CAr-O Rotamers in 3,3'-Disubstituted BINOL Esters

Atypical Dearomative Spirocyclization of β-Naphthols with Diazoacetamides Using a Silver Catalyst

A chemoselective dearomatization of the less reactive benzenoid unit in β-naphthol was developed. Spirocyclization with a reductant constructs a pivotal structure for drug candidates. One-pot oxidative conversion enabled the tandem dearomatization of β-naphthol, producing conjugated tetraenone variants. The potential utility of the product as an F^--selective anion sensor was also demonstrated. Theoretical studies revealed the intermediacy of silver-carbenoid species leading to chemoselective spirocyclization over arene cyclopropanation.

Silylated cyclopentadienes as competent silicon Lewis acid catalysts

The synthesis and characterization of silicon Lewis acid complexes that incorporate highly electron-deficient cyclopentadienes is reported. Several pentacarboxycyclopentadienyl and monocarboxytetracyanocyclopentadienyl complexes were prepared. A comparison of their reactivities for catalysis of the allylation of an electron-deficient benzaldehyde was established. The use of a monocarboxytetracyano silylium donor was shown to be effective for the allylation or arylation of a variety of electrophiles via an anion abstraction pathway.

Methanolysis of the Cyclic Acetal Function of NanoKid Catalyzed by NanoGoblin, the Pyridinium Salt of Tetracyanocyclopentadienide

Small, "doll"-shaped tetracyanocyclopentadienide bearing a 1,3-dioxane acetal "head" and cyano "hands" and "feet" was synthesized. Its pyridinium salt, which was named NanoGoblin, exhibited catalytic activity in the methanolysis of acetals, as demonstrated by the reaction with NanoKid in methanol-d ₄, where the acetal head of NanoKid was converted to a deuterated dimethyl acetal moiety.