Copper-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Amidation of Benzyl Alcohols.

A Cu-catalyzed synthesis of amides from alcohols and secondary amines using the oxygen in air as the terminal oxidant has been developed. The methodology is operationally simple requiring no high pressure equipment or handling of pure oxygen. The commercially available, nonprecious metal catalyst, Cu(phen)Cl2, in conjunction with di-tert-butyl hydrazine dicarboxylate and an inorganic base provides a variety of benzamides in moderate to excellent yields. The pKa of amine conjugate acid and electronics of alcohol were shown to impact the selection of base for optimal reactivity. A mechanism consistent with the observed reactivity trends, KIE, and Hammett study is proposed.

Ligand-Controlled Synthesis of Azoles via Ir-Catalyzed Reactions of Sulfoxonium Ylides with 2-Amino Heterocycles.

An iridium-catalyzed method was developed for the synthesis of imidazo-fused pyrrolopyrazines. The presence or absence of a nitrogenated ligand controlled the outcome of the reaction, leading to simple ß-keto amine products in the absence of added ligand and the cyclized 7- and 8-substituted-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrrolo[2,3-e]pyrazine products in the presence of ligand. This catalyst control was conserved across a variety of ylide and amine coupling partners. The substrate was shown to act as a ligand for the iridium catalyst in the absence of other ligands via NMR spectroscopy. Kinetic studies indicated that formation of the Ir-carbene was reversible and the slow step of the reaction. These mechanistic investigations suggest that the ß-keto amine products form via an intramolecular carbene N-H insertion, and the imidazopyrrolopyrazines form via an intermolecular carbene N-H insertion.

Asymmetric total syntheses of megacerotonic acid and shimobashiric acid A.

The asymmetric total syntheses of the α-benzylidene-γ-butyrolactone natural products megacerotonic acid and shimobashiric acid A have been accomplished in nine and 11 steps, respectively, from simple, commercially available starting materials. The key step for each synthesis is the (arene)RuCl(monosulfonamide)-catalyzed dynamic kinetic resolution-asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (DKR-ATH) of racemic α,δ-diketo-ß-aryl esters to establish the absolute stereochemistry. Intramolecular diastereoselective Dieckmann cyclization forms the lactone core, and ketone reduction/alcohol elimination installs the α-arylidene.

Copper-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of aryl and heteroaryl ketones.

High throughput screening enabled the development of a Cu-based catalyst system for the asymmetric hydrogenation of prochiral aryl and heteroaryl ketones that operates at H2 pressures as low as 5 bar. A ligand combination of (R,S)-N-Me-3,5-xylyl-BoPhoz and tris(3,5-xylyl)phosphine provided benzylic alcohols in good yields and enantioselectivities. The electronic and steric characteristics of the ancillary triarylphosphine were important in determining both reactivity and selectivity.

Cu(II)-catalyzed aerobic hydroperoxidation of Meldrum's acid derivatives and application in intramolecular oxidation: a conceptual blueprint for O2/H2 dihydroxylation.

Aerobic hydroperoxidation of Meldrum's acid derivatives via a Cu(II)-catalyzed process is presented. The mild reaction conditions are tolerant to pendant unsaturation allowing the formation of endoperoxides via electrophilic activation. Cleavage of the O-O bond provides 1,n-diols with differentiation of the hydroxy groups.

Environmentally friendly organic synthesis using bismuth(III) compounds.

With increasing environmental concerns, the need for environmentally friendly organic synthesis has gained increased importance. In this regard, bismuth(III) compounds are especially attractive as "green" reagents and catalysts for organic synthesis. Bismuth(III) compounds are remarkably nontoxic, relatively air and moisture stable, and easy to handle. The contributions from our laboratory in the last 5 years in the field of applications of bismuth(III) compounds as catalysts are presented.

Applications of bismuth(III) compounds in organic synthesis.

This review article summarizes the applications of bismuth(III) compounds in organic synthesis since 2002. Although there are an increasing number of reports on applications of bismuth(III) salts in polymerization reactions, and their importance is acknowledged, they are not included in this review. This review is largely organized by the reaction type although some reactions can clearly be placed in multiple sections. While every effort has been made to include all relevant reports in this field, any omission is inadvertent and we apologize in advance for the same (358 references).

Tin-free radical cyclization reactions initiated by visible light photoredox catalysis.

Herein, we report an advancement in the application of visible light photoredox catalysts in a classic free radical mediated reaction, cyclization onto unactivated pi-systems. The reactive radical intermediate is generated by the single electron reduction of an activated C-Br bond by an electron-rich redox catalyst afforded by a visible light induced catalytic cycle.

Electron transfer photoredox catalysis: intramolecular radical addition to indoles and pyrroles.

The utilization of the photoredox catalyst, tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium dichloride, and a household light bulb to effect radical cyclizations onto indoles and pyrroles at room temperature is reported. A reactive free radical intermediate is generated via the reduction of an activated C-Br bond by the single electron reductant, Ru(I), generated in a visible light induced photocatalytic cycle. This system represents an expansion of the application of photoredox catalysis in conventional free radical processes.