Metal-Free Oxidative Nitration of α-Carbon of Carbonyls Leads to One-Pot Synthesis of Thiohydroximic Acids from Acetophenones

Tetrabutylammonium iodide-catalyzed oxidative α-azidation of β-ketocarbonyl compounds using sodium azide

We herein report the oxidative α-azidation of carbonyl compounds by using NaN3 in the presence of dibenzoyl peroxide catalyzed by tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI). By utilizing these readily available bulk chemicals a variety of cyclic β-ketocarbonyl derivatives can be efficiently α-azidated under operationally simple conditions. Control experiments support a mechanistic scenario involving in situ formation of an ammonium hypoiodite species which first facilitates the α-iodination of the pronucleophile, followed by a phase-transfer-catalyzed nucleophilic substitution by the azide. Furthermore, we also show that an analogous α-nitration by using NaNO2 under otherwise identical conditions is possible as well.

The electrochemically enabled α-C(sp3)-H azolation of ketones

C-H/N-H cross-coupling has become a key technology for the selective conjugation of azole drug molecules. However, the development of new synthetic models and green chemical methods is imperative to enhance the construction of multi-functional compounds and compounds with unique functional groups. We herein reported an electrochemical synthesis of α-tetrazolyl ketones with excellent yields and broad substrate scope, encompassing electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups of aryl ketones, heterocycles, and alkyl and various ketone drugs. It was further proved that α-iodoketone was involved in this transformation of the reaction as a critical intermediate.

Interrupted Nef and Meyer Reactions: A Growing Point for Diversity-Oriented Synthesis Based on Nitro Compounds

The Nef reaction (nitro to carbonyl group conversion) and related Meyer reaction are among the key transformations of aliphatic nitro compounds. The interrupted versions of these reactions in which the normal pathway is redirected to a different end product by an external nucleophile are much less common, albeit these processes substantially increase the synthetic potential of nitro compounds. In this review, examples of interrupted Nef and Meyer reactions are summarized, and the prospects of this methodology in diversity-oriented organic synthesis are analyzed. The bibliography contains 90 references.

One-Pot Synthesis of Diaryl 1,2-Diketones via Zn-Mediated Reductive Coupling

A reductive coupling reaction was established for the synthesis of diaryl 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds from aryl methyl ketones in good yields. The mechanistic study showed the reaction undergoes C(CO)-C(sp³) bond cleavage, with the reductive coupling reaction occurring through an electron transfer process. Notably, the reaction not only is simple to operate but also has mild reaction conditions and a wide range of applicable substrates.

Application of DMSO as a methylthiolating reagent in organic synthesis

In the past decades, DMSO has been widely used not only as a common solvent but also as an environmentally benign oxidant in various organic transformations. Most strikingly, DMSO can be used as a sulfur source to construct methylthiolated building blocks of potential biologically active molecules, which is a remarkable achievement in the field of organic sulfur chemistry. The purpose of this review article is to summarize and discuss the main developments in the application of DMSO as a methylthiolating reagent to introduce the -SMe functionality in organic synthesis.

Photocatalyzed Triplet Sensitization of Oximes Using Visible Light Provides a Route to Nonclassical Beckmann Rearrangement Products

Oximes are valuable synthetic intermediates for the preparation of a variety of functional groups. To date, the stereoselective synthesis of oximes remains a major challenge, as most current synthetic methods either provide mixtures of E and Z isomers or furnish the thermodynamically preferred E isomer. Herein we report a mild and general method to achieve Z isomers of aryl oximes by photoisomerization of oximes via visible-light-mediated energy transfer (EnT) catalysis. Facile access to (Z)-oximes provides opportunities to achieve regio- and chemoselectivity complementary to those of widely used transformations employing oxime starting materials. We show an enhanced one-pot protocol for photocatalyzed oxime isomerization and subsequent Beckmann rearrangement that enables novel reactivity with alkyl groups migrating preferentially over aryl groups, reversing the regioselectivity of the traditional Beckmann reaction. Chemodivergent N- or O- cyclizations of alkenyl oximes are also demonstrated, leading to nitrones or cyclic oxime ethers, respectively.

Selective difunctionalization of electron-deficient alkynes: access to (E)-2-iodo-3-(methylthio)acrylate

A convenient and efficient approach to (E)-2-iodo-3-(methylthio)acrylate has been developed through direct iodothiomethylation of alkynes with aqueous HI and DMSO under mild conditions. This novel protocol has demonstrated a unique difunctionalization of electron-deficient alkynes with a broad substrate scope and excellent functional-group tolerance. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that prior diiodination of alkynes, followed by nucleophilic substitution with in situ generated DMS led to the formation of (E)-2-iodo-3-(methylthio)acrylate.

Divergent synthesis of flavones and flavanones from 2′-hydroxydihydrochalcones via palladium(ii)-catalyzed oxidative cyclization

Divergent and versatile synthetic routes to flavones and flavanones via efficient Pd(ii) catalysis are disclosed. These Pd(ii) catalyses expediently provide a variety of flavones and flavanones from 2′-hydroxydihydrochalcones as common intermediates, depending on oxidants and additives, via discriminate oxidative cyclization sequences involving dehydrogenation, respectively, in a highly atom-economic manner.

Divergent and versatile synthetic routes to flavones and flavanones via efficient Pd(ii) catalysis are disclosed.

Recent Advances in Iodine-Promoted C-S/N-S Bonds Formation

Sulfur-containing scaffold, as a ubiquitous structural motif, has been frequently used in natural products, bioactive chemicals and pharmaceuticals, particularly C-S/N-S bonds are indispensable in many biological important compounds and pharmaceuticals. Development of mild and general methods for C-S/N-S bonds formation has great significance in modern research. Iodine and its derivatives have been recognized as inexpensive, environmentally benign and easy-handled catalysts or reagents to promote the construction of C-S/N-S bonds under mild reaction conditions, with good regioselectivities and broad substrate scope. Especially based on this, several new strategies, such as oxidation relay strategy, have been greatly developed and accelerated the advancement of this field. This review focuses on recent advances in iodine and its derivatives promoted hybridized C-S/N-S bonds formation. The features and mechanisms of corresponding reactions are summarized and the results of some cases are compared with those of previous reports. In addition, the future of this domain is discussed.

DBU-Mediated Addition of α-Nitroketones to α-Cyano-enones and α,β-Unsaturated α-Ketoesters: Synthesis of Dihydrofurans and Conjugated Dienes

1,8-Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene-mediated reactions of α-nitroketones with α-cyano-enones and α,β-unsaturated α-ketoesters have been developed. The products, namely, dihydrofurans and conjugated dienes, were isolated in moderate to good yields, and a range of substitutions were tolerated.

Employment of α-nitroketones in organic synthesis

This review summarizes the recent developments of the reactions of α-nitroketones and the consequent formation of a variety of structural frameworks is discussed.

Copper-catalyzed α-C–H acyloxylation of carbonyl compounds with terminal alkynes

Herein, a copper/TBHP catalyst system for the α-C–H acyloxylation of carbonyl compounds is developed using terminal alkynes as the acyloxy source.

Metal-Involving Synthesis and Reactions of Oximes

This review classifies and summarizes the past 10-15 years of advancements in the field of metal-involving (i.e., metal-mediated and metal-catalyzed) reactions of oximes. These reactions are diverse in nature and have been employed for syntheses of oxime-based metal complexes and cage-compounds, oxime functionalizations, and the preparation of new classes of organic species, in particular, a wide variety of heterocyclic systems spanning small 3-membered ring systems to macroheterocycles. This consideration gives a general outlook of reaction routes, mechanisms, and driving forces and underlines the potential of metal-involving conversions of oxime species for application in various fields of chemistry and draws attention to the emerging putative targets.

Highly selective acylation of polyamines and aminoglycosides by 5-acyl-5-phenyl-1,5-dihydro-4H-pyrazol-4-ones

5-Acyl-5-phenyl-1,5-dihydro-4H-pyrazol-4-ones, accessible from arylpropargyl phenyldiazoacetates, are highly selective acyl transfer reagents for di- and polyamines, as well as aminoalcohols and aminothiols. As reagents with a carbon-based leaving group, they have been applied for benzoyl transfer with a broad selection of substrates containing aliphatic amino in combination with other competing nucleophilic functional groups. The substrate scope and levels of selectivity for direct benzoyl transfer exceed those of known benzoylating reagents. With exceptional selectivity for acylation between primary amines bound to primary and secondary carbons, these new reagents have been used in direct site-selective monobenzoylation of aminoglycoside antibiotics.

Construction of Nitrated Benzo[3.3.1]bicyclic Acetal/Ketal Core via Nitration of o-Carbonyl Allylbenzenes

Intramolecular annulation of o-carbonyl allylbenzenes was achieved to construct novel nitrated [6,6,6]tricycles having an acetal or ketal motif in good yields. The expeditious one-step nitration route provides 4 or 5 new bond formations, including 2 or 3 C-N bonds and 2 C-O bonds. The structural framework of benzobicycle [3.3.1] is confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. A plausible mechanism is proposed.