Wen-Peng Mai

nBu4NI-catalyzed direct synthesis of α-ketoamides from aryl methyl ketones with dialkylformamides in water using TBHP as oxidant.

A novel and easy practical direct synthesis of α-ketoamides has been developed without metals in water. This procedure was catalyzed by nBu(4)NI using TBHP as oxidant from simple substrates, aryl methyl ketones and dialkylformamides.

Peroxides as "Switches" of Dialkyl H‑Phosphonate: Two Mild and Metal-Free Methods for Preparation of 2‑Acylbenzothiazoles and Dialkyl Benzothiazol-2-ylphosphonates

Two mild and metal-free methods for the preparation of two kinds of important benzothiazole derivatives, 2-acylbenzothiazoles and dialkyl benzothiazol-2-ylphosphonates, respectively, were developed. The dialkyl H-phosphonate (RO)2P(O)H exists in equilibrium with its tautomer dialkyl phosphite (RO)2POH. TBHP triggered α-carbon-centered phosphite radical formation, whereas DTBP triggered phosphorus-centered phosphonate radical formation. The two types of radicals led respectively to two different reaction processes, the direct C2-acylation of benzothiazoles and C2-phosphonation of benzothiazoles.

Cu/Ag-catalyzed double decarboxylative cross-coupling reaction between cinnamic acids and aliphatic acids in aqueous solution

A novel double decarboxylative cross-coupling catalyzed by copper and silver has been developed. This method provides a practical approach for the flexible synthesis of alkenes and alkynes from the readily affordable substrates.

Iron-catalyzed regioselective direct coupling of aromatic aldehydes with coumarins leading to 3-aroyl coumarins

An efficient protocol for iron-catalyzed cross-coupling of coumarins with aromatic aldehydes has been developed. The various 3-aroyl coumarins were selectively afforded in moderate yields. Some notable features of this protocol are high efficiency, wide functional group tolerance, and commercially available and cheap aromatic aldehydes and coumarins as starting materials. Furthermore, these reaction conditions were also applicable to N-methyl quinolinones, affording the corresponding 3-aroyl quinolinone derivatives in good yields.

NCN pincer palladium complexes based on 1,3-dipicolyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidenes: synthesis, characterization and catalytic activities

The synthesis of novel pincer palladium complexes containing ring expanded six-membered N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) via direct metallation of the precursors tetrahydropyrimidin-1-ium hexafluorophosphates in the presence of NaN(SiMe3)2 is presented. The structure has been characterized unambiguously by X-ray single crystal analysis. Catalytic activity investigation showed that the complexes catalyzed the Heck reaction of aryl bromides with acrylate/styrene efficiently when using Et3N as base and DMA as solvent.

2-[2-(5-Bromo-thio-phen-2-yl)-4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl]-3-phenyl-propan-1-ol.

In the title compound, C28H23BrN2OS, the dihedral angles formed by the imidazole ring with the 5-bromothiophenyl and phenyl rings are 76.90 (8), 34.02 (10) and 80.93 (11)°, respectively. The chiral centre maintains the S configuration of the l-phenylalaninol starting material. In the crystal, molecules are linked by O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds, forming chains running parallel to the a-axis direction.