Diastereoselective Cyclobutenol Synthesis: A Heterogeneous Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidative Carbocyclization-Borylation of Enallenols

A highly selective and efficient oxidative carbocyclization/borylation of enallenols catalyzed by palladium immobilized on amino-functionalized siliceous mesocellular foam (Pd-AmP-MCF) was developed for diastereoselective cyclobutenol synthesis. The heterogeneous palladium catalyst can be recovered and recycled without any observed loss of activity or selectivity. The high diastereoselectivity of the reaction is proposed to originate from a directing effect of the enallenol hydroxyl group. Optically pure cyclobutenol synthesis was achieved by the heterogeneous strategy by using chiral enallenol obtained from kinetic resolution.     

A practical access to new pyrrolizine carboxylates via KHMDS-catalyzed carbocyclizations

Easy and effective preparation of new 1H-pyrrolizine carboxylates was achieved with high efficiency via KHMDS-induced carbocyclization of N-alkynyl proline carboxylates under substantially mild conditions. Meanwhile, some trans-diiodoallylic N-proline carboxylates were obtained from N-propargyl proline carboxylates using molecular I₂ with or without KHMDS. This method is quite feasible in terms of practical and quick access to the pyrrolizines and their derivatives over the formation of carbanions.     

Multicomponent Domino [4+1+1] Carbocyclization Providing an Efficient and Regioselective Strategy to Fluoren-9-ones

Concise and efficient three‐component domino [4+1+1] carbocyclization to highly substituted fluoren‐9‐one derivatives promoted by K₂CO₃ has been developed under microwave irradiation conditions. The direct bis‐cyanation and aryl amination residing in fluoren‐9‐one framework were achieved in a one‐pot operation. The reaction proceeds at fast rates and can be finished within 30 min, which makes workup convenient to give good to excellent chemical yields.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Oxidative Carbocyclization–Carbonylation of Allenynes and Enallenes

A highly efficient oxidative carbocyclization–carbonylation reaction cascade of allenynes and enallenes has been developed using a Pd^II salt in low catalytic amounts under ambient temperature and pressure (1 atm of carbon monoxide). The use of DMSO as an additive was found to be important for an efficient reaction. A wide range of alcohols as trapping reagents were used to give the corresponding esters in good yields.     

Enaminones as Synthons for a Directed C−H Functionalization: RhIII‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Naphthalenes

The use of enaminones as effective synthons for a directed C?H functionalization is reported. Proof‐of‐concept protocols have been developed for the Rh^III‐catalyzed synthesis of naphthalenes, based on the coupling of enaminones with either alkynes or α‐diazo‐β‐ketoesters. Two inherently reactive functionalities (hydroxy and aldehyde groups) are integrated into the newly formed cyclic framework and a broad range of substituents are tolerated, rendering target products readily available for further elaboration.     

Total synthesis of actinobolin from d-glucose by way of the stereoselective three-component coupling reaction

The total synthesis of (−)-actinobolin 3, an antipode of the natural product, starting from d-glucose is described. A three-component coupling reaction of functionalized cyclohexenone (+)-6 derived from d-glucose by way of Ferrier's carbocyclization reaction, with vinyl cuprate and 2-alkoxypropanal 7 effectively constructed the carbon framework of 3 in a highly stereoselective manner. In an aldol process of the three-component coupling reaction, stereochemical control (chelation and Felkin-Anh conditions) was achieved by the choice of the protecting groups of a hydroxy function in 2-hydroxypropanal and the reaction solvents. The formal synthesis of the natural enantiomer, (+)-actinobolin 1, starting from d-glucose was also accomplished.     

Reductive Carbocyclization of Homoallylic Alcohols to syn‐Cyclobutanes by a Boron‐Catalyzed Dual Ring‐Closing Pathway

The organoborane‐catalyzed reductive carbocyclization of homoallylic alcohols has been developed by using hydrosilanes as reducing reagents to provide a range of 1,2‐disubstituted arylcyclobutanes. The reaction proceeds in a cis‐selective manner with high efficiency under mild conditions. Mechanistic studies, including deuterium scrambling and Hammett studies, and DFT calculations, suggest a dual ring‐closing pathway.     

Fast Synthesis of Benzofluorenes by Selenium‐Mediated Carbocyclizations

When one ring is not enough : A new double cyclization of stilbene derivatives results in benzo[b]fluorenes via dihydronaphthalenes. The presence of a selenium electrophile and a Lewis acid are crucial for the formation of the C? C bonds.