MeOTf- and TBD-Mediated Carbonylation of ortho-Arylanilines with CO2 Leading to Phenanthridinones.

Carbonylation of o-arylanilines utilizing CO2 as a carbonyl source for the synthesis of important phenanthridinones with a free (NH)-lactam motif has been described under metal-free condition. A range of o-arylanilines were transformed to the corresponding phenanthridinones in high yields.

Regio- and Stereochemical Control in Ocimene Polymerization by Half-Sandwich Rare-Earth Metal Dialkyl Complexes.

The polymerization of ocimene has been first achieved by half-sandwich rare-earth metal dialkyl complexes in combination with activator and Al(i) Bu3 . The regio- and stereoselectivity in the ocimene polymerization can be controlled by tuning the cyclopentadienyl ligand and the central metal of the complex. The chiral cyclopentadienyl-ligated Sc complex 1 prepares syndiotactic cis-1,4-polyocimene (cis-1,4-selectivity up to 100%, rrrr = 100%), while the corresponding Lu, Y, and Dy complexes 2-4 and the achiral pentamethylcyclopentadienyl Sc, Lu, and Y complexes 5-7 afford isotactic trans-1,2-polyocimenes (trans-1,2-selectivity up to 100%, mm = 100%).

Copper-catalyzed carboxylation reactions using carbon dioxide.

Carbon dioxide (CO2), as a waste of manufacture, is a cheap and abundant C1 source. Utilization of CO2 for synthesis of carboxylic acids has been developed. Transition-metal complexes play a key role in catalytic carboxylation reactions employing CO2. This review summarizes recent advances in copper-catalyzed carboxylation reactions using CO2. The contents are arranged based on various substrates: organometallic reagents, aryl iodides, sodium sulfinates, terminal alkynes, arenes, heteroarenes, and unsaturated substrates.

Bis(imino)diphenylamido rare-earth metal dialkyl complexes: synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity in living ring-opening ε-caprolactone polymerization and copolymerization with γ-butyrolactone.

Bis(imino)diphenylamido rare-earth metal dialkyl complexes [o-(2,6-(i)Pr(2)-C(6)H(3)-N=C-C(6)H(4))(2)-N]Ln(CH(2)SiMe(3))(2) (1: Ln = Sc; 2: Ln = Lu; 3: Ln = Y) have been synthesized in good yields and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. They serve as highly efficient single-component catalysts both for the living ring-opening ε-caprolactone polymerization and random copolymerization with γ-butyrolactone, with the activity being dependent on the steric hindrance around the metal center, yielding high molecular weight PCLs or P(CL-co-BL)s with narrow molecular weight distributions.