Ren-Jie Song

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.

Oxidative 1,2-difunctionalization of activated alkenes with benzylic C(sp3)–H bonds and aryl C(sp2)–H bonds

DTBP (di-tert-butyl peroxide) is utilized to mediate oxidative 1,2-difunctionalization of activated alkenes with an aryl C(sp(2))-H bond and a benzylic C(sp(3))-H bond for the synthesis of functionalized oxindoles. This reaction is a new organomediated strategy for alkene difunctionalization facilitated by Lewis acids.

Copper-Catalyzed CH Oxidation/Cross-Coupling of α-Amino Carbonyl Compounds†

Keeping options open: the new and mild title reaction involving indoles selectively furnishes 1 and 2 with the aid of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP). The method represents the first example of a copper-catalyzed α arylation of α-amino carbonyl substrates leading to α-aryl α-imino and α-aryl α-oxo carbonyl compounds using a C-H oxidation strategy.

Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed [3+2]/[5+2] Annulation of 4‐Aryl 1,2,3‐Triazoles with Internal Alkynes through Dual C(sp2)H Functionalization

A rhodium(III)-catalyzed [3+2]/[5+2] annulation of 4-aryl 1-tosyl-1,2,3-triazoles with internal alkynes is presented. This transformation provides straightforward access to indeno[1,7-cd]azepine architectures through a sequence involving the formation of a rhodium(III) azavinyl carbene, dual C(sp(2))-H functionalization, and [3+2]/[5+2] annulation.

Cascade Nitration/Cyclization of 1,7‐Enynes with tBuONO and H2O: One‐Pot Self‐Assembly of Pyrrolo[4,3,2‐de]quinolinones

Here we describe the one-pot construction of the pyrrolo[4,3,2-de]quinolinone scaffold by a cascade nitration/cyclization sequence of 1,7-enynes with tBuONO and H2O. The cascade proceeds through alkene nitration, 1,7-enyne 6-exo-trig cyclization, C-H nitrations, and redox cyclization, and exhibits excellent functional group tolerance. The mechanism was investigated using in situ high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS).

Palladium-catalyzed oxidative difunctionalization of alkenes with α-carbonyl alkyl bromides initiated through a Heck-type insertion: a route to indolin-2-ones.

The oxidative interception of various σ-alkyl palladium(II) intermediates with additional reagents for the difunctionalization of alkenes is an important research area. A new palladium-catalyzed oxidative difunctionalization reaction of alkenes with α-carbonyl alkyl bromides is described, in which the σ-alkyl palladium(II) intermediate is generated through a Heck insertion and trapped using an aryl C(sp(2))-H bond. This method can be applied to various α-carbonyl alkyl bromides, including primary, secondary, and tertiary α-bromoalkyl esters, ketones, and amides.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Synthesis of Isoquinolines and Indenes from Benzylidenehydrazones and Internal Alkynes

A new route is presented for the selective assembly of isoquinolines and indenes by rhodium-catalyzed tandem cyclization of benzylidenehydrazones with internal alkynes. This method involves the selective cleavage of the N-N bond and the C═N bonds and is dependent on the substituents of the benzylidenehydrazone.

Metal‐Free Radical 5‐exo‐dig Cyclizations of Phenol‐Linked 1,6‐Enynes for the Synthesis of Carbonylated Benzofurans

A new metal-free radical 5-exo-dig cyclization of phenol-linked 1,6-enynes with O2, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO), and tBuONO is described. With this general method, carbonylated benzofurans can be accessed through incorporation of two oxygen atoms into the product from O2 and TEMPO through dioxygen activation and oxidative cleavage of the N-O bond, respectively.

Metal-Free Radical [2+2+1] Carbocyclization of Benzene-Linked 1,n-Enynes: Dual C(sp3)-H Functionalization Adjacent to a Heteroatom

A new metal-free oxidative radical [2+2+1] carbocyclization of benzene-linked 1,n-enynes with two C(sp(3))-H bonds adjacent to the same heteroatom is described. This method achieves two C(sp(3))-H oxidative functionalizations and an annulation, thus providing efficient and general access to a variety of fused five-membered carbocyclic hydrocarbons.