A ruthenium benzylidene complex with a neutral bidentate N-heterocyclic carbene was prepared and evaluated in ring-closing metathesis of diallyl substrates. Reaction with AgPF6 to generate a four-coordinate complex produced an unexpected dicationic ruthenium benzyl degradation product through nucleophilic attack of the NHC ligand on the benzylidene carbon.

Highly enantioselective (formal) hetero-Diels-Alder reactions between chalcones and formylcyclopropanes are disclosed. The challenging N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-bounded enolate intermediates from formylcyclopropanes were captured for new C-C bond forming reactions. The reaction products were obtained with high diastereo- and enantioselectivities and could be easily transformed to optically p...

The asymmetric intermolecular Stetter reaction is catalyzed by a novel triazolium salt derived N-heterocyclic carbene leading to 1,4-diketones in moderate to excellent yields (49-98%) and moderate to good enantioselectivities (56-78% ee), which could be enhanced by one recrystallization to excellent levels (90-99% ee).

An unprecedented cyclopropenation reaction of alkynes catalyzed by ZnCl2 is reported. While Simmons-Smith-type carbenoids failed in the [2 + 1]-cycloaddition with alkynes, the use of enynones as the carbene source enables the preparation of substituted 2-furyl cyclopropene derivatives with remarkable scope.

The first nickel-catalyzed method for the borylation of carbon-hydrogen bonds in arenes and indoles is described. The use of an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand is essential for an efficient reaction, with an N-cyclohexyl-substituted derivative being optimal. This method is readily applied to the gram scale synthesis of 2-borylindole.

Advances in hydroarylation have been achieved by the development of a one-pot regioselective allene hydrosilylation/Pd(0)-catalyzed cross-coupling protocol. The regioselectivity is primarily governed by N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand identity in the hydrosilylation step and is preserved in the subsequent cross-coupling reaction. This methodology affords streamlined access to functionalized...

An N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed annulation reaction of isatin N-Boc ketimines and enals is developed for the synthesis of spirocyclic oxindole-γ-lactams bearing one quaternary chiral center in good yields and excellent stereoselectivities (up to >20:1 dr and 99% ee).

The mechanism of the title reaction is found to consist of three steps by DFT calculations: (1) N(2) dissociation, (2) intramolecular Ag-carbene addition, and (3) proton transfer. The N(2) dissociation is turnover determining. The product 3-alkylideneoxindole is favored in tautomerization with 3-acetyl-2-hydroxyindole.

Synthesis of substituted 1,3-dienes was achieved via gold(I)-catalyzed Claisen rearrangement of allenyl vinyl ethers. The N-heterocyclic carbene gold chloride catalyst (IPrAuCl) was superior in terms of activity and selectivity and afforded the 3,3-product in excellent yields. A proposed cation-π inter-action played a significant role in affecting the reaction rate.

A new triazolium salt derived N-heterocyclic carbene catalyses an asymmetric cross-benzoin-type reaction of heteroaromatic aldehydes and various trifluoromethyl ketones in good to excellent yields (69-96%) and moderate to good enantioselectivities (ee = 39-85%). Up to 99% ee can be achieved by recrystallisation.