LiBF4: a mild and novel reagent for the OH insertion reactions of α-diazoketones

Lithium tetrafluoroborate (10 mol%) is found to catalyze efficiently the OH insertion reactions of α-diazoketones with various alcohols including benzylic, allylic, propargylic and cyclopropyl carbinols to produce the corresponding α-alkoxy ketones in excellent yields with high selectivity. A solution of 10 mol% of LiBF₄ in acetonitrile provides a convenient reaction medium to carry out the OH insertion reactions under mild and neutral conditions.     

Microwave-accelerated conjugate addition of aldehydes to α,β-unsaturated ketones

Aldehydes undergo smooth conjugate addition to α,β-unsaturated ketones in the presence of 5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,3-thiazolium halides and DBU adsorbed onto the surface of basic alumina under microwave irradiation and solvent-free conditions to afford 1,4-diketones in enhanced yields and reduced reaction times compared to conventional methods.     

Chemoselective synthesis of multiple epoxy-bridged tetrahydropyranone ring systems

Bis- as well as tris-tetrahydropyranone ring systems were obtained via multiple tandem cyclization-1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of α-diazo ketones with ketone as well as aldehyde functional groups in a chemoselective manner.     

An efficient preparation of novel 5-fluoropyrazolin-3-one derivatives from α-trifluoromethylated α-arylacetates

The reactions of α-trifluoromethylated α-arylacetates 1 with 3 equiv of hydrazine, methylhydrazine or benzylhydrazine in 1,4-dioxane at reflux for 24 h afforded the corresponding 5-fluoropyrazolin-3-one derivatives 3a-m in high yields. Similarly, treatment of 1 with 3 equiv of PhNLiNH₂ in THF at −78 °C, followed by warming to room temperature, resulted in the formation of 3n-s in high yields.     

Synthesis of chiral ortho-(p-tolylsulfinyl) benzyl ketones

(S)-ortho-(p-Tolylsulfinyl)benzyl alkyl (and aryl) ketones 1a-e were prepared in good yields by reaction of esters or nitriles with the lithium benzyl carbanion derived from 2-(p-tolylsulfinyl) methylbenzene. α-Methylbenzyl ketones 2 were prepared as ca. 1:1 diastereoisomeric mixtures by methylation of the unsubstituted ketones 1 with NaH/MeI. The use of the ethylbenzene derivative as the starting material afforded complex mixtures. The obtention of pure (S,(S)S)-2 diastereoisomers could be attained in good yields by oxidation with PCC of the alcohols (epimeric mixtures at the hydroxylic carbon) obtained from reactions of aldehydes with the lithium carbanion derived from 2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)ethylbenzene.     

Capturing the Monomeric (L)CuH in NHC‐Capped Cyclodextrin: Cavity‐Controlled Chemoselective Hydrosilylation of α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones

The encapsulation of copper inside a cyclodextrin capped with an N‐heterocyclic carbene (ICyD) allowed both to catch the elusive monomeric (L)CuH and a cavity‐controlled chemoselective copper‐catalyzed hydrosilylation of α,β‐unsaturated ketones. Remarkably, (α‐ICyD)CuCl promoted the 1,2‐addition exclusively, while (β‐ICyD)CuCl produced the fully reduced product. The chemoselectivity is controlled by the size of the cavity and weak interactions between the substrate and internal C?H bonds of the cyclodextrin.     

Combined Photoredox and Carbene Catalysis for the Synthesis of Ketones from Carboxylic Acids

As a key element in the construction of complex organic scaffolds, the formation of C?C bonds remains a challenge in the field of synthetic organic chemistry. Recent advancements in single‐electron chemistry have enabled new methods for the formation of various C?C bonds. Disclosed herein is the development of a novel single‐electron reduction of acyl azoliums for the formation of ketones from carboxylic acids. Facile construction of the acyl azolium in situ followed by a radical–radical coupling was made possible merging N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) and photoredox catalysis. The utility of this protocol in synthesis was showcased in the late‐stage functionalization of a variety of pharmaceutical compounds. Preliminary investigations using chiral NHCs demonstrate that enantioselectivity can be achieved, showcasing the advantages of this protocol over alternative methodologies.     

Synthesis of β-amino carbonyl compounds via a Zn(OTf)2-catalyzed cascade reaction of anilines with aromatic aldehydes and carbonyl compounds

A Zn(OTf)₂-catalyzed cascade reaction of anilines with aromatic aldehydes and carbonyl compounds was described. This one-pot three-component reaction afforded the corresponding β-amino carbonyl compounds, β-amino esters, and β-amino ketones in good to excellent yields. The reaction was also applied for the liquid-phase synthesis of β-amino carbonyl compound library using PEG as a support.     

A convenient semicarbazide resin for the solid-phase synthesis of peptide ketones and aldehydes

Use of a semicarbazide resin for the solid-phase preparation of peptide ketones and aldehyde led to optimal results in terms of both purity of the final product and overall yield. This resin was prepared without complication by activation of the commercial available aminomethyl polystyrene with CDI at room temperature, followed by treatment with tert-butyl carbazate. Furthermore, the TNBSA colorimetric assay has been adapted for checking the incorporation of the carbonyl moiety onto hydrazine-based resins.     

Asymmetric Hydrosilylation of Aromatic Ketones Catalyzed by an Economical and Effective Copper-Diphosphine Catalytic System in Air

In the presence of the inexpensive and non‐toxic polymethylhydrosiloxane, the combination of copper(II) acetate and a chiral diphosphine displayed high catalytic efficiency in the asymmetric hydrosilylation of a series of aromatic ketones in air atmosphere and at room temperature. (R)‐1‐Arylethanols were obtained with up to 99% yield and 93% enantiomeric excess. Meanwhile, the electron effect and steric hindrance of substituents on the aromatic ring had an interesting influence on both the yields and enantioselectivities. Furthermore, a possible mechanism was presented to explain the influence of some key factors on the reaction.