Pd-Catalyzed cross-coupling synthesis of 4-aryl-3-formylcoumarins

The threefold cross-coupling of triarylbismuth reagents with 4-chloro-3-formylcoumarins furnished the corresponding 4-aryl-3-formylcoumarins in a chemoselective manner with high yields under Pd-catalyzed conditions. This method was successfully applied to electronically different triarylbismuth reagents and 4-chloro-3-formylcoumarins preserving the 3-formyl group in the coumarin scaffold.

Copper-catalyzed synthesis of 1-(2-benzofuryl)-N-heteroarenes from o-hydroxy-gem-(dibromovinyl)benzenes and N-heteroarenes

An efficient method for the synthesis of 1-(2-benzofuryl)-N-heteroarenes is developed from o-hydroxy-gem-(dibromovinyl)benzenes and N-heteroarenes under copper-catalyzed tandem reaction conditions. This methodology displayed a broad substrate scope and high yields in the preparation of a variety of 1-(2-benzofuryl)-N-heteroarenes. Further, 1-(2-benzofuryl)-N-heteroarenes were also applied in the synthesis of polycyclic benzofuro-indolo-pyridine scaffolds under palladium-catalyzed dehydrogenative coupling conditions. Overall, the present tandem approach is general, synthetically advantageous and avoids air-sensitive reagents.

Copper-catalyzed domino synthesis of ynamines

The hitherto unexplored N-alkynylation of electron-withdrawing or protecting group free N-heteroarenes such as indole, carbazole and pyrrole was developed using gem-dibromoalkenes to synthesize ynamines under ligand-free copper-catalyzed domino conditions. The development methodology of ynamines was also applied in the synthesis of enynamines, multi-coupled bis-ynamines, tris-ynamines, and the natural product peyonine, demonstrating its broad synthetic scope and applications.

De Novo Synthesis of Tricyclic 5,5-Benzannulated Spiroketals

The synthesis of tricyclic 5,5-benzannulated spiroketal scaffolds was accomplished from 2'-hydroxyacetophenones and gem-dibromoalkenes involving a one-pot domino strategy. The hitherto unknown transformation afforded the tricyclic 5,5-benzannulated spiroketals as single diastereomers in high yields with a broad substrate scope.

Rh-Catalyzed aldehydic C–H alkynylation and annulation

Novel Rh-catalyzed aldehydic C–H bond alkynylation and annulation for the in situ synthesis of chromones and aurones are described.

Chemo- and regioselective synthesis of polysubstituted 2-aminothiophenes by the cyclization of gem-dibromo or gem-dichloroalkenes with β-keto tertiary thioamides

A facile and practical method for the synthesis of 2,3,4-trisubstituted 2-aminothiophenes by the cyclization of gem-dibromoalkenes or gem-dichloroalkenes with β-keto tertiary thioamides has been developed. The cyclization reaction proceeded chemoselectively and regioselectively under metal-catalyst-free conditions, providing various structurally diverse 2,3,4-trisubstituted N,N'-dialkyl 2-aminothiophenes in good to excellent yields.

Synthesis of Diversely Functionalized 2 H-Chromenes through Pd-Catalyzed Cascade Reactions of 1,1-Dibromoolefin Derivatives with Arylboronic Acids

In this work, an unprecedented synthesis of (2 H-chromen-2-ylidene)acetates and (2 H-chromen-2-ylidene)ethanones with controlled stereoselectivity via Pd-catalyzed cascade reactions of 3-(2-(2,2-dibromovinyl)phenoxy)acrylates or 3-(2-(2,2-dibromovinyl)phenoxy)enones with aryl boronic acids has been established. This protocol combines two C-C bond forming reactions (an intermolecular Suzuki coupling followed by an intramolecular Heck coupling) in one pot under the catalysis of the same catalyst. Compared with literature methods for the preparation of 2 H-chromene derivatives, it has advantages such as easily obtainable or commercially available substrates, diverse substitution pattern of products, simple procedure, and excellent stereoselectivity. Interestingly, this cascade reaction could distinguish the subtle difference of the electron-withdrawing capacity and the size of various functional groups and thus resulted in a different chemoselectivity. In addition, the utility of the (2 H-chromen-2-ylidene)acetate thus obtained was showcased by its facile transformation into the synthetically and photophysically significant 3 H-xanthen-3-one derivative.

Cross-coupling reactivity of 1,1-dichloroalkenes under palladium catalysis: domino synthesis of diarylalkynes

An efficient synthesis of diarylalkynes was achieved from the domino cross-coupling reaction of 1,1-dichloroalkenes with triarylbismuth reagents under palladium-catalyzed conditions.