Palladium-catalyzed carbonylative synthesis of N-cyanobenzamides from aryl iodides/bromides and cyanamide

A novel and convenient protocol for the synthesis of N-cyanobenzamides starting from readily available aryl halides and cyanamide via palladium-catalyzed aminocarbonylation has been developed. The protocol utilizes Mo(CO)₆ as the CO source or CO(gas) and affords the desired N-cyanobenzamides in moderate to good yields.     

One-pot synthesis of N-alkyl purine and pyrimidine derivatives from alcohols using TsIm: a rapid entry into carboacyclic nucleoside synthesis

A convenient and efficient one-pot N-alkylation of nucleobases from alcohols using N-(p-toluenesulfonyl)imidazole (TsIm) is described. In this method, treatment of alcohols with a mixture of purine or pyrimidine nucleobase, TsIm, K₂CO₃, and triethylamine in refluxing DMF regioselectively furnishes the corresponding N-alkyl nucleobases in good yields. This methodology is highly efficient for various structurally diverse primary alcohols.     

The synthesis and characterisation of some closed polyhedral metallocarbon clusters

Ligands containing unsaturated C₂ and C₄ units have been reacted with triruthenium dodecacarbonyl to produce new organometallic clusters with simple closo-Ru_xC_y polyhedral frameworks which may be regarded as quasi-carboranes. The thermolysis of [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] with 1,4-diphenybutadiene yields the new clusters [Ru₃(CO)₈(μ₃-CPh(CH)₂CPh)] 2 and [Ru₄(CO)₉(μ₄-CPhCCH₂CH₂Ph)] 3, while treatmentof a solution of [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] and diphenylacetylene with trimethylamine N–oxide (Me₃NO) yields [Ru₂(CO)₆(μ-{C₂Ph₂}₂CO)] 4 as the major product and the new cluster [Ru₄(CO)₁₁(μ₄-C₂Ph₂)₂] 5. The solid-state structures of 2, 3 and 5 have been established by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and are shown to possess closo-Ru₃C₄ pentagonal bipyramidal, closo-Ru₄C₂ octahedral and closo-Ru₄C₄ dodecahedral skeletons, respectively. The structure and bonding in all three clusters may be rationalised using the Wade–Mingos polyhedral skeletal electron pair approach.     

Facile and efficient synthesis of C2-symmetrical 1,3,5-triazine polycarboxylate ligands under microwave irradiation

A rapid and efficient method for preparation of C₂-symmetrical 1,3,5-triazine polycarboxylate ligands was developed. The reactions included either selective mono- or di-substitution of 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine with various nucleophiles containing carboxyl group(s), followed by nucleophilic displacement of the remained chloride(s) in aqueous media under microwave irradiation. Novel C₂-symmetrical tripodal ligands were afforded in good yields and purities under short reaction time with simple work-up, which are potentially useful as structural directing units in metal-organic frameworks.     

A convenient stereoselective synthesis of cationic (η3-allyl)iron tetracarbonyl complexes

Allylic alcohols have been found to react with Fe₂(CO)₉ in ether to afford after addition of HBF₄/acetic anhydride, the corresponding (η³-allyl)Fe(CO)₄⁺BF₄^?- species (I) in moderate to good yields. The geometry of the starting alcohol is retained in the product complex; thus E-crotyl and -cinnamyl alcohols led to anti-substituted complexes, whereas the corresponding Z-alcohols produced syn-complexes.     

Improvement in the synthesis of (Z)-organylthioenynes via hydrothiolation of buta-1,3-diynes: a comparative study using NaOH or TBAOH as base

Hydrothiolation of symmetrical and unsymmetrical buta-1,3-diynes with sodium organylthiolate anions in reflux, generated in situ by reacting C₄H₉SH with NaOH, afforded (Z)-organylthioenynes in low to good yields (25-80%). By using tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAOH) as base instead of NaOH, the hydrothiolation of buta-1,3-diynes was more rapid and efficient, providing (Z)-organylthioenynes in good to excellent yields (70-95%).     

A mild and efficient amidation of cyclic ethers catalyzed by rhodium caprylate

A small quantity of Rh₂(O₂CC₇H₁₅)₄ (2.5 mol % to 0.6 mol %) catalyzed the α-amidation of cyclic ethers under mild conditions, 35 °C, in the presence of electron-withdrawing p-chlorobenzenesulfonamide/PhI(OAc)₂ as the nitrene source, in CH₂Cl₂ for 4 h. The corresponding N-substituted amino cyclic ethers were successfully obtained in good yields (up to 87% based on 99% conversion) and compatibility with other oxidant sensitive structures in one-pot reaction.     

A novel Prins-alkynylation reaction for the synthesis of 4-phenacyl tetrahydropyrans

Aldehyde, homoallylic alcohol, and alkyne undergo smooth Prins-type cyclization in the presence of BF₃·OEt₂/CuCl (10 mol % each) in dichloromethane under mild reaction conditions to afford 4-phenacyl tetrahydropyran derivatives in good yields. This method is highly stereoselective, affording cis-tetrahydropyrans exclusively. The salient features of this method are high conversions, mild reaction conditions, short reaction times, high selectivity, and operational simplicity.     

Highly stereocontrolled synthesis of fluorinated 2,6-trans dihydropyrans via Prins cyclization

A highly efficient method for the synthesis of fluorinated 2,6-trans dihydropyrans via BF₃·Et₂O-promoted Prins cyclization of allenic alcohols and aldehydes is developed. Various 2,6-trans fluorodihydropyrans are obtained in moderate to good yields with excellent diastereoselectivities.     

FeCl3-SiO2 as a reusable heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles via [2+3] cycloaddition of nitriles and sodium azide

An efficient method for the preparation of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazole derivatives is reported using FeCl₃-SiO₂ as an effective heterogeneous catalyst. This method has the advantages of high yields, simple methodology, and easy work-up. The catalyst can be recovered by simple filtration and reused delivering good yields.     

Efficient synthesis of mono- and disubstituted 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones using KAl(SO4)2·12H2O as a reusable catalyst in water and ethanol

KAl(SO₄)₂·12H₂O was found to catalyze efficiently a one-pot three-component cyclocondensation of isatoic anhydride and primary amines or ammonia sources such as (NH₄)₂CO₃, NH₄OAc and NH₄Cl with aromatic aldehydes under mild conditions to afford the corresponding mono- and disubstituted 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones in good yields.     

Development of a new class of (1S,3R,4R)-2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-oxazoline ligands and their application in asymmetric transfer hydrogenation

New 2-aza-norbornane-oxazoline compounds were synthesized and evaluated as ligands in the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone. The best catalyst prepared in situ from [IrCl₂(COD)]₂ and a ligand afforded 1-(S)-phenylethanol in good yields and 79% ee.     

Novel carbonyl iron-bismuth clusters - synthesis, structure, CO2 insertion and potential as molecular precursors for BiFeO3

The reaction of Fe₂(CO)₉ with Bi(OSiMe₂^tBu)₃ gave soluble [(CO)₄FeBi(OSiMe₂^tBu)]₂ (1) in moderate yield whereas in case of Bi(O^tBu)₃ used as starting material both [(CO)₄FeBi(O^tBu)]_n (2) and the bismuth-iron cluster [(CO)₃FeBi₃(O^tBu)₄{OCO(O^tBu)}]₂ (3) were isolated. The latter forms upon insertion of CO₂, released during reaction of diiron nonacarbonyl with bismuth tert-butoxide, into a Bi-O^tBu bond. The compounds were characterized by IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy as well as thermogravimetric analyses. Additionally, the molecular structures of compounds 1 and 3 were elucidated by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The core structure of [(CO)₄FeBi(OSiMe₂^tBu)]₂ (1) is build up by a four-membered Bi₂Fe₂ ring whereas [(CO)₃FeBi₃(O^tBu)₄{OCO(O^tBu)}]₂ (3) is composed of two tetrahedral FeBi₃ cluster cores that dimerise via bridging -OCO(O^tBu) ligands. Analysis of the TGA residues by PXRD revealed that compound 2 is the best precursor for multiferroic BiFeO₃ among the compounds studied here, although Bi₂₅FeO₃₉ was detected as minor impurity.     

ZrOCl2·8H2O: an efficient Lewis acid catalyst for the one-pot multicomponent synthesis of β-acetamido ketones

Aromatic aldehydes were reacted in one-pot with enolisable ketones, acetonitrile and acetyl chloride at ambient temperature in the presence of ZrOCl₂·8H₂O to furnish the corresponding β-acetamido ketones in very good to excellent yields. X-ray crystallographic analysis of one anti-β-acetamido ketone exhibited a two-dimensional supramolecular framework by a combination of N-H?O, C-H?O and C-H?π (arene) hydrogen bonds.     

Ring-opening of tertiary cyclopropanols derived from β-diketones

The ring-opening reaction of 1,2-disubstituted cyclopropanols, prepared from β-diketones, mediated by Cu(NO₃)₂, p-TsOH, and NaOH is reported. The Cu(II)-mediated ring-opening of cyclopropanols gave α-methylene-γ-diketones in good yields. The reaction took place at the less substituted carbon of the cyclopropanols, involving mild conditions and a simple procedure. The reaction induced by p-TsOH in CH₂Cl₂ afforded α-methyl-γ-diketones as the major product with minor amounts of δ-diketones. The 2,3,5-trisubstituted furans were obtained in high yields when the ring-opening reaction was mediated by p-TsOH in methanol under reflux conditions. In the presence of sodium hydroxide the reaction proceeded smoothly in preference to the formation of δ-diketones, particularly for substrates with an aromatic group on the cyclopropane.     

A simple and efficient synthesis of gem-dihydroperoxides from ketones using aqueous hydrogen peroxide and catalytic ceric ammonium nitrate

Ketones were efficiently converted into the corresponding gem-dihydroperoxides in high yields within a short period of time on treatment with aqueous H₂O₂ (50%) in the presence of a catalytic amount of CAN in acetonitrile at room temperature.     

AuBr3-catalyzed cyclization of o-(alkynyl)nitrobenzenes. Efficient synthesis of isatogens and anthranils

The cyclization of o-(arylalkynyl)nitrobenzenes was catalyzed by AuBr₃ to produce the corresponding isatogens in good to high yields together with small amounts of anthranils. On the other hand, anthranils were obtained selectively when the AuBr₃-catalyzed reaction was carried out using o-(alkylalkynyl)nitrobenzenes.     

Ferric sulfate [Fe2(SO4)3·xH2O]: an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of tetrahydroquinoline derivatives using Povarov reaction

Fe₂(SO₄)₃·xH₂O can be used as an efficient and reusable catalyst for the synthesis of pyrano- and furanotetrahydroquinolines via one-pot three-component Povarov reaction involving aromatic aldehydes, aromatic amines, and cyclic enol ethers. The catalyst is recyclable, economically viable, and environmentally benign. This protocol provides good yields and diastereoselectivity as well as applicability on a wide range of substrates.     

Conversion of lactides into ethyl lactates and value-added products

This Letter describes an attractive and efficient method for Mg(OR)₂-mediated lactide alcoholysis. The catalysts were generated in situ from di-n-butylmagnesium and ROH to prevent aggregation of Mg(OR)₂. The reaction of ROH [R = Me, Et, RCO₂(Me)CH] with lactide initially yielded the ring-opened product HO[CH(CH₃)CO]_nOR (n = 2 or 3). The complete consumption of lactide caused the reaction to proceed further, giving environmentally friendly lactic acid esters in excellent yields under ambient conditions.     

BF3·SiO2: an efficient alternative for the synthesis of 14-aryl or alkyl-14H-dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes

Silica-supported boron trifluoride (BF₃·SiO₂) is an efficient, readily available, and reusable catalyst for the synthesis of 14-aryl or alkyl-14H-dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes by condensation of 2-naphthol and aldehydes. This reaction under heating or sonication conditions is very simple, affording good to excellent yields of products.