Highly Enantioselective Intermolecular Cross Rauhut–Currier Reaction Catalyzed by a Multifunctional Lewis Base Catalyst

The highly enantioselective intermolecular cross Rauhut–Currier reaction of different active olefins catalyzed by a multifunctional chiral Lewis base was reported. The RC products were obtained in excellent yields (up to 98 %), high chemo‐ and enantioselectivity (up to 96 % ee). The reaction could be performed on a gram scale using 1 mol % of the multifunctional phosphine catalyst.     

Cation‐Triggered Switchable Asymmetric Catalysis with Chiral Aza‐CrownPhos

An aza‐crown ether, modified phosphoramidite ligand, has been designed and synthesized. The ON/OFF reversible switch of catalytic activity for its rhodium catalyst was thoroughly investigated in the asymmetric hydrogenation of dehydroamino acid esters modulated by host–guest interactions. In the OFF state, the catalyst is almost inactive (less than 1 % conversion) because of the formation of an intermolecular sandwich complex by two aza‐crown ether moities and the cationic rhodium metal center. In using alkali‐metal‐cations as the trigger, the catalytic activity was turned ON and consequently resulted in full conversions and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98 % ee).     

Enantioselective Construction of Spiroindolines with Three Contiguous Stereogenic Centers and Chiral Tryptamine Derivatives via Reactive Spiroindolenine Intermediates

The highly efficient synthesis of the enantioenriched spiroindolines by iridium‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic dearomatization and reduction is presented. Spiroindolines containing three contiguous stereogenic centers were obtained with excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity. In addition, a chiral tryptamine derivative could be easily accessed in good yield with excellent ee value through an unprecedented dearomatization/retro‐Mannich/hydrolysis cascade reaction of an indole derivative.     

All Organic Sodium‐Ion Batteries with Na4C8H2O6

Developing organic compounds with multifunctional groups to be used as electrode materials for rechargeable sodium‐ion batteries is very important. The organic tetrasodium salt of 2,5‐dihydroxyterephthalic acid (Na₄DHTPA; Na₄C₈H₂O₆), which was prepared through a green one‐pot method, was investigated at potential windows of 1.6–2.8 V as the positive electrode or 0.1–1.8 V as the negative electrode (vs. Na⁺/Na), each delivering compatible and stable capacities of ca. 180 mAh g^?1 with excellent cycling. A combination of electrochemical, spectroscopic and computational studies revealed that reversible uptake/removal of two Na⁺ ions is associated with the enolate groups at 1.6–2.8 V (Na₂C₈H₂O₆/Na₄C₈H₂O₆) and the carboxylate groups at 0.1–1.8 V (Na₄C₈H₂O₆/Na₆C₈H₂O₆). The use of Na₄C₈H₂O₆ as the initial active materials for both electrodes provided the first example of all‐organic rocking‐chair SIBs with an average operation voltage of 1.8 V and a practical energy density of about 65 Wh kg^?1.     

MoS2 Nanoflowers with Expanded Interlayers as High‐Performance Anodes for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

MoS₂ nanoflowers with expanded interlayer spacing of the (002) plane were synthesized and used as high‐performance anode in Na‐ion batteries. By controlling the cut‐off voltage to the range of 0.4–3 V, an intercalation mechanism rather than a conversion reaction is taking place. The MoS₂ nanoflower electrode shows high discharge capacities of 350 mAh g^?1 at 0.05 A g^?1, 300 mAh g^?1 at 1 A g^?1, and 195 mAh g^?1 at 10 A g^?1. An initial capacity increase with cycling is caused by peeling off MoS₂ layers, which produces more active sites for Na⁺ storage. The stripping of MoS₂ layers occurring in charge/discharge cycling contributes to the enhanced kinetics and low energy barrier for the intercalation of Na⁺ ions. The electrochemical reaction is mainly controlled by the capacitive process, which facilitates the high‐rate capability. Therefore, MoS₂ nanoflowers with expanded interlayers hold promise for rechargeable Na‐ion batteries.     

[HCo(CO)4]‐Catalyzed Three‐component Cycloaddition of Epoxides,Imines, and Carbon Monoxide: Facile Construction of 1,3‐Oxazinan‐4‐ones

The three‐component [3+2+1] cycloaddition of epoxides, imines, and carbon monoxide to produce 1,3‐oxazinan‐4‐ones has been developed by using [HCo(CO)₄] as the catalyst. The reaction occurs for a wide variety of imines and epoxides, under 60 bar of CO pressure at 50 °C, to produce 1,3‐oxazinan‐4‐ones with different substitution patterns in high yields, and provides an efficient and atom‐economic route to heterocycles from simple and readily available starting materials. A plausible mechanism involves [HCo(CO)₄]‐induced ring‐opening of the epoxide, followed by sequential addition of carbon monoxide and the imine, and then ring closure to form the product accompanied by regeneration of [HCo(CO)₄].     

Origins of the Enantio‐ and N/O Selectivity in the Primary‐Amine‐Catalyzed Hydroxyamination of 1,3‐Dicarbonyl Compounds with In‐Situ‐Formed Nitrosocarbonyl Compounds: A Theoretical Study

Chemoselective control over N/O selectivity is an intriguing issue in nitroso chemistry. Recently, we reported an unprecedented asymmetric α‐amination reaction of β‐ketocarbonyl compounds that proceeded through the catalytic coupling of enamine carbonyl groups with in‐situ‐generated carbonyl nitroso moieties. This process was facilitated by a simple chiral primary and tertiary diamine that was derived from tert‐leucine. This reaction featured high chemoselectivity and excellent enantioselectivity for a broad range of substrates. Herein, a computational study was performed to elucidate the origins of the enantioselectivity and N/O regioselectivity. We found that a bidentate hydrogen‐bonding interaction between the tertiary N⁺? H and nitrosocarbonyl groups accounted for the high N selectivity, whilst the enantioselectivity was determined by Si‐facial attack on the (E)‐ and (Z)‐enamines in a Curtin–Hammett‐type manner. The bidentate hydrogen‐bonding interaction with the nitrosocarbonyl moieties reinforced the facial selectivity in this process.     

A Supramolecular Tubular Nanoreactor

The extremely strong noncovalent complexation between the rigid host of phthalocyanine‐bridged β‐cyclodextrins and the amphiphilic guest carboxylated porphyrin is employed to construct a hollow tubular structure as a supramolecular nanoreactor. A representative coupling reaction occurs in the hydrophobic interlayers of the tubular walls in pure water at room temperature, leading to an enhancement of ten times higher reaction rate without any adverse effect on catalytic activity and conversion.     

Podand‐Based Dimeric Chromium(III)–Salen Complex for Asymmetric Henry Reaction: Cooperative Catalysis Promoted by Complexation of Alkali Metal Ions

A new kind of podand‐based dimeric salen ligand was synthesized, and its association with potassium cations was investigated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The corresponding Cr^III–salen dimer was assembled by a supramolecular host–guest self‐assembly process and was then used as a catalyst in highly efficient and enantioselective asymmetric Henry reactions. Regulation by KBAr_F (BAr_F=[3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃]₄B) led to remarkable improvements in yield (by up to 58 %) and enantioselectivity (for example, from 80 % ee to 96 % ee).     

Taming Living Carbocations in Catalytic Direct Conjugate Addition of Simple Alkenes to α,β‐Enones

A Lewis acid in the presence of an anionic phosphate ligand enables the addition of alkenes to α,β‐enones. The ligand facilitates selective β‐proton elimination by suppressing competing pathways, thus leading to vinylation adducts in high yields (up to 99 %) for a broad range of substrates.