Divergent synthesis of multi-substituted phenanthrenes via an internal redox reaction/ring expansion sequence.

We report an effective synthetic route to multi-substituted phenanthrenes via an internal redox reaction/ring expansion sequence. The interesting feature of the present system is that it allows for the divergent synthesis of the target skeleton depending on the selected Lewis acid catalyst. When benzylidene malonates with a cyclic structure at the ortho-position were treated with BF3·OEt2, three sequential processes (internal redox reaction/elimination of the alkoxy group/ring expansion) proceeded to give phenanthrene derivatives in which the alkoxycarbonyl (CO2R) group and the alkyl (R) group were in close proximity to each other, in good chemical yields. In sharp contrast, treatment with Bi(OTf)3 exclusively led to the formation of another type of phenanthrene, whose R group was positioned distal to the CO2R group.

Total Synthesis of Alanense A through an Intramolecular Friedel-Crafts Alkylation.

The first total synthesis of cadinane sesquiterpenoid alanense A, in which an intramolecular dehydrative Friedel-Crafts alkylation of 2,5-diaryl-2-pentanol is incorporated as a key step, has been achieved. The combinatorial use of p-TsOH·H2O as a catalyst and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) as a solvent provides 1,1-disubstituted tetrahydronaphthalene in 97% yield. It was also found that the combination of p-TsOH and HFIP is effective for the removal of phenolic MOM ether.

Direct C4-Benzylation of Indoles via Tandem Benzyl Claisen/Cope Rearrangements.

A novel direct C4 benzylation of indoles utilizing 2-benzyloxyindoles has been developed to access 4-benzyl-2-oxindoles. This strategy involves the in situ formation of isotoluene intermediates via benzyl Claisen rearrangements, which undergoes Cope rearrangement and aromatization. The method provides the desired products in moderate to high yields and shows good functional group tolerance.

Synthesis of Poly(arylene vinylene)s with Different End Groups by Combining Acyclic Diene Metathesis Polymerization with Wittig-type Couplings.

A series of end-functionalized poly(9,9'-di-n-octylfluorene vinylene)s (EF-PFVs) with different end groups were obtained by 1) synthesizing EF-PFV with vinyl end groups by acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization with a molybdenum catalyst and termination with an aldehyde and 2) subsequent olefin metathesis of the vinyl group with the molybdenum catalyst followed by Wittig-type coupling with another aldehyde. The exclusive formation of EF-PFVs containing a vinyl end group by the ADMET polymerization was confirmed by grafting PEG, and by the synthesis of amphiphilic triblock copolymers by combining atom transfer radical polymerization from the PFV chain end with PEG grafting through a click reaction. Various EF-PFVs with different end groups, such as C6 F5 , pyridyl, ferrocenyl, and terthiophene, have thus been prepared. Their fluorescence spectra (e.g., intensities, emission wavelengths) were influenced by the end groups and the length of the conjugation.

Rhenium-Catalyzed Synthesis of 1,3-Diiminoisoindolines via Insertion of Carbodiimides into a C-H Bond of Aromatic and Heteroaromatic Imidates.

The rhenium-catalyzed synthesis of 1,3-diiminoisoindolines and their related compounds from aromatic or heteroaromatic imidates and carbodiimides are reported via C-H bond activation. This reaction is the first example of a transition-metal-catalyzed insertion of carbodiimides into an aromatic or heteroaromatic C-H bond and a novel method for synthesizing 1,3-diiminoisoindolines and their related compounds. Unsymmetrical 1,3-diiminoisoindolines were easily obtained using this method. The reaction proceeded in good to excellent yield using a variety of substrates.

Manganese- and Borane-Mediated Synthesis of Isobenzofuranones from Aromatic Esters and Oxiranes via C-H Bond Activation.

A manganese- and borane-mediated synthesis of isobenzofuranones from esters and oxiranes is developed. The reaction proceeded at aromatic, heteroaromatic, and olefinic C-H bonds with high functional group tolerance. This is the first example of a manganese-catalyzed C-H transformation using an oxygen-directing group. Triphenylborane played an important role in this reaction to cooperatively promote the annulation reaction. Kinetic isotope effect experiments revealed that C-H bond activation of the aromatic rings was the rate-determining step.

Rhodium-catalysed synthesis of multi-substituted silylindenes from aryl alkynes and hydrosilanes via C-H bond activation.

We successfully developed rhodium-catalysed synthesis of multi-substituted silylindenes from 2 equivalents of aryl alkynes and 1 equivalent of hydrosilanes in moderate to good yields via C-H bond activation for the first time. The silyl groups of the obtained silylindenes could be converted to several other functional groups.

Copper-catalyzed N- and O-alkylation of amines and phenols using alkylborane reagents.

By the reaction of amines with alkylborane reagents in the presence of a catalytic amount of copper(II) acetate Cu(OAc)2 and di-tert-butyl peroxide, a cross-coupling reaction proceeded and alkylated amines were obtained in good to excellent yields. Phenols are also applicable for this reaction, and the corresponding alkyl aryl ethers were produced.