Rhodium(III) Complex with a Bulky Cyclopentadienyl Ligand as a Catalyst for Regioselective Synthesis of Dihydroisoquinolones through C-H Activation of Arylhydroxamic Acids.

Catalytic reaction of arylhydroxamic acids with alkenes represents a convenient method for preparation of biologically active dihydroisoquinolones. Here, the rhodium(III) complex [(C H tBu CH tBu)RhCl ] , which allows one to carry out such reactions with high regioselectivity to obtain 4-substituted dihydroisoquinolones in 72-97 % yields, is described. The regioselectivity is provided by the bulky cyclopentadienyl ligand of the catalyst, which is formed through a [2+2+1] cyclotrimerization of tert-butylacetylene.

Manganese triacetate as an efficient catalyst for bisperoxidation of styrenes.

A method was developed for the bisperoxidation of styrenes with tert-butyl hydroperoxide in the presence of a catalytic amount of manganese(III) acetate. It was shown that compounds of manganese in oxidation states 2, 4, and 7 also catalyze this reaction. The target [1,2-bis(tert-butylperoxy)ethyl]arenes were synthesized in yields from 46 to 75%.