Selective ring expansion and C-H functionalization of azulenes.

We report a transition metal-catalyzed ring expansion of azulene that can be contrasted with C-H functionalization. This study represents the first example of the successful ring expansion of azulene using Cu(hfacac)2 (hfacac: hexafluoroacetylacetonate) with a diazo reagent. This result is notable for extending the Buchner reaction, previously limited to benzenoid aromatics, to nonbenzenoid compounds. The chemoselectivity of the reaction can be directed towards C-H functionalization by substituting the Cu catalyst with AgOTf. This approach does not require the addition of phosphine, NHC, or related ligands, and prefunctionalization of azulenes is unnecessary. Furthermore, the method exhibits excellent functional group tolerance, allowing for the synthesis of a wide range of 6,7-bicyclic compounds and C-H functionalized azulenes. We also present a theoretical study that explains the experimental observations, explaining why copper afford the ring expansion product while silver forms the C-H alkylation product.

Iridium-Catalyzed Regioselective B(4)-Alkenylation and B(3,5)-Dialkenylation of o-Carboranes.

Iridium(I)-catalyzed regioselective B(4)-alkenylation has been developed from o-carboranyl sulfoxonium ylides and alkynes through B(4)-H activation. The sequential B(4)- and B(6)-alkenylation afforded B(3,5)-dialkenylated o-carboranyl sulfoxonium ylides in one pot. Eventually, two alkenyl groups, the same or different, were introduced at positions 3 and 5 of the carborane. Sulfoxonium ylide used as a directing group remains available for further functionalization and is converted to B-alkenylated o-carboranyl trichloromethyl ketones.

Synthesis of 2-Alkoxyaryl-2-aryl Enamines via Tandem Copper-Catalyzed Cycloaddition and Rhodium-Catalyzed Alkoxyarylation from Alkynes, N-Sulfonyl Azides, and Aryl Ethers.

A synthetic route to a wide range of 2-alkoxyaryl-2-aryl enamines is developed from Rh-catalyzed alkoxyarylation of N-sulfonyl-4-aryl-1,2,3-triazoles with aryl ethers via the elimination of nitrogen molecule. In addition, 2-alkoxyaryl-2-aryl enamines are prepared via tandem Cu-catalyzed cycloaddition and Rh-catalyzed alkoxyarylation starting from alkynes, N-sulfonyl azides, and aryl ethers in one-pot.

Alkenylation of phosphacoumarins via aerobic oxidative Heck reactions and their synthetic application to fluorescent benzophosphacoumarins.

Alkenylation of phosphacoumarins is developed from the reaction of phosphacoumarins with a variety of activated as well as nonactivated alkenes via aerobic oxidative Heck reactions. In addition, 3-alkenylphosphacoumarins undergo an inverse electron demand Diels-Alder reaction (IEDDA) with enamines in situ generated from ketone and pyrrolidine followed by 1,2-elimination and a dehydrogenation, producing fluorescent benzophosphacoumarins.

In situ generation of phosphoryl alkylindiums and their synthetic application to arylalkyl phosphonates via palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions.

Phosphoryl alkylindium reagents are generated in situ from the direct insertion of indium with bromoalkyl phosphonates in the presence of CuCl, and their synthetic application to arylalkyl phosphonates is reported via a Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction with tolerance of a diversity of functional groups including ester, ketone, aldehyde, nitrile, nitro, trifluoromethyl, chloride, methoxy, hydroxy, and amino.

Synthesis of pyrroles from terminal alkynes, N-sulfonyl azides, and alkenyl alkyl ethers through 1-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles.

A method for synthesis of substituted pyrroles has been developed. 1-Sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles generated from terminal alkynes gave α-imino rhodium carbene complexes, which when reacted with alkenyl alkyl ethers afforded substituted pyrroles. The method can be efficiently applied to a one-pot sequential reaction starting from terminal alkynes.

ICl-mediated intramolecular twofold iodoarylation of diynes and diynyl diethers and amines: synthesis of bis(2H-hydronaphthalene and chromene) and 2H-quinoline bearing an alkenyl iodide moiety.

Electrophilic intramolecular twofold iodoarylation was developed from the reaction of diynes and diynyl diethers and amines with iodine monochloride under mild conditions, which produced bis(2H-hydronaphthalene and chromene) and 2H-quinoline bearing an alkenyl iodide moiety in good to excellent yields. These compounds underwent Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions with arylboronic acid and indium tris(arylthiolate) to produce the functionalized styrene derivatives.