A Bis-Cyclopentadienyl Ligand-Supported Di-Iron Trihydride Motif as a Synthon for Access to Heterobimetallic Trinuclear Complexes.

Herein, we report the synthesis of a flexible bis-cyclopentadienyl ligand L (the doubly deprotonated form of H2L (1,3-bis(2,4-di-tert-butylcyclopentadienyldimethylsilyl)benzene)), demonstrating its ability to stabilize a series of di-iron hydrido complexes. Notably, this ligand facilitates the isolation of an unprecedented anionic cyclopentadienyl ligand-supported di-iron trihydride complex, LFe2(µ-H)3Li(THF) (2), functioning as a synthon for the [Fe2(µ-H)3]- core and providing access to heterobimetallic complexes 4-6 with coinage metals.

Access to Monomeric Lead(II) Hydrides with Remarkable Thermostability and Their Use in Catalytic Hydroboration of Carbonyl Derivatives.

We report on the remarkable stability of unprecedented, monomeric lead(II) hydrides M+[LPb(II)H]- (M[1-H]), where L = 2,6-bis(3,5-diphenylpyrrolyl)pyridine and M = (18-crown-6)potassium or ([2.2.2]-cryptand)potassium. The half-life of [K18c6][1-H] of ∼2 days in tetrahydrofuran at 25 °C is significantly longer than those reported for dimeric lead(II) hydrides supported by bulky terphenyl ligands (few hours at low temperatures), which are the only examples known for lead(II) hydride compounds. The presence of a Pb-H bond in [1-H]- was unambiguously identified by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. Remarkably, a 1H resonance of the hydride ligand was found at δ = 41.43 ppm (1JPbH = 1312 Hz). For reactivity study, [1-H]- serves as an excellent hydroboration catalyst with high turnover numbers and turnover frequencies for several carbonyl compounds.

An efficient Friedel-Crafts/oxa-Michael/aromatic annulation: rapid access to substituted naphtho[2,1-b]furan, naphtho[1,2-b]furan, and benzofuran derivatives.

Substituted naphthofurans and benzofurans are easily accessible by treatment of naphthols/substituted phenols with nitroallylic acetates through a substitution-elimination process promoted by cesium carbonate. Reactions between naphthols and aromatic/heteroaromatic-substituted nitroallylic acetates gave the desired functionalized naphthofurans in high to excellent chemical yields (14-97%). On the other hand, treatment of phenol derivatives (i.e., 3-dimethylamino-, 3-methoxy-, and 3,5-dimethoxyphenol) with various nitroallylic acetates afforded the corresponding benzofurans in moderate to good chemical yields (24-91%). The reaction proceeded through an interesting Friedel-Crafts S(N)2' process followed by intramolecular oxa-Michael cyclization and subsequent aromatization. A plot of log (k/kH) against Hammett constants σ(p) showed satisfactory linearity with a positive ρ value, indicating that the initial Friedel-Crafts-type S(N)2' process constituted the rate-determining step. This methodology has been applied to the synthesis of various novel C2 and C3 symmetric bis- and trisfurans by using catechol and phloroglucinol as the nucleophilic partners. The reactivity decreased when alkyl-substituted nitroallylic acetate systems were used. This might be related to the decreased electrophilic character of these substrates.

Control of five contiguous stereogenic centers in an organocatalytic kinetic resolution via Michael/acetalization sequence: synthesis of fully substituted tetrahydropyranols.

An organocatalytic kinetic resolution of racemic secondary nitroallylic alcohols via Michael/acetalization sequence to give fully substituted tetrahydropyranols is described. The process affords the products with high to excellent stereoselectivities (up to 19.9:1.5:1 dr and 98% ee). The highly enantioenriched, less reactive (S)-nitroallylic alcohols 3 were isolated with good to high chemical yields (30-44%). The synthetic application of the resolved substrate is shown toward the synthesis of enantioenriched (+)-(2S,3R)-3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid.