Toward Zigzag-edged Helical Nanographene Based on [7]Helicene.

Due to their unique chemical and physical properties, zigzag-edged nanographenes have attracted increasing interest in recent years. Herein, a novel zigzag-edged nanographene (6) containing a [7]helicene subunit was designed and synthesized. However, because of the high reactivities of zigzag edges, compound 1 with a diketone structure was obtained owing to the oxidation of 6.

Rhenium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Carboalkoxylation and Carboamination of Alkynes for the Synthesis of C3-Substituted Benzofurans and Indoles.

A rhenium-catalyzed carboalkoxylation and carboamination of alkyne is reported. This reaction provides an efficient route to synthesize de novo C3-substituted benzofurans and indoles under mild conditions in moderate to good yields. Mechanistic studies revealed that the rhenium played the role of a π acid catalyst to activate the alkynes, followed by a charge-accelerated [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement.

De Novo Synthesis of Phenols and Naphthols through Oxidative Cycloaromatization of Dienynes.

In this work, a rhodium-catalyzed oxidative cycloaromatization of dienynes, which provides a highly straightforward and efficient way to access polysubstituted naphthols and phenols under mild conditions, is described. Challenged electron-withdrawing groups are well tolerated in this protocol, and late-stage phenyl ring formation is demonstrated.

Well-defined copper(i) fluoroalkoxide complexes for trifluoroethoxylation of aryl and heteroaryl bromides.

Copper(I) fluoroalkoxide complexes bearing dinitrogen ligands were synthesized and the structure and reactivity of the complexes toward trifluoroethoxylation, pentafluoropropoxylation, and tetrafluoropropoxylation of aryl and heteroaryl bromides were investigated.

Efficient C(sp3alkyl)-SCF3 bond formations via copper-mediated trifluoromethylthiolation of alkyl halides.

A general and convenient copper-mediated trifluoromethylthiolation of primary and secondary alkyl halides was described. Variation of the solvent, additives and time allowed optimization of the reaction. A wide range of alkyl halides were explored to give a set of alkyl trifluoromethyl thioethers in moderate to excellent yields.

Copper-catalyzed synthesis of α-trifluoromethylthio-substituted ketones.

The CF3S-substituted moiety serves as an important structural element in many bioactive molecules. A versatile copper catalyst that allowed for trifluoromethylthiolation of primary and secondary α-bromoketones is described. The reaction with readily available elemental sulfur and CF3SiMe3 afforded a broad scope and moderate to good yields of α-trifluoromethylthio-substituted ketones.