Ru(ii)-catalyzed regioselective oxidative Heck reaction with internal olefins that tolerated strongly coordinating heterocycles.

The oxidative Heck reaction of strongly coordinating heterocycles with internal olefins often led to elusive reactivity and regioselectivity. Herein, by judicious choice of X-type directing groups under Ru(ii) catalysis, we achieved the regioselective oxidative Heck reaction of strongly coordinating heterocycles with sterically demanding internal olefins. It was postulated that the "match/mismatch effect" of sterically demanding internal olefins as coupling partners and subsequent kinetically favoured Michael addition or oxidative aromatization act as driving forces to facilitate the desired reactivity and site-selectivity.

Copper-catalyzed oxidative multicomponent reaction: synthesis of imidazo fused heterocycles with molecular oxygen.

An oxidative cascade that involves multicomponent reaction comprising a terminal alkyne, 2-amino N-heterocycle, benzyl or allylic bromide with molecular oxygen, delivering densely functionalized imidazo fused heterocycles, is described. This reaction features a cheap catalyst, a green oxidant, and readily available starting materials, which make the overall synthesis applicable in the quick access to relevant pharmaceutical molecules with imidazole derived heterocycles.

Copper-catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular aryl C-N coupling: synthesis of enantioenriched 2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline-3-carboxamides via an asymmetric desymmetrization strategy.

The differentiation of two nucleophilic amide groups in malonamides through a copper-catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular aryl C-N coupling reaction is demonstrated based on an asymmetric desymmetrization strategy. Such a method afforded enantioenriched 2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline-3-carboxamides in high yields and moderate to good enantioselectivity.