A general synthesis of dendralenes

The first broad spectrum dendralene synthesis permits the widest structural and substituent variation and promotes applications in step economic synthesis.

The first general synthetic approach to substituted [3]- and higher dendralenes is reported. Fifty-one mono- through to penta-substituted dendralenes carrying alkyl-, cycloalkyl-, alkenyl-, alkynyl-, aryl- and heteroaryl-substitutents are accessed, and the first (E)/(Z)-stereoselective syntheses of dendralenes are reported (twenty-eight examples). The approach involves twofold Pd(0)-catalyzed Negishi couplings of 1,1-dibromoalkenes with alkenylzinc reagents, and exploits both substrate- and catalyst-controlled aspects of chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivity in the two C(sp²)–C(sp²) bond forming steps. The value of the new hydrocarbons in rapid structural complexity generation is demonstrated through their deployment in unprecedented diene- and triene-transmissive pericyclic reaction sequences.

Pd-Catalyzed, Highly Selective C(sp²)-Br Bond Coupling Reactions of o-(or m-, or p-) Chloromethyl Bromobenzene with Arylboronic Acids

Highly selective C(sp²)–C(sp²) cross-coupling of dihalogenated hydrocarbons comprising C(sp²)–Br and C(sp³)–Cl bonds with arylboronic acids is reported. This highly selective coupling reaction of the C(sp²)–Br bond is successfully achieved using Pd(OAc)₂ and PCy₃·HBF₄ as the palladium source and ligand, respectively. A series of chloromethyl-1,1′-biphenyl compounds are obtained in moderate-to-excellent yields. Moreover, this protocol can be extended to the one-pot dual arylation of 1-bromo-4-(chloromethyl)benzene with two arylboronic acids, leading to diverse unsymmetrical 4-benzyl-1,1′-biphenyl derivatives.

Scope of regioselective Suzuki reactions in the synthesis of arylpyridines and benzylpyridines and subsequent intramolecular cyclizations to azafluorenes and azafluorenones

The current investigation on regioselective Suzuki reaction of 2,3-dihalopyridines and 2-halo-3-halomethyl pyridines has been studied and extended for azafluorenes and azafluorenones synthesis.