Aluminum Tralen Complex Meditated Reversible-Deactivation Radical Polymerization of Vinyl Acetate.

The Al(tralen)Cl complex (tralenH = ,'-di(cyclohepta-2,4,6-trien-1-one-2-yl)-1,2-diaminobenzene) has been synthesized and applied to mediate the reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) of vinyl monomers. The polymerization of unconjugated monomers such as vinyl acetate (VAc) and -vinylpyrrolidone (VP) with Al(tralen)Cl showed the living characters of linearly increased molecular weight with conversion and formation of block copolymer. However, the control manners in the polymerization of conjugated monomers like acrylates and styrene were limited.

One-step synthesis of isocoumarins and 3-benzylidenephthalides via ligandless Pd-catalyzed oxidative coupling of benzoic acids and vinylarenes.

A straightforward synthetic method for the preparation of isocoumarins and 3-benzylidenephthalides via C-H olefination and oxidative coupling of readily available benzoic acids and vinylarenes was developed. The directing effect of the substituents on the benzoic acid allows for the synthesis of both types of lactone in pure form.