SmI2－Mediated Addition Reaction of α－Halomethylsulfones to Carbonyl Compounds. A Convenient Synthesis of β－Hydroxysulfones

Due to the chemoselective dehalogenation by SmI2, the addition of a-halomethylsulfones to carbonyl compounds afforded ,β-hydroxysulfones. Those reactions with α-bromomethylsulfones gave the products in moderate to good yields. The SmI2-mediated addition of gem-dihalomethylsulfones to ketones also afforded α-halo-β-hydroxysulfones in moderate yields.     

Rhodium Fluoroapatite Catalyzed Conjugate Addition of Arylboronic Acids to α,β‐Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds

Rhodium fluoroapatite (RhFAP) is an efficient catalyst for conjugate addition of organoboron reagents to α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds. A variety of arylboronic acids and α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds were converted to the corresponding conjugate‐addition products, demonstrating the versatility of the reaction. The reaction is highly selective. RhFAP was recovered quantitatively by simple filtration, and reused for four cycles.     

Synthesis of Phenanthrene Derivatives through the Reaction of an α,α‐Dicyanoolefin with α,β‐Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds

Phenanthrene derivatives were prepared by reacting an α,α‐dicyanoolefin with different α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds resulting from Wittig reaction of ninhydrin and phosphanylidene or condensation of barbituric acid and an aldehyde. The easy procedure, mild and metal‐catalyst free, reaction conditions, good yields, and no need for chromatographic purifications are important features of this protocol. The structures of the product of type 3 and 5 were corroborated spectroscopically (IR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, and EI‐MS). A plausible mechanism for this type of reaction is proposed (Scheme 1).