Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed three-component cascade synthesis of 6H-benzo[c]chromenes through C-H activation

Oxime Esters: Flexible Building Blocks for Heterocycle Formation

Oxime esters as the applicable building blocks, internal oxidizing agents, and directing groups in the synthesis of -, S-, and O-containing heterocycle scaffolds have gained great attention in the last decade. This review provides an overview of recent advances in the cyclization of oxime esters with various functional group reagents under transition metal and transition metal-free catalyzed conditions. Moreover, the mechanistic aspects of these protocols are explained in detail.

Palladium-Catalyzed C-H Functionalization of Aryl Acetamides and Benzoquinones: Synthesis of Substituted Aryl Quinones

An efficient synthesis of aryl-substituted quinones via Pd(II)-catalyzed C-H functionalization of less expensive and abundant benzoquinones with aryl acetamides is demonstrated. An auxiliary ligand N,N-bidentate-directing group 8-aminoquinoline plays a crucial role in the success of the reaction. A broad range of substituted phenyl acetamides including commercially available drug molecules were examined and also found to be highly compatible with quinones. The aryl-substituted quinones were also easily converted into aryl-substituted hydroquinone derivatives. A plausible reaction mechanism was proposed to account for the selective distal C-H bond functionalization.

Rh(iii)-catalyzed synthesis of dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-ones from aryl ketone O-acetyl oximes and quinones via C-H activation and C-C bond cleavage

A redox-neutral synthesis of dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-ones from aryl ketone O-acetyl oximes and quinones has been realized via Rh(iii)-catalyzed cascade C-H activation annulation. A possible Rh(iii)-Rh(v)-Rh(iii) mechanism involving an unprecedented β-C elimination step was proposed.

Visible light mediated synthesis of 6H-benzo[c]chromenes: transition-metal-free intramolecular direct C-H arylation

A synthetic approach towards the 6H-benzo[c]chromene ring under visible light and transition-metal-free conditions has been developed. Benzochromenes are synthesized from the corresponding (2-halobenzyl) phenyl ethers or (2-halophenyl) benzyl ethers using KO^tBu in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at room temperature (rt) and blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as the light source. This methodology replaces the use of ligands or additives, high temperatures and toxic solvents. The photostimulated reaction exhibits very good tolerance to different functional groups and 5H-dibenzo[c,f]chromenes are also effectively obtained. An electron donor-acceptor complex formed by the dimsyl anion and (2-halobenzyl) phenyl ethers was found and it induces the ET as the initial step in the photocyclization reaction. Furthermore, in order to explain the regiochemical outcome of this reaction, a theoretical analysis was performed using DFT methods.

The Different Facets of Metal-Catalyzed C-H Functionalization Involving Quinone Compounds

Metal-catalysed C-H functionalization has emerged as a powerful platform for the derivatization of quinones, a class of compounds with wide-ranging applications. This review organises and discusses the evolution of this chemistry from early Fujiwara-Moritani reactions, through to modern directing-group assisted C-H functionalization processes, including C-H functionalization reactions directed by the quinone ring itself. Mechanistic details of these reactions are provided to afford insight into how the unique reactivity of quinoidal compounds has been leveraged in each example.

Cascade Radical Annulation of 2-Alkynylthio(seleno)anisoles with Acetone or Acetonitrile: Synthesis of 3-Acetomethyl- or Cyanomethyl-Substituted Benzothio(seleno)phenes

An efficient method for the direct preparation of 3-aceto(cyano)methyl-substituted benzothio(seleno)phenes has been achieved through C(sp³)-H bond activation of easily available acetone or acetonitrile and cascade radical cyclization reaction. In this cascade radical cyclization reaction, C(sp²)-C(sp³) and C(sp²)-S bonds, as well as benzenethio(seleno)phene skeletons, can be built along with the cleavage of the C(sp³)-S bond, demonstrating the high step-economics and efficiency of this approach.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Successive C-H Bond Functionalizations To Synthesize Complex Indenols Bearing a Benzofuran Unit

An efficient rhodium-catalyzed redox-neutral annulations of N-phenoxyacetamides and ynones via successive double C-H bond activations has been developed. A series of novel and complex indenols bearing a benzofuran unit were generated with moderate to excellent regioselecetivities under mild conditions. Adding N-ethylcyclohexanamine (CyNHEt) could restrict the formation of the mono C-H bond activation byproduct, which is not the intermediate of the reaction demonstrated via the mechanistic investigations.