Palladium‐Catalyzed Oxidative Cycloisomerization of 2‐Cinnamyl‐1,3‐Dicarbonyls: Synthesis of Functionalized 2‐Benzyl Furans

A new palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular oxidative cycloisomerization of readily available starting materials, 2‐cinnamyl‐1,3‐dicarbonyls, has been demonstrated for the creation of structurally diverse 2‐benzyl furans. The cycloisomerization occurs by a regioselective 5‐exo‐trig pathway. The reaction shows a broad substrate scope with good to excellent yields. Furthermore, a one‐pot procedure has been executed by using readily available cinnamyl alcohols and 1,3‐diketones.     

Z‐Selective Hydrothiolation of Racemic 1,3‐Disubstituted Allenes: An Atom‐Economic Rhodium‐Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Resolution

A Z‐selective rhodium‐catalyzed hydrothiolation of 1,3‐disubstituted allenes and subsequent oxidation towards the corresponding allylic sulfones is described. Using the bidentate 1,4‐bis(diphenylphosphino)butane (dppb) ligand, Z/E‐selectivities up to >99:1 were obtained. The highly atom‐economic desymmetrization reaction tolerates functionalized aromatic and aliphatic thiols. Additionally, a variety of symmetric internal allenes, as well as unsymmetrically disubstituted substrates were well tolerated, thus resulting in high regioselectivities. Starting from chiral but racemic 1,3‐disubstituted allenes a dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) could be achieved by applying (S,S)‐Me‐DuPhos as the chiral ligand. The desired Z‐allylic sulfones were obtained in high yields and enantioselectivities up to 96 % ee.     

Condensation of Indoline with Some 1,2‐ and 1,3‐Diketones

Bismuth nitrate catalyzed condensation reactions of indoline with 1,2‐ and 1,3‐diketones were investigated and were reported to proceed via different reaction pathways with the involvement of one or two of the carbonyl groups. While the reaction of indoline with cyclohexane‐1,3‐dione ( 4 ) gave solely condensation product, the reaction between the acetylacetone ( 5 ) and indoline provided N‐acetyl indoline as single products on retro‐aldol process. In contrast to 1,3‐diketones, the reaction with benzil ( 17 ) was performed under difficult conditions and proceeded to give secondary products.     

Spiro[4H‐2,3‐dihydropyran‐3,3′‐oxindoles] derived from 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoline

Knoevenagel condensation of 5,6‐dihydro‐4H‐pyrrolo[3,2,1‐ij]quinoline‐1,2‐dione 3 with aryl cyanomethyl ketones 9 generates 3‐(aroyl(cyano)methylidene)oxindoles 10 that react with cyclic 1,3‐diketones 11 to generate polycyclic hemiacetal spiro[4H‐2,3‐dihydropyran‐3,3′‐oxindoles] 13 .     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Cascade Double C—N Bond Activation: A New Strategy for Aminomethylation of 1,3‐Dienes with Aminals

A new palladium‐catalyzed selective aminomethylation of conjugated 1,3‐dienes with aminals via double C—N bond activation is described. This simple method provides an effective and rapid approach for the synthesis of linear α,β‐unsaturated allylic amines with perfect regioselectivity. Mechanistic studies disclosed that one palladium catalyst cleaved two distinct C—N bond to furnish a cascade double C—N bond activation, in which an allylic 1,3‐diamine and allylic 1,2‐diamine were initially formed as key intermediates through the palladium‐catalyzed C—N bond activation of aminal and the α,β‐unsaturated allylic amine was subsequently produced via palladium‐catalyzed C—N bond activation of the allylic diamines.     

A Facile Synthesis of Benzo[h]quinolines via Silica‐TsOH‐P2O5 Promoted Condensation of 1‐Naphthylamines with 1,3‐Diketones under Solvent Free Conditions

A facile synthesis of benzo[h ]quinolines has been developed via improved Combes reaction. A combination of silica gel, p ‐toluenesulfonic acid and phosphorus pentoxide was utilized to promote the condensation of 1‐naphthylamines with 1,3‐diketones under solvent free conditions. In this case, silica gel was used as reaction media, p ‐toluenesulfonic acid and phosphorus pentoxide were acted as catalyst and dehydrating agent, respectively.     

Microwave‐Assisted Convenient Synthesis of α,β‐Unsaturated Esters and Ketones via Aldol‐Adduct Elimination

Various fluorinated 3‐oxo ester/1,3‐diketones were reacted with carbonyl compounds, in presence of piperidine and under microwave irradiation, to afford (E)‐α,β‐unsaturated esters and ketones in good yields. The systematic study reveals that the reaction proceeded through the formation of aldol adduct. The method provides a new and simple way for C,C bond formations.     

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Racemic 1,5‐Diols: 2‐(1,3‐Diaryl‐3‐hydroxypropyl)cyclohexan‐1‐ol Derivatives

A series of novel racemic 2‐(1,3‐diaryl‐3‐hydroxypropyl)cyclohexan‐1‐ol derivatives were synthesized from 1,5‐diketones. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by spectroscopic methods. The antibacterial activities of obtained chiral 1,5‐diols were investigated against four Gram‐positive and three Gram‐negative bacteria by determining of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in vitro. Compounds 3b , 3c , and 3d were found to be active against Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli. In addition, compound 3j were found to be moderately active against all tested bacterial strains.     

A Facile Synthesis of Xanthene‐1,8(2H)‐dione Derivatives by Using Tetrapropylammonium Bromide as Catalyst

Several new derivatives of 9‐aroyl‐3,4,5,6,7,9‐hexahydro‐1H‐xanthene‐1,8(2H)‐dione have been synthesized in yields varying from high to excellent by the condensation reaction of arylglyoxals with 1,3‐diketones (cyclohexane‐1,3‐dione or dimedone) and TPAB as an inexpensive, recoverable, and non‐toxic catalyst in the presence of ethanol/water under reflux conditions.     

Copper‐Catalyzed γ‐Selective and Stereospecific Allylic Cross‐Coupling with Secondary Alkylboranes

The scope of the copper‐catalyzed coupling reactions between organoboron compounds and allylic phosphates is expanded significantly by employing triphenylphosphine as a ligand for copper, allowing the use of secondary alkylboron compounds. The reaction proceeds with complete γ‐E‐selectivity and preferential 1,3‐syn stereoselectivity. The reaction of γ‐silicon‐substituted allylic phosphates affords enantioenriched α‐stereogenic allylsilanes.     

Microwave‐Assisted Oxidation of Alcohols with N,N,N′,N′‐Tetrabromobenzene‐1,3‐Disulfonamide and Poly(N‐Bromobenzene‐1,3‐Disulfonamide) under Solvent‐Free Conditions

An efficient and mild methodology for the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl functions is described with N,N,N′,N′‐tetrabromobenzene‐1,3‐disulfonamide and poly(N‐bromobenzene‐1,3‐disulfonamide) using microwave irradiation under solvent‐free conditions. Aliphatic, benzylic and allylic alcohols are rapidly oxidized without over‐oxidation to carboxylic acids. Secondary carbinols are slowly oxidized so that the reaction is highly chemoselective.     

The Regio‐ and Stereospecific Intermolecular Dehydrative Alkoxylation of Allylic Alcohols Catalyzed by a Gold(I) N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complex

A 1:1 mixture of [AuCl(IPr)] (IPr=1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidine) and AgClO₄ catalyzes the intermolecular dehydrative alkoxylation of primary and secondary allylic alcohols with aliphatic primary and secondary alcohols to form allylic ethers. These transformations are regio‐ and stereospecific with preferential addition of the alcohol nucleophile at the γ‐position of the allylic alcohol syn to the departing hydroxyl group and with predominant formation of the E stereoisomer. The minor α regioisomer is formed predominantly through a secondary reaction manifold involving regioselective γ‐alkoxylation of the initially formed allylic ether rather than by the direct α‐alkoxylation of the allylic alcohol.     

An Efficient Synthesis of 3H‐1,5‐Benzodiazepine Derivatives Catalyzed by Heteropolyacids as a Heterogeneous Recyclable Catalyst

3H‐1,5‐benzodiazepines were synthesized by the condensation of o‐phenylendiamine and various 1,3‐diketones in the presence of various heteropolyacid (HPA) catalysts under mild conditions in very good yields and with high selectivity.     

Selective Benzylic and Allylic Alkylation of Protic Nucleophiles with Sulfonamides through Double Lewis Acid Catalyzed Cleavage of sp3 Carbon–Nitrogen Bonds

The acid‐catalyzed benzylic and allylic alkylation of protic nucleophiles is fundamentally important for the formation of carbon? carbon and carbon? heteroatom bonds, and it is a formidable challenge for benzylic and allylic amine derivatives to be used as the alkylating agents. Herein we report a highly efficient benzylic and allylic alkylation of protic carbon and sulfur nucleophiles with sulfonamides through double Lewis acid catalyzed cleavage of sp³ carbon–nitrogen bonds at room temperature. In the presence of a catalytic amount of inexpensive ZnCl₂‐TMSCl (TMSCl: chlorotrimethylsilane), 1,3‐diketones, β‐keto esters, β‐keto amides, malononitrile, aromatic compounds, thiols, and thioacetic acid can couple with a broad range of tosyl‐activated benzylic and allylic amines to give diversely functionalized products in good to excellent yields and with high regioselectivity. Furthermore, the cross‐coupling reaction of 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds with benzylic propargylic amine derivatives has been successfully applied to the one‐step synthesis of polysubstituted furans and benzofurans.     

Forging Fluorine‐Containing Quaternary Stereocenters by a Light‐Driven Organocatalytic Aldol Desymmetrization Process

Reported herein is a light‐triggered organocatalytic strategy for the desymmetrization of achiral 2‐fluoro‐substituted cyclopentane‐1,3‐diketones. The chemistry is based on an intermolecular aldol reaction of photochemically generated hydroxy‐o ‐quinodimethanes and simultaneously forges two adjacent fully substituted carbon stereocenters, with one bearing a stereogenic carbon–fluorine unit. The method uses readily available substrates, a simple chiral organocatalyst, and mild reaction conditions to afford an array of highly functionalized chiral 2‐fluoro‐3‐hydroxycyclopentanones.     

Regio‐ and Stereoselectivity in the Lewis Acid‐ and NaH‐Induced Reactions of Thiocamphor with (R)‐2‐Vinyloxirane

The reaction of the enolizable thioketone (1R,4R)‐thiocamphor (= (1R,4R)‐1,7,7‐trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane‐2‐thione; 1 ) with (R)‐2‐vinyloxirane ( 2 ) in the presence of a Lewis acid such as SnCl₄ or SiO₂ in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ gave the spirocyclic 1,3‐oxathiolane 3 with the vinyl group at C(4′), as well as the isomeric enesulfanyl alcohol 4 . In the case of SnCl₄, an allylic alcohol 5 was obtained in low yield in addition to 3 and 4 (Scheme 2). Repetition of the reaction in the presence of ZnCl₂ yielded two diastereoisomeric 4‐vinyl‐1,3‐oxathiolanes 3 and 7 together with an alcohol 4 , and a ‘1 : 2 adduct’ 8 (Scheme 3). The reaction of 1 and 2 in the presence of NaH afforded regioselectively two enesulfanyl alcohols 4 and 9 , which, in CDCl₃, cyclized smoothly to give the corresponding spirocyclic 1,3‐oxathiolanes 3, 10 , and 11 , respectively (Scheme 4). In the presence of HCl, epimerization of 3 and 10 occurred to yield the corresponding epimers 7 and 11 , respectively (Scheme 5). The thio‐Claisen rearrangement of 4 in boiling mesitylene led to the allylic alcohol 12 , and the analogous [3,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement of the intermediate xanthate 13 , which was formed by treatment of the allylic alcohol 9 with CS₂ and MeI under basic conditions, occurred already at room temperature to give the dithiocarbonate 14 (Schemes 6 and 7). The presented results show that the Lewis acid‐catalyzed as well as the NaH‐induced addition of (R)‐vinyloxirane ( 2 ) to the enolizable thiocamphor ( 1 ) proceeds stereoselectively via an S_N2‐type mechanism, but with different regioselectivity.     

Tandem Three‐Component Synthesis of syn‐1,2‐ and syn‐1,3‐Diol Derivatives

The development of efficient methods for stereocontrolled synthesis of polyol derivatives has been of continuing interest for the synthetic community. We describe herein tandem olefin cross‐metathesis/hemiacetalization/intramolecular oxa‐Michael addition of allylic/homoallylic alcohols, α,β‐unsaturated ketones, and aldehydes, which enabled the synthesis of syn‐1,2‐ and syn‐1,3‐diol derivatives in a step‐economical manner. A series of differentially protected polyol derivatives could be obtained in subsequent transformations via chemoselective/regioselective cleavage of the acetal moiety of the tandem reaction products.     

One‐pot Synthesis of Benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine Derivatives in Aqueous Conditions

One‐pot reaction of cyclic 1,3‐diketones, dimethylformamide dimethylacetal (DMFDMA) and 2‐(1H‐benzo[d ]imidaz‐2‐yl)acetonitrile was found to be a highly selective process leading to 4‐oxo‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydrobenzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2‐a ]quinolin‐6‐yl cyanides. Optimized reaction conditions using water as solvent at room temperature or under microwave heating allowed high yields of the target products required no additional purification.     

Broadly Applicable Z‐ and Diastereoselective Ring‐Opening/Cross‐Metathesis Catalyzed by a Dithiolate Ru Complex

A broadly applicable Ru‐catalyzed protocol for Z‐selective ring‐opening/cross‐metathesis (ROCM) is disclosed. In addition to reactions relating to terminal alkenes of different sizes, the first examples of Z‐selective ROCM processes involving heteroaryl olefins, 1,3‐dienes, and O‐ and S‐substituted alkenes as well as allylic and homoallylic alcohols are reported. Z‐Selective transformations with an α‐substituted allylic alcohol are shown to afford congested Z alkenes with high diastereoselectivity. Transformations are performed in the presence of 2.0–5.0 mol % of a recently disclosed Ru‐based dithiolate complex that can be easily prepared in a single step from commercially available starting materials. Typically, transformations proceed at ambient temperature and are complete within eight hours; products are obtained in up to 97 % yield, >98:2 Z/E, and >98:2 diastereomeric ratio. The present investigations reveal a mechanistically significant attribute of the Ru‐based dithiolates that arises from electrostatic interactions with anionic S‐based ligands.     

Synthesis of Cyclobutenes and Allenes by Cobalt‐Catalyzed Cross‐Dimerization of Simple Alkenes with 1,3‐Enynes

Cobalt‐catalyzed cross‐dimerization of simple alkenes with 1,3‐enynes is reported. A [2+2] cycloaddition reaction occurred, with alkenes bearing no allylic hydrogen, by reductive elimination of a η³‐butadienyl cobaltacycle. On the other hand, aliphatic alkenes underwent 1,4‐hydroallylation by means of exo‐cyclic β‐H elimination. These reactions can provide cyclobutenes and allenes that were previously difficult to access, from simple substrates in a highly chemo‐ and regioselective manner.