The Friedel-Crafts acylation of aromatic compounds with carboxylic acids by the combined use of perfluoroalkanoic anhydride and bismuth or scandium triflate

Aromatic ketones were synthesized by solventless Friedel-Crafts acylation of anisole, mesitylene, xylenes, and toluene with acetic acid and benzoic acid in the presence of trifluoroacetic anhydride by use of bismuth or scandium triflate at 30 °C. Toluene, benzene, and even deactivated substrate such as chlorobenzene were benzoylated by the combined use of heptafluorobutyric anhydride and bismuth triflate at 75-100 °C. The catalyst could be easily recovered and reused repeatedly for the reaction.     

Biomimetic cationic polyannulation reaction catalyzed by Bi(OTf)3: cyclization of 1,6-dienes, 1,6,10-trienes, and aryl polyenes

Nonactivated trienes and aryltrienes were cyclized into polycyclic compounds in good to excellent yields under bismuth triflate catalysis in a biomimetic fashion. The reaction showed broad applicability and allowed for the formation of functionalized bicyclic to tetracyclic structures from simple precursors in one pot. For some specific substrates, the cyclization was followed by a methyl shift as encountered in terpenoid biosynthesis.     

Bismuth triflate-catalyzed oxa- and thia-Pictet-Spengler reactions: access to iso- and isothio-chroman compounds

A new route to functionalized iso(thio)chromans is described. The compounds are accessible easily in a one pot-reaction by using different benzaldehydes and phenylethanethiol or phenylethanol in presence of bismuth triflate.     

Activation of bismuth(III) derivatives in ionic liquids: novel and recyclable catalytic systems for Friedel-Crafts acylation of aromatic compounds

The activity of four bismuth(III) derivatives when employed as Friedel-Crafts catalysts for the acylation of aromatics was found to increase dramatically when dissolved in ionic liquids. Solutions of bismuth oxide or triflate in [emim][NTf(2)] and [bmim][NTf(2)] are the most efficient catalytic systems, with catalyst loading as low as 1% leading to clean, high-yielding acylation of a variety of benzene derivatives. These improved Friedel-Crafts catalytic systems can also be efficiently recycled as opposed to traditional systems. [reaction: see text]     

Bismuth triflate catalyzed solvent-free synthesis of 2,4,6-triaryl pyridines and an unexpected selective acetalization of tetrazolo[1,5-a]-quinoline-4-carbaldehydes

Bismuth triflate has been found as a potential catalyst for an efficient and solvent-free synthesis of symmetrical 2,4,6-triarylpyridines in 86–93% yields. Moreover, catalytic reactivity of bismuth triflate toward tetrazolo[1,5-a]quinoline-4-carbaldehydes for the unexpected formation of their corresponding acetals has been exploited.     

Improvement of the Friedel–Crafts benzoylation by using bismuth trifluoromethanesulfonate in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate ionic liquid under microwave irradiation

Bismuth trifluoromethanesulfonate (bismuth triflate) catalyzed the Friedel–Crafts benzoylation of activated aromatic compounds when dissolved in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate ([BMIM]OTf) ionic liquid. Immobilization of bismuth triflate (5 mol %) in [BMIM]OTf allowed the synthesis of aryl ketones in good to excellent yields with short reaction times under microwave irradiation. This catalytic system was easily recovered and reused several times without any significant loss of the activity.     

Bismuth triflate catalyzed Claisen rearrangement of allyl naphthyl ethers

Bismuth triflate was found to be an efficient catalyst for the Claisen rearrangement of allyl naphthyl ethers. The reaction proceeds smoothly with a catalytic amount of bismuth triflate (20 mol %) to afford the corresponding ortho-allyl naphthol in moderate to good yields in most cases.     

Bi(OTf)3-catalyzed conjugate addition of indoles to p-quinones: a facile synthesis of 3-indolyl quinones

A wide range of indoles undergo conjugate addition to p-benzoquinones in the presence of 2 mol% bismuth triflate under mild conditions to afford the corresponding 3-indolyl quinones in excellent yields with high selectivity.     

Syntheses of aliphatic polyesters catalyzed by lanthanide triflates

Polycondensations of 1,6‐hexane diol and sebacic acid were conducted in bulk with addition of a lanthanide triflate as acidic catalyst. With exception of promethium triflate all lanthanide triflates were studied. A particularly low molecular weight was obtained with neodym triflate and the best results with samarium triflate. With Sm(OTf)₃ weight average (M_w) values up to 65 kDa (uncorrected SEC data) were achieved after optimization of the reaction conditions. Comparison of these results with those obtained from bismuth, magnesium, and zinc triflates, on the one hand, and comparison with the acidities of all catalysts, on the other, indicates that the esterification mechanism involves complexation of monomer by metal ions. Preparation of multiblock copoly(ether ester)s failed due to insufficient incorporation of poly(tetrahydrofuran) diols. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 170–177, 2009     

Experimental and Theoretical Studies on the Bismuth‐Triflate‐Catalysed Cycloisomerisation of 1,6,10‐Trienes and Aryl Polyenes

Cycloisomerisation of polyenes such as diethyl geranylprenylmalonate [(E)‐ 1 a ], diethyl geranylphenylmalonate [(E)‐ 2 a ] and diethyl cinnamylgeranylmalonate [(E,E)‐ 3 a ] catalysed by bismuth triflate was studied from experimental and theoretical viewpoints. Several intermediates were isolated and characterised, and calculated transition‐state structures are proposed for the three reactions. The diastereoselectivity observed during the reaction of (E)‐ or (Z)‐ 2 a in favour of the formation of trans‐fused bicyclic products is discussed in detail. The nature of the active catalytic species derived from bismuth triflate was also investigated, and the formation of a hybrid Lewis acid/Brønsted acid catalyst with water molecules is proposed, supported by experimental and theoretical data.     

Bi(OTf)3-catalyzed 5-exo-trig cyclization via halide activation

Lewis acid activation of allyl halides utilizing Bi(OTf)₃ resulted in cationic cyclization of alkenes with high efficiency. While other Lewis acids could catalyze this process with highly substituted alkenes, bismuth salts demonstrated unique reactivity in come cases. This suggested that bismuth triflate possesses interesting halophilic properties.     

A simple and efficient chemoselective method for the catalytic deprotection of acetals and ketals using bismuth triflate

Bismuth triflate is a highly efficient catalyst (0.1-1 mol %) for the deprotection of acetals and ketals. The procedure is very facile and selective for acetals derived from ketones and conjugated aldehydes. tert-Butyldimethylsilyl ethers are stable to the reaction conditions. The highly catalytic nature of bismuth triflate and the use of a relatively nontoxic solvent system (THF/H(2)O) make this procedure particularly attractive for large-scale synthesis.     

Microwave-Assisted Facile and Rapid Friedel–Crafts Benzoylation of Arenes Catalyzed by Bismuth Trifluoromethanesulfonate

The catalytic activity of metal triflates was investigated in Friedel–Crafts benzoylation under microwave irradiation. Friedel–Crafts benzoylation with benzoyl chloride of a variety of arenes containing electron-rich and electron-poor rings using bismuth triflate under microwave irradiation is described. This method allows the preparation of aryl ketones under solventless conditions in good to excellent yields and short reaction time. Bismuth triflate was easily recovered and reused five times without significant loss of the catalytic activity.     

Bi(OTf)3-catalyzed acylation of p-quinones: a facile synthesis of acylated hydroquinones

p-Quinones undergo smooth acylation with acetic anhydride in the presence of 2 mol % of bismuth triflate under mild conditions to afford the corresponding 1,4-diacylated-2-acetoxylated hydroquinones in excellent yields with high selectivity.     

Synthesis of amides using the Ritter reaction with bismuth triflate catalysis

N-tert-Alkyl and aryl amides were obtained by a Ritter reaction of various nitriles with tertiary alcohols in the presence of a catalytic amount of bismuth triflate.     

An efficient catalytic deprotection of thioacetals employing bismuth triflate: synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-c] [1,4] benzodiazepines

A simple and efficient deprotection of thioacetals has been achieved by employing bismuth triflate. This method has been effectively employed in the preparation of DNA-binding pyrrolo[2,1-c] [1,4]benzodiazepine and its dimers.     

Bismuth compounds in organic synthesis. A one-pot synthesis of homoallyl ethers and homoallyl acetates from aldehydes catalyzed by bismuth triflate

[reaction: see text] Three one-pot methods for the conversion of aldehydes to homoallyl ethers catalyzed by Bi(OTf)(3).xH(2)O (1 < x < 4) have been developed. The one-pot synthesis of homoallyl ethers can be achieved either by in situ generation of the acetal followed by its reaction with allyltrialkylsilane or by a three-component synthesis in which the aldehyde, trimethylorthoformate or an alkoxytrimethylsilane and allyltrimethylsilane are mixed together in the presence of bismuth triflate (0.1-1.0 mol %). In addition, a three-component synthesis of homoallyl acetates, which is achieved by reacting the aldehyde, acetic anhydride, and allyltrimethylsilane in the presence of bismuth triflate (3.0-5.0 mol %), has been developed. The use of a relatively nontoxic, easy to handle, and inexpensive catalyst adds to the versatility of these methods.     

Bismuth triflate catalyzed conjugate addition of indoles to α,β-enones

Reaction of indoles with electron deficient olefins under the influence of bismuth triflate has been studied at ambient temperature and affords the corresponding 3-alkylated indoles in excellent yields.     

Le Triflate de Bismuth(III) Comme Catalyseur Dans la Reaction de Carbonyl-Diels-Alder

In presence of bismuth(III) triflate, a carbonylated electrophile (ethyl mesoxalate or glyoxylate) and usual diene led selectively (60-100) the hetero carbonyl-Diels-Alder reaction with the ene reaction product. Bi(OTf) 3 exhibits strong catalytic activity and reacts under mild conditions. En présence de triflate de bismuth(III) le mésoxalate et le glyoxylate d'éthyle réagissent avec des diènes usuels pour donner un mélange de carbonyl-Diels-Alder et du produit de la ène réaction. Bi(OTf) 3 présente une forte activité catalytique et réagit dans des conditions douces.     

Ene Réaction et Réaction de Substitution sur Des Hétérocycles Catalysées par les Sels de Bi(III)

Carbonylated electrophiles react with furan, thiophene, or pyrrole derivatives in the presence of catalytic amounts of bismuth triflate or chloride, leading to either electrophilic substitution or ene reaction products.