Chemoselective and Regioselective Synthesis of Spiroisoindolinone Indenes via an Intercepted Meyer-Schuster Rearrangement/Intramolecular Friedel-Crafts Alkylation Relay.

A Brønsted acid-catalyzed reaction between isoindolinone-derived propargylic alcohols and external aromatic nucleophiles for the construction of spiroisoindolinone indenes is described. The reaction proceeds rapidly with a broad range of substrates to generate spiroindenes chemoselectively and regioselectively in moderate to high yields. Key to the success of this transformation is an intercepted Meyer-Schuster rearrangement/intramolecular Friedel-Crafts alkylation relay that offers a modular approach in the synthesis of target compounds.

Synthesis and stereoselective catalytic transformations of 3-hydroxyisoindolinones.

This review focuses on the synthesis of 3-hydroxyisoindolinones, and their application as substrates in stereoselective catalytic transformations reported from 2010 to date. These compounds have attracted much attention among synthetic chemists, as they are integral structural parts of a number of natural products and biologically active compounds. The first part of this review covers methods based on electrochemical, photochemical, and thermal reactions for the synthesis of 3-hydroxyisoindolinones.

Organocatalytic Synthesis of α-Triphenylmethylamines from Diarylketimines and Phenols.

A formal Betti reaction between variously substituted phenols and benzophenone-derived imines to afford α-triphenylmethylamines is reported. The key to the success of this transformation is the generation of the reactive benzophenone iminium species under organocatalytic conditions. Different phenols reacted smoothly, enabling the synthesis of an array of α-triphenylmethylamines, which are highly valued structural motifs in bioactive molecules and chemical sensors.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Ezetimibe via Cross-Metathesis of Homoallylalcohols and α-Methylidene-β-Lactams.

Ru-catalyzed cross-metathesis (CM) reaction between β-arylated α-methylidene-β-lactams and terminal olefins was developed. The CM reaction is effectively catalyzed with Hoveyda-Grubbs second-generation catalyst affording corresponding α-alkylidene-β-aryl-β-lactams in good isolated yields (41-83%) with exclusive Z-selectivity. The developed protocol was successfully applied for stereoselective preparation of Ezetimibe, the commercial cholesterol absorption inhibitor.

Synthesis of 1,2-Disubstituted Cyclopentadienes from Alkynes Using a Catalytic Haloallylation/Cross-Coupling/Metathesis Relay.

A three-step method based on Pd-catalyzed haloallylation of alkynes, Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling, and Ru-catalyzed ring-closing metathesis constitutes a new and short approach to variety of 1,2-substituted cyclopentadienes. The scope of the method is broad with respect to different substituents (alkyl, aryl, metallocenyl, and other substituents as well as their combinations are tolerated), and all steps proceeded with sensible yields. As a demonstration of product utility, several of the prepared cyclopentadienes were converted into the corresponding ferrocenes.

Palladium-Catalyzed Regio- and Stereoselective Carbothiolation of Terminal Alkynes with Azolyl Sulfides.

Palladium-catalyzed carbothiolation of terminal alkynes with azolyl sulfides affords various 2-(azolyl)alkenyl sulfides with perfect regio- and stereoselectivities. The present addition reaction proceeded through a direct cleavage of carbon-sulfur bonds in azolyl sulfides. The resulting adducts that are useful intermediates in organic synthesis are further transformed to multisubstituted olefins containing azolyl moieties.