A novel entry to functionalized benzofurans and indoles via palladium(0)-catalyzed arylative dearomatization of furans.

A novel entry to functionalized benzofurans and indoles from furans in moderate to good yields has been developed. This protocol involves palladium(0)-catalyzed dearomatizing intramolecular arylation of the furan ring, formation of a π-allylic palladium complex, furan ring opening, and a ß-hydride elimination sequence.

Facile synthesis of 3a,6a-dihydro-furo[2,3-b]furans and polysubstituted furans involving dearomatization of furan ring via electrocyclic ring-closure.

A facile and atom-economic method for the synthesis of 3a,6a-dihydro-furo[2,3-b]furan derivatives and polysubstituted furans starting from furylcarbionls has been developed. This protocol involved a domino Claisen rearrangement/dearomatizing electrocyclic ring-closure/aromatizing electrocyclic ring-opening sequence.

Highly regioselective palladium-catalysed oxidative allylic C-H carbonylation of alkenes.

Pd-catalysed direct oxidative carbonylation of allylic C-H bonds with carbon monoxide was first described. This new procedure shows that the inherent requirement for a leaving group in the Tsuji-Trost palladium-catalysed allylic carbonylation can be lifted, which provides a new route for accessing more synthetically useful ß-enoic acid esters with high regioselectivity.

Facile synthesis of (E)-alkenyl aldehydes from allyl arenes or alkenes via Pd(II)-catalyzed direct oxygenation of allylic C-H bond.

Palladium-catalyzed oxygenation of allyl arenes or alkenes has been developed to produce (E)-alkenyl aldehydes with high yields. Allylic C-H bond cleavages occur under the mild conditions during this process. Mechanistic studies show that oxygen source is water.