Synthesis of indenes by the palladium-catalyzed carboannulation of internal alkynes

[reaction: see text] A number of highly substituted indenes have been prepared in good yields by treating functionally substituted aryl halides with various internal alkynes in the presence of a palladium catalyst. The reaction is believed to proceed by regioselective arylpalladation of the alkyne and subsequent nucleophilic displacement of the palladium in the resulting vinylpalladium intermediate.     

A facile Zr-mediated multicomponent approach to arylated allylic alcohols and its application to the synthesis of highly substituted indenes and spiroindenes

An efficient and one-pot procedure for the synthesis of arylated and stereodefined allylic alcohols has been achieved through zirconium-mediated multicomponent coupling reactions of alkynes, aldehydes (or ketones), and aryl iodides. The subsequent intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reactions of these allylic alcohols catalyzed by Br?nsted or Lewis acids afford highly substituted indenes and spiroindenes under extremely mild reaction conditions. This methodology also provided a highly efficient route to the synthesis of spiroindenepiperidines.     

New method for the synthesis of indenes

A new two-step method was developed for the synthesis of 2-sulfonyl-substituted indenes from aromatic aldehydes. The reactions of 1-phenylsulfonyl-1-(trimethylsilyl)ethylene with ortho-lithiated derivatives of aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes afford conjugate addition products whose subsequent cyclization gives substituted 2-sulfonylindenes in preparative yields. The reactions of 2-(phenylsulfonyl)indenes with Grignard reagents were studied. It was shown that the sulfonyl group can be replaced in the presence of iron(iii) acetylacetonate.     

Synthesis of indenes by the transition metal-mediated carboannulation of alkynes

The synthesis of highly substituted indenes has been achieved by three different transition metal-mediated methods. The first method involves the palladium-catalyzed carboannulation of internal alkynes. The second method utilizes a two-step approach, which involves first the palladium/copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of terminal alkynes with appropriately functionalized aryl halides, followed by copper-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization. The third method involves intermolecular palladium-catalyzed arylation of the arylalkynes formed in the first step of the second method.     

Rh(I)-catalyzed reaction of 2-(chloromethyl)phenylboronic acids and alkynes leading to indenes

The reaction of 2-(chloromethyl)phenylboronic acid (1) with alkynes in the presence of a Rh(I) complex gave indene derivatives in high yields. The regioselectivity depends on the steric nature of the substituent on the alkynes. A bulky group favors the alpha-position of indenes.     

Palladium(II)-catalyzed synthesis of functionalized indenes from o-alkynylbenzylidene ketones

An efficient method for the synthesis of functionalized indenes from o-alkynylbenzylidene ketones under palladium(II) catalysis was developed. The reaction is initiated by trans-nucleopalladation of alkynes, followed by conjugate addition and quenched by protonolysis of the carbon-palladium bond. With acetate and halide ions as nucleophiles, 3-acetoxy- and 3-halogen-substituted indenes could be obtained in high yields.     

A Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Domino Coupling of Alcohols with Allenes Enables the Synthesis of Highly Substituted Indenes

The reaction of aryl‐substituted allenes with alcohols under gold catalysis led to highly substituted indenes in good yields, with low catalyst loading and under mild conditions. During this domino transformation, two C?C bonds are formed with water as the only byproduct.     

Efficient synthesis of 3-iodoindenes via Lewis-acid catalyzed Friedel-Crafts cyclization of iodinated allylic alcohols

A convenient BF(3).Et(2)O-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts cyclization of iodinated allylic alcohols is reported. The present reaction provides an efficient protocol to 3-iodo-1(H)-indene derivatives in good to high yields under mild conditions. Further, the iodoindene derivatives are valuable synthetic building blocks for elaboration of molecular complexity, such as in the construction of multiaryl substituted indenes by Suzuki coupling reaction.     

Synthesis of Substituted Indenes from Isovanillin via Claisen Rearrangement and Ring‐Closing Metathesis

A new synthesis of substituted indenes was studied. Based on Claisen rearrangement, Wittig reaction and ring‐closing metathesis (RCM), a series of substituted indenes was synthesized from isovanillin in good yields.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed regioselective oxidative coupling of aromatic and heteroaromatic esters with alkenes under an open atmosphere

A ruthenium-catalyzed oxidative coupling of substituted aromatic and heteroaromatic esters with alkenes in the presence of catalytic amounts of AgSbF(6) and Cu(OAc)(2) to provide highly substituted alkene derivatives in good to excellent yields under an open atmosphere is described.     

Synthesis of [Zn(ΙΙ)BHPPDAH] as New Heterogeneous Catalyst without Being Immobilized on Any Support and Applied for Mannich Reaction

In this paper, a novel heterogeneous complex of zinc with N,N‐bis(2‐hydroxyphenyl)pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxamide(BHPPDAH) was synthesized. The catalyst was found to be a highly effective catalyst for the three‐component coupling reactions of aldehydes, alkynes, and amines (A3 coupling) via C–H activation. The reactions could be applied to both aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes and alkynes. Nearly quantitative yields of the desired products were obtained in most cases. The reaction proceeds without any cocatalyst or activator, and water is the only byproduct. The catalyst was quantitatively recovered from the reaction by a simple filtration and reused for five cycles with almost consistent activity.     

A New General Synthesis of 2,2-Dialkyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-pyran-4-ones and Their Application for the in situ Preparation of Electron-Rich Dienes in Carbonyl-Alkyne Exchange Reactions with Acetylenes

The substituted 2,2-dialkyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-pyran-4-ones of type II and III have been prepared by acid-catalyzed cyclization of the corresponding substituted acetylenic ketones I in good to excellent yields (Scheme 1). These 2,2-dialkyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-pyran-4-ones II and III have been used for the in situ preparation of highly reactive dienes of type IV – VI (Scheme 2) in carbonyl-alkyne exchange reactions with electron-poor alkynes VII to yield the highly substituted aromatic compounds VIII and IX. These reactions proceed in good yields and with excellent degree of regioselectivity. Aryl-substituted 2,2-dialkyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-pyran-4-ones III (R¹ = Ar) subsequently yield highly substituted biaryls. Reaction mechanisms are presented for the formation of the 2,2-dialkyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-pyran-4-ones as well as for the carbonyl-alkyne exchange reactions with electron-poor acetylenes.     

Photoredox Catalysis of Aromatic β-Ketoesters for in Situ Production of Transient and Persistent Radicals for Organic Transformation

Radical formation is the initial step for conventional radical chemistry. Reported herein is a unified strategy to generate radicals in situ from aromatic β-ketoesters by using a photocatalyst. Under visible-light irradiation, a small amount of photocatalyst fac-Ir(ppy)₃ generates a transient α-carbonyl radical and persistent ketyl radical in situ. In contrast to the well-established approaches, neither stoichiometric external oxidant nor reductant is required for this reaction. The synthetic utility is demonstrated by pinacol coupling of ketyl radicals and benzannulation of α-carbonyl radicals with alkynes to give a series of highly substituted 1-naphthols in good to excellent yields. The readily available photocatalyst, mild reaction conditions, broad substrate scope, and high functional-group tolerance make this reaction a useful synthetic tool.     

Photoredox Catalysis of Aromatic β‐Ketoesters for in Situ Production of Transient and Persistent Radicals for Organic Transformation

Radical formation is the initial step for conventional radical chemistry. Reported herein is a unified strategy to generate radicals in situ from aromatic β‐ketoesters by using a photocatalyst. Under visible‐light irradiation, a small amount of photocatalyst fac‐Ir(ppy)₃ generates a transient α‐carbonyl radical and persistent ketyl radical in situ. In contrast to the well‐established approaches, neither stoichiometric external oxidant nor reductant is required for this reaction. The synthetic utility is demonstrated by pinacol coupling of ketyl radicals and benzannulation of α‐carbonyl radicals with alkynes to give a series of highly substituted 1‐naphthols in good to excellent yields. The readily available photocatalyst, mild reaction conditions, broad substrate scope, and high functional‐group tolerance make this reaction a useful synthetic tool.     

Sonogashira Coupling Reaction with Palladium Powder and Potassium Fluoride in Methanol

A Sonogashira coupling reaction of aromatic halides with terminal alkynes in the presence of palladium powder,potassium fluoride,cuprous iodide and triphenylphosphine in methanol,giving the corresponding coupling products aryl alkynes in good to excellent yiekls,was investigated.     

Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of highly substituted endocyclic enol lactones via a three-component coupling reaction in an ionic liquid

[reaction: see text] A new, efficient ionic liquid based synthetic procedure was developed for the preparation of highly substituted endocyclic enol lactones via the carbonylation coupling reactions of alkynes and 1,3-diketones in ionic liquid. The reactions proceeded in excellent regioselectivity and in reasonably good yields. The catalyst system can be recycled five times with only modest loss of its catalytic activity.     

Synthesis of highly substituted indene derivatives by Brønsted acid catalyzed Friedel–Crafts reaction of homoallylic alcohols

An efficient synthetic method to prepare highly substituted indenes in moderate to excellent yields that relies on Brønsted acid catalyzed Friedel–Crafts reaction of homoallylic alcohols under mild conditions is described.     

Rhodium(III)-catalyzed arene and alkene C-H bond functionalization leading to indoles and pyrroles

Recently, the rhodium(III)-complex [Cp*RhCl(2)](2) 1 has provided exciting opportunities for the efficient synthesis of aromatic heterocycles based on a rhodium-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization event. In the present report, the use of complexes 1 and its dicationic analogue [Cp*Rh(MeCN)(3)][SbF(6)](2) 2 have been employed in the formation of indoles via the oxidative annulation of acetanilides with internal alkynes. The optimized reaction conditions allow for molecular oxygen to be used as the terminal oxidant in this process, and the reaction may be carried out under mild temperatures (60 °C). These conditions have resulted in an expanded compatibility of the reaction to include a range of new internal alkynes bearing synthetically useful functional groups in moderate to excellent yields. The applicability of the method is exemplified in an efficient synthesis of paullone 3, a tetracyclic indole derivative with established biological activity. A mechanistic investigation of the reaction, employing deuterium labeling experiments and kinetic analysis, has provided insight into issues of reactivity for both coupling partners as well as aided in the development of conditions for improved regioselectivity with respect to meta-substituted acetanilides. This reaction class has also been extended to include the synthesis of pyrroles. Catalyst 2 efficiently couples substituted enamides with internal alkynes at room temperature to form trisubstituted pyrroles in good to excellent yields. The high functional group compatibility of this reaction enables the elaboration of the pyrrole products into a variety of differentially substituted pyrroles.     

FeCl3/PPh3-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling reaction of aryl iodides with terminal alkynes

Conditions for a FeCl₃/PPh₃-catalyzed and palladium-, copper-, amine free-Sonogashira coupling reaction of aryl halides with terminal alkynes are reported. The protocol was applicable to a wide variety of substituted aryl iodides and alkynes with different steric and electronic properties and gave excellent yields of the desired coupling products.     

Cobalt-catalyzed regioselective carbocyclization reaction of o-iodophenyl ketones and aldehydes with alkynes, acrylates, and acrylonitrile: a facile route to indenols and indenes

An efficient cobalt-catalyzed carbocylization for the synthesis of indenols and indenes and a new method for reductive decyanation are described. 2-Iodophenyl ketones and aldehydes 1a-g undergo carbocyclization with various disubstituted alkynes 2a-k in the presence of Co(dppe)I(2) and zinc powder in acetonitrile at 80 degrees C for 3 h to afford the corresponding indenol derivatives 3a-s and4a-m in good to excellent yields. For some unsymmetrical alkynes, the carbocyclization was remarkably regioselective, affording a single regioisomer. The cobalt-catalyzed carbocyclization reaction was successfully extended to the synthesis of indene derivatives. Thus, the reaction of 2-iodophenyl ketones and aldehydes (1) with acrylates H(2)C=CHCO(2)R (7a-d) and acrylonitrile H(2)C=CHCN (7e) proceeds smoothly in the presence of Co(dppe)Cl(2)/dppe and zinc powder in acetonitrile at 80 degrees C for 24 h to afford the corresponding indenes 8a-k and 9a-c in moderate to good yields. Interestingly, when 7e was employed for the carbocylization, reductive decyanation also occurred to give an indene derivative without the cyano functionality. A possible mechanism for this cobalt-catalyzed carbocyclization reaction is also proposed.