Nickel-Catalyzed Decarbonyloxidation of 3-Aryl Benzofuran-2(3H)-ones to 2-Hydroxybenzophenones

Lewis Acid-Catalyzed Benzannulation of Vinyloxiranes with 3-Formylchromones or 1,4-Quinones for Diversely Functionalized 2-Hydroxybenzophenones, 1,4-Naphthoquinones, and Anthraquinones

A facile and convenient protocol for the regioselective construction of functionalized 2-hydroxybenzophenones is described. This protocol involves the Sc(OTf)3/BF3·OEt2-catalyzed benzannulation of 2-vinyloxirans with 3-formylchromone, which involves cascade in situ diene formation, [4 + 2] cycloaddition, elimination, and ring-opening strategies. Moreover, it provides an expedited synthetic pathway to access biologically intriguing 1,4-naphthoquinones and anthraquinones including vitamin K3 and tectoquinone. The synthesized compounds also hold potential for use as UV filters and show promise as chemosensors for Cu2+ and Mg2+ ions.

Chiral-Boron-Complex-Catalyzed Asymmetric [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of β-Trifluoromethyl α,β-Unsaturated Ketones with N,N'-Cyclic Azomethine Imines

The (R)-3,3'-(3,5-(CF3)2-C6H3)2-BINOL-boron-complex-catalyzed asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of β-trifluoromethyl α,β-unsaturated ketone with N,N'-cyclic azomethine imines was developed to afford N,N'-bicyclic pyrazolidine derivatives bearing a stereogenic carbon center containing CF3 motifs in high yields with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to >20:1 dr, and >99% ee). This catalytic system features mild reaction conditions, high efficiency, and a broad substrate scope.

Chiral-Boron-Complex Catalyzed Asymmetric Inverse-Electron-Demand Aza-Diels-Alder Reaction of β-Trifluoromethyl α,β-Unsaturated Ketones with Cyclic N-Sulfonyl Ketimines

A highly efficient asymmetric inverse-electron-demand aza-Diels-Alder reaction of β-trifluoromethyl α,β-unsaturated ketone with cyclic N-sulfonyl ketimines catalyzed by (R)-3,3'-I2-BINOL-boron-complex was developed. A broad range of fused piperidine derivatives bearing stereogenic carbon containing CF3 motifs were prepared in high yields with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to >20:1 dr, and >99% ee). This protocol had the characteristics of mild reaction conditions, high efficiency, and high stereoselectivity.

Chiral-Boron-Complex-Catalyzed Asymmetric [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of 2'-Hydroxychalcones with N,N'-Cyclic Azomethine Imines

We report the (R)-3,3'-I₂-BINOL-boron-complex-catalyzed asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of 2'-hydroxychalcones with N,N'-cyclic azomethine imines, providing the corresponding N,N'-bicyclic pyrazolidine derivatives with three contiguous tertiary stereocenters in high yields with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities (up to >99:1 diastereomeric ratio and >99% enantiomeric excess). This catalytic system exhibits advantages of mild reaction conditions, high efficiency, and broad substrate scopes.

Nickel-Catalyzed N,N-Diarylation of 8-Aminoquinoline with Large Steric Aryl Bromides and Fluorescence of Products

A simple and efficient methodology for the synthesis of large sterically hindered triarylamines in a single step was developed. A direct N,N-diarylation of 8-aminoquinoline with sterically hindered bromides, making use of inexpensive nickel as a catalyst and simple sodium salt as a base, gives the products in good to excellent yields. Various bromides and substituted 8-aminoquinolines are tolerated. Preliminary fluorescence results indicate that these sterically hindered and conjugated triarylamines may have some potential in material chemistry.

Pyrrole synthesis through Cu-catalyzed cascade [3 + 2] spiroannulation/aromatization of oximes with azadienes

We disclose an efficient synthetic protocol for the assembly of poly-substituted pyrroles through cascade [3 + 2] spiroannulation/aromatization of oximes with azadienes.

Experimental and Computational Study of the 1,5-O → N Carbamoyl Snieckus-Fries-Type Rearrangement

The reactions of o-lithiated O-aryl N,N-diethylcarbamates with different C-N multiple bond electrophiles have been thoroughly studied. A 1,5-O → N carbamoyl shift, a new variation of the anionic Fries-type rearrangement, takes place when nitriles, imines, or alkylcarbodiimides are employed. In these cases, the carbamoyl group plays a dual role as a directing group, building up a variety of functional groups through the 1,5-O → N carbamoyl migration. On the other hand, the use of iso(thio)cyanates and arylcarbodiimides led to non-rearranged o-functionalized O-arylcarbamates. This reactivity was further computationally explored, and the governing factor could be traced back to the relative basicity of the alternative products (migrated vs nonmigrated substrates). This exploration also provided interesting insights about the degree of complexation of the lithium cations onto these substrates. A new access to useful 2-hydroxybenzophenone derivatives has also been developed.