Synthesis of meta-(Indol-3-yl)phenols from Indoles and Cyclohexenone via Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Oxidative Heck Reaction and Dehydrogenative Aromatization in a One-Step Sequence

LiBr-Catalyzed C3-Disulfuration between Indole and N-Dithiophthalimide

A simple, green halide-catalyzed protocol for disulfuration of indole derivatives with N-dithiophthalimides has been developed. This C-H disulfide reaction proceeded smoothly at room temperature with economical LiBr as catalyst, providing an effective method for the synthesis of novel unsymmetrical disulfides. A series of 3-dithioindole derivatives were obtained in high yields with good functional group tolerance; moreover, the wide scope of Harpp reagents (aryl, benzyl, primary, secondary, tertiary) confirmed the practicability of this approach.

Pd-catalyzed direct functionalization of glycals with cycloalkenones: application to the synthesis of chiral phenanthrenones

A palladium-catalyzed direct C-H functionalization of glycals with cycloalkenones is described and a series of C-2 functionalized glycals were synthesized efficiently with cyclic enones. The direct C-H functionalization of glycals with Pd(II) and subsequent insertion of cyclic enones via β-hydride elimination is the key to the synthesis of 2C-branched glycals. The synthetic utility of this methodology for chiral phenanthrenones has also been demonstrated by coupling the synthesized 2C-branched glycals with arynes via 4+2 cycloaddition followed by concomitant pyran ring opening.