Tandem one-pot synthesis of α-(aminomethylene)-γ-butyrolactones via regioselective epoxide ring-opening with the Blaise reaction intermediate

Advances in tandem reactions with organozinc reagents

A review of recent advances in tandem reactions with organozinc reagents that highlight their utility in organic synthesis.

Theoretical and Experimental Studies on the Regioselectivity of Epoxide Ring Opening by Nucleophiles in Nitromethane without any Catalyst: Nucleophilic-Chain Attack Mechanism

We describe here a mild and efficient method for the nucleophilic ring-opening of epoxides with amines, alcohols and water in the presence of nitromethane as a polar solvent without using any catalyst. The reactions are highly regioselective and afford the products in excellent yields within a short period of time at room temperature. The regioselectivity for this ring opening has been investigated using experimental and theoretical 1H and 13C NMR studies together with activation energy calculations at the B3LYP/6-311+G(2d,p) level of theory. The mechanism of nucleophilic attack has been investigated in terms of a direct attack or a methanol chain attack.

A novel intermolecular synthesis of γ-lactones via visible-light photoredox catalysis

Direct γ-lactone formation via visible-light photoredox catalysis has been achieved efficiently including hydroxylalkylation of aromatic alkenes and transesterification. The present photocatalytic protocol has good regioselectivity and substrate compatibility, affording a novel way to intermolecular γ-lactone synthesis by the reaction of styrenes with α-bromo esters in the absence of any external oxidants.

Chemoselective intramolecular alkylation of the Blaise reaction intermediates: tandem one-pot synthesis of exo-cyclic enaminoesters and their applications toward the synthesis of N-heterocyclic compounds

The intramolecular alkylative reactivity and N/C selectivity of the various Blaise reaction intermediates, which are formed from the reaction of the Reformatsky reagents with ω-chloroalkyl nitriles, did not reach the synthetic potential as an entry to exo-cyclic enaminoesters. To circumvent this issue, various additives were investigated, among which the addition of NaHMDS dramatically enhanced the reactivity and N/C selectivity. This modification provided a highly efficient route for the synthesis of various N-fused heterocyclic compounds, as it requires only two steps from nitriles.

Palladium-catalyzed intramolecular trapping of the Blaise reaction intermediate for tandem one-pot synthesis of indole derivatives

Palladium-catalyzed intramolecular N-arylative and N-alkylative/N-arylative trappings of the Blaise reaction intermediates could be a new route to construct the indole moiety in a tandem one-pot manner from nitriles.