A novel titanium tetrahalide-mediated carbon-carbon bond-forming reaction: regioselective synthesis of substituted (E,Z)-1,5-dihalo-1,4-dienes

Reactions of aldehydes with 2 equiv of alkyne in the presence of TiX(4) (X = Cl, Br) regioselectively generated 1,5-dihalo-1,4-dienes in moderate to good yields with high (E,Z)-stereoselectivity. [reaction: see text]     

Gallium(III) halide promoted synthesis of 1,3,5-triaryl- 1,5-dihalo-1,4-pentadienes

Aryl substituted alkynes undergo smooth coupling with aldehydes in the presence of gallium(III) halides under extremely mild conditions to afford the corresponding 1,3,5-triaryl-1,5-dihalo-1,4-pentadienes in good yields with E,Z-selectivity. Similarly 1,3,5-triaryl-1,5-dichloro-1,4-pentadienes are also obtained with niobium(V) chloride.     

Domino N-H/C-H bond activation: copper-catalyzed synthesis of nitrogen-bridgehead heterocycles using azoles and 1,4-dihalo-1,3-dienes

Copper-catalyzed tandem coupling of 1,4-dihalo-1,3-dienes with azoles via an N-H bond and its adjacent C-H bond activation has been described. The reaction exhibits good regioselectivity when unsymmetrical 1,4-dihalo-1,3-diene is employed. This method provided a novel route to the synthesis of nitrogen-bridgehead azolopyridine derivatives.     

Rhodium(i)-catalysed conjugate phosphination of cyclic alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones with silylphosphines as masked phosphinides

Nucleophile-activation of the phosphorus(iii)-silicon linkage in silylphosphines generates a nucleophilic phosphorus(iii) equivalent thereby allowing for a rhodium-catalysed conjugate phosphination of beta-substituted alpha,beta-unsaturated acceptors.     

Efficient and stereoselective synthesis of beta-trifluoromethyl alpha,beta-unsaturated esters via iron(III) porphyrin-catalyzed olefination of ketones

beta-Trifluoromethyl alpha,beta-unsaturated esters were efficiently prepared by reactions of fluorine-containing ketones with diazo compounds via metalloporphyrin-catalyzed olefination in the presence of triphenylphosphine. The commercially available Fe(III)(TPP)Cl (TPP: tetraphenylporphyrin) is effective for catalyzing the olefination of a variety of trifluoromethyl ketones with different diazoacetate esters under mild conditions. The reactions proceeded with high yields (up to 95% isolated yield) and high stereoselectivity (up to 99% (E)-selectivity).     

Palladium-catalyzed highly regio- and stereoselective synthesis of (1E)- or (1Z)-1,2-dihalo-1,4-dienes via haloallylation of alkynyl halides

A highly efficient and selective synthesis of (1E)- or (1Z)-1,2-dihalo-1,4-dienes via Pd-catalyzed coupling of haloalkynes and allylic halides is described. The (1E)-1,2-dihalo-1,4-dienes were generated in good yields with excellent stereoselectivities (1E/1Z up to >98/2), while (1Z)-1,2-dihalo-1,4-dienes were produced in excellent yields and stereoselectivities (1Z/1E up to >98/2) by simply adding stoichiometric lithium halides.     

Reversible carbon-carbon bond formation between 1,3-dienes and aldehyde or ketone on nickel(0)

The reversible oxidative cyclization of dienes and aldehydes with nickel(0) proceeded to give eta(3):eta(1)-allylalkoxynickel complexes. The treatment of these complexes with carbon monoxide led to the formation of the corresponding lactone and/or the regeneration of a butadiene and an aldehyde concomitant with the formation of Ni(CO)(3)(PCy(3)). The scission of the nickel-oxygen bond of the allylalkoxy complexes with ZnMe(2) leading to eta(3)-allyl(methyl)nickel was very efficient to suppress the reverse reaction of the oxidative cyclization. The methylated eta(3)-allylnickel compound underwent the reductive elimination. The carbonylative coupling reaction of the eta(3)-allyl(methyl)nickel proceeded as well under a carbon monoxide atmosphere. Similarly, the addition of Me(3)SiCl to eta(3):eta(1)-allylalkoxynickel complexes was also efficient for the inhibition of the reverse reaction. The resulting eta(3)-1-siloxyethylallylnickel complex was treated with carbon monoxides followed by the addition of MeOH to give the expected hydroxyester. This method is efficient as well even for the eta(3):eta(1)-allyl(alkoxy)nickel complex containing acetone as a component, which was so prone to undergo the reverse reaction hampering its isolation. The isolation of the eta(3):eta(1)-allylalkoxynickel complex containing ketone as a component was made easier by the use of heavier butadiene and ketone, such as 2,3-dibenzyl-1,3-butadiene and benzophenone or by the use of cyclobutanone. The reaction with styrene oxide gave the eta(3):eta(1)-allylalkoxynickel containing phenylacetoaldehyde, an isomer of styrene oxide.     

Asymmetric conjugate reduction of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones and esters with chiral rhodium(2,6-bisoxazolinylphenyl) catalysts

New asymmetric conjugate reduction of beta,beta-disubstituted alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones and esters was accomplished with alkoxylhydrosilanes in the presence of chiral rhodium(2,6-bisoxazolinylphenyl) complexes in high yields and high enantioselectivity. (E)-4-Phenyl-3-penten-2-one and (E)-4-phenyl-4-isopropyl-3-penten-2-one were readily reduced at 60 degrees C in 95 % ee and 98 % ee, respectively, by 1 mol % of catalyst loading. (EtO)2MeSiH proved to be the best hydrogen donor of choice. tert-Butyl (E)-beta-methylcinnamate and beta-isopropylcinnamate could also be reduced to the corresponding dihydrocinnamate derivatives up to 98 % ee.     

New C=C bond formation via nonstoichiometric titanium(IV) halide mediated vicinal difunctionalization of alpha,beta-unsaturated acyclic ketones

[reaction: see text] Highly stereoselective vicinal difuctionalization of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones for the synthesis of multifunctionalized trisubstituted alkenes is described. The new reaction employs titanium(IV) halides (0.5 equiv) as promoters and inexpensive commercial chemicals as starting materials. The reaction can be performed at room temperature in a convenient vial without the protection of inert gases. Good to excellent yields and high Z/E stereoselectivity have been realized in most cases presented (16 examples).     

Acyl palladium species in synthesis: single-step synthesis of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones from acid chlorides

Conditions are reported for the facile, one-pot synthesis of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones via the palladium-catalysed cross-coupling of acyl chlorides with hydrozirconated acetylenes, and its use in the 2-step synthesis of D-5-O-benzyl deoxyxylulose.     

Synthesis of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones as chalcone analogues via a S(RN)1 mechanism

An electron-transfer chain reaction between 2-nitropropane anion and alpha-bromoketones derived from nitrobenzene and nitrothiophene was demonstrated by mechanistic study and a specific convenient synthetic protocol. Thus, 2-bromo-1-(5-nitrothiophen-2-yl)ethanone or 2-bromo-1-(4-nitrophenyl)ethanone were reacted with several cyclic nitronate anions to form alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones via a S(RN)1 mechanism. This new method can be used to synthesize a wide variety of chalcone analogues.     

Palladium-catalyzed C-O bond formation: direct synthesis of phenols and aryl/alkyl ethers from activated aryl halides

A simple and efficient palladium-catalyzed carbon-oxygen bond formation is reported. The palladium-tri-tert-butylphosphine complex was found to be effective in converting haloarenes to corresponding substituted phenols. This methodology offers a direct transformation of aryl halides to phenols, as well as the straightforward application to generate a wide variety of diaryl or alkyl/aryl ethers.     

Anionic four-electron donor-based palladacycles as catalysts for addition reactions of arylboronic acids with alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones, aldehydes, and alpha-ketoesters

Anionic four-electron donor-based palladacycle-catalyzed 1,4-additions of arylboronic acids with alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones and 1,2-additions of arylboronic acids with aldehydes and alpha-ketoesters are described. Our study demonstrated that palladacycles were highly efficient, practical catalysts for these addition reactions. The work described here not only opened a new paradigm for the application of palladacycles, but may also pave the road for other metalacycles as practically useful catalysts for such addition reactions including asymmetric ones. [reaction: see text].     

Mild and selective palladium-catalyzed dimerization of terminal alkynes to form symmetrical (Z,Z)-1,4-dihalo-1,3-dienes

A regioselective and stereoselective palladium-catalyzed dimerization of terminal alkynes method for the synthesis of symmetrical (Z,Z)-1,4-dihalo-1,3-dienes is presented. In the presence of a catalytic amount of PdX(2) and 3 equiv of CuX(2) (X = Cl and Br), terminal alkynes were dimerized to afford (Z,Z)-1,4-dihalo-1,3-dienes in good yields. The results showed that the effect of solvent had a fundamental influence on the chemoselectivity of the dimerization reaction. The mechanism of the palladium-catalyzed dimerization reaction is also discussed.     

A novel approach of cycloaddition of difluorocarbene to alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones: synthesis of gem-difluorocyclopropyl ketones and 2-fluorofurans

A series of gem-difluorocyclopropyl acetals and ketals are easily obtained in moderate yields from the [1 + 2] cycloaddition of difluorocarbene to 1,3-dioxolanes of alpha,beta-unsaturated aromatic aldehydes and ketones. Hydrolysis of these fluorinated compounds under acidic conditions either gives the corresponding gem-difluorocyclopropyl ketones or 1-aryl-2-fluorofuran derivatives through intramolecular carbonium rearrangement with simultaneous ring cleavage.     

W(CO)5(L)-catalyzed endo-selective cyclization of allenyl silyl enol ethers: an efficient method for the cyclopentene annulation onto alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones

[reaction: see text] Indium-mediated allenylation of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones in the presence of tert-butyldimethylsilyl triflate and dimethyl sulfide gives 6-siloxy-1,2,5-trienes, which undergo W(CO)(5)(L)-catalyzed 5-endo cyclization to give the corresponding cyclopentene derivatives in good yield. Furthermore, this novel W(CO)(5)(L)-catalyzed cyclization of allenyl silyl enol ethers proceeds in a 6-endo manner when 5-siloxy-1,2,5-trienes are employed as a substrate. In these reactions, effective electrophilic activation of allenyl compounds for attack by silyl enol ethers is achieved using a catalytic amount of W(CO)(6).     

New rhodium(II) catalyzed synthesis of 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds from α-diazo ketones using vinyl ethers as two-carbon synthons

Rhodium(II) acetate catalyzed reactions of various α-diazo ketones, and vinyl ethers afforded γ-ketoaldehydes or 1,4-diketones in a facile manner. In this process, oxycyclopropanes are formed as intermediates, and are subsequently ring opened in the presence of the rhodium(II) acetate catalyst to furnish the corresponding 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds. The scope of this protocol has been demonstrated with the synthesis of a serotonin antagonist.     

Gold(III) iminophosphorane complexes as catalysts in C-C and C-O bond formations

The reaction of K[AuCl₄] with AgClO₄ and iminophosphorane ligands (N,N-IM) Ph₃PNR [R = CH₂-2-NC₅H₄ (1), C(O)-2-NC₅H₄ (2)] or Ph₂PyPNR [Py = -2-NC₅H₄; R = Ph (3), C(O)Ph (4)] (mol ratio 1:2.2:1) in acetonitrile affords complexes [AuCl₂(N,N-IM)]ClO₄ (5-8). These compounds are air- and moisture-stable and they have been evaluated in two types of catalytic processes. They have been found to be effective catalysts in the addition of 2-methylfuran or azulene to methyl vinyl ketone, as well as in the synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted oxazoles from N-propargylcarboxamides. The reactions proceed in mild conditions and with similar yields to those described for AuCl₃. Using this method, oxazoles bearing a thiophene functional group 2-(2′-thienyl)-5-methylthiazole can be prepared in excellent yields. In all cases the intermediate 5-methylene-4,5-dihydroxazole can be observed by ¹H NMR.     

A new protocol for a regioselective aldol condensation as an alternative convenient synthesis of beta-ketols and alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones

A general and convenient synthesis of beta-ketols and alpha,beta-alkenones has been achieved by a Knoevenagel condensation of a beta-ketoacid with an aldehyde in aqueous medium. Saponification of a beta-ketoester by an aqueous KOH 10% solution gives the potassium salt of the beta-ketoacid, which is condensed in situ with an aldehyde at pH 7.8-8.0, at 60 degrees C for 5-6 h. The intermediate beta-ketocarboxylate is smoothly decarboxylated in the reaction medium, giving the beta-ketol in high yield (75-90%). Acidification of the reaction mixture at pH 1 and heating at 70 degrees C under vigorous stirring for 6 h, leads directly to the corresponding alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone in good yield (65-75%).