Formation of Methane versus Benzene in the Reactions of (C5Me5)2Th(CH3)2 with [CH3PPh3]X (X=Cl,Br, I) Yielding Thorium‐Carbene or Thorium‐Ylide Complexes

The reaction of (C₅Me₅)₂Th(CH₃)₂ with the phosphonium salts [CH₃PPh₃]X (X=Cl, Br, I) was investigated. When X=Br and I, two equivalents of methane are liberated to afford (C₅Me₅)₂Th[CHPPh₃]X, rare terminal phosphorano‐stabilized carbenes with thorium. These complexes feature the shortest thorium–carbon bonds (≈2.30 Å) reported to date, and electronic structure calculations show some degree of multiple bonding. However, when X=Cl, only one equivalent of methane is lost with concomitant formation of benzene from an unstable phosphorus(V) intermediate, yielding (C₅Me₅)₂Th[κ²‐(C,C′)‐(CH₂)(CH₂)PPh₂]Cl. Density functional theory (DFT) investigations of the reaction energy profiles for [CH₃PPh₃]X, X=Cl and I showed that in the case of iodide, thermodynamics prevents the production of benzene and favors formation of the carbene.     

Atroposelective Arene Formation by Carbene‐Catalyzed Formal [4+2] Cycloaddition

Atroposelective arene formation is an efficient method to build axially chiral molecules with multi‐substituted arenes. Reported here is an organocatalyzed atroposelective arene formation reaction by an N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed formal [4+2] cycloaddition of conjugated dienals and α‐aryl ketones. This study expands the synthetic potential of NHC organocatalysis and provides a competitive pathway for the synthesis of axially chiral ligands, catalysts, and other functional molecules.     

Carbene‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Decarboxylative Annulations to Access Dihydrobenzoxazinones and Quinolones

A direct decarboxylative strategy for the generation of aza‐o‐quinone methides (aza‐o‐QMs) by N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis has been discovered and explored. This process requires no stoichiometric additives in contrast with current approaches. Aza‐o‐QMs react with trifluoromethyl ketones through a formal [4+2] manifold to access highly enantioenriched dihydrobenzoxazin‐4‐one products, which can be converted to dihydroquinolones through an interesting stereoretentive aza‐Petasis–Ferrier rearrangement sequence. Complementary dispersion‐corrected density functional theory (DFT) studies provided an accurate prediction of the reaction enantioselectivity and lend further insight to the origins of stereocontrol. Additionally, a computed potential energy surface around the major transition structure suggests a concerted asynchronous mechanism for the formal annulation.     

Room Temperature Regioselective Catalytic Hydrodefluorination of Fluoroarenes with trans‐[Ru(NHC)4H2] through a Concerted Nucleophilic Ru−H Attack Pathway

The efficient and highly selective room temperature hydrodefluorination (HDF) of fluoroarenes by the trans‐[Ru(IMe₄)₄H₂] catalyst, 3 , is reported. Mechanistic studies show 3 acts directly in catalysis without any ligand dissociation and DFT calculations indicate a concerted nucleophilic attack mechanism. The calculations fully account for the observed selectivities which corroborate earlier predictions regarding the selectivity of HDF.     

Straightforward Synthesis and Properties of Highly Fluorescent [5]‐ and [7]‐Helical Dispiroindeno[2,1‐c]fluorenes

This work presents a general approach for synthesis of substituted [5]‐helical dispiroindeno[2,1‐c]fluorenes based on Rh‐catalyzed intramolecular cyclotrimerization of triynes. This approach was further extended for the first synthesis of configurationally stable [7]‐helical dispiroindeno[2,1‐c]fluorenes. A series of variously substituted derivatives was prepared and their photophysical and electrochemical properties were evaluated. Their fluorescence emission maxima were in the region of 351–428 nm and quantum yields up to 88 % are the highest measured among the full‐carbon helical compounds.