Proline-catalyzed aldol reactions of cyclic diketones: fluorine modifies pathways as well as transition states

Proline-catalysed aldol reactions are central to the development of organocatalysis, and have been the subjects of many studies. List’s results on the effect of fluorine substitution on proline catalysts for an intramolecular aldol condensation provide a perfect test set for computational analysis, as subtle changes in the catalyst structure lead to clear changes in the product ratios. The results show that the carbon-carbon bond forming transition states for the Hajos-Parrish-Wiechart reaction do not account for the observed selectivity in all cases. However, if an analysis of post transition-state epimerization pathways is also included, together with the effect of water, it is possible to account for all of the experimental data.     

One-pot three-component synthesis of α-aminonitriles using potassium hexacyanoferrate(II) as an eco-friendly cyanide source

An efficient and environmentally friendly method has been developed for the synthesis of α-aminonitriles via one-pot three-component condensation of carbonyl compounds, amines, and potassium hexacyanoferrate(II) in the presence of benzoyl chloride as a promoter. This protocol has the features of use of eco-friendly cyanide source, high yield, and simple work-up procedure.     

An efficient synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones catalyzed by thiamine hydrochloride in water under ultrasound irradiation

An environmentally benign aqueous Biginelli protocol for the synthesis of substituted 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones using thiamine hydrochloride as a catalyst has been achieved. These ultrasound-assisted reactions proceed efficiently in water in the absence of organic solvent. Utilization of ultrasound irradiation, simple reaction conditions, isolation, and purification makes this manipulation very interesting from an economic and environmental perspective.     

Cyclization vs. Elimination Reactions of 5‐Aryl‐5‐hydroxy 1,3‐Diones: One‐Pot Synthesis of 2‐Aryl‐2,3‐dihydro‐4H‐pyran‐4‐ones

2‐Aryl‐2,3‐dihydro‐4H‐pyran‐4‐ones were prepared in one step by cyclocondensation of 1,3‐diketone dianions with aldehydes. The use of HCl (10%) for the aqueous workup proved to be very important to avoid elimination reactions of the 5‐aryl‐5‐hydroxy 1,3‐diones formed as intermediates. The TiCl₄‐mediated cyclization of a 2‐aryl‐2,3‐dihydro‐4H‐pyran‐4‐one with 1,3‐silyloxybuta‐1,3‐diene resulted in cleavage of the pyranone moiety and formation of a highly functionalized benzene derivative.     

Synthesis of 5‐(Arylselanyl)‐2‐(arylsulfanyl)benzoates by [3+3] Cyclocondensation of 3‐(Arylsulfanyl)‐1‐(silyloxy)buta‐1,3‐dienes with 2‐(Arylselanyl)‐3‐(silyloxy)alk‐2‐en‐1‐ones

Functionalized 5‐(arylselanyl)‐2‐(arylsulfanyl)benzoates were prepared by [3+3] cyclocondensation of 3‐(arylsulfanyl)‐1‐(silyloxy)buta‐1,3‐dienes with 2‐(arylselanyl)‐3‐(silyloxy)‐alk‐2‐en‐1‐ones.     

TiO2 as a Reusable Catalyst for the One‐Pot Synthesis of 3,4‐Dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones under Solvent‐Free Conditions

An efficient solvent‐free method for the synthesis of various 3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones using TiO₂ as a recyclable heterogeneous catalyst is described. Compared to known methods, satisfactory results are obtained with excellent yields, short reaction times, and simplicity in the experimental procedure.     

Thiophene-containing products of the Ugi reaction in an oxidation-triggered IMDA/aromatization cascade: a simple access to 3-oxoisoindolines

A novel approach to skeletally diverse 3-oxoisoindolines has been developed which includes preparation of Ugi adducts containing thiophene and fumaric acid residues. When treated with excess m-CPBA at room temperature, these precursors undergo a simple oxidative cycloaddition/aromatization transformation and the corresponding 3-oxoisoindoline products are isolated in fair chemical yield over two steps. The second step is thought to include S-oxidation/IMDA/S-oxidation/SO₂ extrusion/aromatization events.     

Synthesis of 3,5-diaryl-4-chlorophthalates by [4+2] cycloaddition of 1-ethoxy-2-chloro-1,3-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-diene with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate and subsequent site-selective Suzuki-Miyaura reactions

The [4+2] cycloaddition of 1-ethoxy-2-chloro-1,3-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)-1,3-diene with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) afforded dimethyl 4-chloro-3,5-dihydroxyphthalate. Site-selective Suzuki-Miyaura reactions of its bis(triflate) provide a convenient approach to 3,5-diaryl-4-chlorophthalates containing two different aryl groups.     

Highly regio- and chemoselective palladium(0)-mediated allylic substitution of difunctional allylic halides with phenols

An efficient Pd(0)-mediated, base-assisted reaction of phenols with difunctionalised allylic halides results in the formation of coupled products in good yields. The reactions proceed with excellent stereo-, regio- and chemocontrol. An appropriately functionalised Weinreb amide, synthesised by this methodology, undergoes halogen-lithium exchange and subsequent intramolecular 1,2-carbonyl addition/elimination to give an advanced macrocyclic intermediate with potential use in the synthesis of likonide B.     

Surprising secondary photochemical reactions observed on conventional photolysis of diazotetrahydrofuranones

The formation of C-H insertion products of the terminal N-atom of a diazo group into the α-СН-bond of tetrahydrofuran during direct photolysis of regioisomeric 2,2-dimethyl-5,5-diphenyl and 5,5-dimethyl-2,2-diphenyl-substituted 3-diazotetrahydrofuran-4-ones in THF is dictated by photochemical cycloelimination of the originally formed (1,1-dimethyl-2-oxa-3,3-diphenyl-propano)ketene and oxetanecarboxylic acid derivatives to yield benzophenone. The latter, under subsequent UV irradiation of the reaction mixture, initiates sensitized photolysis of the starting diazoketones resulting in the appearance of the insertion products with the solvent.