Catalytic Regio‐ and Enantioselective [4+2] Annulation Reactions of Non‐activated Allenes by a Chiral Cationic Indium Complex

Regio‐ and enantioselective [4+2] annulation between β,γ‐unsaturated α‐keto esters and non‐activated allenes was achieved by using a chiral cationic indium(III)/phosphate catalyst. The reaction affords the corresponding C3‐selective dihydropyrans in good yields and with high enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee ).     

Construction of Nine‐Membered Heterocycles through Palladium‐Catalyzed Formal [5+4] Cycloaddition

The first catalytic formal [5+4] cycloaddition to prepare nine‐membered heterocycles is presented. Under palladium catalysis, the reaction of N‐tosyl azadienes and substituted vinylethylene carbonates (VECs) proceeds smoothly to produce benzofuran‐fused heterocycles in uniformly high efficiency. Highly diastereoselective functionalization of the nine‐membered heterocycles through peripheral attack is also demonstrated.     

Hydrogen Storage and Selective,Reversible O2 Adsorption in a Metal–Organic Framework with Open Chromium(II) Sites

A chromium(II)‐based metal–organic framework Cr₃[(Cr₄Cl)₃(BTT)₈]₂ (Cr‐BTT; BTT³⁻=1,3,5‐benzenetristetrazolate), featuring coordinatively unsaturated, redox‐active Cr²⁺ cation sites, was synthesized and investigated for potential applications in H₂ storage and O₂ production. Low‐pressure H₂ adsorption and neutron powder diffraction experiments reveal moderately strong Cr–H₂ interactions, in line with results from previously reported M‐BTT frameworks. Notably, gas adsorption measurements also reveal excellent O₂/N₂ selectivity with substantial O₂ reversibility at room temperature, based on selective electron transfer to form Cr^III superoxide moieties. Infrared spectroscopy and powder neutron diffraction experiments were used to confirm this mechanism of selective O₂ binding.     

Zinc‐Catalyzed Alkyne Oxidation/C?H Functionalization: Highly Site‐Selective Synthesis of Versatile Isoquinolones and β‐Carbolines

An efficient zinc(II)‐catalyzed alkyne oxidation/C H functionalization sequence was developed, thus leading to highly site‐selective synthesis of a variety of isoquinolones and β‐carbolines. Importantly, in contrast to the well‐established gold‐catalyzed intermolecular alkyne oxidation, over‐oxidation can be completely suppressed in this system and the reaction most likely proceeds by a Friedel–Crafts‐type pathway. Mechanistic studies and theoretical calculations are described.     

Nitroarenes as the Nitrogen Source in Intermolecular Palladium‐Catalyzed Aryl C–H Bond Aminocarbonylation Reactions

A three‐component palladium‐catalyzed aminocarbonylation of aryl and heteroaryl sp² C−H bonds using nitroarenes as the nitrogen source was achieved using Mo(CO)₆ as the reductant and origin of the CO. This intermolecular C−H bond functionalization does not requires any exogenous ligand to be added, and our mechanism experiments indicate that the palladacycle catalyst serves two roles in the aminocarbonylation reaction: reduce the nitroarene to a nitrosoarene and activate the sp² C−H bond.     

Dihydrobiphenylenes through Ruthenium‐Catalyzed [2+2+2] Cycloadditions of ortho‐Alkenylarylacetylenes with Alkynes

A new synthetic route to dihydrobiphenylenes has been developed. The process involves a mild Ru^II‐catalyzed [2+2+2] dimerization of ortho‐alkenylarylacetylenes or its more versatile variant, the Ru‐catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of ortho‐ethynylstyrenes with alkynes. Mechanistic aspects of this [2+2+2] cycloaddition are discussed.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Facile [2+2+2] Cyclotrimerization of Unactivated Internal Alkynes to Polysubstituted Benzenes

A catalytic [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization of unactivated internal alkynes providing cyclotrimerization products in excellent yields with high regioselectivity is described. The transformation is accomplished by using a simple catalytic mixture comprising Ni(acac)₂, an imidazolium salt and a Grignard reagent at room temperature or 60 °C for 20 min or 1 h.