Yi-Si Feng

CuI-Nanoparticles-Catalyzed Selective Synthesis of Phenols, Anilines, and Thiophenols from Aryl Halides in Aqueous Solution

CuI-nanoparticles-catalyzed selective synthesis of phenols, anilines, and thiophenols from aryl halides was developed in the absence of both ligands and organic solvents. Anilines were formed selectively with ammonia competing with hydroxylation and thiophenols were generated selectively with sulfur powder after subsequent reduction competing with hydroxylation and amination.

Chan–Lam-Type S-Arylation of Thiols with Boronic Acids at Room Temperature

In this work, an efficient CuSO(4)-catalyzed S-arylation of thiols with aryl and heteroaryl boronic acids at room temperature is established. This catalytic system can tolerate a wide variety of thiols and arylboronic acids in the presence of only 5 mol % of CuSO(4) as the catalyst and inexpensive 1,10-phen·H(2)O as the ligand. Moreover, this catalytic system used environment-friendly solvent (EtOH) and oxidant (oxygen).

Transition-Metal-Free Synthesis of Ynones via Decarboxylative Alkynylation of α-Keto Acids under Mild Conditions.

A transition-metal-free synthetic method of various ynones via decarboxylative alkynylation of α-keto acids is described. The reaction is carried out under mild conditions and exhibits remarkable tolerance of functional groups. The mechanism of a radical process is proposed in the reaction.

Lithium tert-butoxide mediated α-alkylation of ketones with primary alcohols under transition-metal-free conditions

LiOtBu was found to efficiently promote the α-alkylation reaction of ketones with primary alcohols, without the addition of any transition metal catalyst.

Cu(II)-Mediated Decarboxylative Trifluoromethylthiolation of α,β-Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids

A tunable method for the direct trifluoromethylthiolation of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids was developed to afford trifluoromethylthiolated ketones or alkenes. The reaction proceeds smoothly under mild conditions and shows an excellent functional group tolerance.

Directed alkynylation of unactivated C(sp3)–H bonds with ethynylbenziodoxolones mediated by DTBP

A general and efficient method for the direct alkynylation of unactivated C(sp3)–H bonds under metal-free conditions is described. The reaction performs smoothly under mild conditions and shows excellent functional-group tolerance. Initial mechanistic investigation indicates that the reaction may involve a radical pathway.