Titanocene(III) Chloride Mediated Radical-Induced Addition to Baylis−Hillman Adducts: Synthesis of (E)- and (Z)-Trisubstituted Alkenes and α-Methylene/Arylidene δ-Lactones

Regio- and Stereoselective Electrochemical Alkylation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman Adducts

Electrosynthesis is effectively employed in a general regio- and stereoselective alkylation of Morita–Baylis–Hillman compounds. The exposition of N-acyloxyphthalimides (redox-active esters) to galvanostatic electroreductive conditions, following the sacrificial-anode strategy, is proved an efficient and practical method to access densely functionalized cinnamate and oxindole derivatives. High yields (up to 80%) and wide functional group tolerance characterized the methodology. A tentative mechanistic sketch is proposed based on dedicated control experiments.

Highly (E)-Selective Trisubstituted Alkene Synthesis by Low-Valent Titanium-Mediated Homolytic Cleavage of Alcohol C-O Bond

Ti-mediated homolytic C-O bond cleavage was useful for cascade radical-ionic reactions. Benzyl alcohols treated with TiCl₄(col) (col = 2,4,6-collidine) and Mn powder generated the corresponding benzyl radicals; in addition, their reaction with 2-carboxyallyl acetates and the subsequent elimination of the acetoxy group yielded α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds with exclusive (E)-stereoselectivity. The simplicity of the procedure and its wide substrate scope represent a solution to the drawbacks associated with the reactions.

Enantioselective Radical SN2-Type Alkylation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman Adducts Using Dual Photoredox/Palladium Catalysis

An enantioselective radical alkylation of 4-alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines with Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) adducts has been reported. The S_N2-type products are predominant. This reaction is enabled by dual photoredox/palladium catalysis. The alkylation products are provided in good yields with good regio- and enantioselectivity. The use of Ding's spiroketal-based bis(phosphine) (SKP) ligand is crucial to achieving satisfactory regio- and enantioselectivity. The resultant α,β-unsaturated ester can be easily reduced to a synthetically useful chiral allyl alcohol.

Strong Lewis acid air-stable cationic titanocene perfluoroalkyl(aryl)sulfonate complexes as highly efficient and recyclable catalysts for C-C bond forming reactions

A series of strong Lewis acid air-stable titanocene perfluoroalkyl(aryl)sulfonate complexes Cp2Ti(OH2)2(OSO2X)2·THF (X = C8F17, 1·THF; X = C4F9, 2·H2O·THF; X = C6F5, 3) were successfully synthesized by the treatment of Cp2TiCl2 with C8F17SO3Ag, C4F9SO3Ag and C6F5SO3Ag, respectively. In contrast to well-known titanocene bis(triflate), these complexes showed no change in open air over three months. TG-DSC analysis showed that 1·THF, 2·H2O·THF and 3 were thermally stable at 230 °C, 220 °C and 280 °C, respectively. Conductivity measurements showed that these complexes underwent ionic dissociation in CH3CN solution. X-ray analysis results confirmed that 2·H2O·THF and 3 were cationic. ESR spectra showed that the Lewis acidity of 1·THF (1.06 eV) was higher than that of Sc(3+) (1.00 eV) and Y(3+) (0.85 eV). UV/Vis spectra showed a significant red shift due to the strong complex formation between 10-methylacridone and 2·H2O·THF. Fluorescence spectra showed that the Lewis acidity of 2 (λ(em) = 477 nm) was higher than that of Sc(3+) (λ(em) = 474 nm). These complexes showed high catalytic ability in various carbon-carbon bond forming reactions. Moreover, they show good reusability. Compared with 1·THF, 2·H2O·THF and 3 exhibit higher solubility and better catalytic activity, and will find broad applications in organic synthesis.

Alkenenitrile Transmissive Olefination: Synthesis of the Putative Lignan "Morinol I"

Grignard reagents trigger an addition-elimination with α'-hydroxy acrylonitriles to selectively generate Z-alkenenitriles. The modular assembly of Z-alkenenitriles from a Grignard reagent, acrylonitrile, and an aldehyde is ideal for stereoselectively synthesizing alkenes as illustrated in the synthesis of the putative lignan "morinol I."