A simple one-pot procedure for the direct conversion of alcohols into alkyl nitriles using TsIm

A convenient and efficient one-pot preparation of nitriles from alcohols using N-(p-toluenesulfonyl)imidazole (TsIm) is described. In this method, treatment of alcohols with a mixture of NaCN, TsIm and triethylamine in the presence of catalytic amounts of tetra-n-butylammonium iodide (TBAI) in refluxing DMF furnishes the corresponding alkyl nitriles in good yields. This methodology is highly efficient for various structurally diverse alcohols with selectivity for ROH: 1° > 2° > 3°.     

A simple and advantageous protocol for the oxidation of alcohols with O-iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX)

[reaction: see text] An efficient, user-friendly procedure for the oxidation of alcohols using IBX is described. Simply heating a solution of the alcohol in the presence of suspended IBX followed by filtration and removal of the solvent gives excellent yields of the corresponding carbonyl compounds. We illustrate this procedure with a panel of primary and secondary alcohol substrates and note that it allows recycling and reuse of the oxidant.     

Reaction profiles and substituent effects for the reduction of carbonyl compounds with monomer and dimer simple metal hydride reagents

Reaction profiles and energetics for the reactions of substituted benzaldehydes with a series of different simple metal hydrides (BH(3), BMeH(2), BMe(2)H, AlH(3), and AlMe(2)H) are examined computationally. B3LYP/6-31G optimizations and MP2/6-311G single point energy calculations revealed that the Al reagents are more reactive than B reagents. Replacement of H with Me on BH(3) or AlH(3) makes the reduction transition state (TS) less stable. Accordingly the overall reactivity is in the order AlH(3) > AlMe(2)H > BH(3) > BMe(2)H. The Hammett rho value for substituted benzaldehydes (BAs) is negative for the initial complex formation and positive for the hydride-transfer step. The size and the sign of the apparent rho value depend on the relative stabilities of the separated reactants and the complex. The TS structures vary according to the Hammond postulate for substituted BAs and the variation is reflected in carbonyl-carbon and aldehyde-deuterium isotope effects. Comparison of the reaction profiles of the monomer and dimer reagents reveals that the real reacting species is the monomer in the gas phase for BH(3) but the dimer for BMe(2)H.     

A simple and efficient copper-catalyzed procedure for the hydrosilylation of hindered and functionalized ketones

The catalytic hydrosilylation of highly hindered and functionalized ketones is described. The combination of inexpensive catalyst precursors, CuCl and NHC.HX (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene), leads to a highly efficient reduction mediator for the preparation of silyl ethers from unfunctionalized and functionalized alkyl, cyclic, bicyclic, aromatic, and heteroaromatic ketones. A series of catalyst precursors have been structurally characterized and a catalyst-structure activity relationship is discussed.     

A convenient procedure for the synthesis of allyl and benzyl ethers from alcohols and phenols

Allyl and benzyl ethers of alcohols can be prepared conveniently and in high yield with allyl and benzyl bromide in the presence of solid potassium hydroxide without use of any solvent. Phenols can be converted to allyl ethers but are inert to benzylation under above conditions.     

Cross-coupling of Grignard reagents with alkyl halides or tosylates by the use of nickel or palladium containing perovskite

Nickel and palladium-containing perovskites, LaFe_0.8Ni_0.2O₃ (LFNO) and LaFe_0.95Pd_0.05O₃ (LFPO), could be employed as effective catalyst sources for the cross-coupling of nonactivated alkyl halides and tosylates with Grignard reagents in the presence of conjugated dienes. The reaction proceeded efficiently at room temperature or below using only ca. 1 mol % of catalysts with respect to Ni or Pd and the perovskites were reused without considerable loss of activity.     

A simple and convenient procedure for the synthesis of 1-aminophosphonates from aromatic aldehydes

A simple, efficient, possible industrial process has been developed for the synthesis of 1-aminophosphonic acids from simple starting materials. As described below, treatment of aromatic aldehydes with ammonia and reaction with diethyl phosphite gives diethyl N-(arylmethylene)-1-aminoaryl methylphosphonates, which can be easily hydrolyzed to diethyl 1-aminoarylmethylphosphonates. This method is easy, rapid, and good yielding for the synthesis of 1-aminoalkylphosphonates from simple starting materials.     

A rapid,efficient and green procedure for transformation of alkyl halides/ tosylates to organochalcogens in water

A one-pot and efficient synthesis of dialkyl dichalcogenides (S, Se) in aqueous media under catalyst-free conditions using benzylic, allylic and primary halides with elemental sulfur and selenium has been developed. Also, this procedure was extended to preparation of trisulfides and triselenides from secondary and tertiary halides in same condition. In all cases, products can be obtained in good to excellent yield in short reactions time.     

Organic Sonochemistry,ultrasonic acceleration of the reduction of simple and deactivated aryl halides using lithium aluminum hydride

Eleven aromatic halides are reduced in very high yields in the presence of LiAlH₄ and sonic waves at 35°.     

Organoboranes for synthesis. 10.1 the base-induced reaction of bromine with organoboranes. A convenient procedure for the conversion of alkenes into alkyl bromides via hydroboration

The reaction of trialkylboranes with bromine is greatly accelerated by base. Bromination in the presence of sodium hydroxide provides alkyl bromide along with a large amount of the corresponding alcohol. The use of sodium methoxide as a base eliminates this undesirable sidereaction and provides an improved yield of alkyl bromide. Consequently, hydroboration, followed by bromination in the presence of sodium methoxide, provides a convenient new procedure for the conversion of alkenes into alkyl bromides. The organoboranes, obtained via hydroboration of terminal alkenes, react with the utilization of all three alkyl groups attached to boron, providing nearly quantitative yields of alkyl bromides. This procedure also accommodates common organic functional groups, as demonstrated by the preparation of methyl 11-bromoundecanoate and 11-bromoundecyl acetate from the corresponding functionally substituted alkenes. Under these conditions, secondary and bulky primary alkyl groups react more sluggishly. However, a procedure involving simultaneous addition of bromine and methanolic sodium methoxide provides improved results for such derivatives. Surprisingly, the base-induced bromination of tri-exo-norbomylborane results in an inversion of configuration at the reaction center to give predominantlyendo-2-bromonorbomane. A mechanism is proposed to account for this remarkable inversion.     

A convenient one-pot procedure for the selective reduction of ketones in the presence of aldehydes

The title process has been accomplished by a three-step sequence involving protection of aldehyde as the imine, $\text{in situ}$ reduction of ketone with lithium tri-$\text{tert}$-butoxyaluminohydride, and regeneration of aldehyde on hydrolytic work-up.     

Asymmetric reduction of alkyl phenyl ketones with a chiral hydride reagent prepared from lithium aluminum hydride and (S)-4-anilino-3-methylamino-1-butanol

The asymetric reduction of alkyl phenyl ketones with a chiral hydride reagent derived from lithium aluminum hydride and (S)-4-anilino-3-methylamino-1-butanol, which is prepared from (S)-aspartic acid, gives (S)-alkylphenylcarbinols in high chemical and optical yields.     

A simple one-pot procedure for the direct conversion of alcohols into azides using TsIm

A facile and efficient method for one-pot conversion of alcohols into azides using N-(p-toluenesulfonyl)imidazole (TsIm) is described. In this method, alcohols are refluxed with a mixture of NaN₃, TsIm and triethylamine in the presence of catalytic amounts of tetra-n-butylammonium iodide (TBAI) in DMF affording the corresponding alkyl azides in good yields. This methodology is highly efficient for various structurally diverse alcohols with selectivity for ROH: 1° > 2° > 3°.     

Air-assisted addition of grignard reagents to olefins. A simple protocol for a three-component coupling process yielding alcohols

Silylmethyl, tertiary-alkyl, alkenyl, and aryl Grignard reagents underwent intermolecular addition to olefins, such as styrenes, conjugated dienes, and enynes under an air atmosphere to give homologated alcohols. For example, (trimethylsilyl)methylmagnesium chloride and alpha-methylstyrene in ether at room temperature under dry air directly furnished 2-phenyl-4-(trimethylsilyl)-2-butanol in good yield. As the Grignard addition to olefins under argon with rigorous exclusion of O2 did not proceed at all, the above reaction should involve a radical mechanism: an alkyl radical generated by the aerial oxidation of the Grignard reagent adds to olefin, which is followed by oxygenation. Representative examples of this transformation, where products were obtained in good to excellent diastereo- or regioselectivity, are also disclosed.     

Organic reactions at alumina surfaces. An extremely simple,convenient and selective method for acetylating primary alcohols in the presence of secondary alcohols.

Stirring primary-secondary diols in ethyl acetate solvent over Woelm alumina leads to the corresponding primary monoacetates simply, conveniently, and in good yields. In this way, primary hydroxyalkylphenols are converted into acetoxyalkylphenols, and primary arylamines are transformed into the corresponding acetamides.     

Selenocyanation using a combined reagent of triphenylphosphine and selenocyanogen. A new and simple synthesis of alkyl selenocyanates and symmetrical alkyl diselenides from alcohols

A novel reagent Ph₃SeCN)₂, easily prepared by adding an equimolar amount of tri-phenylphosphine to selenocyanogen solution in methylene chloride and tetrahydrofuran reacts below ?60° with primary alcohols to produce directly the corresponding alkyl selenocyanates and alkyl diselenides in good yields. With secondary alcohols mixtures of selenocyanates and isoselenocyanates are obtained, while tertiary alcohols fail to react with the reagent.     

A simple procedure for the esterification of alcohols with sodium carboxylate salts using 1-tosylimidazole (TsIm)

An efficient and selective method for esterification of alcohols using N-(p-toluenesulfonyl)imidazole (TsIm) is described. In this method, alcohols are refluxed with a mixture of RCO₂Na (R: alkyl and aryl), TsIm, and triethylamine in the presence of catalytic amounts of tetra-n-butylammonium iodide (TBAI) in DMF to afford the corresponding esters in good yields. This methodology is highly efficient for various structurally diverse alcohols with selectivity for ROH: 1° > 2° > 3°.     

A convenient synthesis of allenes by the reaction of propargyl alcohols with grignard reagents using 1-chloro-2-methyl-n,n-tetramethylenepropenylamine

1-Chloro-2-methyl-N,N-tetramethylenepropenylamine was found to be an efficient condensation reagent for the regioselective coupling reaction of propargyl alcohols with Grignard reagents to give allenes in good yields with high chemo- and enantioselectivities. The utility of the reaction was demonstrated in the stereocontrolled synthesis of methyl (E)-2,4,5-tetradecatrienoate, the pheromone of the male dried bean beetle.     

Regio- and stereoselective double alkylation of β-enamino esters with organolithium reagents followed by one-pot reduction: convenient method for the synthesis of tertiary γ-amino alcohols

An easy, high yielding and stereoselective procedure for the preparation of tertiary γ-amino alcohols starting from β-enamino esters is presented. In this procedure, the double alkylation of β-enamino esters with organolithium reagents is followed by one-pot reduction with sodium borohydride in methanol/acetic acid. A hypothesis of mechanism is given, explaining the observed diastereoselectivity through molecular modeling. The configuration of the products was determined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy coupled with conformational analysis.