The Reformatsky analogous reaction for the synthesis of novel β-thioxoesters via using aroyl isothiocyanates under solvent-free ball milling and conventional conditions

The classical Reformatsky reaction, initially described in 1887, is considered one of the most useful ways of forming C-C bonds. The target of this work includes improving the Reformatsky reaction between aroyl isothiocyanates and α-haloesters using metallic zinc to form β-thioxoesters (3-11). In this procedure, a new metal-mediated carbon-carbon linkage is formed with the formation of an organozinc halide and decomposition due to the presence of dilute acid, affording a good yield of the desired product via conventional techniques and ball milling. The Reformatsky reaction requires no solvent and no inert gases.

Self-assembled asymmetric catalyst engaged in a continuous-flow platform: an anti-selective catalytic asymmetric nitroaldol reaction

An anti-selective catalytic asymmetric nitroaldol reaction was manifested in a continuous-flow platform. The requisite Nd/Na heterogeneous catalyst was readily prepared by self-assembly of an amide-based chiral ligand, NdO1/5(O(i)Pr)13/5, NaHMDS, and a multiwalled carbon nanotube without covalent linkage. A stainless-steel column filled with the Nd/Na catalyst was incorporated in a flow system to promote the nitroaldol reaction with high stereoselectivity. The flow system with the heterogeneous catalyst obviated the quenching operation, and the cooling system was minimized.

Catalytic asymmetric Claisen rearrangement of enolphosphonates: construction of vicinal tertiary and all-carbon quaternary centers

A Cu-catalyzed enantioselective Claisen rearrangement of easily-accessible enolphosphonates using commercially available (R, R )-PhBOX as the chiral ligand was developed. A wide range of rearrangement products with contiguous tertiary and all carbon quaternary centers were obtained in excellent yields and stereoselectivities. The α -ketophosphonate products could be easily transformed into other functional groups in high efficiency.