An efficient synthesis of quinoxaline derivatives mediated by stannous chloride

Various biologically important quinoxaline derivatives were efficiently synthesized in excellent yields by the reaction of 1,2‐diketones and 2‐nitroaniline, benzofuroxan or 1,2‐dinitrobenzene promoted by SnCl₂2H₂O. The role of stannous chloride is acting as both reductive agent and catalyst in this synthesis. This new method has the advantages of accessible starting materials, convenient manipulation, short reaction time and high yields.     

Synthesis of diarylmethane derivatives from Stille cross-coupling reactions of benzylic halides

A catalyst precursor prepared in situ from palladium acetate and a phosphine ligand was used for the Stille cross-coupling reaction of benzylic bromides and chlorides with aryltributyltin analogues. The reactions were performed at 80 °C using dppf as ligand in the presence of KF, or more conveniently using PPh₃ in the absence of base, furnishing diarylmethane derivatives in high yields (86-99%). Using Pd(OAc)₂/PPh₃ as catalyst precursor competitive Stille and Suzuki cross-coupling reactions with benzyl chloride showed that in the absence of base or in the presence of KF the Stille product is the majority product, and only the Suzuki product was obtained in the presence of KOH as base.     

Stereospecific synthesis of polyfunctionalized carbacephams induced by titanocene(III) chloride

Enantiomerically pure N-substituted epoxyalkene-2-azetidinones reacted with titanocene monochloride to give stereospecifically polyfunctionalized bicyclic beta-lactams. Four isomeric epoxyaldehydes 2 reacted with TiCp2Cl to give exclusively the respective carbacephams 7 while under the same reaction conditions the epoxyesters 1, which are more hindered for an intramolecular addition, gave the cyclization products 6 (only two isomers) and/or the elimination products 5 (all isomers).     

Asymmetric synthesis of benzylic quaternary difunctionalized carbons mediated by a remote sulfinyl group

Enantiomerically enriched α-aryl α-cyanoacetates and α-aryl α-acylacetonitriles bearing a benzylic quaternary stereocenter have been readily synthesized by stereoselective reaction of 2-alkyl-2-[2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)phenyl]acetonitriles with different acylating and alkoxycarbonylating reagents under basic conditions. The stereoselectivity of the reactions proved closely dependent on the nature of the intermediate carbanionic species, the evolution of which was effectively controlled by a sulfinyl group as a remote chiral auxiliary.     

Synthesis of diarylmethane derivatives from Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of benzylic halides with arylboronic acids

A simple catalyst precursor prepared in situ from palladium acetate and triphenylphosphine shows high activity for the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction of benzylic bromides and chlorides with aryl boronic acids. The reaction can be carried out at low catalyst loading (0.002-1 mol%) and under mild conditions (room temperature to 80 °C) furnishing diarylmethane derivatives in high yields (86-99%).     

Radical reactions of epoxy esters induced by titanocene chloride

The reductive radical cyclizations of several epoxy esters have been achieved using titanocene chloride. The tether length from the initial radical to the carbonyl acceptor is the key of the reactions. We obtained products from radical cyclization onto carbonyl formate and products from formate and hydrogen elimination. The stereochemical outcome of the 5-exo radical cyclization of two diastereomers is reported. A radical cascade cyclization of an unsaturated epoxy formate is also described.     

Tandem Hass-Bender/Henry reaction for the synthesis of dimethylnitro alcohols from benzylic halides

Dimethylnitro alcohols are constructed in a one-pot process from benzylic halides and 2-nitropropane. The use of tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) as the promoter is essential for this tandem Hass-Bender/Henry reaction to proceed.     

Catalytic enantioselective Negishi reactions of racemic secondary benzylic halides

This report describes the first enantioselective cross-couplings of racemic secondary benzylic halides, specifically, nickel-catalyzed Negishi reactions of bromides and chlorides. The catalyst components are commercially available and air-stable, and the reaction is not highly oxygen- or moisture-sensitive (it can be set up in the air). The method has been applied to the catalytic enantioselective synthesis of intermediates employed by others in the generation of bioactive compounds (e.g., trikentrin A and an androgen receptor agonist).     

Facile synthesis of 2,2,2-trifluoroacetimidoyl chloride derivatives

Several 2,2,2-trifluoroacetimidoyl chlorides have been prepared in a one-pot stage from primary aromatic amines and trifluoroacetic acid. The reactions were carried out with different primary aromatic amines which they contain additional functional groups and good yield were obtained.     

Activation and functionalization of benzylic derivatives by palladium catalysts

Palladium-catalyzed transformations of aryl halides and pseudo-halides involving carbonylation, carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond-forming reactions, etc. are very well documented, and have already been reviewed several times. The metal-catalyzed activation of benzylic derivatives is much less described. However, during the last decades, a number of papers have shown the interest offered by benzylic derivatives (halides, carbonates, acetates, phosphonates) in selective catalytic reactions for organic synthesis, most of them in the presence of palladium catalysts. The purpose of this tutorial review is to highlight selected examples of palladium-catalyzed transformations involving reactive benzylic derivatives.     

Regio- and diastereoselective reductive coupling of vinylepoxides catalyzed by titanocene chloride

[reaction: see text] The Ti(III)-catalyzed reaction of a series of vinylepoxides leads, with regio- and E-diastereoselectivity control, to good-to-excellent yields of the corresponding homocoupling products. This homocoupling reaction, which involves a new C-C bond-forming method, takes place via a S(N)2' process between an allyltitanium species and the starting vinylepoxide. The process can be used for the rapid and efficient formation of highly valuable intermediates for organic synthesis, as well as new interesting homologues of natural products.     

Asymmetric synthesis of β-hydroxyacetamides mediated by enantiomerically pure sulphinyl derivatives

The aldol-type condensation of enantiomerically pure α-sulphinylacetamides is described. The stereochemical outcome of the reaction mainly depends on the nature of the base used to generate the enolate. Experimental evidences allow the identification of preferred reaction paths.     

Palladium-catalyzed benzylic direct arylation of benzyl sulfones with aryl halides

An effective palladium catalyst system for the direct arylation of benzyl sulfones with aryl halides has been developed. The catalytic reaction provides a facile route to diarylmethyl sulfones. The products can be transformed further via desulfonylative functionalization mediated by aluminum compounds.     

Facile reductive coupling of benzylic halides with ferrous oxalate dihydrate

Facile reductive coupling of benzylic halides is reported with ferrous oxalate dihydrate in DMF or HMPA under nitrogen atmosphere at 155-160 degrees C. The coupling is proposed to proceed by two successive oxidative additions of benzylic halides to ferrous oxalate to give an intermediate organoiron complex which undergoes concerted dimerization to give the corresponding reductively coupled dimers in high yields.     

Synthesis of benzylic boronates via palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of bis(pinacolato)diboron with benzylic halides

The palladium cross-coupling reaction of benzyl halides with diboron 1 yielded structurally diverse pinacol benzylic boronates. Under these reaction conditions, sensitive functionalities such as esters and nitriles are tolerated and the benzylic boronates are obtained in good to high yields.     

CuI mediated synthesis of heterocyclic flavone-benzofuran fused derivatives

An efficient synthetic method of heterocyclic flavone benzofuran fused derivatives is reported in good to excellent yield (75–90%) via Ullmann type coupling reaction. The protocol involves catalytic amount of CuI (10 mol%) and K₂CO₃ base for the intramolecular CO bond formation under mild reaction conditions.     

Asymmetric synthesis of β-hydroxythioacetamides mediated by enantiomerically pure sulphiny1 derivatives

Enantiomerically pure $\text{P}$-tolyl sulphinyl-N,N-dimethylthioacetamide (1) was prepared starting from (-)-(S)-menthyl toluene-$\text{p}$-sulphinate. Aldol-type condensation of (1) and subsequent removal of the Sulphinyl group open an entry to optically active β-hydroxy thioacetamides in 40–90% e.e.