Fe-Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Unactivated Alkenes with β-Nitroalkenes

An Fe-catalyzed reductive coupling of unactivated alkenes with β-nitroalkenes has been developed. The reaction proceeds through a radical pathway, with β-nitroalkenes serving as the vinylating reagents and the nitro group being cleaved in the process. Therefore, this method provides a viable synthetic approach to valuable secondary- and tertiary-alkylated styrene derivatives. Furthermore, control experiments were conducted and a plausible mechanism is proposed.

Rh(III)-catalyzed synthesis of sultones through C-H activation directed by a sulfonic acid group

A new rhodium-catalyzed synthesis of sultones via the oxidative coupling of sulfonic acids with internal alkynes is described. The reaction proceeds via aryl C-H activation assisted by a sulfonic acid group.

Pd(II)-catalyzed enantioselective synthesis of P-stereogenic phosphinamides via desymmetric C-H arylation

We present the enantioselective synthesis of P-stereogenic phosphinamides through Pd-catalyzed desymmetric ortho C-H arylation of diarylphosphinamides with boronic esters. The method represents the first example of the synthesis of P-stereogenic phosphorus compounds via the desymmetric C-H functionalization strategy. The reaction proceeded efficiently with a wide array of reaction partners to afford the P-stereogenic phosphinamides in up to 74% yield and 98% ee. The efficiency was further demonstrated by gram scale syntheses. Moreover, the flexible conversion of the P-stereogenic phosphinamides into various types of P-stereogenic phosphorus derivatives was also elaborated. Thus, the protocol provides a novel tool for the efficient and versatile synthesis of P-stereogenic compounds.

Rhodium-catalysed direct C–H allylation of N-sulfonyl ketimines with allyl carbonates

Synthetically useful N-sulfonyl ketimines were efficiently allylated with various allyl carbonates through rhodium catalysis.

Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed C–H/C–C activation sequence: vinylcyclopropanes as versatile synthons in direct C–H allylation reactions

Succession of C–H activation and C–C activation was achieved by using a single rhodium(iii) catalyst.

Mild rhodium(III)-catalyzed C-H allylation with 4-vinyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-ones: direct and stereoselective synthesis of (E)-allylic alcohols

A rhodium(III)-catalyzed C-H direct allylation reaction with 4-vinyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-ones has been developed. The reaction provides a facile and stereoselective access to substituted-(E)-allylic alcohols under mild and redox-neutral reaction conditions. Olefinic C-H activation is applicable, giving multifunctionalized skipped dienes in good yields. Minimal double-bond migration was observed.

Synthesis and antiproliferative evaluation of 2-hydroxylated (E)-stilbenes

A simple synthesis of 2-hydroxylated (E)-stilbenes was accomplished in good yields via oxidative coupling of 2-hydroxystyrenes and arylboronic acids, with Rh(III)-catalyst and Cu(OAc)2 as oxidant. The antiproliferative evaluation of all the synthesized compounds were assessed on four different human cancer cell lines (Colo-205, MDA-468, HT29, and MGC80-3), and the results showed that several compounds exhibit strong antiproliferative activities (up to IC50=35 nM for MGC80-3).

When aryldiazonium salts meet vinyl diazoacetates: a cobalt-catalyzed regiospecific synthesis of N-arylpyrazoles

A cobalt-catalyzed C-N bond formation between aryl diazonium salts and vinyl diazoacetates has been developed under relatively mild conditions. The N-arylpyrazoles have been prepared in moderate to high yields in a regiospecific way.

Mild synthesis of chalcones via rhodium(III)-catalyzed C-C coupling of arenes and cyclopropenones

A Rh(III)-catalyzed aryl C-H bond insertion into cyclopropenones via a C-H activation pathway has been reported. A series of arenes bearing directing groups such as 2-pyridyl, 2-pyrimidyl, N-pyrazyl, and oxime can be applicable, providing chalcones in excellent yields under mild conditions. Several possible Rh(III) intermediates in this reaction were investigated.

Cyclic ethers to esters and monoesters to bis-esters with unconventional coupling partners under metal free conditions via sp3 C–H functionalisation

Oxidative esterification of sp³ C–H bonds in simple solvents has been achieved using latent ArCOO⁻ sources under metal free conditions.

Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed regioselective C2-amidation of indoles with N-(2,4,6-trichlorobenzoyloxy)amides and its synthetic application to the development of a novel potential PPARγ modulator

Here an efficient rhodium(iii)-catalyzed C2-amidation of indoles and its synthetic application to a new PPARγ modulator have been developed.