Gold-catalyzed chemo- and diastereoselective C(sp(2))-H functionalization of enaminones for the synthesis of pyrrolo[3,4-c]-quinolin-1-one derivatives

An efficient tandem Au(i)/TsOH-catalyzed reaction of enaminones with diazo compounds for the synthesis of pyrroloquinolinone derivatives under mild reaction conditions has been developed. This methodology was realized by relay actions of Au and TsOH in a one-pot multistep manner. Initially, the Au-catalyzed reaction of enaminones with diazo compounds affords chemo- and diastereoselective C(sp(2))-H functionalized products, which then undergo subsequent intramolecular cyclization/rearrangement to give pyrroloquinolinone derivatives under the catalysis of TsOH.

Copper-Catalyzed Denitrogenative Transannulation Reaction of Pyridotriazoles: Synthesis of Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines with Amines and Amino Acids

The copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative synthesis of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines via cascade denitrogenative transannulation reaction of pyridotriazoles with benzylamines with good functional group tolerance is developed. The present methodology is also applicable to amino acids to obtain imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines via decarboxylative oxidative cyclization.

A Cu-catalyzed four-component cascade reaction to construct β-ester-γ-amino ketones

Herein, a novel Cu-catalyzed four-component cascade reaction, which encompasses styrenes, diazo reagents, amines, and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), was well developed toward β-ester-γ-amino ketones, which showed high chemoselectivity.

Rh(i)-Catalyzed coupling of 2-bromoethyl aryldiazoacetates with tertiary propargyl alcohols through carbene migratory insertion

A Rh(i)-catalyzed cross-coupling of 2-bromoethyl aryldiazoacetates with tertiary propargyl alcohols has been successfully achieved.

Regioselective BF3·Et2O-catalyzed C–H functionalization of indoles and pyrrole with reaction of α-diazophosphonates

A regioselective synthesis of β-(3-indol)-β-aminophosphonates and β-(2-pyrrol)-β-aminophosphonates was developed through an intermolecular C–H insertion of α-diazophosphonates with indole and pyrrole derivatives catalyzed by BF₃·Et₂O.

Copper(i) catalyzed diastereoselective multicomponent synthesis of spiroindolo-pyrrolidines/-imidazolidines/-triazolidines from diazoamides via azomethine ylides

Investigations of stereoselective studies on three-/four-component reactions in the presence of copper(i) thiophene-2-carboxylate as a catalyst are performed to afford spiroindolo-pyrrolidines/-imidazolidines/-triazolidines in good yields.

Dual rhodium/copper catalysis: synthesis of benzo[b]fluorenes and 2-naphthalenylmethanones via de-diazotized cycloadditions

A novel synergistic rhodium/copper catalysis has been established, enabling de-diazotized cycloadditions toward the selective formation of benzo[b]fluorenes and 2-naphthalenylmethanones.

Copper-catalyzed carbonylation of anilines by diisopropyl azodicarboxylate for the synthesis of carbamates

Herein, a simple Cu-catalyzed system for the synthesis of carbamates has been developed using anilines with diisopropyl azodicarboxylate as a carbonyl source under solvent-free conditions.

Silver-catalyzed nucleophilic substitution of aminals with ethyl diazoacetate: a new pathway to β-amino-α-diazoesters

A novel silver-catalyzed nucleophilic substitution of aminals with ethyl diazoacetate producing β-amino-α-diazoesters has been developed. A series of aminals with different amino moieties and substituents were successfully incorporated in this reaction.

Cobalt(i)-catalysed CH-alkylation of terminal olefins, and beyond

Cobalester, a natural nontoxic vitamin B₁₂ derivative, was found to catalyse unusual olefinic sp² C–H alkylation with diazo reagents as a carbene source instead of the expected cyclopropanation.

In situ generation of nitrilium from nitrile ylide and the subsequent Mumm rearrangement: copper-catalyzed synthesis of unsymmetrical diacylglycine esters

A novel in situ generation of nitrilium from nitrile ylide and the subsequent Mumm rearrangement of carboxylic acid, nitrile, and diazo compounds gave various unsymmetrical diacylglycine esters.

Palladium-catalysed coupling reaction of aminals with N-sulfonyl hydrazones to give allylic sulfones

Palladium-catalysed cross-coupling of aminals with N-sulfonyl hydrazones has been established via C–N bond activation under base-free conditions.

Copper-catalyzed direct transformation of simple alkynes to alkenyl nitriles via aerobic oxidative N-incorporation

A novel Cu-catalyzed aerobic oxidative N-incorporation into aliphatic terminal alkynes for the synthesis of alkenyl nitriles has been reported. The usage of inexpensive copper catalyst, O₂ as the sole oxidant, broad substrate scope as well as the feasibility for “the late-stage modification” make this protocol very promising.

A novel direct transformation of aliphatic terminal alkynes to alkenyl nitriles through the incorporation of a nitrogen atom into the simple hydrocarbons has been reported. The usage of inexpensive copper catalyst, O₂ as the sole oxidant, broad substrate scope as well as feasibility for “late-stage modification” make this protocol very promising. Mechanistic studies including DFT calculation demonstrate a novel 1,2-hydride shift process for this novel nitrogenation reaction.

Divergent synthesis of chiral heterocycles via sequencing of enantioselective three-component reactions and one-pot subsequent cyclization reactions

A highly efficient sequencing of catalytic asymmetric three-component reactions of alcohols, diazo compounds and aldimines/aldehydes with one-pot subsequent cyclization reactions was reported. The development of a robust and versatile Rh(ii)/Zr(iv)-BINOL co-catalytic system not only gives high diastereo- and enantioselective controls of the three-component reaction, but also shows excellent functionality tolerances that allow a wide range of functionalities to be pre-installed in each component and readily undergo one-pot subsequent cyclization reactions, thus providing rapid and diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS) of different types of chiral nitrogen- and/or oxygen-containing polyfunctional heterocycles.

Palladium-catalyzed C-H functionalization of acyldiazomethane and tandem cross-coupling reactions

Palladium-catalyzed C-H functionalization of acyldiazomethanes with aryl iodides has been developed. This reaction is featured by the retention of the diazo functionality in the transformation, thus constituting a novel method for the introduction of diazo functionality to organic molecules. Consistent with the experimental results, the density functional theory (DFT) calculation indicates that the formation of Pd-carbene species in the catalytic cycle through dinitrogen extrusion from the palladium ethyl diazoacetate (Pd-EDA) complex is less favorable. The reaction instead proceeds through Ag2CO3 assisted deprotonation and subsequently reductive elimination to afford the products with diazo functionality remained. This C-H functionalization transformation can be further combined with the recently evolved palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of diazo compounds with aryl iodides to develop a tandem coupling process for the synthesis of α,α-diaryl esters. DFT calculation supports the involvement of Pd-carbene as reactive intermediate in the catalytic cycle, which goes through facile carbene migratory insertion with a low energy barrier (3.8 kcal/mol).

Domino [4 + 1]-annulation of α,β-unsaturated δ-amino esters with Rh(II)-carbenoids – a new approach towards multi-functionalized N-aryl pyrrolidines

Catalytic decomposition of diazomalonates and other diazoesters using Rh(II)- and Cu(II)-complexes in the presence of α,β-unsaturated δ-(N-aryl)amino esters gives rise to the formation of multi-functionalized pyrrolidines with yields of up to 82%. The reaction apparently occurs as a domino process involving the initial N-ylide formation followed by intramolecular Michael addition to the conjugated system of amino esters to afford the pyrrolidine heterocycle. The whole process can also be classified as a [4 + 1]-annulation of the δ-amino α,β-unsaturated ester with the carbenoid intermediate.

Cu-Catalyzed Transannulation Reaction of Pyridotriazoles with Terminal Alkynes under Aerobic Conditions: Efficient Synthesis of Indolizines

The Cu(I)-catalyzed denitrogenative transannulation reaction of pyridotriazoles with terminal alkynes en route to indolizines was developed. Compared to the previously reported Rh-catalyzed transannulation reaction, this Cu-catalyzed method features aerobic conditions and much broader scope of pyridotriazoles and alkynes.

Nucleophilic addition of amines to ruthenium carbenes: ortho-(alkynyloxy)benzylamine cyclizations towards 1,3-benzoxazines

A new ruthenium-catalyzed cyclization of ortho-(alkynyloxy)benzylamines to dihydro-1,3-benzoxazines is reported. The cyclization is thought to take place via the vinyl ruthenium carbene intermediates which are easily formed from [Cp*RuCl(cod)] and N2 CHSiMe3 . The mild reaction conditions and the efficiency of the procedure allow the easy preparation of a broad range of new 2-vinyl-2-substituted 1,3-benzoxazine derivatives. Rearrangement of an internal C(sp) in the starting material into a tetrasubstituted C(sp(3) ) atom in the final 1,3-benzoxazine is highly remarkable.

Cu-based carbene involved in a radical process: a new crossover reaction to construct γ-peroxy esters and 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds

Herein, a novel crossover reaction of Cu-based carbene, olefin, and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) was well developed, leading to γ-peroxy esters and 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds.

Cu-catalyzed transannulation reaction of pyridotriazoles: general access to fused polycyclic indolizines

An efficient intramolecular transannulation reaction of pyridotriazoles using internal alkynes en route to various fused polycyclic indolizines has been developed. For the first time it is shown that in addition to the well-established Rh- or Cu-catalyzed carbene mechanism, the transannulation reaction could also follow a Lewis acid-mediated electrophilic pathway.

Copper-catalyzed oxygen atom transfer of N-oxides leading to a facile deoxygenation procedure applicable to both heterocyclic and amine N-oxides

Copper-catalyzed deoxygenation of N-oxides including both heterocyclic and amine derivatives was achieved by the catalytic oxygen atom transfer from N-oxides to in situ generated copper-carbenoid.