A unified strategy for iron-catalyzed ortho-alkylation of carboxamides.

Using 8-aminoquinoline-based aryl carboxamides, the direct ortho-alkylation can be achieved in high yields in the presence of an iron source, 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) and phenylmagnesium bromide. The reactions proceed without overalkylation and provide high levels of regioselectivity. The benzylation reactions can be performed in air with reagent-grade THF, while the alkylation works well with unactivated secondary bromides and iodides in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran.

Palladium-catalyzed alkyne insertion/reduction route to trisubstituted olefins.

A new route to trisubstituted olefins through a palladium-catalyzed alkyne insertion/reduction reaction with unactivated alkyl iodides is reported. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions and tolerates a range of functional groups and substitution patterns. Preliminary mechanistic inquiry suggests that the transformation may proceed through a hybrid radical/organometallic pathway.