Regioselective Dehydrogenative Reverse Prenylation of Indoles with 2-Methyl-2-butene.

Bulk chemical 2-methyl-2-butene, one of the main C5 distillates of the petrochemical industry, has scarcely been utilized directly in synthesizing high-value-added fine chemicals. Herein, we use 2-methyl-2-butene as the starting material to develop a palladium-catalyzed highly site- and regio-selective C-3 dehydrogenation reverse prenylation of indoles. This synthetic method features mild reaction conditions, a broad substrate scope, atom- and step-economies.

Synthesis of Difluoromethylthioesters from Aldehydes.

Difluoromethylthioester compounds are yet another important kind of organofluorine compound and are reported here for the first time. They can be efficiently synthesized from various aldehydes. The synthetic method features mild reaction conditions, good tolerance of functional groups, broad substrate scope, and importantly, no metal is involved in the reaction. The approach has the potential to become an important tool for the late-stage functionalization of advanced synthetic intermediates, and should have many applications in medicinal chemistry.

Oxidative Cleavage and Fluoromethylthiolation of C═C Bonds: A General Route toward Mono-, Di-, and Trifluoromethylthioesters from Alkenes.

A novel oxidative cleavage and fluoromethylthiolation reaction of C═C bonds has been developed that represents the first and general method for the preparation of mono-, di-, and trifluoromethylthioesters from alkenes. The protocol features excellent product selectivity and substrate suitability. Various observations suggested that the protocol proceeded via a two-step radical process and that aldehyde was the key intermediate. What's more meaningful is that this route provides a new direction for converting alkenes into higher-value-added carbonyl-containing chemicals.

Direct Dehydrogenative Arylation of Benzaldehydes with Arenes Using Transient Directing Groups.

The utilization of the transient directing strategy into the direct oxidative dehydrogenative arylation of aldehydes with arenes was reported for the first time. Featured by mild reaction conditions, good functional group compatibility, and great regioselectivity, the method should find broad applications in new medicine and material development and discovery processes.

Synthesis of Hydrazines via Radical Generation and Addition of Azocarboxylic tert-Butyl Esters.

A new chemistry of azo compounds that is a radical generation and addition in situ of azocarboxylic tert-butyl esters to synthesize hydrazines has been described. The protocol provides a novel strategy for the synthesis of various hydrazines. The advantages of the transformation include broad substrate scope, benign conditions, and convenient operation.

Palladium-Catalyzed C-H Functionalization of Phenyl 2-Pyridylsulfonates.

An efficient palladium(II)-catalyzed intermolecular direct ortho-alkenylation and acetoxylation of phenols has been developed. The reaction proceeded via a seven-membered cyclopalladated intermediate and showed complete regio- and diastereoselectivity. The approach also provided an efficient route for the synthesis of coumarins and benzofurans.

Synthesis of 6H-Benzo[c]chromenes via Palladium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Dehydrogenative Coupling of Two Aryl C-H Bonds.

The palladium-catalyzed intramolecular C-H/C-H coupling reaction of two simple arenes to generate 6H-benzo[c]chromenes has been reported for the first time. The approach features broad substrate scope and good tolerance of functional groups and uses molecular oxygen as the terminal oxidant. The high efficiency of the approach is verified by concise total synthesis of natural product cannabinol.

Wacker-type oxidation and dehydrogenation of terminal olefins using molecular oxygen as the sole oxidant without adding ligand.

An efficient and economical palladium-catalyzed oxidation system has been identified. The oxidation system, characterized by not adding ligand and using molecular oxygen as the sole oxidant, can realize the Tsuji-Wacker oxidation of terminal olefins and especially styrenes to methyl ketones; in addition, this system can achieve tandem Wacker oxidation-dehydrogenation of terminal olefins to α,ß-unsaturated ketones.