TFBen (Benzene-1,3,5-triyl triformate): A Powerful and Versatile CO Surrogate

Carbonylative reactions by the using of CO surrogates constitute a facile avenue for the assembly of valuable carbonyl-containing compounds due to the colorless, toxic, flammable, and not easy-handing character of carbon monoxide gas. Recent advances in the carbonylative transformations with TFBen (benzene-1,3,5-triyl triformate) as a safe and convenient CO precursor are systematically summarized and discussed, which can be divided into three parts based on the patterns of the obtained products. This Review focuses on the discussion of the application of TFBen in carbonylative synthesis of various carbonyl-containing compounds.

Palladium-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 1] annulation: access to chromone fused cyclopentanones with cyclopropenone as the CO source

A variety of chromone fused cyclopentanones are efficiently generated in good to high yields via palladium-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 1] annulation, in which cyclopropenone was utilized for the first time as the sole CO surrogate in the carbonylation process.

Benzene-1,3,5-triyl Triformate (TFBen)-Promoted Palladium-Catalyzed Carbonylative Synthesis of 2-Oxo-2,5-dihydropyrroles from Propargyl Amines

In this letter, we developed a palladium-catalyzed procedure for the cyclocarbonylation of propargyl amines. Benzene-1,3,5-triyl triformate (TFBen) has been explored as the CO source and also as the key promotor. Various substituted 2-oxo-dihydropyrroles were produced in a facile manner in good yields (up to 90%).

More than a CO source: palladium-catalyzed carbonylative synthesis of butenolides from propargyl alcohols and TFBen

Palladium-catalyzed direct carbonylation of propargyl alcohols for the synthesis of butenolides has been achieved.