Xue-Song Li

Lewis Acid Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Coupling of Tertiary Propargylic Alcohols with Quinoline N-Oxides

An unprecedented Lewis acid catalyzed, high-efficiency synthesis of valuable 2-(quinolin-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-ones via dehydrogenative coupling of propargylic alkynols with quinoline N-oxides is described. This protocol, which tolerates a broad range of functional groups, provides a straightforward pathway to the products 2-(quinolin-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one scaffolds in satisfactory yields. The conversion could be scaled up to gram scale efficiently, which underlines a latent application of this methodology.

Lewis Acid Catalyzed Cyclization of Propargylic Alcohols with 2-Vinylphenol

An unprecedented Lewis acid catalyzed, protection-free, and high-efficiency synthesis of valuable 3,4-dihydro-2H-2,4-methanochromans via cycloaddition of propargylic alkynols with 2-vinylphenol is described. This cycloaddition protocol, which tolerates a wide variety of functional groups, provides practical, versatile, and atom-economical access to a new class of appealing bridged-ring products in satisfactory yields. Compared with the reported reaction conditions for bridged-ring skeletons synthesis, the present reaction conditions are neutral, mild, and without any additives.

Synthesis of Organophosphorus Compounds through Copper-Catalyzed Annulation Involving C–O and C–P Bond Formations

A novel copper(II) trifluoromethanesulfonate-catalyzed, high-efficiency, and atom-economical synthesis of valuable organophosphorus compounds via cascade annulation of propargylic alcohols with diphenylphosphine oxide is described. This protocol, which has a good functional-group compatibility and insensitivity to an ambient atmosphere, provides a simple and direct pathway to the products, organophosphorus compounds, in good yields under mild conditions. The method could be efficiently scaled up to gram scale, thus highlighting a potential application of this methodology.

Copper-Catalyzed Oxidative Cyclization of Alkynes with Sulfonylhydrazides Leading to 2-Sulfonated 9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indol-9-ones

A copper-catalyzed oxidative cyclization procedure has been developed for the production of 2-sulfonated 9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indol-9-ones via the direct sulfonylation of N-propargyl-substituted indoles with sulfonylhydrazides and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP). This novel protocol, which tolerates a broad range of functional groups, offers a simple, efficient, and atom-economical route to a series of fluorazones in good yields under mild conditions.

A metal-free transformation of alkynes to carbonyls directed by remote OH group

A remote OH group-directed metal-free transformation of alkynes to carbonyl compounds has been developed. Using only HOAc and EtOH solvent, this reaction elegantly converts alkynes into valuable ketones by remote hydroxyl group activation. Through comparison and isotope labeling experiments, it was confirmed that the process operates via a hydration reaction involving an acetic acid molecule, instead of a water molecule.