Formation of δ-Lactones by Cerium-Catalyzed, Baeyer-Villiger-Type Coupling of β-Oxoesters, Enol Acetates, and Dioxygen

Silver-Catalyzed Radical Umpolung Cross-Coupling of Silyl Enol Ethers with Activated Methylene Compounds: Access to Diverse Tricarbonyl Derivatives

A silver-catalyzed protocol for the intermolecular radical umpolung cross-coupling protocol of silyl enol ethers with activated methylene compounds is disclosed. The protocol exhibits excellent functional group tolerance, enabling the expedient preparation of a variety of tricarbonyl compounds. Preliminary mechanistic investigations suggest that the reaction proceeds through a process involving free radicals in which silver oxide has a dual role, acting as both a catalyst and a base.

Electrochemical Synthesis of α-Thiocyanated/Methoxylated Ketones Using Enol Acetates

We have developed the synthesis of α-substituted ketone compounds with enol acetates in an electrochemical way. By using cheap NH4SCN and MeOH as the radical sources, a series of valuable α-thiocyanates/methoxy ketones were synthesized under mild electrolysis conditions in acceptable yields with diverse functional group compatibility. Additionally, the scale-up experiment and synthetic transformations reveal potential applications in organic synthesis.

Diastereoselective Radical 1,4-Ester Migration: Radical Cyclizations of Acyclic Esters with SmI2

Reductive cyclizations of carbonyl compounds, mediated by samarium(II) diiodide (SmI₂, Kagan’s reagent), represent an invaluable platform to generate molecular complexity in a stereocontrolled manner. In addition to classical ketone and aldehyde substrates, recent advances in radical chemistry allow the cyclization of lactone and lactam-type substrates using SmI₂. In contrast, acyclic esters are considered to be unreactive to SmI₂ and their participation in reductive cyclizations is unprecedented. Here, we report a diastereoselective radical 1,4-ester migration process, mediated by SmI₂, that delivers stereodefined alkene hydrocarboxylation products via radical cyclization of acyclic ester groups in α-carbomethoxy δ-lactones. Isotopic labeling experiments and computational studies have been used to probe the mechanism of the migration. We propose that a switch in conformation redirects single electron transfer from SmI₂ to the acyclic ester group, rather than the “more reactive” lactone carbonyl. Our study paves the way for the use of elusive ketyl radicals, derived from acyclic esters, in SmI₂-mediated reductive cyclizations.

Renaissance of Homogeneous Cerium Catalysts with Unique Ce(IV/III) Couple: Redox-Mediated Organic Transformations Involving Homolysis of Ce(IV)-Ligand Covalent Bonds

Recent advances in the catalytic application of cerium complexes were achieved through controlling the Ce(IV/III) redox couple. Although Ce(IV) complexes have been extensively investigated as stoichiometric oxidants in organic synthesis on the basis of their highly positive redox potentials, these complexes can be used as catalysts, not only by introducing supporting ligands around the coordination sphere of cerium, but also by taking advantage of the photoresponsive properties of Ce(IV) and Ce(III) species. Cerium is highly abundant, comparable to that of some first-row transition metals such as copper, nickel, and zinc. Cerium complexes are new and promising homogeneous catalyst candidates for a variety of organic transformations under mild reaction conditions. They are typically used to activate dioxygen to oxidize organic compounds and applied for organic radical generation using the photoresponsive character of Ce(IV) carboxylates and alkoxides as well as electronic transition of Ce(III), in which homolysis of Ce(IV)-ligand covalent bonds is an important step for the overall catalytic cycle. In this Perspective, we first review the early discovery of Ce(OAc)₄-mediated oxidative transformations to emphasize the importance of Ce(IV)-OAc bond homolysis in various C-C bond-forming reactions and its relation to recent developments. We then focus on the fundamental importance of Ce(IV) reactivity involving thermal and photoassisted homolysis of the Ce(IV)-ligand covalent bond and the developments regarding Ce(IV/III) redox changes in catalytic reactions together with our recent findings on cerium-based catalysis.

Formation of δ-Lactones by Cyanide Catalyzed Rearrangement of α-Hydroxy-β-oxoesters

δ-Valerolactone derivatives are formed by cyanide-catalyzed ring-transformation of cyclic α-hydroxy-β-oxoesters. This unprecedented reaction defines a new synthetic methodology, and the products are obtained in up to quantitative yields. Several alkyl substitutions as well as different ester residues are tolerated. Furthermore, benzo- and heteroarene-annulated starting materials are converted without problems. As an additional benefit, the starting materials are straightforwardly accessed by cerium-catalyzed aerobic α-hydroxylation of readily available β-oxoesters.

Oxovanadium(v)-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling of enolates using O2 as a terminal oxidant

The oxovanadium(v)-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling of enolates using O₂ as a terminal oxidant is reported, where a boron enolate and a silyl enol ether were employed as enolates. The redox behavior of V(v/iv) in this reaction under O₂ was investigated by ESR and ⁵¹V NMR experiments.

Gold(I) Complexes with Ferrocenylphosphino Sulfonate Ligands: Synthesis and Application in the Catalytic Addition of Carboxylic Acids to Internal Alkynes in Water

The synthesis and characterization of novel gold(I) complexes containing hydrophilic ferrocenylphosphino sulfonate ligands, i.e., compounds [AuCl{(η5-C5H3PR2(SO3iPr))Fe(η5-C5H5)}] (R = Ph (2a), p-Tol (2b), Cy (2c)), are presented, including a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study on 2a. Complexes 2a–c were checked as catalysts for the intermolecular addition of carboxylic acids to nonactivated internal alkynes using water as a green reaction medium. The best results in terms of activity were obtained with 2a in combination with AgOAc, which was able to promote the selective anti addition of a variety of aromatic, aliphatic, and α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids to both symmetrical and unsymmetrical internal alkynes at 60 °C, employing metal loadings of only 2 mol %.

A facile copper(i)-catalyzed homo-coupling of indanone derivatives using diaziridinone under mild conditions

A novel and efficient Cu(i)-catalyzed homo-coupling of indanone derivatives using diaziridinone as an oxidant is described. A variety of 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds bearing two adjacent quaternary stereocenters were obtained in high yields with high diastereoselectivities via a base-free and operationally simple process under mild reaction conditions.

Electrochemical, Manganese-Assisted Carbon-Carbon Bond Formation between β-Keto Esters and Silyl Enol Ethers

The electrochemical carbon-carbon bond formation process between β-keto esters and silyl enol ethers was investigated utilizing manganese salts. The tricarbonyl compounds were generated in moderate to good yields under neutral conditions. Control experiments revealed that an electro-generated base at the cathode is important. Electroanalytical measurements with a Mn(TPA) complex suggested that the oxidation of the silyl enol ether is the first step in the oxidation process initiated by a corresponding Mn(IV) species.

Carbonylonium ions: the onium ions of the carbonyl group

The nomenclature of cations R1C(=O+R3)R2 (R1, R2, R3 = H or organyl) has been examined and shown to be in a state of immeasurable confusion: a pragmatic recommendation is made that the generic term "carbonylonium ions" should be adopted for these intermediates, which comprises the terms "aldehydium" (R1 = H, R2, R3 = H or organyl) and "ketonium ions" (R1, R2 = organyl, R3 = H or organyl) for the corresponding aldehyde- and ketone-based intermediates, respectively.

Metal-mediated reactions towards the synthesis of a novel deaminolysed bisurea, dicarbamolyamine

A new selective cobalt acetate tetrahydrate or cerium nitrate hexahydrate mediated cleavage of the C–N bond of a benzoyl isothiocyanate derivative to give (carbamoylamino)methanethioamide is presented. The cleavage of the C–N could not be achieved in the absence of thione. The novel silver-mediated conversion of a thione to the carbonyl was achieved on 1-((benzamido)formyl)urea and replicated on (carbamoylamino)methanethioamide to give the deaminolyzed bisurea (dicarbamolyamine). The compounds were characterized by IR, NMR, microanalysis and GC–MS. The single crystal X–ray diffraction studies of the crystal structures of compounds I, II, III and V is discussed.

Formation of δ-Lactones with anti-Baeyer-Villiger Regiochemistry: Investigations into the Mechanism of the Cerium-Catalyzed Aerobic Coupling of β-Oxoesters with Enol Acetates

The cerium-catalyzed, aerobic coupling of β-oxoesters with enol acetates and dioxygen yields δ-lactones with a 1,4-diketone moiety. In contrast to the Baeyer-Villiger oxidation (BVO), where the higher substituted residue migrates; in the case of this oxidative C-C coupling reaction, the less substituted alkyl residue undergoes a 1,2-shift. An endoperoxidic oxycarbenium ion comparable to the Criegee intermediate in the BVO is proposed as a reaction intermediate and submitted to conformational analysis by computational methods. As a result, the inverse regiochemistry is explained by a primary stereoelectronic effect. A Hammett analysis using different donor- and acceptor-substituted enol esters provides support for the oxycarbenium ion being the crucial intermediate in the rate determining step of the conversion. An overall mechanism is suggested with a radical chain reaction for the formation of endoperoxides from β-oxoesters, enol acetates and dioxygen with a cerium(IV) species as initiating reagent.