Synthesis of perinaphthenones through rhodium-catalyzed dehydrative annulation of 1-naphthoic acids with alkynes.

An efficient approach to the synthesis of perinaphthenones via the rhodium-catalyzed dehydrative annulation of 1-naphthoic acids with internal alkynes was developed. Norbornadiene can act as an acetylene equivalent to give unsubstituted perinaphthenones at the 2- and 3-positions via dehydrative annulation followed by a retro Diels-Alder reaction.

Synthesis of fluorenones through rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular acylation of biarylcarboxylic acids.

An efficient approach to the synthesis of fluorenones via the rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular acylation of biarylcarboxylic acids was developed. Using this procedure, fluorenones with various substituents can be synthesized in good to high yields. This work marks the first recorded use of catalytic intramolecular acylation to synthesize fluorenones.

Rhodium-catalyzed decarbonylative C-H arylation of 2-aryloxybenzoic acids leading to dibenzofuran derivatives.

Rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular C-H arylation of 2-aryloxybenzoic acids proceeded accompanied by decarbonylation to give dibenzofuran derivatives in high yields. The present reaction is widely applicable to substrates bearing various functionalities.

Iron-catalyzed decarbonylation reaction of aliphatic carboxylic acids leading to α-olefins.

The catalytic decarbonylation reaction of aliphatic carboxylic acids can be carried out in the presence of an iron complex, and it proceeds smoothly to give α-olefins with high selectivity.