gengxiao

The use of N-(p-chlorophenyl)methylbenzoxazole-2-thione as a sulfur-atom donor enables the catalytic [2+2+1] cycloaddition of diynes in wet DMF at 80 °C when open to air, thus affording diverse fused thiophenes with good yields and wide functional-group compatibility. A plausible mechanism, involving a cationic ruthenacycle intermediate, was also proposed on the basis of several control experiments.

The use of N-(p-chlorophenyl)methylbenzoxazole-2-thione as a sulfur-atom donor enables the catalytic [2+2+1] cycloaddition of diynes in DMF at 80 °C when open to air, thus affording diverse fused thiophenes with good yields and wide functional-group compatibility. A plausible mechanism, involving a cationic ruthenacycle intermediate, was also proposed on the basis of several control experiments.

An enantioselective β-carbon amination for enals is disclosed. The nitrogen atom from a protected hydrazine with suitable electronic properties readily behaves as a nucleophile. Addition of the nitrogen nucleophile to a catalytically generated N-heterocyclic-carbene-bound α,β-unsaturated acyl azolium intermediate constructs a new carbon–nitrogen bond asymmetrically. The pyrazolidinone products from our catalytic reactions are common scaffolds in bioactive molecules, and can be easily transformed into useful compounds such as β³-amino-acid derivatives.

Focus on the β-C: The aza-Michael addition of protected hydrazine to a catalytically generated unsaturated acyl azolium intermediate provides a highly efficient approach for enantioselective β-carbon-atom amination of enals. The heterocyclic products, prepared by using this method, are common scaffolds found in bioactive molecules, and can be readily transformed into β³-amino-acid derivatives. NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene.