Coupling insertion reactions of diphenylbuta-1, 4-diyne into iron-carbene bonds of [Fe2(CO)7{μ-C(Ph)C(NEt2}]. Syntheses and reactivities of the ferracyclopentadiene [Fe2(CO)6{C(Ph)C(NEt2)C(Ph)C(C2Ph)}] with [Fe2(CO)9]

The diiron ynamine complex [Fe₂(CO)₇{-C(Ph)C(NEt₂)}] (1) reacts with the diphenylbuta-1, 4-diyne, PhCC-CCPh, in refluxing hexane to yield three isomer complexes [Fe₂(CO)₆{C(Ph)C(NEt₂)C(Ph)C(C₂Ph}] (2a), [Fe₂(CO)₆{C(Ph)C(NEt₂)C(C₂Ph)C(Ph)}] (2b), and [Fe₂(CO)₆{NEt₂)C(Ph)C(C₂)C(Ph)}] (2c) All three compounds were identified by their¹H NMR spectra. Compounds2a and2c were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Crystal data: for2a: space group = P2₁/n,a = 17.873(1) Å, = 18.388(6) Å,c = 9.429(3) Å = 91.99(3)°,Z = 4.3751 reflections,R = 0.044; for2c: space group = P2₁/n,a = 40.58(2) å,b = 12.101(9) Å,c = 12.551(5) Å, = 94.29(7)°,Z = 8.4723 reflection,R = 0.076. Complexes2a and2b result from a [2 + 2] cycloaddition between one of the CC triple bonds of the diyne ligand and the FeC carbene bond, whereas2c results from insertion of one of the CC group into the bridging carbene. Addition of [Fe₂(CO)₉] on2a gave two major products, the tripledecker [Fe₃(CO)₈{C(Ph)C(NEt₂)C(C₂Ph)}], (3 and a tetrairon cluster [Fe₄(CO)₁₁{C(Ph)C(NEt₂)C(Ph)C(C₂Ph)}] (4). Both compounds were characterized by single crystal diffraction analyses. Crystal data: for3: space group = P2₁/n,a = 12.039(3) Å,b = 18.046(3) å,c = 15.270(2) Å, = 90.11(2)°,Z = 4, 1430 reflections,R = 0.067; for4 space group = C2/c,a = 18.633(3) Å,b = 21.467(1)_Å,c = 20.742(2) Å, = 115.03(8)°,Z = 8.992 reflections, R = 0.076. Complex4 is based on a spiked triangular cluster with the alkynyl triple bond attached in ₃-parallel mode on the triangular grouping.     

Asymmetric 1,4-addition of β-keto esters to cyclic enones catalyzed by Ru amido complexes

Well-defined Ru amido complexes effected asymmetric Michael addition of β-keto esters to 2-cyclopenten-1-one to give quantitatively the corresponding Michael adducts with excellent ee although with a 1:1 diastereomer ratio. The stereochemical outcome of the reaction was significantly influenced by the structures of the catalysts and the structures of the β-keto esters; the ee value reaching up to 97%.     

Palladium-catalyzed benzylic-like nucleophilic substitution of benzofuran-, benzothiophene- and indole-based substrates by dimethyl malonate anion

The palladium-catalyzed benzylic-like nucleophilic substitution of acetates derived from benzofuran, benzothiophene and indole was investigated. The asymmetric substitution on racemic 1-(2-benzofuryl)ethyl acetate gave disappointing results, but the substitution product was obtained in 98% ee from (S)-1-(2-benzofuryl)ethyl acetate with overall retention of configuration.     

Palladium complexes with ethylene-bridged bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) for C-C coupling reactions

A series of new ethylene-bridged bis(imidazolium) halides with various N-substitutions were synthesized. Complexation of these imidazolium halides with Pd(OAc)₂ produced new Pd(II) ethylene-bridged bis(carbene) complexes. Crystallographic analyses of some of the new imidazolium salts and Pd(II) complexes were determined. Applications of these seven-member palladacycles in Suzuki and Heck coupling reactions produced comparable catalytic activities to those of six-member analogs.     

Novel biotransformation of pentacyclic triterpenoid acids by Nocardia sp. NRRL 5646

Six pentacyclic triterpene acids, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, betulinic acid, 23-hydroxybetulinic acid, glycyrrhetinic acid, and senegenin, were metabolized by the microbe Nocardia sp. NRRL 5646 to selectively furnish their corresponding 28-methyl esters. Notably, ursolic acid (1) was converted to oleanolic acid methyl ester (4) via two intermediates, oleanolic acid (2), and ursolic acid methyl ester (3), which are formed by participation of ‘retro-biosynthetic’ methyl migration from C-19 to C-20. Senegenin (11) was selectively converted to a nortriterpene methyl ester, senegenic acid methyl ester (12), via an unprecedented C-C bond cleavage. The stereochemical assignments of compounds 11 and 12 were made unambiguously for the first time using 2D NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis of New Tandospirone Analogues Carrying 1-(3-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperazine

New tandospirone analogues containing a 1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]piperazine (TFMPP) moiety have been synthesized by hydroarylation reactions with Pd(OAc)₂. The perhydroisoindole derivatives were obtained by the reaction of reduced starting material with aryl-(heteroaryl) iodides under the same conditions. Spiro-1,3-indandionolylpyrrolidine derivatives having an array of stereocenters are reported.     

Recent progress in copper catalyzed asymmetric Henry reaction

Henry reaction is one of the most classical reactions to construct synthetically useful product nitro alcohol, which as a privileged skeleton is widely distributed in various pharmaceuticals. This review summarizes the recent progress of copper-catalyzed asymmetric Henry reaction from 2011 to 2016. The significant progress that has been made in this area will be highlighted and some of challenges that the author believes may be hindering further progress will be revealed.     

Gold catalysed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of arenediazonium o-benzenedisulfonimides

Arenediazonium o-benzenedisulfonimides have been used as efficient electrophilic partners in Au(I) catalysed Suzuki coupling reactions. The synthetic protocol is general, easy and produced either biaryls or heteroaryl arenes in good yields (51 positive examples, average yield 80%). o-Benzenedisulfonimide was recovered at the end of the reactions and was reused to prepare the starting salts for further reactions. Mechanistic insights suggest that the o-benzenedisulfonimide anion act as an electron transfer agent and promotes a catalytic cycle which does not require the presence of photocatalysts or external oxidants.     

C-N Bond Formation by Consecutive Continuous-Flow Reductions towards A Medicinally Relevant Piperazine Derivative

A new, continuous-flow consecutive reduction method was developed for the C-N bond formation in the synthesis of the key intermediate of the antipsychotic drug cariprazine. The two-step procedure consists of a DIBAL-H mediated selective ester reduction conducted in a novel, miniature alternating diameter reactor, followed by reductive amination using catalytic hydrogenation on 5% Pt/C. The connection of the optimized modules was accomplished using an at-line extraction to prevent precipitation of the aluminum salt byproducts.     

Copper(II) Bromide–Catalyzed C-C/C-N Bond-Forming Reactions: Synthesis of Pyrrole-Incorporated Triarylmethanes

We have achieved a facile copper(II) bromide–catalyzed synthesis of 2,3,4-trisubtitued pyrrole incorporated into unsymmetrical triarylmethanes through direct replacement of hydroxyl group in the pyrrolyl phenyl methanol with electron-rich aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds. The newly developed method has been applied to a facile synthesis of a C2 symmetric bis-triarylmethane in which the two triarylmethanes were bridged through piperzine. The copper(II) bromide catalysis led to C-C bond formation at the C(5) position when the reacting partner was imidazole. In contrast, C-N bond formation took place with benzimdazole or 2-methylbenzimidazole.