Synthesis of Bis-Thioacid Derivatives of Diarylethene and Their Photochromic Properties.

Diarylethenes (DAEs) are an important class of photoswitchable compounds that typically undergo reversible photochemical conversions between the open and closed cyclized forms upon treatment with UV light or visible light. In this study, we introduced thioacid functional groups to several photochromic dithienylethene (DTE) derivatives and established a method that can be used to prepare these photoswitchable thioacids. Four thioacid-functionalized diarylethene derivatives were synthesized through the activation of carboxylic acids with -hydroxysuccinimide, followed by reactions with sodium hydrosulfide with yields over 90%.

Metal-free switchable ortho/ipso-cyclization of N-aryl alkynamides: divergent synthesis of 3-selenyl quinolin-2-ones and azaspiro[4,5]trienones.

A selenium radical triggered switchable ortho/ipso-cyclization cascade of N-aryl alkynamides has been devised under metal-free conditions to access 3-selenyl quinolin-2-ones and 3-selenospiro[4,5]trienones in high yields (up to 98%). The simple protocol is scalable and the mechanistic studies suggest that the radical cascade proceeds through a spirocyclic intermediate which is formed via an intramolecular ipso-cyclization route.

Directed C-H Bond Functionalization: A Unified Approach to Formal Syntheses of Amorfrutin A, Cajaninstilbene Acid, Hydrangenol, and Macrophyllol.

Formal syntheses of natural products amorfrutin A, cajaninstilbene acid, hydrangenol, and macrophyllol have been accomplished on the basis of successive C-H bond functionalization of ready-stock benzoic acids. This concise strategy involves transition-metal-catalyzed directed C-H olefination, C-H hydroxylation, and acid-mediated C-H prenylation as key steps.

Ru(II)-Catalyzed Oxidative Heck-Type Olefination of Aromatic Carboxylic Acids with Styrenes through Carboxylate-Assisted C-H Bond Activation.

A straightforward synthesis of 2-styrylbenzoic acids from aryl carboxylic acids is disclosed through a carboxylate-assisted coupling under Ru(II) catalysis. This protocol is simple and exhibits broad scope with high tolerance of common organic functional groups, providing good to excellent yields of diverse olefinated products. The efficacy of this protocol has been showcased through sequential syntheses of isochromanone, isocoumarin, and formal synthesis of anacardic acid derivative in good yields.

Ruthenium(II)-Catalyzed ortho-C-H Chalcogenation of Benzoic Acids via Weak O-Coordination: Synthesis of Chalcogenoxanthones.

A general protocol for direct chalcogenation of inert C-H bonds of (hetero)aromatic carboxylic acids is developed with a ruthenium(II) catalyst using readily available starting materials, offering densely substituted ortho-chalcogenyl aromatic acids in high yields (up to 96%). The strategy avoids the installation of an external directing group, use of metallic oxidants, and features operational simplicity with ample substrate scope. Synthetic application en route to biologically important chalcogenoxanthones is also demonstrated.

Copper Catalyzed C-N Cross-Coupling Reaction of Aryl Boronic Acids at Room Temperature through Chelation Assistance.

A copper-catalyzed selective C-N cross-coupling has been developed based on chelation-assisted amidation of readily available aryl boronic acids at room-temperature under open-flask conditions. The reaction is scalable and tolerates a wide spectrum of functional groups delivering fully substituted unsymmetrical amides in high yields (up to 96%). The C-N cross coupling also established with aryl silanes, extending the palette of coupling partners of this strategy.

The Mukaiyama aldol reaction of in situ generated nitrosocarbonyl compounds: selective C-N bond formation and N-O bond cleavage in one-pot for α-amination of ketones.

A practical protocol for the α-amination of ketones (up to 99% yield) has been developed via the Mukaiyama aldol reaction of in situ generated nitrosocarbonyl compounds. The reaction with silyl enol ethers having a disilane (-SiMe2TMS) backbone proceeded not only with perfect N-selectivity but concomitant N-O bond cleavage was also accomplished. Such a cascade of C-N bond formation and N-O bond cleavage in a single step was heretofore unknown in the field of nitrosocarbonyl chemistry.