ZnI2-Catalyzed Benzannulation of o-Alkynylbenzaldehydes with Alkenes Leading to 1-Acyl-2-Substituted Naphthalenes

Gold-Catalyzed Reactions of Enynals with Alkenes for Synthesis Binaphthyl Derivatives

A PPh3Au[B(C6F5)4]-catalyzed reaction of enynals and alkenes for the construction of binaphthyl derivatives was described. This transformation was achieved through o-Quinodimethane (o-QDM) intermediate's extended conjugated addition process. The reaction has the advantages of wide substrate scopes, mild reaction conditions, high efficiency, and good scalability.

Formal [4 + 4]-, [4 + 3]-, and [4 + 2]-cycloaddition reactions of donor-acceptor cyclobutenes, cyclopropenes and siloxyalkynes induced by Brønsted acid catalysis

Brønsted acid catalyzed formal [4 + 4]-, [4 + 3]-, and [4 + 2]-cycloadditions of donor-acceptor cyclobutenes, cyclopropenes, and siloxyalkynes with benzopyrylium ions are reported. [4 + 2]-cyclization/deMayo-type ring-extension cascade processes produce highly functionalized benzocyclooctatrienes, benzocycloheptatrienes, and 2-naphthols in good to excellent yields and selectivities. Moreover, the optical purity of reactant donor-acceptor cyclobutenes is fully retained during the cascade. The 1,3-dicarbonyl product framework of the reaction products provides opportunities for salen-type ligand syntheses and the construction of fused pyrazoles and isoxazoles that reveal a novel rotamer-diastereoisomerism.

Benzannulation of isobenzopyryliums with electron-rich alkynes: a modular access to β-functionalized naphthalenes

Described here is a modular strategy for the rapid synthesis of β-functionalized electron-rich naphthalenes, a family of valuable molecules lacking general access previously. Our approach employs an intermolecular benzannulation of in situ generated isobenzopyrylium ions with various electron-rich alkynes, which were not well utilized for this type of reaction before. These reactions not only feature a broad scope, complete regioselectivity, and mild conditions, but also exhibit unusual product divergence depending on the substrate substitution pattern. This divergence allows further expansion of the product diversity. Control experiments provided preliminary insights into the reaction mechanism.

A substituent-controlled divergent benzannulation provides rapid access to various β-functionalized naphthalenes from electron-rich alkynes.

Isoquinolone Synthesis via Zn(OTf)2-Catalyzed Aerobic Cyclocondensation of 2-(1-Alkynyl)-benzaldehydes with Arylamines

A zinc(II) triflate-catalyzed cyclocondensation of ortho-alkynylbenzaldehydes with arylamines in the presence of base under an oxygen atmosphere affording isoquinolones in good to high yields has been developed. The advantages of the present catalyst system include the use of an air-stable and cheap commercially available Lewis acid as the catalyst, high atom utilization and easily available starting materials.

Iron/zinc-catalyzed benzannulation reactions of 2-(2-oxo-alkyl)benzketones leading to naphthalene and isoquinoline derivatives

An efficient method for the synthesis of poly-substituted naphthalenes/isoquinolines via Fe(iii)/Zn(ii)-catalyzed [4 + 2] cycloaddition of 2-(2-oxo-alkyl)benzketones is described.

Donor- and acceptor-enynals/enynones

Three kinds of transformations based on benzo-fused donor- and acceptor-enynals/enynones, including reactions with alkenes, alkynes, and H₂O, were discussed.

A silver-catalyzed three-component reaction via stabilized cation: synthesis of polysubstituted tetrahydronaphthols and tetrahydronaphthylamines

An efficient method for the synthesis of polysubstituted tetrahydronaphthols and tetrahydronaphthylamines via a stabilized cation intermediate has been developed.

Ruthenium(0)-Catalyzed [4+2] Cycloaddition of Acetylenic Aldehydes with α-Ketols: Convergent Construction of Angucycline Ring Systems

Ruthenium(0) complexes modified by CyJohnPhos or RuPhos catalyze the successive C-C coupling of acetylenic aldehydes with α-ketols to form [4+2] cycloadducts as single diastereomers. This method enables convergent construction of type II polyketide ring systems of the angucycline class.

Complex chromene derivatives through a silver-catalysed cascade reaction of simple o-alkynylsalicylaldehydes and alkenes

Silver triflate catalyses a complex transformation of simple ortho-alkynylsalicylaldehydes and alkenes to give benzo[de]chromenyl ketones in a process that involves two formal [4+2]-cyclization reactions.

A new route to naphthyl ketones via copper-mediated intramolecular aerobic oxidative cyclization of alkynes and sulfonylcrotonates

A copper-mediated intramolecular aerobic oxidative cyclization of alkynes and sulfonylcrotonates to a variety of highly functionalized naphthyl ketones was developed.

Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed oxidative bicyclization of 4-arylbut-3-yn-1-amines with internal alkynes through C–H functionalization

A new Rh(iii)-catalyzed oxidative bicyclization through C–H functionalization is presented for the synthesis of benzo[g]indoles.

Molecular iodine-mediated reaction of 2-(2-phenylethynyl)-Morita–Baylis–Hillman adducts: an easy route to naphthyl ketones and iodo-substituted isochromenes

The iodine mediated reaction of 2-(2-phenylethynyl)-MBH gives corresponding naphthyl ketones and iodo-substituted isochromenes.

Iodide-catalyzed halocyclization/cycloaddition/elimination cascade reaction

An iodocyclization reaction of o-alkynylphenyl carboxaldehydes is reported that is truly catalytic with respect to the electrophilic iodine source. With a combination of tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI), Oxone as non-nucleophilic and easy to handle co-oxidant, and fluorinated protic solvents, highly substituted 1-naphthalenones could be prepared in high yields of up to 91%.