Ambient Synthesis of Dienals via Triazole–Gold and Amine Catalysis Relay

Sequential hydrozirconation/Pd-catalyzed cross coupling of acyl chlorides towards conjugated (2E,4E)-dienones

Dienones are challenging building blocks in natural product synthesis due to their high reactivity and complex synthesis. Based on previous work and own initial results, a new stereospecific sequential hydrozirconation/Pd-catalyzed acylation of enynes with acyl chlorides towards conjugated (2E,4E)-dienones is reported. We investigated a number of substrates with different alkyl and aryl substituents in the one-pot reaction and showed that regardless of the substitution pattern, the reactions lead to the stereoselective formation (≥95% (2E,4E)) of the respective dienones under mild conditions. It was found that enynes with alkyl chains gave higher yields than the corresponding aryl-substituted analogues, whereas the variation of the acyl chlorides did not affect the reaction significantly. The synthetic application is demonstrated by formation of non-natural and natural dienone-containing terpenes such as β-ionone which was available in 4 steps and 6% overall yield.

Facile synthesis of diverse hetero polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) via the styryl Diels–Alder reaction of conjugated diynes

The intramolecular styryl Diels–Alder reaction with conjugated diynes under thermally stable triazole-gold (TA–Au) catalytic conditions and the sequential transformation through alkyne activation to access various PAHs with high efficiency was reported for the first time.

Synthesis of vinyl-1,2,3-triazole derivatives under transition metal-free conditions

Synthesis of vinyl triazole derivatives with alkynes and triazoles promoted by an inorganic base under transition metal-free conditions is reported.

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.

Palladium-catalysed atom-economical synthesis of conjugated dienals from terminal acetylenes and acrolein

Conjugated (E,E)-dienals are versatile synthetic intermediates owing to their trifunctional, electrophilic nature and the prevalence of the (E,E)-diene in a wide range of functional molecules. It is shown herein that (E,E)-dienals can be readily prepared in two palladium-catalysed steps from simple, unactivated starting materials; terminal acetylenes and acrolein can be coupled via conjugate addition, followed by alkyne isomerisation. This procedure provides a highly atom-economical, redox-neutral and practical method to prepare a range of conjugated (E,E)-dienals in good yields and diastereoselectivities.

N1-Selective alkenylation of 1-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles with alkynes via gold catalysis

A N¹-selective alkenylation of 1-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles with alkynes via gold catalysis is reported. N¹-Vinyl substituted 1,2,3-triazoles were selectively prepared in up to 92% yield through the sulfonyl group of 1,2,3-triazole derivatives transformed to alkenyl groups in a "one-pot two steps" manner. This method provided a new method for the synthesis of potentially biological-active vinyl-triazole building blocks.

Anchoring Triazole-Gold(I) Complex into Porous Organic Polymer To Boost the Stability and Reactivity of Gold(I) Catalyst

Stability and reactivity have been recognized as some critical issues for gold(I) catalysts. Such issues can be well-circumvented by anchoring the gold(I) complex onto the backbones of porous organic polymer (POP) followed by coordination with a triazole ligand as illustrated in the present work via a series of gold(I)-catalyzed reactions. In this strategy, 1,2,3-triazole was used as the special "X-factor" to avoid the formation of solid AgCl involved in typical gold-activation processes. The catalyst could be readily recycled without loss of reactivity. Moreover, compared with the PPh₃-modified polystyrene beads, the POP support was advantageous by providing high surface area, hierarchical porosity, and better stabilization of cations. In some cases, significantly improved reactivity was observed, even more so than using the homogeneous system, which further highlighted the great potential of this heterogeneous gold catalyst.

N-2-Selective gold-catalyzed alkylation of 1-sulfonyl-1,2,3-trizoles

An efficient new method was developed to synthesis N-2-alkyl-1,2,3-trizoles via gold catalyzed alkylation of 1-sulfonyl-1,2,3-trizoles with vinyl ethers.

Zinc-Catalyzed Synthesis of Conjugated Dienoates through Unusual Cross-Couplings of Zinc Carbenes with Diazo Compounds

Zinc-catalyzed selective cross-coupling of two carbene sources, such as vinyl diazo compounds and enynones, enabled the synthesis of conjugated dienoate derivatives. This reaction involved the unprecedented coupling of a zinc furyl carbene with vinyl diazo compounds through the γ-carbon. Alternatively, dienoates were also prepared by a commutative cross-coupling of zinc vinyl carbenes generated from cyclopropenes and simple diazo compounds.

Synthesis of Allenes through Triazole Gold(III) Catalysed Rearrangement of Propargyl Vinyl Ethers

An efficient and simple method to the synthesis of allene derivatives was developed through pyridyltriazole gold(III) catalysed rearrangement of propargyl vinyl ethers with moderate to good yields. It was found that the pyridyltriazole gold(III) complex is a good chemoselective catalyst in selective activation of alkynes and allenes. Compared to gold(I) catalysts, the pyridyltriazole gold(III) shows much better substrate tolerance and much higher air and moisture stability.

Gold/gallium-catalyzed annulation of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and cyclopropylacetylenes for synthesis of substituted cyclopentenes

An efficient synthesis of substituted cyclopentenes through gold/gallium-catalyzed annulation of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and cyclopropylacetylenes is achieved.

Triazole-gold promoted intermolecular propargyl alcohol addition to alkyne: the reaction cascade toward substituted allenes

Gold-catalyzed intermolecular propargyl alcohol addition to alkyne was achieved. The reaction of propargyl alcohol with a typical gold catalyst gave the hydration product almost exclusively. The triazole gold catalyst (TA-Au) successfully prevented the hydration, giving the vinyl ether followed by a 3,3-rearrangement. Synthetically useful substituted allenes were formed with high efficiency, substrate tolerability and chemoselectivity. Also, more than 95% chirality transfer from propargyl alcohol to allene was obtained.