Functionalisation of aldehydes via aerobic hydroacylation of azodicarboxylates 'on' water.

Herein we report the functionalisation of aldehydes via hydroacylation of azodicarboxylates. A range of functionalised aldehydes are employed as the limiting reagent including chiral non-racemic aldehydes bearing α-stereocentres which are functionalised giving access to enantiomerically pure products. The resultant hydrazides can be employed as acyl donors in the synthesis of amides.

Dioxygen mediated hydroacylation of vinyl sulfonates and sulfones on water.

Herein we report a mild, facile method for the preparation of 1,4-keto-sulfonates and sulfones on water. Further synthetic manipulations can result in products that are not readily accessed by hydroacylation of electron rich alkenes.

Synthesis of unsymmetrical ketones via simple C-H activation of aldehydes and concomitant hydroacylation of vinyl sulfonates.

A new and simple protocol for the direct functionalisation of aldehydes with concomitant conversion into ketones via C-C bond formation has been developed. The reaction effectively enables the direct C-H activation of an aldehyde by mixing of an aldehyde and a vinyl sulfonate under aerobic conditions or using hydrogen peroxide as a sub-stoichiometric reagent.