Rapid Access to Multisubstituted Acrylamides from Cyclic Ketones via Palladium/Norbornene Cooperative Catalysis

A strategy to access diverse multisubstituted acrylamides from cyclic ketones is realized via palladium/norbornene-catalyzed α-carbamoylation and ipso-functionalization of the corresponding enol triflates. The development of bulky C2 secondary amide-substituted norbornene cocatalysts is the key to achieve the desired reactivity and selectivity. Readily available carbamoyl chlorides serve as effective electrophiles; various moieties including alkenyl, hydrogen, alkynyl, aryl, and alkyl groups can be installed at the ipso position. In addition, tandem α-carbamoylation/ipso-annulations are demonstrated to furnish lactam-containing polycyclic scaffolds. The utility of this method is exemplified in the streamlined preparation of a platelet-activating factor (PAF)-antagonist.

Rh(iii)-Catalyzed switchable C–H monoalkenylation and dialkenylation of 2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine with alkenes via rollover cyclometalation

We have demonstrated Rh(iii)-catalyzed switchable C–H monoalkenylation and dialkenylation of 2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine with alkenes via rollover cyclometalation.

A Catellani and retro-Diels–Alder strategy to access 1-amino phenanthrenes via ortho- and interannular C–H activation of 2-iodobiphenyls

A palladium-catalyzed three-component domino reaction for the construction of 1-amino phenanthrene derivatives by ortho- and interannular C–H activation of 2-iodobiphenyls has been developed.

Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of spirooxindoles and [3,4]-fused oxindoles from alkene-tethered carbamoyl chlorides

We disclosed an efficient Pd-catalyzed domino reaction for the synthesis of spirooxindoles and [3,4]-fused oxindoles from alkene-tethered carbamoyl chlorides.