Regiospecific Synthesis of Tetra-Substituted Furans

α,β-Unsaturated acetylenic γ-hydroxyketones have been shown to react with ethyl acetoacetate in a Michael-addition fashion and subsequently undergo cyclization followed by dehydration to give substituted furans with a predictable regiospecificity. The yields were good to excellent. A mechanism for the transformation is proposed, and this mechanism explains why furan formation does not take place when the same unsaturated ketones are treated with α-methylated acetoacetate and diethyl malonate.

[Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Synthetic Communications® for the following free supplemental resource: Full experimental and spectral details.]     

Substitution of Acyl for Acetyl with N‐Acylbenzotriazoles Catalyzed by Samarium Triiodide

Catalyzed by samarium triiodide (SmI₃), substitution of acyl with N‐acylbenzotriazoles for acetyl in acetoacetic esters and acetylacetone proceeds smoothly under neutral conditions in open air, affording the corresponding β‐keto esters and β‐diketones in good yields.     

Chiral iminophosphorane catalyzed asymmetric Henry reaction of α,β-alkynyl ketoesters

α,β-Alkynyl ketoesters were introduced to the enantioselective Henry reaction (nitroaldol condensation) with nitromethane catalyzed by tartaric acid derived chiral iminophosphoranes. As such, a variety of optically active β-nitro-substituted tertiary alcohols bearing alkyne moieties were obtained in good to excellent yields (42%-99%) and moderate to good level of enantiomeric excess (up to 87% ee).     

Insertion of Isolated Alkynes into Carbon–Carbon σ‐Bonds of Unstrained Cyclic β‐Ketoesters via Transition‐Metal‐Free Tandem Reactions: Synthesis of Medium‐Sized Ring Compounds

The transition‐metal‐free insertion of isolated alkynes into carbon–carbon σ‐bonds of unstrained cyclic β‐dicarbonyl compounds has been reported. These tandem reactions offer an efficient synthesis of medium‐sized ring or fused‐ring compounds through ring expansion. The methodology has the potential to be widely used throughout organic synthesis due to the easily accessible starting materials and mild reaction conditions.     

Iodine‐Catalyzed Conversion of β‐Dicarbonyl Compounds into β‐Enaminones Within a Minute Under Solvent‐Free Conditions

Synthesis of β‐enaminones from β‐dicarbonyl compounds has been achieved in high yields within a minute using primary and aromatic amines and catalytic amounts of iodine under solvent‐free conditions at room temperature.     

Ionic Liquids as Precatalysts in the Highly Stereoselective Conjugate Addition of α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes to Chalcones

Imidazolium‐based ionic liquids (ILs) serve both as recyclable reaction media and as precatalysts for the N‐heterocyclic carbene‐catalyzed conjugate addition of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes to chalcones. The reaction produces a broad scope of 1,6‐ketoesters incorporating an anti‐diphenyl moiety in high yields and with high stereoselectivity. In recycling experiments, the IL can be reused up to five times with retained reactivity and selectivity. Moreover, the 1,6‐ketoesters form self‐assembled organogels in aliphatic hydrocarbons. The reaction protocol is robust, easily operated, scalable and highly functionalized compounds can be obtained from inexpensive and readily accessible starting materials.