An Alternative to Precious Metals: Hg(ClO4)2·3H2O as a Cheap and Water-Tolerant Catalyst for the Cycloisomerization of Allenols

AlCl3-catalyzed regioselective intermolecular α or γ mono- or α,γ bis-hydroalkoxylation of allenamides with alcohols

Regioselective intermolecular mono- or bis-hydroalkoxylation of allenamides with alcohols using simple aluminum-catalyzed reaction conditions is reported. When the reaction was carried out with 1.1 equivalents of alcohol at 50 °C, N,O-acetals were generated by 1,2-addition of an alcohol. An increase in temperature to 80 °C leads to γ-substituted ethers by an intermolecular isomerization process. Treatment with an excess of alcohol (3 equiv.) at 50 °C gave 1,3-bis(alkoxy)propanamines. The reactions exhibited good functional group tolerance and efficiency, affording the products in moderate to good yields.

Advances in mercury(II)-salt-mediated cyclization reactions of unsaturated bonds

The synthesis of complex cyclic compounds is extremely challenging for organic chemists. Many transition-metal-salt-mediated cyclizations are reported in literature. Hg(II) salts have been successfully employed in cyclizations to form complex heterocyclic and carbocyclic structures that are impossible to synthesize with other transition metal salts. In this review, we have summarized cyclization reactions that are performed with Hg(II) salts. These salts are also successfully applied in stoichiometric or catalytic amounts to form complex cyclic structures and natural products.

Deciphering the Chameleonic Chemistry of Allenols: Breaking the Taboo of a Onetime Esoteric Functionality

The allene functionality has participated in one of the most exciting voyages in organic chemistry, from chemical curiosities to a recurring building block in modern organic chemistry. In the last decades, a special kind of allene, namely, allenol, has emerged. Allenols, formed by an allene moiety and a hydroxyl functional group with diverse connectivity, have become common building blocks for the synthesis of a wide range of structures and frequent motif in naturally occurring systems. The synergistic effect of the allene and hydroxyl functional groups enables allenols to be considered as a unique and sole functionality exhibiting a special reactivity. This Review summarizes the most significant contributions to the chemistry of allenols that appeared during the past decade, with emphasis on their synthesis, reactivity, and occurrence in natural products.

Kinetic Resolution of Propargylic Ethers via [2,3]-Wittig Rearrangement to Synthesize Chiral α-Hydroxyallenes

An efficient kinetic resolution of propargyloxy dicarbonyl compounds via asymmetric [2,3]-Wittig rearrangement was achieved by using a chiral N,N'-dioxide/Ni^II complex catalyst. Various chiral α-allenyl alcohols were obtained in high enantioselectivities under mild conditions. The utility of this method was readily demonstrated in the asymmetric synthesis of the chiral 2,5-dihydrofuran derivative.

A highly efficient Hg(OTf)2-mediated Sakurai–Hosomi allylation of N-tert-butyloxycarbonylamino sulfones, aldehydes, fluoroalkyl ketones and α,β-unsaturated enones using allyltrimethylsilane

The cheap and easily available Hg(OTf)₂ can efficiently mediate the Sakurai–Hosomi reaction of N-Boc amino sulfones, aldehydes, α-fluoroalkyl ketones and α,β-unsaturated enones using allyltrimethylsilane with the catalyst loading down to 0.5–5.0 mol%.

2,3-Allenoic acids via palladium-catalyzed carboxylation of propargylic alcohols

The first example of Pd-catalyzed carboxylation of propargylic alcohols in the presence of CO (1 atm) and water affording 2,3-allenoic acids has been developed.

Cu-Catalyzed hydrophosphorylative ring opening of propargyl epoxides: highly selective access to 4-phosphoryl 2,3-allenols

A CuI-catalyzed cross-coupling of propargyl epoxides with P(O)H compounds to produce 4-phosphoryl 2,3-allenols with excellent selectivity under mild conditions is disclosed.

A highly enantioselective Hg(ii)-catalyzed Sakurai–Hosomi reaction of isatins with allyltrimethylsilanes

A chiral complex derived from (S)-difluorophos and Hg(OTf)₂ is identified as a powerful catalyst for the Sakurai–Hosomi reaction of isatins with allyltrimethylsilane, allowing the facile synthesis of valuable building blocks 3-allyl-3-hydroxyoxindoles in up to 97% ee, with only 0.5–1.0 mol% of catalyst loading.