Palladium-Catalyzed Tandem Reaction of Yne-Propargylic Carbonates with Boronic Acids: A Simple Method for the Synthesis of Fused Aromatic Rings through Allene-Mediated Electrocyclization

Palladium-Catalyzed Synthesis of Fused Carbo- and Heterocycles: Recent Advances

The use of palladium catalysts in fused ring synthesis has been increasingly noteworthy in recent years in organic synthesis. It has a lot of potential compared to other transition metal catalysts, because of its one-of-a-kind feature that makes them more widely applicable in a variety of disciplines application. Palladium is important in a variety of Heck processes, including intramolecular, intermolecular, and reductive Heck reactions, which produce diverse carbocycles and heterocycles of biological importance. Under optimal reaction conditions, carbocyclization or heterocyclization occurs, resulting in the production of numerous structural building blocks of naturally occurring compounds. Beside intramolecular Heck-type reactions, cycloaddition, cycloalkylation, oxidative coupling, C-H functionalization, cross-coupling reactions, and carboamidation reactions have also been employed extensively to access fused carbo- and heterocycles of immense biological importance. This review article provides a well-summarized discussion (since 2001) on fused carbo- and heterocycle ring synthesis using palladium catalysts, overviewing their applications, and mechanistic insights.

Synthesis of fused 1,2-naphthoquinones with cytotoxic activity using a one-pot three-step reaction

A method for the synthesis of fused 1,2-naphthoquinones, as analogues of biologically active natural terpene quinones, is described. The intermediate polycyclic naphthalenes were prepared by a one-pot palladium-catalysed process from simple alkynes, one of which was made from an optically pure biomass-derived levoglucosenone. The prepared methoxy-substituted naphthalenes were subsequently transformed in one step to 1,2-naphthoquinones by a trivalent-iodine-mediated oxidation. The naphthoquinone products were found to have cytotoxic properties.

Construction of Benzopolycycles via Pd-Catalyzed Intermolecular Cyclization of 2,7-Alkadiynylic Carbonates with Terminal Propargyl Tertiary Alcohols

A palladium-catalyzed highly regioselective and chemoselective intermolecular cyclization of 2,7-alkadiynylic carbonates with terminal propargyl tertiary alcohols to construct benzopolycycles containing furan and pyrrole moieties has been developed with a very broad scope. Polycycles containing spirane structures or dispirane structures could be also smoothly synthesized in moderate to good yields. The reaction enjoys excellent regioselectivity.

Benzene construction via Pd-catalyzed cyclization of 2,7-alkadiynylic carbonates in the presence of alkynes

A palladium-catalyzed highly regio- and chemo-selective cyclization of 2,7-alkadiynylic carbonates with functionalized alkynes to construct 1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran and isoindoline derivatives under mild conditions has been developed. Functional groups such as alcohol, sulfonamide, and indoles could be well tolerated. After careful mechanistic studies, a mechanism involving oxidative addition and regioselectivity-defined double alkyne insertions has been proposed.

Synthesis of Polycyclic Benzo[b]indolo[3,2,1-de]acridines via Sequential Allenylation, Diels-Alder Cyclization, and Hydrogen Migration Reaction

A novel methodology for stereoselective synthesis of benzo[b]indolo[3,2,1-de]acridines through the tandem reaction of propargylic compounds with organoboron is described, and only one diastereoisomer was obtained. The sequential procedure was triggered by Pd(0)-catalyzed allenylation of propargyl carbonate. Then, Diels-Alder cyclization and hydrogen migration processes proceeded successively to furnish the polycyclic target molecules. Control reactions suggested the base (Cs₂CO₃) was indispensable for the hydrogen migration.

Tertiary amine self-catalyzed intramolecular Csp3–H functionalization with in situ generated allenes for the formation of 3-alkenyl indolines

Tandem Pd(0) catalyzed allenylation/tertiary amine self-catalyzed C_sp3–H functionalization reaction for the synthesis of 3-alkenyl indolines.

Palladium-Catalyzed Multicomponent Reaction (MCR) of Propargylic Carbonates with Isocyanides

A palladium-catalyzed multicomponent reaction (MCR) of propargylic carbonates with isocyanides is reported. Remarkably, the orderly insertion of isocyanides affords two types of valuable N-heterocyclic products (Z)-6-imino-4,6-dihydro-1H-furo[3,4-b]pyrrol-2-amines and (E)-5-iminopyrrolones in high yields. Systematic analysis of the reaction conditions indicates that the selectivity of these N-heterocyclic products can be controlled by ligands and temperature.

Construction of highly functionalized naphthalenes using an in situ ene–allene strategy

Construction of highly functionalized naphthalene derivatives remains a challenging task for organic chemists because of the effect of the substituent.

Cycloaromatization protocol for synthesis of polysubstituted phenol derivatives: method development and mechanistic studies

The scope of the cycloaromatization of propargylic ethers was explored using operationally simple air- and moisture-insensitive conditions. Highly substituted phenol derivatives were obtained in high yields. Mechanistic experiments indicate that the reaction occurs by an electrocyclization followed by 1,3-proton transfer.

Sulfur-assisted propargyl-allenyl isomerizations and electrocyclizations for the convenient and efficient synthesis of polyfunctionalized benzenes and naphthalenes

A facile and efficient electrocyclization for the synthesis of polyfunctionalized benzene and naphthalene derivatives was reported. As a result of the ready availability of starting materials and simple operation, this type of reaction has potential utility in organic synthesis.

Palladium-Catalyzed One-Pot Synthesis of Highly Substituted Furans by a Three-Component Annulation Reaction

A new three-component cyclization-coupling reaction catalyzed by palladium was developed, producing polysubstituted furans in good yields from readily available substrates. The reaction conditions and the scope of the process were examined, and a possible mechanism is proposed.