Rhodium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Synthesis of Highly Fluorescent and CPL-Active Dispiroindeno[2,1-c]fluorenes

The enantioselective synthesis of chiral [7]-helical dispirodihydro[2,1-c]indenofluorenes (DSF-IFs) was achieved for the first time in good yields with high er values (er up to 99 : 1). The crucial step of the whole reaction sequence was the enantioselective intramolecular [2+2+2] cycloaddition of tethered triynediols to indenofluorenediols, which was catalyzed by a Rh/SEGPHOS® complex. Further transformations led to the corresponding DSF-IFs. The prepared helically chiral DSF-IFs combine circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) activity (g_lum=∼10⁻³) with exceptionally high fluorescence quantum yields (up to Φ_lum=0.97).     

Synthesis and Properties of Benzo‐Fused Indeno[2,1‐c]fluorenes

A set of fully‐conjugated indenofluorenes has been synthesized and confirmed by solid‐state structure analysis. The indeno[2,1‐c]fluorenes and their benzo‐fused analogues all contain the antiaromatic as‐indacene core. The molecules possess high electron affinities and show a broad absorption that reaches into the near‐IR region of the electromagnetic spectrum. All of the featured compounds reversibly accept up to two electrons as revealed by cyclic voltammetry. Analysis of molecule tropicity using NICS‐XY scan calculations shows that, while the as‐indacene core is less paratropic than s‐indacene, benz[a]‐annulation further reduces the antiaromaticity of the core. Antiaromatic strength of the as‐indacene core can also be tuned by the position of fusion of additional arenes on the outer rings.     

Gold‐Catalyzed Cadiot–Chodkiewicz‐type Cross‐Coupling of Terminal Alkynes with Alkynyl Hypervalent Iodine Reagents: Highly Selective Synthesis of Unsymmetrical 1,3‐Diynes

A new and efficient method for the synthesis of unsymmetrical 1,3‐butadiynes by gold‐catalyzed C(sp)–C(sp) cross‐coupling of terminal alkynes with alkynyl hypervalent iodine(III) reagents has been developed. The reaction features high selectivity and efficiency, mild reaction conditions, wide substrate scope, and functional‐group compatibility, and is a highly attractive complement to existing methods. Mechanistic studies reveal that formation of a phenanthrolinyl‐ligated gold(I) complex is crucial for the efficiency and selectivity of the target transformation.     

Iridium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Benzo[b]thiophene 1,1‐Dioxides

An efficient iridium‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of substituted benzothiophene 1,1‐dioxides is described. The use of iridium complexes with chiral pyridyl phosphinite ligands provides access to highly enantiomerically enriched sulfones with substituents at the 2‐ and 3‐position. Sulfones of this type are of interest as core structures of agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. Moreover, they can be further reduced to chiral 2,3‐dihydrobenzothiophenes.