Iodocyclization versus diiodination in the reaction of 3-alkynyl-4-methoxycoumarins with iodine: synthesis of 3-iodofuro[2,3-b]chromones.

The reaction of 3-alkynyl-4-methoxycoumarins with molecular iodine in chlorinated solvents allows access to 3-iodofurochromones in good to excellent yields as the result of a iodocyclization-demethylation process. Competitive diiodination of the coumarin acetylene moiety could be eliminated by simply performing the reactions in refluxing 1,2-dichloroethane, owing to the thermal instability of the resulting (E)-1,2-diiodoethenylcoumarins.

Enantioselective and regiodivergent copper-catalyzed conjugate addition of trialkylaluminium reagents to extended nitro-Michael acceptors.

The first highly enantioselective and regiodivergent conjugate addition of trialkylaluminium reagents to nitrodienes and nitroenynes is described. By a design of the substrate and a fine-tuning of the reaction conditions, it is possible to selectively form the 1,4- or 1,6-adduct. The same combination of catalyst, copper source, and a ferrocene-based phosphine ligand afforded enantioselectivities up to 95% and 91%, respectively.

Copper-catalyzed enantioselective 1,4-addition to alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes.

The first asymmetric Cu-catalyzed conjugate addition of dialkylzinc zinc reagents to a large scope of enals in presence of phosphoramidite, SimplePhos, or (R)-BINAP ligands with enantiomeric excesses up to 90% is reported. Moreover, ACA of Grignard reagents afforded moderate to good 1,4-regioselectivities with enantioselectivities up to 90%.

Et3N-induced demethylation-annulation of 3-alkynyl-4-methoxy-2-pyridones and structurally related compounds in the synthesis of furan-fused heterocycles.

Various 3-iodo-4-methoxypyridin-2-ones and related pyrone and coumarin derivatives have been demonstrated as readily available precursors of 2-substituted furan-fused heterocycles by means of in situ sequential Sonogashira-acetylide coupling, dealkylation, and regioselective furan annulation reactions. A Et3N-induced S(N)2 process has been established that accounts for the dealkylation process.

Enantioselective organocatalytic conjugate addition of alpha-aminoketone to nitroolefins.

The enantioselective organocatalytic conjugate addition of alpha-aminoketone to nitroolefins is reported.

Enantioselective organocatalytic conjugate addition of aldehydes to nitrodienes.

The asymmetric organocatalyzed Michael addition of aldehydes to alpha,beta-gamma,delta-unsaturated nitro compounds has been accomplished using only 5 mol % of (S)-diphenylprolinol silyl ether and 2 equiv of aldehyde in a mixture of ethanol and water (5% v/v). The Michael adducts were obtained in good yields, diastereoselectivities up to 94/6, and ee's up to 99%. This process provides synthetically useful compounds which can easily lead to more complex molecules, as exemplified with substituted tetrahydropyran or cyclohexene.