Regioselective benzoyloxylative dearomatization of naphthols by benzoyl peroxide under catalyst-free conditions

A direct regioselective benzoyloxylative dearomatization of both α- and β-naphthols by benzoyl peroxide under an air atmosphere, and radical inhibitor- and catalyst-free conditions at room temperature is described. The methodology provides a new efficient strategy for the construction of α-ketol derivatives bearing an oxo-quaternary carbon center from naphthols with good to excellent yields.

Oxidation of Vicinal Diols to α-Hydroxy Ketones with H2O2 and a Simple Manganese Catalyst

α-Hydroxy ketones are valuable synthons in organic chemistry. Here we show that oxidation of vic-diols to α-hydroxy ketones with H₂O₂ can be achieved with an in situ prepared catalyst based on manganese salts and pyridine-2-carboxylic acid. Furthermore the same catalyst is effective in alkene epoxidation, and it is shown that alkene oxidation with the Mn^II catalyst and H₂O₂ followed by Lewis acid ring opening of the epoxide and subsequent oxidation of the alkene to α-hydroxy ketones can be achieved under mild (ambient) conditions.

Brønsted base-catalyzed α-oxygenation of carbonyl compounds utilizing the [1,2]-phospha-Brook rearrangement

A novel α-oxygenation reaction of carbonyl compounds was developed by utilizing the [1,2]-phospha-Brook rearrangement under Brønsted base catalysis.

A dinuclear palladium catalyst for α-hydroxylation of carbonyls with O2

A chemo- and regioselective α-hydroxylation reaction of carbonyl compounds with molecular oxygen as oxidant is reported. The hydroxylation reaction is catalyzed by a dinuclear Pd(II) complex, which functions as an oxygen transfer catalyst, reminiscent of an oxygenase. The development of this oxidation reaction was inspired by discovery and mechanism evaluation of previously unknown Pd(III)-Pd(III) complexes.

Flexible two-dimensional square-grid coordination polymers: structures and functions

Coordination polymers (CPs) or metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted considerable attention because of the tunable diversity of structures and functions. A 4,4'-bipyridine molecule, which is a simple, linear, exobidentate, and rigid ligand molecule, can construct two-dimensional (2D) square grid type CPs. Only the 2D-CPs with appropriate metal cations and counter anions exhibit flexibility and adsorb gas with a gate mechanism and these 2D-CPs are called elastic layer-structured metal-organic frameworks (ELMs). Such a unique property can make it possible to overcome the dilemma of strong adsorption and easy desorption, which is one of the ideal properties for practical adsorbents.