Ruthenium(II)-Catalyzed Oxidative Double C-H Activation and Annulation Reaction: Synthesis of Indolo[2,1-]isoquinolines.

The first metal-catalyzed double aryl C(sp)-H bond activation of antipyrine and alkyne annulation reaction is reported. This Ru(II)-catalyzed reaction was accomplished in the presence of 20 mol % phosphine ligand tricyclohexylphosphine tetrafluoroborate to afford indolo[2,1-]isoquinolines that are very important compounds because of their bioactivity and interesting optical properties.

Pd(II)-Catalyzed Synthesis of Alkylidene Phthalides via a Decarbonylative Annulation Reaction.

An unprecedented Pd(II)-catalyzed decarbonylative C-H/C-C activation and annulation reaction, which proceeds via intramolecular cyclization, is reported. This reaction of hydroxynaphthoquinones with disubstituted alkynes provides good yields of substituted alkylidene phthalides, which are the key intermediates for the synthesis of bioactive natural products.

Directing group assisted copper-mediated aroylation of phenols using 2-bromoacetophenones.

A new directing group assisted method for the synthesis of aryl esters is described. In this Cu(ii)-mediated reaction, 2-formylphenols and 2-acetylphenols are easily converted into aryl esters via treatment with a new aroylating agent 2-bromoacetophenone. In addition, a new external bromine free method for the synthesis of important synthons 2,2-dibromoacetophenones from 2-bromoacetophenones is described.