Palladium(0)‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Arylative Dearomatization of β‐Naphthols

The first Pd⁰‐catalyzed intermolecular arylative dearomatization of β‐naphthols with aryl halides is described. It was found that Q‐Phos could facilitate the palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling‐type dearomatization of β‐naphthols, while avoiding O‐arylation, to construct 2‐naphthalenones in excellent yields and with high chemoselectivity.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of Tetrahydropyrano[3,4‐b]indoles: Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Aminopalladation/1,4‐Addition Sequence

A novel palladium(II)‐catalyzed cyclization of aniline‐tethered alkynyl cyclohexadienones is reported. This reaction offers an atom‐economical and redox‐neutral access to various cyclohexenone‐fused tetrahydropyrano[3,4‐b ]indoles with high yield and excellent enantioselectivity. Remarkably, this work represents the first example on a transition‐metal‐catalyzed asymmetric intramolecular aminopalladation/1,4 addition sequence.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Intermolecular [4+1] Spiroannulation by C(sp3)−H Activation and Naphthol Dearomatization

A novel palladium‐catalyzed [4+1] spiroannulation was developed by using a C(sp³)?H activation/naphthol dearomatization approach. This bimolecular domino reaction of two aryl halides was realized through a sequence of cyclometallation‐facilitated C(sp³)?H activation, biaryl cross‐coupling, and naphthol dearomatization, thus rendering the rapid assembly of a new class of spirocyclic molecules in good yields with broad functional‐group tolerance. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that C?H cleavage is likely involved in the rate‐determining step, and a five‐membered palladacycle was identified as the key intermediate for the intermolecular coupling.     

Asymmetric Dearomatization of β‐Naphthols through a Bifunctional‐Thiourea‐Catalyzed Michael Reaction

An intermolecular asymmetric dearomatization reaction of β‐naphthols with nitroethylene through a chiral‐thiourea‐catalyzed Michael reaction is described. Enantioenriched functionalized β‐naphthalenones with an all‐carbon quaternary stereogenic center could thus be easily constructed from simple naphthol derivatives in good yields and excellent enantioselectivity (up to 79 % yield, 98 % ee).     

Palladium(0)‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of 1,1‐Diboronates with Vinyl Bromides and 1,1‐Dibromoalkenes

Palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions of 1,1‐diboronates with vinyl bromides and dibromoalkenes were found to afford 1,4‐dienes and allenes, respectively. These reactions utilize the high reactivities of both 1,1‐diboronates and allylboron intermediates generated in the initial coupling.     

Pd‐Catalyzed Dearomatization of Anthranils with Vinylcyclopropanes by [4+3] Cyclization Reaction

Dearomatization of anthranils with vinylcyclopropanes (VCPs) by Pd‐catalyzed [4+3] cyclization reaction has been realized. In the presence of a catalytic amount of borane as an activator, bridged cyclic products were obtained in good to excellent yields with excellent stereoselectivities. By introducing a chiral PHOX ligand ( L5 ), asymmetric dearomatization reactions of anthranils with vinylcyclopropanes proceeded with excellent enantioselectivity. Borane plays a key role for the reactivity, likely owing to the formation of a borane–anthranil complex which has been confirmed by NMR experiments.     

Mechanistic Insight Leads to a Ligand Which Facilitates the Palladium‐Catalyzed Formation of 2‐(Hetero)Arylaminooxazoles and 4‐(Hetero)Arylaminothiazoles

By using mechanistic insight, a new ligand (EPhos) for the palladium‐catalyzed C−N cross‐coupling between primary amines and aryl halides has been developed. Employing an isopropoxy group at the C3‐position favors the C‐bound isomer of the ligand‐supported palladium(II) complexes and leads to significantly improved reactivity. The use of a catalyst system based on EPhos with NaOPh as a mild homogeneous base proved to be very effective in the formation of 4‐arylaminothiazoles and highly functionalized 2‐arylaminooxazoles. Previously, these were not readily accessible using palladium catalysis.     

Pd/PC‐Phos‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Intermolecular Denitrogenative Cyclization of Benzotriazoles with Allenes and N‐Allenamides

Reported herein is an asymmetric Pd/PC‐Phos‐catalyzed denitrogenative cyclization of benzotriazoles with allenes and N‐allenamides, representing the first example of enantioselective denitrogenative cyclizations of benzotriazoles. A series of optically active 3‐methyleneindolines were obtained in good yields with high ee values. The use of inexpensive and readily available starting materials, high regio‐ and enantioselectivity, a broad substrate scope, mild reaction conditions, no need for base, as well as versatile functionalization of the 3‐methyleneindolines make this approach attractive.     

Ligand‐Controlled Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Regiodivergent Carbonylation of Alkynes: Syntheses of Indolo[3,2‐c]coumarins and Benzofuro[3,2‐c]quinolinones

Regiodivergent syntheses of indolo[3,2‐c]coumarins and benzofuro[3,2‐c]quinolinones through a controllable palladium(II)‐catalyzed carbonylative cyclization are established. The chemo‐ and regioselectivity are exclusively tuned by the ligand on the palladium catalyst. The rigid framework of the electron‐deficient ligand promotes the O‐attack/N‐carbonylation cyclization leading to benzofuro[3,2‐c]quinolinones, while a sterically bulky and electron‐rich ligand facilitates N‐attack/O‐carbonylation cyclization to generate indolo[3,2‐c]coumarins. Furthermore, various other nucleophiles are applicable for delivering a variety of indoloquinolinones, pyranoquinolones, and chromeno[3,4‐c]quinolinones in one step, and serves as a method for creating compound libraries for drug discovery.     

Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Three‐Component Reaction of Terminal Propargyl Alcohols,Aldehydes, and Amines: Synthesis of 3‐Amino‐2‐pyrones and 2,5‐Dihydrofurans

A novel copper(I)‐catalyzed three‐component reaction for the efficient synthesis of 3‐amino‐2‐pyrones and 2,5‐dihydrofurans from propargyl alcohols, aldehydes, and amines has been developed. The starting materials are easily available and the scope of this method is broad. Through mechanistic studies, it is believed that the three‐component reaction consists of an A³‐coupling to propargylic amine, alkyne–allene isomerization, and intramolecular cyclization of the allenol to form a furan. In case of using ethyl glyoxalate as the aldehyde, a ring‐opening, lactonization, and isomerization process affords the 3‐amino‐2‐pyrones.     

Iridium‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Asymmetric Dearomatization of β‐Naphthols with Allyl Alcohols or Allyl Ethers

An Ir‐catalyzed intermolecular asymmetric dearomatization reaction of β‐naphthols with allyl alcohols or allyl ethers was developed. When an iridium catalyst generated from [Ir(COD)Cl]₂ (COD=cyclooctadiene) and a chiral P/olefin ligand is employed, highly functionalized β‐naphthalenone compounds bearing an all‐carbon‐substituted quaternary chiral center were obtained in up to 92 % yield and 98 % ee . The direct utilization of allyl alcohols as electrophiles represents an improvement from the viewpoint of atom economy. Allyl ethers were found to undergo asymmetric allylic substitution reaction under Ir catalysis for the first time. The diverse transformations of the dearomatized product to various motifs render this method attractive.