A variety of heterocyclic alcohols and acetates were coupled with silyl ketene acetals and other π-nucleophiles in the presence of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate to provide an array of substituted β-heteroaryl propionates, including those with contiguous quaternary centers, as well as vinylogs thereof. This reaction also proceeds with high diastereoselectivity when the π-nucleophile b...

A copper-catalyzed radical 1,2-aryl migration in α,α-diaryl allylic alcohols is developed, leading to β-silyl carbonyl compounds in moderate to good yields. The migration of aryls with lower aromaticity is favored. This procedure features the employment of silanes as commercially available materials.

The effect of azido-phthalonate, a photoreactive analogue of oxoglutarate, on the transport of oxoglutarate was investigated in proteoliposomes reconstituted with the purified oxoglutarate carrier. In the dark, azido-phthalonate inhibits the reconstituted oxoglutarate/oxoglutarate exchange in a competitive manner with a Ki of 0.38 mM. Upon photoirradiation, the inhibition of the oxoglutarate ex...

A novel strategy for highly efficient utilization of chiral ammonium salt catalysts has been described in this paper. Three kinds of catalytic functions including iminium catalysis, enamine catalysis, and acid catalysis of chiral ammonium salt catalysts, have been achieved in the enantioselective reduction and alkylation reaction of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes with alcohols.

The asymmetric ring-opening of meso-aziridines with primary alcohols is realized using an N,N'-dioxide-Mg(OTf)2 complex as the catalyst. The desired vicinal trans-β-amino ethers are afforded in good yields and enantioselectivities. Aniline and water could also be used as the nucleophiles for the ring-opening in an identical catalyst system.

An ethoxy-bridged dinuclear indium catalyst was used for the ring opening polymerization of the cyclic ester β-butyrolactone to form the biodegradable polyester poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). The catalyst shows remarkable activity and control during polymerization, allowing for formation of diblock polymers. Addition of high ratios of alcohols to the catalyst leads to fast chain transfer and immo...

A novel radical phosphinylation of α,α-diaryl allylic alcohols with arylphosphine oxides was described for the direct preparation of α-aryl-β-phosphinylated carbonyl ketones in medium to good yields via 1,2-aryl migration. In this reaction, formation of new C(Ar)-C(sp(3)) and C(sp(3))-P bonds was observed.

A synthetic approach to highly functionalized cyclopentanes that incorporate adjacent secondary and tertiary alcohols is described. These systems, prepared in one step by a ketyl radical cyclization of β-disubstituted acrylates, represent the core of the marine prostanoid family of natural products.

The synthesis of chiral tetrahydrofurans and pyrrolidines starting from 1,2-diols or β-amino alcohols, respectively, by visible-light-mediated deoxygenation is described. Easily accessible monoallylated/propargylated substrates were activated either as inexpensive ethyl oxalates or as recyclable 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzoates to generate alkyl radicals suitable for 5-exo-trig/5-exo-dig cycli...

A highly enantioselective method for the catalytic opening of aromatic meso-epoxides with aniline derivatives was developed. The desired chiral β-amino alcohols were obtained in mostly good to very good yields with excellent enantioselectivities. Structural evidence of the pre-catalyst revealed a scarcely disclosed heptadentate Fe(II) complex with the chiral bipyridine ligand.