A PEGylated N-heterocyclic carbene-gold(i) complex: an efficient catalyst for cyclization reaction in water

A recyclable, PEGylated N-heterocyclic carbene(NHC)–gold(i) catalyst was synthesized, which exhibited high reactivity and regio-selectivity in the cyclization of alkynoic acids and cascade reaction of tryptamine and alkynoic acids in water.

An efficient Pd-NHC catalyst system in situ generated from Na2PdCl4 and PEG-functionalized imidazolium salts for Mizoroki-Heck reactions in water

Three PEG-functionalized imidazolium salts L1–L3 were designed and prepared from commercially available materials via a simple method. Their corresponding water soluble Pd–NHC catalysts, in situ generated from the imidazolium salts L1–L3 and Na₂PdCl₄ in water, showed impressive catalytic activity for aqueous Mizoroki–Heck reactions. The kinetic study revealed that the Pd catalyst derived from the imidazolium salt L1, bearing a pyridine-2-methyl substituent at the N3 atom of the imidazole ring, showed the best catalytic activity. Under the optimal conditions, a wide range of substituted alkenes were achieved in good to excellent yields from various aryl bromides and alkenes with the catalyst TON of up to 10,000.

Diboron(4) Compounds: From Structural Curiosity to Synthetic Workhorse

Although known for over 90 years, only in the past two decades has the chemistry of diboron(4) compounds been extensively explored. Many interesting structural features and reaction patterns have emerged, and more importantly, these compounds now feature prominently in both metal-catalyzed and metal-free methodologies for the formation of B-C bonds and other processes.