Novel One-Pot Method for Chemoselective Bromination and Sequential Sonogashira Coupling

Catalyst-Free Trans-Selective Oxyiodination and Oxychlorination of Alkynes Employing N-X (Halogen) Reagents

β-halogenated enol esters and ethers are versatile building blocks in organic synthesis, which has attracted increasing attention. In this study, we report the facile trans-oxyiodination and oxychlorination of alkynes, leading to the direct construction of versatile halogenated enol esters and ethers. This transformation features an easy operation, optimal atomic economy, a strong functional group tolerance, broad substrate scope, and excellent trans-selectivity. Employing highly electrophilic bifunctional N-X (halogen) reagents was the key to achieving broad reaction generality. To our knowledge, this transformation represents the first oxyhalogenation system employing N-X (halogen) reagents as both oxylation and halogenation sources.

One-Pot Synthesis of α-Alkyl Styrene Derivatives

There is a significant need to develop more rapid and efficient routes to styrene derivatives, since they are extensively used in polymer sciences. This manuscript reports a one-pot synthesis of an array of α-alkyl styrene derivatives from readily available natural products (i.e., estragole and safrole). This method is regioselective, producing a rearranged adduct, under transition metal-free conditions. This methodology has broad nucleophile scope, even tolerating sterically hindered nucleophiles; it is general for carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur nucleophiles.

Total Synthesis of 3-epi-Juruenolide C

In this study, the total synthesis of 3-epi-juruenolide C is achieved in 10 steps (longest linear sequence) starting from ethyl (2E,4S,5S)-4,5-dihydroxy-2-hexenoate. The synthetic highlights of our approach include one-pot regioselective bromination, intramolecular carbonylation using bis(triphenylphosphine)dicarbonylnickel, and face-selective hydrogenation using a homogeneous Wilkinson's catalyst.

Practical regio- and stereoselective azidation and amination of terminal alkenes

There is significant interest in developing more rapid and efficient production of nitrogen-containing allylic compounds, as widely used in various syntheses. This work reports a variety of allylic azides and allylic amines synthesized by an efficient, new one-pot protocol that employs readily available terminal alkenes as starting materials. This method is highly regio- and stereoselective, affording the linear (E)-isomer, under metal-free conditions. This process tolerates several functional groups including halogen-containing molecules; it is general for azides and amine nucleophiles; and, adducts were obtained in good yields.

Total synthesis of sesterterpenoids

Total syntheses of biologically and structurally fascinating sesterterpenoids published between Jan. 2012 and Jan. 2018 are summarized and discussed here.

An aggregation-induced emission enhancement fluorescent benzoxazine-derived macromolecule: catalyst-free synthesis and its preliminary application for the determination of aqueous picric acid

An aggregation-induced emission enhancement macromolecular benzoxazine derivative was synthesized by a catalyst-free Mannich reaction and showed a fluorescence quenching response towards nitro compounds.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Trisubstituted Vinyl Bromides by Addition of Alkynes to Oxocarbenium Ions

We have developed an efficient method for the synthesis of (E)-trisubstituted vinyl bromides via a Friedel-Crafts-type addition of alkynes to oxocarbenium ions formed in situ from acetals. The success of this reaction relies on identification of MgBr2·OEt2 as both a Lewis acid promoter and bromide source. This reaction employs simple, inexpensive starting materials and proceeds under mild conditions to allow the preparation of a range of vinyl bromide products in high yields and E:Z selectivities. Furthermore, the vinyl bromide products also contain an allylic ether functional group. Both the vinyl bromide and allylic ether are effective handles for the elaboration of these useful synthetic intermediates.

Selective oxygenation of alkynes: a direct approach to diketones and vinyl acetate

Convenient and expedient methods for the synthesis of α-diketones and β-haloenol acetates from arylalkynes using PhI(OAc)₂ as an oxidant are developed at room temperature.

Regioselective radical bromoallylation of allenes leading to 2-bromo-substituted 1,5-dienes

The regioselective radical bromoallylation of allenes proceeded efficiently in the presence of AIBN as a radical initiator to give 2-bromo-substituted 1,5-dienes in excellent yields. The addition of a bromine radical took place regioselectively onto the central carbon of allenes generating a stable allyl radical, which underwent addition/β-fragmentation reactions with allylbromides. The products could be further functionalized by Pd-catalyzed coupling reactions.