Catalyst-Free Visible-Light-Mediated Iodoamination of Olefins and Synthetic Applications

Herein we report a catalyst- and metal-free visible-light-mediated protocol enabling the iodoamination of miscellaneous olefins. This protocol is characterized by high yields under environmentally benign reaction conditions utilizing commercially available substrates and a green and biodegradable solvent. Furthermore, the protocol allows for late-stage functionalization of bioactive molecules and can be scaled to gram quantities of product, which offers manifold possibilities for further transformations, including morpholine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, and aziridine synthesis.

Crystal structure of 5-methyl-3,3-diphenyl-1-tosyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridine, C25H25NO2S

C25H25NO2S, monoclinic, P21 (no. 4), a = 9.371(4) Å, b = 11.397(4) Å, c = 9.777(4) Å, β = 95.117(6)°, V = 1040.0(7) Å3, Z = 2, R gt(F) = 0.0423, wR ref(F 2) = 0.0921, T = 296(2) K.

Lewis Base Catalyzed Stereo- and Regioselective Bromocyclization

Oxygen- and nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds are widely recognized as key components in many natural products and biologically relevant molecules, but often the problem comes down to methodologies in synthesizing them. Halocyclization of olefinic substrates is a promising strategy in the construction of O- and N-heterocyclic compounds, which further signifies the development of their asymmetric variants. Over the past years, our group has been devoted to this particular area of asymmetric electrophilic halocyclization with chalcogen-containing molecules as catalysts. In this account, the main focus is on the development of our novel chiral catalysts and applications derived from the reaction products.

Palladium-Catalyzed 6-Endo Selective Alkyl-Heck Reactions: Access to 5-Phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine Derivatives

A new type of palladium-catalyzed 6-endo-selective alkyl-Heck reaction of unactivated alkyl iodides has been described. This strategy provides efficient access to a variety of 5-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine derivatives, which are important structural motifs for bioactive molecules. This process displays a broad substrate scope with excellent 6-endo selectivity. Mechanistic investigations reveal that this alkyl-Heck reaction performs via a hybrid palladium-radical process.

Recent Advances in the C-H-Functionalization of the Distal Positions in Pyridines and Quinolines

This review summarizes recent developments in the C-H-functionalization of the distal positions of pyridines, quinolines and related azaheterocycles. While the functionalization of the C2 position has been known for a long time and is facilitated by the proximity to N1, regioselective reactions in the distal positions are more difficult to achieve and have only emerged in the last decade. Recent advances in the transition metal-catalyzed distal C-H-functionalization of these synthetically-important azaheterocycles are discussed in detail, with the focus on the scope, site-selectivity and mechanistic aspects of the reactions.

Developments in Synthetic Application of Selenium(IV) Oxide and Organoselenium Compounds as Oxygen Donors and Oxygen-Transfer Agents

A variety of selenium compounds were proven to be useful reagents and catalysts for organic synthesis over the past several decades. The most interesting aspect, which emerged in recent years, concerns application of hydroperoxide/selenium(IV) oxide and hydroperoxide/organoselenium catalyst systems, as "green reagents" for the oxidation of different organic functional groups. The topic of oxidations catalyzed by organoselenium derivatives has rapidly expanded in the last fifteen years This paper is devoted to the synthetic applications of the oxidation reactions mediated by selenium compounds such as selenium(IV) oxide, areneseleninic acids, their anhydrides, selenides, diselenides, benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-ones and other less often used other organoselenium compounds. All these compounds have been successfully applied for various oxidations useful in practical organic syntheses such as epoxidation, 1,2-dihydroxylation, and α-oxyfunctionalization of alkenes, as well as for ring contraction of cycloalkanones, conversion of halomethyl, hydroxymethyl or active methylene groups into formyl groups, oxidation of carbonyl compounds into carboxylic acids and/or lactones, sulfides into sulfoxides, and secondary amines into nitrones and regeneration of parent carbonyl compounds from their azomethine derivatives. Other reactions such as dehydrogenation and aromatization, active carbon-carbon bond cleavage, oxidative amidation, bromolactonization and oxidation of bromide for subsequent reactions with alkenes are also successfully mediated by selenium (IV) oxide or organoselenium compounds. The oxidation mechanisms of ionic or free radical character depending on the substrate and oxidant are discussed. Coverage of the literature up to early 2015 is provided. Links have been made to reviews that summarize earlier literature and to the methods of preparation of organoselenium reagents and catalysts.

Enantioselective synthesis of 2-substituted and 3-substituted piperidines through a bromoaminocyclization process

A catalytic enantioselective bromocyclization of olefinic amides using amino-thiocarbamates as the catalysts has been developed. The resulting enantioenriched 2-substituted 3-bromopiperidines can readily be transformed to 3-substituted piperidines through a silver salt-mediated rearrangement. This process has been applied to the synthesis of a dopaminergic drug, Preclamol.

Regioselective Palladium-Catalyzed Formate Reduction of N-Heterocyclic Allylic Acetates

The regioselective palladium-catalyzed formate reduction of allylic acetates in five- to eight-membered heterocycles is reported. Reduction of allylic acetates under mild conditions using allylpalladium chloride dimer, phosphines, and formic acid/triethylamine in DMF gives the exo-cyclic olefins in good regioselectivities and high yields. Synthetic application in preparing N-tosyl-3-oxo-piperidine is also reported.