Stereoselective Synthesis of (1Z,3E)-2-Ethoxycarbonyl-Substituted 1,3-Dienes via Stille Coupling of (E)-α-Stannyl-α,β-Unsaturated Esters with Alkenyl Halides

Palladium-catalyzed hydrostannylation of alkynyl esters in benzene at room temperature gives stereoselectively (E)-α-stannyl-α,β-unsaturated esters 1 in good yields. (E)-α-Stannyl-α,β-unsaturated esters 1 are difunctional group reagents that undergo Stille coupling reactions with alkenyl halides 2 in the presence of Pd(PPh₃)₄ and CuI co-catalyst to afford stereoselectively (1Z,3E)-2-ethoxycarbonyl-substituted 1,3-dienes 3 in good yields.     

One-Pot,Fluoride-Promoted Wittig Reaction

A one-pot, fluoride-promoted Wittig reaction was developed. The reactions of ethyl α-bromoacetate with aliphatic, aromatic, and heteroaromatic aldehydes in the presence of tri-n-butylphosphine and tetrabutylammonium fluoride produced α,β-unsaturated esters in good to excellent yields and E-stereoselectivity. Under the same conditions, reactions of ethyl α-bromopropionate, α-bromo acetonitrile, and α-bromoacetophenone with aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes in the presence of tri-n-butylphosphine and tetrabutylammonium fluoride produced the expected α,β-unsaturated derivatives in good E-stereoselectivity. The protocol was extended to semistabilized ylides and applied to the synthesis of some combretastatin analogs.     

KF/Al2O3 as a Highly Efficient,Green, Heterogeneous,and Reusable Catalytic System for the Solvent-Free Synthesis of Carboacyclic Nucleosides via Michael Addition Reaction

KF/Al₂O₃ acts as an efficient catalytic system for the synthesis of carboacyclic nucleosides via Michael addition of pyrimidine and purine nucleobases to α,β-unsaturated esters under solvent-free and microwave conditions. Using this method, the title compounds are produced in good to excellent yields and short reaction times.     

Synthesis of Ketone from Alkyl Halide Using α-Chloro Nitrone as Oxidizing Reagent: A New Approach

Consecutive S_N2 reaction of α-chloronitrones were studied with isopropyl halides, and the nitrones have remarkable oxidizing properties for the conversion of isopropyl halides to ketones with good yields. In addition, the side product obtained can serve as efficient dipolarophile in 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction to produce spiro cycloadduct in good yield.     

Efficient Ce(III)-Catalyzed cis-Selective Synthetic Approach to γ-Lactones in Aqueous Media

The first CeCl₃ · 7H₂O-catalyzed, one-pot synthesis of α-mercapto-γ-lactones via regioselective epoxide ring opening and mercaptoacetylative cyclization cascades in water is reported. The reaction between 2-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-one and a variety of terminal epoxides was carried out in aqueous media to afford γ-lactones in good to excellent yields (83–94%) with complete cis diastereoselectivity. Acetophenone obtained as a by-product was also recovered and recycled easily for further use.     

Facile strategy for the preparation of pyrazoline derivatives through phosphine-promoted [2 + 3] cycloaddition of dialkyl azodicarboxylates with β,γ-unsaturated α-keto esters

A facile phosphine-promoted [2?+?3] cycloaddition of dialkyl azodicarboxylates with β,γ-unsaturated α-keto esters was developed, and a series of pyrazoline derivatives were obtained with good yields under mild conditions. Furthermore, the scope of the cyclizations was investigated.     

SmI3-Catalyzed Addition of Amines to α,β-Unsaturated N-Acylbenzotriazoles

The addition of amines to α,β-unsaturated N-acylbenzotriazoles could be catalyzed by samarium triiodide (SmI₃) at ambient temperature. α,β-Unsaturated aliphatic N-acylbenzotriazoles afforded bis-addition products (β-amino amides), whereas N-cinnamoylbenzotriazoles gave acylated products (cinnamoylamides) exclusively.     

Microwave-Assisted,Rapid, Solvent-Free Aza-Michael Reaction by Perchloric Acid Impregnated on Silica Gel

Highly efficient solvent-free aza-Michael additions of a variety of amines to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds under microwave-irradiation conditions catalyzed by perchloric acid impregnated on silica gel (HClO₄/SiO₂) is reported. The reactions are completed within 2–7 min in a microwave oven to produce the corresponding adducts in excellent yields, and the catalyst can be recovered and reused.     

Palladium-Catalyzed Allylation of α-Nitroacetates with Propynes

A novel way to synthesize allylated α-nitroacetates under Pd catalysis has been described. Reactions of propynes with diverse α-nitroacetates in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd(PPh₃)₄ and HOAc in 1,4-dioxane afforded the corresponding allylated products in good yields. Compared with other known methods, this method of synthesizing allylated α-nitroacetates generated no waste and needed neither a stoichiometric amount of base nor a leaving group.     

Enantio- and Diastereoselective Oxidation of N-Alkylimines Using Chiral α-Bromonitriles and Hydrogen Peroxide System

Chiral α-bromonitriles were prepared with good chemical and optical yields starting from natural α-amino acids by dehydrating the corresponding α-bromoamides with thionyl chloride. The combined system α-bromonitriles/hydrogen peroxide was examined for the enantio- and diastereoselective oxidation of N-alkylimines in basic media at room temperature. The oxidation of N-tertiobutylarylimines leads to optically active oxaziridines with moderate enantiomeric excess. However, the oxidation of (S)-1-phenylethylarylimines affords the corresponding oxaziridines with good diasteromeric excess up to 97/3 as proved by gaseous-phase chromatography.     

Nmp-based ionic liquids: Recyclable catalysts for both hetero-Michael addition and Knoevenagel condensation in water

A series of novel N-methyl piperidine (Nmp)-based ionic liquids with 1,2-propanediol group are synthesized and used as catalysts for both hetero-Michael addition of α,β-unsaturated amides and Knoevenagel condensation at room temperature in water; and all the examined substrates could be transformed into corresponding products in good to excellent yields. Meanwhile IL-catalyzed hetero-Michael addition of α,β-unsaturated amides in water has not been reported in the previous literatures. Additionally, the catalyst is recyclable for the two reactions. This finding provides a green catalyst for both hetero-Michael addition of α,β-unsaturated amides and Knoevenagel condensation in water.     

Solvent-free,one-pot synthesis of α,β-unsaturated esters in the presence of a C3-symmetric arsine

An efficient synthesis of α, β-unsaturated esters is achieved via a one-pot reaction in the presence of a C₃-symmetric arsine. The key advantages are the short reaction time, simple workup, mild reaction conditions, and high yields.     

Fe-Mediated S–S Bond Cleavage and Its Application in the Synthesis of α-Arylthio Carbonyl Compounds

In the presence of iron dust, diaryl disulfides react with α-bromo carbonyl compounds to obtain α-arylthio carbonyl compounds in good yield at 90 °C under an N₂ atmosphere, using commercial dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent. The possible reaction mechanism is that the disulfide is reduced by iron dust to give ArSFeSAr and then reacted with α-bromo carbonyl compounds to give product α-arylthio carbonyl compounds and FeBr₂.     

K2S2O8-Mediated Difunctionalization of C≡C Bonds in Water: A Simple and Efficient Approach to α,α-Dihaloacetophenones from Phenylacetylenes and NaX

A novel K₂S₂O₈-mediated oxy-1,1-dihalogenation of alkynes with NaX in the presence of water has been developed, affording α,α-dihaloacetophenones in moderate to good yields. The advantages of this reaction are mild reaction conditions, operational simplicity, and use of pure water as reaction medium. A plausible reaction mechanism is proposed on the basis of mechanistic studies.     

Synthesis of Enantiomerically Enriched α-Bromonitriles from Amino Acids

Two methods were investigated for the preparation of six chiral α-bromonitriles with different optic purities. The nitrous deamination of amino acids gives α-bromoacids, which react with chlorosulfonyl isocyanate followed by triethylamine to afford α-bromonitriles with moderate enantiomeric excess. However, the dehydration of corresponding α-bromoamids using thionyl chloride gives α-bromonitriles with good enantiomeric excess up to 94%. The use of phosphoryl chloride instead of thionyl chloride results in more than 30% racemization as determined by high-performance liquid chromatograpic analysis.     

Synthesis of α-trifluoromethyl-β-keto phosphonates by electrophilic trifluoromethylation with Togni reagent

A new synthetic method of trifluoromethylated phosphonates was developed via electrophilic trifluoromethylation with Togni reagent. A variety of β-keto phosphonates were converted into the corresponding α-trifluoromethyl-β-keto phosphonates in moderate to good yields. This protocol could also be extended to other fluoroalkylation reactions, such as pentafluoroethylation.     

Direct access to α,α′-diarylated ketones through N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed 1,6-addition of aromatic aldehydes to para-quinone methides

N-Heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed 1,6-addition of aromatic aldehydes to para-quinone methides has been developed. This method could efficiently furnish α,α′-diarylated ketones with good to high yields, which contain various functional groups.     

K7[PW11CoO40]: Efficient and Ecofriendly Catalyst for the Enamination of β-Dicarbonyl Compounds

Condensation of a variety of β-dicarbonyl compounds with primary and secondary amines carried out in the presence of catalytic amounts of K₇[PW₁₁CoO₄₀]. From this reaction N-substituted β-enamino esters and ketones were obtained in high yields.     

Aza-Michael Addition of Amines to α,β-Unsaturated Compounds Using Molecular Iodine as Catalyst

Aza-Michael adducts are obtained in very good yields by the conjugate addition of aliphatic amines to α,β-unsaturated compounds using molecular iodine as catalyst in dichloromethane at room temperature. Aromatic amines were found to be reactive under reflux in toluene.     

Selective Sulfenylative Desulfonylation or Decarbalkoxylation of α-Sulfonyl Malonates with DABCO or Bu3N: Reactivity and Conformational Analysis

The study on reactivity of several α-substituted α-sulfonyl malonates toward 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) and Bu₃N is described. The reactivity with DABCO revealed the possible competition between decarbalkoxylation and unexpected desulfonylation, depending on the α-substituent, because of sterical hindrance around the electrophilic centers (SO₂ and CO₂R). The derivatives with crowded α-substituents suffer selective desulfonylation, and a novel and efficient desulfonylation method can be proposed. The dependence of the reactivity of α-sulfonyl malonates on the sterical hindrance around the electrophilic centers is confirmed by conformational analysis (Macromodel/MM2? and Mopac/MP3). The carbanionic mechanism is proved because the corresponding protonated, deuterated, and sulfenylated products were obtained by addition of the corresponding electrophilic agents. Bu₃N showed itself to be a novel selective decarbalkoxylation agent for any α-substituted α-sulfonyl malonate.