Bu4NI-catalyzed α-acyloxylation reaction of ethers and ketones with aldehydes and tert-butyl hydroperoxide

The reaction of (hetero)aromatic aldehydes or cinnamaldehyde with di-/multi-ethers in the presence of Bu₄NI and tert-butyl hydroperoxide generated corresponding α-acyloxy ethers. Reactions between (hetero)aromatic aldehydes or cyclohexanecarbaldehyde with arylalkyl ketones under similar conditions resulted in α-acyloxy ketones. Collectively, Bu₄NI-catalyzed α-acyloxylation reactions exhibit a broad scope of substrates and a high compatibility with functional groups.     

Facile preparation of aromatic ketones from aromatic bromides and arenes with aldehydes

Aromatic ketones were efficiently prepared in good yields by the reactions of aryl bromides with n-BuLi, followed by the reactions with aromatic aldehydes or aliphatic aldehydes and the subsequent treatment with molecular iodine and K₂CO₃, in a one-pot method. The same treatment of arenes, instead of aromatic bromides, also provided the corresponding aromatic ketones in good yields. Using these methods, various diaryl ketones and alkyl aryl ketones bearing electron-rich aromatics and electron-deficient aromatics could be prepared efficiently by a simple, transition-metal-free, and therefore environmentally benign experimental procedure.     

A novel synthesis of cyclic α-amino aldehydes, amino alcohols, and α-amino acid methyl esters from cyclic ketones through sulfinylaziridines

Treatment of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, which were synthesized from cyclic ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide in three steps in good yields, with N-lithio arylamines gave sulfinylaziridines in high yields. On treatment with N-lithio aniline or N-lithio p-chloroaniline, the sulfinylaziridines gave α-amino aldehydes in high yields. The α-amino aldehydes were converted to amino alcohols and α-amino acid methyl esters in moderate to good yields. This procedure offers an efficient method for synthesis of cyclic α-quaternary α-amino aldehydes, amino alcohols, and α-amino acid derivatives from cyclic ketones.     

A novel and efficient direct aldol condensation from ketones and aromatic aldehydes catalyzed by proline-TEA through a new pathway

A novel and efficient direct aldol condensation from various ketones and a wide range of aldehydes was catalyzed by l-proline-TEA (triethylamine) in MeOH at room temperature, affording the corresponding (E)-α,β-unsaturated ketones in excellent yields. By using the method, some complicated (E)-α,β-unsaturated ketone C-glycosides were obtained from unmodified ketone C-glycosides and aldehydes. This reaction proceeds through a new pathway, in which the specific intermediate was captured and identified.     

Preparation and reactivity of phenyltelluroalkylphosphine oxides. Vinylic tellurides

Phenyltelluromethyldiphenylphosphine oxide was prepared by the reaction of methyldiphenylphosphine oxide with base and PhTeBr. The telluromethylphosphine oxide reacts with aldehydes and ketones to give the corresponding vinylic tellurides, with preferential E stereochemistry for aryl aldehydes and Z for alkyl aldehydes.     

O,O-Diethyl dithiophosphoric acid mediated direct synthesis of thioamides from aldehydes and ketones

A general and convenient method for a one-pot conversion of aldehydes and ketones into thioamides has been developed. The protocol involves oximation of aldehydes and ketones followed by deoxygenative thioamidation of oximes with O,O-diethyl dithiophosphoric acid which acts as an acid as well a source of sulfur. The method is operationally simple, high yielding, and also applicable to the conversion of amides and nitriles into the corresponding thioamides.     

Zr(HSO4)4/SiO2: An effective heterogeneous alternative for one-pot synthesis of β-acetamido ketones

In a one-pot procedure, enolizable ketones reacted with aromatic aldehydes, acetyl chloride and acetonitrile at room temperature in the presence of Zr(HSO₄)₄/SiO₂ to furnish the corresponding β-acetamido ketones in improved yields.     

A new entry of highly nucleophilic CHBr3–TiCl4–Mg system for the stereoselective synthesis of 1-alkenyl bromides

This TiCl₄–Mg promoted coupling of CHBr₃ with various aldehydes and ketones, especially in sterically hindered or enolizable ketones, provides a simple, practical, and stereoselective carbonyl–bromomethylenation leading primarily to (E)-vinyl bromides.     

Ruthenium(II)-catalyzed para-selective CH difluoroalkylation of aromatic aldehydes and ketones using transient directing groups

A Ru(II)-catalyzed para-difluoroalkylation of aromatic aldehydes and ketones with a transient directing group has been developed. It utilizes less expensive ruthenium catalysts and allows facile access to challenging difluoroalkylated aldehydes. The mechanism studies suggest that the distinct coordination mode of ruthenium complex with imine moieties is responsible for para-selectivity.     

Synthesis of conjugated enynes from ketones and aldehydes by 1,2-CC insertion and 1,2-CH insertion of carbenoids as the key reactions

The addition reactions of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides, which were derived from ketones and chloromethyl p-tolyl sulfoxide, with lithium acetylides gave adducts in moderate to good yields. Treatment of the adducts with Grignard reagents resulted in the formation of conjugated enynes in good to high yields via the 1,2-carbon-carbon insertion (1,2-CC insertion) reaction of the generated magnesium carbenoid intermediates. On the other hand, the addition reactions of 1-chlorovinyl p-tolyl sulfoxides derived from aldehydes with lithium acetylides directly gave conjugated enynes bearing a p-tolyl sulfinyl group at the 1-position through the 1,2-carbon-hydrogen insertion (1,2-CH insertion) reaction of the generated lithium carbenoid intermediates. These procedures provide a good way for the synthesis of multi-substituted conjugated enynes from ketones and aldehydes.     

Synthesis of sterically hindered ketones from aldehydes via O-silyl oximes

A mild and efficient method to synthesize sterically hindered ketones from aldehydes via O-silyl oximes was developed. Treatment of O-triphenylsilylated oximes with alkyl iodides in the presence of triethyl borane afforded the corresponding ketones.     

The reaction of selenophosphonates with carbonyl compounds. Vinylic selenides

Selenophosphonates of the general formula (EtO)₂P(O)CHRSePh were prepared and their reactions with aldehydes and ketones investigated. The products formed are vinylic selenides having predominantly the E configuration. Hydrolytic cleavage of these products gives the corresponding ketones.     

Asymmetric aldol reaction using a very simple primary amine catalyst: divergent stereoselectivity by using 2,6-difluorophenyl moiety

Asymmetric aldol reactions of aliphatic ketones or aldehydes with aromatic aldehydes or isatins were catalyzed by a very simple and flexible N-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-l-valinamide. Interestingly, stereochemical course of the reaction of hydroxyacetones or α-branched aliphatic aldehydes as aldol donors was different from that of cycloalkanones.     

Highly efficient and solvent-free direct aldol reaction catalyzed by glucosamine-derived prolinamide

The catalytic activity of novel sugar-based prolinamides in the aldol reaction between ketones and aryl aldehydes has been examined. The prolinamide 1c was found to be an efficient organocatalyst for the asymmetric aldol reaction under solvent-free conditions. A variety of ketones and aldehydes were used as substrates and the corresponding aldol products were obtained in excellent chemical yields with high levels of anti diastereoselectivity (up to 99:1) and enantioselectivity (up to >99%).     

Access to substituted trifluoromethyl ketones using the versatile synthetic intermediate (E)-1,1-dimethyl-2-(1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ylidene)hydrazine

The N,N-dimethylhydrazone of 1,1,1-trifluoroacetone, (E)-1,1-dimethyl-2-(1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ylidene)hydrazine, has been shown to undergo a diverse set of reactions following deprotonation with n-butyl-lithium; including alkylation, addition to ketones and aldehydes, as well as palladium-catalyzed cross-couplings with aryl bromides. Mild hydrolysis of the N,N-dimethylhydrazone products from these transformations affords the corresponding trifluoromethyl ketones in good to excellent yields.     

Vinyl-copper derivatives—XI: Reactivity of Z-alkenyl cuprates towards various electrophiles. Application to the synthesis of some natural products

Z-Alkenylcuprates 1 and 2, prepared in situ by addition of acetylene to alkylcuprates, react with a variety of electrophiles (epoxides, carbon dioxide, aldehydes) and give conjugate addition products with α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, ketones and esters, and with activated cyclopropanes. They also add across the triple bond of some alkynes. The synthesis of natural products (7,9,22) is described.     

3-BocNH-ABNO-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of alcohol at room temperature and atmospheric pressure

A transition-metal-free catalytic system has been developed for selective transformation of alcohol to aldehydes or ketones. The reactions were performed with 3-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane N-oxyl (3-BocNH-ABNO) as the catalyst, NaNO₂ as the co-catalyst, molecular oxygen as the terminal oxidant, and AcOH as the solvent under room temperature. This catalytic system exhibited broad functional group tolerance. A series of alcohol substrates, including primary and secondary benzylic alcohols, heteroaromatic analogues, primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols, could be converted into their corresponding aldehydes and ketones in good conversions and selectivities.     

Aromatic bromination of aldehydes and ketones using 1,3-di-n-butylimidazolium tribromide [BBIm]Br3 ionic liquids under solvent-free conditions

An environmentally benign and efficient process for the preparation of monobromo derivatives of aryl aldehydes and ketones was developed by simple and practical reactions of aryl aldehydes or ketones with 1,3-di-n-butylimidazolium tribromide ([BBIm]Br₃), as a brominating reagent under solvent-free conditions in very high yields. The process has several advantages: high conversions, short reaction time, mild reaction conditions, simple workup with good to quantitative yields and re-usable ionic liquid.     

Biheteroaromatic diphosphine oxides-catalyzed stereoselective direct aldol reactions

A highly stereoselective direct aldol condensation of ketones to aromatic aldehydes was realized; the trichlorosilyl enolether generated in situ in the presence of tetrachlorosilane is activated by catalytic amounts of an enantiomerically pure biheteroaromatic phosphine oxide to react with aldehydes, coordinated as well as activated by the chiral cationic hypervalent silicon species. This Lewis acid-mediated Lewis base-catalyzed transformation allowed, starting from two carbonyl compounds, to directly synthesize β-hydroxy ketones generally with high anti stereoselectivity and up to 93% ee for the anti isomer.     

Visible-light-induced transition metal and photosensitizer free decarbonylative addition of amino-arylaldehydes to ketones

The decarbonylative-coupling reaction is generally promoted by transition metals (via organometallic complexes) or peroxides (via radical intermediates), often at high temperatures to facilitate the CO release. Herein, a visible-light-induced, transition metal and external photosensitizer free decarbonylative addition of benzaldehydes to ketones/aldehydes at room temperature is reported. Tertiary/secondary alcohols were obtained in moderate to excellent yields promoted by using CsF under mild conditions. The detailed mechanistic investigation showed that the reaction proceeded through photoexcitation–decarbonylation of the aldehyde to generate an aromatic anion, followed by its addition to ketones/aldehydes. The reaction mechanism was verified by the density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

A visible-light-induced, transition-metal and external photosensitizer free decarbonylative addition of benzaldehydes to ketones/aldehydes via anion intermediates at room temperature is developed.