Investigation of alkyne regioselectivity in the ni-catalyzed benzannulation of cyclobutenones.

A Ni-catalyzed benzannulation reaction of cyclobutenones and alkynes provides a rapid synthesis of heavily substituted phenols. The regioselectivity of this reaction can be modulated by variation of substituents on the alkyne. Though the incorporation of Lewis basic donors provides modest selectivities, the use of aryl substituents can provide high levels of regiocontrol.

Si-free enolate Claisen rearrangements of enamido substrates.

α-Alkyl β-amino esters are available in high diastereoselectivity through a silicon-free Claisen enolate [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of enamide esters. Optimisation studies have probed the crucial role of the initial enolisation and the nature of the enamide N-centre. The demonstration of chirality transfer and the formation of β-proline systems, is also presented.

A practical protocol for the highly E-selective formation of aryl-substituted silylketene acetals.

The E/Z-selectivity in the formation of silylketene acetals derived from phenylacetate esters, mediated by LiHMDS, has been studied by in situ NMR techniques. The formation is seen to be highly E-selective with use of the newly developed protocol. Isolated aryl-substituted silylketene acetals are now attainable with high levels of E-geometrical purity in excellent yield.