic isocyanides cannot. The bulkiness of substituents at the beta-position of acyclic alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones is an important factor for the reaction to proceed efficiently. Generally, the more the bulky substituent, the higher is the yield. The reaction of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones bearing geminal substituents at the beta-position gave the corresponding products in high yields. In monosubstituted derivatives, the yields are relatively low. However, substrates having a bulky substituent, such as a tert-Bu group, at the beta-position give high yields. Bulkiness is also required in cyclic alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones, but the effect is small. In alkyl vinyl ketones, the reactivity decreased with the steric bulk of the alkyl group. In aryl vinyl ketones, the presence of an electron-donating group on the aromatic ring decreases the reactivity. The success of the catalysis can be attributed to the low affinity of GaCl(3) toward heteroatoms, compared with usual Lewis acids.     

3-Pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid for direct catalytic asymmetric anti-Mannich-type reactions of unmodified ketones

We report the development of direct catalytic, enantioselective, anti-selective Mannich-type reactions between unmodified ketones and alpha-imino esters under mild conditions. The reactions were performed using 5-10 mol % of (R)-3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic or (R)-beta-proline as catalyst in an environmentally benign solvent, 2-PrOH, at room temperature. The anti-Mannich products were obtained in good yields with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to anti/syn >99:1, 99% ee). While (3R,5R)-5-methyl-3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid is an excellent catalyst for the anti-Mannich-type reactions of aldehydes, it did not efficiently catalyze the corresponding Mannich-type reactions of ketones; (R)-3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid did efficiently catalyze the Mannich-type reactions of ketones. (S)-Proline or (S)-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid has been reported to catalyze the Mannich-type reactions of ketones to afford the syn-products. Thus, the position of the carboxylic acid group on the pyrrolidine ring directs the stereoselection of the catalyzed reaction, providing either syn- or anti-Mannich products.