Highly enantioselective alkynylation of aldehydes catalyzed by a new oxazolidine-titanium complex

Research on promoting the asymmetric reaction of phenylacetylene with aldehydes by chloramphenicol base ligands

A series of chiral ligands were synthesized using chloramphenicol base as starting materials. These ligands were applied to the asymmetric catalytic reactions of terminal alkynes with aldehydes to obtain a propargyl alcohol product in high yield (80-94%) with excellent enantioselectivities (82-96%).

Base-promoted direct and highly selective alkynylation of electron-deficient octafluorotoluene

Experimental and theoretical studies are reported on the base-promoted direct alkynylation of octafluorotoluene via highly selective C–F bond cleavage.

Development of Zn-ProPhenol-catalyzed asymmetric alkyne addition: synthesis of chiral propargylic alcohols

The development of a general and practical zinc-catalyzed enantioselective alkyne addition methodology is reported. The commercially available ProPhenol ligand (1) has facilitated the addition of a wide range of zinc alkynylides to aryl, aliphatic, and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes in high yield and enantioselectivity. New insights into the mechanism of this reaction have resulted in a significant reduction in reagent stoichiometry, enabling the use of precious alkynes and avoiding the use of excess dimethylzinc. The enantioenriched propargylic alcohols from this reaction serve as versatile synthetic intermediates and have enabled efficient syntheses of several complex natural products.

Continuous-flow hydration-condensation reaction: Synthesis of α,β-unsaturated ketones from alkynes and aldehydes by using a heterogeneous solid acid catalyst

A simple, practical and efficient continuous-flow hydration-condensation protocol was developed for the synthesis of α,β-unsaturated ketones starting from alkynes and aldehydes by employing a heterogeneous catalyst in a flow microwave. The procedure presents a straightforward and convenient access to valuable differently substituted chalcones and can be applied on multigram scale.

Tandem ruthenium-catalyzed redox isomerization--O-conjugate addition: an atom-economic synthesis of cyclic ethers

An atom-economical method for the convenient synthesis of tetrahydropyrans and tetrahydrofurans is reported. Enones and enals derived from the [IndRu(PPh(3))(2)Cl]-catalyzed redox isomerization of primary and secondary propargyl alcohols undergo a subsequent intramolecular conjugate addition to provide cyclic ethers in excellent yields.

The Enantioselective Addition of Alkyne Nucleophiles to Carbonyl Groups

Over the past decade, large strides have been achieved in the invention of methods for the direct enantioselective addition of alkynes and metal alkynylide nucleophiles into prochiral aldehydes, ketones, and imines. This review highlights and compares the available methods for these transformations.