Direct synthesis of conjugated tetraenes from 1,3-enynes with 1,3-dienes

New direct access to conjugated tetraenes has been achieved. A Ru(0)-catalysed reaction of 1,3-enynes with 1,3-dienes gives 1,3,5,7-octatetraene derivatives by formal regioselective insertion of the alkynyl group of 1,3-enynes into the terminal C-H bond in 1,3-dienes. With a silyl substituent on the alkynyl side in 1,3-enynes, the reaction regioselectively proceeds to give the linear cross-dimerisation product having the silyl group at the internal position. Stoichiometric and DFT calculations support the oxidative coupling mechanism for the linear cross-dimerisation. Methyl (2E,4E,6E,8E)-10-hydroxy-2,4,6,8-decatetraenoate, a versatile polyene intermediate, is accessed by this method as a formal synthesis of biologically active compounds.

Metal-Free Synthesis of Functionalized Tetrasubstituted Alkenes by Three-Component Reaction of Alkynes, Iodine, and Sodium Sulfinates

An operationally simple, efficient, and metal-/peroxide-free three-component reaction of alkynes, iodine, and sodium sulfinates has been developed for the construction of highly functionalized tetrasubstituted alkenes. Iodo- and sulfonyl-containing tetrasubstituted alkenes, such as vinyl ketones, allylic alcohols, and conjugated enynes, could be obtained regio- and stereoselectively in up to 96% yield.

Applications of H-phosphonates for C element bond formation

The readily accessible and inexpensive dialkyl H-phosphonates are important building blocks for organic synthesis. This review specifically covers our recent work on the application of H-phosphonates as reactants for C–P bond formation, and as promoters for quinoline N-oxides to synthesize 2-functionalized quinolines.

Computational insight into the mechanism of the Pd(0)–Brønsted acid cooperatively catalysed head-to-tail dimerization of terminal alkynes

The Pd(0)–Brønsted acid cooperatively catalysed head-to-tail dimerization of terminal alkynes was computationally studied to gain a mechanistic insight.