A Strategy for Amide to β-Oxo Ester Transformation via N-Alkenoxypyridinium Salts as the Activator and H2O as the Nucleophile

A sequential Au(I)/TBAF-promoted rapid and selective functionalization of heteroarene N-oxides with alkynes

We present a rapid and versatile Au(I)-catalyzed strategy for functionalizing N-heteroarenes using TBAF as a nucleophile or base, enabling varied transformations. The method accommodates diverse substrates, offering excellent yields and functional group tolerance. Distinct reaction pathways highlight its adaptability, expanding chemical diversity for organic synthesis.

Rapid and General Access to α-Haloketones Using Quaternary Ammonium Salts as Halogen Sources

A general, rapid, and scalable method for the preparation of α-halogenated ketones using N-alkenoxypyridinium salts as substrates and quaternary ammonium salts as halogen sources was developed, featuring mild reaction conditions, excellent functional group tolerance, short reaction times, and a wide substrate scope.

An umpolung strategy for chemically selective intermolecular cross-enolate-type coupling of N-alkenoxypyridinium salts with aldehydes

An efficient method for the synthesis of 1,4-ketoaldehydes via the cross-coupling of N-alkenoxyheteroarenium salts and primary aldehydes is developed. This method provides a broad substrate scope and excellent functional group compatibility. The utility of this method is demonstrated via the diverse transformations of heterocyclic compounds and cycloheptanone, as well as the late-stage functionalization of biorelevant molecules.

Chelating Picolinaldehyde Hydrazone Amides as Protecting Groups for Carboxylic Acids: Orthogonal Reactivities of Hydrazone Amides and Esters in Hydrolysis

We report a chelating hydrazone amide as a protecting group for carboxylic acids. Unlike most esters, 2-picolinaldehyde hydrazone amides are stable under acidic or basic hydrolytic conditions. However, hydrazone amides can be easily converted to the corresponding carboxylic acids via Ni-mediated hydrolysis. Orthogonal reactivities of the hydrazone amides and representative protecting groups were verified by control experiments and peptide synthesis, demonstrating that chelating hydrazone amides are highly useful protecting groups.

Recent Progress in Enolonium Chemistry under Metal-Free Conditions

Umpolung approach through inversion of the polarity of conventional enolates, has opened up an unprecedented opportunity in the cross-coupling via alkylation. The enolonium equivalents can be accessed either by hypervalent iodine reagents, activation/oxidation of amides, or the oxidation of alkynes. Under umpolung conditions, highly basic conditions required for classical enolate chemistry can be avoided, and they can couple with unmodified nucleophiles such as heteroatom donors and electron-rich arenes.

Conversion of esters to thioesters under mild conditions

We report conversion of esters to thioesters via selective C-O bond cleavage/weak C-S bond formation under transition-metal-free conditions. The method is notable for a general and practical transition-metal-free system, broad substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance. The strategy was successfully deployed in late-stage thioesterification, site-selective cross-coupling/thioesterification/decarbonylation and easy-to-handle gram scale thioesterification. Selectivity and computational studies were performed to gain insight into the formation of weak C-S bonds by C-O bond cleavage, which contrasts with the traditional trend of nucleophilic additions to carboxylic acid derivatives.