Allylation of alcohols and carboxylic acids with allyl acetate catalyzed by [Ir(cod)2](+)BF4- complex.

A facile method for the synthesis of allyl alkyl ethers from alcohols with allyl acetate was developed by the use of [Ir(cod)(2)](+)BF(4)(-) complex. For instance, the reaction of allyl acetate with n-octyl alcohol in the presence of a catalytic amount of [Ir(cod)(2)](+)BF(4)(-) complex afforded allyl octyl ether in quantitative yield. Allyl carboxylates were also prepared by the exchange reaction between carboxylic acids and allyl acetate in good yields.

An efficient direct alpha-alkylation of ketones with primary alcohols catalyzed by [Ir(cod)Cl]2/PPh3/KOH system without solvent.

alpha-Alkylation of ketones was successfully achieved by the reaction of ketones with alcohols catalyzed by iridium complexes in the presence of a small amount of base. For example, 2-octanone was allowed to react with butanol under the influence of [Ir(cod)Cl]2/PPh3/KOH to give 6-dodecanone in good yield. The reaction was found to proceed by using a 1:1 mixture of ketone and alcohol without use of any solvent.

First Ritter-type reaction of alkylbenzenes using N-hydroxyphthalimide as a key catalyst.

The first Ritter-type reaction of alkylbenzenes with nitriles has been successfully achieved by the use of N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) as a key catalyst. Thus, treatment of ethylbenzene with ammonium hexanitratocerate(IV) (CAN) in the presence of a catalytic amount of NHPI in EtCN under argon produced the corresponding amide in good selectivity.