One-Pot Heck and Reduction: Application towards Efficient Synthesis of Flavans Promoted by Lewis Acid

Asymmetric hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation in the enantioselective synthesis of flavonoids

In this review, we explore the applications of Asymmetric Hydrogenation (AH) and Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation (ATH) in the total synthesis of natural flavonoids and their analogues, highlighting the limitations and opportunities in the field.

[Pd]-Catalyzed para-selective allylation of phenols: access to 4-[(E)-3-aryl/alkylprop-2-enyl]phenols

4-[(E)-3-Arylprop-2-enyl]phenols are omnipresent scaffolds and constitute natural products and biologically significant compounds. Obtusastyrene and obtustyrene are two such phenolic-based natural products isolated from Dalbergia retusa. The development of strategies based on a site-selective allylation, particularly protecting group-free substrates and non-activated coupling agents, is indispensable in organic synthesis. Herein, we present a highly regioselective [Pd]-catalyzed para-allylation of phenols using simple, inactivated allylic alcohols as allylating coupling partners. Notably, this strategy is successful in open-air and under mild reaction conditions. Besides, the efficacy of the present protocol was demonstrated by the direct synthesis of obtusastyrene and obtustyrene.

Lewis Acid Mediated Domino Intramolecular Cyclization: Synthesis of Dihydrobenzo[a]fluorenes

An efficient and facile method for the regioselective synthesis of novel dihydrobenzo[a]fluorenes from readily accessible alkynols is presented. The current strategy triggers the formation of a dual C-C bond intramolecularly via Lewis acid catalysis under mild reaction conditions. Notably, secondary as well as tertiary alcohols bearing an alkyne moiety have been smoothly transformed into the corresponding products. As a result, novel tetracyclic dihydrobenzo[a]fluorenes have been accomplished using this approach.

Access to Electron-Deficient 2,2-Disubstituted Chromanes: A Highly Regioselective One-Pot Synthesis via an Inverse-Electron-Demand [4 + 2] Cycloaddition of ortho-Quinone Methides

We report the one-pot synthesis of 2,2-disubstituted chromanes with electron-withdrawing substituents. This reaction provides a simple yet efficient route to a wide range of electron-deficient chromanes in high yield and excellent regioselectivity. The reaction of salicylaldehyde with 1,1-disubstituted ethylenes smoothly furnishes these electron-deficient chromanes, which can be further transformed into functionalized chromanes or chromene. For example, BW683C was effectively synthesized from 5-chlorosalicylaldehyde with 4-chlorostyrene in two steps in excellent yield. The present reaction thus provides versatile access to functionalized electron-deficient chromanes and chromenes and therefore constitutes a promising tool for the synthesis of biologically and photochemically active molecules.