NHC-BIAN-Cu(I)-Catalyzed Friedländer-Type Annulation of 2-Amino-3-(per)fluoroacetylpyridines with Alkynes on Water.

The direct catalytic alkynylation/dehydrative cyclization of 2-amino-3-trifluoroacetyl-pyridines on water was developed for the efficient synthesis of a broad range of fluorinated 1,8-naphthyridines from terminal alkynes. A novel N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand system that combines a π-extended acenaphthylene backbone with sterically bulky pentiptycene pendant groups was successfully utilized in a copper- or silver-mediated cyclization. Computational analysis of the reaction pathway supports our explanation of the different experimental conversions and yields for the set of copper and silver catalysts.

Base-Catalyzed, Solvent-Free Synthesis of Rigid V-Shaped Epoxydibenzo[,][1,5]diazocines.

A novel method for the synthesis of epoxydibenzo[,][1,5]diazocines exhibiting a V-shaped molecular architecture is reported. The unique approach is based on unprecedented base-catalyzed, solvent-free autocondensation and cross-condensation of fluorinated -aminophenones. The structure of the newly synthesized diazocines was confirmed independently by X-ray analysis and chiroptical methods.

Transition-metal-free [3 + 3] annulation of indol-2-ylmethyl carbanions to nitroarenes. A novel synthesis of indolo[3,2-]quinolines (quindolines).

Indol-2-ylmethyl carbanions stabilized by alkoxycarbonyl, cyano or benzenesulfonyl groups react with nitroarenes to form σ-adducts, which in the presence of base (triethylamine or DBU) and trimethylchlorosilane transform into indolo[3,2-]quinoline derivatives in moderate to good yields.

Simple modular systems for generation of droplets on demand.

This report provides practical guidelines for the use of inexpensive electromagnetic valves characterized by large dead volumes (tens to hundreds of μL) for the generation of small (nL) droplets on demand in microfluidic chips. We analyze the role of the ratio of resistances and of the elastic capacitance of the fluidic connectors between the reservoir of the liquid, the valve and the microfluidic chip in the reliable and precise formation of micro droplets on demand. We also demonstrate and examine the use of conventional electromagnetic squeeze valves in the generation of small droplets on demand with a similar set of design rules.