In Situ Generated Gold Nanoparticles on Active Carbon as Reusable Highly Efficient Catalysts for a C −C Stille Coupling

Gold nanoparticle catalysts are important in many industrial production processes. Nevertheless, for traditional C ?C cross‐coupling reactions they have been rarely used and Pd catalysts usually give a superior performance. Herein we report that in situ formed gold metal nanoparticles are highly active catalysts for the cross coupling of allylstannanes and activated alkylbromides to form C ?C bonds. Turnover numbers up to 29 000 could be achieved in the presence of active carbon as solid support, which allowed for convenient catalyst recovery and reuse. The present study is a rare case where a gold metal catalyst is superior to Pd catalysts in a cross‐coupling reaction of an organic halide and an organometallic reagent.     

Influence of the PVOH molar mass on the morphology and functional properties of EVOH/PVOH films prepared by melt blending

The influences of the molar mass (low, medium, and high) and content of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) dispersed by melt-blending in an ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer on the morphology, microstructure, thermal, mechanical, and oxygen barrier properties were investigated. Multilayer films with external low-density polyethylene layers and inner EVOH/PVOH blend layer and respective monolayer films were elaborated and characterized. EVOH/PVOH blends exhibited a good compatibility because of the initial presence of PVOH segments in EVOH. The detailed quantitative analysis of the morphology performed for all blends showed that the finest dispersion was obtained with the PVOH with the lowest molar mass. The properties of the films as a function of the PVOH content and its molar mass were determined herein. Significant improvement of barrier properties was obtained at moderated water activities (up to a_w = 0.6) by using the PVOH with the lowest molar mass. Compared to the neat EVOH material, the oxygen permeability coefficients decreased by a factor 2 by adding 15 vol% PVOH while the thermal and mechanical properties remained similar.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of (−)-myrifabral A and B

A catalytic enantioselective approach to the Myrioneuron alkaloids (−)-myrifabral A and (−)-myrifabral B is described. The synthesis was enabled by a palladium-catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkylation, that generates the C(10) all-carbon quaternary center. A key N-acyl iminium ion cyclization forged the cyclohexane fused tricyclic core, while vinyl boronate cross metathesis and oxidation afforded the lactol ring of (−)-myrifabral A. Adaptation of previously reported conditions allowed for the conversion of (−)-myrifabral A to (−)-myrifabral B.

A catalytic enantioselective approach to the Myrioneuron alkaloids (−)-myrifabral A and (−)-myrifabral B is described.     

A New Generation of Smart Amine Donors for Transaminase‐Mediated Biotransformations

The application of ω‐transaminase biocatalysts for the synthesis of optically pure chiral amines presents a number of challenges, including difficulties associated with displacing the challenging reaction equilibria. Herein, we report a highly effective approach using low equivalents of the new diamine donor, cadaverine, which enables high conversions of challenging substrates to the corresponding chiral amines in excellent ee. This approach paves the way for the design of self‐sufficient fermentation processes combining transaminase biotransformations with existing strategies for cadaverine production by decarboxylation of endogenous lysine.     

Do Antarafacial Cycloadditions Occur? Cycloaddition of Heptafulvalene with Tetracyanoethylene

The cycloaddition of heptafulvalene ( 1 ) with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) was previously described as an example of an antarafacial cycloaddition, a [π¹⁴_a+π²_s] process that afforded only the trans cycloadduct by virtue of the edge-to-face approach of TCNE, facilitated by the S shape of 1 . The reaction has been investigated in depth and found not to be a concerted antarafacial process. At low temperature, the reaction is observed to give a mixture of cis and trans cycloadducts as well as a [4+2] cycloadduct. The mixture of products is converted to the trans cycloadduct by equilibration upon warming to room temperature. Studies with diethyl 2,3-dicyanofumarate and -maleate confirmed the formation of cis cycloadducts. DFT studies at the M06-2X/6-311+G(2d,p) SCRF=acetone level of theory show that the originally proposed edge-to-face approach of TCNE to 1 is highly disfavored, whereas a stepwise mechanism involving the addition of TCNE at C2 to form a zwitterion followed by collapse at either C2′ or C7′ is energetically accessible. The Diels-Alder adduct is also formed in a stepwise reaction by competitive addition of TCNE at C4 of 1 . These studies suggest that edge-to-face interactions are prohibitive in even the most favorable cases.     

Catalytic Hydroetherification of Unactivated Alkenes Enabled by Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer

We report a catalytic, light-driven method for the intramolecular hydroetherification of unactivated alkenols to furnish cyclic ether products. These reactions occur under visible-light irradiation in the presence of an Ir^III-based photoredox catalyst, a Brønsted base catalyst, and a hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT) co-catalyst. Reactive alkoxy radicals are proposed as key intermediates, generated by direct homolytic activation of alcohol O−H bonds through a proton-coupled electron-transfer mechanism. This method exhibits a broad substrate scope and high functional-group tolerance, and it accommodates a diverse range of alkene substitution patterns. Results demonstrating the extension of this catalytic system to carboetherification reactions are also presented.