Oxidative Cyclization-Dimerization Reaction of 2,3-Allenoic Acids and 1,2-Allenyl Ketones: An Efficient Synthesis of 4-(3′-Furanyl)butenolide Derivatives

Synthesis of 3-Carbonyl Trisubstituted Furans via Pd-Catalyzed Aerobic Cycloisomerization Reaction: Development and Mechanistic Studies

Herein, we report the synthesis of 3-carbonyl-trisubstituted furans via Pd-catalyzed oxidative cycloisomerization reactions of 2-alkenyl-1,3-dicarbonyl scaffolds, using molecular oxygen as the sole oxidant to regenerate active palladium catalytic species, featuring good functional tolerance and mild reaction conditions. Deep investigation of intermediates and transition states of the reaction mechanism were conducted via experimental and DFT studies, providing a detailed mechanistical profile. The new developed methodology presents a greener alternative to Wacker-type cycloisomerizations and avoids the use of stoichiometric amounts of oxidants and strong acid additives.

Ruthenium-catalyzed reactions--a treasure trove of atom-economic transformations

The demand for new chemicals spanning the fields of health care to materials science combined with the pressure to produce these substances in an environmentally benign fashion pose great challenges to the synthetic chemical community. The maximization of synthetic efficiency by the conversion of simple building blocks into complex targets remains a fundamental goal. In this context, ruthenium complexes catalyze a number of non-metathesis conversions and allow the rapid assembly of complex molecules with high selectivity and atom economy. These complexes often exhibit unusual reactivity. Careful consideration of the mechanistic underpinnings of the transformations can lead to the design of new reactions and the discovery of new reactivity.

PdII-Catalyzed Oxidative Dimeric Cyclization-Coupling Reaction of 2,3-Allenoic Acids: An Efficient Synthesis of Bibutenolide Derivatives

Three sets of convenient catalytic systems have been developed for the oxidative dimeric cyclization coupling of differently substituted 2,3-allenoic acids catalyzed by Pd(II), affording bibutenolides that are not otherwise readily available. The advantages and disadvantages of these systems are discussed. Although the diastereoselectivity for the bicyclization of racemic 2,3-allenoic acids is low, excellent diastereoselectivity was realized in the bicyclization reaction of optically active 2,3-allenoic acids, leading to the optically active bibutenolides in high yields and ee. Based on a mechanistic study, it is believed that the reaction may proceed by means of a double oxypalladation and reductive elimination to yield butenolide 3 and Pd(0) species, which may be reoxidized to the catalytically active Pd(II) species in the presence of alkyl iodide/air, metallic iodide/air, or benzoquinone.