Synthesis of Multisubstituted 2,3-Allenamides via Palladium-Catalyzed Carbonylation of Propargylic Esters

2,3-Allenamides are an important class of unsaturated group-substituted carbonyl compounds. A palladium-catalyzed aminocarbonylation of propargyl acetates with amines for the synthesized tri-/tetrasubstituted 2,3-allenamides has been developed. A broad range of tri-/tetrasubstituted 2,3-allenamides have been prepared from propargyl acetates in good to excellent yields. The reaction featured mild reaction conditions and good functional group tolerance. The applicability of this methodology was further highlighted by the late-stage modification of several natural products and pharmaceuticals.

Synthesis of Functionalized Tetrasubstituted Allenes by the Addition of Bis(trimethylsilyl)ketene Acetals to Ynones Catalyzed by Gold(I)

We have developed a straightforward and rapid methodology for the synthesis of tetrasubstituted allenes bearing carboxylic acids in the 1,3-position through the gold(I)-catalyzed nucleophilic addition of bis(trimethylsilyl)ketene acetals to ynones. The reaction was evaluated with several substrates, and 21 allenes were obtained in moderate to good yields. Using DFT calculations, we studied the mechanism of the reaction, which suggested a nucleophilic 1,4-addition pathway. The potential of allenes to act as a source of highly functionalized lactones was also explored.

Nickel-Catalyzed Three-Component Tandem Radical Cyclization 1,5-Difunctionalization of 1,3-Enynes and Alkyl Bromide

A nickel-catalyzed three-component tandem radical cyclization reaction of aryl bromides with 1,3-enynes and aryl boric acids to construct γ-lactam-substituted allene derivatives has been described. This protocol provides lactam alkyl radicals through the free radical cyclization process, which can be effectively used to participate in the subsequent multicomponent coupling reaction so that 1,3-enynes could directly convert into corresponding poly-substituted allene compounds. In addition, this efficient method enjoys a broad substrate scope and provides a series of 1,5-difunctionalized allenes in a one-pot reaction.

Distinctive Mechanistic Scenarios and Substituent Effects of Gold(I) versus Copper(I) Catalysis for Hydroacylation of Terminal Alkynes with Glyoxal Derivatives

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been conducted to study the mechanisms, substituent effects, and the role of bases in Au- and Cu-catalyzed hydroacylation of terminal alkyne with glyoxal derivatives. The two reactions, despite being catalyzed by the same group of transition metals, follow distinctive reaction mechanisms. Through the detailed DFT calculations, insights into the mechanisms are obtained, and the substituent effects and the role of the bases are understood.

Synthesis of Pyrrolidin-5-one-2-carboxamides through Cyclization of N-Substituted-2-alleneamides

The synthesis of pyrrolidin-5-one-2-carboxamides 6a-p has been developed via a one-pot Ugi reaction of allenic acids, primary amines, isocyanides, and aldehydes followed by regioselective cyclization of the resultant N-substituted-2-allenamides with KOt-Bu at room temperature. The cyclization reaction was carried out through a 5-exo-dig approach, which resulted in good yields and high atom-economy under transition-metal-free and mild reaction conditions.

Palladium catalyzed regioselective elimination-hydrocarbonylation of propargylic alcohols

A straightforward approach to synthesizing substituted 1,3-alkadien-2-yl carboxylic acids starting from readily available propargylic alcohols was developed. Based on mechanistic studies, the reaction was found to proceed via regioselective hydrocarbonylation of the C-C triple bonds of the in situ formed 1,3-enyne intermediates, providing 1,3-alkadien-2-yl carboxylic acids with a very high selectivity.

A ruthenium(ii)-catalyzed C-H allenylation-based approach to allenoic acids

An efficient Ru-catalyzed approach to tetrasubstituted allenes from benzoic acids and propargylic acetates has been developed.

A Ru(ii)-catalyzed direct access to various functionalized allenoic acids via C–H allenylation of readily available aryl carboxylic acids with propargylic acetates is reported. Axially chiral allenoic acids could be obtained in high ee by using optically active propargylic acetates through a chirality transfer strategy.

More than a CO source: palladium-catalyzed carbonylative synthesis of butenolides from propargyl alcohols and TFBen

Palladium-catalyzed direct carbonylation of propargyl alcohols for the synthesis of butenolides has been achieved.