Cobalt‐Catalyzed Coupling of Benzoic Acid C−H Bonds with Alkynes,Styrenes, and 1,3‐Dienes

A method for cobalt‐catalyzed, carboxylate‐directed functionalization of arene C?H bonds is reported. Alkynes, styrenes, and 1,3‐dienes can be coupled with benzoic acids to provide cyclic products in good yields. The reactions proceed in the presence of a cobalt(II) hexafluoroacetylacetonate catalyst, (TMS)₂NH base, Ce(SO₄)₂ cooxidant, and oxygen oxidant.     

Nitro-Group–Directed Selective Dealkylation

Nitro-substituted phenolic ethers were successfully selectively dealkylated. The directing effect of the nitro group is supported by the excellent regioselectivities and good yields. These reactions demonstrate that the complexation of AlCl₃ with the phenolic nitro group is stronger than with the phenolic ether alone. The mechanism for the selective dealkylation directed by the nitro group is proposed.     

Cobalt‐Catalyzed Coupling of Benzoic Acid C−H Bonds with Alkynes,Styrenes, and 1,3‐Dienes

A method for cobalt‐catalyzed, carboxylate‐directed functionalization of arene C−H bonds is reported. Alkynes, styrenes, and 1,3‐dienes can be coupled with benzoic acids to provide cyclic products in good yields. The reactions proceed in the presence of a cobalt(II) hexafluoroacetylacetonate catalyst, (TMS)₂NH base, Ce(SO₄)₂ cooxidant, and oxygen oxidant.     

Protein‐Directed Solution‐Phase Green Synthesis of BSA‐Conjugated MxSey (M=Ag,Cd, Pb,Cu) Nanomaterials

Bovine serum albumin (BSA)‐conjugated M_xSe_y (M=Ag, Cd, Pb, Cu) nanomaterials with different shapes and sizes were synthesized in water at room temperature by a protein‐directed, solution‐phase, green synthetic method. The method features very low energy consumption and nontoxic reagents with high yields of concentrated nanoparticles. The obtained bioconjugated nanoparticles have good dispersibility, bioactivity, and biocompatibility. In addition, various functional groups of protein on the surface of the nanocrystals are suitable for further biological interactions or couplings, which is very important for further biological applications.     

Directed Remote Lateral Metalation: Highly Substituted 2‐Naphthols and BINOLs by In Situ Generation of a Directing Group

A general synthesis of highly substituted 2‐naphthols based on a new carbanionic reaction sequence is demonstrated. The reaction exploits the dual nature of lithium bases consisting of consecutive ring opening of readily available coumarins with either LiNEt₂ or LiNiPr₂ into Z‐cinnamamides, thus generating a directing group in situ and allowing, by conformational freedom, a lateral directed remote metalation for ring closure to give the aryl 2‐naphthols in good to excellent yields. These transformations can be combined to provide a more efficient one‐pot process. Mechanistic insight into the remote lateral metalation step, demonstrating the requirement of Z‐cinnamamide, is described. Application of this methodology to the synthesis of highly substituted 3,3′‐diaryl BINOL ligands is also reported.     

Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of arylacetamides from arylboronic acids

Aryl amides were synthesized by the palladium catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of α-bromoacetamides with arylboronic acids in good yields. Both electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents on the aromatic ring are found to be compatible. The addition of Cu₂O and PPh₃ was found to be essential for good reaction yields.     

A novel synthesis of bicyclo[3.3.0]oct-1-en-3-ones from cyclobutanones through [chloro(p-tolylsulfinyl)methylidene]cyclobutanes with ring expansion

Treatment of [chloro(p-tolylsulfinyl)methylidene]cyclobutanes, which were synthesized from cyclobutanones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide in three steps in high overall yields, with excess cyanomethyllithium gave enaminonitriles in high yields. Heating of these enaminonitriles with H₃PO₄ in acetic acid gave 2-cyanobicyclo[3.3.0]oct-1-en-3-ones in good yield. On the other hand, treatment of the [chloro(p-tolylsulfinyl)methylidene]cyclobutanes with cyanomethyllithium followed by lithium carbanion of the homologues of acetonitrile afforded enaminonitriles having a substituent at the 3-position. Heating of the enaminonitriles with H₃PO₄ in acetic acid gave 2-substituted bicyclo[3.3.0]oct-1-en-3-ones in good to high yields. This method offers a novel and versatile procedure for synthesis of 2-substituted bicyclo[3.3.0]oct-1-en-3-ones from cyclobutanones in good overall yields.     

A sequential reaction process to assemble polysubstituted indolizidines, quinolizidines and quinolizidine analogues

The ω-iodo-α,β-alkynoates and their ketone, sulfone or phosphonate analogues react with δ-chloropropylamines in MeCN assisted with K₂CO₃ to undergo a sequential S_N2/Michael addition/S_N2/S_N2 reaction process, giving polysubstituted indolizidines or quinolizidines in good to excellent yields. This sequential reaction process is also compatible with three other substituted α,β-alkynoates, affording quinolizidine analogues in moderate to good yields.     

A novel synthesis, including asymmetric synthesis, of α-quaternary α-amino acid methyl esters from ketones via sulfinyloxiranes

Sulfinyloxiranes were synthesized from ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide in two steps in almost quantitative yields. The sulfinyloxiranes were treated with NaN₃ in the presence of NH₄Cl to afford α-azido aldehydes, which were oxidized with iodine in the presence of KOH in methanol to give α-azido methyl esters in good overall yields. Catalytic hydrogenation of the α-azido esters afforded α-quaternary α-amino acid methyl esters in quantitative yields. Starting from β-tetralone and optically pure (R)-chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, an asymmetric synthesis of optically pure (R)-(+)-methyl 2-aminotetraline-2-carboxylate was realized in good overall yields.     

Stereoselective preparation of 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives substituted by pentafluorophenyl by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition reactions of chiral imines obtained from optically active amino acids with nitrile oxides afforded 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives in moderate to good yields with good stereoselectivity. Investigation on the effect of bases suggested that triethylamine was prone to afford better stereoselectivity, while NaHCO₃ was prone to increase the reaction rates and yields.     

Facile synthesis of S-arylisothioureas via the S-arylation of arylthioureas with aryl iodides in water

An environmentally benign, simple and highly efficient protocol for the synthesis of S-arylisothiourea derivatives has been achieved in good to excellent yields by reacting a series of aryl iodides with arylthioureas, using inexpensive CuSO₄·5H₂O as catalyst in water without PTC (phase transfer catalyst). The protocol features easy performance, good to excellent yields, good tolerance towards a variety of functional groups, which could be useful for the preparation of some biologically active compounds.     

Pd-catalyzed regioselective C-H chlorination of disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles

This paper mainly studied Pd-catalyzed regioselective chlorination of disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles directed by the 1,2,3-triazole ring. A series of regioselective chlorinated products were synthesized in 47–86% yields using Pd(OAc)₂ as a catalyst and CuCl₂ as a chlorinated reagent. This method provides a new mean for the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazole halides which combines the formation of C-X bond with C-H activation.     

A Convenient Synthesis of N-Alkyl and N,N-Dialkyltrifluoroacetamides in a Solid-liquid Two-Phase System in the Presence of Phase-Transfer Catalysts

Trifluoroacetamide is easily monoalkylated in a K₂ CO₃-organic solvent solid-liquid two-phase system affording in good to excellent yields N-alkyltrifluoroacetamides. Under the same conditions, the latter, in turn, react with alkylating agents giving N, N-dialkyltrifluoroacetamides in high yields.     

Facile preparation of aromatic esters from aromatic bromides with ethyl formate or DMF and molecular iodine via aryllithium

Various aromatic bromides were treated with n-BuLi and subsequently with ethyl formate, followed by the reaction with ethanol and molecular iodine in the presence of K₂CO₃ to provide the corresponding aromatic ethyl esters in good yields. Moreover, aromatic bromides could be transformed into the corresponding aromatic methyl esters in good yields by the treatment with n-BuLi and subsequently with DMF, followed by the reaction with methanol, molecular iodine, and K₂CO₃. Some aromatics could be also converted into the corresponding aromatic esters in good yields by the treatment with n-BuLi, and subsequently with ethyl formate or DMF, followed by the reaction with molecular iodine and K₂CO₃. The present reactions offer a novel route for the transition-metal-free, carbon-monoxide-free, and therefore environmentally benign one-pot conversion of aromatic bromides and aromatics into aromatic esters.     

Samarium diiodide promoted formation of 1,2-diketones and 1-acylamido-2-substituted benzimidazoles from N-acylbenzotriazoles

N-Acylbenzotriazoles, when treated with samarium diiodide in THF, undergo self-coupling reaction to afford 1,2-diketones in good to excellent yields; while when treated with samarium diiodide in CH₃CN, they undergo ring-opening reaction to afford 1-acylamido-2-alkyl (or aryl) benzimidazoles in reasonable to good yields. A plausible mechanism was suggested.     

Sulfoxide-controlled SN2′ displacements between cuprates and vinyl and alkynyl epoxy sulfoxides

The S_N2′ displacement of readily available vinyl epoxy sulfoxides with organocopper reagents takes place in good yields with high anti selectivity and a good degree of E/Z stereocontrol to produce enantiopure α-hydroxy vinyl sulfoxides. A second allylic displacement on the related mesyloxy vinyl sulfoxides allows for the asymmetric construction of two adjacent chiral centers. In addition, cuprate mediated S_N2′ addition to alkynyl epoxy sulfoxides affords α-hydroxy allenyl sulfoxides in good yields.     

One-pot conversion of aromatic bromides and aromatics into aromatic nitriles via aryllithiums and their DMF adduct

Various aromatic bromides and iodides were smoothly converted into the corresponding aromatic nitriles in good to moderate yields by the treatment with n-butyllithium and subsequently DMF, followed by treatment with molecular iodine in aq NH₃. The same treatment of typical aromatics and heteroaromatics with n-butyllithium and subsequently DMF, followed by treatment with molecular iodine in aq NH₃ also provided the corresponding aromatic nitriles in good yields. Moreover, the same treatment of aromatic bromides and aromatics with half amount of DIH (1,3-diiodo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin) instead of molecular iodine worked effectively to give the corresponding aromatic nitriles, respectively, in good yields. These reactions are novel and environmentally benign one-pot methods for the preparation of aromatic nitriles from aromatic bromides and aromatics, respectively, through the formation of aryllithiums and their DMF adducts.     

Rhenium complex-catalyzed acylative cleavage of ethers with acyl chlorides

It was found that rhenium complex was an efficient catalyst for the acylative cleavage of C-O bond of ethers with acyl chlorides. When acyclic ethers were allowed to react with acyl chlorides in the presence of a catalytic amount of ReBr(CO)₅, acylative cleavage of C-O bond of acyclic ethers smoothly proceeded to give the corresponding esters in moderate to good yields. Similarly, cyclic ethers were acylative cleaved by acyl chlorides to give the corresponding chloro substituted esters in good yields by the use of Re₂O₇ catalyst.     

Application of directed orthometalation toward the synthesis of aryl siloxanes

A selection of ortho-substituted aryl siloxanes have been prepared by directed orthometalation protocols. These siloxanes can be prepared in high yields and purity by use of a diverse selection of ortho-directing groups and electrophilic siloxane derivatives. The siloxanes are employed in palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions with aryl bromides to generate unsymmetrical ortho-substituted biaryls in good to excellent yields.     

A synthesis of optically active α-quaternary α-amino acids and esters by assembling three components, ketones, (R)-chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, and sodium azide, via sulfinyloxiranes

Treatment of lithium α-sulfinyl carbanion of chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxides with ketones at low temperature afforded adducts in almost quantitative yields, which were exposed to t-BuOK to give sulfinyloxiranes in high yields. The sulfinyloxirane was reacted with benzylamine to give α-amino aldehyde, which was oxidized with iodine in methanol to afford α-amino carboxylic ester in moderate yield. The sulfinyloxiranes were treated with sodium azide to afford α-azido aldehydes in good yields. Oxidation with NaClO₂ followed by catalytic hydrogenation of the azido group of the α-azido aldehydes gave α-quaternary α-amino acids in good overall yields. The oxidation of the azido aldehydes with iodine in methanol in the presence of KOH followed by the catalytic hydrogenation resulted in α-quaternary α-amino acid methyl esters in good yields. When these reactions were carried out starting from unsymmetrical ketones and optically pure (R)-chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, a new method for a synthesis of optically active α-quaternary α-amino acids and esters in good overall yields was realized.