Nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of epoxides with aryltriflates: rapid and regioselective construction of aryl ketones

Aryl ketones are one of the most important classes of organic compounds, and widely present in various pharmacological compounds, biologically active molecules and functional materials. Presented herein is a facile synthetic method for the construction of ketones via Ni-catalyzed cross coupling of epoxides with aryltriflates. A range of easily accessible epoxides can be highly regioselectively converted to the corresponding aryl ketones with good yields in a redox neutral fashion.

Regioselective synthesis of indenones via nickel-catalyzed Larock annulations

A highly effective approach for the synthesis of indenones via nickel-catalyzed Larock annulations of substituted 2-formylphenyl trifluoromethanesulfonate with alkynes has been developed.

Copper-Catalyzed Hydroalumination of Allenes with Diisobutylaluminum Hydride: Synthesis of Allylic Ketones with α-Quaternary Centers via Tandem Allylation/Oppenauer Oxidation

An efficient and straightforward approach to allylaluminum reagent synthesis through Cu-catalyzed hydroalumination of readily accessible allenes with diisobutylaluminum hydride is described. The N-heterocyclic carbene-based copper complex promotes hydride addition to various functionalized allenes under mild reaction conditions. The catalytic reaction is applied to a highly selective one-pot synthesis of allylic ketones with α-tertiary and α-quaternary centers through tandem nucleophilic addition of in situ-generated allylaluminums to aldehydes/Oppenauer oxidation.

Palladium-Catalyzed Formylation of Arylzinc Reagents with S-Phenyl Thioformate

The first example of palladium-catalyzed direct formylation of arylzinc reagents using S-phenyl thioformate is reported. The reaction proceeded under mild conditions, allowing high functional group tolerance. In addition, the developed formylation method was used to prepare deuterated and ¹³C-labeled aryl aldehydes from isotope-labeled S-phenyl thioformates. Moreover, this procedure was applied to an alkenylzinc halide, affording the corresponding enal.

Magnesium salt promoted tandem nucleophilic addition-Oppenauer oxidation of aldehydes with organozinc reagents

A magnesium salt promoted synthesis of ketones via tandem nucleophilic addition-Oppenauer oxidation of aldehydes using organozinc chemistry was demonstrated. Magnesium salts concomitantly generated via magnesium metal mediated organohalide zincation exhibit high efficacy for nucleophilic addition of organozinc reagents to aromatic aldehydes and thereafter Oppenauer oxidation whereby ketones are formed in high to excellent yields.