Silver/NBS-Catalyzed Synthesis of α-Alkylated Aryl Ketones from Internal Alkynes and Benzyl Alcohols via Ether Intermediates.

The silver hexafluoroantimonate/ N-bromosuccinimide (NBS)-catalyzed synthesis of α-alkylated aryl ketones with a tertiary carbon center from internal alkynes and benzyl alcohols is reported. This reaction proceeds via the etherification of benzyl alcohols with an in situ generated benzyl bromide, formed by the reaction of benzyl alcohol with a catalytic amount of NBS and AgSbF6. Ag-catalyzed C-O cleavage of the ether leads to a tolyl radical, which undergoes addition to the alkyne, ultimately leading to the α-alkylated aryl ketone products.

Bimetallic Cobalt-Rhodium Nanoparticle-Catalyzed Reductive Amination of Aldehydes with Nitroarenes Under Atmospheric Hydrogen.

A cobalt-rhodium heterobimetallic nanoparticle (Co2Rh2/C)-catalyzed tandem reductive amination of aldehydes with nitroaromatics to sec-amines has been developed. The tandem reaction proceeds without any additives under mild conditions (1 atm H2 and 25 °C). This procedure can be scaled up to the gram scale, and the catalyst can be reused more than six times without loss of activity.

Transition-Metal-Free Poly(thiazolium) Iodide/1,8-Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene/Phenazine-Catalyzed Esterification of Aldehydes with Alcohols.

Poly(3,4-dimethyl-5-vinylthiazolium) iodide was used as a polymer precatalyst in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) and phenazine for the oxidative esterification of aldehydes with alcohols. Selective functionalization of OH groups was achieved in the presence of NH2 groups. The poly(thiazolium) iodide/DBU/phenazine system exhibited excellent catalytic activity and could be reused five times without loss of activity.