Guo-Bo Deng

Copper-Catalyzed Intramolecular C−H Oxidation/Acylation of Formyl-N-arylformamides Leading to Indoline-2,3-diones

A new, efficient Cu-catalyzed intramolecular C-H oxidation/acylation method has been developed for the synthesis of substituted indoline-2,3-diones (isatins). In the presence of CuCl(2) and O(2), a variety of formyl-N-arylformamides underwent the tandem reaction to afford the corresponding indoline-2,3-diones in moderate to good yields. It is noteworthy that the reaction serves as the first example of transition-metal-catalyzed transformation for the preparation of indoline-2,3-diones.

Metal-free oxidative tandem coupling of activated alkenes with carbonyl C(sp2)–H bonds and aryl C(sp2)–H bonds using TBHP

A metal-free oxidative tandem coupling of activated alkenes with carbonyl C(sp2)–H bonds and aryl C(sp2)–H bonds using TBHP is established for the synthesis of 3-(2-oxoethyl)indolin-2-ones. This method allows 1,2-difunctionalization of the C–C double bond in N-arylacrylamides by simultaneous formation of two C(sp2)–C(sp3) bonds.

Intramolecular ipso-Halocyclization of 4-(p-Unsubstituted-aryl)-1-alkynes Leading to Spiro[4,5]trienones: Scope, Application, and Mechanistic Investigations

A new, general method for the synthesis of spiro[4,5]trienones is described by the intramolecular ipso-halocyclization of 4-(p-unsubstituted-aryl)-1-alkynes. In the presence of halide electrophiles, a variety of 4-(p-unsubstituted-aryl)-1-alkynes underwent the intramolecular ipso-halocyclization with water smoothly, affording the corresponding halo-substituted spiro[4,5]trienones in moderate to good yields. The obtained spiro[4,5]trienones can be applied in constructing the azaquaternary tricyclic skeleton via Pd-catalyzed Heck reaction. Notably, the prepared spiro[4,5]trienones and azaquaternary tricycles are of importance in the areas of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. The mechanism of the intramolecular ipso-halocyclization reaction is also discussed according to the (18)O-labeling experiments and DFT calculations.

Dehydrogenative [2 + 2 + 1] Heteroannulation Using a Methyl Group as a One-Carbon Unit: Access to Pyrazolo[3,4-c]quinolines

A practical and straightforward access to pyrazolo[3,4-c]quinolines by molecular sieve mediated dehydrogenative [2 + 2 + 1] heteroannulation of N-(o-alkenylaryl)imines with aryldiazonium salts is described using a sp(3)-hybrid carbon atom as a one-carbon unit. The reaction enables the formation of three new chemical bonds, a C-C bond and two C-N bonds, in a single reaction and features simple operation and excellent functional group tolerance.