Breaking Conjugation: Unusual Regioselectivity with 2-Substituted Allylic Substrates in the Tsuji-Trost Reaction

Vinylogous Elimination/C-H Functionalization/Allylation Cascade Reaction of Allenoate Adducts: Synthesis of Ring-Fused Dihydropyridinones

A palladium-catalyzed cascade reaction of β'-allenoate adducts with aryl/heteroaryl carboxamides through a vinylogous elimination/C-H functionalization/intramolecular allylation reaction sequence has been developed with high Z stereoselectivity. Various ring-fused dihydropyridinones bearing an α,β-unsaturated ester substituent are obtained. It is the first example of application of the allenoate adducts to C-H functionalization annulations as practical precursors of hard-to-get functionalized electron-deficient 1,3-butadienes. Using air as the terminal oxidant also shows a great advantage in environmental friendliness.

Palladium triggered diene formation from nitro allylic compounds: a versatile entry into naphthalene derivatives

Dienes from Tsuji–Trost elimination of nitrite: a powerful access to functionalized naphthalenes.

Chemo- and regioselective reductive transposition of allylic alcohol derivatives via iridium or rhodium catalysis

We report highly chemo- and regioselective reductive transpositions of methyl carbonates to furnish olefin products with complementary regioselectivity to that of established Pd-catalysis.

Palladium-catalyzed chemoselective allylic substitution, Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling, and allene formation of bifunctional 2-B(pin)-substituted allylic acetate derivatives

A formidable challenge at the forefront of organic synthesis is the control of chemoselectivity to enable the selective formation of diverse structural motifs from a readily available substrate class. Presented herein is a detailed study of chemoselectivity with palladium-based phosphane catalysts and readily available 2-B(pin)-substituted allylic acetates, benzoates, and carbonates. Depending on the choice of reagents, catalysts, and reaction conditions, 2-B(pin)-substituted allylic acetates and derivatives can be steered into one of three reaction manifolds: allylic substitution, Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling, or elimination to form allenes, all with excellent chemoselectivity. Studies on the chemoselectivity of Pd catalysts in their reactivity with boron-bearing allylic acetate derivatives led to the development of diverse and practical reactions with potential utility in synthetic organic chemistry.

Synergy between experimental and theoretical methods in the exploration of homogeneous transition metal catalysis

In this Perspective, we will focus on the use of both experimental and theoretical methods in the exploration of reaction mechanisms in homogeneous transition metal catalysis. The current state-of-the-art is highlighted using examples from the literature with particular focus on the synergy between experiment and theory.