Palladium-catalyzed C-N bond formation: synthesis of 1-aryl-1H-pyrazoles from β-bromovinyl aldehydes and arylhydrazines

Cyclic and acyclic β-bromovinyl aldehydes are cyclized with an array of arylhydrazines in toluene at 125 °C in the presence of a palladium catalyst and a phosphorus chelating ligand together with NaO^tBu to give 1-aryl-1H-pyrazoles in moderate to good yields.     

Reactions of a phosphido-bridged unsymmetrical diiron complex (η-C5Me5)Fe2(CO)4(μ-CO)(μ-PPh2) with various alkynes

A phosphido-bridged unsymmetrical diiron complex (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe₂(CO)₄(μ-CO)(μ-PPh₂) (1) was synthesized by a new convenient method; photo-dissociation of a CO ligand from (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-PPh₂) (2) that was prepared by the reaction of Li[Fe(CO)₄PPh₂] with (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe(CO)₂I. The reactivity of 1 toward various alkynes was studied. The reaction of 1 with ^tBuCCH gave a 1:1 mixture of two isomeric complexes (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe₂(CO)₃(μ-PPh₂)[μ-CHC(^tBu)C(O)] (3) containing a ketoalkenyl ligand. The reactions of 1 with other terminal alkynes RCCH (R=H, CO₂Me, Ph) afforded complexes incorporating one or two molecules of alkynes and a carbonyl group. The principal products were dinuclear complexes bridged by a new phosphinoketoalkenyl ligand, (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe₂(CO)₃(μ-CO)[μ-CR¹CR²C(O)PPh₂] (4a: R¹=H, R²=H; 4b: R¹=CO₂Me, R²=H; 4c: R¹=H, R²=Ph). In the cases of alkynes RCCH (R=H, CO₂Me), dinuclear complexes having a new ligand composed of two molecules of alkynes, a carbonyl group, and a phosphido group; i.e. (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe₂(CO)₃[μ-CRCHCHCRC(O)PPh₂] (5a: R=H; 5b: R=CO₂Me), were also obtained. In all cases, mononuclear complexes, (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe(CO)[CR¹CR²C(O)PPh₂] (6a: R¹=H, R²=H; 6b: R¹=H, R²=CO₂Me; 6c: R¹=H, R²=Ph) were isolated in low yields. The structures of 1, 4c, 5b, and 6a were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The detailed structures of the products and plausible reaction mechanisms are discussed.     

Aminol initiated Prins cyclization for the synthesis of octahydro-1H-pyrano [3,4-c]pyridine and hexahydro-1H-furo[3,4-c]pyrrole derivatives

Various aldehydes undergo smooth coupling with a branched homoallylic alcohol appended N-tosyl amine (1 & 3) in the presence of 10 mol % BF₃·OEt₂ at room temperature to afford a novel class of 1,8-disubstituted octahydropyrano[3,4-c]pyridine and 1,6-disubstituted hexahydrofuro[3,4-c]pyrrole derivatives in good yields, respectively.     

Crystal structure of olanzapinium benzoate (1:1)

Olanzapinium benzoate, 1-methyl-4-(2-methyl-10H-thieno[2,3-b][1,5]benzodiazepin-4-yl)-piperazin-1-ium benzoate, (C₁₇H₂₁N₄S)⁺(C₇H₅O₂)^? (I), crystallizes in triclinic space group P-1 with unit cell dimensions a = 9.2957(6) Å, b = 11.2416(7) Å, c = 12.0003(8) Å; α = 64.585(1)°, β = 87.568(1)°, γ = 83.248(1)°; V = 1124.8(1) ų. The asymmetric part of the structure comprises a singly charged olanzapinium cation and a singly charged benzoate anion. The central 1,5-diazepine ring adopts the expected boat conformation, while the piperazine ring favors the chair conformation. The olanzapinium and benzoate ions are linked by intermolecular N-H...O hydrogen bonds forming infinite chains running along the c-axis of the crystal.     

W(II)-catalyzed hydroarylation of bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene by simple arenes

The tungsten(II) carbonyl compound (CO)₄W(μ-Cl)₃W(SnCl₃)(CO)₃ has been found to be a very effective catalyst for the hydroarylation of bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene (norbornene) conducted in arene solution at room temperature. Norbornene adducts with benzene, toluene, para-xylene, and mesitylene have been isolated and their structures have been unambiguously established by means of ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. On the basis of ¹H NMR monitoring of several catalytic reactions, a possible mechanism involving coordination of norbornene to the W(II) atom and its activation has been proposed.     

Structure and reactivity of derivatives of dihalogenomethyl indium(III) halides, X2InCHX2 (X = Cl, Br, I)

The reactions of indium monohalides, InX with haloforms, CHX₃, in 1,4-dioxane (diox), produce the dioxane adducts of dihalogeno-dihalogenomethyl-indium(III), X₂In(diox)_nCHX₂ (X = Cl, Br, n = 1; X = I, n = 2) compounds. The ionic derivative [(C₂H₅)₄N] [Cl₃InCHCl₂] was prepared and its crystal structure determined by X-ray means. The reactions of the X₂In(diox)_nCHX₂ compounds are significantly different from those of the related X₂InCH₂X compounds. The dihalogenomethyl derivatives react with strong electrophiles suggesting dihalogenomethyl substituents of mild nucleophilic character, while the carbon atoms in the halogenomethyl derivatives are electrophilic.     

Olefin-aminocarbyne coupling in diiron complexes: Synthesis of new bridging aminoallylidene complexes

The bridging aminocarbyne complexes [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)₂(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Me, 1a; Xyl, 1b; 4-C₆H₄OMe, 1c; Xyl = 2,6-Me₂C₆ H₃) react with acrylonitrile or methyl acrylate, in the presence of Me₃NO and NaH, to give the corresponding μ-allylidene complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³- C_α(N(Me)(R))C_β(H)C_γ(H)(R′)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R = Me, R′ = CN, 3a; R = Xyl, R′ = CN, 3b; R = 4-C₆H₄OMe, R′ = CN, 3c; R = Me, R′ = CO₂Me, 3d; R = 4-C₆H₄OMe, R′ = CO₂Me, 3e). Likewise, 1a reacts with styrene or diethyl maleate, under the same reaction conditions, affording the complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(NMe₂)C_β(R′)C_γ(H)(R″)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R′ = H, R″ = C₆H₅, 3f; R′ = R″ = CO₂Et, 3g). The corresponding reactions of [Ru₂{μ-CN(Me)(CH₂Ph)}(μ-CO)(CO)₂(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (1d) with acrylonitrile or methyl acrylate afford the complexes [Ru₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(N(Me)(CH₂Ph))C_β(H)C_γ(H)(R′)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (R′ = CN, 3h; CO₂Me, 3i), respectively.The coupling reaction of olefin with the carbyne carbon is regio- and stereospecific, leading to the formation of only one isomer. C-C bond formation occurs selectively between the less substituted alkene carbon and the aminocarbyne, and the C_β-H, C_γ-H hydrogen atoms are mutually trans.The reactions with acrylonitrile, leading to 3a-c and 3h involve, as intermediate species, the nitrile complexes [M₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(NC-CHCH₂)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (M = Fe, R = Me, 4a; M = Fe, R = Xyl, 4b; M = Fe, R = 4-C₆H₄OMe, 4c; M = Ru, R = CH₂C₆H₅, 4d).Compounds 3a, 3d and 3f undergo methylation (by CH₃SO₃CF₃) and protonation (by HSO₃CF₃) at the nitrogen atom, leading to the formation of the cationic complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(N(Me)₃)C_β(H)C_γ(H)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = CN, 5a; R = CO₂Me, 5b; R = C₆H₅, 5c) and [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(N(H)(Me)₂)C_β(H)C_γ(H)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = CN, 6a; R = CO₂Me, 6b; R = C₆H₅, 6c), respectively.Complex 3a, adds the fragment [Fe(CO)₂(THF)(Cp)]⁺, through the nitrile functionality of the bridging ligand, leading to the formation of the complex [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(NMe₂)C_β(H)C_γ(H)(CNFe(CO)₂Cp)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (9).In an analogous reaction, 3a and [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)₂(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃], in the presence of Me₃NO, are assembled to give the tetrameric species [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C_α(NMe₂)C_β(H)C_γ(H)(CN[Fe₂{μ- CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂])}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Me, 10a; R = Xyl, 10b; R = 4-C₆H₄OMe, 10c).The molecular structures of 3a and 3b have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Parent-amido (NH2) palladium(II) complexes: Synthesis,reactions, and catalytic hydroamination

The treatment of [PdL₃(NH₃)](OTf)_n (n = 1; L₃ = (PEt₃)₂(Ph), (2,6-(Cy₂PCH₂)₂C₆H₃), n = 2; L₃ = (dppe)(NH₃)) with NaNH₂ in tetrahydrofuran at ambient temperature or −78 °C afforded the dimeric and monomeric parent-amido palladium(II) complexes anti-[Pd(PEt₃)(Ph)(μ-NH₂)]₂ (1), [Pd(dppe)(μ-NH₂)]₂(OTf)₂ (2), and Pd(2,6-(Cy₂PCH₂)₂C₆H₃)(NH₂) (3), respectively. The molecular structures of the amido-bridged (μ-NH₂) dimeric complexes 1 and 2 were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The monomeric amido complex 3 reacted with trace amounts of water to give a hydroxo complex, Pd(2,6-(Cy₂PCH₂)₂C₆H₃)(OH) (4). Exposing complex 3 to an excess of water resulted in the complete conversion of the complex into two species [Pd(2,6-(Cy₂PCH₂)₂C₆H₃)(OH₂)]⁺ and [Pd(2,6-(Cy₂PCH₂)₂C₆H₃)(NH₃)]⁺. Complex 3 reacted with diphenyliodonium triflate ([Ph₂I]OTf) to give the aniline complex [Pd(2,6-(Cy₂PCH₂)₂C₆H₃)(NH₂Ph)]OTf. The reaction of 3 with phenylacetylene (HCCPh) yielded a palladium(II) acetylenide Pd(2,6-(Cy₂PCH₂)₂C₆H₃)(CCPh) (5), quantitatively, along with the liberation of ammonia. The reaction of 3 with dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylate yielded diastereospecific palladium(II) vinyl derivatives (Z)-Pd(2,6-(Cy₂PCH₂)₂C₆H₃)(CRCR(NH₂)) (R = CO₂Me (6a), CO₂Et (6b)). The reaction of complexes 6a and 6b with p-nitrophenol produced Pd(2,6-(Cy₂PCH₂)₂C₆H₃)(OC₆H₄-p-NO₂) (7) and cis-CHRCR(NH₂), exclusively. Reactions of 3 with either dialkyl maleate (cis-(CO₂R)CHCH(CO₂R)) (R = CH₃, CH₂CH₃) or cis-stilbene (cis-CHPhCHPh) did not result in any addition product. Instead, isomerization of the cis-isomers to the trans-isomers occurred in the presence of catalytic amounts of 3. Complex 3 reacted with a stoichiometric amount of acrylonitrile (CH₂CHCN) to generate a metastable insertion product, Pd(2,6-(Cy₂PCH₂)₂C₆H₃)(CH(CN)CH₂NH₂). On the other hand, the reaction of 3 with an excess of acrylonitrile slowly produced polymeric species of acrylonitrile. The catalytic hydroamination of olefins with NH₃ was examined in the presence of Pd(2,6-(Cy₂PCH₂)₂C₆H₃)(OTf), producing a range of hydroaminated products of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines with different molar ratios of more than 99% overall yield. A mechanistic feature for the observed catalytic hydroamination is described with regard to the aminated derivatives of palladium(II).     

Highly selective synthesis of 4(5)-aryl-, 2,4(5)-diaryl-, and 4,5-diaryl-1H-imidazoles via Pd-catalyzed direct C-5 arylation of 1-benzyl-1H-imidazole

Highly selective, practical, and efficient protocols for the preparation of 4(5)-aryl-1H-imidazoles 2, 2,4(5)-diaryl-1H-imidazoles 3, and 4,5-diaryl-1H-imidazoles 1 are described. A key step of these protocols is the regioselective synthesis of 5-aryl-1-benzyl-1H-imidazoles 9 by Pd-catalyzed direct C-5 arylation of commercially available 1-benzyl-1H-imidazole (8) with aryl halides. The three-step synthesis of compounds 3 from 8 also involves the Pd-catalyzed and Cu-mediated direct C-2 arylation of imidazoles 9 with aryl halides under base-free and ligandless conditions. On the other hand, the four-step synthesis of imidazoles 1 from 8 also involves the regioselective bromination of compounds 9 and a Suzuki reaction of the resulting 5-aryl-1-benzyl-4-bromo-1H-imidazoles 11 with arylboronic acids 5 under phase-transfer conditions, followed by N-debenzylation.     

钌1,2-萘醌-1-肟配合物对aldol C—C成键反应的催化作用

在钌1,2-萘醌-1-肟(1-nqo)配合物cis,cis-[Ru(1-nqo)₂(CO)(NCMe)] (1)或trans,trans-[Ru(1-nqo)₂(PBu₃)₂] (2)的作用下, 氰基乙酸乙酯与取代苯甲醛发生aldol C—C成键反应. 根据GC-MS检测及HPLC分离结果, 对二苯甲醛的二个醛基可分别或同时与氰基乙酸乙酯发生aldol反应. ¹H NMR表征结果证明, 二种产物的双键构型均为反式. 其它取代苯甲醛的反应均给出单一反式aldol产物, 这表明该催化反应具有立体选择性. 配合物1的催化活性稍差, 产率不超过60%, 而配合物2的催化活性要高于1, 最高产率达99%.     

1,1-Insertion of substituted alkynes into the Ir-O bond of η-carboxylato iridium complexes

Alkyl-carbonyl-iridium [Ir(CH₃)(CO)(η²-O₂CR′)(PPh₃)₂]⁺ (1, R′ = CH₃, Ph, p-C₆H₄CH₃) react with alkynes (RCCH; R = Ph, p-C₆H₄CH₃) in the presence of NEt₃ to give acyl-alkynyl-iridium Ir(C(O)CH₃)(-CCR)(η²-O₂CR′)(PPh₃)₂ (4) which further react with RCCH to give alkyl-carbonyl-cis-bis(alkynyl) iridium Ir(CH₃)(CO)(CCR)₂(PPh₃)₂ (5). cis-Bis(alkenyl)iridium complexes, Ir(-CHCH₂)₂(η²-O₂CCH₃)(PPh₃)₂ (6) and (η²-O₂CCH₃)(PPh₃)₂ (7) react with substituted alkynes RCCH (R = Ph, p-C₆H₄CH₃, cyclohex-1-enyl) to give cis-bis(alkynyl) Ir(CCR)₂(η²-O₂CCH₃)(PPh₃)₂ (9) that further react with RCCH to undergo the alkyne insertion reaction into the Ir-O bond to produce iridacycles containing vinyl acetate ligands, (-CCR)₂(PPh₃)₂ (8).     

Application of an air stable Pd oxazoline complex for Heck, Suzuki, Sonogashira and related C-C bond-forming reactions

The novel complex trans-[PdCl₂(η¹-N-2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)₂] is shown to be an active and oxidatively robust catalyst for C-C bond-forming reactions (Heck, Sonogashira, Ullman, Suzuki), which can be carried out in air without rigorous solvent/substrate purification and in the absence of additional free ligand.     

Reactions of trimethylsiloxychlorosilanes with lithium metal - On the mechanism of the formation of trimethylsiloxysilyllithium compounds LiSiRR’(OSiMe3)

The reaction pathway for the formation of the trimethylsiloxysilyllithium compounds (Me₃SiO)RR′SiLi (2a: R = Et, 2b: R = ⁱPr, 2c: R = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂ (Mes); 2a-c: R′ = Ph; 2d: R = R′ = Mes) starting from the conversion of the corresponding trimethylsiloxychlorosilanes (Me₃SiO)RR′SiCl (1a-d) in the presence of excess lithium in a mixture of THF/diethyl ether/n-pentane at −110 °C was investigated.The trimethylsiloxychlorosilanes (Me₃SiO)RPhSiCl (1a: R = Et, 1b: R = ⁱPr, 1c: R = Mes) react with lithium to give initially the trimethylsiloxysilyllithium compounds (Me₃SiO)RPhSiLi (2a-c). These siloxysilyllithiums 2 couple partially with more trimethylsiloxychlorosilanes 1 to produce the siloxydisilanes (Me₃SiO)RPhSi-SiPhR(OSiMe₃) (Ia-c), and they undergo bimolecular self-condensation affording the trimethylsiloxydisilanyllithium compounds (Me₃SiO)RPhSi-RPhSiLi (3a-c). The siloxydisilanes I are cleaved by excess of lithium to give the trimethylsiloxysilyllithiums (Me₃SiO)RPhSiLi (2). In the case of the two trimethylsiloxydisilanyllithiums (Me₃SiO)RPhSi-RPhSiLi (3a: R = Et, 3b: R = ⁱPr) a reaction with more trimethylsiloxychlorosilanes (Me₃SiO)RPhSiCl (1a, 1b) takes place under formation of siloxytrisilanes (Me₃SiO)RPhSi-RPhSi-SiPhR(OSiMe₃) (IIa: R = Et, IIb: R = ⁱPr) which are cleaved by lithium to yield the trimethylsiloxysilyllithiums (Me₃SiO)RPhSiLi (2a, 2b) and the trimethylsiloxydisilanyllithiums (Me₃SiO)RPhSi-RPhSiLi (3a, 3b). The dimesityl-trimethylsiloxy-silyllithium (Me₃SiO)Mes₂SiLi (2d) was obtained directly by reaction of the trimethylsiloxychlorosilane (Me₃SiO)Mes₂SiCl (1d) and lithium without formation of the siloxydisilane intermediate. Both silyllithium compounds 2 and 3 were trapped with HMe₂SiCl giving the products (Me₃SiO)RR′Si-SiMe₂H and (Me₃SiO)RPhSi-RPhSi-SiMe₂H.     

Rhodium-catalyzed alkylation of terephthaldialdimine with terminal alkenes via C-H bond activation

Terephthaldialdimine 1a reacted with alkenes to give 2,6-dialkylated products selectively in moderate to high isolated yields. In the case of terephthaldialdimine 1b having a substituent at site 2 in the phenyl ring, the alkylation takes place selectively at site 6 in the phenyl ring. In this alkylation, a meta-substituent affected the reactivity significantly because of the steric hindrance.     

Crystal and molecular structure of methyl(±)-2-((1R,3R)-3-{ 2-[(3S)-1-ethyl-3-hydroxy-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-3-indolyl]acetyl}-2,2-dimethylcyclobutyl) acetate

The structure of methyl (±)-2-((1R,3R)-3-{ 2-[(3S)-1-ethyl-3-hydroxy-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-3-indolyl]acetyl}-2,2-dimethylcyclobutyl) acetate has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal belongs to triclinic system; parameters of the unit cell are: a = 6.551(1) Å, b = 11.506(1) Å, c = 14.334(1) Å, α = 101.41(1)°, β = 97.57(1)°, γ = 104.72(1)°; space group P-1, Z = 2, composition C₂₁H₂₇NO₅. The structure of N-ethyloxindole fragment is usual for the present class of compounds. The configuration of the formed asymmetric carbon atom C(3) of the pyrrole ring along with the configuration of C(12) and C(14) atoms of 2,2-dimethylcyclobutane ring form the side chain of the molecule were determined. There is observed the generation of centrosymmetrical dimers in the crystal structure due to realized intermolecular hydrogen bond of O-H...O type, 2.808(2) Å.     

Crystal structure of acrylamide

The crystal structure of acrylamide is re-determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction (133(1) K, BRUKER SMART 1000 CCD, a = 8.228(1) Å, b = 5.759(1) Å, c = 9.760(1) Å, β = 120.04(1)°, V = 400.3(1) Å,³, space group P2₁/c, Z = 4, R = 0.0543 for 867 reflections). In the structure strong hydrogen bonds N-H...O join the molecules of C₃H₅NO into bi-molecular layers that make C...C molecular contacts. It is demonstrated that the process of solid phase polymerization of acrylamide should proceed through the cleavage of double bonds C(1)=C(2) in the monomers and formation of bonds C(1)-C(1) and C(2)-C(2) between the closest carbon atoms of different layers.     

Organometallic reagent-mediated one-pot synthesis of 3,5,6-trisubstituted naphthostyrils

A one-pot synthesis of 3,5,6-trisubstituted naphthostyrils is described. Addition of organometallic reagents to β-iodovinyl ketone 1 followed by elimination gave the Z-form β-alkyl vinyl ketone 15. Intramolecular cyclization of 15 under the reaction conditions afforded 3,5,6-trisubstituted naphthostyrils 4.     

Pentynol to furan conversion - Search for the best trans-[MX2(YNC10H14O)2] catalyst

Conversion of 4-pentyn-1-ol (A) into 2-methyl-2-pent-4-ynyloxy-tetrahydrofuran (B) is catalysed by camphorimine complexes trans-[PdCl₂(YNC₁₀H₁₄O)₂] (Y = NMe₂, NHMe, NH₂, OH, OMe, Prⁱ, Ph), trans-[PdBr₂(YNC₁₀H₁₄O)₂] (Y = NMe₂, NH₂, OH, Ph), trans-[PtCl₂(YNC₁₀H₁₄O)₂] (Y = NMe₂, NHMe, NH₂). In the presence of H₂O those catalysts further promote the conversion of 2-methyl-2-pent-4-ynyloxy-tetrahydrofuran (B) into 5-(2-methyl-tetrahydrofuran-2-yloxy)-pentan-2-one (C). The efficiency of each process highly depends on the characteristics of the Y group (at the camphor ligand), the halide (co-ligand) and the transition metal. To ascertain on the relevance of each parameter into the properties of the catalysts, the rate constants for A → B and B → C processes, TON, TOF and catalysts Activities (A_i) for A → B conversion were calculated. From the three sets of complexes studied the most efficient catalyst is trans-[PdCl₂(H₂NNC₁₀H₁₄O)₂] while trans-[PdCl₂(PhNC₁₀H₁₄O)₂] is the less efficient. Palladium chloride are considerably better catalysts than palladium bromide complexes except in the case of trans-[PdBr₂(HONC₁₀H₁₄O)₂] that resembles chloride complexes efficiency. Compared to palladium, platinum complexes are considerably less efficient catalysts.     

Radical-mediated intramolecular C-C bond formation and the deoxygenation of alcohols under solvent-free conditions with tributyl methyl ammonium hypophosphite

A green, solvent-free protocol was developed for the radical-mediated intramolecular cyclization of haloacetals and the deoxygenation of S-methyl dithiocarbonates and cyclic thionocarbonate. This process uses tributyl methyl ammonium hypophosphite as a H-donor in the presence of triethylborane or t-butyl peroxide. This methodology provides eco-friendly reaction conditions.     

Synthesis of stereochemical probes for new fluorogenic assays for yeast transketolase variants

For the screening of yeast transketolase (TK) variants with improved or new properties acquired by random mutagenesis, we report on the stereoselective synthesis of fluorogenic substrates as probes for measuring TK activity. Compound 1 (7-(2′,3′,5′-trihydroxy-4′-oxo-pentyl)oxycoumarine), prepared as previously described, [Tetrahedron Lett.2003, 44, 827-830] enabled us to evaluate wild type TK velocity in a simple, specific and reproducible way. To select TK mutants able to produce d-threo aldoses, we prepared compound 2 (dihydroxy-4-O-(2′-oxo-benzopyran-7′-yl-D-threose) from dimethyl tartrate. Starting from d-ribose, we successfully obtained compound 3 (7′-(2,3,5-trihydroxy-4-oxo-pentyl)oxycoumarine) as a probe for TK mutants able to produce l-erythro ketoses.