The preparation of exocyclic functionalised alkylidenecycloproparanes via a new procedure

From solvolysis to self-assembly

My sojourn from classical physical-organic chemistry and solvolysis to self-assembly and supramolecular chemistry, over the last forty years, is described. My contributions to unsaturated reactive intermediates, namely vinyl cations and unsaturated carbenes, along with my decade-long involvement with polyvalent iodine chemistry, especially alkynyliodonium salts, as well as my more recent research with metal-ligand, coordination driven, and directed self-assembly of finite supramolecular ensembles are discussed.

Preparation of Tertiary Amides from Carbamoyl Chlorides and Organocuprates

[reaction: see text] Reaction of carbamoyl chlorides with cyano-Gilman cuprates affords tertiary amides in good to excellent yields. The reaction is general due to the possibility of using reagents made either from organolithium or from Grignard compounds. The characterization of the main side products allowed for the suggestion of a possible mechanism.

Triethyl- (or trimethyl-)silyl triflate-catalyzed reductive cleavage of triphenylmethyl (trityl) ethers with triethylsilane

[reaction: see text] A triphenylmethyl (trityl) ether was reductively and instantaneously cleaved by triethylsilane in the presence of a catalytic amount of TES- (or TMS)-triflate. The reaction conditions are mild enough to achieve reduction in the presence of a variety of acid-sensitive functional groups. Upon a mild acidic treatment of the crude product, the corresponding alcohol is obtained in high yield.