Photocatalytic synthesis of allylic trifluoromethyl substituted styrene derivatives in batch and flow.

A cobalt-catalyzed photochemical synthesis of allylic trifluoromethanes from styrene derivatives using 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl iodide is described. The method complements existing approaches, providing an alternative bond construction strategy to access these compounds. The process may be conducted in continuous mode in a novel photochemical flow reactor, resulting in a notable productivity increase.

Total synthesis of (-)-dendrobine.

Cascading to alkaloids: an 18-step total synthesis of (-)-dendrobine is based on a reaction cascade with a key amine group. The amine is the initiator of the cascade and provides an efficient method for installing the stereocenters at C11 and C3. The overall transformation occurs stereoselectively only when the conversion is carried out without the isolation of intermediates.