Ru(0)-catalysed synthesis of borylated polyene building blocks by cross-dimerisation toward cross-coupling

Conjugated and non-conjugated polyenes are important substructures and are often found in biologically active compounds and natural products. Their preparation often needs multiple steps or iterative reactions and as a result, they have poor step economies. In this feature article, we show a new methodology to prepare these substructures by combinations of cross-dimerisation giving borylated polyenes and subsequent cross-coupling reactions. This divergent reaction strategy allows for the opportunity to access many bioactive compounds and natural products as well as some electronic materials.

Transition-metal-catalyzed C-H bond alkylation using olefins: recent advances and mechanistic aspects

Transition metal catalysis has contributed immensely to C-C bond formation reactions over the last few decades, and alkylation is no exception. The superiority of such methodologies over traditional alkylation is evident from minimal reaction steps, shorter reaction times, and atom economy while also allowing control over regio- and stereo-selectivity. In particular, hydrocarbonation of alkenes has grabbed increased attention due its fundamental ability to effectively and selectively synthesise a wide range of industrially and pharmaceutically relevant moieties. This review attempts to provide a scientific viewpoint and a systematic analysis of the recent developments in transition-metal-catalyzed alkylation of various C-H bonds using simple and activated olefins. The key features and mechanistic studies involved in these transformations are described briefly.