Vanadyl species-catalyzed complementary β-oxidative carbonylation of styrene derivatives with aldehydes

By judicious choice of the counter anions in the vanadyl catalysts, we can achieve β-hydroxylated and t-butyl peroxylated carbonylation of styrenes by aromatic 1° and 2° alkyl aldehydes in a complementary manner.

Stereoselective intermolecular nitroaminoxylation of terminal aromatic alkynes: trapping alkenyl radicals by TEMPO

The vinyl radical is one of the most unstable organic radicals. It is demonstrated that a nitro radical attacks phenylacetylene and makes the phenyl ring deconjugated with a double bond so that the resulting vinyl radical may be stabilized by delocalization to the phenyl ring's π orbital and easily trapped by TEMPO. It is noteworthy that all desired products were obtained in moderate to good yields in an (E)-configuration.

Pd(0)-Catalyzed radical aryldifluoromethylation of activated alkenes

A Pd(0)-catalyzed intramolecular aryldifluoromethylation of activated alkenes under mild reaction conditions has been developed. This reaction provides a new method for construction of a variety of difluoromethylated oxindoles. Mechanistic investigations indicate that a difluoromethyl radical, which was triggered by Pd(0), initiated the cascade sequence through an addition to the alkene.

Rearrangements of propargylic esters can be induced by some electrophiles

An electrophile-induced rearrangement of propargylic esters without need of transition catalysis is possible. In particular, this observation provides a mild, economic, and effective method for the introduction of benzyl ether derivatives to access functionalized α,β-unsaturated ketones. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that this rearrangement undergoes an intramolecular 1,3-acyloxy shift.

The carbomethylation of arylacrylamides leading to 3-ethyl-3-substituted indolin-2-one by cascade radical addition/cyclization

An FeCl2-promoted carbomethylation of arylacrylamides by di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP) is achieved, leading to 3-ethyl-3-substituted indolin-2-one in high yield. The reaction tolerates a series of functional groups, such as cyano, nitro, ethyloxy carbonyl, bromo, chloro, and trifluoromethyl groups. The radical methylation and arylation of the alkenyl group are involved in this reaction.

Iron-catalyzed/mediated oxidative transformation of C–H bonds

Iron-catalyzed/mediated C–H bond oxidation has been demonstrated as one of practical and straightforward tools in synthetic chemistry.

Fe-catalyzed cycloaddition of indoles and o-phthalaldehyde for the synthesis of benzo[b]carbazoles with TMSCl- or acid-responsive properties

The indolyl benzo[b]carbazoles achieved by iron catalysis via sequential carbon–carbon bond-forming reaction could be used as fluorescent sensors for TMSCl and acids.

Metal-free syntheses of oxindole derivatives via a benzoylation/substitution/desulfonylation/cyclization cascade

A benzoylation/substitution/desulfonylation/cyclization cascade reaction giving oxindole derivatives was reported.