Metal‐Free Intramolecular Carbocyanation of Alkenes: Catalytic Stereoselective Construction of Pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinolines with Multiple Substituents

The first catalytic stereoselective approach to prepare multiple substituted cyclic nitriles by means of a novel metal‐free intramolecular carbocyanation strategy has been developed, which provided an efficient protocol to construct densely functionalized diastereoenriched pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline derivates under mild reaction conditions (up to 20/1 d.r., 98 % yield).     

Iron(II)‐Catalyzed Direct Cyanation of Arenes with Aryl(cyano)iodonium Triflates

A direct oxidative cyanation of arenes under Fe^II catalysis with 3,5‐di(trifluoromethyl)phenyl(cyano)iodonium triflate (DFCT) as the cyanating agent has been developed. The reaction is applicable to wide range of aromatic substrates, including polycyclic structures and heteroaromatic compounds.     

Formation of Four Different Aromatic Scaffolds from Nitriles through Tandem Divergent Catalysis

A zinc bromide complex, formed by the sequential reaction of nitriles with a Reformatsky reagent and terminal alkynes, is used as an intermediate for divergent palladium‐catalyzed reactions. The reaction pathway of the intermediate is precisely controlled by the choice of the reaction solvent or the palladium catalyst to quickly form four different aromatic scaffolds—arylamines, aminoindenes, pyrroles, and quinolines—starting from readily available nitriles.     

Synthesis of α‐Aryl Esters and Nitriles: Deaminative Coupling of α‐Aminoesters and α‐Aminoacetonitriles with Arylboronic Acids

Transition‐metal‐free synthesis of α‐aryl esters and nitriles using arylboronic acids with α‐aminoesters and α‐aminoacetonitriles, respectively, as the starting materials has been developed. The reaction represents a rare case of converting C(sp³)? N bonds into C(sp³)? C(sp²) bonds. The reaction conditions are mild, demonstrate good functional‐group tolerance, and can be scaled up.     

Phosphomolybdic Acid (H3Mo12O40P) as a Reusable Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Synthesis of 5-Substituted 1H-Tetrazoles via [2 + 3] Cycloaddition of Nitriles and Sodium Azide

An efficient and practical protocol for the preparation of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazole derivatives is reported using phosphomolybdic acid as an effective heterogeneous catalyst. Good yields, simple methodology, and easy workup make this protocol more attractive for the diversity-oriented synthesis of these heterocycle libraries. The catalyst can be recycled three times with good yields.     

Synthesis of 5‐Cyano‐1,3‐dioxoalkanes by Reaction of 1,3‐Dicarbonyl Dianions with Bromoacetonitrile

5‐Cyano‐1,3‐dioxoalkanes were prepared by reaction of 1,3‐dicarbonyl dianions with bromoacetonitrile.     

Application of Polymer‐Supported Triphenylphosphine and Microwave Irradiation to the Palladium‐Catalyzed Cyanation of Aryl Triflates

A variety of aryl nitriles were prepared in excellent yield from the palladium(II) acetate–catalyzed cross‐coupling of aryl triflates and zinc cyanide under microwave irradiation conditions. To facilitate purification, polymer‐supported triphenylphosphine was used as the palladium ligand. Comparison to the corresponding thermal conditions revealed much shorter reaction times with comparable yields.     

A Novel Conversion of N-Aryl-N-Methoxyamides into N-Arylhydroxamic Acids Using Alcl3/Thiol System

Treatment of N-aryl-N-methoxyamides with AlCl₃ in EtSH (or Me₂S) generates the corresponding N-aryl-N-hydroxyamides in high yields.     

New Synthetic Routes to 1,3,4-Thiadiazole Derivatives

Different new 1,3,4-thiadiazolopyridine derivatives (6, 8, 20, 28, and 42) were synthesized from 5-cyanomethyl-1,3-4-thiadiazole (1) and activated nitriles. Also, spiro indolono-thiadiazolopyridine (12) was obtained from the reaction of (1) with 2-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)malononitrile (10). Other heterocyclic derivatives at position-5 in the thiadiazole ring were obtained for possible use as antimicrobial agents.     

Synthesis of 5-Thioxo-hexahydrobenzo[b]thiopheno[2,3-d]-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidines and Related Compounds Based on Cyclocondensations of 2-Isothiocyanato-3-cyano-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene

5-Thioxo-4,6,8,9,10,11-hexahydro-benzo[b]thiopheno[2,3-d]-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidines and related compounds were prepared based on cyclizations of 2-isothiocyanato-3-cyano-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene with aminoketones and carboxylic hydrazides.