Pd/Cu-Catalyzed Vinylation of Terminal Alkynes with (2-Bromoethyl)diphenylsulfonium Triflate.

The potential of (2-bromoethyl)diphenylsulfonium triflate to be a powerful vinylation reagent was determined by the Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions with terminal alkynes. The vinylation proceeded smoothly at 25 °C under Pd/Cu catalysis to afford a variety of 1- and 2-unsubstituted 1,3-enynes in moderate to excellent yields. This protocol represents the first application of (2-haloethyl)diphenylsulfonium triflate as a CH═CH transfer source in organic synthesis.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of CF Se-Substituted α-Amino Acid Derivatives.

Several CF Se-substituted α-amino acid derivatives, such as (R)-2-amino-3-((trifluoromethyl)selanyl)propanoates (5 a/6 a), (S)-2-amino-4-((trifluoromethyl)selanyl)butanoates (5 b/6 b), (2R,3R)-2-amino-3-((trifluoromethyl)selanyl)butanoates (5 c/6 c), (R)-2-((S)-2-amino-3-phenylpropanamido)-3-((trifluoromethyl)selanyl)propanoates (11 a/12 a), and (R)-2-(2-aminoacetamido)-3-((trifluoromethyl)selanyl)propanoates (11 b/12 b), were readily synthesized from natural amino acids and [Me N][SeCF ]. The primary in vitro cytotoxicity assays revealed that compounds 6 a, 11 a and 12 a were more effective cell growth inhibitors than the other tested CF Se-substituted derivatives towards MCF-7, HCT116, and SK-OV-3 cells, with their IC values being less than 10 μM for MCF-7 and HCT116 cells. This study indicated the potentials of CF Se moiety as a pharmaceutically relevant group in the design and synthesis of novel biologically active molecules.

Base-Mediated O-Arylation of Alcohols and Phenols by Triarylsulfonium Triflates.

A mild and efficient protocol for O-arylation of alcohols and phenols (ROH) by triarylsulfonium triflates was developed under transition-metal-free conditions. Various alcohols, including primary, secondary and tertiary, and phenols bearing either electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups on the aryl rings were smoothly converted to form the corresponding aromatic ethers in moderate to excellent yields. The reactions were conducted at 50 or 80 °C for 24 h in the presence of a certain base and showed good functional group tolerance.

Transition-Metal-Free N-Arylation of Amines by Triarylsulfonium Triflates.

A simple and efficient method for transition-metal-free N-arylation of various amines by triarylsulfonium triflates is described. Both aliphatic and aromatic amines were smoothly converted at 80 °C in the presence of tBuOK or KOH to give the corresponding mono N-arylated products in good to high yields. The molar ratios of the reactants and the choice of bases had a big effect on the reaction.