Haolong Wang

Rhodium‐Catalyzed CH Annulation of Nitrones with Alkynes: A Regiospecific Route to Unsymmetrical 2,3‐Diaryl‐Substituted Indoles

The direct C-H annulation of anilines or related compounds with internal alkynes provides straightforward access to 2,3-disubstituted indole products. However, this transformation proceeds with poor regioselectivity in the synthesis of unsymmetrically 2,3-diaryl substituted indoles. Herein, we report the rhodium(III)-catalyzed C-H annulation of nitrones with symmetrical diaryl alkynes as an alternative method to prepare 2,3-diaryl-substituted N-unprotected indoles with two different aryl groups. One of the aryl substituents is derived from N=C-aryl ring of the nitrone and the other from the alkyne substrate, thus providing the indole products with exclusive regioselectivity.

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Cyclization of Diynes with Nitrones: A Formal [2+2+5] Approach to Bridged Eight‐Membered Heterocycles

N-aryl-substituted nitrones were employed as five-atom coupling partners in the rhodium-catalyzed cyclization with diynes. In this reaction, the nitrone moiety served as a directing group for the catalytic C-H activation of the N-aryl ring. This formal [2+2+5] approach allows rapid access to bridged eight-membered heterocycles with broad substrate scope. The results of this study may provide new insight into the chemistry of nitrones and find applications in the synthesis of other heterocycles.

Eco-friendly synthesis of pyridines via rhodium-catalyzed cyclization of diynes with oximes

We describe a new route for the synthesis of pyridines via [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of diynes and oximes catalyzed by Rh(NBD)2BF4/MeO-Biphep using ethanol as an alternative green reaction medium, affording the desired pyridine derivatives in yields of up to 93%. This environmentally friendly method meets the requirement for green chemistry by minimizing pollution from solvents and is tolerant of a range of functional groups.

Transition-Metal Controlled Diastereodivergent Radical Cyclization/Azidation Cascade of 1,7-Enynes

A strategy for achieving diastereodivergent azidations of enynes has been developed, employing azide transfer from the M-N3 complex to alkyl radicals. Following this concept, the diastereoselectivity has been switched by modulating the transition metals and the ligands. The Mn(III)-mediated radical cyclization/azidation cascade of 1,7-enynes afforded trans-fused pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinolinones, whereas the Cu(II)/bipyridine system gave cis-products.

DABCO-catalyzed synthesis of trifluoromethylated furans from propargyl alcohols and methyl 2-perfluoroalkynoate.

The DABCO-catalyzed reaction of propargyl alcohols with methyl 2-perfluoroalkynoate to give trifluoromethylated furans in up to 98% yield under mild conditions has been developed. The established allene-enol and control experiments indicate that the reaction should proceed through a Michael addition and Claisen rearrangement/cyclization process.

Synthesis of Polyfluoroalkyl Cyclobutenes from 3-Aza-1,5-enynes via an Aza-Claisen Rearrangement/Cyclization Cascade

A facile synthetic route to access polyfluoroalkyl functionalized cyclobutenes bearing an exo cyclic double bond from 3-aza-1,5-enynes is reported. The reaction proceeds via a thermal aza-Claisen rearrangement to give an allene-imine intermediate; subsequent cyclization affords the cyclobutene core. The kinetics of the transformation of starting material and the intermediate was studied by (1)H NMR spectroscopy, where a consecutive reaction was revealed.

Base-Catalyzed Selective Synthesis of 2-Azabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-enes and Sulfonyl Vinyl-Substituted Pyrroles from 3-Aza-1,5-enynes

A base-catalyzed selective cycloisomerization of 3-aza-1,5-enynes is developed. This transformation provides a facile access to highly functionalized 2-azabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-enes and sulfonyl vinyl-substituted pyrroles. The chemoselectivity was controlled by the substituent pattern of the substrates.