An expedient stereoselective synthesis of (Z)- and (E)-allyl iodides from Baylis-Hillman adducts along with selective iodination of benzylic alcohols using the polymethylhydrosiloxane-iodine system

A stereoselective method has been developed for the synthesis of (Z)- and (E)-allyl iodides from Baylis-Hillman adducts using polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) and iodine in chloroform at room temperature. In addition, the reagent system has been utilized for the iodination of benzylic alcohols selectively.     

Mild and practical stereoselective synthesis of (Z)- and (E)-allyl bromides from Baylis-Hillman adducts using Appel agents (PPh3/CBr4): a facile synthesis of semiplenamides C and E

Appel agents (PPh₃/CBr₄) have been utilized for high-yielding stereoselective synthesis of (Z)- and (E)-allyl bromides from Baylis-Hillman adducts at room temperature. The method has been applied for the synthesis of naturally occurring bioactive fatty acid amides, semiplenamides C and E.     

An efficient stereoselective synthesis of (E)- and (Z)-trisubstituted alkenes from unactivated Baylis-Hillman adducts using NaBH4/CuCl2·2H2O

A convenient and facile stereoselective synthesis of (E)- and (Z)-trisubstituted alkenes has been achieved by treatment of unactivated Baylis-Hillman adducts with NaBH₄ in the presence of CuCl₂·2H₂O at room temperature for 15 min.     

A simple and facile stereoselective synthesis of (Z)- and (E)-allyl halides catalyzed by silica supported sodium hydrogen sulfate: factors influencing the yields and stereochemistry of allyl halides

A simple, mild and efficient stereoselective synthesis of (Z)- and (E)-allyl bromides and iodides has been developed by treatment of the Baylis-Hillman adducts with lithium bromide and iodide, respectively, in methylene chloride catalyzed by silica supported sodium hydrogen sulfate at room temperature. The role of various solvents, different reacting metallic halides, nature of the adducts and activity of several heterogeneous catalysts on the yields and stereochemistry of the products have been thoroughly studied.     

The stereoselective synthesis of (E)-octafluoro-1,3,5-hexatriene and (3E,5E,7E)-dodecafluoro-1,3,5,7,9-decapentaene

(E)-(1,2-Difluoro-1,2-ethenediyl)bis[tributylstannane], 3, readily undergoes a Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction with iodotrifluoroethene to yield (E)-octafluoro-1,3,5-hexatriene, 4, in high isomeric purity. (1Z,3E,5Z)-(1,2,3,4,5,6-Hexafluoro-1,3,5-hexenetriyl)bis[tributylstannane], 7, was sequentially prepared from (1Z,3E,5Z)-(1,2,3,4,5,6-hexafluoro-1,3,5-hexenetriyl)bis[triethylsilane], 5, which was prepared via a Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of 3 with (E)-1,2-difluoro-1-iodo-2-triethylsilylethene, 6. Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI cross-coupling of 7 with iodotrifluoroethene gave (3E,5E,7E)-dodecafluoro-1,3,5,7,9-decapentaene, 8.     

A facile one-pot stereoselective synthesis of trisubstituted (E)-2-methylalk-2-enoic acids from unactivated Baylis-Hillman adducts and a simple access to some important insect pheromones

An efficient one-pot stereoselective synthesis of trisubstituted (E)-2-methylalk-2-enoic acids has been accomplished by treatment of unactivated Baylis-Hillman adducts, 3-hydroxy-2-methylenealkanoates, with Al-NiCl₂·6H₂O in methanol at room temperature followed by hydrolysis. The method has been applied to the synthesis of three important insect pheromones, (4S,2E)-2,4-dimethyl-2-hexenoic acid, (+)-(S)-manicone and (+)-(S)-normanicone.     

Convenient and efficient stereoselective synthesis of (2Z)-2-(chloromethyl)alk-2-enoates using iron(III) or indium(III) chloride

The stereoselective synthesis of (2Z)-2-(chloromethyl)alk-2-enoates has been achieved efficiently and in high yields and in short reaction times from Baylis-Hillman adducts, 3-hydroxy-2-methylene-alkanoates, by treatment with FeCl₃ or InCl₃ at room temperature.     

The stereoselective synthesis of (Z)-HFCCFZnI and stereospecific preparation of (E)-1,2-difluorostyrenes from (Z)-HFCCFZnI via an unusual Pd(PPh3)4-Cu(I)Br co-catalysis approach or (Z)-HFCCFSnBu3

(Z)-HFCCFZnI was stereoselectively synthesized from activated zinc dust and (Z)-HFCCFI that was synthesized from chlorotrifluoroethene in a sequential manner. Compared to (E)-HFCCFZnI, (Z)-HFCCFZnI was more challenging to prepare in terms of sluggish metallation and formation of by-products, and underwent slower and incomplete Negishi coupling with aryl iodides. In a modification of Negishi coupling, (E)-α,β-difluorostyrenes were stereospecifically prepared in good to excellent yields under mild conditions from aryl iodides and (Z)-HFCCFZnI with the co-catalysis of Pd(PPh₃)₄/Cu(I)Br. Experimental investigation and mechanistic rationalization suggested that Cu(I)Br would be a scavenger of free ligands for the facilitation of Pd(PPh₃)₂ formation, and a supplier of ligand for the metathesis process. Alternatively, (Z)-HFCCFSnBu₃ and aryl iodides with an electron-withdrawing group underwent Stille-Liebiskind coupling to afford (E)-α,β-difluorostyrenes.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (Z)-β-fluoro-α,β-unsaturated esters from (Z)-2-fluoro-1-alkenyliodonium salts

(Z)-β-Fluoro-α,β-unsaturated esters were stereoselectively synthesized from (Z)-2-fluoro-1-alkenyliodonium salts by the Pd-catalyzed methoxycarbonylation reaction. The reaction proceeded at room temperature and various functional groups on the substrate can tolerate the reaction conditions.     

Synthesis of methyl (5Z,8Z,10E,12E,14Z)-eicosapentaenoate

The first total synthesis of methyl (5Z,8Z,10E,12E,14Z)-eicosapentaenoate has been achieved in seven steps and in 16% overall yield. The synthesis confirmed the assigned structure of this polyunsaturated natural product.     

A novel stereoselective synthesis of (E)-2-arylvinylphosphonates in InCl3-NaBH4-MeCN system

Hydroindation of arylalkynylphosphonates gives a intermediate which can be hydrolyzed to (E)-2-arylvinylphosphonates in InCl₃-NaBH₄-MeCN system, the stereoselectivity and yield are rather high, but under the same conditions 2-alkylalkynylphosphonates do not react very well.     

Transition-metal-free synthesis of (Z)-3-ylidenephthalides from 2-acyl-benzoic acids

We report a highly efficient method for the synthesis of (Z)-3-ylidenephthalides via intramolecular cyclization of readily available 2-acyl-benzoic acids mediated by TSTU at room temperature. Using this method, diversely substituted (Z)-3-ylidenephthalides have been generated in good to excellent yields. The application of the method is highlighted by gram-scale preparation of the antiplatelet drug n-butylphthalide.     

An improved synthesis of (2E,4Z)-6-(benzyloxy)-4-bromohexa-2,4-dien-1-ol

An improved synthesis of (2E,4Z)-6-(benzyloxy)-4-bromohexa-2,4-dien-1-ol has been devised. This new route increases the throughput and yield of the diene product by circumventing a low yielding preparation of boronic acid intermediate as well as removing the need to use multi-gram quantities of highly toxic thallium salts. In the process of developing this new route, a higher yielding preparation of (E)-3-hydroxyprop-1-enylboronic acid was also achieved.     

Chemo-, regio- and stereoselective addition of triorganoindium reagents to acetates of Baylis-Hillman adducts: a new strategy for the synthesis of (E)- and (Z)-trisubstituted alkenes

The addition of several trialkyl or triarylindium reagents to the acetates of Baylis-Hillman adducts proceeds readily under the catalysis of copper and palladium derivatives. The reactions of trialkylindiums are catalyzed efficiently by CuI whereas additions of triarylindiums produce better results with Pd(PPh₃)₄. The reactions with 3-acetoxy-2-methylenealkanoates provide (E)-alkenes, whereas similar reactions with 3-acetoxy-2-methylenealkanenitriles lead to (Z)-alkenes. All the reactions are highly regio- and stereoselective and high yielding.     

Siloxyallenes revisited. A useful functional intermediate for the synthesis of (Z)-β-branched Morita-Baylis-Hillman type adducts and (Z)-chalcones

Siloxyallenes proved to be a useful functional intermediate in the preparation of (Z)-β-branched Morita-Baylis-Hillman type adducts by the reaction of aldehydes with silylacetylenes or siloxypropynes. Various (Z)-chalcones were stereoselectively synthesized from siloxypropynes via siloxyallenes.     

Convenient stereoselective synthesis of (Z)-chalcone derivatives from 1,3-diaryl-2-propynyl silyl ethers

Various (Z)-chalcone derivatives were easily synthesized in a stereoselective manner from 1,3-diaryl-2-propynyl silyl ethers by a catalytic reaction using potassium tert-butoxide under very mild conditions after acid treatment.     

Z/E Stereoselective synthesis of β-bromo Baylis-Hillman ketones using MgBr2 as promoter via a one-pot three-component reaction

The first time steroselective synthesis of (Z)-β-bromo Baylis-Hillman ketones has been achieved using a one-pot three-component reaction. The new system uses MgBr₂ as both the Lewis acidic promoter and the bromine source for the Michael-type addition with α,β-acetylenic ketones to form an active β-bromo allenolate intermediate, which in turn attacks various aldehydes to afford β-bromo Baylis-Hillman adducts in good yields and Z-selectivity.     

Novel cleavage of (E)-allyl vic-diols to aldehydes using the 2nd-generation Grubbs catalyst

Secondary (E)-allyl vic-diol cleavage in the presence of the 2nd-generation Grubbs catalyst has been developed. The position of a vic-diol adjacent to CC plays a crucial role in the cleavage reaction compared to an alkyl vic-diol based on a model compound.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (E)- and (Z)-3-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-alkenyl iodides by base-promoted ring-opening of iodomethylated epoxides

Both (E)- and (Z)-3-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-alkenyl iodides were stereoselectively synthesized from iodomethylated epoxides by treatment with sodium hexamethyldisilazane in DMF and with LDA in THF (or lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide in THF), respectively.     

Preparation of enantiomerically pure (E)-β-sulfinylenones from β-ketoesters

Enantiomerically pure (E)-β-sulfinylenones are smoothly prepared from β-ketoesters in three steps with good overall yield. Since they can be the substrates of many diastereoselective reactions, they represent versatile precursors of a wide range of chiral building blocks. We propose a rationale to explain the formation of (E)-β-sulfinylenones from the corresponding δ-enol-methylethers.