Efficient 1,3-Oxazolidin-2-one Synthesis through Heterogeneous PdII -Catalyzed Intramolecular Hydroamination of Propargylic Carbamates.

Herein, we present an operationally simple protocol for the cycloisomerization of propargylic carbamates in which a heterogeneous catalyst consisting of Pd species immobilized on amino-functionalized siliceous mesocellular foam (PdII -AmP-MCF) is used. This Pd nanocatalyst displayed high efficiency at low catalyst loading and reaction temperatures, which allowed for the efficient and mild synthesis of a wide range of 1,3-oxazolidin-2-one derivatives and related compounds. Moreover, it proved possible to re-use the Pd nanocatalyst for several reactions, although a gradual decrease in activity was observed in the subsequent cycles.

Mild and Selective Catalytic Hydrogenation of the C=C Bond in α,ß-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds Using Supported Palladium Nanoparticles.

Chemoselective reduction of the C=C bond in a variety of α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl compounds using supported palladium nanoparticles is reported. Three different heterogeneous catalysts were compared using 1 atm of H2 : 1) nano-Pd on a metal-organic framework (MOF: Pd(0) -MIL-101-NH2 (Cr)), 2) nano-Pd on a siliceous mesocellular foam (MCF: Pd(0) -AmP-MCF), and 3) commercially available palladium on carbon (Pd/C). Initial studies showed that the Pd@MOF and Pd@MCF nanocatalysts were superior in activity and selectivity compared to commercial Pd/C. Both Pd(0) -MIL-101-NH2 (Cr) and Pd(0) -AmP-MCF were capable of delivering the desired products in very short reaction times (10-90 min) with low loadings of Pd (0.5-1 mol %). Additionally, the two catalytic systems exhibited high recyclability and very low levels of metal leaching.

C-2 selective arylation of indoles with heterogeneous nanopalladium and diaryliodonium salts.

A simple and efficient method to prepare synthetically useful 2-arylindoles is presented, using a heterogeneous Pd catalyst and diaryliodonium salts in water under mild conditions. A remarkably low leaching of metal catalyst was observed under the applied conditions. The developed protocol is highly C-2 selective and tolerates structural variations both in the indole and in the diaryliodonium salt. Arylations of both N-H indoles and N-protected indoles with ortho-substituted, electron-rich, electron-deficient, or halogenated diaryliodonium salts were achieved to give the desired products in high to excellent isolated yields within 6 to 15 h at room temperature or 40 °C.

Cycloisomerization of acetylenic acids to γ-alkylidene lactones using a palladium(II) catalyst supported on amino-functionalized siliceous mesocellular foam.

Cycloisomerization of various γ-acetylenic acids to their corresponding γ-alkylidene lactones by the use of a heterogeneous Pd(II) catalyst supported on amino-functionalized siliceous mesocellular foam is described. Substrates containing terminal as well as internal alkynes were cyclized in high to excellent yields within 2­24 h under mild reaction conditions. The protocol exhibited high regio- and stereoselectivity, favoring the exo-dig product with high Z selectivity. Moreover, the catalyst displayed excellent stability under the employed reaction conditions, as demonstrated by its good recyclability and low leaching.

Enantioselective route to ketones and lactones from exocyclic allylic alcohols via metal and enzyme catalysis.

A general and efficient route for the synthesis of enantiomerically pure α-substituted ketones and the corresponding lactones has been developed. Ruthenium- and enzyme-catalyzed dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) with a subsequent Cu-catalyzed α-allylic substitution are the key steps of the route. The α-substituted ketones were obtained in high yields and with excellent enantiomeric excess. The methodology was applied to the synthesis of a naturally occurring caprolactone, (R)-10-methyl-6-undecanolide, via a subsequent Baeyer-Villiger oxidation.