Cp(*)RuCl-catalyzed formal intermolecular cyclotrimerization of three unsymmetrical alkynes through a boron temporary tether: regioselective four-component coupling synthesis of phthalides

Highly substituted phthalides were efficiently synthesized by sequential Cp(*)RuCl-catalyzed cyclotrimerization of alkynylboronates, propargyl alcohols, and terminal alkynes and palladium(II)-catalyzed carbonylation of the resultant arylboronates. The intermediate arylboronate was isolated and unambiguously characterized by X-ray crystallography. The perfect regioselectivity of the ruthenium-catalyzed formal intermolecular cyclotrimerization was discussed on the basis of the density functional calculations of a boraruthenacycle intermediate.     

One-pot sequential four-component coupling via Cp*RuCl-catalyzed cyclotrimerization and Suzuki-Miyaura coupling

The catalytic intermolecular cyclotrimerization of alkynylboronates, propargyl alcohols, and terminal alkynes was accomplished by means of the ruthenium catalysis and the temporary tethering approach with the C-B-O linkage to give rise to highly substituted arylboronates with excellent selectivity. The resultant arylboronates were further converted to highly substituted biaryls via the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling with various aryl iodides using Pd₂(dba)₃/PCy₃ as a catalyst precursor in aqueous toluene. As a consequence, the four-component coupling approach to highly substituted biaryls was successfully established by combining these two operations into a sequential one-pot process.     

Totally chemo- and regioselective cobalt(I)-mediated formal intermolecular cyclotrimerization of alkynes

[reaction: see text] The first examples of totally chemo- and regioselective formal intermolecular cobalt(I)-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cyclizations of three different alkynes are reported. The use of disposable silylated tethers in the sequence cyclization followed by the displacement of the silicon group led to polysubstituted arenes as a unique cycloadduct in high yields.     

Highly chemo- and regioselective intermolecular cyclotrimerization of alkynes catalyzed by cationic rhodium(I)/modified BINAP complexes

[reaction: see text] Cationic rhodium(I)/modified BINAP complexes are effective catalysts for highly regioselective intermolecular cyclotrimerization of terminal alkynes and highly chemo- and regioselective intermolecular cocyclotrimerization of diethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DEAD) and terminal alkynes. It is a noteworthy example of intermolecular cocyclotrimerization of two different alkynes in terms of catalytic activity, chemo- and regioselectivity, scope of substrates, and ease of operation. The wide applicability of this new cocyclotrimerization procedure is demonstrated in the one-step synthesis of [6]metacyclophane.     

Expeditious enyne construction from alkynes via oxidative Pd(II)-catalyzed Heck-type coupling

The enyne, ubiquitous in natural products, can be a challenge to generate since these moieties require many synthetic transformations to assemble them. We developed a simpler protocol to construct enynes while we found that this oxidative reaction was tolerant in substrate scope. In addition, the utility of this reaction was demonstrated through the attempt in synthesizing antifungal agent Lamisil^™.     

Ru(II)-catalyzed regioselective C-7 hydroxymethylation of indolines with formaldehyde

A regioselective addition of C7H bonds of indolines to formaldehyde is reported to synthesize a variety of C-7 hydroxymethylated indolines via a Ru(II)-catalyzed CH activation. More importantly, a one-pot CH formylation procedure is also developed to synthesize valuable C7-formyl indoles.     

Scope of Ru(II)-catalyzed synthesis of pyridines from alkynes and nitriles

Pyridines can be efficiently synthesized by Ru(II)-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of 1,6-diynes to alpha,omega-dinitriles or electron-deficient nitriles or by Ru(II)-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cocyclization of electron-deficient alkynes and electron-deficient nitriles. The reactions with dinitriles seem likely to proceed via ruthenacyclopentadiene intermediates and the reactions with electron-poor nitriles via azaruthenacyclopentadienes. The reaction with asymmetric electron-deficient alkynes affords 2,3,6-trisubstituted pyridines in good yield.     

An efficient synthesis of 2-vinylic cyclic 1,3-alkadienes via the Cp*Ru(II)-catalyzed intermolecular coupling reactions of alkynes and cyclic allenes

2-Vinylic cyclic 1,3-alkadienes can be obtained with moderate to good yields via the Cp*RuCl(PPh3)2-catalyzed coupling reaction of alkynes with cyclic allenes.     

Cesium-catalyzed highly regioselective synthesis of (Z)-vinylic selenosulfides via thioselenation of alkynes with unsymmetrical diorganoyl dichalcogenides

A novel one-pot approach for the synthesis of (Z)-vinylic selenosulfides is demonstrated through the thioselenation of a wide range of alkynes with unsymmetrical diorganoyl dichalcogenides (RSSePh) catalyzed by cesium hydroxide monohydrate, avoiding the use of the transition metal catalyst and the previous preparation of chalcogen alkynes. Other outstanding features include mild reaction conditions, high regio- and stereo-selectivity, excellent yields and wide functional group tolerance.     

Ruthenium(II)-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective hydroarylation of alkynes via directed C-H functionalization

The ruthenium-catalyzed hydroarylation of alkynes with benzamides proceeds regio- and stereoselectively through a directed C-H bond cleavage. Preliminary mechanistic investigations indicate that the reaction involves amide-directed ortho-metalation, carbometalation of alkyne, and protonolysis. Similarly, phenylazoles also add to alkynes regioselectively.     

Gold(I)-catalyzed regioselective cyclizations of silyl ketene amides and carbamates with alkynes

The gold(I)-catalyzed regioselective cyclizations of silyl ketene amides or carbamates with alkynes were utilized to construct cyclopentanes or dehydro-delta-lactams.     

Synthesis of 2-pyridones and iminoesters via Rh(III)-catalyzed oxidative coupling between acrylamides and alkynes

Catalytic oxidative coupling between acrylamides and alkynes was achieved using 0.5 mol % loading of [RhCp*Cl(2)](2) with Cu(OAc)(2) as an oxidant. 2-Pyridones, iminoesters, and substituted indoles could be obtained as a result of the electronic and steric effects of the substituents in the acrylamides.     

Synthesis of planar-chiral paracyclophanes via samarium(II)-catalyzed intramolecular pinacol coupling

[reaction: see text] A series of [n]paracyclophanediols (n = 8-12) was synthesized by samarium-catalyzed pinacol coupling for their ansa-bridge formation. Enantiomerically pure [n]paracyclophane esters were derived from the diols in a several steps via chiral resolution (for n = 10) or via crystallization-induced asymmetric transformation (for n = 11) by using amino alcohol auxiliaries and their selective cleavages.     

A convenient method for the Ru(0)-catalyzed regioselective deuteration of N-alkyl-substituted anilines

A highly effective and operationally practical method for the regioselective deuteration of N-alkyl-substituted anilines employing Ru₃(CO)₁₂ (?1 mol %) as catalyst and D₂O as deuterium source was described. A variety of N-alkyl-substituted anilines were efficiently deuterated (up to 98%) at the ortho and/or para position with respect to the nitrogen at neutral conditions. Under the present conditions, deuterated anilines can be easily obtained with simple extraction and evaporation. Substituents with aromatic methoxy groups would not influence the selectivity compared to previous method.     

Copper(I)-catalyzed synthesis of 1,3-enynes via coupling between vinyl halides and alkynes or domino coupling of vinyl halides

1,3-Enynes were easily prepared from coupling between vinyl halides and alkynes or domino coupling of vinyl halides in the presence of copper iodide. It is noteworthy that the double-bond geometry of the vinyl halides was retained during the reaction. This ligand-free protocol is potentially useful and practical.     

Ruthenium(II)-catalyzed homo-Diels-Alder reactions of disubstituted alkynes and norbornadiene

The homo-Diels-Alder (HDA) reaction of norbornadiene (NBD) and internal functionalized alkynes leading to 8,9-disubstituted deltacyclenes using readily available electron-rich phosphine-ruthenium(II) catalysts is described.     

Synthesis of N-(2-pyridyl)indoles via Pd(II)-catalyzed oxidative coupling

Readily available Pd(II) chloride catalysts can catalyze selective and efficient oxidative coupling between N-aryl-2-aminopyridines and internal alkynes to yield N-(2-pyridyl)indoles. This process involves the ortho C-H activation of N-aryl-2-aminopyridines, and CuCl(2) was used as an oxidant. Compared to our previously reported Rh(III)-catalyzed synthesis of this class of product, this method is advantageous with a wider scope of alkynes and cost-effective Pd(II) catalysts. Molecular oxygen can be used as a terminal oxidant.     

Pd(II)-catalyzed regioselective direct arylation of uracil via oxidative Heck reaction using arylboronic acids

A palladium catalyzed regioselective synthesis of 6-aryl uracils via oxidative Heck reaction (C–H bond functionalization) of uracils and arylboronic acids is reported. The method is simple, atom-economical, and high yielding.