Synlett

A 2-iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX)–dimethyl sulfoxide (IBX-DMSO)-promoted oxidative aromatization of spiro[2.5]octa-4,7-dien-6-ones has been developed. A series of substrates with various substitutions were transformed into oxidative aromatization products in good to excellent yields. This oxidative aromatization features environmentally friendly reagents, high efficiency, a broad substrate scope, broad functional-group tolerance, and mild reaction conditions.

The construction of the successive stereogenic centers, including an all-carbon quaternary stereogenic center, of ent-kauranoid through an oxidative dearomatization/1,2-shift cascade is described. The developed cascade reaction of a substrate bearing a trans-2-(p-methoxyphenyl)vinyl group as the migrating group afforded the desired product in 83% yield. The 1,2-shift in the cascade is strongly affected by a stereoelectronic effect. The X-ray crystal structure of a compound bearing four successive stereogenic centers in the fused-ring moiety of ent-kauranoid diterpene, which was prepared by the oxidative dearomatization/1,2-shift cascade and subsequent stereoselective transformations, is also reported.

The N-oxidation of tertiary amines was achieved by using electrochemically generated peroxodicarbonate solutions as sustainable oxidizers. The presence of EDTA and 2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenone as a mediator was found to be crucial for converting water-insoluble substrates. Various tertiary amines were converted into their corresponding N-oxides in yields of up to 98%. The scope includes economically important surfactants and potential platform oxidizers.

Triarylmethane derivatives and their corresponding trityl carbocations are among the oldest chemical species synthesized and studied by chemists. The carbocationic platforms are particularly interesting due to their stability, high extinction coefficient, and tunable absorption of light in the visible spectrum, which can be achieved through structural modifications. These stable cations are traditionally obtained through heterolytic cleavage of judiciously designed, parent triarylmethanes by exposure to acids or UV light (λ < 300 nm), and methods based on electrochemistry or radiolysis. Our group has recently discovered that trityl carbocations can be generated also via mechanical stimulation of solid polymer materials featuring triarylmethane units as covalent crosslinks. In this Synpacts contribution, we expand on our previous finding by discussing some intriguing research questions that we aim to tackle in the immediate future.1 Introduction2 The Development of Our First Triarylmethane Mechanophore3 The Potential Reversibility of Triarylmethane Mechanophores4 A General Molecular Platform for Force-Induced, Scissile, Homolytic and Heterolytic Bond Cleavage?5 Conclusion

Synlett 2022; 33: A101-A117DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1720564Georg Thieme Verlag KG Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, GermanyArticle in Thieme eJournals:Table of contents

Synlett 2022; 33: V-DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1737721Georg Thieme Verlag KG Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, GermanyArticle in Thieme eJournals:Table of contents

Fluorinated heterocyclic compounds have been proven to exhibit interesting potential biological activities. Therefore, various fluorinated 2-benzylphthalazine-1(2H)-one and phthalazine-1-amine derivatives and nonfluorinated 1-alkoxy/benzyloxyphthalazines derivatives have been synthesized by an ultrasonication method. This protocol is more efficient than the conventional method in terms of its product yield and reaction handling and timelines.

An asymmetric Michael reaction of malononitrile and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes catalyzed by a diarylprolinol silyl ether was developed. Michael products were obtained in good yields and with excellent enantioselectivities without the formation of overreaction products. As a malononitrile moiety can be transformed into an alkoxy or amino carbonyl moiety by oxidative transformation, α-chiral esters or amides with all-carbon quaternary centers can be synthesized with excellent enantioselectivities.

A Brønsted base catalyzed addition reaction of allyl sulfones having a diethoxyphosphoryloxy group, which are new precursors of β-acylvinyl anion equivalents, with α,β-unsaturated ketones was developed. The reaction proceeded efficiently under the influence of a phosphazene base as the catalyst. This is a rare example of a catalytic addition reaction of β-acylvinyl anion equivalents. A preliminary study on an asymmetric variant was also conducted with a chiral bis(guanidino)iminophosphorane catalyst.

A one-pot, three-component difunctionalization of quinones with indoles and arylamines has been developed to synthesize indole functionalized p-iminoquinones derivatives. The approach employed AgOAc as the catalyst in the presence of 3-chlorophenylboronic acid, giving a series of indole functionalized p-iminoquinones derivatives in moderate to good yields. This catalytic approach represents a step-economic and convenient strategy for the difunctionalization of quinones. A plausible reaction pathway has been proposed based on a series of control experiments.