Pyrazinium Di(hydrogen sulfate) as a Novel,Highly Efficient and Homogeneous Catalyst for the Condensation of Enolizable Ketones with Aldehydes,Acetonitrile and Acetyl Chloride

A highly efficient protocol for the synthesis of β‐acetamido ketone or ester derivatives in the presence of pyrazinium di(hydrogen sulfate) {Py(OSO₃H)₂} as a novel, green and homogeneous solid acid catalyst at room temperature is described. One‐pot multi‐component condensation of enolizable ketones or alkyl acetoacetates with aldehydes, acetonitrile and acetyl chloride affords the title compounds in high to excellent yields and in relatively short reaction times. In this work, the efficiency of our recently reported solid acid catalyst, saccharin sulfonic acid (Sa‐SO₃H), in the synthesis of β‐acetamido ketones/esters is also studied. Moreover, in this research, some new β‐acetamido ketones and esters (i.e. one complex structure) are prepared.     

The Strained Sesquiterpene β‐Caryophyllene as a Probe for the Solvent‐Assisted Epoxidation Mechanism

In our attempt to synthesize β‐caryophyllene oxide in food‐compatible conditions, we observed the uncatalyzed and highly selective epoxidation of β‐caryophyllene, a strained bicyclic sesquiterpene, in ethanol with aqueous H₂O₂ under radical‐suppressing conditions without the addition of a catalyst. The unusual reactivity of β‐caryophyllene allowed us to use it as a probe for the mechanism of the solvent‐assisted epoxidation in a wide range of organic solvents. A kinetic study was performed to investigate the epoxidation mechanism; an excellent correlation was found between the observed epoxidation rates in different solvents and the Abraham’s hydrogen bond formation parameters of these solvents. By means of computational analysis, it was found that the main role of the solvent consists of the stabilization of the elongated O?O bond of H₂O₂ in the transition state through hydrogen‐bond donation to the leaving OH moiety of H₂O₂. α‐Humulene was found to possess similar reactivity as β‐caryophyllene whereas isocaryophyllene—the unstrained isomer of β‐caryophyllene—was unreactive.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of α‐Hydroxy Amides and β‐Amino Alcohols from α‐Keto Amides

Synthesis of enantiomerically enriched α‐hydroxy amides and β‐amino alcohols has been accomplished by enantioselective reduction of α‐keto amides with hydrosilanes. A series of α‐keto amides were reduced in the presence of chiral Cu^II/(S)‐DTBM‐SEGPHOS catalyst to give the corresponding optically active α‐hydroxy amides with excellent enantioselectivities by using (EtO)₃SiH as a reducing agent. Furthermore, a one‐pot complete reduction of both ketone and amide groups of α‐keto amides has been achieved using the same chiral copper catalyst followed by tetra‐n‐butylammonium fluoride (TBAF) catalyst in presence of (EtO)₃SiH to afford the corresponding chiral β‐amino alcohol derivatives.     

Enantioselective Copper‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative Propargylic Alkylation of Propargyl β‐Ketoesters with a Chiral Ketimine P,N,N‐Ligand

The first enantioselective copper‐catalyzed decarboxylative propargylic alkylation has been developed. Treatment of propargyl β‐ketoesters with a catalyst, prepared in situ from [Cu(CH₃CN)₄BF₄] and a newly developed chiral tridentate ketimine P,N,N‐ligand under mild reaction conditions, generates β‐ethynyl ketones in good yields and with high enantioselectivities without requiring the pregeneration of ketone enolates. This new process provides facile access to a range of chiral β‐ethynyl ketones in a highly enantioenriched form.     

Preparation and characterization of cyclohexandiamine/Fe3O4/ZnO core/shell nanomagnetic composite as a novel reusable catalyst and its application for the diastereoselective synthesis of β‐lactams via the asymmetric Kinugasa reaction

A novel magnetic composite catalyst has been prepared by immobilizing a chiral diamine on core/shell Fe₃O₄/ZnO. This new catalyst was characterized using X‐ray diffraction, energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and vibrating sample magnetometry. The performance of the catalyst was investigated in the asymmetric Kinugasa reaction and confirmed to be efficient in the synthesis of β‐lactam derivatives under mild conditions.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Epoxidation of α,β‐Unsaturated Esters with Chiral Yttrium–Biaryldiol Complexes

The full details of the asymmetric epoxidation of α,β‐unsaturated esters catalyzed by yttrium complexes with biaryldiol ligands are described. An yttrium–biphenyldiol catalyst, generated from Y(OiPr)₃–biphenyldiol ligand–triphenylarsine oxide (1:1:1), is suitable for the epoxidation of various α,β‐unsaturated esters. With this catalyst, β‐aryl α,β‐unsaturated esters gave high enantioselectivities and good yields (≤99 % ee). The reactivity of this catalyst is good, and the catalyst loading could be decreased to as little as 0.5–2 mol % (the turnover number was up to 116), while high enantiomeric excesses were maintained. For β‐alkyl α,β‐unsaturated esters, an yttrium–binol catalyst, generated from Y(OiPr)₃–binol ligand–triphenylphosphine oxide (1:1:2), gave the best enantioselectivities (≤97 % ee). The utility of the epoxidation reaction was demonstrated in an efficient synthesis of (?)‐ragaglitazar, a potential antidiabetes agent.     

Sulfonamide‐Promoted Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Alkylation of Unactivated Methylene C(sp3)H Bonds with Alkyl Iodides

The alkylation of unactivated β‐methylene C(sp³)? H bonds of α‐amino acid substrates with a broad range of alkyl iodides using Pd(OAc)₂ as the catalyst is described. The addition of NaOCN and 4‐Cl‐C₆H₄SO₂NH₂ was found to be crucial for the success of this transformation. The reaction is compatible with a diverse array of functional groups and proceeds with high diastereoselectivity. Furthermore, various β,β‐hetero‐dialkyl‐ and β‐alkyl‐β‐aryl‐α‐amino acids were prepared by sequential C(sp³)? H functionalization of an alanine‐derived substrate, thus providing a versatile strategy for the stereoselective synthesis of unnatural β‐disubstituted α‐amino acids.     

Sulfonamide‐Promoted Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Alkylation of Unactivated Methylene C(sp3)?H Bonds with Alkyl Iodides

The alkylation of unactivated β‐methylene C(sp³) H bonds of α‐amino acid substrates with a broad range of alkyl iodides using Pd(OAc)₂ as the catalyst is described. The addition of NaOCN and 4‐Cl‐C₆H₄SO₂NH₂ was found to be crucial for the success of this transformation. The reaction is compatible with a diverse array of functional groups and proceeds with high diastereoselectivity. Furthermore, various β,β‐hetero‐dialkyl‐ and β‐alkyl‐β‐aryl‐α‐amino acids were prepared by sequential C(sp³) H functionalization of an alanine‐derived substrate, thus providing a versatile strategy for the stereoselective synthesis of unnatural β‐disubstituted α‐amino acids.     

NH2SO3H–SiO2 as a new water‐compatible,recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of novel (α,β‐unsaturated) β‐amino ketones via aza‐Michael reaction

NH₂SO₃H–SiO₂/water as a novel catalytic system was used for the synthesis of (α,β‐unsaturated) β‐amino ketones via aza‐Michael reaction at reflux conditions. The methodology was of general applicability and the catalyst exhibited activity up to five cycles. The catalyst was characterized for the first time using FT‐IR, X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopic–energy dispersion analytical X‐ray. The stability of the catalyst was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry and TGA/differential thermal analysis. High efficiency of the catalyst along with its recycling ability and the rather low loading demonstrated in reactions are the merits of the presented protocol. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ytterbium(III) Triflate–Catalyzed Stereoselective Synthesis of β‐Lactams via [2+2] Cyclocondensation in Ionic Liquid

Catalyzed by ytterbium(III) triflate [Yb(OTf)₃], β‐lactams were stereoselectively synthesized from imines and acetyl chlorides in ionic liquid under mild conditions. The ionic liquid and catalyst could be recycled and reused as opposed to traditional solvent–catalyst systems.     

One—Pot Synthese of 3,4—Dihydropyrimidine—2（1H）—thiones Catalyzed by La（OTf）3

A general and practical procedure for the syntheses of 3,4-di-hydropyrimidine-2(1H)-thiones by a one-pot condensation of aldehyde,β-ketoester or β-diketone and thiourea using La(OTf)3 as the catalyst is described.Mild reaction conditions,excellent yields as well as the environmentally friendly character of La(OTf)3 make it an important alternative to the classic acid-catalyzed Biginelli‘s reaction.     

Silver(I)‐Catalyzed Three‐Component Reaction of Propargylic Alcohols,Carbon Dioxide and Monohydric Alcohols: Thermodynamically Feasible Access to β‐Oxopropyl Carbonates

A silver(I)‐catalyzed three‐component reaction of propargylic alcohols, CO₂, and monohydric alcohols was successfully developed for the synthesis of β‐oxopropyl carbonates. As such, a series of β‐oxopropyl carbonates were exclusively produced in excellent yields (up to 98 %), even under atmospheric pressure of CO₂. The silver catalyst works efficiently for both the carboxylative cyclization of propargylic alcohols with CO₂ and subsequent transesterification of α‐alkylidene cyclic carbonates with monohydric alcohols; thus this tandem process performs smoothly under mild conditions. This work provides a versatile and thermodynamically favorable approach to dissymmetric dialkyl carbonates.     

Heterogeneous copper‐catalyzed oxidative coupling of oxime acetates with sodium sulfinates: An efficient and practical synthesis of β‐keto sulfones

An efficient and practical route to β‐keto sulfones has been developed through heterogeneous oxidative coupling of oxime acetates with sodium sulfinates by using an MCM‐41‐supported Schiff base‐pyridine bidentate copper (II) complex [MCM‐41‐Sb,Py‐Cu (OAc)₂] as the catalyst and oxime acetates as an internal oxidant, followed by hydrolysis. The reaction generates a variety of β‐keto sulfones in good to excellent yields. This new heterogeneous copper (II) catalyst can be easily prepared via a simple procedure from readily available and inexpensive reagents and exhibits the same catalytic activity as Cu (OAc)₂. MCM‐41‐Sb,Py‐Cu (OAc)₂ is also easy to recover and is recyclable up to eight times with almost consistent activity.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Decarboxylative Cycloaddition of Vinylethylene Carbonates with Isocyanates

An efficient method for the enantioselective construction of β‐substituted β‐vinylglycinol derivatives through palladium‐catalyzed decarboxylative cycloaddition of vinylethylene carbonates with isocyanates was developed. By using a palladium complex generated in situ from [Pd₂(dba)₃] ? CHCl₃ (dba=dibenzylideneacetone) and (S)‐Segphos as a catalyst under mild reaction conditions, the process provided 4‐substituted‐4‐vinyloxazolidin‐2‐ones in high yields with a high level of enantioselectivity. The stereochemical outcome of the reaction was explained by DFT calculations and the synthetic utility of the process was demonstrated by the gram‐scale transformation and formal synthesis of MK‐0731 as a kinesin spindle protein inhibitor.     

Hydride‐Rhodium(III)‐N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Catalysts for Vinyl‐Selective H/D Exchange: A Structure–Activity Study

A series of neutral and cationic Rh^III‐hydride and Rh^III‐ethyl complexes bearing a NHC ligand has been synthesized and evaluated as catalyst precursors for H/D exchange of styrene using CD₃OD as a deuterium source. Various ligands have been examined in order to understand how the stereoelectronic properties can modulate the catalytic activity. Most of these complexes proved to be very active and selective in the vinylic H/D exchange, without deuteration at the aromatic positions, displaying very high selectivity toward the β‐positions. In particular, the cationic complex [RhClH(CH₃CN)₃(IPr)]CF₃SO₃ showed excellent catalytic activity, reaching the maximum attainable degree of β‐vinylic deuteration in only 20 min. By modulation of the catalyst structure, we obtained improved α/β selectivity. Thus, the catalyst [RhClH(κ²‐O,N‐C₉H₆NO)(SIPr)], bearing an 8‐quinolinolate ligand and a bulky and strongly electron‐donating SIPr as the NHC, showed total selectivity for the β‐vinylic positions. This systematic study has shown that increased electron density and steric demand at the metal center can improve both the catalytic activity and selectivity. Complexes bearing ligands with very high steric hindrance, however, proved to be inactive.     

A Cinchona Alkaloid‐Functionalized Mesostructured Silica for Construction of Enriched Chiral β‐Trifluoromethyl‐β‐Hydroxy Ketones over An Epoxidation‐Relay Reduction Process

A cinchona alkaloid‐functionalized heterogeneous catalyst is prepared through a thiol‐ene click reaction of chiral N‐(3,5‐ditrifluoromethylbenzyl)quininium bromide and a mesostructured silica, which is obtained by co‐condensation of 1,2‐bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane and 3‐(triethoxysilyl)propane‐1‐thiol. Structural analyses and characterizations disclose its well‐defined chiral single‐site active center, and electron microscopy images reveal its monodisperse property. As a heterogenous catalyst, it enables an efficient asymmetric epoxidation of achiral β‐trifluoromethyl‐β,β‐disubstituted enones, the obtained chiral products can then be converted easily into enriched chiral β‐trifluoromethyl‐β‐hydroxy ketones through a sequential epoxidation‐relay reduction process. Furthermore, such a heterogeneous catalyst can be recovered conveniently and reused in asymmetric epoxidation of 4,4,4‐trifluoro‐1,3‐diphenylbut‐2‐enone, showing an attractive feature in a practical construction of enriched chiral β‐CF₃‐substituted molecules.     

New Procedure for One‐Pot Synthesis of 3,4‐Dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones by Biginelli Reaction

A practical green chemistry procedure for synthesis of 3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H);‐ones in good yields was successfully carried out in micellar systems according to the Biginelli reaction using β‐ketoester, urea and appropriate aromatic aldehyde in the presence of CuCl₂ · H₂O as catalyst. The advantages of this method involved the broader application scope of substrates, the more environmental friendly process and the low‐cost of the Lewis acid catalyst.     

Iridium(I)‐Catalyzed Regioselective CH Activation and Hydrogen‐Isotope Exchange of Non‐aromatic Unsaturated Functionality

Isotopic labelling is a key technology of increasing importance for the investigation of new C?H activation and functionalization techniques, as well as in the construction of labelled molecules for use within both organic synthesis and drug discovery. Herein, we report for the first time selective iridium‐catalyzed C?H activation and hydrogen‐isotope exchange at the β‐position of unsaturated organic compounds. The use of our highly active [Ir(cod)(IMes)(PPh₃)][PF₆] (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene) catalyst, under mild reaction conditions, allows the regioselective β‐activation and labelling of a range of α,β‐unsaturated compounds with differing steric and electronic properties. This new process delivers high levels of isotope incorporation over short reaction times by using low levels of catalyst loading.     

Catalyst‐Free Difunctionalization of Activated Alkenes in Water: Efficient Synthesis of β‐Keto Sulfides and Sulfones

Difunctionalization of activated alkenes, a powerful strategy in chemical synthesis, has been accomplished for direct synthesis of a series of β‐keto sulfides and β‐keto sulfones. The transformation, mediated by O₂, proceeds smoothly in water and without any catalyst. Prominent advantages of this method include mild reaction conditions, purification simplicity, and gram‐scale synthesis, underlining the practical utility of this methodology.     

Development of Highly Effective Nanoparticle Spinel Catalysts for Aerobic Oxidation of Benzylic Alcoho1s

Spinel catalyst MnFe1.8Cu0.15Ru0.05O4 with partcle size of about 42nm is an effective heterogeneous catalyst for the oxidation of benzylic alcobols.The substitution of Fe for Cu improves its catalytic activity.Based on the characterization of BET,XPS and EXAFS,two factors influencing the structure and texture of the catalyst cauesd by the substitution of Cu for Fe may be assumed:physical factor responsible for the increasing of surface area；chemical factor responsible for the transformation of Ru-O bonds to Ru=O boods.β-Elimination is considered to be an important step in the reaction.