Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Peterson Olefinations.

A mild and facile Peterson olefination has been developed employing low catalyst loading of the Brønsted acid HNTf2. The reactions are typically performed at room temperature, with the reaction tolerant to a range of useful functionalities. Furthermore, we have extended this methodology to the synthesis of enynes.

4-π-Photocyclization of 1,2-Dihydropyridazines: An Approach to Bicyclic 1,2-Diazetidines with Rich Synthetic Potential.

The 4-π-photocyclization of a range of 1,2-dihydropyridazines is described, generating bicyclic 1,2-diazetidines in high yields on multigram scale. The key bicyclic 1,2-diazetidines are versatile synthetic intermediates and were easily converted into a range of novel derivatives, including functionalized 1,2-diazetidines, cyclobutenes, cyclobutanes, and 1,3-dienes.