Assisted Tandem Catalytic Cross Metathesis–Oxidation: In One Flask from Styrenes to 1,2-Diketones and Further to Quinoxalines

Dual Oxidation of Epoxides with a High-Valent Cu(III)-CF3 Compound and DMSO to Access 1,2-Diketones

This study reports sequential dehydrogenation and transfer oxygenation of 1,2-diarylepoxides by high-valent phenCu(III)(CF3)3 and DMSO to produce 1,2-diketones. The Cu(III)-CF3 compound serves as a CF3 radical source to abstract the hydrogen atom of the epoxide ring. The resulting ether α-carbon radical undergoes ring-opening rearrangement to give a ketone α-carbon radical intermediate, which is oxygenated by DMSO with the release of Me2S. The combination of a Cu(III)-CF3 compound and DMSO may be exploited to develop other novel oxidation reactions.

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.

A Nonoxidative Sequence for the Preparation of 1,2-Diketone Derivatives Using Aldehyde and Organometallic Building Blocks

This study investigates a synthetic sequence for the preparation of 1,2-diketone products. The sequence avoids oxidative conditions and instead employs reliable transformations including the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons and addition of Grignard reagents to N-methyl-N-methoxy (Weinreb) amide intermediates. The reaction sequence is suitable for the synthesis of nonsymmetric aliphatic and aryl substituted derivatives.

I2-Catalyzed Carbonylation of α-Methylene Ketones to Synthesize 1,2-Diaryl Diketones and Antiviral Quinoxalines in One Pot

An efficient approach for the synthesis of 1,2-diaryl diketones was developed from readily available α-methylene ketones by catalysis of I2. In the same oxidation system, a novel one-pot procedure was established for the construction of antiviral and anticancer quinoxalines. The reactions proceeded well with a wide variety of substrates and good functional group tolerance, affording desired compounds in moderate to excellent yields. Quinoxalines 4ca and 4ad inhibited viral entry of SARS-CoV-2 spike pseudoviruses into HEK-293T-ACE2h host cells as dual blockers of both human ACE2 receptor and viral spike RBD with IC50 values of 19.70 and 21.28 μM, respectively. In addition, cytotoxic evaluation revealed that 4aa, 4ba, 4ia, and 4ab suppressed four cancer cells with IC50 values ranging from 6.25 to 28.55 μM.

Visible-Light-Induced Photocatalytic Oxidative Decarboxylation of Cinnamic Acids to 1,2-Diketones

A concerted metallophotoredox catalysis has been realized for the efficient decarboxylative functionalization of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids with aryl iodides in the presence of perylene bisimide dye to afford 1,2-diketones.

Aerobic Dehydrogenation of N-Heterocycles with Grubbs Catalyst: Its Application to Assisted-Tandem Catalysis to Construct N-Containing Fused Heteroarenes

An aerobic dehydrogenation of nitrogen-containing heterocycles catalyzed by Grubbs catalyst is developed. The reaction is applicable to various nitrogen-containing heterocycles. The exceptionally high functional group compatibility of this method was confirmed by the oxidation of an unprotected dihydroindolactam V to indolactam V. Furthermore, by taking advantage of the oxygen-mediated structural change of the Grubbs catalyst, we integrated ring-closing metathesis and subsequent aerobic dehydrogenation to develop the novel assisted-tandem catalysis using molecular oxygen as a chemical trigger. The utility of the assisted-tandem catalysis was demonstrated by the concise synthesis of N-containing fused heteroarenes including a natural antibiotic, pyocyanine.

Dual Activity of Grubbs-Type Catalyst in the Transvinylation of Carboxylic Acids and Ring-Closing Metathesis Reactions

The development of a multifunctional catalyst, which mimics the promiscuity of enzymes, that would catalyze more than one chemical transformation in a single reaction vessel is one of the key points of modern sustainable chemistry. The results of our experiments indicated that Grubbs-type catalysts possess such multitask activity, catalyzing the transvinylation reaction of carboxylic acids without losing their original metathetic activity. This new activity of Grubbs catalysts was evidenced on several examples. It allows us to design a transvinylation/ring-closing metathesis (RCM) cascade reaction leading to the formation of endocyclic enol lactones from unsaturated carboxylic acids in an one-pot procedure. This unique ability of Grubbs catalyst to catalyze multiple mechanically distinct cascade reactions in a chemoselective way offers the new possibility for the synthesis of complex compounds from simple, easily accessible substrates.

Novel synthesis of divergent aryl imidazoles from ketones involving copper-catalyzed α-amination and oxidative C–C bond cleavage

A one-pot synthesis, initiated by a copper salt with inorganic (NH₄)₂CO₃ as the nitrogen source, forms divergent aryl imidazole derivatives from ketones via α-amination and oxidative C–C bond cleavage reactions. The approach provides a simple and rapid synthesis of imidazole derivatives and has certain versatility.

A one-pot synthesis, initiated by a copper salt with (NH₄)₂CO₃ as the nitrogen source, forms divergent aryl imidazole derivatives from ketones via C–H activation, α-amination and oxidative C–C bond cleavage and condensation cascade reaction.

Iodine-Mediated Oxidative Rearrangement of α,β-Unsaturated Diaryl Ketones: A Facile Access to 1,2-Diaryl Diketones

A metal-free oxidative rearrangement was explored for the synthesis of 1,2-diaryl diketones by utilizing α,β-unsaturated diaryl ketones and I2/TBHP in good to high yields. The reaction proceeds via oxidative aryl migration, followed by C-C bond cleavage. A simple and high-yielding protocol was developed for the synthesis of a wide range of 1,2-diaryl diketones, which are the backbone for a variety of medicinally important molecules.

A consecutive process for C-C and C-N bond formation with high enantio-and diastereo-control: direct reductive amination of chiral ketones using hydrogenation catalysts

High diastereoselectivity was observed in the Rh-catalysed reductive amination of 3-arylcyclohexanones to form tertiary amines. This was incorporated into a one-pot enantioselective conjugate addition and diastereoselective reductive amination, including an example of assisted tandem catalysis.

Zirconium complexes supported by a ferrocene-based ligand as redox switches for hydroamination reactions

The synthesis of (thiolfan*)Zr(NEt2)2 (thiolfan* = 1,1'-bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-thiophenoxy)ferrocene) and its catalytic activity for intramolecular hydroamination are reported. In situ oxidation and reduction of the metal complex results in reactivity towards different substrates. The reduced form of (thiolfan*)Zr(NEt2)2 catalyzes hydroamination reactions of primary aminoalkenes, whereas the oxidized form catalyzes hydroamination reactions of secondary aminoalkenes.

NH2OH-HCl-Mediated Umpolung α-Methylsulfonylation of α-Sulfonyl Ketones with Methylsulfoxides: Synthesis of α,β-Bis-sulfonyl Arylketones

In this paper, a novel and efficient route for the synthesis of α,β-bis-sulfonyl arylketones via an NH₂OH-HCl-mediated intermolecular umpolung α-methylsulfonylation of α-sulfonyl ketones with methylsulfoxides is described. A plausible mechanism is proposed and discussed. Various reaction conditions for this efficient, one-pot, environmentally friendly transformation were investigated.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Double Hydroalkoxylation of Internal Alkynes

Intramolecular double hydroalkoxylation of internal alkynes could be achieved using a Grubbs-type ruthenium carbene complex or its modified species to deliver a series of bridged- and spiroacetal derivatives in moderate to good yields. This study represents a new example of nonmetathetic reactions catalyzed by Grubbs-type ruthenium carbene complexes.

Regioselective oxidative cross-coupling of benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles with styrenes: a novel route to C3-dicarbonylation

A novel I₂ promoted, highly efficient metal-free and peroxide-free greener domino protocol for the C3-dicarbonylation of benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles (IBTs) with styrenes has been developed via oxidative cleavage of the C(sp²)-H bond, followed by C3-nucleophilic attack of IBT and oxidation. Interestingly, under these conditions 2-(benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-2-yl)aniline gave the benzo[4',5']thiazolo[2',3':2,3]imidazo[4,5-c]quinoline derivative via oxidative cleavage of the C(sp²)-H bond, followed by Pictet-Spengler cyclization and aromatization. This method offers the advantages of broad substrate scope, ecofriendly feature and high atom economy apart from higher yields.

Synthesis of Thieno[3,2-b]indoles via Halogen Dance and Ligand-Controlled One-Pot Sequential Coupling Reaction

A two-pot synthesis of thieno[3,2-b]indole from 2,5-dibromothiophene is described. A halogen dance of 2,5-dibromothiophene was performed with LDA, and subsequent Negishi coupling was performed with 2-iodoaniline derivatives to provide the corresponding coupling products. The resulting two bromo groups have different reactivities, which were utilized for the one-pot Suzuki-Miyaura coupling/intramolecular Buchwald-Hartwig amination to produce thieno[3,2-b]indole via an assisted tandem catalysis that involved in situ ligand exchange.

Sequential Ruthenium Catalysis for Olefin Isomerization and Oxidation: Application to the Synthesis of Unusual Amino Acids

How can you use a ruthenium isomerization catalyst twice? A ruthenium-catalyzed sequence for the formal two-carbon scission of allyl groups to carboxylic acids has been developed. The reaction includes an initial isomerization step using commercially available ruthenium catalysts followed by in situ transformation of the complex to a metal-oxo species, which is capable of catalyzing subsequent oxidation reactions. The method enables enantioselective syntheses of challenging α-tri- and tetrasubstituted α-amino acids including an expedient total synthesis of the antiepileptic drug levetiracetam.

Copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative coupling of o-phenylenediamines with 2-aryl/heteroarylethylamines: direct access to construct quinoxalines

A versatile method for synthesis of quinoxalines by Cu-catalyzed oxidative coupling of o-phenylenediamines with 2-arylethylamines is presented.

Synthesis of Allylic Amide Functionalized 2H-Chromenes and Coumarins Using a One-Pot Overman Rearrangement and Gold(I)-Catalyzed Hydroarylation

A four-step synthesis of allylic trichloroacetimidates bearing a 2-proparyloxyaryl group has been developed from readily available 2-hydroxybenzaldehydes, and these have been used for the preparation of allylic amide derived 2H-chromenes using an Overman rearrangement and a 6-endo-dig hydroarylation. High yields of the 2H-chromenes were achieved using a stepwise approach involving an Overman rearrangement under thermal conditions followed by a hydroarylation reaction with a gold(I) triflimide catalyst. An alternative method where both reactions were performed as a one-pot process was also developed and instead used a gold(I) chloride catalyst activated by silver(I) hexafluoroantimonate for the cycloisomerization step. The allylic amide derived 2H-chromenes were converted to the corresponding coumarin analogues by a pyridinium dichromate (PDC)-mediated chemoselective allylic oxidation.

Tandem Olefin Metathesis/Oxidative Cyclization: Synthesis of Tetrahydrofuran Diols from Simple Olefins

A tandem olefin metathesis/oxidative cyclization has been developed to synthesize 2,5-disubstituted tetrahydrofuran (THF) diols in a stereocontrolled fashion from simple olefin precursors. The ruthenium metathesis catalyst is converted into an oxidation catalyst in the second step and is thus responsible for both catalytic steps. The stereochemistry of the 1,5-diene intermediate can be controlled through the choice of catalyst and the type of metathesis conducted. This olefin stereochemistry then controls the THF diol stereochemistry through a highly stereospecific oxidative cyclization.

Tandem Z-Selective Cross-Metathesis/Dihydroxylation: Synthesis of anti-1,2-Diols

A stereoselective synthesis of anti-1,2-diols has been developed using a multitasking Ru catalyst in an assisted tandem catalysis protocol. A cyclometalated Ru complex catalyzes first a Z-selective cross-metathesis of two terminal olefins, followed by a stereospecific dihydroxylation. Both steps are catalyzed by Ru, as the Ru complex is converted to a dihydroxylation catalyst upon addition of NaIO4. A variety of olefins were transformed into valuable, highly functionalized, and stereodefined molecules. Mechanistic experiments were performed to probe the nature of the oxidation step and catalyst inhibition pathways. These experiments point the way to more broadly applicable tandem catalytic transformations.

A sequential one-pot approach to 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted-2H-imidazole synthesis from disubstituted alkynes

A sequential one-pot method was developed to prepare 2H-imidazole scaffolds from internal alkynes and various ketones with good substrate scope and high yields.

Aminocatalytic cross-coupling approach via iminium ions to different C - C Bonds

Given the attractive ability of iminium ions to functionalize molecules directly at ostensibly unreactive positions, the reactivity of iminium ions, in which an α CH2 group is replaced by CO was explored. Background studies on the ability of such iminium cations to promote reactions via an iminium-catalyzed or iminium-equivalent pathway are apparently unavailable. Previously, tandem cross-coupling reactions were reported, in which an iminium ion undergoes nucleophilic 1,2-addition to give a putative three-component intermediate that abstracts a proton in situ and undergoes self-deamination followed by unprecedented DMSO/aerobic oxidation to generate α-ketoamides. However, later it was observed that iminium ions can generate valuable α-ketoamides through simple aerobic oxidation. In all reactions, iminium ions were generated in situ by reaction of 2-oxoaldehydes with secondary amines.

Direct regioselective oxidative cross-coupling of indoles with methyl ketones: a novel route to C3-dicarbonylation of indoles

The first C3-dicarbonylation of indoles was realized through direct oxidative cross-coupling of indoles with methyl ketones in the presence of molecular iodine and pyrrolidine. This reaction constructed a highly efficient indolyl diketones scaffold, which might be regarded as a useful biological and pharmacological tool in the exploration of therapeutic A2BAR modulators. The use of inexpensive molecular iodine and pyrrolidine and a broad substrate scope make this protocol very practical. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that two paths are involved in this process.