Arginine Catalyzed Direct Aldol Reactions in Pure Water: An Environmentally Friendly Reaction System

Phosphorus ligand-free Suzuki–Miyaura reactions in the presence of ABTS at room temperature in water

A catalytic system for a phosphorus ligand-free Suzuki–Miyaura reaction in water at room temperature was disclosed. Ammonium 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) was an efficient promoter and acted both as a ligand and as a surfactant for the synthesis of biaryl compounds via the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction in water. The targeted biaryl architectures were achieved under mild conditions with high efficiency and good functional group tolerance.

Facile creation of 3-substituted-3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles by arginine-catalyzed aldol reactions of α,β-unsaturated ketones with isatins

An efficient approach for the synthesis of 3-substituted-3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles has been achieved via an aldol reaction of α,β-unsaturated ketones and isatins using arginine as an organocatalyst. A range of 3-substituted-3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles were obtained in moderate to high (up to 99%) yields. These 3-substituted-3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles with an additional enone moiety provide an opportunity for further elaboration of the products and for potentially interesting biological activities. In addition, the formation of 3-substituted-3-hydroxy-2-oxindole 3a was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The possible reaction mechanism reveals that the reaction proceeds via a double action process.