M. A. Pasha

Cerium(III) Chloride: A Highly Efficient Reagent for the Synthesis of α‐Aminonitriles

Abstract We report a highly efficient, one‐pot, three‐component condensation of carbonyl compounds, amines, and TMSCN in MeCN; the reaction is significantly promoted by the catalytic amount of cerium(III) chloride at ambient temperature in excellent yields without any adverse effect on the other substituents. The method afforded an elegant alternative to the synthesis of α‐aminonitriles. The reactions are fast and clean, and the products obtained are of high purity.

Selective protection of carbonyl compounds as azines and their facile regeneration

Abstract Carbonyl compounds with freshly prepared hydrazinium formate successfully yielded the corresponding azines in excellent yields. In turn, azines were deprotected to the corresponding carbonyls using triethylammonium chlorochromate chemoselectively.

A Novel Transformation of Oximes into Hydrazones by Hydrazine Hydrate

Abstract We report a novel transformation of different substituted aryl, diaryl, and aralkyloximes into the respective hydrazones using hydrazine hydrate in ethanol at reflux in excellent yields.

Reactions of oxiranes with alkali metals: intermediacy of radical-anions

Abstract Reaction of oxiranes with alkali metals in aprotic solvents yields a variety of products depending on the nature of the metal and the structure of the oxirane. Deoxygenation to olefins is the major reaction in case of lithium. Rearrangement to carbonyl compounds, reduction to alcohols and formation of dimeric products occur when oxiranes are treated with sodium. All the reactions could be rationalised by a mechanism involving an initial single electron transfer leading to the formation of a radical-anion intermediate.

Efficient and High-Yielding Protocol for the Synthesis of Nitriles from Aldehydes

An operationally simple and high-yielding procedure has been developed for the conversion of araldehydes into the corresponding nitriles using p-toluenesulfonic acid (p-TSA) (a mild catalyst) under microwave irradiation. The products are characterized by infrared spectral analysis and by comparison of the melting and boiling points with the reported values.

Regiospecific reduction of oxetanes with lithium under aprotic conditions

Abstract Substituted oxetanes have been found to give exclusively terminal alcohols by regiospecific ring-opening with lithium and biphenyl (cat.) in THF at reflux.

Novel and Efficient Oxidation of Benzyl Ethers to Benzaldehydes by DMSO/49% Aq. HBr

Abstract Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) oxidizes benzyl ethers into corresponding benzaldehydes at 110°C; the reaction is accelerated by 49% aq. HBr. The conditions work well for different aryl‐substituted benzyl ethers. This protocol is inert toward dialkyl ethers.

Transformation of Primary Benzyl Amines to Benzyl Esters

Abstract Primary benzyl amines, upon treatment with aq. NaNO2 and appropriate organic acids at 0–5°C, give their respective benzyl esters.