Inside Back Cover: Cu(II)‐Catalyzed Ligand‐Free Oxidation of Diarylmethanes and Second Alcohols in Water (Chin. J. Chem. 9/2017)

The inside back cover picture shows a simple and efficient Cu(II )‐catalyzed ligand‐free oxidation of diarylmethanes and secondary alcohols using 70% TBHP in water. A series of diarylmethanes were directly oxidized into diaryl ketones in 67%–98% yields. Additionally, various secondary alcohols were also transformed into the desired products in 48%–98% yields. Importantly, the catalytic system in the absence of any organic solvent, surfactant, or phase transfer agent, had a wide substrate scope and a high tolerance for various functional groups. More details are discussed in the article by Liu et al. on page 1391–1395.

     

Asymmetric Photochemical Synthesis of Chiral 5‐(R)‐(l)‐Menthyloxy‐4‐Cycloaminobutyrolactones

Through photocatalysed regiospecific and stereoselective additions of cycloamines to 5‐(R)‐(l)‐menthyloxy‐2 (5H)‐furanone (3), chiral 5‐(R)‐(l)‐menthyloxy‐4‐cycloaminobutyrolactones were synthesized. In the new asymmetric photoaddition of compound 3, the N‐methyl cyclic amines (4) gave novel chiral C? C photoadducts (5) in 24–50% isolated yields with d. e. ≥ 98%. However, the secondary cyclic amines (6) afforded optically active N? C photoadducts (7) in 34–58% isolated yields with d. e. ≥ 98% under the same condition. All the synthesized optically active compounds were identified on the basis of their analytical data and spectroscopic data, such as [α]₅₈₉²⁰, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MS and elementary analysis. The photosynthesis of chiral butyrolactones and its mechanism were discussed in detail.     

ZnCl2‐Promoted Asymmetric Hydrogenation of β‐Secondary‐Amino Ketones Catalyzed by a P‐Chiral Rh–Bisphosphine Complex

A new catalytic system has been developed for the asymmetric hydrogenation of β‐secondary‐amino ketones using a highly efficient P‐chiral bisphosphine–rhodium complex in combination with ZnCl₂ as the activator of the catalyst. The chiral γ‐secondary‐amino alcohols were obtained in 90–94 % yields, 90–99 % enantioselectivities, and with high turnover numbers (up to 2000 S/C; S/C=substrate/catalyst ratio). A mechanism for the promoting effect of ZnCl₂ on the catalytic system has been proposed on the basis of NMR spectroscopy and HRMS studies. This method was successfully applied to the asymmetric syntheses of three important drugs, (S)‐duloxetine, (R)‐fluoxetine, and (R)‐atomoxetine, in high yields and with excellent enantioselectivities.     

A novel Pt/C‐catalyzed transfer hydrogenation reaction of p‐benzoquinone to produce p‐hydroquinone using cyclohexanone as an unexpectedly effective hydrogen source

A new method for the production of p‐hydroquinone via a Pt/C‐catalyzed reduction of p‐benzoquinone is developed. Different from the conventional transfer hydrogenation reactions that usually use secondary alcohols such as isopropanol as the hydrogen source, in this work, it is unexpectedly found that cyclohexanone is a more effective hydrogen source than secondary alcohols, even cyclohexanol. This reaction affords acceptable yields of p‐hydroquinone with very high turnover number (1109) of the Pt/C catalyst. A mechanism of this interesting reaction is proposed on the basis of the results of a series of control experiments, GC–MS analysis as well as dynamic studies.     

Atom‐Efficient Gold(I)‐Chloride‐Catalyzed Synthesis of α‐Sulfenylated Carbonyl Compounds from Propargylic Alcohols and Aryl Thiols: Substrate Scope and Experimental and Theoretical Mechanistic Investigation

Gold(I)‐chloride‐catalyzed synthesis of α‐sulfenylated carbonyl compounds from propargylic alcohols and aryl thiols showed a wide substrate scope with respect to both propargylic alcohols and aryl thiols. Primary and secondary aromatic propargylic alcohols generated α‐sulfenylated aldehydes and ketones in 60–97 % yield. Secondary aliphatic propargylic alcohols generated α‐sulfenylated ketones in yields of 47–71 %. Different gold sources and ligand effects were studied, and it was shown that gold(I) chloride gave the highest product yields. Experimental and theoretical studies demonstrated that the reaction proceeds in two separate steps. A sulfenylated allylic alcohol, generated by initial regioselective attack of the aryl thiol on the triple bond of the propargylic alcohol, was isolated, evaluated, and found to be an intermediate in the reaction. Deuterium labeling experiments showed that the protons from the propargylic alcohol and aryl thiol were transferred to the 3‐position, and that the hydride from the alcohol was transferred to the 2‐position of the product. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations showed that the observed regioselectivity of the aryl thiol attack towards the 2‐position of propargylic alcohol was determined by a low‐energy, five‐membered cyclic protodeauration transition state instead of the strained, four‐membered cyclic transition state found for attack at the 3‐position. Experimental data and DFT calculations supported that the second step of the reaction is initiated by protonation of the double bond of the sulfenylated allylic alcohol with a proton donor coordinated to gold(I) chloride. This in turn allows for a 1,2‐hydride shift, generating the final product of the reaction.     

Preparation of Silyl Ethers Using Hexamethyldisilazane in the Presence of N‐Bromosuccinimide under Mild and Solvent‐Free Conditions

A mild, simple, novel and highly efficient method for the rapid protection of various primary, secondary, tertiary aliphatic and aromatic alcohols using hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) in the presence of N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) as an active, inexpensive, non-toxic and readily available catalyst under solvent-free conditions is described. Trimethylsilyl ethers were prepared in high to excellent yields with short reaction time under mild and almost neutral reaction conditions.     

Asymmetric Reduction of α‐Amino Ketones with a KBH4 Solution Catalyzed by Chiral Lewis Acids

An efficient enantioselective reduction of α‐amino ketones with potassium borohydride solution catalyzed by chiral N,N′‐dioxide–metal complex catalysts was accomplished under mild reaction conditions for the first time. It provided a simple, convenient, and practical approaches for obtaining synthetically important chiral β‐amino alcohols in good to excellent yields (up to 98 %) and enantioselectivities (up to 97 % ee).     

Squaramide‐Catalyzed Asymmetric aza‐Friedel–Crafts/N,O‐Acetalization Domino Reactions Between 2‐Naphthols and Pyrazolinone Ketimines

N‐Boc ketimines derived from pyrazolin‐5‐ones were explored to develop an unprecedented domino aza‐Friedel–Crafts/N,O‐acetalization reaction with 2‐naphthols. The novel method requires a catalyst loading of only 0.5 mol % of a bifunctional squaramide catalyst, is scalable to gram amounts, and provides a new series of furanonaphthopyrazolidinone derivatives bearing two vicinal tetra‐substituted stereogenic centers in excellent yields (95–98 %) and stereoselectivity (>99:1 d.r. and 97–98 % ee ). A different reactivity was observed in the case of 1‐naphthols and other electron‐rich phenols, which led to the aza‐Friedel–Crafts adducts in 70–98 % yield and 47–98 % ee .     

三氯化铟高效催化3-(1-吡咯基)吲哚-2-酮类化合物的合成方法

使用三氯化铟在乙醇中回流的条件下催化不同的靛红衍生物与4-羟基脯氨酸反应,以较高的产率(83-99%)和纯度合成得到了相应的产物3-(1-吡咯基)吲哚-2-酮化合物,并对这个反应做了一个比较全面系统的研究.     

Cationic Ir/Me‐BIPAM‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Intramolecular Direct Hydroarylation of α‐Ketoamides

Asymmetric intramolecular direct hydroarylation of α‐ketoamides gives various types of optically active 3‐substituted 3‐hydroxy‐2‐oxindoles in high yields with complete regioselectivity and high enantioselectivities (84–98 % ee). This is realized by the use of the cationic iridium complex [Ir(cod)₂](BAr^F₄) and the chiral O‐linked bidentate phosphoramidite (R,R)‐Me‐BIPAM.     

Molybdenum‐ and Tungsten‐Based Coordination Polymers as Catalysts for an Efficient and Rapid Synthesis of Hexahydro‐5‐oxoquinoline‐3‐carboxylates and 1,4‐Dihydropyridine‐3,5‐dicarboxylates

Hexahydro‐5‐oxoquinoline‐3‐carboxylates and 1,4‐dihydropyridine‐3,5‐dicarboxylates were synthesized efficiently and rapidly (2 min) in the presence of molybdenum‐ and tungsten‐based coordination polymers [M(Bu₃Sn)₂O₄)]_n (M=Mo or W) as catalysts (Schemes 1 and 2; Tables 2 and 3). The products were formed at room temperature in excellent yields (90–98%). The catalysts worked under heterogeneous conditions and were recyclable. The earlier reports for the application of these polymers to conduct organic synthesis are limited. The present method explores a new and useful application of these catalysts.     

Facile one‐pot synthesis of a series of 7‐aryl‐8H‐benzo[h]indeno[1,2‐b]quinoline‐8‐one derivatives catalyzed by cellulose‐based magnetic nanocomposite

A sulfonated magnetic cellulose‐based nanocomposite was applied as an efficient, inexpensive and green catalyst for the one‐pot three‐component synthesis of 7‐aryl‐8H ‐benzo[h ]indeno[1,2‐b ]quinoline‐8‐ones starting from 1,3‐indanedione, aromatic aldehydes and 1‐naphthylamine under solvent‐free conditions in high yields (79–98%) within short reaction times (2–5 min). The nanobiostructure catalyst can be easily separated from the reaction mixture by using an external magnet and reused several times.     

N‐heterocyclic carbene–palladium complexes for Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction with benzyl chloride and aromatic boronic acid leading to diarylmethanes

A family of N‐heterocyclic carbene–palladium(II)–N,N‐dimethylbenzylamine complexes ((NHC)LPdCl₂; L = N,N‐dimethylbenzylamine) were synthesized as well as characterized using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and spectroscopic data. These complexes exhibited higher catalytic activities for the Suzuki reaction of benzyl chlorides to afford diarylmethanes under milder conditions than other efficient (NHC)LPdCl₂ complexes. Using the optimum conditions, the expected coupling products were obtained in moderate to high yields. All reactions were carried out in air and all starting materials were used as supplied without purification.     

无气味、实用的缩硫醛/酮化反应试剂：2-（1，3-二噻-2-亚基）-3-羰基丁酸甲酯

a-Oxo ketene dithioacetals, methyl 2-（1,3-dithian/dithiolan-2-ylidene）-3-oxobutanoate （2a/2b） prepared in nearly quantitative yields simply from methyl acetylacetate, carbon disulfide and 1,3-dibromopropane/1,2-dibromoethane in the presence of potassium carbonate, were investigated in the thioacetalization with various carbonyl compounds 3. It has been demonstrated that methyl 2-（1,3-dithian-2-ylidene）-3-oxobutanoate （2a） could act as a nonthiolic, odorless and practical thioacetalization reagent. A range of aldehydes and ketones 3 were converted into the corresponding dithioacetals 4 in high yields （up to 91%） in the presence of 2a. Moreover, 2a showed high chemoselectivity between aldehyde and ketone in thioacetalization.     

Stereoselective synthesis of functional dehydrophenylalanine derivatives from novel β‐chloroamino esters

New functional dehydrophenylalanines 3 were prepared from β‐amino alcohols 1 in a two‐step reaction sequence. The synthesis involved chlorination of the starting amino alcohols 1 to afford the intermediate erythro β‐chloroamines 2 . Treatment of the latter with an appropriate base led to a highly stereoselective elimination reaction, giving the corresponding (E)‐dehydrophenylalanine derivatives 3 in high yields. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 23:91–98, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/hc.20756     

A Highly Active Bifunctional Iridium Complex with an Alcohol/Alkoxide‐Tethered N‐Heterocyclic Carbene for Alkylation of Amines with Alcohols

A series of new iridium(III) complexes containing bidentate N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) functionalized with an alcohol or ether group (NHC? OR, R=H, Me) were prepared. The complexes catalyzed the alkylation of anilines with alcohols as latent electrophiles. In particular, biscationic Ir^III complexes of the type [Cp*(NHC‐OH)Ir(MeCN)]²⁺2[BF₄^?] afforded higher‐order amine products with very high efficiency; up to >99 % yield using a 1:1 ratio of reactants and 1–2.5 mol % of Ir, in short reaction times (2–16 h) and under base‐free conditions. Quantitative yields were also obtained at 50 °C, although longer reaction times (48–60 h) were needed. A large variety of aromatic amines have been alkylated with primary and secondary alcohols. The reactivity of structurally related iridium(III) complexes was also compared to obtain insights into the mechanism and into the structure of possible catalytic intermediates. The Ir^III complexes were stable towards oxygen and moisture, and were characterized by NMR, HRMS, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, and elemental analyses.     

Lipase‐catalysed kinetic resolution of hydroxymethylchromanes

An effective kinetic resolution of hydroxymethylchromanes racemic 2a and 3a has been achieved by means of enantioselective transesterification with vinyl acetate in organic solvents. The alcohols (‐)‐R‐ 2a and (‐)‐S‐ 3a were obtained with high optical purities (94 and 98% ee) in 70% and 38% yields, respectively. The influence of the enzyme source and the character of the solvent on the enantioselectivity were studied.     

Highly Efficient Microwave‐Assisted Substitution of β‐Dicarbonyl Compounds with Secondary Alcohols Using Fluoroboric Acid as the Catalyst

The microwave‐assisted substitution of β‐dicarbonyl compounds with secondary alcohols has been achieved efficiently, using very cheap fluoroboric acid (HBF₄) as the catalyst. For various β‐dicarbonyl compounds and a series of secondary alcohols, the direct substitution gives high yields after only 5 min of microwave irradiation.     

One‐Pot Alkoxylation of Phenols with Urea and 1,2‐Glycols

A one‐pot epoxide‐free alkoxylation process has been developed for phenolic compounds. The process involves heating phenols and urea in 1,2‐glycols at 170‐190 °C using Na₂CO₃/ZnO as co‐catalysts under atmospheric conditions. During the course of this new alkoxylation reaction, a five‐membered ring cyclic carbonate intermediate, ethylene carbonate (EC) or propylene carbonate (PPC), was produced in‐transit as the key intermediate and was subsequently consumed by phenols to form alkoxylated ether alcohols as final products in excellent yields. For instance, phenol, bisphenol A (BPA), hydroquinone and resorcinol were converted into their respective mono‐alkoxylated ether alcohols on each of their phenolic groups in 80‐95% isolated yields. In propoxylation of phenols, this approach shows great product selectivity favoring production of high secondary alcohols over primary alcohols in isomeric ratios of nearing 95/5. Since ammonia (NH₃) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) evolving from the reaction can be re‐combined in theory into urea for re‐use, the overall net‐alkoxylation by this approach can be regarded as a simple condensation reaction of phenols with 1,2‐glycols giving off water as its by‐product. This one‐pot process is simple, safe and environmentally friendlier than the conventional alkoxylated processes based on ethylene oxide (EO) or propylene oxide (PO). Moreover, this process is particularly well‐suited for making short chain‐length alkoxyether alcohols of phenols.     

4‐OH‐TEMPO/TCQ/TBN/HCl: A Metal‐Free Catalytic System for Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols under Mild Conditions

A green and economical catalyst system, 4‐OH‐TEMPO/TCQ/TBN/HCl, for the aerobic oxidation of a broad range of primary and secondary alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds has been developed. These reactions proceed without transition‐metals under mild conditions with excellent yields.