Palladium Catalyzed Ring-Opening of Diazabicylic Olefins with 4-Halo-1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds: Accessing 3(2H)-Furanone-Appended Cyclopentenes

We have realized a Pd-catalyzed ring-opening of diazabicyclic olefins with 4-halo-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds. This reaction resulted in the formation of 3(2H)-furanone-appended hydrazino cyclopentenes. The reaction proceeds via the formation of a π-allylpalladium intermediate which is attacked by the active methylene species, and an intramolecular nucleophilic substitution in the 4-halo-1,3-dicarbonyl moiety furnishes the 3(2H)-furanone-substituted cyclopentene. We could extend this methodology to cyclopropane-appended spirotricyclic olefin for synthesizing 3(2H)-furanone-substituted spiro[2.4]hept-5-ene.

Transition-metal-catalyzed domino reactions of strained bicyclic alkenes

This review presents a comprehensive overview of transition-metal-catalyzed domino reactions of strained bicyclic alkenes, including both homo- and heterobicyclic alkenes. These compounds are important synthons in organic synthesis, providing an important platform for the construction of biologically/medicinally significant compounds which bear multiple stereocenters. The review has been divided according to the metal used in the reaction. An overview of the substrate scope, reaction conditions, and their potential applications in organic synthesis is discussed. A comprehensive outlook on the reactivity paradigms of homo- and heterobicyclic alkenes is discussed and should shed light on future directions for further development in this field.

Recent Advances in Alkenyl sp2 C-H and C-F Bond Functionalizations: Scope, Mechanism, and Applications

Alkenes and their derivatives are featured widely in a variety of natural products, pharmaceuticals, and advanced materials. Significant efforts have been made toward the development of new and practical methods to access this important class of compounds by selectively activating the alkenyl C(sp²)-H bonds in recent years. In this comprehensive review, we describe the state-of-the-art strategies for the direct functionalization of alkenyl sp² C-H and C-F bonds until June 2022. Moreover, metal-free, photoredox, and electrochemical strategies are also covered. For clarity, this review has been divided into two parts; the first part focuses on currently available alkenyl sp² C-H functionalization methods using different alkene derivatives as the starting materials, and the second part describes the alkenyl sp² C-F bond functionalization using easily accessible gem-difluoroalkenes as the starting material. This review includes the scope, limitations, mechanistic studies, stereoselective control (using directing groups as well as metal-migration strategies), and their applications to complex molecule synthesis where appropriate. Overall, this comprehensive review aims to document the considerable advancements, current status, and emerging work by critically summarizing the contributions of researchers working in this fascinating area and is expected to stimulate novel, innovative, and broadly applicable strategies for alkenyl sp² C-H and C-F bond functionalizations in the coming years.

Construction of 2-pyridones via oxidative cyclization of enamides: access to Pechmann dye derivatives

An efficient protocol for the construction of structurally diverse 2-pyridone derivatives from imines and α,β-unsaturated acid chlorides in a single operation is reported. The target compounds, including coumarin-8-oxoprotoberbine analogues and lamellarin G isomers, were prepared via thermal cyclization of the in situ generated enamides followed by thermal dehydrogenation. The cyclization of enamides was achieved by the introduction of an electron-withdrawing group on the α-carbon of acid chlorides. This methodology allows quick access to polycyclic Pechmann dyes via rare double oxidative cyclizations of dienamides under mild conditions.

Recent advances in transition metal-catalyzed olefinic C–H functionalization

Recent advances during 2015–2020 in the field of metal-catalyzed olefinic C–H functionalization are organized according to the metal center of the catalyst, with an emphasis on the similarities and differences among different catalysts.

Recent advances in chelation-assisted site- and stereoselective alkenyl C–H functionalization

This review highlights recent advances in vicinal- and geminal-group-directed alkenyl C–H functionalizations which proceeded by endo- and exo-cyclometallation.

Selective Dehydrogenative Acylation of Enamides with Aldehydes Leading to Valuable β-Ketoenamides

We have presented a unique example of dehydrogenative acylation of enamides with aldehydes enabled by an earth-abundant iron catalyst. The protocol provides the straightforward access to valuable β-ketoenamides with ample substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance. Notably, distinct C-H acylation of enamide rather than at N-H moiety site occurs with absolute Z-selectivity was observed. Late-stage modifications of complex molecules and versatile synthetic utility of β-ketoenamides further highlight the practicability of this transformation.

Transition metal-catalyzed coupling of heterocyclic alkenes via C–H functionalization: recent trends and applications

Heterocyclic alkenes and their derivatives are an important class of reactive feedstock and valuable synthons. This review highlights the transition-metal-catalyzed coupling of heterocyclic alkenes via a C–H functionalization strategy.

Metal-mediated synthesis of pyrrolines

The five-membered, nitrogen-containing pyrroline ring is a privileged structure. This ring is present in many bioactive compounds from natural sources. Pyrrolines-the dihydro derivatives of pyrroles-have three structural isomer classes, depending on the location of the double bond: 1-pyrrolines (3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrroles), 2-pyrrolines (2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrroles) and 3-pyrrolines (2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrroles). This review aims to describe the latest advances for the synthesis of pyrrolines by transition metal-catalyzed cyclizations. Only reactions in which the pyrroline ring is formed by metal promotion are described. Transformations of the pyrroline ring in other heterocycles, and the structural manipulations of the pyrroline itself are not discussed. The review is organized into three parts, each covering the metal-mediated synthesis of the three pyrroline isomers. Each part is subdivided according to the metal involved, and concludes with a brief description of notable biological activities within the class.

An Enantioselective Cpx Rh(III)-Catalyzed C-H Functionalization/Ring-Opening Route to Chiral Cyclopentenylamines

A chiral Cp^x Rh^III catalyst system in situ generated from a Cp^x Rh^I (cod) precatalyst and bis(o-toluoyl) peroxide as activating oxidant was developed for a C-H activation/ring-opening sequence between aryl ketoxime ethers and 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-enes. This transformation provides access to densely functionalized chiral cyclopentenylamines in excellent yields and enantioselectivities of up to 97:3 er. The reported method is also well suitable for asymmetric alkenyl C-H functionalizations of α,β-unsaturated oxime ethers, furnishing skipped dienes with high levels of enantiocontrol.

Accessing highly functionalized cyclopentanoids via a cascade palladation approach: unprecedented benzylic C-H activation towards cyclopentenoindanes

A Pd-catalyzed synthesis of 3,4,5-trisubstituted cyclopentenes from diazabicyclic olefins and o-iodobenzoates has been developed. The hitherto unknown cascade process involves three stages: carbopalladation, oxypalladation and a Tsuji-Trost reaction. We have also developed a facile route involving a novel benzylic C-H activation towards cyclopentenoindane moieties.

A diversity-oriented synthesis of cyclopenta[b]pyrroles and related compounds through a calcium(ii)/copper(ii) catalytic sequence

A sequential bicatalytic route relying on calcium(ii) and copper(ii) salts is described to provide access to original nitrogen-containing heterocycles.