Stereoselective Halo-Succinimide Facilitated α-Halogenations of Substituted α-Trialkylsilyl-β-Substituted-α,β-Unsaturated Esters

The NXS (X = Cl, Br)-mediated halogenation of a series of (E)-α-trimethylsilyl-β-alkyl(aryl)-α,β-unsaturated esters in dimethylformamide (DMF) has furnished (Z)-β-substituted-α-halogenated-α,β-unsaturated ester products in moderate to high isolated yields (58-90%) with dr values of >20:1 coupled with the inversion of olefin stereochemistry. The reaction process was hypothesized to include an initial halonium cation intermediate, followed by regioselective ring opening with DMF. Subsequent anti-E2-type concomitant elimination allowed for the stereoselective formation of the product vinylic bromo-and chloroesters.

Formation of monomeric Sn(ii) and Sn(iv) perfluoropinacolate complexes and their characterization by 119Sn Mössbauer and 119Sn NMR spectroscopies

The synthesis and characterization of a series of Sn(ii) and Sn(iv) complexes supported by the highly electron-withdrawing dianionic perfluoropinacolate (pin^F) ligand are reported herein. Three analogs of [Sn^IV(pin^F)₃]^2- with NEt₃H⁺ (1), K⁺ (2), and {K(18C6)}⁺ (3) counter cations and two analogs of [Sn^II(pin^F)₂]^2- with K⁺ (4) and {K(15C5)₂}⁺ (5) counter cations were prepared and characterized by standard analytical methods, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer and NMR spectroscopies. The six-coordinate Sn^IV(pin^F) complexes display ¹¹⁹Sn NMR resonances and ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectra similar to SnO₂ (cassiterite). In contrast, the four-coordinate Sn^II(pin^F) complexes, featuring a stereochemically-active lone pair, possess low ¹¹⁹Sn NMR chemical shifts and relatively high quadrupolar splitting. Furthermore, the Sn(ii) complexes are unreactive towards both Lewis bases (pyridine, NEt₃) and acids (BX₃, Et₃NH⁺). Calculations confirm that the Sn(ii) lone pair is localized within the 5s orbital and reveal that the Sn 5p_x LUMO is energetically inaccessible, which effectively abates reactivity.

Copper-catalyzed enantioselective Mukaiyama aldol reaction of silyl enol ethers with isatins

A highly enantioselective Mukaiyama aldol reaction of silyl enol ethers with isatins catalyzed by chiral copper complexes was developed. A series of chiral 3-substituted 3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles bearing a tetra-substituted center could be obtained exclusively with high yields (up to 95%) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99%). In particular, water was essential to improve the diastereoselectivity.

Homogeneous Sc(OTf)3-Catalyzed Direct Allylation Reactions of General Alcohols with Allylsilanes

Homogeneous Sc(OTf)₃ used in nitromethane showed excellent catalytic activity for the direct allylation reactions of general alcohols including benzylic, propargylic, allylic, and some aliphatic alcohols with allyltrimethylsilane under mild and neutral reaction conditions. Metal-free β-silyl-substituted carbocations are intermediates generated by the highly oxophilic Sc(OTf)₃-assisted rapid removal of a hydroxyl group in alcohols, which is supported by the result that allylation of (R)-1-(naphthalen-2-yl)ethan-1-ol with allytrimethylsilanes using the Sc(OTf)₃ catalyst combined with (R)- or (S)-[1,1'-binaphthalene]-2,2'-diol ligands gave only racemic 2-(pent-4-en-2-yl)naphthalene in quantitative yield. The present study resolves the argument about the uncertain catalytic activity of Sc(OTf)₃.

Catalytic enantioselective aldol reactions

Recent developments in catalytic asymmetric aldol reactions have been summarized.

Heterobimetallic dinuclear lanthanide alkoxide complexes as acid–base bifunctional catalysts for synthesis of carbamates under solvent-free conditions

Heterobimetallic dinuclear lanthanide alkoxide complexes Ln₂Na₈(OCH₂CH₂NMe₂)₁₂(OH)₂ [Ln: I (Nd), II (Sm), III (Yb) and IV (Y)] were used as efficient acid–base bifunctional catalysts for the synthesis of carbamates and the N-Boc protection of amines.