Hg(OAc)(2).0.1Sc(OTf)(3)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of 2-(4-pentynyl)furan

[structure: see text]. Although the Hg(OTf)2.3TMU-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts-type reaction of 3-(4-pentynyl)furan afforded the exo cyclization product, the reaction of 2-(4-pentynyl)furan furnished a very low yield. We found a 10:1 mixed reagent of Hg(OAc)2 and Sc(OTf)3 showed remarkable catalytic activity for the latter transformation. The actual reacting species is presumed to be Hg(OAc)(OTf), which is efficiently generated in situ by mixing the two reagents.     

Palladium(0)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of enallenes

A novel palladium(0)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of enallenes has been developed. This reaction, catalyzed by [Pd(dba)2] (dba=dibenzylideneacetone) in acetic acid, results in the formation of cyclopentene derivatives and [n.3.0]bicyclic systems (n=3, 4) in good to high yields. The carbon-carbon bond-forming step is highly stereoselective to give cis-fused bicyclic systems. The presence of acetic acid as solvent and dba as ligand for palladium(0) turned out to be essential for the reaction in order to provide good reactivity and regioselectivity.     

Hg(OTf)2-catalyzed arylene cyclization

Novel Hg(OTf) 2-catalyzed arylene cyclization was achieved with highly efficient catalytic turnover (up to 200 times). The reaction takes place via protonation of allylic hydroxyl group by in situ formed TfOH of an organomercuric intermediate to generate a cationic species. Subsequent smooth demercuration regenerates the catalyst.     

Yb(OTf)3-catalyzed synthesis of pyrroles under solvent-tree conditions

Ayb(Otf)3-catalyzed approach for the synthesis of pyrroles under solvent-free conditions was achieved,which could afford the desired products with yields ranged from moderate to excellent.     

Bi(OTf)3 and SiO2-Bi(OTf)3 as effective catalysts for the Ferrier rearrangement

Bi(OTf)3 and SiO2-Bi(OTf)3 are found to effectively catalyze the Ferrier rearrangement of tri-O-acetyl glycals with different alcohols providing an effective route to 2,3-unsaturated O-glycosides with good anomeric selectivity and good to excellent yields after short reaction times.     

Bi(OTf)3 catalyzed disproportionation reaction of cinnamyl alcohols

Bi(OTf)₃ catalyzed disproportionation reaction of cinnamyl alcohols provides chalcones and benzyl styrenes. The use of various metal triflates is investigated herein for facile and efficient redox transformation. A plausible mechanism has been proposed.     

Yb（OTf）3-catalyzed synthesis of pyrroles under solvent-free conditions

A Yb(OTf)_3-catalyzed approach for the synthesis of pyrroles under solvent-free conditions was achieved,which could afford the desired products with yields ranged from moderate to excellent.     

Ga(OTf)3-catalyzed direct substitution of alcohols with sulfur nucleophiles

It is reported that Ga(OTf)(3) catalyzes the direct displacement of alcohols with sulfur nucleophiles. The products are versatile intermediates that can be utilized in carbon-carbon, carbon-sulfur bond formation or used in modified Julia olefination reactions. The only byproduct generated is water.     

Palladium(II)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of functionalized 1,5-hexadienes

Scope and limitations of the Pd(II)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of functionalized 1,5-hexadienes have been studied. In situ NMR experiments indicate a challenging competition between various reaction pathways. A careful balance between substrate structure, nature of the precatalyst, and reaction conditions was required to gain access to a useful building block for sesquiterpene total synthesis.     

Sc(OTf)3-catalyzed diastereoselective Friedel-Crafts reactions of arenes and hetarenes with 3-phenylglycidates

Five different para-substituted 3-phenylglycidates (3-phenyloxirane-2-carboxylates) were prepared and subjected to reactions with arenes and hetarenes under Lewis acid catalysis. Sc(OTf)(3) was found to effectively (5 mol%) promote a Friedel-Crafts reaction in nitromethane as the solvent. The reaction was shown to proceed stereoconvergently, which makes the intermediacy of a benzylic cation likely. The diastereoselectivities varied depending on the choice of the nucleophile and 3-arylglycidate. Best results were obtained with tert-butyl 3-anisylglycidate, which delivered the respective products with high syn-preference in diastereomeric ratios (d.r.) between 82 : 18 and >95 : 5. The observed selectivity can be explained by a model, according to which the intermediate benzylic cations adopt a preferred conformation, which allows for diastereoface-differentiation by the adjacent stereogenic center.     

Facile Sc(OTf)3-catalyzed generation and successive aromatization of isobenzofuran from o-dicarbonylbenzenes

Isobenzofuran can be prepared from o-phthalaldehyde using hydrosilane. The formed isobenzofuran is trapped by an alkene via a Diels-Alder reaction. Further dehydration proceeds to furnish the conjugated aromatic compound. This multistep reaction was promoted by catalytic amounts of Sc(OTf)(3).     

Bi(OTf)3-mediated intramolecular epoxide opening for bicyclic azepane synthesis

While an epoxide on a sugar-derived aziridine studying was opened, an unexpected formation of bicyclic compounds was observed. The structure of these bicycles depended on the nature of the protecting group on the nitrogen atom of the aziridine. These compounds appeared to be weak glycosidase inhibitors.     

A Rh(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of homo- and bis-homopropargylic alcohols

The ability to form rhodium-vinylidene complexes in situ from terminal alkynes has led to the development of a catalytic process, the cycloisomerization of homopropargylic and bis-homopropargylic alcohols to dihydrofurans and dihydropyrans. Among the transition metals that perform similar reactions, rhodium catalysts demonstrate the best chemoselectivity and turnover numbers to date. Both secondary and tertiary alcohols participate equally well. The presence of proparylic oxygen and nitrogen functionality, which potentially can be induced to ionize via formation of allenylidene metal complexes, is compatible with this catalyst. The formation of a 5-amino-dihydropyran which is not compatible with some of the previous catalysts proceeds in good yield with the rhodium catalysts. A substrate bearing a benzylic hydroxyl group adjacent to an electron-rich aromatic ring also participates without complications of ionization. The method provides access to useful aminosugars. A mechanism to account for the different selectivity of this catalyst as compared to others is proposed.     

Bi(OTf)3-catalyzed allylation of quinones with allyltrimethylsilane

p-Quinones react smoothly with allyltrimethylsilane in the presence of 2 mol% of Bi(OTf)₃ under mild reaction conditions to afford the corresponding allyl substituted benzene derivatives, p-allylquinols and allyl substituted 1,4-naphthoquinones in excellent yields with high regioselectivity. This method is very useful for the direct introduction of an allyl functionality onto a quinone moiety.     

Ga(OTf)3-catalyzed Three-component Mannich Reaction in Water Promoted by Ultrasound Irradiation

Ga(OTf)₃‐catalyzed three‐component Mannich reaction of aromatic aldehydes, aromatic amines and cycloketones in water promoted by ultrasound gave the corresponding β‐amino cycloketones in good to excellent yields and good anti selectivities.     

An unexpected chelation-controlled Yb(OTf)(3)-catalyzed aminolysis and azidolysis of cyclitol epoxides

A chelation-controlled aminolysis and azidolysis of cyclitol epoxides with Yb(OTf)(3) has been disclosed. The presence of a free OH group able to direct the coordination with the lanthanide seems essential for an efficient regiocontrol of the process.