Molecular iodine-catalyzed benzylation of arenes with benzyl alcohols

Transition metal-free decarboxylative alkylation reactions

This review summarizes recent advances in the transition metal-free decarboxylative alkylation of carboxylic acids and their derivatives.

Decarboxylative substitution of β-keto acids to benzylic alcohols catalyzed by molecular iodine

An efficient method for molecular iodine catalyzed decarboxylative substitution of β-keto acids with benzylic alcohols has been described.

Superacid BF3–H2O promoted benzylation of arenes with benzyl alcohols and acetates initiated by trace water

An efficient in situ prepared superacid BF₃–H₂O promoted benzylation of arenes using benzyl alcohols and acetates achieves various diarylalkanes.

One-pot synthesis of symmetrical and unsymmetrical diarylmethanes via diborylmethane

A one-pot synthesis of diarylmethanes from air-stable diborylmethane via the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction is described. The present approach realizes the synthesis of various symmetrical and unsymmetrical diarylmethanes in good to excellent yields.

A review of new developments in the Friedel-Crafts alkylation - From green chemistry to asymmetric catalysis

The development of efficient Friedel-Crafts alkylations of arenes and heteroarenes using only catalytic amounts of a Lewis acid has gained much attention over the last decade. The new catalytic approaches described in this review are favoured over classical Friedel-Crafts conditions as benzyl-, propargyl- and allyl alcohols, or styrenes, can be used instead of toxic benzyl halides. Additionally, only low catalyst loadings are needed to provide a wide range of products. Following a short introduction about the origin and classical definition of the Friedel-Crafts reaction, the review will describe the different environmentally benign substrates which can be applied today as an approach towards greener processes. Additionally, the first diastereoselective and enantioselective Friedel-Crafts-type alkylations will be highlighted.

Molecular iodine-catalysed amidation reaction of secondary benzylic and allylic alcohols with carboxamides or sulfonamides

A highly efficient method for the C–N bond formation via 2 mol% of molecular iodine-catalysed amidation reaction of benzylic and allylic alcohols with carboxamides or sulfonamides in MeCN is described, giving the corresponding substituted amides and allylic amides in moderate to excellent yields. The significan features of the procedure include mild and metal-free reaction conditions, operational simplicity, inexpensive reagents, short reaction time, and good yields.

Iodine-catalyzed efficient synthesis of chalcones by grinding under solvent-free conditions

Chalcones are useful intermediates in organic synthesis and exhibit a large number of different biological activities. Chalcones have been synthesized in high yields by Claisen–Schmidt condensation of substituted acetophenones with various aromatic aldehydes in the presence of 10 mol% of iodine at room temperature by grinding under solvent-free conditions.

Iodine catalysed synthesis of 5-(arylmethylidene)rhodanines by Grinding under Solvent-Free Conditions

5-(Arylmethylidene)rhodanines have been synthesised in 88–95% yields by Knoevenagel condensation of various aromatic aldehydes with rhodanine in the presence of a catalytic amount of iodine at room temperature by grinding under solvent-free conditions.