Catalytic Hydrofunctionalization Reactions of 1,3-Diynes

Metal-catalyzed hydrofunctionalization reactions of alkynes, i.e., the addition of Y–H units (Y = heteroatom or carbon) across the carbon–carbon triple bond, have attracted enormous attention for decades since they allow the straightforward and atom-economic access to a wide variety of functionalized olefins and, in its intramolecular version, to relevant heterocyclic and carbocyclic compounds. Despite conjugated 1,3-diynes being considered key building blocks in synthetic organic chemistry, this particular class of alkynes has been much less employed in hydrofunctionalization reactions when compared to terminal or internal monoynes. The presence of two C≡C bonds in conjugated 1,3-diynes adds to the classical regio- and stereocontrol issues associated with the alkyne hydrofunctionalization processes’ other problems, such as the possibility to undergo 1,2-, 3,4-, or 1,4-monoadditions as well as double addition reactions, thus increasing the number of potential products that can be formed. In this review article, metal-catalyzed hydrofunctionalization reactions of these challenging substrates are comprehensively discussed.

A reversible and turn-on type fluorescence behaviour of hydrogen sulfide via a redox cycle between selenoxide and selenide

Upon treatment with H₂S in MeCN–PBS, the fluorescence dormant selenoxides of dibenzobarrelene- and benzobarrelene-based 1-seleno-1,3-butadiene derivatives are rapidly converted to strongly fluorescent selenides.

A donor–acceptor triptycene–coumarin hybrid dye featuring a charge separated excited state and AIE properties

Triptycene–coumarin hybrid dye: the triptycene scaffold facilitates donor–acceptor interactions in DCT-1 through homoconjugation, resulting in a charge separated excited state and aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties not seen in DC.

Synthesis of 4-chalcogeno-1-aza-1,3-butadiene derivatives by intramolecular cyano-Diels-Alder reaction and borane-coordination-induced fluorescence enhancement

4-Thio-1-aza-1,3-butadiene derivatives 3 incorporating a rigid dibenzobarrelene skeleton were synthesized by the intramolecular cyano-Diels-Alder reaction of 9-anthryl cyanoethenyl sulfides 6. The thermal reaction of 6 afforded an equilibrium mixture of 3 and 6, but the cyclization was effectively promoted by the addition of BF3·Et2O or B(C6F5)3 to yield imine-borane adducts 8 and 9. The imine-borane adducts emit intense blue fluorescence both in solution and in the crystalline state. This is in stark contrast to free imines 3, which are weakly fluorescent. Selenium analogue 4 and N-oxide 12 of 3a were synthesized, along with their B(C6F5)3 adducts.