Gold(I)-Catalyzed Synthesis of Benzofurans from Tetrahydropyranyl (THP) Ethers of o-Alkynylphenols

The activation of π-systems in alkenes and alkynes by homogeneous gold catalysts is a powerful tool for the synthesis of benzo-fused heterocycles. Decades of development in the area of gold catalysis have brought an array of new catalysts and with them the discovery of new modes of carbophilic activation of π-systems in alkenes and alkynes, and investigations of previously unknown mechanistic pathways. In alignment with these efforts, we report a cyclization of tetrahydropyranyl ethers of 2-alkynylphenols to form benzofurans catalyzed by a gold(I)-NHC complex. The reaction proceeds efficiently at very low catalyst loadings, and the products form in good yields.

Palladium(ii) complexes bearing mesoionic carbene ligands: catalytic application in domino Sonogashira coupling/cyclization reactions for one-pot synthesis of benzofuran and indole derivatives

Bioactive heterocycles such as benzofuran and indole derivatives were synthesized from commercially available 2-iodoarenes and alkynes via domino Sonogashira coupling followed by cyclization reaction using well-defined palladium PEPPSI (Pyridine Enhanced Precatalyst Preparation Stabilization and Initiation) complexes (2a and 2b). These reactions tolerate a variety of 2-iodoarenes and diversely substituted terminal alkynes, resulting in the corresponding product in moderate to good yields in an open-air atmosphere. In particular, two palladium(ii) PEPPSI complexes 2a and 2b were synthesized in good yields from the reaction of corresponding 1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene (MIC: mesoionic carbene), PdCl2, KI, and K2CO3 in pyridine at 110 °C and structurally characterized by various spectroscopic techniques including NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, HRMS and elemental analysis studies. Complex 2b is also characterized by X-ray crystallography.

Cationic N,S-chelate half-sandwich iridium complexes: synthesis, characterization, anticancer and antiplasmodial activity

A series of pyrazole-based ligands and their corresponding cationic N,S-chelate half-sandwich iridium complexes were successfully synthesized. All iridium complexes exhibited good anticancer activity against the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. The cytotoxic activity of unsubstituted iridium complex 1 is greater than that of cisplatin against MCF-7 cells. In addition, the cationic half-sandwich iridium complexes are also efficient in antiplasmodial study and complex 1 displayed the best activity as its IC50 was observed to be approximately 0.11 μM against the CQS-NF54 strain. These iridium complexes generally exhibited enhanced activity against the CQS-NF54 strain in comparison with that against the CQR-K1 strain. An "IC50 speed assay" investigation against the CQS-NF54 strain indicated complexes 1-3 to be fast-acting complexes that reach their lowest IC50 values within 16 hours. All complexes were fully characterized by IR spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis, and the structure of the iridium complex was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Pd-N-heterocyclic carbene complex catalysed C–H bond activation of 2-isobutylthiazole at the C5 position with aryl bromides

An effective and efficient catalytic system has been reported for the synthesis of C5-arylated 2-isobutylthiazoles.

Palladium complexes with an annellated mesoionic carbene (MIC) ligand: catalytic sequential Sonogashira coupling/cyclization reaction for one-pot synthesis of benzofuran, indole, isocoumarin and isoquinolone derivatives

A Pd(ii) complex containing a mesoionic carbene and phosphine ligands is an efficient catalyst for tandem coupling/cyclization reaction.