Scope and mechanistic insights into the use of tetradecyl(trihexyl)phosphonium bistriflimide: a remarkably selective ionic liquid solvent for substitution reactions.

A survey of substitution reactions conducted in a phosphonium bistriflimide ionic liquid is presented. The results demonstrate high selectivity favoring substitution over typically competitive elimination and solvolytic processes even when challenging secondary and tertiary electrophiles are employed. The first reports of Kornblum substitution reactions in an ionic liquid are described that proceed with very high chemoselectivity in favor of nitro over nitroso products and elimination side products.

Palladium complexes of 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-2,4,8-trioxa-6-phenyl-6-phosphaadamantane: synthesis, crystal structure and use in the Suzuki and Sonogashira reactions and the alpha-arylation of ketones.

Palladium complexes of 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-2,4,8-trioxa-6-phenyl-6-phosphaadamantane were prepared and characterized with Pd[1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-2,4,8-trioxa-6-phenyl-6-phosphaadamantane](2).dba shown to be an effective catalyst for use in the Suzuki and Sonogashira reactions and the alpha-arylation of ketones. Couplings using this versatile complex proceeded in excellent yields under mild conditions.

Dimethylmalonyltrialkylphosphoranes: new general reagents for esterification reactions allowing controlled inversion or retention of configuration on chiral alcohols.

A new class of trialkylphosphorane has been prepared through reaction of a trialkylphosphine with 2-chlorodimethylmalonate in the presence of triethylamine. These new reagents promote the condensation reaction of carboxylic acids with alcohols to provide esters along with trialkylphosphine oxide and dimethylmalonate. The condensation reaction of chiral secondary alcohols can be controlled to give either high levels of inversion or retention through a subtle interplay involving basicity of the reaction media, solvent, and tuning the electronic and steric nature of the carboxylic acid and steric nature of the phosphorane employed.