Henry

Alkyl with alkyl: A significant development in alkyl–alkyl cross-coupling reactions, namely the nickel-catalyzed decarboxylative Negishi coupling of N-hydroxyphthalimide esters, was recently reported by Baran and co-workers. This method enables the synthesis of various highly functionalized compounds, including natural product derivatives.

Readily available chiral diol scaffolds are useful as sources of chirality for asymmetric synthesis, however, few such scaffolds are readily available in enantiopure form. Reported herein is a cheap and modular synthesis of a novel family of chiral ferrocenyl diols in excellent yields with excellent enantio- and diastereoselectivity (>99 % ee and 99 % de). These diols possess not only planar and central chirality, but also axial chirality around the central iron atom. Characterization of these diols by X-ray crystallography revealed intra- and intermolecular hydrogen-bond networks depending on substitution at the carbinol positions. The potential of these diols as catalysts was subsequently demonstrated in an asymmetric hetero-Diels–Alder reaction which provided cycloadducts in up to 84 % yield with ee values ranging from −92 to +72 %.

Triple crown of chirality: Reported is the synthesis of a novel family of chiral ferrocenyl diols possessing planar, central, and axial chirality. X-ray crystallography reveals dense intra- and intermolecular hydrogen-bond networks. The potential of these diols as organocatalysts was demonstrated in an asymmetric hetero-Diels–Alder reaction, thus providing cycloadducts in up to 84 % yield with ee values ranging from −92 to +72 %.

A mild fluorination method for pyrroles, based on anionic phase-transfer catalysis by using Selectfluor, a lipophilic phosphoric acid, and a base in an apolar solvent is described. The thus obtained fluorinated pyrroles bearing a wide variety of functional groups are attractive building blocks for medicinal chemistry.

A mild fluorination method for pyrroles has been developed, which is based on anionic phase-transfer catalysis by using Selectfluor, a lipophilic phosphoric acid, and a base in an apolar solvent. The thus obtained fluorinated pyrroles, bearing functional groups, are sought-after building blocks in medicinal chemistry.