New Synthetic Method of p-Nitrocalixarenes

Calixarenes 1 were directly nitrated with potassium nitrate and aluminum chloride to give p-nitrocalixarenes 2 in good yields. Formation of p-nitrocalix[4]arene (2a) from reaction of p-bromomethylcalix[4]arene (3) with silver nitrate is also described.     

Selective Cleavage of β-Keto and Vinylogous β-Keto Esters by 3-Quinuclidinol

As a result of a continuing study utilizing nitrogenous bases^2–6, we now wish to report that the base 3-quinuclidinol (13) is useful for the cleavage of β-keto and vinylogous β-keto esters.     

Silica Sulfuric Acid (SSA)/Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) as a Recyclable System for the Synthesis of Quinoxalines and Pyrazines

An efficient and facile method has been developed for the condensation of 1,2-diamines with α-hydroxyketones in polyethylene glycol (PEG) to quinoxalines and pyrazines with good yields in the presence of silica sulfuric acid (SSA). The important features of the methodology are simple operations, environmentally friendliness, and no requirement for metal catalysts. Additionally, the catalyst system (SSA/PEG) could be recovered easily and reused.     

Oxidation of Benzoins to Benzils with Chromium Trioxide Under Viscous Conditions

Reaction of chiral allylic cyclic carbonates with Grignards reagent in the presence of NiCl₂(dppe) as a catalyst afforded the alkylated (E)-allylic alcohols with high regio- and diastereoselectivity.     

A novel kind of dimmer (excimer)-induced-AIE compound 2-phenylisothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridin-3(2H)-one as high selective bisulfite anion probe

An interesting dimmer (excimer)-induced-AIE characteristic of 2-phenylisothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridin-3(2H)-one was observed. By using a ring-opening reaction, we developed a novel fluorescent probe based on sub-micron particles of 2-phenylisothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridin-3(2H)-one in water.     

Supramolecular organogelators based on Janus type AT nucleosides

J-AT nucleoside-based organogelators 1a and 1b were designed and synthesized. They were endowed with unparalleled superiority to natural nucleobase analogues 2–6 to gelate aromatic solvents due to their excellent self-assembly properties. The J-AT nucleoside-based organogelators showed a specific self-complementary base pair recognition characteristic. The gel stabilities of 1a and 1b were drastically influenced by adenine analogue 2, hardly affected by thymine analogue 3, uracil analogue 4, cytosine analogue 5, and mildly interrupted by guanine analogue 6.     

Copper-catalyzed dehydrogenative cross-coupling reaction between unactivated ethers and simple ketones mediated by pyrrolidine

A copper-catalyzed dehydrogenative cross-coupling reaction between unactivated ethers and simple ketones mediated by pyrrolidine has been developed. Under the catalysis of CuBr₂ and in the presence of pyrrolidine, either tetrahydrofuran 2a or tetrahydropyran 2b can react smoothly with a series of methyl aryl ketones 1a–m to give desired coupling products 3aa–mb using TBHP as an oxidant. The advantages of the dehydrogenative cross-coupling reaction are adoption of unmodified ethers as substrates, good tolerance of many functional groups and use of cheap copper salt as a catalyst. A plausible radical mechanism through enamine attack is proposed.     

Electrochemical synthesis of amides: direct transformation of methyl ketones with formamides

A direct transformation from methyl ketones to secondary or tertiary amides has been developed through a novel electrochemical approach and a wide scope of formamides could be utilized as the amide sources. This transformation was promoted by in situ generated iodine through electrolysis of sodium iodide under mild, metal-free conditions. This electrochemical procedure could avoid the use of stoichiometric iodine and afforded the target products in good to excellent yields.     

Transition-metal-free approach to synthesis of indolines from N-(ortho-chloromethyl)aryl amides and iodonium ylides

A transition-metal-free method for the synthesis of indolines has been developed. In the presence of K₂CO₃, the cyclization reaction of N-(ortho-chloromethyl)aryl amides and iodonium ylides proceeded smoothly at room temperature in moderate to good yields.     

Asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-monocerin

A concise asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-monocerin has been accomplished. The cis-fused furobenzopyranone of monocerin was efficiently constructed via a Lewis acid-mediated stereoselective cyclization of 1,2,4-triols intermediate.