A metal-free carbon catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation of aryl cyclohexenes to produce biaryl compounds.

A metal-free route based on a carbon catalyst to synthesize biphenyls through oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of phenyl cyclohexene has been investigated. Among the samples examined, an air-oxidized active carbon exhibits the best activity with a 9.1 × 10 h rate constant, yielding 74% biphenyl in 28 h at 140 °C under five bar O in anisole.

Gold(I)-Catalyzed Intramolecular Bicyclization: Divergent Construction of Quinazolinone and Ampakine Analogues.

A gold(I)-catalyzed cascade intramolecular cyclization of Ugi adducts for the divergent construction of quinazolinone and ampakine analogues has been developed in a rapid, highly efficient and step-economical manner. This protocol shows high yields, excellent functional-group tolerance, broad substrate scope and excellent chemo- and regioselectivity. The practicality of this strategy is further demonstrated by a scale-up reaction.