1,3-Dienones and 2H-Pyran-2-ones from Soft α-Vinyl Enolization of β-Chlorovinyl Ketones: Defined Roles of Brönsted and Lewis Base

One-Pot Tandem Nickel-Catalyzed α-Vinyl Aldol Reaction and Cycloaddition Approach to [1,2,3]Triazolo[1,5-a]quinolines

A one-pot tandem approach to [1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a]quinolines was developed from (E)-β-chlorovinyl ketones and 2-azidoaryl carbonyls using a sequence of α-vinyl aldol and azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions. In particular, the intramolecular azide-alkyne cycloaddition of allenol intermediates was readily promoted by a synergistic action of NEt₃ and nickel catalysts. Given that the [1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a]quinolines are useful synthetic precursors to α-diazoimines through ring-chain isomerization process, the subsequent denitrogenative transformations should provide ready access to valuable heterocyclic compounds.

Continuous Flow Synthesis of 1,4-Benzothiazines Using Ambivalent Reactivity of (E)-β-Chlorovinyl Ketones: A Point of Reaction Control Enabled by Flow Chemistry

A continuous flow system to 1,4-benzothiazines was developed using the point of reaction control, where the ambivalent (E)-β-chlorovinyl ketones and 2,2'-dithiodianilines were confined in a diffusion controlled flow setting. The successful segregation of reactive chemical species in a flow setting allowed more defined reaction pathways that are not feasible in traditional batch reaction conditions. The point of reaction control in flow systems helps to execute the reactions often plagued with the concurrent generation of multiple chemical species.

One-Pot Synthesis of N-Hydroxypyrroles via Soft α-Vinyl Enolization of (E)-β-Chlorovinyl Ketones: A Traceless Arylsulfinate Mediator Strategy

A traceless arylsulfinate mediator strategy has been developed to switch the reaction course of β-chlorovinyl ketones with N-hydroxyamine. The soft α-vinyl enolization of (E)-β-chlorovinyl ketones was conducted in the presence of sodium arylsulfinate to give transient alkenyl sulfones that in turn reacted with NH₂OH to give novel access to N-hydroxypyrroles. The mechanistic studies revealed the initial formation of oxazine intermediates that rearranged to thermodynamically stable aromatic products, N-hydroxypyrroles, under microwave-assisted heating conditions.

Access to Allene-Containing Molecules via Enantioselective Reactions of Azolium Cumulenolate Intermediates

Azolium cumulenolates are a special type of intermediates in N-heterocyclic carbene catalysis. They contain elongated linear structures with three contiguous C=C bonds and sterically unhindered α-carbon atoms. These structural features make it difficult to develop enantioselective reactions for these intermediates. Here we disclose the first carbene-catalyzed highly enantioselective addition reactions of azolium cumulenolates. The reaction starts with alkynals as the precursors for azolium cumulenolate intermediates that undergo enantioselective addition to activated ketones. From the same set of substrates, both allene and spirooxindole products can be obtained with high yields and excellent enantioselectivities. The allene moieties in our optically enriched products carry rich reactivities and can be transformed to diverse molecules. The spirooxindole scaffolds in our products are important structural motifs in natural products and medicines.

One-Pot Synthesis of (Z)-β-Halovinyl Ketones via the Cascade of Sonogashira Coupling and Hydrohalogenation

Herein, we report an efficient method for the synthesis of (Z)-β-halovinyl ketones through a one-pot Sonogashira coupling and hydrohalogenation reaction promoted by palladium-copper catalyst and Brønsted acid. The ynone intermediates are generated in situ from readily available acid chlorides and terminal alkynes at room temperature, which are directly converted to (Z)-β-halovinyl ketones by treating with triflic acid. This method avoids the use of an external halogen source and features broad substrate scope, high yield, and good to excellent stereoselectivity.

Modern Synthetic Methods for the Stereoselective Construction of 1,3-Dienes

The 1,3-butadiene motif is widely found in many natural products and drug candidates with relevant biological activities. Moreover, dienes are important targets for synthetic chemists, due to their ability to give access to a wide range of functional group transformations, including a broad range of C-C bond-forming processes. Therefore, the stereoselective preparation of dienes have attracted much attention over the past decades, and the search for new synthetic protocols continues unabated. The aim of this review is to give an overview of the diverse methodologies that have emerged in the last decade, with a focus on the synthetic processes that meet the requirements of efficiency and sustainability of modern organic chemistry.

Controllable regio- and stereo-selective coupling reactions of homoallenylboronates

Unprecedented palladium-catalysed regio- and stereo-selective coupling reactions of homoallenylboronates with (hetero)aryl iodides, allyl bromides and alkynyl bromides in aqueous solution were successfully developed.

Synthesis of (E,E)-Dienones and (E,E)-Dienals via Palladium-Catalyzed γ,δ-Dehydrogenation of Enones and Enals

A new strategy for the synthesis of conjugated (E,E)-dienones and (E,E)-dienals via a palladium-catalyzed aerobic γ,δ-dehydrogenation of enones and enals has been developed. The method can be employed in the direct and efficient synthesis of various (E,E)-dienones and (E,E)-dienals, including non-substituted α-, β-, and γ- and/or δ-substituted (E,E)-dienones and (E,E)-dienals. The protocol is featured by the ready accessibility and elaboration of the starting materials, good functional group compatibility, and mild reaction conditions. Furthermore, the reaction is of complete E,E-stereoselectivity and uses molecular oxygen as the sole clean oxidant.

Synthesis of (Z)-β-halo α,β-unsaturated carbonyl systems via the combination of halotrimethylsilane and tetrafluoroboric acid

A convenient and broadly applicable method for the hydrohalogenation of ynones is described, by the combination of halotrimethylsilanes and tetrafluoroboric acid. Practically, one equivalent of HX (Brønsted acid) and BF3 (Lewis acid) is smoothly generated, which activates the carbonyl compounds. Through this protocol, 42 examples of (Z)-β-halovinyl carbonyl compounds (Cl, Br and I) were obtained, in good yields and high stereoselectivity having 2-MeTHF as a solvent.

Tandem Transformations via Friedel-Crafts Acylation Followed by a Ring-Expansion, Ring-Opening, and Cycloisomerization Sequence

A tandem synthetic route to a diverse array of cyclic compounds has been developed from Friedel-Crafts acylation of alkynes followed by the microwave irradiation of β-chlorovinyl ketone intermediates. The stereoisomeric β-chlorovinyl ketone intermediates smoothly underwent a thermal α-vinyl enolization and ring expansion to vinyl and carbocyclic furans as well as cyclopetene derivatives in good to excellent yields without the need for any catalysts.

(E)-Selective Friedel–Crafts acylation of alkynes to β-chlorovinyl ketones: defying isomerizations in batch reactions by flow chemistry approaches

Flow chemistry approaches provide a fast, clean, and stereoselective synthetic route to (E)-β-chlorovinyl ketones, free from inherent (E) → (Z) isomerization.

A One-Pot Synthesis of Pyranone and Pyrrole Derivatives from β-Chlorovinyl Ketones via Direct Conjugate Addition Approach

The direct conjugate addition reactions of imino esters to β-chlorovinyl ketones have been accomplished in the presence of a substoichiometric amount of hard base, LiHMDS. An in situ generated species from the conjugate addition reaction readily acted as autocatalyst to convert the imino esters to its corresponding enolates. By utilizing a sequence of conjugate addition/elimination/lactonization followed by either reduction or reaction with amines, the novel one-pot syntheses of highly functionalized pyranone and pyrrole derivatives were accomplished in good to excellent yields.

A facile synthesis of 3,4-dimercaptofurans via sulfenylation of (E)-β-chlorovinyl ketones and 1,2-sulfur migration

A facile access to 3,4-dimercaptofurans was developed by the sulfenylation of β-chlorovinyl ketones followed by a novel 1,2-sulfur migration.