Hydroxysulfenylation of electron-deficient alkenes through an aerobic copper catalysis.

A copper-catalyzed hydroxysulfenylation of α,ß-unsaturated esters/amides is reported. The method presents a selective and efficient synthesis of ß-hydroxysulfides bearing electron-withdrawing groups. The synthetic utility of this method is demonstrated by the concise synthesis of the anticancer drug bicalutamide.

Silica gel-promoted tandem addition-cyclization reactions of 2-alkynylbenzenamines with isothiocyanates.

Tandem addition-cyclization reactions of 2-alkynylbenzenamines with isothiocyanates promoted by silica gel are described. This reaction proceeds smoothly at 80 degrees C under metal- and solvent-free conditions, which provides an efficient and practical route for the generation of 2,4-dihydro-1H-benzo[d][1,3]thiazines. The recovered silica gel could be reused for several times.