Zinc-Catalyzed Alkene Cyclopropanation through Zinc Vinyl Carbenoids Generated from Cyclopropenes

Iron-Catalyzed Carbenoid-Transfer Reactions of Vinyl Sulfoxonium Ylides: An Experimental and Computational Study

A method for the generation of unprecedented vinyl carbenoids from sulfoxonium ylides has been developed and applied in the synthesis of a diverse array of heterocycles such as indolizines, pyrroles, 3-pyrrolin-2-ones, and furans. The reactions proceed by FeBr₂ catalysis under mild reaction conditions with a broad substrate scope. A reaction pathway involving iron carbenoids is proposed based on a series of control experiments and DFT calculations.

Zinc-Catalyzed Synthesis of Conjugated Dienoates through Unusual Cross-Couplings of Zinc Carbenes with Diazo Compounds

Zinc-catalyzed selective cross-coupling of two carbene sources, such as vinyl diazo compounds and enynones, enabled the synthesis of conjugated dienoate derivatives. This reaction involved the unprecedented coupling of a zinc furyl carbene with vinyl diazo compounds through the γ-carbon. Alternatively, dienoates were also prepared by a commutative cross-coupling of zinc vinyl carbenes generated from cyclopropenes and simple diazo compounds.